#i think? this might be the longest one so far and i still gotta pick a proper title for it

[lashysdomain]

yall think i can finish editing this before midnight (50 minutes)

alright

home stretch

[yuncheoligans]

Forever

Wooyoung x Single Mom! Reader

Your life gets flipped upside down when you take a new backup dancer job at KQ Entertainment, you lied in your interview how will you get out of this one?

Genre: Mostly Fluff, Some Angst.

Warnings: (?) Angst, Mentions of cheating, self-doubt, and arguing.

w/c: 8715

a/n: Ahhh the longest one I've written so far!!! Oh god, I really hope it's good and that you guys like it, I've never written anything this long and I'm so scared to post it hahaha. I feel like even as long as it is it might feel a little rushed. I have no idea....it took me a long time to write anyways so any and all feedback is welcomed. Okay AH! Enjoy, please!

tags: @cromernet @starillusion13, @jaehunnyy (for you Chippie)

Masterlist

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Do I wake up every morning with my hair in every direction, toothpaste foaming at the mouth, a stained t-shirt and pajama pants, and a toddler crying because I can’t hold her? Not every morning…sometimes I don’t get to brush my teeth before breakfast. Today was a really important day for me though and I absolutely could not bring my screaming toddler to my first day as a backup dancer at KQ Entertainment.

“What do you think Sweet Pea? Pancakes for breakfast?” I looked at her. “How about some fruit too? Grapes, Cantaloupe?” she smiled.

“Mama!” she pointed at the plate.

“I know I know they’re coming.” I flipped the stove on and kept brushing my hair. This is what I get for letting her try to braid it last night. “I knew I should’ve prepped last night.”

Of course, the day was going to be crazy, I’m a ball of anxiety there’s no way I couldn’t be.

“Do you like the melon today? It’s in season so it should be nice.”

“Juicy.” she smiled. “I like it!” she raised it in the air.

“I’m glad, maybe I’ll get more the next time we go to the grocery store.” I ate with her and wiped her mouth when it got to be too much.

“Are you excited to hang out with grandma today?” I picked up her plate so we could go wash dishes together.

“Grandma is coming?” she looked at me.

“Yes, are you excited?” I looked down at her and pulled her step stool up since she insists she can ash her own dishes.

“Mmmmm I dunno.” she shrugged and I chuckled.

The doorbell rang.

“Hi Mom, thanks for watching her again.” I sighed opening the door a two-year-old attached to my hip. “Saja, say hi to grandma.” I nudged her and she hid behind my shoulder. My shy little girl.

“Oh still shy as ever I see. Does she talk to anyone?” my mom chuckled.

“She’ll talk to me, especially when she gets upset…she’s just nervous around people. In fact, we were just talking about you coming over.”

“Oh, how fascinating.” she smiled.

“Okay let me just show you around really quickly to make sure you know where everything is. It’s been a while since you traveled here and I really appreciate it.”

I gave her the tour around the apartment, sure it wasn’t big but it was enough to stress me out, and have trouble keeping clean. Important numbers on the fridge, obviously call me if there’s an emergency. Snacks in one cabinet, dry food in another, what she likes and doesn’t so far, what she likes to do all day, hopefully, if the weather is nice they can go to a park. I went to get ready while Saja was distracted and put my bag together.

“Where we going?” she asked and patted my bag by the front door reaching for her shoes.

“Unfortunately today Pumpkin you have to stay with grandma while Mama goes to her first day of work.” I pushed the hair out of her eyes.

“But-”her eyes gazed over. “But I wanna go.” she pouted and big tears started forming.

“It’s just like that time that mama had to drop you off at daycare for the first time sweet pea, remember how much fun that turned out to be. You met Junie, and Kiri.”

“But I no want mama go.” she hiccuped.

“I know baby, I’ll be back before you go to bed I promise. Probably even before dinner ok.” I hugged her and spun her around. “It’ll be hard today, but easy tomorrow ok? Just gotta trust me.”

“Otay.” she wiped her eyes. “Promise come back?”

“I promise. I’m not ever leaving you.” I kissed her forehead.

And so that’s how the first day of the rest of my life began. I got to KQ, nearly died from exhaustion on how much they taught us that first day, raced home to be there for my kid before she went to sleep, and did it again for months, some days it was picking her up from daycare, sometimes my mom would take care of her. Of course, I made some work friends who wanted to hang out but I couldn’t… I can’t just go drinking after practice, I have to get home to watch the new episode of Octonauts, read bedtime stories, and make sure her “homework” (coloring.) is done.

“Oh come on y/n, come out with us.” Jaeun begged.

“I-I really can’t, I have to get back home.”

“What do you have a kid or something?” he teased.

“S-Something yeah. I um…just a tight schedule and I’m trying to make ends meet.”

“Oh second job?” Eun suggested.

“It’s just important and I can’t just…I don’t really have free time. I’m sorry, I really do want to but I have so much to do…” I bowed. “Thank you really. I appreciate it every time you ask me. I’ll see you around.”

I started to leave when a voice spoke up next to me.

“Nice work today y/n.” came the calm cool voice of none other than Jung Wooyoung.

“Th-Thank you Mr.Wooyoung.” I said again with a bow.

“Maybe they can’t convince you out but could I?” he quirked an eyebrow…..Is he flirting with me?

“I’m s-sorry I really have to go.” I picked up my bag and left. Did Jung Wooyoung just talk to me….and ask me out? Are you kidding me? I can’t get…I can’t.

“Mama.” called out the small voice waiting by my front door.

“Hi baby.” I picked her up and smiled once more. “I missed you too.”

“You look upset.” my mom said looking me over.

“It’s ok Mom, maybe later.” I didn’t want to talk about it in front of Saja. “For now, let me see what you learned today?”

“Color!” she ran over to the table after I set her down and started telling me the names of the colors.

“Wow look at you my smart girl.” I smiled and looked at the drawing she made of the rainbow. “Definitely going on the fridge today.”

“Yay!” she smiled and went to pick out the magnet for the drawing.

“I got asked out for drinks again.” I sighed.

“I would’ve watched her honey, you can go.”

“It wasn’t just by my coworkers this time…it was one of my bosses….I don’t know I’ve maybe bumped into him like 3 times but I haven’t really ever had a conversation with him and I…I couldn’t say yes.”

“Why not, it’s been a while since you had a date.”

“Mom I’m not really…dating material…I have a kid and…I don’t know.”

“y/n, you should try it…just…take a chance.”

“Maybe….I’ll…I’ll think about it mom.”

“I just want you to be happy kiddo, and to not feel so alone.”

“I’m never alone…but it would be a little nice to…think about some help…Mom he doesn’t want kids! What am I even saying.” I sighed.

“This one!!!” Saja ran back in with a rainbow magnet for her rainbow drawing. “I want dis one.” she smiled.

“Okay that one it is.” I smiled and took her rainbow to hang it up. “And so now which one is your favorite color?”

“Yellow.” she smiled.

“Good choice.” I kissed her head. “Come on let’s get ready for bed.”

I got her into her yellow duckie pajamas, we washed our faces, and we brushed our teeth and read together, she’s trying new words but also told me what color each things were. My smart girl.

“Goodnight Princess.” I whispered and kissed her head leaving the room.

“y/n.” my mom called me over. “I really want you to think about having fun with your friends.”

“I will mom…I…They don’t know I have a kid and I just, I don’t know wouldn’t it just be weird I’m suddenly the mom friend.”

“Honey, you already act like a mom because you’ve always been the mom friend.”

“I just don’t want to get hurt again….I don’t want Saja to get hurt again.” I looked back at her door.

One year ago, it was raining, I’d just gotten fired from my job for falling asleep in a meeting because my good-for-nothing partner wouldn’t take care of his own child at 2am. I came home to a screaming Saja, no furniture except her bed and mine, and a letter on the counter with photos of my worst fear….he was cheating on me this whole time. At least he had the decency to leave his keys. I was so scared I called my mom and that night I did the only thing I could hold onto my screaming one-year-old and cry too. I just wanted the best for her, unplanned or not she deserved as much love as I could give her. In some small ways, she tried too, if she saw me having a bad day after I couldn’t find a job she’d offer me a snack, if I fell asleep while we were together she’d curl up next to me and stay put so I could sleep. She was truly one of the best things if not the best thing to happen to me. I just wish I could give her a good life where she doesn’t have to worry about things at 2 years old…she shouldn’t see me cry already. Now the opportunity was knocking on my door, figuratively of course…Just the prospect of a date was terrifying, could I really let someone in like that again?

Jung Wooyoung is nothing but consistent…consistently a pain in my ass, he really doesn’t quit I mean at first it was every other day he’d ask if I was busy after work, but now it’s twice a week…he won’t stop…He’s famous, he’s…he’s an idol he wouldn’t want anything to do with me if I said I had a kid. He’d leave me alone…can I really expose myself like that? What if I get fired? I really need this job…Christ, what am I going to do? Just keep saying no he’ll give up and move on. Right.

“Oh you’re just mad someone actually said no to you Wooyoungie.” San teased his best friend as he pouted at another failed date attempt.

“It’s the way she carried herself, and that she always looks after the others, I mean I’ve seen her make sure everyone has water before drinking herself, and if someone looks unwell she’s the first one to check on them.” Wooyoung groaned flailing on the couch.

“Didn’t know you had a thing for moms.” Hongjoong chuckled.

“What do you mean?”

“She’s a total mom friend making sure everyone else is taken care of.” he smiled at the younger one, rejection never looked so good on someone.

“You could’ve just dated Seonghwa if you were into that.” Mingi spoke up.

“He’s not my type.” Seonghwa flipped the page he was reading.

“No you’re not my type! I’m everyone’s type!” Wooyoung stood up flabbergasted by the thought. “Jung Wooyoung is everyone’s type.”

“Just don’t catch a harassment case.” Seonghwa sighed. “I like her a lot, she’s kind.”

How could she say no to Jung Wooyoung so many times, he’s charming, handsome, funny, super attractive, sexy, cute, hilarious, and a dance machine. Maybe he should start with…

“How about lunch?” Wooyoung smiled.

“Hmm?” I looked up at him.

“Come get lunch with me.” he nodded.

“Oh um I-”

“You never want to do anything after work so why not during, we get a long enough break, I’ll even buy for being a pain in the ass so much.”

“Really Mr. Wooyoung I’m flattered but I have my own, it’s alright.”

“You seriously have to stop calling me Mister, I’m not that old and I’m not even your boss.” he smiled. “Just have lunch with me…us really a group of us are going.”

“I……okay.” I said sheepishly thinking about how much my mom is going to yell at me for not going.

When he said group I wasn’t expecting all of Ateez to be the group. Oh god, do I look okI should really sit like Six feet away just in case there’s cameras and does my breath smell ok?

“Hi y/n!” seonghwa waved. At least he was kind….they all are I don’t know what I’m saying.

“H-Hi Seonghwa.” I flushed and waved back sitting at the small metal table with them, the chairs dragging on the floor causing the shrill sound to ring out.

“Guys this is y/n…the one rejecting Wooyoung.” he smiled.

“Okay so not cool!” Wooyoung yelled. “I finally get her to come down to lunch and you embarrass me.”

Lunch with Ateez was becoming a regular thing, every week now I’d go with Wooyoung and we’d chat and…I almost felt like another member, sure they did this with others but it felt really special…I felt special. Mom was right I do need more friends. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I just let go and got to know Wooyoung. 

“Like a good mother.” Hwa chuckled.

I did a spit take. “Sorry! Just inhaled too much water.” I coughed and my phone started ringing. “Oh sorry I have to take this.” I got up to answer around the corner.

“Mama!” the voice came from the small face on my phone.

“Hi Pumpkin are you having fun with grandma?” I smiled.

“Grandma makes Tteokbokki like you! But not as yummy.” she smiled and held it up.

“Oh? But I learned from grandma so shouldn’t hers be better?”

“Oh now you know it was your grandmother that taught you this recipe, I can’t cook to save my life.” she chuckled.

“And who’s that?” came a voice from behind me.

“Shit!” I jumped and dropped my phone.

“y/n? y/n?” my mom spoke.

“Mama?” Saja called out.

“S-Seonghwa. I-”

“So you are an actual mom?” he smiled.

“N-No I-....I um…it’s my niece and I” I felt the anxiety creep in, I got nauseous and I could taste the bile in my throat.

“Can I see her?” he smiled and sat next to me and picked up my phone but face it away in case I said no.

“Mom I’ll call you back ok. Saja it’s ok.” I smiled lightly at the phone and hung up. “Am I fired?”

“Fired??? For what? Did you steal a water bottle too?” he smiled. “Those are free.”

“No for…for lying about not having a kid.”

“It doesn’t matter that you have a kid pabo.” he picked my face up. “Why’d you hide it?”

“I really needed the job, it’s just me providing and…I didn’t want to be turned down because I have a daughter.”

“I see…y/n you were hired because you are insanely talented and can dance circles around any of those guys, mom or not. I think they wouldn’t have been making you stay so late if they knew, it’s important to be there for a child too.”

“I really need this job Seonghwa.” I felt the tears fall.

“You’re not losing your job honey I promise. It’ll stay between us….only if you let me say hi.” he smiled.

“I…” I picked my phone up and called my mom back. “Hi Mom, um…sorry my um…my boss scared me and he…yeah.” I nervously handed Seonghwa the phone.

“Oh that’s not who I wanted to say hi to hi Mrs. (l/n) you’re very lovely, I wanted to meet y/n jr. though.”

“Oh Saja, come say hi to Mister??”

“Seonghwa.” he smiled waiting for the small child.

“Hi.” Saja said smally as my mom came down to her level with the phone. “Mama??”

“I’m here sweet pea.” I called and peeked over Seonghwa’s shoulder. “Hi baby, what’d you have for lunch?”

“Potatoe.” she said getting quite shy at the man looking at her.

“And?” my mom prompted. “We tried pajeon, and Kimchi for the first time.”

“Kimchi?” Seonghwa smiled, “how exciting. Did you like it?”

“Spicy.” she frowned.

“Maybe we’ll try radish Kimchi she likes crunchy things.” I nodded. “I should get back to my own lunch honey, anything you want to say to Mr. Seonghwa?”

“......pretty.” she blushed looking away from the phone.

I think Seonghwa short-circuited he nearly dropped my phone.

“I’ll be home after work okay, be good for grandma, bye mom, thank you.” I smiled softly and hung up. “Mr.Seonghwa?”

“You really are ana amazing person.” he smiled and hugged me. “Next time we’re meeting in person.”

“Wouldn’t that be unprofessional?” I questioned.

“I don’t care that little ray of sunshine is getting spoiled by her uncle Seonghwa now.” he smiled.

If Seonghwa could’ve felt the eyes burning into the back of his head at the glare Wooyoung was sending the older man he’d probably be dead. I on the other hand couldn’t process what just happened…everything felt so strange, letting Seonghwa in on my secret…I wasn’t sure I liked it but it was…nice to let something out.

“And what were you two talking about?” Wooyoung questioned as we sat back down.

“Nothing, I was just making sure she was ok.” Seonghwa shrugged like nothing happened.

“Sorry just a weird phone call. I’m okay.” I nodded and looked down at my lunch.

“Aww cute!” Wooyoung pointed out the note Saja had wrote for me. “Where’d you get that.”

“Must’ve came with the wrap, I didn’t notice.” I looked at the scribbles that I’m sure were supposed to be words but what really made me tear up was the heart, it was mishapen and wobbly but it was her.

“Hey? Are you sure you’re okay?” Wooyoung lifted my chin up before the tear hit the paper.

“Yes, I’m ok.” I looked at him and blushed a bright red.

“Promise?” he held out a pinky for me. Saja does the same….

“Promise.” I whispered and let a few tears fall.

That’s where my relationship with Wooyoung took a turn. I noticed the small things at first…the little notes in my bag, the heart on my water bottle, and getting me lunch, or a snack, he always came to talk to me during breaks, and we always sat next to each other if we could during things, bus rides to venues for performances, meetings, anything. It all felt so nice. I felt…happy. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to give him a chance…even just one. 

“Hi cutie!” Wooyoung yelled over the phone as I answered.

“Hi Woo.” I smiled lightly at the phone and walked out to the little patio I had.

“Why so quiet?” he questioned.

“No reason. Just enjoying the peace.” I had just put Saja down and I didn’t want to risk her waking up.

“Listen I was thinking-”

“Isn’t that a dangerous game.” I chuckled cutting him off.

“Come to dinner with me?” he smiled. “Please?”

“I-”

“Before you say no! Just…one chance, look I know you said your ex was terrible and left you with nothing but I just…y/n you’re great, and smart, and wonderful, and beautiful, and…and amazing…please…just one date so I can stop my terrible attempts at flirting. I’m running out of pick-up lines to use on you.”

“Wooyoung I….”I looked back at the apartment and a cool breeze wrapped around me sending a shiver down my spine. It would be nicer to try having someone else around. Was I ready for him to know everything? “Dinner sounds nice. Maybe Friday?”

“Friday.” he smiled, you could hear the grin. The wonderful grin followed by his melodic giggle. 

Maybe we can try again…maybe this time won’t hurt so bad. Maybe he’d stay.

You’re getting too ahead of yourself y/n. Just one dinner, and maybe it’ll be okay from there, just take it one day at a time.

Friday came quicker than I’d like and I still had no idea what to wear, what to do, all I knew was my mom was excited and I felt like I was going to throw up again.

“You know Saja likes watching him perform onstage, she says he moves the most like water.” my mom smiled. “She gets so happy seeing you on the tv.”

“I know…she asks to watch a performance before we go to bed usually.”

“Aren’t you excited?”

“No…I mean I am but, god this could go horribly wrong.”

“But it won’t, I’ve seen the little notes, you have this boy smitten like he’s a teenager.” she chuckled.

“Yeah but eventually I’m going to have to tell him about Her.” I motioned to my daughter.

“How do you know he doesn’t like kids?”

“I didn’t say that, but he has been thinking I’m just some poor single woman this whole time Mom, and I don’t know how to bring that up, Oh hi by the way I’ve been lying to you for 4 months, and actually have a two-year-old, hope that doesn’t change anything.” I groaned and pulled on the black cocktail dress I had picked out.

“Honey, I don’t think it will…you trusted Seonghwa with saying hello.”

“That was over the phone and this is different mom…this is a…potential love interest, you know a maybe boyfriend, Seonghwa is no more than a potential babysitter and even that’s a maybe.”

“I think you should let some people in…it’ll be good for you to have more than just me for her. Also I have plans for tonight”

“I know you’re right mom I just…. MOM!!! And you didn’t tell me!” I groaned and picked up my phone. “Fine.”

“Just giving you an extra push dear.”

“You are…I swear!” I hit dial.

“Hello?” the voice on the other end of my phone croaked out.

“Hey, could you…do me a favor.” I sighed.

“So you want me to meet your daughter, and babysit her while you go on a date with Wooyoung?” Seonghwa questioned me as I stood with him in the hallway.

“Yes…because my mom forced this…”

“How so.”

“She ‘made plans’ or whatever so now I need a babysitter or I have to tell Wooyoung I’ve been lying this whole time.” I sighed.

“Hey hey okay, I’ll do it.”

“I figured since you brought a goodie basket.” I eyed the stuffed animal behind him. “Saja.” I called out coming back inside. “Come meet Seonghwa.”

Seonghwa could barely contain himself waiting to meet my two year old.

“Mama?” Saja hid around the corner.

“Hey sweet pea, it’s okay…remember him, he’s from the tv.” I held out my hand for her and she walked over to hide behind me.

“Hi Saja.” Seonghwa said calmly and in a quiet tone getting down to her level. “I’m Seonghwa, I work with your mama, remember we talk on the phone.”

“....pretty.” she blushed.

“She remembers.” I pat her head. “Why don’t you show Mr.Seonghwa the painting you did.” she nodded and ran to go get her newest art piece and came back over, she stopped and looked between me and him before taking a cautious step forward. 

“Oh my goodness, look at this.” he smiled. “Okay let’s see….a cat?” she nodded. “Wow what a beautiful cat. What’s his name?”

“Rainbow.” she said quietly.

“Rainbow? What a perfect name.” he smiled. “And is mama going to hang it up?” he looked up at me.

“Yes” she smiled and ran off to find the magnet.

“She likes you, I promise, she’s just shy at first.” I breathed. “I have to get going I don’t…want to be late.” I looked at her in the kitchen.

“I promise nothing bad will happen.” Seonghwa tried reassuring me.

“Last time I left her alone with a man he took everything and left.” I brushed him off and grabbed my things.

“Y/n” Seonghwa placed a hand on my shoulder and I tensed up. “I understand, but you deserve some help, and some fun.”

“She’s all I have Seonghwa.”

“Y/n I promise she’s in great care, I wouldn’t dream of hurting either of you.”

I sighed. “Saja. Come give mama a hug please?” she came running over with a new magnet for her cat drawing.

“Where go?” she questioned holding her arms up for a hug.

“Mama is going to go see a friend because she really likes this friend ok? It’s called a date.”

“Date?” she questioned more.

“See when two adults, like mama and her friend like each other more than just friends, which is a very complicated feeling to understand even for adults, they go out to do things together, like eat dinner or watch a movie.”

“Why?”

“To see if they like each other’s company more than other people.” I smiled. “However no one’s company is better than yours sweet pea.” I kissed her nose. “So you stay here and play with Seonghwa and Mama will be back later, like when you stay with Grandma.”

“Are we go on a date too?” she whispered.

“Sure.” I smiled and she was blushing as I put her down. “Have fun okay?”

“Yes ma’am.” Seonghwa smiled and Saja walked back over to her table.

My phone dinged again and I made my way out and downstairs to Wooyoung and his very expensive car.

“Didn’t know you could drive.” I raised an eyebrow,

“Very recent, you look beautiful” he smiled.

“Thank you.” I blushed and he opened the car door for me. “Not so shabby yourself sir.”

“Thank you.” he smiled and closed the door gently and mumbled to himself he told me what he said later was “Wow she looks beautiful.” however I think  “okay rizz master Wooyoung, you gotta work.” sounds more like what he actually said…don’t let him tell you otherwise.

“So I was just thinking a quiet dinner without all the noise from the guys and maybe a walk?” he smiled.

“Sure, I’m just along for the ride.” I nodded. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this so you’re going to have to carry me along.”

“Don’t worry I’ve got you.” he smiled.

Throughout the course of dinner I learned that work Wooyoung, friend Wooyoung, and date Wooyoung are three very different people. He seems different.

“Yeah no order whatever you like.” he smiled and gestured to the menu.

“I’m not used to this kind of stuff.” its usually chicken nuggets and mac and cheese…why am I suddenly craving it…or pizza, I could so go for a pizza right now.

“Well only the best for you.” he smiled nervously. “How am I going to pay for this?!” he thought to himself.

“Right.” I swallowed nervously and looked at the menu. There aren’t even prices listed. “Wooyoung?” I looked up at him over the menu.

“Hmm? Yes, oh did you have a question?”

“Have you ever eaten here before?”

“Oh yeah loads of times!” why am I lying??” 

“What do you recommend?” I blushed a little, I knew he made good money but…I don’t know this seems a bit much.

“Well there’s the uh Hakarl.” he said and pointed. “That’s good and then the Bird’s Nest Soup.” he nodded.

“Oh okay. Why don’t you pick for me, I mean I want whatever you’re having.” I shrugged. He knew what he was talking about.

“I don’t have a clue what I’m saying! What did I even recommend!” he yelled at himself.

When the waiter came back he ordered for us and we left it at that, I finished my glass of wine and looked around at some of the dishes…they all looked interesting…to be kind…I don’t know if I can do this.

“Um excuse me.” I pulled a waiter aside and asked about the dish he had just served. “What did she order?”

“Ah that ma’am is the Bird’s Nest Soup” he smiled. “You see the saliva turns hard-”

“Thank you.” I interrupted and turned back to Wooyoung. Saliva? “Wooyo-”“Y/n” we both said at the same time.

“You go first.” he gestured.

“Wooyoung I really appreciate this but I…I can’t do this…this food is…it’s way too much for me.”

He sighed….here it comes.

“Thank god.” he breathed out. “I really didn’t want to find out what the other thing I ordered is.”

“Can’t we just go get a slice of pizza? Like normal?” I looked down at my hands.

“Please.” he stood up and walked over to our waiter talking to him before handing over his company card and explaining everything. “Let’s go before they bring it out.”

I nodded.

What started off horrible and scary turned into something magic, we found a place by the park close to my apartment and got three sliced of whatever pizza sounded good and just sat in the park. Much more my speed, much more…relaxed.

“I just wanted to impress you.” Wooyoung looks down at the slice of pizza in his lap. “I thought…maybe you’d like it if I took you somewhere special.”

“Who says Pizza isn’t special?” I looked at him but his eyes were turned down to the ground. “Woo?”

“I just….I really like you, especially the more I’ve gotten to know you, you’re kind, and gentle, and just…you’re absolutely wonderful y/n and I really fucked this up tonight.”

“Hey.” I nudged him. “Hey” I said a little more sternly and lifted his chin up to meet his gaze. “I’m still here aren’t I?....I appreciate that you think I deserve some fancy restaurant where we sit 10 feet away from each other and the menus don’t have prices and we’re waited on hand and foot, but…that’s not my speed. I prefer picnics and pizza and bullet train sushi and…fried chicken, and mac and cheese, and stupid little fruit cups.” I smiled at him. “I like it when we have lunch together and we eat ramen or tteokbokki, or even rabokki!”

“I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for Wooyoung.” I kissed his cheek. “I’m having a great time eating pizza in my favorite park with my second favorite person on the planet.”

“Who’s the first?”

“No one you need to worry about.” I chuckled and blushed.

“Ahhh your mom then.” he smiled. “Thank you…for not letting me feel like I completely fucked this up.”

“Quite the contrary, you’ve shown me that I really mean something to you…I mean that place was faannncyyyy.”

“You do mean something to me.” he looked into my eyes and there was that intensity that he had when he was dancing. The look of “I’m doing this and no one can stop me.”

“Thank you.” I rubbed his cheek.

You know how it goes, he walked me home, I got the third degree from my mom on how it went…except Seonghwa joined in, I tucked my two year old into bed and then…I had a full moment in bed in my pajamas where I squealed and kicked my legs and just…he kissed my cheek and held my hand and and and…pizza. Yeah. I could…I could get used to having Wooyoung.

It was just like any other day, it was warm and sunny, Wooyoung wanted to go out on a date and we decided another park date, kimbap which of course he made, in fact he made all of the food we ate, mandu, rolled omelet, potato salad, some pajeon, and finally because this obviously isn’t enough food for two people he also made my favorite cucumber salad . I really am one special girl. 

“Woo this is too much.” I chuckled looking over at him as he kept bringing out more food.

“Nonsense, you’ll love this.” he smiles but you can tell there’s something bothering him.

“Are you ok?” I looked at him his face tight.

“Yeah, no it’s..it’s nothing I’m fine.” he nodded but he seemed more in his own head now.

“How about next time I’ll make the kimbap? I’ve been told I make it pretty good.” I smiled trying to lighten the mood.

Sure everything was going well, I really like him but I don’t know he seems a little distant recently and I can tell something is bothering him. I…

“Woo?” I said putting down my things. “You know we can talk about things right?”

“I….y/n…I….” he started and closed his mouth a few times. “What’s your relationship with Seonghwa?”

“Seonghwa? I don’t know…friends I guess. I mean I can certainly feel safe around him.” I looked at him confused.

“I know…what I’m about to say is…I know…Are you…Are you cheating on me?”

“What no?!” I looked at him incredulously. “Cheating?? Wooyoung I would-”

“Then why is it that you drop everything when he calls?” he looked at me getting a little teary eyed. “Why is it that when he calls you leave the room? Hmm? What private conversation can’t Wooyoung hear?” he was getting upset.

“Wooyoung it’s not like that-” I started.

“Well then how is it y/n! Because it certainly seems like you two aren’t just friends!”

“Woo please listen to me.” I said my voice quivering a bit. “Please take a breath and listen.”

“Then start explaining…I thought it was me and only me.”

“It is!”

“I saw you together!!” he stood up angrily.

“He’s just my friend Wooyoung I swear nothing more!” I looked at him, my own tears blurring my vision. “Wooyoung I would never cheat on you I swear, please just listen to me!”

“So you can lie about-”

“Mama?” a small voice called out. 

Fuck.

“S-Saja!” Seonghwa’s voice called out.

“Seonghwa?” Wooyoung looked over at his friends familiar voice. “What are you doing with a child?”

“Mama!” Saja threw herself into my arms hugging me tightly. “Hi!”

“H-Hi sweet pea.” I looked at her and moved her hair lightly, I could feel Wooyoung looking at the scene before him. “Wooyoung, this is Saja…my…daughter.”

“Daughter? Are you two-?”

“No! Wooyoung I’m just…I just babysit while you two go out.” Seonghwa looked at him.

“Is she yours?” Wooyoung looked at the child and then back to Seonghwa.

“No.” I said and held her closer. “She’s my ex’s…he left…Seonghwa just…he found out I had her and I needed someone to look after her because I really wanted to go out with you but I…” I felt like I could throw up.

“Wooyoung did…I wouldn’t do something like that to you.” Seonghwa looked at the younger male, anger burning behind his pupils.

Wooyoung looked between us grabbing his things.

“Wooyoung, don’t leave…you’ll regret it if you do.” Seonghwa warned the younger male. I covered Saja’s ears.

“Well what was he supposed to think Seonghwa…afterall I drop everything when you call, I go to you when I don’t know what to do, I call you late at night because she’s crying.” I shrugged. “I would think the same….Maybe I should go.” I moved to get up but Wooyoung stopped me before I could get further.

“No.” he looked at the blanket. “Don’t.”

“Saja why don’t you and Hwa go play.” I looked at her and kissed her forehead.

“Hwa Hwa!!! You It!” she got up and ran away.

Wooyoung sat back down and folded his hands together in front of me.

“Wooyoung I…This isn’t how I wanted it to go.” I looked away from him. “I promise there is nothing go on between us other than he’s my babysitter…I think of him as my older brother honestly. I have feelings for you and you only.”

He stayed quiet before nodding and looking over at Seonghwa and Saja playing.

“Why’d you lie y/n? About…her?”

“No one would hire a single mom…I needed the money before she got kicked out of preschool and we lost our apartment so I begged my mom to come help take care of her just until I had enough that I could come clean about it.”

“We have plenty of parents I don’t understand.” he looked at me.

“By the time I finally got to KQ I had been turned down so many times I-I-I panicked it was the only thing I could think of and I was desperate and they..you were all so kind and I-” tears rushed down my face. “And then you showed up and everyone else and then Seonghwa found out and I got scared and you kept asking me out and making me smile and…this isn’t how I wanted you to meet. I wanted you to meet her please.”

He stayed quiet and I wiped my face, before I knew it he brought me into him and rubbed my back.

“I really have made an ass out of myself haven’t I?” he whispered into my hair.

“I understand where you’re coming from though Woo really.” I held onto him.

“Tell me everything.” he asked

I told him our backstory, how my ex left, cheated, basically robbed me, how Hwa found out, I told him what I could and he listened.

“I’d really like to meet her if you let me.” he picked up my face and cupped my cheek. “I promise I’ll listen better.”

“Woo it’s not your fault, what were you supposed to think.”

“That my girlfriend wouldn’t cheat on me.” he squeezed me a little. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too…..I’d really like for you to meet her.” I looked at him. “This isn’t how I wanted you to find out.”

“Whenever you’re ready.” he brushed my hair back often like I do for Saja. “Some times…things work out differently than we want them to.”

“Are you still mad?” I asked.

“I’m still….trying to figure out why.” he sighed. “It makes sense but…I just…I.”

“You can be upset Wooyoung, its a big thing I hid from you.” I shied away from him.”Does it change how you feel about me?”

“I don’t know…maybe? I….I mean-” he looked up at me and I knew he could see it, the heartbreak on my face, I never was good at hiding it. “No baby I-”

“No…no it’s fine Wooyoung…” I moved off him. “I wouldn’t…” I stood up and turned away from him. “I wouldn’t feel the same about me either, it’s probably why I got rejected from everything else.” probably even why he left in the first place. “We’ll just go.”

“No baby, stay. We can have lunch, I’m sorry.” Wooyoung pleaded.

“Mama? Can I has water?” Saja came over tired from playing.

“Here!” Wooyoung jumped up and opened a bottle for her. “I made all this food would you like a snack?”

She looked at me and I nodded and we sat back down only this time apart.

“Y/n.” Seonghwa looked at me.

“It’s nothing.” I turned away from both of them to pay attention to my daughter. “It’s just me and Saja.”

Seonghwa looked over at Wooyoung who looked down at the blanket and pushed food over to us before looking to Seonghwa and away again.

“Saja what do you say?”

“Gram…Sa…Ham…Mama what was it?” she looked at me. “Oh! Hamyida!”

“Good.” I chuckled and wiped her face. “We’ll get going now, thanks for running into us Seonghwa…It was nice to meet you.” I got up and helped Saja up before starting our walk home.

“Mommy?” Saja looked up at me.

“Yes sweet pea?” I stopped.

“Why you look sad?”

“Oh don’t worry angel, I’m okay. I just really thought it’d turn out different.”

“Like what?” she questioned. Every the curious two year old.

“It’s nothing you need to worry about Saja.” I picked her up.

“Can we play with Hwa Hwa tomorrow too?” she yawned.

“I’ll ask him later baby. Let’s get you home.”

I got her home, and of course, she was asleep on me when we walked in. I put her down and sat by her bed, I couldn’t stop the tears that came down my face. I thought everything would work out this time, I thought that maybe…maybe one day he’d be here too…maybe she’d go to sleep and we’d stay up and watch a movie together, maybe we’d play games, or have friends over, or…it was always too much to ask. Too much for me to be happy. Not even a text when I walked through the door. Was this really over?......I’ll turn in my resignation on Monday. 

Monday came and went but my computer screen remained blank, I didn’t want to write a resignation letter it’s only been a few months but, I loved my job, I loved the guys, my friends….I loved him. I called in sick I just couldn’t see him, of course by now Seonghwa and Wooyoung had told CEO Kim who asked if there was anything he could do, if Saja was sick or anything. No. There was nothing anyone could do.

“Mama again!” Saja called out pointing to the finished episode of Paw Patrol. I replayed it for her and pulled myself into the chair more, staring at the blank document.

“Saja I’m going to the potty, don’t answer the door like usual ok?”

“Otay!” she smiled and sang along to the theme song.

I just wanted to splash some cold water on my face, something to get it out of my system.

“Hi!” I heard Saja yell from the living room.

“Saja? I told you-”

“Hwa Hwa!!!” she screamed and I ran out to see two men standing in my now open doorway.

“Sorry, I used the spare key.” Seonghwa flushed and spun Saja upside down.

“Why are you here?” I stood there wanting to grab my child from them.

“Baby I’m sorry.” Wooyoung pleaded. “Please can we talk.”

“No, it’s fine. You don’t need to apologize.”

“I do. Please.”

I pushed him out into the hallway and closed the door.

“Wooyoung you shouldn’t…you made it clear how you felt.” I looked away from him.

“No I didn’t because that wasn’t how I felt. That isn’t how I feel y/n.”

“Then how do you feel, because I think “I don’t know if they changed” after that means anything different but it-”

“It didn’t change how I felt okay! I…I panicked…I freaked out because I…You have a kid and sure I love little kids, I love Kyungmin, I love babysitting, and I love playing dress up and tag and…I really love them you know I do, but…it was scary. I no longer had to impress just you I’d have to impress your daughter, I’d have to figure out how to…be a good role model and…take care of her and I’m just a cool uncle or big brother I’ve never had to…be a parent.”

“You’re not her parent Wooyoung.” I crossed my arms. “And how do you think I’m going to feel! We Slept-” I quieted down. “You were the first person I’ve slept with since I had her and you just……..I’m her parent Wooyoung.”

“Yes but we’re dating, so that means I need to be there for her too, because you don’t just date the one person, that’s the most important person in your life I can’t just…I have to be a good example. None of it changed how I felt about you, after you two left I just wanted to do it all over again, I wanted to ask you on a picnic and play tag and push her on the swings and..please believe me y/n, I want to try again. I feel so stupid ok, I have real genuine feelings for you and I hurt you I know I did, I just…one more chance baby please. I’m sorry y/n please. I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life apologizing if you just give me one chance to make it up to you.”

I sighed. “It’s not up to just me Woo….give me two seconds.” I walked back inside and he stayed in the hallway. “Saja?”

“Hi mommy!” she called out from the couch where she was giving Seonghwa a makeover. “Princess Hwa Hwa.” she smiled.

“Oh how lovely.” I smiled and looked at Hwa…I need a photo. “One photo so we can remember your masterpiece?”

“You can take ONE photo. Make it count.” Seonghwa looked at me and I took a photo of him and Saja.

“Saja honey?” I came down to her level. “Would you like to meet mommy’s friend from the other day? The one with all the food.”

“Yeah!” she smiled. “The one mommy likes!”

“Yes, the one mommy likes.” I smiled. “Come on.”

I carried her to the door and took a breath, everything was going to change once I opened this door.

“Ready!” she called out. Ok.

I opened the door half expecting Wooyoung to dart…thank god he was still there when I opened my eyes.

“Saja, this is Wooyoung.” I looked at him. “Wooyoung this is my daughter, Saja.”

“Hi!” she smiled and waved.

“Hello Saja.” he smiled back. “It’s very nice to meet you.” He pulled a flower out from behind his back.

“Where did you-?” I looked at him.

“Flower!” she smiled and took it. “Mommy likes a maggisin!”

“Would you like to come in for coffee.” I looked at him.

“I would love to.” he smiled

This was it, Wooyoung was entering my life, he was seeing the real me and my daughter. I set Saja down to go play with Seonghwa but she stayed and talked to Wooyoung, she showed him all the pictures she drew and all the things she did for pre-school, he smiled and listened the whole time. He helped with a snack since she was getting hungry and he even let her do his hair, and for once in the past 7 months I’ve known him, I could finally breathe. It felt as though a weight has been taken off my chest and I could actually let him see me, the real me. It felt good. It felt so fucking good.

Wooyoung is a wonderful partner, truly. Saja loves him, she’s started calling him every night before bed if he isn’t here to tuck her in, she likes to tell him about her day, he plans dates with all three of us and sometimes even just the two of us, the guys have slowly been introduced to her and they all claim to be her favorite uncle (we all know its Seonghwa). Wooyoung has been maybe slowly moving in slightly, his stuff appears more and more, and what do you know he’s usually attached to it, and now, almost a year later her birthday was coming up and I had no idea what to do.

“Okay I know it her birthday but I was thinking we could bring her to work and surprise the guys for a birthday party?” he rubbed my cheek, the soft sunlight drifting in for the morning.

“She would like it, especially if San and Hwa were there, and Mingi, she likes being tall.” I kissed the palm of his hand.

“I’m sorry.” he said and looked at me fondly.

“For what?” I questioned.

“For everything. For being ignorant, and stupid. For-”

“You don’t have to keep apologizing for that.” I held his wrist gently.

“I told you I’m apologizing for it every day.” he kissed my nose.

“Good Morning!” Saja called out and climbed into the bed and on top of Wooyoung. “Wooyoungie!”

“Hi Princess good morning.” he smiled and kissed her head. “Did you sleep well?”

“From the looks of her bed head I’d say so.” I chuckled.

“Well I better get those pigtails back in before Hwa Hwa sees you then hmm?” Wooyoung lifted her up and got up to go to the bathroom with her.

“Woo?” he turned around. “It’s a great idea.” I smiled. He smiled back and nodded.

As I made breakfast Wooyoung made sure they got their morning ritual done, you always have to dance in the morning if you want your day to go well according to him. Saja likes spending time with him and frankly, this past year it’s been so nice to not feel like a single parent.

“Okay and 1,2,...3 and 4. Good! Okay Okay. shh shh.” Wooyoung spoke. “Eomma!!” he called out.

“Yes?” I peaked around the corner.

“Saja wants to show you something.” he smiled and nodded for her.

He started playing the music to Case 143, the chorus specifically and she looked like she was going to do it but then turned to Wooyoung and looked scared.

“I can’t” she whispered. He stopped the music and got down to her level.

“Hey hey what’s wrong princess?” he scooped her up.

“I can’t do it.” she sniffled.

“Of course you can.” he smiled. “You practiced hard with me while eomma was busy.”

“Too hard.” she looked away from him.

“I think she’s just nervous to do it alone Woo.” I looked at him and gave him a small smile.

“Do you want me to do it with you princess?” he pushed her hair back.

“Want Youngie do it too.” she whispered to him.

“Wooyoungie will do it too.” he nodded. “Okay? Together?” this time it was her turn to nod.

He started the music over and set her down.

She looked at him as they started and even though she was shy she saw him do it and knew he meant it when he said he’d do it with her. It gave her the boost she needed to do it too. Before my eyes here she was trying her best to dance along to Case 143 by Stray Kids and for an almost 3-year-old, she did a great job.

“Oh sweet pea that was amazing!!” I scooped her up and kissed her face. “Such a good dancer.” I smiled.

“Like Appa!” she smiled and pointed to Woo. I stumbled a little.

“O-Okay breakfast time.” Wooyoung clapped and took Saja and sat at the table to eat breakfast. “Baby? Come eat ok?”

“Y-Yeah.”

We’d talk about it…after breakfast.

“I’m sorry.” Wooyoung confessed. “She started calling me that last week when I was watching her when you had to stay late with Yunho and I didn’t correct it but she knew you would be scared if you heard and-”

“Is that what you want?” I looked at him. “Is this what you want? You know you can’t leave if she starts calling you that.”

“You are what I want y/n. Nothing else. Just this.” he nodded, I’ve never seen him look so serious. “I may be young and handsome, but I-I I can be a dad too.”

“Are you sure?” I held his hand and he gave me a firm squeeze.

“I’m sure.” he nodded.

“Of course you taught her how to dance.” I wiped my face and chuckled.

“She’s got quite a talent, I think she picked it up from her mom.” he smiled and kissed my cheek. “I’m not going anywhere..in fact, I was waiting until her birthday but…Maybe it’s time I…move in?”

“And what else could you possibly bring over…You already live here.” I smiled and kissed him.

“I have some other things.” he chuckled and kissed me back.

“I love you Jung Wooyoung.” I smiled and held onto him.

“And I love you l/n f/n.” he smiled back and held my hips.

Do I wake up every morning with my hair in every direction, toothpaste foaming at the mouth, a stained t-shirt and pajama pants, and a toddler crying because I can’t hold her? Not every morning…sometimes I wake up in the arms of my loving boyfriend, sometimes with no clothes, and sometimes I wake up to the sight of my daughter getting ready for the day with her two favorite people, I see a smile on her face as her appa cries dropping her off for school, I see the joy on her face when the guys come over and San talks to her about her day, I see my daughter being surrounded by more love than I could ever ask for. Surrounded by her 7 uncles and her appa, better than I could’ve asked for. 

Sometimes I wake up to the biggest smile I could ever see, more radiant than the sun, and I know this is all real. Wooyoung is real, and he’s here Forever.

[lordkingsmith]

Yea, I mean, it definitely makes sense with ASJ. And definitely for the best, but it is kinda weird to me because I think he is married to Emily? So not even a passing comment? Like, good for them if they’re child free and happily married and I accept this hc. But maybe eventually we get an idea what’s up. Though for now…yea. For the best

Lauren: -head in hands- it was so weird that if all the different reality girls to flirt with him, it was the one who was the same age as a classmate’s son. I thought it was interesting because it’s toeing that really squick line honestly. Since I couldn’t stop poking at it like a bruise, I needed to look at what would, most likely in my opinion, happen to make a kid. And it’s definitely uncomfortable. Eben is also the short nickname version of Ebenezer like Tommy is short for Thomas, and I liked that tie to gold in Christmas Carol flavored greed and uncomfortable consequences, given how Jason’s acting. Don’t worry; his parents are in their own realities, and will be unable to interfere further. Two reds is definitely a recipe for bad decisions lol. Eben is never going to deal with them again.

He’ll be a good Gold, and once he takes the coin a full explanation of what happened will be given and he’ll be more agreeable to being here rather than with either Jason or Lauren.

Melissa; I love the fact that he’s learning ASL is becoming an integral part of his character! It was such a sweet episode and he was so sweet about wanting to learn. Having that one little moment picked up and used in the comics is heartwarming. I do think he’s a really sweet parent and husband. He and Kensie have a great relationship, even if he does worry a lot. He and Melissa definitely are on the healthier spectrum for his relationships.

Tommy; Nearly every episode or interaction with them is a contest, bet, or ride or dying even though they were just trying to kill each other. Chaos trashfires. I love them. But yea no, they get their heads knocked together a LOT over a lot of their bs. David and Violet take turns. Their kids aren’t a contest and I do think they…well. Try, at least.

Oh yea Celeste and Travis are lucky. They’ve got a massive family to help and step in when needed.

Trey; of Trey’s so far? She’s got to be my favorite. How would an alien girl who could split in three people deal with inheriting Jason’s temper? Not well. Not well at all. She has all those human emotions, in a Triforian body (bodies?). Jason definitely made the right choice, yea.

Zack: he is the utter best husband!!! We gotta stan the best husband guy, we just gotta. He loves Jason, and I think while he might not fully know the situation, he knows Jason. This man wouldn’t abandon anyone he even remotely cares or cared about. Mr Scott included. Zack would wait as long as Jason needed him to. I think he’d wait on anyone who needed time.

I’ll probably play with the dark ranger kids as surrogates and things a bit more in here too. But yea Kristen deserved a mention. Plus, I love the idea of her as a parent. She’s really pretty

Anyway. Yes~ I love Cleo, she’s fabulous, but Valeria is probably one of the most fun I had coming up with a perfect mix of her own unique thing and her parents. And I definitely feel I hit on that with her.

Emily: ok can’t lie. I’ve been apparently thinking about these two for years. I remembered the scene where Jason rushed to her on the beach and then walks with her down it. Could never remember where it came from. Rewatched Zeo. Lost my mind. Then I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact they probably are together still. Then couldn’t stop thinking about, when I started this project, what their kids are like. Of all of them, Jason and Emily’s children have been in my head longest I think. So I think it makes sense why they feel the most fleshed out? They’ve been in my brain the longest aside from some of Kim’s lol.

Maya is a darling. She’s just a great big sister. Maybe she’ll get a mermaid or merman partner, that would be cute and fit her. But she’s a good woman. She is absolutely there for everyone

Rowan felt very simple. He’s got things he likes, and things he doesn’t, and he’s just going to do what works. Nothing more than that, no. Very clear character, definitely.

Nathan has a lot of options and he absolutely feels the most real. He’s the guy who’s got the clearest voice in my head, except for like. Ulysses or my animation project legacy kiddos oddly enough. But I know Nathan’s voice and behavior better. He’s the guy who’d jokingly say he’s being profiled when a villain calls him a ranger for his monochrome outfit even if he totally is.

“Do I look like a ranger to you?”

“Yes”

“-mock gasp- profiling a civilian? do better!” And getting lightly smacked by his sister or Jason for his smartass.

I could and do see him in all three roles lol. We definitely need more Frans in the series, and comedy duos can and do become rangers. But he’s got a small range of colors I think he’d be. Starting with Red, but he will get a rare one at least once. He’s Jason’s, after all.

Nathan is definitely the kid I can see and hear and think about most easily. He’s living rent free in my head and aside from here, I don’t know what to do with him.

Trini; Jason is best when he’s being kept out of rangerdom in my opinion; the more realities and kiddos that do that, the better. And Minh absolutely needed a younger sibling who’d question the revenge angle. She felt like she’d be best with a sibling to balance her energy. Ah well~ I can give her siblings all I want here~~~ and Jason a reason not to go back to the rangerdom.

Jason Lee Scott oc and au children and grandchildren

Jason's...fascinating. to put it mildly. I'd almost say his love interests have the same vibe as Billy Cranston's but with the added interest of it not being them trying to hide the actor's homosexuality. I don't know if it's just hard for people to think of a good and interesting way for him to play off someone or what but wow. There's something to be said about this.

Canon Children:

Currently none that we know of-which is actually WEIRD because he has a canon girlfriend/most likely wife. Emily. You'd think they'd give him a kid or two with her. Apparently not! so; none that we know of.

My OC Children of Jason Lee Scott:

Lauren Shiba;

The fun of reality hopping, is that time really doesn't matter much. They found each other during the Battle for the Grid, and bonded. When Jason got his memories back, he bided his time, but was intending to find her again, and give her back her memories, as well.

Eventually, he had his chance and took it. When he was able to get to his Lauren in her reality, she was living off the compound with Spike Skullovtich as her roommate. He was able to give her back her memories, and tried not to think too hard about the fact Spike is Skull's son.

They have a kid, who's currently living on the streets in a completely different reality. Eben Scott is sixteen and as far as he knows, his parents are dead. He's been very suspicious of power rangers his entire life, though would never go against them. He stays out of this reality's earth's team, but isn't above helping where possible. On the downlow, of course. By all accounts, Eben shouldn't exist. There was never a reality where this was supposed to happen, and Eben knows that better than anyone. He doesn't blame the rangers, exactly, but he does blame the grid itself for his parents deaths. The grid, and the Morphin Masters, who seem to be directly involved in it. Eben reasons that as long as he stays hidden, they can't erase him from existence.

Recently though, the gold ranger of the team he's become the self appointed baby sitter of has gotten grievously hurt, and Eben's this close to breaking into the headquarters and seeing if he's a good fit. He's willing to chance it for a group he's grown attached to, even if from a distance. Plucky, wary, creative, and far too comfortable with breaking laws, the biggest question if he does is will the team even accept him as a replacement.

Melissa (last name unknown);

Melissa was a deaf girl and friend of Kimberly who Jason became vey immediately taken with, learning sign language so he could better communicate with her. She was able to get away from one of Rita's monsters because she couldn't hear the music that entranced the other girls from the dance class Kimberly was running. When Melissa was able to get the rangers for help...she saw them transform. She never mentioned it to anyone, figuring Jason and the rest had a good reason to stay quiet about it. However when Jason went to become a Solar Ranger, Melissa let him know she knew. And made him promise he'd come back safely. There might not be much for him in Angel Grove, but she was there, and that had to count for something. When he came back, they got together

Their son, Mackenzie, "Kensy" Scott, is Deaf. Like his mom, he's fluent in sign language. Kensy is twenty nine years old. He's a red ranger, for the solar rangers team. Jason is constantly worried on behalf of his son, but Kensy has adapted. This works for him. Most hypnosis and mind control by sound monster's powers don't work on him. He 'hears' with his other senses like touch, such as feet and hands, as well as his suit adapting to his needs and strengths. Kensy's doing fine, and he's going to show everyone. He gets his parents are concerned, but it's okay. He's okay. He has everything down to an exact science. He can whistle. apparently loudly. He's practiced sounds enough to have a whistle system with his team. ASL is also great for stealth missions. He's dating his yellow, Starla. He's promised his parents he's not going to get in too deep or become unhealthy with this, and to remember to come home eventually.

Kensy keeps a book of recipes from wherever planet he spends at least a few days on. His current thought process is sell this and a biography about his life in space with his friends.

Rocky DeSantos;

Rocky said he thought Jason was cool and wished he could have gotten to know him better so was happy to be on the Zeo team with him. Here, this was meant fully romantically. It took Jason three months to Get It, and when Rocky was no longer blue and the rest of them became turbo rangers. When he was out of the hospital and Jason was mentally recovered from his ordeal at the hands of Divatox, they talked about everything. Slowly and awkwardly. How much Rocky admired Jason, how much he wished they could have been closer friends before Jason left, and Jason congratulating Rocky on being a good red ranger, and a great blue. His Blue.

They’re still active Zeo Rangers, though Jason slid back into red when Tommy got strong armed into retiring by his wife. Eventually, he’s going to give the legacy his youngest daughter, who in turn gives it to Tommy’s grandson, but for now… he and Rocky have it handled.

They have three kids and run a wrestling gym dojo combination. Victoria “V” DeSantos, aged 17, and Bess, aged 13. Kim offered to be the surrogate, as Aisha and Kat and Trini were busy with their own lives and had declined, and Kim was happy to help both times. Plus, Jason wanted the girls to not be bullied over being half siblings. Not that it matters. Nobody bullies the DeSantos sisters.

V isn’t a ranger, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t kicked seven kinds of ass of anything that makes the mistake that just because she looks effeminate must mean she’s not one of the toughest kids and town and took her kickboxing team at school to nationals twice in a row (three times if she can manage; she’s training hard for it). Not the sharpest tool in the box, but she gets there in the end. She’s got a heart of gold and a competitive streak a mile wide. She’s enthusiastic, cheeky, bur don’t get on her bad side. She might have a slow temper, this doesn’t make her a pushover. Can be intimidating with a smile. Don’t screw with her family. Especially on the holidays, Halloween, Christmas and valentines especially. That is family time and she will cause demons hospitalization. Thanksgiving’s fine though. But they have to bring a side dish and stay for dinner. This has made things interesting. She can be self centered and details focused, but she tries to think about others. While her dads are in charge, V is the benevolent queen bee of the house and keeps everything in line. Terrible with time and directions though, but that’s what her sister’s for. Not associated with a color.

Bess is less like Rocky, but she’s got all of Kim’s best qualities. Kind, compassionate, empathetic. She though, like Jason, tends to internalize and stew. Her goal is to beat all of Jason’s records he set in his teens. She doesn’t want to be the best, she just wants to prove to him she’s capable. And maybe a little bit want to be able to brag she’s better than her old man, but just a little. A bit jealous of her older sister. V has a long shadow it’s sometimes difficult to step out from under. Often explodes when she can’t get something perfectly the first time, but once she calms down she’s usually trying again. Definitely Jason’s favorite even if he doesn’t say so. She’s very good at directions and maps, and sense of time. She’s dependable and capable. She’s going to be the best one day, she’s gonna make sure of it. Will be Red when Jason’s finally forced to retire.

Tommy Oliver;

It started with a challenge, because for these two, it always starts with a challenge. Trying to out do the other in asking each other out, the date, and then the proposals. Because the one who can't top the last proposal has to say yes. because you can't one up a proposal if you're already married. So they've been engaged with no wedding date in sight for decades, going back and forth with proposals. Most everyone is amused, but their two kids are mostly Done with their dads. Travis Scott, aged 26, and Celeste Scott, aged 22, love their dads but cannot with either of them. Travis is a famous race car driver and a gold ranger, Celeste is going into mechanics with a focus on teaching, her goal being a shop teacher for highschool students and a red ranger, and they love their dads but everything is an eternal competition between Jason and Tommy, and it sometimes feel loving their kids is a competition, too.

Violet decided to help Jason and Tommy when they were looking at surrogacy, and was not amused by the fact they decided who the father would be with an arm wrestling match, best two out of three. Jason won. Violet insisted on naming the kid for them so it wouldn't turn into another contest. Jason and Tommy do love each other, but it's so hard for them to be anything but competitive. It's literally their love language. They do make a great team raising their kids, however, and Travis was a bit of a gearhead almost before he could walk, fascinated with cars and bikes and everything with wheels. His first (self chosen) halloween costume was the megazoid, made lovingly out of boxes, construction paper, paint, and paper mache. When he found out Tommy had been a race car driver when he and Jason were considering kids at all, well. His fate was sealed. He's got a rap sheet for illegal drag races, speeding, and a few other things. Jason had to take away the keys for a year while Tommy worked on getting Travis on board with the concept of "time and place" because while Tommy is dumb of ass and pure of heart, he does not fuck around with safety around mechanical objects. especially cars. Now, however, Travis is thriving. He is not on the same team as his sister, ironically while he hates how competitive his parents are, he and his sister are almost worse with their rival ranger teams. Travis is just like Tommy, but tends to have the same manner of dealing with feelings as Jason; bottling to the detriment of everyone around him. Intense, but well meaning. Strong willed and stubborn, but often gets into things on pure righteous fury, or out of a sense of competition or excitement. More than one person has asked him "how are you still alive".

Celeste was adopted in infancy a few years after Travis was born. Tommy has always liked the idea of adoption, and was always grateful for being adopted into the family he was. David threatened them both with their lives if they turned this into a competition, and watched them very very closely through every step. When she was two years old, Celeste stole Travis' toy car and he bopped her in the face to get it back. if you ask Jason, that's the moment the two became rivals. She's been a mild terror, taking apart most things she could get her hands on and later figuring out how to put them back together. The vacuum, the family car, she's just having fun. She also is a little bit of a know it all, especially over mechanical things, and will lecture to whoever listens, though the complexity tends to depend on who she's talking to. Her teammates? a good way to practice going over the subject with teenagers. Her parents? as indepth as she likes. Her brother? middle ground. He knows how cars work, but not how to fix in a pinch. She's become a red ranger because opportunity presented itself, and her brother's two towns over and she loves sending him selfies of her exploits. He's quickly gotten into it as well.

Farkas Bulkmeier;

When Jason came home to take care of his dad after his mom died, Bulk was there almost before Jason's friends were. He had Eugene in tow and they more or less gently bullied their way into getting him to accept help. When his dad finally died, miserable as ever, Bulk pulled Jason over to his place and they played video games and ate until they passed out in Bulk's bed. They have a mild competitive nature to their romance, and the little love affair surprised absolute nobody who took two seconds to think about it. They adopted two girls. Jason's a PE teacher at the highschool, while Bulk is the history teacher. Orla and McKenzie, aged fifteen and sixteen respectively, were adopted a couple years apart when they were in gradeschool.

Orla was originally from Stone Canyon, and Aisha knew her mom. They went to highschool together before she moved to Angel Grove, but they kept in touch. She couldn't keep her daughter, so Aisha helped her screen prospective parents. Jason and Bulk fit, and the paperwork was taken care of. Orla still talks to her mom on weekends when she can, but she loves her dads. Orla is into cross country running and shock put. She loves adventuring and hiking, and is constantly pulling her family out for hiking trips on weekends, as well as camping. Not the most popular girl in school, but she's okay with that. Currently getting into the idea of going into some form of nature study science as a profession. Not associated with a color.

McKenzie is one of the popular girls, though she's also into sports. Hers is soccer. She's also not afraid of standing up for her friends and sister, and her drop kick can shatter tables. Bulk and Jason made her promise not to get in fights in school, as it not only looks bad on her, it could cost them their jobs. So she's careful who she fights. Monsters who the power rangers can't handle are useful, here. At least one of them offered to hire her. Jason and Bulk were. Not Amused. She's considering acting as a career, just so she can do her own stunts. Everyone likes her because she doesn't let people walk over her, but she's managed to be nice about it. Likes history as much as Bulk does.

Trey of Triforia;

Trey owes Jason his life. If Jason hadn't taken Gold when Trey was injured, he probably would have died. Jason owed Trey his life. If he hadn't taken Gold back when he was able, Jason would have died. Having Zeo Gold in common was, it turned out, a great opportunity for bonding. They got closer, and when Jason's dad finally died...he didn't actually look back. Like Billy, he prefers spending more of his time on another planet with his alien lover. When needed, they swap back and forth with gold; it takes them both, accepts them both, and it's an exacting Color, but they have it handled.

They have a daughter. Helen is eight years old. She's a lot like Jason, and that worries both of them. Helen's broken someone's arm over the matter of being bigger and as the princess, more important than the smaller child, and Jason had to sit her down and have a long discussion why this was wrong. He's gone to Earth with her in the hopes if she has a lot of help, she'll get through her anger and internalizing emotions. For now, they're focusing on raising her specifically as a human child on earth. It seems to be doing good for her, and at least they trust who they left in charge of Triforia so she can have both her dads with her. She likes butterflies, and disney movies, and human candy. She likes the kids in the karate class she's in, and her honorary family.

Zack Taylor;

There really wasn't anyone else, honestly. They got each other. Blue and red is fine, and red and pink, but red and black? when it works it works and honestly they work. For obvious reasons, while they started dating in space, they didn't make it public when they came back to earth until Jason's dad died. At that point, there was nothing holding them back, and Zack understood the reason Jason waited. There was never going to be a relationship with his dad if he came out, and he was the sole caretaker. He had a responsibility. Zack respected that.

They have two kids, by surrogate. Kristen of the dark rangers, actually, offered. They didn't talk to the five much, but knew them well enough, after everything. When she offered it was actually a surprise, but they were willing if she was. When they decided they wanted a second kid, she was still willing. They're half siblings. Cleo, aged 24, is Jason and Kristen's daughter. Valeria, aged 18, is Kristen and Zack's daughter. Through this they became better friends with Kristen as well and that was really nice, especially for Kristen.

Cleo's more dramatic and adventurous than her younger sister. She will try anything once, do anything once. The whole world's a stage and she's one of the leads. Not afraid to take life by the horns and ride for all it's worth. A little bit of a mean girl, especially to anyone who dares hurt her sister or sister's friends. Was a queen bee in high school. She designs outfits for athletes. Sportswear is a passion of hers. How to make it fashionable and nice to work out in. Everyone deserves to look their best. She, herself, has an almost boho goth mix as a style. it was a mistake to let her watch incredibles; Edna Mode is her hero and role model. is not associated with a color. However, she'd be Fuchsia if she did. Unusual, and wouldn't have it any other way.

Valeria is 18 and in awe of her family and their legacies. She feels like she won't be able to be able to match any of them, but is trying not to let that bother her. She's captain of a breakdancing team, and mixes it with hard shoe Irish step-dance, which she's been taking classes for since she was four. It's something new, something fun, something her, and while she doesn't see the value in it, Zack and Jason do. Cleo's first experimental skort (skirt/short combo) was for Valeria to better be able to mix both dance styles. It's sometimes difficult for the sisters to talk to each other or show affection, but when they do its usually through things made for the other for their hobbies. Valeria also likes doing basic build type things, such as building sewing machines or computers. She only does this for family, but Cleo loves the custom machine she got. So does uncle Adam.

Currently working at a pizzeria, the tips are good and she likes being able to think while in high stress situations. It's where she thrives. Valeria is not associated with a color. however if she was, it'd be coral or black.

Billy Cranston;

Jason and Billy weren't actually expecting to get together; this kind of just. Happened. Jason's dad disinherited him, and Billy's parents welcomed Jason in with open arms. They've been together since Jason came back and became a scuba instructor. Billy became a science professor, Jason is still a scuba instructor. They have two kids, one adopted and one was a magic spell turned oopsie baby. Jackson is adopted, but not human. He's a Xybrian who ended up on earth after a freak accident with his parent's ship. He's purple haired, and Billy and Jason offered to take him in until a good Xybrian option could be found. No better options were found. He's 27 but still going to school as lifespans of Xybrians are far far longer than humans. He halves his time. school year is on Xybria, breaks are on earth. Extremely protective of little brother Zachary, who is seventeen. He does find it a bit of a whiplash, going from non psychic society to planet full of them, but he's adaptable. Is interested in becoming a cartographer. while associated with purple, he's not interested in being a ranger as of right now.

Zachary was intended to be something entirely different than what he is. Vile created the perfect copies of Billy and Jason's strengths and combined them. Unfortunately, this was what they themselves considered their strengths. Billy's intelligence of course, but his sense of fashion as well. Jason's fighing skills yes, but also his adaptability, and his sense of humor. Vile deemed this a failure, but instead of a spell destroying the young man, he got turned into a baby due to quick thinking from Zack and Rocky. Billy and Jason figured since he existed, they'd just raise him. He's fairly well adjusted, excitable, and really passionate. A little bit of a himbo, a little bit too smart for his own good too. not associated with any color. He was named Zachary Rocky Scott in honor of the two who managed to keep him alive.

Eugene Skullovitch;

They were paired up for a school assignment a little after Tommy was reformed and saved from Rita. It was annoying, especially with Skull being so cagey and Bulk straight up threatening him if he went to the Skullovitch residence or business. When Jason dared, he realized why. And had to get saved from Mrs Skullovitch flirting with him. Which earned Skull a lot of verbal abuse as he pulled Jason far away from the house.

While he found our later she was drunk and had mistaken him for someone older, it was still rather panic inducing. Also embarrassing for the Skullovitch brothers and Bulk. He had to stop Stan apologizing on behalf of her, and understood Bulk’s anger. Jason felt the need to make it up to Skull, and they went from antagonizing each other to friends to semi-secretly dating each other. Everyone knew except Skull’s family. Jason didn’t even know what made him angrier; the fact Skull felt he had to protect Jason, or the fact that he lived in Tommy’s house whenever Tommy’s parents didn’t live there, and Skull’s parents didn’t seem to notice. They have one adopted daughter. Skull’s a guidance counselor at their old high school, and Jason is a karate instructor. Rebecca Scott is actually Stan’s, but Stan died and his girlfriend died in a car crash caused by monster activity, and the newborn was the only survivor. Eugene would have adopted her with or without Jason there. Luckily Jason was there, and Jason fell in instalove with the baby. She was very small and he loved her.

Jason and Skull got married to make it easier for Jason to formally adopt Rebecca, in case something happened and because everyone felt distancing her and Skull from the Skullovitch legacy was the best idea, and this could be accomplished by taking Jason's last name. He was only too happy to do this. He was disinherited by his dad, but it doesn't matter. The guy lost out on getting to know a great kid. Rebecca’s blind from the car accident, and has a dog and a cane to help her around. She’s 15, and nothing stops her. She’s got a lot of caution, but very little outright fear. The power rangers will protect the civilians, and her skills and disability aids help keep her safe as well. She loves to read, and has read every braille book in the library twice. She’s aware her dads are power rangers, and most of her extended family. They’re not going to let anything happen to her. And she’s going to make sure nothing happens to them. Rebecca is opinionated with a very strong sense of right and wrong. She’s actually rather blunt, but tries to be nice about it. She knows her mind and she knows how to direct people, but she hates being in a confrontation. Not associated with a color, but it’d probably be red or bronze if she were.

Matt Cook;

Getting with Jason felt a little like leaning how to breathe again. Jason came home and Matt quickly got into sparring with him every weekend, like old times. It devolved into a lot of pent up rage related sex. And then all of that was gone…and there were two angry hurt teenagers who didn’t know how to be healthy about love or sex. Cut to fifteen years later, Jason’s a mechanic, Matt’s an accountant. And nothings changed. In between then and now, Jason had a kid. He doesn’t remember who the mother was, and anyway Diego Scott was left on his porch basically. He’s four. Matt likes the way Diego likes piggy backs. And dinosaurs and zombies. Matt likes how whole he feels with Jason and Diego. It’s pretty late in life, but he’s willing to make a go of this, if Jason is willing. And so far, he is. Diego keeps the two on their toes, being ready to get into the thick of everything and anything. But he's four, that's typical, and he's Jason's. And Matt thinks the kid's the best.

Emily (last name unknown);

Emily was Jason's on and off again girlfriend all through zeo. She saved him from ending up like Tommy, whose entire life was consumed by rangerdom. When he stopped being gold, he had a small moment of identity crisis, before he got pointed out he had a girlfriend who loved him no matter how much he'd flaked on her, and she was waiting at the beach.

During forever red, the reason he was late was her. He didn't want to lose himself, or worse, die. It was Emily's faith in him and their marriage and love that kept him from making this a habit. He took Red on again as a temporary, before giving it to Rocky. Emily kept him out of the habit. One look at her and their life, and he's fine. He's got what he needs. This is why he put the suit on in the first place.

Emily and Jason have three kids. Maya, aged 27, Rowan, aged 24, and Nathan, aged 16.

Maya's been transitioning for eight years. Jason and Emily were both surprised, but they love their kid more than anything and adapted quickly. When she was figuring out a name, they offered her the name they would have named her if they'd known she was a girl. She has it as a middle name, and chose her first name from another source. Maya's a scuba instructor like Jason. She has a lot of fond memories of how he'd teach her, and they'd go diving around Angel Grove's cliffsides and he showed her the different ecosystems. She thought this was the most beautiful and cool thing in the world. So, she's doing it, and loves getting new people into the hobby. She's a good big sister and knows her siblings well enough to know when they need a Break. She always manages to find them and have them come with on a scuba dive. Both younger siblings benefit from being forced to calm down and take care of their equipment. No hot heads allowed when you're doing scuba diving. She's also always got protein bars in her purse, and trail mix, and other things. Hangry doesn't work either, and food and water on hand is necessary. She's dependable, and takes her life seriously, if slowly. Not associated with a color.

Rowan's self employed. He's a little bit of a wanderer. He's got some ideas what he wants to do with his life, and does it. He's a ghost writer and can get up to four books done a month. He lives in a modified van and will go to Maya's or his parents when he needs a shower and a hot meal. He's been all over California, and has met several teams while traveling. The joke is that he's only going to grow roots if and when he gets a ranger color. This is true, he can't deny, but it wouldn't lock him down to a house or apartment; he likes his current lifestyle too much to just leave it. He's not really Jason. He knows exactly who he is. He's not searching for himself everywhere. He's found himself already, but that self wanders. When he is in Angel Grove, he's usually hanging out with Maya or letting Nathan and Nathan's friends hang out with him. He brings back gifts for his brother, and Maya. Not associated with a color, but he will be. It'll be a little unusual in that it's silver, not gold, but Jason's going to chalk it up with Rowan taking after Emily rather than himself.

Nathan likes the weird and grotesque and odd. He's a little bit of a weido, but his siblings love him. He's got a heart of gold and while weird, he's generally not creepy. Nathan definitely worries his parents. If anyone's going to become some pawn of rangerdom or villainy, it's Nathan. He's always spelunking or exploring abandoned places or picking up dubious and possibly cursed items. Jason's just. waiting. for this kid to start wearing monochrome color coordinated clothing. Or start acting like an utter brat. He knows the signs, he has Tommy and the dark ranger kids on speed-dial. He's waiting. Nathan's annoyed by the perceived lack of faith in him. He's capable, and he's fine. Curious to a dangerous extent, maybe, sure, you could say that, but he's also got a line of caution in it, too. He's genre aware, you could say. He knows when to walk away. But...well. Nathan's competitive and Jason knows this. He's not betting against Nathan getting into a situation out of a sense of justice or because someone challenged him. Nathan does hang out a lot with his siblings, especially with his older brother. Maya's kind of embarrassing, but just because she knows him so well, and his friends tease him his sister knows how to talk him down from things so well. Nathan will be a red ranger, in about a year. And Jason's going to know the instant it happens.

Trini Kwan;

They got together in their teens after putty!Matt got them thinking about it, and after a short time apart, they got back together. Jason and Trini co-parent Minh, and have a kid of their own. Terry Scott is twelve and while deeply enthusiastic over everything, he's rather reserved. Fairly calm, and watchful. He's always pausing before talking. Definitely a mama's boy. However, he likes battle borgs with Jason, and they do watch each new season together. Terry's got no interest in being a power ranger. When Trini died, he had even less interest in it. Kid keeps Jason out of rangerdom, because how could he go back in when Minh's currently a yellow, and Terry's still grieving his mom. Terry and Minh's relationship has gotten really strained, and Jason's trying to keep the family together. Trini'd want him to try.

[munchabunch]

Burnin’ for You (8/?) e.m.

A/n: here it is chapter 8!! This is by far the longest chapter I’ve ever written and I hope you all enjoy it! I worked really hard on it :)

Pairings: Eddie Munson x OFC!Penny Castillo

Platonic!Steve Harrington x OFC!Penny Castillo

Platonic!Robin Buckley x OFC!Penny Castillo

Warnings: cursing, grief, allusions to child abuse, gore, violence, weapon wielding

Word count: 6.3k (good gravy)

Taglist: @portaltothevoid @madaboutmunson @plumxwrites @chaoticmunson @riffcrusader

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Terror. Pure unadulterated terror. That’s what Penny felt as soon as they learned that Dart had escaped. The trio made their way up the steps out of the former baby demogorgon’s prison. As soon as they got out, Steve turned to Dustin,

“I gotta get Penny back to her car. Get inside and lock… everything.” He said enunciating the last word.

After making sure Dustin was safe inside the home, she and Steve got into his wine-colored ride. Little chit chat was had between the two of them as Steve drove, before Penny cut to the chase.

“Steve, are you okay?” She echoed the question she’d asked him at Tina’s Halloween party.

“If I said yes, would you believe me?” Steve responded hopefully.

“No.” The girl deadpanned.

“I think Nancy broke up with me.” He all but whispered.

“Oh Steve, I’m sorry. What happened?” Penny asked him.

“She just said we were bullshit and we’re the reason Barb died. And everything’s bullshit. That I was bullshit. And then the next day at school… she– she wouldn’t say she loved me. And it’s, like, I should’ve seen this coming. She spends all this time with Jonathan.”

“Steve, Barb was never your fault. Or Nancy’s for that matter. And as for Jonathan… I don’t really know what to tell you about that.” Penny knew that Jonathan carried more than just a torch for Nancy, the boy carried an entire forest fire for her. But she wasn’t close enough to Nancy anymore to know where her true feelings lied. The girls had drifted apart throughout the years, they were still friendly but not nearly as close as they used to be. The days of dollhouse play-dates and pool parties long gone, nights of monster hunting and superpowers taking their place as the girls grew older.

“I just wish I was enough for her,” Steve said wistfully.

“Woah woah Harrington, let’s get something straight. Just because Nancy might not see it doesn’t mean you aren’t enough for her. You are enough, okay? And maybe Nancy isn’t your endgame. One day you are gonna make someone so incredibly happy. But you can’t force that. Not with Nancy or anyone. Just be yourself. The real you, not The Hair, but Steve. Okay?” There was a fire behind Penny’s eyes as she finished her speech to Steve. While she and Steve weren’t the best of friends, he’d saved her life more than once and carved himself an older brother sized piece of her heart in the process.

“Thanks, Pen. You are wise beyond your years,” Steve said as they pulled into the Wheeler’s driveway.

“That’s what they tell me,” Penny retorted, unbuckling and opening the door. “Thanks for the lift, hotshot.”

“Anytime. I’ll see you tomorrow! I’ll pick you up around 1 so we can go to the meat store.” Penny cackled and shut the door.

“The butcher, doofus. I’ll see you at 1!” She shouted through his open window. Steve chuckled and repeated, “The butcher!!” He pulled out of the driveway but idled at the end of the pavement.

Penny looked at him curiously and ambled to her car, she opened her door and got in. It wasn’t until her car door was closed that she saw Steve finally drive away. She followed suit, pulling out of the carport and driving home.

The drive home was short from the Wheeler’s, though Penny’s driving definitely shaved a few minutes off the usual travel time. She entered her home and was greeted by a note on the kitchen table.

Pulled in for emergency surgery. Don’t know how long it’ll be. I left you leftovers in the fridge. Te amo, mijita.

-Mami

Penny walked over to the fridge and pulled out the Country Crock container that she knew didn't contain butter, finding the leftovers in it she reheated them quickly and devoured them just as fast. She cleaned up after herself and hiked the stairs to her room, walking up them much slower than she had that morning. Gathering her pajamas and a towel, she went to the bathroom to wash the day off of her. She finished quickly and changed into a pair of comfy shorts and another band tee that was several sizes too big. She went back to her room and eyed the instruments that were hung on her wall. It was too late for anything electric but she had the home to herself so acoustic would be okay. She pulled her acoustic guitar off the wall carefully and sat on the edge of her bed. She noodled around for a bit, loosening her stiff fingers. When they were warmed up enough she began playing.

Some people say my love cannot be true.

Please believe me, my love, and I’ll show you.

I will give you those things you thought unreal

The sun, the moon, the stars all bear my seal

Follow me now and you will not regret

Leaving the life you led before me met

You are the first to have this love of mine

Forever with me till the end of time

Your love for me has just got to be real

Before you know the way I’m go-

She was cut off by a rapping at her uncovered window. She looked up and locked eyes with Eddie Munson himself, crouching on her roof. Her eyes went wide and she put the guitar down on her bed before moving over to the window rapidly. She threw it open, mouth agape.

“Eddie, what the hell?! You’re gonna fall!” She grabbed him by the hand and helped him into the home, ignoring the feeling of sparks chasing each other up her arm.

He clambered in, colliding with the cymbals on Penny’s drum set. A loud drumroll of racket reverberated through the house and the neighborhood.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m a professional.” He replied, winded from the climb up the side of her house.

“You professionally come into homes through people’s windows? And crash into their drum sets?”

“No I just - I meant. Nevermind.” He gathered his bearings as Penny realized she still had his hand gripped in hers. She let go quickly, both of them feeling the loss of warmth.

“Was that N.I.B.?” He asked her.

“Uhhh maybe? How long were you listening?”

“Long enough to know when you said lungs of a singer you fuckin’ meant that shit!” He replied, truth be told, though, he’d heard the entirety of what she’d played having sat outside her window listening to her melodic voice. Eddie could listen to her sing everything she said for the rest of his life.

“I didn’t know you played literally any of these, how come you never told me?”

“How come you never asked?” She replied teasingly.

Eddie met her with a look of incredulity before finally peering around to take in his surroundings. He spun around looking at everything, a bookshelf that housed the entire series of Lord of the Rings along with not one but two complete works of Edgar Allan Poe, an electric guitar and a bass on the wall along with an empty spot for the guitar that was on her bed. He noticed how soft her bed looked and the stegosaurus plopped haphazardly near the pillows. He walked over to the posters that lined her wall, noticing a trend.

“God she’s perfect.” He muttered under his breath, not loud enough for the girl behind him to hear, or so he thought.

“What?” Penny replied, not fully catching what he’d said.

Eddie bugged his eyes and scrambled for something to say.

“Kirk Hammet, Jimmy Page, George Lynch? You got a thing for guitar players, mama?” He called out to her, still facing the wall to which the posters were taped. Penny’s breath hitched at the new nickname, as it always did.

“Usually.” She mused distractedly, before catching what it was she had said to him, a guitar player. Eddie turned and gave her a look, his eyes wide and a smirk dancing across his angular features. “Anyway, what’s up?”

“Nothing actually, I uh- just wanted to see you,” he replied earnestly. “I probably should’ve called first but I hadn’t heard from you in a while, so I figured I’d pop by.” He gave her his signature award-winning smile.

Penny’s heart squeezed.

“Uh yeah, sorry Eds. I’ve been super busy babysitting Dustin and Will.” She lied, hoping that was enough explanation to satisfy his worries.

“Oh the D&D kids?” He’d heard about the kids she cared for often throughout the couple months of their friendship. Enough that he felt like he already knew them himself.

“The very same!” She responded shorter than she intended as her mind drifted back to Thursday and what she’d heard.

“So you weren’t mad at me?” He looked at her sheepishly.

“No I wasn’t mad at you Eddie. Why would I be mad at you?”

“I- I don’t know. You rushed out Thursday and I didn’t know if I did something wrong. So I actually came to apologize and see if you wanted to hang out. I kinda missed you.” He said moving toward her, opening his arms for her.

“There’s nothing to apologize for, Eds. I promise. I kinda missed you, too.” She said moving into his arms. He quickly wrapped his own around her, engulfing her mind, body, and senses.

Pulling away she said, “What did you wanna do? A movie or?”

He pulled a baggy out of his vest pocket and held it up.

“I figured we could get really stoned and you could give me a concert. Oh come on, Pen, pleeeeease.” He said at the look she was giving him.

“Ha okay fine!” She said, giggling as she took the bag and made her way over to the window. She climbed out more carefully than Eddie had climbed in and he followed close behind her. The both of them sat on the roof side by side, Eddie pulled out a lighter as Penny opened the bag pulling out a perfectly rolled joint. She put it to her lips as Eddie flicked the lighter, she turned toward him leaning forward. One of his large hands came up to cup the end of the joint blocking the wind, and his other lit the joint for her. Penny took a deep drag, she needed this after the day she’d had. She passed it to Eddie, as she brought her knees up to her chest, resting her chin on them and looking up at the stars and the moon. Eddie looked at her enamored, without even trying Penny had willed herself into his heart and he was more than okay with that. He thought she looked beautiful lit beneath the soft light of the heavenly bodies, her green eyes shining brightly as she took it all in.

“So how long have you played all those?” Eddie asked her curiously.

She looked over at him, eyes meeting his briefly before she turned back to the sky.

“My dad taught me. He played everything imaginable. He actually had this one guitar when I was really little. I was obsessed with how it looked and I begged him everyday to teach me how to play it and he would tell me “not until you’re older, mijita. Your hands are too little right now.” He taught me eventually when I was big enough. But I never got to play that one. I don’t actually know what happened to it. But yeah he taught me everything I know.” Eddie passed the joint to her after taking a couple puffs.

“Well I know who to go to if we ever have a Corroded Coffin emergency.”

“Ha I would be happy to oblige, good sir.” They chatted back and forth about everything for a while. Long enough that they had started and finished a second joint. They moved back through the window and Penny gingerly picked up her guitar.

“So whaddaya wanna hear?” She asked him nervously.

“Whatever you wanna play me!” He answered her.

“Well you gotta give me a song to play!” She pestered.

“Okay okay! What about that Fever cover The Cramps did?”

“I can work with that!”

She began, strumming the tune lightly before she began singing.

“Never know how much I love you,” she locked eyes with Eddie immediately, getting flustered as she continued singing, but not breaking eye contact.

“Never know how much I care

When you put your arms around me

I get a fever that’s so hard to bare

You give me fever

When you kiss me

Fever, when you hold me tight

Fever, in the morning

Fever, all through the night”

She finished the song quickly, growing nervous and finally breaking their intense eye contact.

She got up to put the guitar back in its holder.

“Hey hey, I requested a concert. That was only one song!”

“Well I didn’t see your ticket to the show!” She giggled.

“Ah shit, I think I left it in the van. What about just one more song? Please?”

“Only because you asked so nicely.”

She quickly decided on one of her favorite songs, gingerly picked up the acoustic from her mattress, and began strumming.

“Home in The Valley

Home in the city

Home isn’t pretty

Ain’t no home for me

Home in the darkness

Home on the highway

Home isn’t my way.

Home I’ll never be”

Penny’s eyes fluttered shut as she began to feel the music flowing through her. She continued,

“Burn out the day

Burn out the night

I can’t see no reason to put up a fight

I’m living for giving the devil his due

And I’m Burnin’, I’m Burnin’, I’m Burnin for You

I’m Burnin’, I’m Burnin’, I’m Burnin for You”

Eddie was in awe watching her play, the way she swayed and got lost in the music called to the musician in him in a way nothing ever had before. In that moment, he realized just how deep he had fallen for Penny Castillo. In just two short months, she had captured a piece of his soul for her own keeping. What Eddie didn’t know was how Penny felt the exact same way for him. She finished the song and looked at him anxiously.

“Pen, I think that’s my new favorite song.” He looked into her green eyes.

“Oh stop, you’re just saying that,” she got up to really put the guitar away this time.

“I’m not, I promise! You’re amazing, you know that?” He looked her deeply in the eyes.

“T-Thanks,” she said, meeting his gaze.

“Why aren’t you in a band or something?” He asked her.

“I don’t know. The opportunity never really came by. None of my friends outside of Coffin really play anything besides Robin.” The girl responded with a shrug.

“Well if the opportunity ever arises, promise me you’ll take it. Okay?” His eyes bore into her.

“I promise, Eds.”

Eddie looked at the clock on her nightstand and saw that it was nearly 2am. Penny followed his gaze, her eyes growing as she saw the time.

“Oh god I didn’t realize how late it was.”

“Yeah I should probably get going.”

“Y-yeah,” she said unconvincingly, “I don’t know when my mom will be home and as much as she likes you I don’t think she’s gonna like finding you in my room this late.” Penny chuckled.

“I knew she liked me! Thanks for the concert, mama. I’ll be sure to bring my ticket next time.” He winked at her, moving toward the still open window. Between the term of endearment and the wink, Penny felt her knees wobble.

She followed him to the window, helping him out of it carefully. He turned around quickly, sticking his head back into the home and capturing her cheek in a kiss. “Goodnight, princess.” He whispered, lips grazing her ear. When he pulled away, he noticed the red tint she now wore. He smirked and began climbing down from her window.

“Get home safe please, Eddie.” She called after him, remembering what lurked in the darkness of Hawkins.

“Always, sweetheart!” He gave her a two-finger salute and walked off to where he parked his van.

Penny shut the window after seeing him drive off in the direction of Forest Hills.

She sighed and collapsed onto her bed. This interaction only confirmed what she already knew. She was head over heels for Eddie Munson. She just wished she knew how he felt about her.

Sunday, November 4th, 1984

The next morning Penny woke up bright and not at all early. She got dressed quickly, putting on a pair of black distressed pants and her trusty garter knife holster. She walked to her closet and grabbed a long sleeve shirt and her leather jacket. She kept her hair down for a little extra warmth against the November chill that had washed over the small town. She put on a pair of fuzzy socks to keep out the cold and slipped into her black combat boots for extra protection against the elements and monsters of the upside down.

A thought crossed her mind and she walked quickly to the basement of her own home, careful not to make too much noise so as to not wake her mother. She looked around before her eyes landed on the object she was looking for. Her father’s machete. She took hold of it, carefully unsheathing it a bit to check the sharpness. To her surprise, it was still just as sharp as she always remembered it. Her father must’ve sharpened it just before his untimely passing. She resheathed the weapon and made her way out of the dimly lit room. She went to her room to empty her backpack and put the machete in along with some other things they might’ve needed, flashlights, extra batteries, bandages, hairspray and a lighter. She zipped the bag as much as she could with the large weapon in it, the handle stuck out but she gathered that it was probably a good thing, easy access and all that. Once she was finished, she went to the kitchen and saw it was nearly 12:30. She made a fast lunch for herself and wolfed it down before cleaning everything she’d used. By the time she was finished it was 1pm and she heard wheels landing in her driveway. Grabbing her backpack, she made her way out the front door, locking it behind her.

“Good morning, sunshine!” Steve all but shouted in the poor girl’s face.

“Good afternoon, Steve,” she chuckled at his antics. She pulled open the passenger door, putting the backpack carefully in the footwell, and she got into the car. After she was buckled in, Steve reversed out of the space and began the drive to Dustin’s house. As they drove past Robin’s, Penny missed the shift of the front curtain closing.

When they arrived at Dustin’s house, he rushed out to the car, buckets in hand, walkie clipped to his side.

“Hi, Dusty!” Penny turned in her seat to pat him on the head.

“Hi Pen. Hi Steve,” Dustin replied.

The trio drove to the town butcher. When they arrived, Dustin handed Penny the buckets and stayed in the car. She and Steve climbed out of the car and entered the building.

“Hello! I need meat!” Steve shouted once they were inside.

“Yeah Steve? You need some sausage or?” Penny cackled at her own joke as Steve blushed red at the implication before laughing along with her.

Penny made her way up to the counter and smiled sweetly at the big burly man standing behind it.

“Hi, could we please get some chunked beef? Enough to fill these buckets please?” She winced at her request before rattling off a believable explanation. “We like to feed our dogs the good stuff sometimes as a treat and they’ve been very good boys lately.” She smiled again as he nodded his head and got to work. Once the buckets were filled and they paid for all of the meat, they went back out to the car and put the buckets in the trunk next to the gasoline can that Steve brought with them. Deciding to start by the train tracks near Dustin’s home, they drove back the way they came. They parked when they arrived, and moved around to the trunk. As they began pulling everything out Penny heard a static.

“Dustin! Dustin, do you copy?!” She heard Lucas’ frantic voice through the headset Dustin was wearing. She continued listening while helping Steve grab the rest of what was in the trunk.

“Well, well, well, look who it is.” Dustin answered, annoyed.

“Sorry, man. My stupid sister turned it off.” Lucas’ voice came again.

“Well, when you were having sister problems, Dart grew again, he escaped, AND I’m pretty sure he’s a baby demogorgon.”

“Wait, What?”

“I’ll explain later. Just meet me, Steve, and Penny at the old junkyard.”

“Steve?”

“And bring your binoculars and wrist rocket.”

“Steve Harrington?”

“Alright let’s go” Steve called out to Dustin.

“Just be there, stat. Over and out.”

Penny put her backpack on as Steve matched her movements with his own. He grabbed his own bucket of meat and they meandered to the train tracks with Dustin tagging along behind them. They traveled down the tracks for a while each with a bucket of their own, dropping meat along as they went.

After a while, a conversation began.

“Dustin. Why’d you keep the lizard?” Steve asked him.

“Not a lizard and because I really thought he was a new species. I wanted to show him to-,” Dustin cut himself off, not wanting the embarrassment of telling Steve about his crush.

“You wanted to show him to who? A girl?” Steve questioned him further. Dustin nodded almost imperceivably but Steve caught it.

“There’s uhhh- There’s a new girl at school. I thought she would think it was cool.” He replied shamefacedly. Penny merely listened to the conversation, mind wandering to Eddie as she threw chunks of meat along the abandoned railway.

“All right so let me get this straight, you kept something you knew was probably dangerous in order to impress a girl who…. Who you just met?” Steve shouted up to him.

“All right, that’s grossly oversimplifying things.” Dustin responded.

“I mean, why would a girl like some nasty slug anyway?” Steve said offhandedly.

“An Inter dimensional slug? Because it’s awesome.”

“Well, even if she thought it was cool, which she didn’t, I… I just… I don’t know. I just feel like you’re trying way too hard, man.” Steve said, earning a smack on the back of his head from Penny.

“Ow.”

“Well, not everyone can have your perfect hair, all right?” Dustin said dejectedly.

“It’s not about the hair, man,” Steve began, still throwing meat on the ground. “The key with girls is just acting like you don’t care.” Penny looked at him incredulously.

“Even if you do?”

“Yeah, exactly. It drives them nuts.”

“Dustin, don’t listen to him. That’s stupid.” Penny interjected, but Dustin kept asking Steve questions anyway.

“Then what?”

“You just wait until, uh… until you feel it.” Penny groaned behind the pair of them.

“Feel what?”

“It’s like before it’s gonna storm, you know? You can’t see it but you can feel it, like this, uh… electricity, you know?” Steve answered.

“Oh, like in the electromagnetic field when the clouds in the atmosphere-“

“No, no, no, no, no,” Steve cut him off. “Like a… like a sexual electricity.”

“Oh.”

“You feel that and then you make your move.”

“Ew, Steve? He’s 13!” Penny shouted at him.

“So? He’s old enough to have a crush so he should know these things.” Penny relented at that.

“So that’s when you kiss her?” Dustin asked.

“No, whoa, whoa, slow down, Romeo.” Steve said, chucking a piece of meat toward the ground.

“Sorry.”

“Sure, okay, some girls, yeah, they want you to be aggressive. You know, strong, hot and heavy, like uhh… I don’t know, like a lion.”

“Mmm,” Dustin mused.

“But others, you gotta be slow, you gotta be stealthy, like a…. Like a ninja.”

“A ninja? Really, Steve? Girls don’t actually like that. You know.”

“What? Yes they do!” Steve defended.

“Well I don’t.”

“Well, you’re different.”

“What type is Nancy?” Dustin asked. A pained look crossed Steve’s face at the mention of her name.

“Nancy’s different, like Penny is. They’re different than the other girls.”

“Yeah they both are pretty special, I guess.”

“Yeah. Yeah, they are.” Steve answered honestly. Penny smiled as she walked behind them.

“But this girl’s special, too, you know. It’s just, like, something about her.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey, hey, hey,” Steve said, coming to a stop on the tracks, Penny stopped just behind him.

“What?” Dustin asked, stopping as well.

“You’re not fallin’ in love with this girl, are you?”

“Uh, no. No.” Dustin answered, unconvincingly.

“Okay, good. Don’t.”

“I won’t.”

“She’s only gonna break your heart, and you’re way too young for that shit.”

They continued walking in silence before Steve spoke up again.

“Fabergé.”

“What?”

Steve pointed to his mane, “ It’s Fabergé Organics. Use the shampoo and conditioner, and when your hair’s damp… It’s not wet, okay? When it’s damp…”

“Damp.” Dustin repeated. Steve looked behind him at Penny with a look that could kill. She could tell she was about to be sworn to secrecy. Steve turned back forward before continuing.

“You do four puffs of the Farrah Fawcett spray.”

Dustin smirked and attempted to stifle his giggle as he said, “Farrah Fawcett spray?”

“Yeah,” Steve started, stopping their walk again. “Farrah Fawcett. You tell anyone I just told you that and your ass is grass. You’re dead, Henderson. Do you understand?” He held a finger up to Dustin pointing it in his face before turning and pointing it at Penny.

“You too, Castillo.”

Penny held up her hands in defense, “Secret’s safe with me, Harrington.” He turned back to Dustin, finger still in midair.

“Yup.”

Steve sighed, “okay.”

“Farrah Fawcett, really?” Penny asked Steve, as they began walking again.

“I mean, she’s hot.” Steve answered simply.

“Yeah.” Penny conceded.

They kept walking for a while, continuing to toss meat at their feet until they finally made it to the clearing that the junkyard stood on.

“Oh yeah, yeah. This will do. This will do just fine.” Steve said as he walked off towards the junkyard to get everything ready.

“Good call, dude.” He called behind him to Dustin, who smiled at the praise.

The trio dumped the remaining meat into a pile on the ground.

“I said medium-well,” a voice yelled out to them. They turned to look and saw Lucas waving at them accompanied by Max. Penny cast a worried glance over to Dustin, only to watch his face fall. The duo began making their way over to the three of them.

“Who’s that?” Steve asked Dustin. Though he didn’t need an answer, the look on Dustin’s face told him everything he needed to know. Penny got to work helping Steve and Max gather slats of metal to reinforce the school bus they were going to be using as a headquarters. The boys were crouched behind a red car having a heated conversation. Steve smacked the back of the car with a metal folding chair, startling the boys out of their talk.

“Hey, dickheads, how come the only ones helping me are Penny and this random girl? We lose light in 40 minutes. Let’s go. Let’s go, I said!”

“All right, asshole! God!” Dustin back talked.

“Okay! Stupid.” Lucas said.

“She has a name, Steve. It’s Max!” Penny looked at him expectantly.

“Sorry, Max.” Steve said to the redhead.

“It’s okay, random girl works just as well.” She responded, teasingly.

The remaining 40 minutes of daylight was spent with everyone working together gathering metal pieces and attaching them to the bus, rolling barrels to where they needed to be. Steve grabbed the can of gasoline pouring it over the pile of meat and trailing a line of it to the opening of the bus. Max found a ladder and used it to create an easy access to the hatch in the ceiling of the school bus.

As the sunset began, they all made their way into the school bus. Lucas was designated to be the lookout with Penny up top to protect him should anything happen. Steve was stationed inside with the other two kids. As Lucas and Penny settled on the roof of the vehicle, a fog rolled into the old junkyard making everything look that much more ominous. They both laid low, Lucas with his binoculars and Penny next to him keeping a lookout on the ground around them.

“So what’s going on with you and Max?” Penny asked him. She and Lucas had been close since he and the children were much smaller. Each kid held an incredibly special place in her heart. Lucas would always come to Penny when it came to matters of the heart, knowing she always gave sound advice.

“N-nothing. I just enjoy her company.” Lucas stammered out, embarrassed that Penny had caught on so quickly.

“Mhmmm and I’m guessing you told her everything already?” Lucas nodded at her question.

“It’s okay to have a crush, Lucas. It’s actually really nice sometimes,” she said with a smile on her face as her mind ran back to Eddie. “Just make sure you don’t hurt anyone in the process, okay?” She said pointedly, knowing Lucas would catch on to her meaning. They were interrupted by someone climbing up the ladder. They both turned to see Max joining them.

“It’s kinda awesome.”

“Huh?” Lucas said, looking through the binoculars.

“The fog, I mean. Looks like the ocean.” The girl said wistfully.

“You miss it?” Lucas asked, turning toward her.

“What?”

“The ocean. The waves? California?” Max turned away at the question.

“Hawkins seems pretty lame, I bet.” Penny added.

“No, no, no, it’s not that. It’s just… my dads still there. So…” Penny’s heart dropped, feeling Max’s pain of missing her dad. She reached out to hold Max’s hand, squeezing it lightly to assure the girl that she knew how she felt. Max squeezed her hand back, not letting go.

“Why?” Lucas asked.

“It’s this legal term called “divorce”. See when two married people don’t love each other anymore—“

“Yeah.” Lucas said, cutting off her explanation.

“My mom and my stepdad. They wanted a fresh start away from him. As if… as if he was the problem, which is total bull. And things… are just worse now. My stepbrother’s always been a dick, but now he’s just angry… all the time and…,” Max took a deep rattling breath. “Well, he can’t take it out on my mom, so…”

“So he takes it out on you…” Penny stated sadly. Inside though, she was seething. The next time she saw Billy, she’d let him have it.

“I don’t even know why I’m telling you guys this. It’s just… I know that I can be a jerk like him sometimes, and I do not want to be like him. Ever.” Max’s voice grew dark with her last statement.

“Max, you are nothing like Billy. Okay? Nothing like him.”

“I guess I’m just angry, too, and… I’m sorry.” A few tears escaped her eyes and Penny moved her hand up to wipe them away gently.

“Jesus. What’s wrong with me,” Max sniffled.

“Hey, Penny’s right. You’re nothing like your brother, okay? You’re cool and different. And you’re super smart.” Lucas brought his hands up to wave them by his face. “And you’re, like, totally tubular.” The three of them laughed.

“Nobody actually says that, you know.” Max said.

“Well, I do now.” Lucas said, proudly.

“And it makes you seem really cool.” Max countered.

“I like talking with you, Mad Max.”

“And I like talking with you, stalker.” Penny smiled at their exchange.

A growl sounded throughout the junkyard. They immediately jumped into gear, Penny moved protectively in front of Max as Lucas brought the binoculars back up to his face to look around.

“Lucas, what’s going on?” Dustin’s voice called up the ladder.

“Hold on!” Lucas shouted back, scanning every direction he could before finally landing on the creature they were luring in. “I’ve got eyes! Ten o’clock! T-Ten o’clock!” Penny watched the demodog closely as he chittered.

Max grabbed the binoculars from Lucas and peered through them.

“Wait. You sure that’s not a dog?”

“What?”

“Why isn’t he taking the bait?” Penny asked, continuing to watch him closely. She heard the unmistakable sound of the bus door and Steve stepped out, nailed bat twirling in his hand.

“Ugh fuck. You two be careful up here.” Penny began making her way down the ladder before muttering, “I don’t have time for this.” She forewent the rest of the rungs on the ladder sliding down the sides instead. She shed her backpack and grabbed the machete, unsheathing it as she pulled it out.

“Shut this behind me.” She exited the bus following closely behind Steve. She moved quicker than she noticed bumping into him as he turned around and met her with a confused look.

They moved together toward the creature as Steve dog-whistled for its attention.

“Come on, buddy.” He said before whistling again.

He repeated the phrase a few times.

“Come on. Dinner time.” He said.

“Human tastes better than cat, I promise.” Penny called out to it.

Steve swung the bat as the fog cleared, revealing the demodog. Penny readied the machete on her shoulder, one handed.

“GUYS, WATCH OUT!” Lucas called from atop the bus.

“We’re a little busy here!” Steve said, not daring to tear his eyes away from the monster in front of him.

“THREE O’CLOCK! THREE O’CLOCK!” Lucas’ voice sounded again, full of panic.

Penny turned toward where he indicated, eyes landing on a second demodog.

“Fuck.” She and Steve moved back to back. Before they heard the bus door opening again.

“STEVE! PENNY! ABORT! ABORT!” Dustin shouted from the doorway. Steve stood for a second before making eye contact with Penny. She nodded knowing exactly what he meant.

Just as the demodog launched itself toward Steve he barrel-rolled out of the way over a car. Penny jumped higher than she expected, and landed on the trunk of a line of cars leading toward the doorway of the bus. She walked over the cars methodically and slowly, dragging her machete across the metal of each causing red sparks to emit from the contact point. Steve ran toward the bus as fast as he could, but not before catching sight of Penny on top of the car. Every demodog seemed to be ignoring her as she walked, a certain aura emanating from her. Every demodog. Except one. It ran toward her on the right side, mouth opened and screeching. As it launched toward her, Penny didn’t waste giving it a second glance before raising her machete above her and slicing sideways clean through the creature from head to posterior. As it split open, blood rained down from it, coating Penny in red.

“Steve! Penny! Run! Hurry!!” A cacophony of different voices yelled in their direction.

She continued on toward the bus opening, hair dripping blood that didn’t belong to her. She got in just behind Steve and they shut the door just before a flowered opening could make it through the doorway. Steve grabbed a slat of metal and covered the now closed door holding it there with his feet as the bus shook from the impact of the creatures knocking into it.

“Shit!” Dustin yelled.

“Are they rabid or something?” Max shouted, panic-stricken. They all screamed as an arm crashed through the side of the bus. Penny brought her machete down onto it, going through it like butter.

“Is anyone there? Mike? Will? God! Anyone?!” Dustin screamed through the microphone on his headset. A loud banging began on the roof of the bus.

“We’re at the old junkyard, and we are going to die!” Dustin cried again into the microphone. Penny occupied herself with scanning the sides of the wall for any more intruding limbs. It wasn’t until she heard Max scream that she even thought to worry about the hatches above.

“Out of the way! Out of the way! You want some? Come get this!” Steve screamed at the demodog that was attempting to make its way down into the bus. He thrusted his bat up toward it before it stopped and turned to its left. It removed itself from the ladder and screeched up at the sky before leaving, disinterested in the gang of five. They all stood gathering their bearings and their breath before Dustin turned to Penny.

“Penny, how were you moving so fast on those cars?”

“What do you mean? I was walking. Really I was paying attention to not fall off to my literal death.”

“No Penny, I swear to god you were moving like Quicksilver up there. I’ve never seen anybody move so fast.” Dustin defended, Lucas and Max nodding in agreement behind him.

“I-I don’t know Dusty. I really was just walking.”

“Yeah okay, Pen.”

They moved to the door, removing the metal from in front of it and opening it. Steve went out first carrying his bat, followed closely by Penny and her machete.

“What happened?” Lucas asked as he stood in the entryway.

“I don’t know.” Max replied.

“Steve scared ‘em off?” Dustin speculated.

“No.” Steve said. “No way.”

“They’re going somewhere.” Penny added, darkly.

A screech broke through the darkness, further away from them than it was before.

They were going somewhere, all right. The question was: where?

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

And that’s chapter 8!! I hope I’m doing these characters justice! If you have any requests for other character pairings send me a message! My ask box is always open.

Special thanks to @portaltothevoid for being my ear and my eyes throughout this whole process. Idk where this story would be without you boo-boo. Love you to pieces ❤️❤️

[study-coffee-chicago]

Seasons of Med: Season 1: Glad I Didn’t Make it that Far (A Halstead brothers + Halstead sister! imagine)

Trigger warning: Talk of eating disorders

As always, I do not own any quotes from Chicago Med 1x04 that show up here!

Your age: 14

Jay's age: 28

Will's age: 30

"We should go to a movie," your best friend Emma suggested when you were sitting on the playground of Central Chicago's elementary school one summer day.

You had been coming here since it was pretty close to your house to be able to read without worrying that your dad would show up drunk. He wasn't violent, he was just rude, asking why there was no food and when you explained it was because he wasn't going shopping, he'd scoff and tell you to get a job if you wanted to eat. It wasn't your fault; you'd tried to get a job, but no one would hire you because you were only fourteen. Most places required that you be at least sixteen and the occasional place would let you start at fifteen, but only with very limited hours. And, the places that let you start at fifteen were too far away for you to walk to. You'd have to take the El...and that would turn out badly if Will and Jay found out, even though your dad wouldn't care in the slightest.

"Em, I don't have any money. I'm literally rationing out my feminine products at this point."

"Hey, just tell me if you need any. Me or my mom can get you some. Oh, and some neighbors of mine run a little kettle corn company. They're looking for some extra help on the weekends and they'll pay you under the table. I can give you their number if you want."

"Really?" Emma smiled and nodded. "Yes, please! And, you're the best."

But, what you didn't tell her was that you hadn't eaten since yesterday since there was barely anything in your house and that your cramps were killing you and because of all this, you were feeling nauseous.

"Let's go to the movies. My treat."

"I can't let you pay for me."

"Yes, you can. Best friends help each other out. Now c'mon, let's go." You sighed and closed your eyes as you stood up. "You good?" Emma asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just dizzy."

"You wanna go home?"

"No, no I'm fine. Just seasonal allergies from all the pollen," you lied.

"Okay, let's go."

You started to slow down as you got closer to the movie theater. "I'm so excited to see The Longest Ride!" Emma squealed. "Scott Eastwood is just mwah!"

"Yeah, but he's- he's a lot-- I gotta, I gotta sit down," you stuttered, starting to feel more lightheaded and seeing your vision become blurry at the edges.

"Okay, let's get to the front where you can sit on the curb."

You slowly started to make your way there, but it was too late. "Em- Emma," you slurred as you tried to reach for her as your legs gave out underneath you, and then everything went black.

"Y/N!" Emma yelled as she squatted down next to you and pulled out her phone.

Just then, everyone started running out of the theater shouting something about a shooting.

***

Will's pager went off as he was eating with Natalie and the rest of the team from a taco truck outside of Chicago Med. And, everyone else's pagers were going off, too, making it sound like alarm clocks that were all set for the same time. Then, Maggie ran outside.

"Shooting in a movie theater! Mass casualties! It's about to get crazy!" she yelled to the doctors and other nurses. "EMTs are four minutes out!"

Not even a second after she finished her sentence, an ambulance pulled up with lights flashing and sirens blaring.

"Check that!" Will yelled as he threw his food in the trash can. "They're here!"

Then, all of them sprinted into the hospital, their main focus now being saving as many lives as possible.

"Another maniac gone crazy in a theater," Will said as he put something over his scrubs to keep them from getting blood all over them. "Is this the world we live in?"

***

You slowly opened your eyes to be met with the white ceiling and an IV in your arm. You groaned. "Where am I?" you asked as you rolled over to see Emma sitting on a bench. "Are we in an ambulance?"

"You don't remember?" Emma asked.

"You passed out, sweetie," a female paramedic told you as she put a blood pressure cuff around your arm. "Luckily for you, we came pretty quick after hearing about the shooting."

"The shooting? There was a shooting?"

"In the movie theater," the paramedic answered you. "You were lucky you didn't go in."

"Guess so."

Your eyes widened as you realized they were probably taking you to Chicago Med. You couldn't let your brother know that the most likely reason for you passing out was that you hadn't eaten since yesterday. They'd freak out.

"Am I good to go when we get to the hospital? I feel fine." You were still nauseous, but that was better than being passed out.

"You passed out, we need to get you checked out at the hospital."

"But I feel fine," you protested.

"I understand that, sweetie. But you need to get checked out anyway to make sure that there wasn't something that made you pass out other than the heat."

"She's right, Y/N," Emma said. "You need to get checked out."

You huffed. "Fine." Maybe Will would be too busy to even notice you were there. And, you figured your dad wouldn't pick up his phone, so you could just sneak out undetected when the doctors and nurses weren't watching.

When you got in, you were met by Natalie. "Y/N?" she asked. "What are you doing here?"

"It's nothing. I just passed out. I'm fine, really."

"Shoot," Emma said. "My mom's here to pick me up. Said she doesn't want me here because of all the press since I'm not hurt. I'm sorry."

You waved your hand. "It's fine. Hopefully, I'll be getting out here soon, too. See you later."

"Bye, Y/N."

"If you passed out, you're not fine, Y/N," Natalie said.

As you were wheeled past a trauma room, you saw your brother. Luckily for you, he was too focused on his patient that he didn't notice.

"Want me to get Will?" Natalie asked when she saw you glance in there.

"No! I mean, he looks really busy and I'm not dying. They should be the first priority."

"Okay, well I'll have Maggie call your dad because after all the standard tests, if I need to do more, I'm going to need your dad's permission since you're still a minor."

"Okay."

"Hey, Maggie," Natalie called, "Do me a favor and call Y/N's dad for me. I just might need permission to run some additional tests."

"You got it."

You got on the bed in the treatment room and allowed Natalie to listen to your heart and lungs. "Were you part of the crush?" she asked. "Did you get the wind knocked out of you? Is that why you passed out?"

"No, I got dizzy before we could get inside. I felt nauseous, too, but I think that was just from period cramps."

"The paramedics said you were dehydrated and that they had to administer an IV. Have you been eating and drinking properly? I know it's hot and that can cause you to pass out. Other than that factor, have you been eating and drinking normally?"

"Yes," you lied.

"Okay, I'm just going to need to get your height and weight and other vitals before we continue."

You nodded and followed her to where she took your height and weight. She wrote it down and you started to walk out, but she stopped you. "Uh, Y/N, come with me."

You followed her to the doctor's lounge where she handed you her sweatshirt. "Why are you giving me this?"

"You bled through your shorts. There's free pads and tampons in the bathroom if you don't have any on you."

You nodded. "Thank you."

"Meet me back here once you're finished."

"Okay."

When you got into the bathroom, you took all the pads and tampons you could fit in your shorts pockets after you had finished changing your dirty one.

Now, it was time for your great escape. No one would see you; they were all too busy treating other patients and worrying about the press.

You were almost out into the waiting room, but then a voice stopped you.

"Y/N?"

Shit. Jay.

You stopped in your tracks but then continued walking.

"Y/N, I know you heard me. Come back."

You sighed and turned around, hoping you wouldn't have to spill all the secrets about what's been happening at home.

***

"Poor guy," Erin said as she and Jay exited Sharon Goodwin's office. "He thought what he was going was right."

"I probably would've done the same thing if I were in his shoes," Jay agreed. "I mean, if I thought I saw a guy with an AR-15 in a movie theater and then thought the shots from the movie were coming from the gun, I sure as hell would've acted. Not that my service weapon can shoot bullets off as much as my sniper, but I'd try. Try and save civilians."

"Jay." Erin placed a hand on his arm. "You're not in Afghanistan anymore."

"I know. There's just some sick and twisted people in this world. Why would someone go into a theater with a leaf blower anyway? With all the mass shootings that have happened, that's probably the stupidest idea I've heard."

"I agree with you. But he's just a kid. He didn't ask to get shot. But, if I were in that teacher's shoes, I'd probably do the same thing and draw my gun."

Jay furrowed his eyebrows as he saw someone walking towards the exit of the ED and towards the waiting room. She had shorts and a t-shirt on with a burgundy sweatshirt tied around her waist. Jay wouldn't have given it a second thought, but he knew you had the same gray beat-up Converse because he had gotten them for you for a birthday present two years ago and you always wore the same polka dot scrunchie when you needed your hair to be in a bun and needed it to be tight.

"Is that?..." Erin trailed off.

"I think so," Jay answered, quickening his pace to catch up with you before you got out of the ED and he lost sight of you due to the number of people in the waiting room. "Y/N!" he yelled.

The girl he thought was you froze for a split second and then continued walking, this time at a faster pace. That was all the confirmation he needed. "Y/N, I know you heard me. Come back."

You sighed and turned around.

"I was going to tell you," you mumbled once you were in front of him.

He scoffed and crossed his arms across his chest. "Yeah? And when were you planning on calling Dad? You know you're a minor so a parent needs to be notified."

"Y/N!" Natalie yelled. "I thought you left, I was so close to getting security to look for you. We couldn't get a hold of your dad and were going to call Jay since he's your secondary emergency contact, but he's here now, so if both of you could follow me then that'd be great."

"You got it from here, Erin?" Jay asked.

"Yeah, text me if you need me to pick you up and bring you back to the district."

"Will do. Don't let Voight bust my balls because I skipped out."

"I'll tell him Y/N had a medical emergency. He'll understand."

"Thanks."

You, Natalie, and Jay walked back into the treatment room where Natalie had been previously treating you.

"First of all, let me just say it was not a medical emergency," you told your brother.

"Oh yeah? Then why are you here?" he asked.

"I was feeling nauseous."

"And you came to the ED just because of some nausea?" He raised an eyebrow. He so knew you were lying.

Meanwhile, Will was walking out of a trauma room after Rhodes brought a victim up to surgery.

"Hey. You hear?" Reese asked as she walked up to the doctor. "The kid at the theater, the one who got shot, he didn't have a gun, he had a leaf blower."

"What?" Will asked, stunned. He had worked on that kid and knew that it wasn't good.

"Yeah, turns out it was some kind of prank." She was about to turn around to leave, but then stopped. "Oh, and your sister's here. Treatment one."

"What? Why?"

"I think she passed out or something. Dr. Manning's in there with her right now."

"Thanks, Reese."

Will barged into your treatment room. "So, she comes into the ED and nobody has the common decency to even notify me?" he asked rhetorically.

"You were busy treating other patients, Will. I was going to get around to it eventually," Natalie said.

"Natalie, please just finish explaining what happened. Or just start from the beginning because Will's here now," Jay suggested, not wanting to have to break up an argument between the two doctors.

Now it was Will who was the one who crossed his arms over his chest.

"So, Will, what happened was that Y/N passed out. She was almost inside the movie theater, but she passed out, so she didn't go in."

"The movie theater where the shooting happened?" Jay asked. You nodded. "Jesus, kid, if you would've gotten inside, you would've given both me and Will heart attacks."

"Sorry. But, I'm glad I didn't get that far."

"Yeah, us too," Will agreed. "So, why'd she pass out?"

"Can I talk to you two for a minute? Outside?"

They nodded. "Be right back," Jay told you.

"So, what's going on?" Jay asked once the three were safely outside of the room and out of earshot from you.

"Have you noticed anything strange with her eating habits lately? Any skipping meals? Going to the bathroom right after meals? Not wanting to eat?" Natalie asked the two brothers.

"No, nothing," Jay answered. "Granted, we don't eat with her a lot because she lives with our dad and we both live on our own."

"Okay, because since her physical check-up a month and a half ago, Y/N's lost fifteen pounds."

"Fifteen?" Will asked, flabbergasted.

"I thought she looked smaller, but I just thought I was hallucinating from lack of sleep because of all the crazy cases we've had," Jay said.

"No, she's lost fifteen pounds since her last check-up," Dr. Manning reiterated.

"So, what are you saying?" Will asked. "Our sister's anorexic? Bulimic?"

"I'm not saying any of those yet. But, I talked to Dr. Charles while Y/N was in the bathroom and she said to try and have her eat something, like the greasiest thing you can find in the cafeteria, and see what she does. We'll even leave the room after to chat and I'll have Maggie keep an eye on the bathrooms to see if she goes in there. If she refuses to eat or freaks out over it, then we might be dealing with anorexia. If she goes into the bathroom after, we might be dealing with bulimia. Or, it could be a combination of the two or just possibly her trying to lose weight. Has she ever mentioned wanting to lose weight to either of you?"

"No, not all," Jay answered. "Even when we went out after her last day of school, which I think was about two weeks after she had that physical, she ate a ton and she didn't go to the bathroom right after."

"But you did go home right after," Will pointed out.

"Yeah."

"But, with some bulimics, if they know that the food has already been digested, they won't try to purge. And, it sounds like the food had time to digest."

"Alright, I'll go grab her a bacon cheeseburger."

"And a side of mac n cheese," Jay suggested. "She loves that stuff." Will started to walk out, but Jay stopped him once more. "Can you pick me up a bacon cheeseburger, too? I'm hungry."

Will rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but just so you know, you're paying me back."

"I know," Jay said and then went back inside the treatment room.

"Where's Will?" you asked.

"He's getting you some food. How does a bacon cheeseburger and mac n cheese sound?"

God, your mouth watered just at the thought of the bacon cheeseburger alone. The juicy patty, melty cheese, and crispy bacon, yum. And, you hadn't had a burger in who knows how long.

"That sounds amazing honestly," you answered.

"Okay, good because that's what Will's getting you." He paused. "Is everything okay with Dad? Everything good at home?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," you lied.

"Did someone tell you that you were fat at all?"

Shit, he knew I'd lost weight. "No," you answered. "I guess I'm not just mindlessly snacking when I'm doing homework anymore. It's not like I'm trying to lose weight."

No way were you going to tell him that there was rarely any food in the house, not here anyway.

"Okay, good," Jay answered. Then, he looked out of the room to see Will talking with Natalie. But, they were close enough that you could hear them, so you turned your attention to the two as well.

"Hey, Nat," Will said, carrying a bag with three cheeseburgers and a side of mac n cheese.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"I'm thinking, I only live a mile from you. So, when you go into labor, call me. I'll drive you here."

"Thanks, but...you know it could be three in the morning, right?"

"Sleep's overrated anyway."

Then, Will made his way back into your treatment room. "I wanna take you to the hospital," Jay mocked. "Very smooth, Will, very smooth."

"Will's got a crush, Will's got a crush," you said in a sing-song voice.

"Would you two knuckleheads keep it down? And no, I do not have a crush, I was just trying to be helpful."

Jay scoffed. "Yeah right. You totally have a crush on her, man. Now, give us the food and we won't say anything."

***

"Everything seem normal?" Natalie asked Will as Jay was still sitting with you after the three of you had finished your food.

"Yeah, she ate a little faster than normal, but we waited an hour and she didn't even get up to go to the bathroom, so I don't think that's the issue. She told Jay she wasn't trying to lose weight. She said she just wasn't mindlessly eating anymore when she was doing homework. But, I don't think that could make her lose fifteen pounds. Do you?"

"No. But unfortunately, given her height and age, she still has a normal BMI, so we can't do anything."

"Yeah, I get it. Me and Jay will keep an eye on her. It was around this time when our dad just kind of checked out on parenting us."

"What do you mean?"

"He wouldn't cook or really help us with anything. But, it was okay because our Mom was still around, so she'd cook and help us with things. He just thought we were old enough to deal with stuff on our own."

"Things that a teenager without another parent still needs help with."

"Exactly."

Jay poked his head out of the room. "Everything good? Y/N's asking when she can leave."

Will rolled his eyes. "Wonder where she gets that from."

"Shut up."

"I'll grab you the discharge papers," Natalie said and then walked to a nurse's station.

Just then, Will's pager went off. "I gotta go." He fished into the pocket of his scrubs. "You can take my car home and then just come pick me up from work and we can drive back to the district to get your truck. That way you don't have to bug Erin."

"Thanks, man. Go save some lives."

Natalie came back and handed him the discharge papers.

"Thanks, Nat. Me and Will will be sure to keep an eye on her, maybe have her over for dinner once or twice a week to monitor her eating habits."

"That's a good idea. Good luck with all this. Will told me that this was around the time that your dad clocked out on you, so maybe pay him a visit when Y/N's not there and check? I don't know if that's something you'd want to do or not."

Jay nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

"No problem."

Jay signed the discharge papers and then walked back into the room. "Good news."

"We can leave?" you asked excitedly as you sat up.

"We can leave," he confirmed.

***

You got out of the car and stood on the stoop of your house, Jay right next to you. "Jay," you started, "I have to tell you something."

"Okay, what is it? You can tell me anything."

You opened your mouth to tell him that there was barely any food in the house and that your dad refused to buy you feminine hygiene products because, by his logic, if he had another son, he wouldn't need to buy them, so you should buy them yourself.

But then, the door opened, revealing your dad.

"I was just going to say thanks for staying with me at the hospital. I would've left if you didn't stop me."

"You're welcome."

"Care to tell me where you've been?" your dad asked.

You knew he was just putting on a show because Jay was there.

"I was at the park and then me and Emma were going to see a movie and then--" your phone buzzed, alerting you that you had a text message.

"I've got it from here, Y/N. Dad, can I come inside?"

Pat Halstead nodded and you walked inside followed by your brother. "I'm gonna go upstairs and change," you said.

As you walked past the kitchen, you noticed a bunch of grocery bags, all of them full. He must've gone grocery shopping. At least you didn't have to worry about food for the next few days. But, you didn't know if he just did that because he finally listened to his voice mails and heard that you were in the hospital and were worried that they were going to find out that he was an unfit parent or because he finally came to his senses and realized that he was still responsible for you because you were a minor, which meant he needed to have food in the house.

As you walked upstairs, you checked your phone. It was Emma's neighbor asking if you could start helping her with kettle corn this Saturday. You responded with a yes because now, if your dad went back to not buying groceries, at least you'd be able to buy some for yourself.

A/N: Sorry this one was so short! It's kind of just to foreshadow the next installment of this. And, in the next installment, I will probably combine Seasons of PD: Season 4 and Seasons of Med: Season 2 because the storylines kind of go together. Anyway, thank you for reading! Please reblog/like and comment and tell me what you think! As always, if you want to be added to the taglist, just tell me and I’ll be happy to add you!

taglist: @theambracer88 @virtualreader @kelelas-life @celyndavies @brookerz122493 @musicismyescape27 @anotherfan07 @thexplosivegirl @dreamingwithlens @xoxmariaxox @onechicago18 @iamasimpingh0e 

[watchyourbluesturngolden]

positive

warnings: pregnancy, anxiety

word count: 3.8k (look at me go 😃)

Your stomach clenched as you walked into the store, keeping your head down. You didn't want anyone to see you. They would probably know what you were here for just by looking at your face. 

You paused for a moment, wondering why you thought that would be so bad. You were an adult; a woman with a job and a house and a husband who loved you. There was nothing shameful about this. Worrying, yes. Terrifying, absolutely. But not shameful. 

Even so, you refused to look at anyone as you made your way to the aisle you needed. Once you got there, you finally looked up, staring at the rows and rows of pregnancy tests. 

You grabbed the closest one, wanting to get out of there as soon as you could. You brought it to the self check out, scanning it quickly and throwing it in a bag. You didn't release the breath you had been holding until it was safely hidden under the bag of chocolates you had also purchased. You had decided those were necessary, too. To manage your stress levels, obviously. 

Once you got back to your car, you took s few steadying breaths. 

Everything will be fine, you reminded yourself. Harry will be happy. He definitely wants kids. You’ve talked about this.. You know he will be happy. 

Knowing that still didn't help much. Your hands were shaking as you turned the key in the ignition, backing out of your spot and heading home. 

-----

This had been the longest two minutes of your life. You sat on the edge of the bathtub, shaking with nerves and forcing yourself to take deep breaths. The timer on your phone slowly ticked off the seconds until you could check the test. 45 seconds left. You stood, pacing in front of the sink.

30 seconds left. You braced your hands on the vanity, looking in the mirror. Were you really about to be a mother? 

15 seconds left. You counted silently along with the timer, getting more nervous with each passing moment. 

You stopped the timer on the first beep, taking one final steadying breath. You ran your hand through your hair, looking into the mirror again. You were a mess. Your eyes were red and watery, the mascara you had put on earlier smudged underneath. 

You reached for the stick on the counter with a shaky hand. Just as you picked it up, your phone rang. You jumped, gasping and nearly flinging it away from you. You looked at your phone, heart pounding when you saw Harry's face smiling up at you. It’s like he knows, you thought. You quickly shook that idea away.

You exhaled shakily, setting the test down without looking at it and answering the call. 

"Hi Harry," you said, sliding down to sit against the wall and pulling your knees to your chest.

"Hi love! How're you doing?" He smiled, leaning back against his dressing room wall. 

"I'm- I'm good," you replied, trying to keep your voice steady. "I'm just- I'm good."

  "Are you sure? You sound like something’s wrong," He said, cursing himself for not FaceTiming you. 

"No, I'm fine," you said. You almost laughed at how easily he could read you, even when he couldn't see you.

"Ok, if you're sure," he said, sounding hesitant. Immediately, his mind went into overdrive. What is she doing? Where is she? Why does she sound scared? Did something happen? Is- He was pulled out of his spiral when you spoke again.

  "I'm sure, H. What's going on, though? Don't you have to perform in ten minutes?" 

"I do, yeah, but I just really missed you," he said, sounding almost shy. "I haven't heard your voice in so long, just wanted to say hi." 

You smiled, resting your head against your legs. 

"It's so good to talk to you, I feel like it's been forever. I hate being so far away from you, in a whole different time zone. It's very stressful," you said, sighing. 

"I know, and I'm so sorry, but it's only for two more days- oh," He smacked his hand over his mouth, but the damage had already been done. She wasn't supposed to know about that, you idiot, he mentally yelled at himself. 

You sat up quickly, moving your phone away from your ear to check the date. You weren't crazy, it definitely read "Tuesday, March 8". 

"What do you mean two more days? I thought you weren't back until the 24th?" 

"Uh- oh boy, you weren't supposed to know- I wanted to surprise you. The shows got cut short. I wasn't going to tell you, I was just going to show up at the house and fall into your loving arms," he said, sighing dreamily. He smiled, already excited to see you for what felt like the first time in ages. 

"You- you're not- Harry!" You practically yelled into the phone. You were elated at knowing you would get to see him so soon, but your panic quickly took over. What if the test was positive? You had expected to have two more weeks to figure out how to tell him that he was going to be a father. 

"Wow, Y/N, I expected you to be happy!" he said, laughing. "Come on, you don't hate surprises that much. Plus, it's me," he said, shoulders slumping a bit. He kept his voice light and happy, but inside he was worried. Does she not want to see me? 

"No, of course I am!" you said quickly. "It's not- I just... I planned to-" You paused, searching your mind for a believable lie. "I was going to paint the bedroom, you know, redecorate. Then when you came home it would be totally finished, and it would be all cute and everything." 

"Well, this way I can help! It'll be fun, you know, a group project." He laughed, relaxing again. 

"Yeah, sounds good," you smiled. Knowing him, he would probably be sending you paint swatches and furniture ideas for the next two days. He might actually be disappointed when he got home and you had an entirely different conversation ready for him. 

"Two minutes, Harry!" you heard faint yelling in the background before Harry spoke again. 

"I'm sorry, I've gotta go, they're yelling at me. Call you after?" 

"Of course. Have fun, babe!" 

"Thanks. Bye!" 

Harry hung up, setting his phone on the dressing room vanity before he made his way to the door. Right before he stepped out, though, he had an idea. Spinning around, he quickly went back to his phone and pulled up his mom's contact. 

Harry: I'm going onstage soon, could you go check on Y/N? I think something's up but she won't say. Thanks, love you️❤️ 

"Harry, get out here!" Someone yelled again. 

"I'm coming!" He responded, quickly pressing send and putting his phone back down. 

-----

You finally found the courage to stand up again. You decided it was best to do this fast, like ripping off a bandaid. So you reached for the test, flipping it over before you could lose your nerve. 

Positive. It was definitely positive. You exhaled shakily, sitting down on the closed toilet seat. 

You weren't sure how long you sat before you heard a knock at the door. You flinched, deciding to just ignore it. It couldn't be that important. At least, not more important than the crisis you were currently having. 

The knocking didn’t stop, though, so you finally got up from the floor. As you made your way to the kitchen, you heard a gentle voice calling your name. Your head snapped up, red-rimmed eyes glancing through the window to see who it was. You nearly collapsed in relief when you saw your mother in law standing at the door. You quickly moved to open it, smiling apologetically at her.

“Anne, it’s good to see you, come in,” you said, holding the door open wider. “I’m sorry I took so long, I didn’t know you were coming by!”

She smiled back, stepping inside and pulling you into a hug. You leaned into her, eyes welling up as your emotions washed over you. She pulled back, looking worried.

“Y/N, what’s the matter? Oh, don’t cry dear, come, sit and let’s talk.” She led you into the living room, sitting you on the couch next to her. “Harry sent me. He was worried about you, said he thought something was wrong. Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

Your eyes welled up again at how thoughtful harry was. He could tell you were upset, even over the phone. Even when you insisted everything was fine.

“It’s just...” you could barely speak through your tears. “I’m sorry, I’m- I don’t know how to say this, it’s-“

Anne looked at you encouragingly, rubbing your back in a soothing motion.

You took a deep breath. “I’m- I think I’m pregnant,” you whispered.

Anne’s eyes went wide for a second before she broke into a smile.

“Really? Oh, Y/N, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you,” she said, pulling you into her arms. “But wait- you think? Did you take a test?”

“Yes, from the grocery store. But those aren’t always accurate, right?”

“I suppose, but... I don’t think those give false positives, almost ever. Y/N, are you- Are you not happy about this?”

“No, I am, I just- what will Harry say? He’s touring again soon, and there will almost certainly be more of that. What if he doesn’t want to put his entire career on hold? What if he’s not ready to have a baby? What if-“

“Y/N, slow down,” she said, pulling away to look at you. “Have you met the man? He loves children. He loves you. He loves you more than anyone else on this earth.”

“Besides you,” you added, chuckling. “And Gemma.”

“Honestly, I think that’s a three-way tie” she said, laughing. “Why don’t we get you a doctors appointment, confirm this.”

“Yeah, that’s probably smart,” you said. “Thank you so much, Anne. I was so scared,” you said, wiping your face with the sleeves of your sweatshirt.

“Of course, love! Anything for my daughter in law,” she said, hugging you again.

-----

Anne insisted on driving you to the appointment the next day, claiming she “wanted to be involved in every part of her possible grandchild’s life.” You had accepted reluctantly, not wanting to inconvenience her but secretly glad you weren’t alone.

Your leg bounced as you filled out the papers. You brought the completed forms to the desk, thanking the woman who told you the doctor would call you back soon. You settled back into your chair, checking your phone when it dinged.

Just like you had expected, Harry was sending you paint colors. He had sent about ten different shades of grey, then about twenty five different blues for “the accent wall”. You smiled at how excited he was. He was already great at domestic life, why should that be any different with a child?

-----

You texted Anne when the appointment was over, letting her know which door you were at. You got into the car, unable to contain your smile.

“Everything alright?” she looked at you expectantly.

“Yeah, I’m definitely pregnant,” you said, smiling. “Anne, you’re going to be a grandma.”

“Oh, congratulations! I’m so happy for you,” she said, leaning over the console to hug you. “Have you thought about how you’re going to tell Harry?”

“I actually do have an idea,” you said, pulling away to fasten your seatbelt. “Do you still have your Cricut?”

-----

You beamed as you held up the white onesie.

“Let’s see it, then!” Anne said excitedly.

You turned it around, revealing the large black Jersey font that read “STYLES 03”.

She was smiling as wide as you were. “That’s just precious, he’s going to love it,” she declared.

“Yeah?” You asked, grinning.

“Absolutely.”

Just then, your phone rang.

“Speak of the devil,” you said when you saw Harry’s face. You picked up the call, putting him on speakerphone so you could finish your project. “Hi Harry! Sorry I didn’t get to call you again yesterday, how was your show?”

“It was great, love, it went really well. How are you? Feeling better?”

“Yes, much. Thanks for sending your Anne to check on me, that was very sweet of you.”

“Yeah, of course! I’m glad she could be there, even though I couldn’t,” he said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

“Don’t make yourself upset, Harry, I’m always here for Y/N!” Anne said from across the table.

“Oh hi mum! Didn’t know you were there too. What have you two been up to?”

“Um...” you looked at Anne desperately, not sure what to tell him.

“Just been looking through some furniture, love,” Anne jumped in. You smiled at her gratefully.

“Oh, about that! I was thinking we should get one of those benches, you know, the ones that go at the end of the bed? I think they just add a nice little accent to the room. What do you think?”

“Sure, Harry, we can find one of those,” you said, smiling. Just then, you heard a strange grinding noise. You looked down to see the Cricut attempting to eat the vinyl you had been printing out. Your eyes went wide, trying to get Anne’s attention without alerting Harry. She yelped when she saw what you were pointing at.

“What happened?” Harry asked quickly.

“Uh, nothing, we just... found a really nice rug. I gotta go, Harry, talk later!”

You quickly hung up, trying to suppress your laughter as Anne fought with the machine.

“Stop that, you stubborn thing!” She said, pulling the paper out. “That’s quite enough out of you,” she said sternly, pressing the off button when the machine beeped at her.

Once everything was settled, Anne picked up the onesie again, smiling at the letters.

“Y/N, you really don’t have to worry. He’s going to be elated, truly.”

“I know, it’s just... a little scary,” you said, laughing nervously.

“Sure it is, this is a big thing! But remember that it’s a good thing, and it’s something you both want very much. And of course, so do I.”

“Right, of course,” you laughed. “Do you have a gift bag? I want to wrap that so it’s ready to give to Harry as soon as I can.”

-----

Your stomach had been fluttering since you got the text from Harry. The text. The one that read “just touched down! I’ll be home in two hours ️”. The text that meant you were about to tell him something that would change his life forever.

You were pacing in the living room, unsure of what else to do. You had tried to read a book, but that was useless. You found yourself reading the same sentence over and over with absolutely no comprehension. Then you tried making some pasta for Harry, since you knew it was his favorite and that he would be hungry. This didn’t go so well, though. You were so nervous and shaky that you almost splashed boiling water all over yourself. You decided it wasn’t wise to horribly injure yourself, so you moved on from that. You even tried watching Grey’s Anatomy, which had never failed to distract you before. Even so, you found yourself unable to relax. All you could think about was Harry. What would he say? What would his face look like when he saw the onesie? Would he get it, or would you have to outright tell him you were going to have his child?

You decided to listen to “Kiwi” to get yourself ready to say “I’m having your baby” in case he needed extra help understanding.

At this point, you were basically just watching the clock. You were sure the seconds had never been so long, even when you were waiting for the results of the test.

Finally, you gave up on trying to get your mind off the topic and decided to dive headfirst into it. You made your way upstairs to the room closest to you and Harry’s.

This will be the nursery, you thought with a smile.

You began to map everything out in your mind, from where the crib and dresser would go to what color the blinds would be. You quickly opened Pinterest, very creatively searching “cute nurseries”. You immediately made a new board, flooding your screen with images of play pens and rugs and wall stickers and rocking chairs and everything else you could possibly need.

The time passed faster than you had expected, and the next time you looked up it was 4:52. Knowing he would be home in less than 10 minutes started a whole new rush of nerves in you, and your heart started pounding again.

You went back to the living room, grabbing the little gift bag before going into the kitchen. You adjusted the tissue paper, making the onesie was completely concealed before you put the bag on the counter near the door. You leaned back against the sink, checking your phone again. Your heart jumped when the time changed to 5:00, knowing he would be home any second now. He always managed to get home exactly when he said he would, usually not even off by a minute.

By 5:01, your heart was absolutely pounding out of your chest. Your hands were shaking, so you gripped your phone tighter to steady them. You thought about going into the living room so you could sit, but then your thoughts were interrupted. You nearly jumped out of your skin when you heard the sound. A car door slamming.

You could barely breathe from the anticipation as you heard his heavy footsteps on the porch; his key clicking in the lock. You rushed forward to let him in, but he had already flung the door open.

He dropped his bags, not paying the slightest attention to where they landed. He didn’t hesitate for even a second before he surged forward, pulling you against him.

“I missed you so much,” he said, breathing heavily. “I would have died if I had to go one more day without seeing you.”

“H... I can’t breathe,” you said, your face squished against his chest. He laughed, loosening his grip just enough for you to fully inhale.

“Sorry, sorry, I’m just so happy to see you,” he said, pressing his face to the top of your head. “I’m never going on tour without you again, I was so lonely.”

You smiled, standing up on your tiptoes to kiss him.

“I’d be ok if you took me with you next time,” you said, wrapping your arms tighter around him.

You stood there in his arms for a few more minutes, just listening to his heart beating. He swayed you gently, breathing in the sweet smell of your conditioner. Finally, he lifted his head.

“So, tell me everything!”

“Everything about...?” You said, looking up at him quizzically.

“The decorating! Did you and my mum buy any good stuff? I’m ready to go, I’ve been thinking about this for the past two days.”

You felt your face heating up as he looked at you. You felt kind of bad that your lie had gotten this far. He was practically ready to redo the entire house, thinking that’s what you wanted.

“Uh... why don’t we go to the living room?”

“Sure,” he smiled, grabbing your hand to lead you.

"Wait!" you said, pulling back. You reached behind him, picking up the gift bag. Then you smiled, allowing him to lead you to the couch.

Once you were both settled, he turned toward you expectantly. You took a deep breath, knowing everything was about to change.

“Ok... I’m really sorry, but I lied to you,” you said, avoiding his eyes. “There was no redecoration, there was no painting, there was no rug.”

“I- why? What were you doing that you couldn’t tell me about?” He asked, looked confused and a little bit hurt.

“No- it’s not... I wasn’t-”

“Why was my mom here, then?”

“Harry, just let me-”

“Why did you- was there-”

You could tell he was spiraling, and that he was probably imagining some pretty bad things. You couldn’t really blame him, though. You had been acting weird and secretive and now you straight up told him you had been lying. You knew this looked bad.

You quickly placed your hand on his knee, trying to ground him.

“Harry, will you let me talk, please?” You asked gently, looking in his eyes.

“Yeah, of course, I’m sorry,” he said, placing his hand over yours.

“Ok, here goes,” you said, blowing out a breath. “When you called me two days ago, the day you told me you were coming home early, you were right. Something was wrong. Well, not wrong exactly, just... scary,” you said, trying to collect your thoughts. And then when you called yesterday, when your mom was here, we weren’t looking at rugs. We were... crafting.”

“Crafting?” He said, looking confused. “Crafting what?”

“Well, it was... actually, why don’t you see for yourself?” You said holding up the gift bag.

He felt how shaky your hand was against his leg, and he looked at you with concern.

“Y/N, what’s going on? Are you alright?”

“Just... just open it, I’m fine,” you managed to get out.

He pulled away the tissue paper, looking very nervous. He lifted the tiny garment out, holding it up in confusion.

“What’s...” he trailed off as you motioned for him to turn it around. When he did, you were met with the big letters telling him there would soon be a third member of the Styles family. You quickly looked at his face, trying to decipher his thoughts.

He lowered the onesie, turning slowly toward you.

“It’s... you’re... really?” He said, a slow grin spreading across his features.

You nearly fell back against the couch in relief as you nodded.

“We’re... really?” He asked again, seemingly in disbelief.

“Yes, really,” you said, smiling.

“You’re- we’re having a baby?”

“Yes,” you repeated. “We’re having a baby.”

You barely got the chance to take a breath before he jumped on you, pushing you down on the couch and kissing you. When he pulled back, he didn’t go far. He leaned his forehead against yours, smiling from ear to ear.

“We’re having a baby,” he whispered.

“We are,” you said, grinning.

“Wait,” he said, pushing himself up. He took your hand, pulling you up with him. “Does this mean we don’t get to redecorate? Because, honestly, I was getting really excited about that, I picked out some really good colors-”

You laughed, pressing your face against his chest.

“We can do whatever you want, we just have an extra room to think about now.”

“Yeah,” he said, smiling. “The room where our little jellybean is going to live.”

[arrowflier]

arrow!!!!!! the x-men AU idea! yes, yes, yES. 🙌

Twisha my dear, thank you for giving me an excuse!  This got a little dark (warnings in tags), but it was fun to try.

Spikes and Quills May Do Me Ill (but your hands never hurt me)

“The fuck are you lookin’ at?” the hedgehog boy growled at Ian, and Ian backed away, hands raised.

“Nothing,” he said quickly, then hesitated.

“Well?” the kid pressed, quills perking up in agitation.  “What is it?  Spit it out!”

“Your neck!” Ian blurted out obediently, and immediately closed his eyes with a wince.  He shouldn’t have said that.  He should not have said that.

He waited for the blow to come.  Hedgehog guy was notorious for his short temper, and the only thing Ian was unsure of was whether he’d be getting a fist to the face, or a spike to some other part of his body.

Probably his eyes, since he’d been caught looking.

He just couldn’t help it, though.

Ian had always sort of had his eye on the other boy.  He didn’t even know his name, but he’d seen him around school.  The guy would show up wearing like fifty layers of clothes—long sleeves, cut-off gloves, a hat and scarf no matter the weather—and he always stripped off as soon as he was in the door, shedding clothes like a snake sheds skin, until he was down to a sleeveless tee that showed off all his most unique attributes.

And unique they certainly were.

The first time Ian had seen him, he’d almost thought that they were tattoos.  Some sort of major piece that covered his back, his shoulders, and his neck, carrying down the backs of his arms but fading away from the front, from his chest.  He’d been trying to get a better look at the pattern when some idiot had come up behind the guy and tapped him on the shoulder, resulting a sudden flare of quills that had everyone around them stepping back in alarm.

It was beautiful.

That wasn’t the only beautiful thing about him, but it might be what Ian liked most.  Plenty of other boys had dark hair, or blue eyes, or a muscular stature.  Plenty of other boys walked through the halls like they owned them (even though none of them did).

But there was only one boy in school with all of that and more, only one boy that Ian wanted to touch.  To see if those spikes felt real.

Only one boy who…still wasn’t hitting Ian?

Ian squinted one eye open, then both.  The other boy was just staring at him, lips pursed, eyes narrowed.  He looked angry, but also…curious?  That couldn’t be right.

“The fuck did you say to me?” hedgehog boy asked quietly, the kind of quiet that was dangerous.  The kind before he threw that other kid across the bleachers last year for calling him a mutie to his face.

Ian wondered if that kid had ever regained the full use of his legs.  Or his facial muscles after they got all the quills out.

It had sure been something to see that happen.

But now wasn’t the time to reminisce about watching this fine specimen in front of him picking up some asshole like it was nothing, quills rippling down his muscled arms and back as he tossed him aside like a bag of potatoes.  Not unless he wanted the same thing to happen to him.

Well…

No.  Never mind.

“I said I was looking at your neck,” Ian muttered quietly, torn between answering and self-preservation.  He wasn’t really sure which one won.

“And what,” hedgehog boy hissed, stepping closer, “is wrong with my neck?”

Um.  Was he serious?  Ian had been able to tell from the across the room that something was wrong, even under the flickering hallway lights.  The other boy’s neck was red, and not in the fun, blushing kind of way.  

No, it was red like a bloody bruise.  In fact, now that Ian got a closer look, it actually was bloody—smears of dried blood covering an oddly smooth area that looked wrong next to all the quills spiked up around it.  

It almost looked like he had been plucked.

“What happened?” Ian asked instead of answering the question.  “Did you do that to yourself?”

“No, I didn’t…” the other boy sputtered and paused, clearly caught off guard.  He eyed Ian warily for a moment, but whatever he found in Ian’s eyes must have calmed him, because then he was backing away again, quills smoothing down into his skin.

“What’s it to ya?” he asked, glancing around.  There were only a few other people left in the hallway, most having already made it to class.  

It made Ian weirdly brave.

“I could help,” he offered, and tried not to shrink back when those ice-blue eyes fixed on him again.

“Yeah?”  Hedgehog boy stepped closer again.  “How you gonna do that?”

“I, um.”  Ian paused, swallowed.  Tried again.  “I can heal?”

The boy’s eyes rose.  “That a question, tough guy?”  He sounded incredulous.

Ian shook his head.

“No, I mean, I can,” he confirmed.  He lifted a hand awkwardly, reaching for the other boy, who pulled back out of reach before Ian could touch him.

“I just need to…” Ian trailed off, reaching out again.  With another glance around the hall and a shallow nod from his companion, Ian stepped forward.

He got his hand on that reddened neck, soft under the skin of his fingertips.  After a single breath of hesitation, when he wasn't pushed away, he flattened his palm against it focused.

It started as a warmth under his skin.  Almost soft, not unpleasant, just a brush of heat to tell him it was working.

Then came the pain.

Ian hissed between his teeth at the first sharp feeling, like a pinprick on his own neck.  If he looked, he knew it would be red like the other boy's, a tiny fleck of blood rising to the surface.

"Hey, wait," came that boy's panicked voice.  "What are you--"

"Shh," Ian urged, and pressed his hand tighter to that injured throat.  "This is how it works."

The pain kept coming.  Pull after pull of quills that didn't exist coming free of his skin, each one sharper, more real than the last.

And with one particularly rough pang, the visions started.

Come here, Mickey boy

Fear.  Anger.  Shame.

No son of mine...

Heightened heart rate.  Breath catching. A hand on his shoulder.  Around his throat. Pain.

Get that from your no good mother...

Pain.  Pain.  Tweezers in a gnarled hand, plucking.  Cold eyes, staring.  A girl cowering in the corner, watching, crying.

"Stop!" the boy cried, yanking back out of Ian's hold.  "The fuck are you doing?"

I’ll teach you to...

A door opening, hands dropping.  Metal instrument falling to the floor.  His neck is sore, but his legs burn more as he runs, runs, runs.

He sounded frantic, afraid, but Ian was too far to stop.  There was more healing to do.

He ignored the now raw wound on his own neck and reached out again.  The other boy went to slap him away, but hit his palm instead with his own, and Ian was once again lost in pain, and memories, and feeling.

His neck was healing, now.  But his palm was bleeding, crescent shaped marks from untrimmed nails digging in as he saw his own eyes staring at him across the hall.

Bright green eyes.  Pale skin.  Red hair.  Lips that looked like--

"Get offa me!"

Ian let go, panting, disoriented.  The eyes he gazed into weren't green like his own, but blue and sharp and wide.

"Mickey," Ian breathed, and the boy bolted.

🦔🦔🦔

Ian didn't see Mickey for the next two days.  Not at school, and not around the neighborhood, either.

He wanted to see him.  Wanted to apologize.  It was how his mutation worked, and he wasn't sorry for that--he had to feel something to heal it, take it into himself, live through it.  But he should have warned Mickey of what that meant.

That it meant he would see everything.

Ian was walking home after school, starting to wonder if Mickey would ever show his face again, when they jumped him.

Two older boys and a girl, all wearing anti-mutant propaganda shirts with bandanas over their faces, tugged Ian back into a narrow alley by the straps of his bag and threw him up against the rough brick wall.

"Heard about your little stunt with the Milkovich brat," one of them hissed in his face.  His breath was rank even through the cloth covering his mouth, and Ian tried to twist away.

Another one punched him in the gut, hard enough to make him wheeze.

"Don't you look away while he's talkin to you, mu--"

He was cut off by an arm wrapped around his throat.  An arm covered in bristling, sharp quills.

"You wanna say that again?" Mickey growled behind Ian's attackers, voice low and dangerous.

"Shit!" the third one yelped, and took off running, nearly knocking her own companions over as she ran for the opening of the alley.  Ian fell to the ground as his first attacker followed close after, and rubbed a hand over his ribs.

"Uh, hey there man," warbled the boy Mickey still held up.  "Just a misunderstanding, I swear, we were--"

"Shut the fuck up," Mickey ordered, shaking the arm around the boy’s neck so the longest quills rattled dangerously close to his face.

Ian wondered what he was going to do to him.  And whether he should care.

Mickey looked at him over the other guy’s shoulder.  Whatever he saw in Ian’s eyes had him relaxing his arm, and shoving his prisoner away so hard he stumbled.

“Don’t let me see you again, asshole,” Mickey said to his back, aiming a kick at him on his way to the street.

“What made you come back?” Ian asked from his position on the ground once they were alone.  Mickey turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow.  The quills along his back flared once and settled, calm.

“Why do you think?” he returned, like it was obvious.

Maybe it was.  But Ian needed to hear him say it.

“Thought you were avoiding me,” Ian challenged, and watched Mickey roll his eyes.

“Yeah, well.”  Mickey rubbed a hand over his lip, the quills on the back of it sticking out over his fingers.  “Us muties gotta stick together, right?”

Ian smiled.

And though he’d definitely deny it later, Mickey smiled back.

[xoxo-bunnydumpling]

This is how we had a fight on Christmas Eve...because of course we did:

He's plowing through a plate of biscuits and chocolate gravy (I've finally had time to make it for him and I'm so glad...I kinda like watching his eyes roll back in his head, even if it is just gravy that does it this time) when he gets a phone call. He turns his phone over and checks it.

"It's Shelby," he says, through a mouthful.

I start to get up. "I can go..."

He swallows the rest of the way.

"What? No, you're fine. It's also your house..." I've momentarily forgotten that he doesn't actually live here.

He answers, and puts her on speaker.

"Hey Shel...good morning."

"Heyyyy I kinda didn't think you'd pick up. Figured y'all might be up to some holiday humping..."

He facepalms.

"So uh hey, you're on speaker..."

"Shit. Did she hear that? Oh Lord...sorry. I just like to pick at him still."

I'm really, very surprised by just how purely country as fuck she sounds. Her accent is thicker than my thighs and that's saying a lot.

"What do you want, Shel, please before you run her off..." he's laughing. It seems that it's easy for each of them to talk to the other.

"Oh, just making sure when you're coming to Nana's for lunch..." halfway out of her mouth it sounds like she remembers they're divorced. "Shit. Eli...I'm so sorry, don't feel like you have to."

He looks at me and I make the "scoot" motion with my hands. He should absolutely go, if he wants to. This is their first Christmas apart in 10 years. I remember what that's like and my feelings hurt for them and if you don't have to be apart, why would you? Red's dad and I did for the longest...until he got married.

Before he can tell her anything she says, "Obviously bring her. Hey..." she's addressing me now. "You want a crash course on my family before you agree to come?" She has already decided I'm coming and I know it. Maybe she thinks I'd follow him anywhere and she's not wrong at all.

"Wouldn't hurt, I guess."

She tells me a lot. Like a whole lot. We talk so long he just leaves his phone and goes to take a shower. When he gets up, he walks past and strokes my cheek...not even concerned at all that I have unobstructed access to everything in his phone now. Which...is nice and very different.

Red's dad and I almost split up once, when Red was about a month old. I'd dropped my phone and broke it, so I was using his to call Red's doctor when a text from a girl we both knew from California came in. A girl he had a thing with. A girl who was an open wound for me and that he promised he wasn't speaking to anymore. I read that one message and didn't stop until I'd gone back far enough to feel like I didn't need to stay any longer. But we had a baby together...and I wanted to try to give him the stable two-parent household I never got the chance to have and I loved that baby enough to be okay with being unhappy so he wouldn't be. So after calming down I took the only compromise I was offered...to stay out of his phone and try to forget.

In the end I couldn't do either...and they were talking the whole time. I told you before we split because I didn't know how to let him love me but that's not all of it. I don't think he knew how either. But I'll always respect that he tried, for Red.

When she's sure he's gone, she tells me that she knows who I am (going so far as to ask me if I'll wear the blue otter hat...gotta love small towns), and is surprised that I like Eli so much. She lovingly calls him "basic", and I wonder just how much he's changed since they separated because I wouldn't dare say he's been anything less than very joyful and obviously, very exciting. She also tells me he's her Nana's favorite, which does not surprise me at all. I should feel pinned to the wall by this conversation but somehow, I don't.

"She calls him Chipmunk."

"Why?" Oh dear.

"I have no idea. But she always has."

"I think I'll have to witness that."

When he comes back, clad only in a towel and smiling at me, I try to picture him as the Eli that Shelby thinks he is...the one she described, and I just can't. All I have is this one, who lets me tug his towel until it falls, then hurriedly hangs up with her, picks me up and takes me down the hall. We have a few hours, still. This is fine.

We stayed at Shelby's Nana's for two hours and I feel like he got me all love drunk and relaxed before hand on purpose. They are not an unfriendly bunch...they are just a lot and there are so many of them. Being estranged from most of my own family it's been a long time since I faced a family interrogation. But I should have known...this is the south and that's how it works.

The best part is, at the top of the meal, Shelby (who is aggravating in her niceness, slimness, and blondeness but someone I would still really like to see more often) announces that she's pregnant and Eli chokes on his tea. After that, exactly no one will believe either of them when they say it's artificial insemination, with someone else's materials...no matter how many times Shelby tells them the doctor she went to and promises me that there is no baby mama drama to be had. I get a lot of sympathetic glances and I hate those so much.

It's pretty silent, until Shelby's Nana (and let me just say, bless her life, I love her so much) ...who either wasn't listening, didn't hear, or just likes to watch the world burn, says: "Well, I heard the term 'throuple' the other day. Don't see any harm in it...and Chipmunk's from up North so it makes sense."

He puts his face in both of his hands and laughs so hard I'm afraid he's gonna puke. When we leave, Nana pets his head and makes him promise not to be a stranger. She asks me to be good to him, and tells me that he's a nice boy even though he's a Democrat.

On the way home, he apologizes to me.

"I'm sorry for that. I knew she was going to the clinic but I didn't know it worked."

"No...it's...that's so nice for her. I'm glad."

He glances at me, briefly, before looking back at the road. "You're going to ask me why we never had kids, huh?" His tone immediately irritates me.

"Not unless you want to tell me. That's...very personal."

"So is tying you to your bed and having my way with you but we've done that recently."

"Oh, I dunno...it's been impersonal for me before."

"Not with me."

"Not even the first time?"

He slams the car into park. I think I'm in trouble.

"Look at me..." I am jolted out of my annoyance in a hurry but there's a ton on his face now instead. "You might not have known but I did. From the beginning."

IS HE FUCKING STUPID?

"So no...I have never just used you. It has never been casual for me like it was for you."

Yeah, he absolutely is stupid. 100%.

"Do you still want to stay tonight? You don't have to."

"I know I don't. But I want to."

It's tame for a fight...but when we're on the couch and he's lazily tracing my port-o-cath scar as I lay back in his lap, I wonder how many times we'll fight over shit like this and how bad it will get. I know how insecure I am. I don't think that will change. I fear that it won't. He, naturally, speaks up first.

"Honey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you."

He didn't. That he thinks he did is...I don't even know. I sit up as gently as I can, trying not to knee him in the balls. He looks worried.

"I'm not leaving. Neither are you. I'm not even sure why you think you yelled but I'm fine. Are you?" He's uncharacteristically silent. "You know..." I have to let him know he's not the only one who can be supportive. I owe him one...or like, a thousand. "When Red's dad got married, it fucked me up."

"Yeah. I...uh...we didn't have kids because she didn't want to and who am I to push the issue? Now...it's just..." he sighs, and I totally get it. I think of all the times Red's dad told me marriage was just a piece of paper and then went off to sign that paper with someone else. It's quite the kick in the dick, for sure.

He scoots down, making a spot for me inbetween his legs. He looks like a giant on my little couch. Maybe I'll get a bigger one now. "Come back."

I do...this time facing him, and I try not to think of how I'm probably squishing him. He hasn't protested so, fuck it. He holds me very close, and kisses me completely without nefarious intent. It's like our first kiss was...no roaming hands, no plan for ending up in bed. He's the only one who's ever kissed me like this, and if he could just keep doing it for the rest of my life, that would be great.

[oneanxiousmess]

In which Elliott learns to trust someone and becomes part of a family chapter 1

OneAnxiousMess

Summary: Elliott doesn’t have many reliable friends. Their parents don’t provide any support, and their boyfriend isn’t really the supportive type either. Emile thinks He can help Elliott, and plans on doing so no matter what the cost. - -Virgil knows he should tell his boyfriend Logan about his age regression, but he’d hate to ruin something good. - They just need someone to rely on when things become too hard to handle. But how do you trust someone enough to get there? - Part 1 of ”A little family” series. This is one you’d want to read in order. ~There is mentions of violence but nothing severe. ~ Non sexual Age regression story, if that ain’t your jam, don’t bother reading this. -

A/N: TW: Trust issues, crying, panic attacks, mention of abuse, secret keeping, lying, blood and stitches mentioned, and implied past trauma regarding hospitals.

Chapter 1: Kidnap the Mx and take the emo home ~~~~Emile~~~

Emile, Remus, and Remy were getting ready for their groups’ movie night.

They had one at least once a month to be sure they still took time for their friends.

“So when are the others showing up?”Remy asked, not looking up from their phone.

“Specifically Patton?”Emile asks, teasingly.

“No, I’m just like- super interested in whatever stupid movie we’re watching, and I don’t want to waste any time.”

Emile smirked, “right, what movie are we watching again?”

“You picked it,”Remy scoffs.

Emile argues. “You’re the one so invested.”

Emile and Remy were step-brothers. Technically. When their parents got married Emile was seventeen, Dice was eighteen And Remy was sixteen. Remy and Emile didn’t even really connect until college after learning about each other’s age regression. That’s also how they met Virgil, Patton, Remus, and Roman. They had an online support group for the longest time until finally Patton and Virgil moved closer the city. Unfortunately it was still hard keeping the group together sometimes. Especially when it comes to work and other relationships.

It was especially hard for those who needed human interaction but won’t make it happen for themselves due to severe social and generalized anxiety. Not mentioning any names of course. (Virgil)

“It’s ok that you miss patton,”Remus says, “we won’t make fun of you...that much.”

Emile snickers, “you totally like him.”He teases.

“Ugh, shut up,”Remy laughs, throwing a pillow at their brother.

“How have you two been doing by the way?”Remus asks, “him living as far as he does, I’d imagine that must be hard on you.”

“Not really,”Remy shrugs.”I mean, we both have our own lives.”

“Don’t you get a little lonely without him?”Emile asked.

“I am not lonely, and even if I were. We’re not exactly exclusive.”

“You’re not?”Emile asks, shocked.

Remus grabs his arm carefully to remind him not to try and fix Remy’s relationship. Emile is a therapist, and had a bad habit of trying to help people without them asking for it. Remus has been helping him remember the difference between work life and home life. It’s a hard balance sometimes, especially when it’s someone he truly cares about.

“You gotta commit to your partner, Remy, don’t you like Patton?”

“We’re just not the committing type,”Remy shrugs.

Remus decided now was a great time for a subject change. “So, Roman said he might be a little late.”

Emile hummed, “I just texted Virgil and, he said they was having a rough day so they’ll be a little late too.”

“That guy seriously needs a therapist,”Remy says.

Emile eyed them, “look who’s talking.”

Remy scoffs.

Remus smirked, “I’ll bet Logan could convince him to go. Those two are inseparable these days.”

Emile smiled at Remus, they were too.

But Remy rolled their eyes. They didn’t find it nearly as adorable. “I don’t understand why he hasn’t already. The guy is a nervous wreck all the time.”

“Now, Rem. Their relationship is still new.” Emile said. “Besides you don’t even know Logan.”

“Yeah, get to know him before you insult his boyfriend-ing skills,”Remus says.

“I’m just saying,”Remy mumbles.

“It is not Logan’s job to make sure Virgil is taking care of himself.”Emile defends.

“No, but-“

Emile interrupts“Listen, I know you still care about Virgil. But he’s an adult. He’s perfectly capable of making his own decisions.”

“We’re talking about Virgil here.”Remy argues.

Emile suddenly got a phone call. He was about to just turn it off but then saw who it was and knew it had to be important.

Remy sighed, “I’m gonna text Pat again and see what’s keeping his ass.”

“You mean other than you?”Remus asks.

Emile shushed them as he answered the phone,“Elliott? What’s going on? I haven’t heard from you since...”

“Oh my god, a human person, finally. I need some help.”

“What happened?”

“I Uh- I was with some...friends I guess you could call them, I mean- I only met them a few times...that doesn’t really make them friends, does it?...I wouldn’t think so. Anyway, we got into a fight, I didn’t fight, but they did- I’m sorry I’m rambling. I’m just really scared right now.”

“Where are you?”Emile asked.

“Who is it?”Remus asked.

“It’s Elliott.”He answers.

“Elliott? Who dat?”Remy asks.

“One of his patients.” Remus explained, sounding annoyed. “Why do they have your cell phone number?”

“They’re my patient, Remus. They have to have my number.”Emile explained, annoyed.

“You haven’t even seen them in six months. Are they even your patient anymore?”

“Is there an expiration date or something?”Remy asked, laughing.

“My patients don’t have my cell phone number,”Remus says.

“Hello? Dr Picani? Are you still there?”Elliott asked. “I just-“

Emile shushed His sibling and boyfriend again and walked over to the other side of the room to be sure he’d be able to actually hear Elliott.

“I need someone to come get me, I think my leg is broken or maybe it’s just sprained and I’m just being a baby about it? I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t have called you, this might be inappropriate. Is it inappropriate? It’s inappropriate, isn’t it? I’m so sor-“

“No, Elliott. You’re perfectly fine. But why didn’t you just call an ambulance or something?”Emile asked, voice was serious, but he was still calm.

Elliott sighs. “I can’t. I rode in an ambulance once. It wasn’t a good experience for me. Doctors tend to freak me out, they’re just so creepy. I’m sorry, I just can’t do this alone-“Elliott was clearly crying, “I can’t handle them alone, it’s not like that with you though, you’re fine! I just mean doctor doctors. Not that you’re not a doctor- I’m just-“

“It’s ok, it’s alright. Where are you? We can pick you up.”Emile grabbed his coat and attempted to put it on while holding the phone between his ear and shoulder.

That got Remy and Remus’ attention. They got closer, but remained respectfully quiet. Realizing this might actually be important, and they should probably listen in.

“I’m in an alley near a club called uh...it’s the bear something or the something bear...damn it.”

“The twisted griz?”Remus asked, taking the phone from Emile.

“Hey-“Emile protested, but he was kinda happy that he could now put on his coat properly.

“Uh, yeah. That’s it. Who-“

“I know the place,”Remus says to Emile.

Emile took the phone back, “alright, Elliott we’re on our way now, just stay calm. Would it be better if someone stayed on the phone with you?”

“Uhm. Yes, honestly it probably would. But don’t. My phone is about to die so...”

“Alright, just stay calm. Take deep breaths, we’ll be there soon.”

“Thanks...”

Emile hung up. “I have to take them to a hospital.”

Remy and Remus nodded. “We’ll come with you just in case you need an extra set of hands,”Remy explains. “And by that, I mean that Remus will help you.”

“Thanks, I might need it,”Emile said.

“Yes, thank you Remy for volunteering for me.” Remus scoffed. “That was so generous.”

“You drive,”Remy tosses the keys to Remus, ignoring his sarcastic comments.

~~~Remy~~~

They found Elliott almost immediately.

They were all alone. Eyes weary and full of tears, blood dripping down their face. Clearly they were very scared and in a lot of pain.

Their face turned bright red once they all got out of the car to help. “Elliott, are you ok?”Emile asked softly.

“I’m fine, I’m really really sorry about this I-“they grunted.

“Don’t apologize, it’s perfectly fine.” Emile turns to Remus who was already examining Elliott’s leg. “This is my boyfriend, Remus. He’s a doctor doctor.”

“He didn’t hear what I said about doctors did he?”Elliott asked, nervous.

“What did you say about doctors?”Remus asked, amused.

“They said you guys are creepy.”

Remus chuckled, “valid, we’re pretty creepy.”

Elliott smirked at that.

Remus grabbed his flashlight and took a look at Elliott’s head.

“Are they ok?”Emile asked.

“Yeah, but this puppy is broken,”Remus says pointing to their leg. “They probably have a concussion, and definitely need some stitches.”

Elliott sigh, “stitches?“

“It’s ok,”Remus interrupts. “I’m gonna call an ambulance.” He pulled out his phone to call, but just as he started to dial , Elliott started to breath heavily and shouted “Wait, stop!”

“Why?”Remus asked, “what’s wrong?”

“Are you sure we need that?”Elliott asked, sounding out of breath, “you sure I need-“ they were panicking, breathing faster and faster.

“Deep breaths, Elliott.”Emile says calmly. “Everything is going to be ok.”

“I can’t ride in an ambulance, picani. I can’t. I’d rather my leg fall off on it’s own!”They cried.

“Okay, well. We’re not going to let that happen,”Remus says, “but we will drive you if that’s better.”

They nod. “Okay.”

“Alright. So, Elliott. We need to get you to the car. So we’re going to have to carry you. Is that alright?”Emile asked.

Elliott’s breath was still very fast, and their face was still very red, but they nodded. They’re embarrassed and they just wanted this whole thing to be over.

“Alright. Can you help me lift them, Remus?”

Remus nodded. He grabs one side of Elliot while Emile grabbed the other. Taking their hand first and throwing their arms around each of their necks. Than they grab each of their legs and carefully lifted them of the ground.

Remy watched them struggle from a safe distance (They were always more of an observer.) until their phone started ringing “Sup’ slut? Oh, hey Virge! What’s up?”

Remus reminded, “move their leg as little as possible. We don’t want it to get worse than it is.”

“Oh, we’re just kidnapping another non-binary. Typical Friday night stuff. What are you doing?”Remy asked. “Huh? Standing outside our house? Fun.”

“Just set them in the passengers seat.”Emile says as they try to get Elliott in the car.

Remy hummed. “Uhm, there might be a spare key in the froggy flower pot thingy.”

“Seatbelt.”Emile reminded. “I’ll drive.”

Remy rolled their eyes, “what do you mean it’s not there? I don’t have time to help you find it, Virgie. I’m too busy being a good person.”

Elliott grunted. “I’m so sor-“

“Don’t you dare.”Remus interrupts. He’s not accepting any apologies, because they didn’t need to give him one.

“I don’t know, smash a window, go sleep with Logan, dig a hole to China, the possibilities are unlimited.”Remy says.

“Remy?”Emile called.

“Gotta go, Virge. Good luck!” They hung up quickly and jumped into the backseat.

“Emergency room field trip, fun.”Remus jokes.

“I’ll let everyone know we can’t do it tonight.”Remy says. “Where is our spare key by the way?”

“I gave it to Roman. Why?”Remus asks.

Remy nodded, “Virgil might break a window to get in our house. You know how cold he gets.”

“Did I interrupt something important?”Elliott asks, “I’m so so sor-“

“If I have to hear one more apology, Elliott.”Remus warned.

“Ok, ok. Thank you.”

“That’s better.”Remus says.

“It’s going to be ok, Elliott.”Emile smiles, “we’ll be there soon.”

~~~~Elliot~~~~

They waited as patiently as they could in the waiting room. They couldn’t move or anything, they’re just immobilized in a wheelchair while waiting for someone to give them a panic attack in exchange for a cast and possibly some stitches.

They had a breakdown in front of their therapist, and they weren’t even in therapy. This was far from the most embarrassing experience in Elliott’s life, but it was definitely up there.

“Should we maybe call Mitchell for you?”Emile asked.

Elliott shook their head. “Don’t bother, he’ll call me when he wants to.”

“Are you sure?”

Elliott nods.

“Alright.”

“Elliott Stokes?”a nurse asks.

“That’s me.” They say.

“Alright, Sir. We’re ready for you.”

“I’m non-binary.”They explain.

“My apologies, Mx.”

Before Elliott knew it, they were moving. Panic struck them hard. They looked back at Remus and Emile who were holding hands and smiling at one another in a comforting way.

Is that what relationships were supposed to look like? Elliott doesn’t even remember the last time Mitchell and they held hands.

Great, now they’re crying again. This was going to be just great.

~~~Logan~~~

Virgil and Logan waited outside on the porch steps and talked until they got the text from Remy.

Virgil sighed. Logan gave them a concerned look, so he held up his phone to show him. “Officially cancelled.”

“Good timing,”Logan says, eyes rolling.

“Wasn’t their fault. Apparently a friend of Emiles broke their leg.”

Logan nodded. “It still would’ve been nicer to know before sitting out here in the snow for twenty minutes. Are you alright?”

“I really wanted them to meet you,”Virgil said, “but I’m also kinda relieved that I don’t have to people anymore today.”

“Next time,”Logan says, rubbing Virgils’ arm affectionately as an attempt to comfort him. “I was planning on leaving early anyway due to your attack.”

“Lo, I’m fine. Attacks happen.”

Logan helped him up, and the two of them started walking back to their car. “This was your third attack this week. I think you need a better coping mechanism.”

Virgil shoved his hands in his pockets, “I cope.”

“How?”

Virgil didn’t reply.

Two guys started walking towards them in opposite directions. Logan really didn’t care to notice until one of them was waving happily at Virgil. “Oh. Hey, Virge. What’s going on? What happened?”

“Hey, Pat. They canceled, didn’t you get the group text?”Virgil asked.

Patton shook his head. “You know, I really need to get this gosh darn phone fixed.” He tisked, shaking his head again and grabbing his phone.

Without even a proper introduction of the first character, the other person made their way to them. “Just got their text,”he sighs. “I hope everyone is ok.”

“Yeah,”Virgil agreed. “That sucks.”

“Hey, since we’re all here anyway, why not make the most of it?”Patton suggests.

“Well, I do have a spare key. But I highly doubt they’ll want company after an emergency like this.”Roman explains.

Logan and Virgil both nod.

“We could go get something to eat,”Patton suggests.

“I’m Logan by the way,“Logan shook Roman and Patton’s hands.

“I’m Patton, this is Roman.”He introduces.”

Roman lifted his eyebrows, “nice to meet you.”He smiles as he shakes Logan’s hand. He really took his time to look over Logan. He whispers, “I have a long list of questions concerning Virgil and your relationship that I need answered. It’s nothing personal, though I will kill you if you hurt my little emo.”

“What?”Logan asked.

“He’s joking!”Virgil shouts. But realizing he was now the center of attention, he pulled his hood and covered their face, trying to hide from everyone. Logan wasn’t sure what to do, so he placed a hand on his shoulder.

They all decided to go out to dinner. A familiar, healthy, but not so expensive diner was their best option. Virgil remained quiet most of the night, but still smiled whenever someone would look him in the eye.

Logan knew something was wrong, and it wasn’t just the anxiety. He wanted to help somehow. He wanted to do something to help...he just doesn't know what.

After a pleasant (slightly awkward) dinner with Patton and Roman, they all started to walk back to their cars. “Thank you for a nice evening, it was really nice meeting you both.”Logan says.

Patton and Roman smile.

“Is the evening over already?”Roman asked.

“Yeah, we could go see a movie or something,”Patton suggests.

Logan looked at Virgil. “Another time, I have work tomorrow.”

“Oh alright.”

Roman and Patton both hugged Virgil and shook Logan’s hand goodbye.

~~~ Remus~~~

Emiles tapped his foot nervously, eyes not moving away from where Elliott was taken. Remus hasn’t seen him this stressed out since his mother was in the hospital.

When was the last time Emile regressed? It had to have been at least a month. This was definitely going to push him over the edge, he was definitely going to need some little time tomorrow.

“Em?”Remus asked.

Emile only hummed in response.

“They’ll be ok.”Remus reminded. He grabbed his hand and held it tight, “I promise, they’re in good hands.”

“But what If something happens while they’re in there?”Emile asked, he even sounded stressed out. He started to bite his nails until Remus grabbed his other hand and held on.

“Like what?”Remus asks.

“Well, what if they have another break down? Or a panic attack, or-.”he started to breathe heavier, not quite a panic attack, but he was definitely panicked.

“They’re going to be fine, baby. I promise.”

Emile nods. “Yeah, they’ll be fine,”He said to himself, unconvincingly.

“You really care about them. Don’t you?”Remus asked, grabbing something out of his bag.

“I care about all my patients.”

“Oh yeah, for sure. Me too,”Remus says, “does Kai have your cellphone number?”

“What?”

“Does Kai have your number?”

Emile shook his head.

“Dot, Larry, Corbin, solone?”

He shook his head again. “Nope, just them...”

“Why?”

“When patients leave, I like to feel like I’ve helped them somehow. I feel a sense of pride. And even if I don’t. Most of the time I know they have support from someone else. But not with Elliott. They have no one.”

“They have a boyfriend, right?”

Emile looked back at the door to make sure elliott wasn’t coming back yet, then turned back to Remus and shook his head. “I’m not so sure.”

Remus nods, rubbing Emile’s arm. “I get it.”

“If something happens-“

“Nothing is going to happen except Elliott getting proper treatment for their injuries. I promise, everything will be ok.”

Emil sighed. “Ok.”

“Here,”Remus hands him his small stitch pop-it.

“Thanks,”He smiles, gladly taking it. “You know we may have to take them home with us, right?”

“Yeah. I figure as much.”

“Good.”

~~~Virgil~~~

And as Logan and Virgil got back to their car, Virgil took a deep breath. “You don’t have work tomorrow.”

“I know.”Logan says. “I just don’t want you to feel overwhelmed again.”

Virgil unbuckled their seatbelt to move closer to Logan. “Can I kiss you?”

Logan nodded. “I’d like that.”

He leans over and kisses him softly. “Thanks.”

“Virgil?”

“Yeah?”

“We need to talk about your anxiety.”

Virgil moved back to his seat. “This was supposed to be a nice moment, Lo.”

Logan sighed, “I’m sorry, but I’m concerned about you.”

“I know you are.”

“Virge, please tell me what happened today. What caused the panic attack?”

“Maybe I don’t want to talk about it.”Virgil says, leaning back and crossing his arms.

Logan licked his lips. “Alright. You of course don’t have to. But if there is something I can do... I promise I’d be more than willing. I’m here for you. Always.” Logan grabbed Virgil’s hand and squeezed it gently.

Virgil let go, he tried to hide the tears from Logan by facing the window, while Logan just focused on driving him home.

They didn’t deserve Logan’s support.

~~~Elliott~~~

“Do you have a place to stay tonight, Elliott?”Emile asked on the drive back.

They nod, “yeah, if you can just drop me off at my apartment. I’ll be fine.”

“Do you have a roommate or anyone in case something happens?”

“I mean, no but-“

“Yeah, you’re staying with us.”He says.

They lick their lips. “Excuse me?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry, It’s either that or he calls you every hour to make sure you’re breathing,”Remus says.

Elliott nods, it’s not like they were going to change his mind.

When they arrived at their apparent, Emile unbuckled their seatbelt. “Okay, we’re going to need your keys.”

“What?”

“You’re going to need something to wear.”he says, “yours are covered in blood.”

“I don’t need anything, I’ll be fine.”they insist.

“Elliott, we’re not going to judge you.”Emile explains. “You need clothes. And you’re not going to be able to walk up and down those stairs every day, I won’t have it.”

“Alright, fine.”they sigh handing him their key. “Just take into consideration though that this is me trusting you. It’s not easy for me.”

“I appreciate that. Is there anything specific we should grab?”

“My makeup bag?”They asked, “I keep it under the sink.”

“Got it, anything else?”

Yes...but no.

“just some clothes, I guess.”

They wanted their Paci and their blanket but that was way too much. Picani didn’t have to know everything.

“Alright. Remus stay here to make sure they don’t move it- move it.”

Remy rolled their eyes, “does it ever end?”

“You got it.”Remus says.

Remy and Emile walked inside the apartment, and Elliott just hoped that they wouldn’t find their little gear. They’re a big enough freak already.

~~~Afterwards~~~

“Thanks for letting me crash on your couch,”Elliott said.

“Well, since we wouldn’t let you go home, I’d say it was the least we could do.”Emilie says, making up the couch for them.

“Either way, I appreciate it. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t there for me tonight.”

“It’s really no problem,”He says, “goodnight, Elliott.”

“Night.”Elliott smiles.

Dr picani went upstairs and so Elliott decided to check to see if they packed their makeup remover. It’s not really healthy to sleep with makeup on. But to their dismay, they found their pacifier in the front pocket.

Notes:I hope you enjoyed this. It was such a random idea I had. I just couldn’t find a little!Elliott story...which surprised me because they’re so adorable and in desperate need of TLC. - Any plot suggestions, comments, or constructive criticism is 100% allowed and encouraged here. But please don’t be mean.

[mithrilwren]

Fanfic ask game for procrastinating on writing, which as of this week is actually accurate, since I’m finally writing again! (or, more specifically, editing what I wrote two months ago so I can get back to writing.)

Tagged by @essektheylyss! Thank you, this is exactly the kind of activity my brain needed tonight.

1) How many works do you have on AO3?

72! I was hovering at 69 for quite a while, sad to break the streak haha

2) What’s your total AO3 word count?

~550K, which is somehow both more and less than what I expected

3) How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?

Many, lmao. According to my Ao3 (omitting any blanket tags) I’ve got 22 there, plus at least two more over on ff.net from back in the day, and probably a couple more just on Tumblr. Most of them I’ve only written one fic for, though. I think the only fandoms where I’ve written more than one are Critical Role (35), Supernatural (15), Haikyuu!! (3), The Exorcist (2), Dimension 20 (2), and Yu-Gi-Oh! (2)

4) What are your top five fics by kudos?

Pick a Number, Any Number

Surprisingly, my number one is NOT a Critical Role fic, nor is it even one of my longer multi-chapters! It’s actually a one-shot I wrote for Haikyuu!! back in the day that took off far beyond what I expected. I wrote it for DaiSuga week, which was a ship I (to be completely honest) wasn’t even terribly invested in, but I had a fun idea and people seemed to like it! (It’s also much fluffier than what I usually write, which might be part of its broader appeal ;))

A Winter’s Ball

Unsurprisingly, the next four are all CR ;). This one was a M9 x VM crossover that I primarily wrote between the hours of 3-8am over the course of two insomnia-wracked nights and honestly, I think it shows in its uncharacteristically unstructured format (compared to my typical style, which tends to favour shorter scenes with very intentionally-placed breaks between, as opposed to scenes that flow into each other without pause). That’s not to say I think it’s a bad thing! The story, which follows Beau as she drifts through a party in Whitestone and observes the interactions between the various guests, actually flows better without that kind of interruption. This was also my first Beaujester piece. I started writing it right before Beau’s confession aired, and published it the week after, which definitely pushed me to make what had been only subtextual in the first half of my draft into the emotional lynchpin of the story.

Only the Nightingale Sings

I’m really glad this one still ranks as high as it does, because this story is absolutely my pride and joy. At one time (though I’m not sure that’s true anymore) it was the longest gen fic in the fandom, which is pretty cool! Plot-heavy, twist-heavy, angst-heavy, with seven points of view to follow and multiple interwoven storylines, it was a beast of a thing to write, and took almost exactly a year to finish, but the long process was oh-so worth it. Literally nothing makes me happier today than seeing a new comment or kudos on this story.

Closer Still

One of my earliest shadowgast fics, this one asks the question “how can you make the ‘stuck in an elevator trope’ fantasy?” The answer is, as always, demiplanes. This fic, perhaps more than any of my other shadowgast fics, is interesting to revisit, because it was written before the ep 97 reveal, but literally everything Essek does in it would suggest otherwise. It reads like I already knew he was a spy working with Trent, and yet I was firmly in the “Essek is NOT the spy” camp at the time. Gotta chalk that up to Matt telegraphing his growing guilt into the preceding episodes - even if I couldn’t see it, it was clearly there.

your dust from mine

My other novel-length CR multichapter, this fic brought me so much joy in the otherwise bleak summer of 2020. Most of my best memories of those four months come from working on this story. A Fjorclay adaption of The Goose Girl (my favourite fairytale) this story is about healing, growth, and figuring out what happiness means to you. While I know most people don’t read stories for this pairing anymore, for obvious reasons, I still cherish your dust from mine for how much of my heart I poured into it, and I look back on it with a huge amount of fondness.

5) Do you respond to comments, why or why not?

I do my absolute best to respond to every comment someone leaves on a story of mine, even if it occasionally takes a month or two. Replying to comments is one of my favourite parts of the fic-writing process - it gives me a chance to revisit peoples’ kind words and (often, incredibly insightful) observations, and I hope it also shows how appreciative I am of each and every one. 

6) What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

Though I write a lot of angst, I honestly tend more towards bittersweet endings than straight-up sadness. The only one I can really think of is What You Own - mind the tags if you follow the link, this is definitely one of the gnarlier things I’ve written for CR - whose ending is, admittedly, bleak. But this story so far removed from canon that I don’t think it’s the kind of angsty ending that lingers with you, as much as it packs a punch and then lets you go on your way.

7) Do you write crossovers? If so what is the craziest one you’ve written?

I tend to enjoy thinking about crossovers moreso than actually writing them. I’ve brainstormed a few, but none have ever made it much farther than the first page.

8) Have you ever received hate on a fic?

A few times! Not often, thankfully. Only one time in particular really sticks out to me, mostly for how it rocked my confidence in a way that I don’t think any comment could now, since I’ve had a few more years to build up faith in my own writing.

9) Do you write smut? If so what kind?

Very, very occasionally.

10) Have you ever had a fic stolen?

I hope not! 

11) Have you ever had a fic translated?

Nope!

12) Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Oh man, back in the Glee days... yeah. Yeah, I have. Nothing that ever got published, though ;)

13) What’s your all time favourite ship?

Not sure I have one! Ships come and go with the seasons, and sometimes they’re best left in the era you found them.

14) What’s a WIP you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

The Shadowgast figure skating AU. It’s never going to happen, but I wish it had.

15) What are your writing strengths?

I would say probably structure, in terms of constructing narrative arcs and through-lines. I’m organized with my writing in a way that I am in few other areas of my life, haha. I’d also say my sense of place - I think I’m pretty good at constructing living, breathing settings and exploring how my characters interact affect/are affected by them.

16) What are your writing weaknesses?

I have a tendency to be wordy (which you might surmise from the length of this post, lol) and repeat myself, usually by going over emotional beats that don’t need the extra reinforcement. On the other hand, I tend to underexplain certain elements (particularly, important plot details in fic, and character motivation in original writing), which can lead to confusion.

A couple years ago I would have said dialogue, but I’ve put a lot of practice into it and I honestly think I’ve improved a lot, which is pretty cool!

17) What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

I’ve never done it myself, and it’s not generally my favourite thing to read (like @essektheylyss said, it makes me hyper-aware that I’m reading words on a page, especially if I have to follow a footnote somewhere). That said, I’ve definitely also seen it used effectively, so I think it’s more down to whether it suits the particular story!

18) What was the first fandom you wrote for?

Yu-Gi-Oh!

19) What’s your favourite fic you’ve written?

As mentioned above, Only the Nightingale Sings.

[huntertherapyeras]

1, 6, 19, 25 for the writing ask game :)

hiiii cay :) fair warning these might be out of order since im using my phone's clipboard!

Tell us about your current project(s)  – what’s it about, how’s progress, what do you love most about it?

so i have a few! mostly fanfics.

there's the body electric, which i haven't written for since maybe 2018 ? but i think about it a Lot. its a danny phantom fic featuring trans danny! was originally a rewrite of the show but im not sure what im doing with it now! it's probably my best work, very experimental bc i wrote it in second person, very personal because it talks about being a trans kid with trauma, and very important to me because of that. it also got an amazing reception, which im super proud of! gosh i gotta keep writing for that. my writing isnt nearly as good as it used to be bc im rusty and have cognitive issues but i really want to get back into it!

and then there's your past so present you can feel your baby teeth. its a catradora college au where catra and adora are cult survivors. i really want to do the subject justice, but i think im gonna rewrite the last few chapters i have published bc i feel like one scene is not sensitively written enough so i gotta go back and fix that. i have a lot of plans for this one! i just kinda am having trouble with motivation now ever since noelle made that racist joke awhile back. really hurt me and turned me off of the fandom lol, im sensitive. slavery jokes arent funny my friends.

im also working on in bloom. its a fic about autistic amity learning to unmask and heal from trauma surrounding ableism around her. very important to me. luz is such a light for amity and i really wanted to convey that!!!! i love luz so much!!

the most recent multichapter fic ive been working on is a post amphibia fic called just like an amnesiac (tryna get my senses back). its about marcy healing from the events of amphibia. mostly just kinda sad rn, but things will be looking up for her soon 💜 only two chapters in so far!

i have multiple one shot prompts sitting in my ask box and i really want to write for them and have ideas, i just have a really hard time getting started. and i had some original story ideas a long time ago too, but memory problems washed most of the concepts away so i guess im starting from scratch! i don't mind tho 💜

oh and theres one original short story i never finished from a few years ago but i cant remember the title rn... still tryna figure out how i want to end it but its nearly done lol

What character do you have the most fun writing?

ah jeez, i write for so many different fandoms at this point its kind of hard to pick just one! i like characters that i find easier to relate to. so danny fenton, marcy wu, amity blight, catra AND adora. i find luz fairly easy to write too, though im a little nervous to write from her perspective for some reason! i did a lot of writing from kurama's (from yyh) and ryou bakura's (from ygo) perspectives as well back in the day when i was still working on the ygo/yyh/hp crossover that ive long since abandoned. that was my longest fic at about 30k words when i abandoned it and like 70 pages! they were pretty easy to write about too i think!

What part of writing is the most fun?

honestly? projecting onto characters. i just think its neat :)

Is there something you always find yourself repeating in your writing? (favourite verb, something you describe ‘too often’, trope you can’t get enough of?)

nightmare sequences are a fave. something about being comforted after a nightmare or panic attack is so good to me... i think its bc i Want That lol

thanks for asking!!!!

[alderaani]

hullo pls could you maybe do from the prompt list 'Staying up half the night to finish a game with them.' with jesse? or echo, i love them both very much so whoever you'd rather write would be just fantastic (: 💕

thanks Emma!!!! anything for u 💕 i’m gonna go with jesse for this one, though i’m desperate to write for my boy echo in the near future. (i am very quickly learning i can’t keep these brief to save my life, oops)

pairing is jesse x reader:

“Heard you landed your ass in here again, idiot.”

It comes out harsher than you mean, but the rush of anger-joy-relief that floods through you when you see Jesse propped up in bed, awake and laughing with one of his brothers, is like a battering ram. You put out one hand to steady yourself against the doorframe and blink, startled by the way your eyes are stinging.

“If only he’d actually landed on his ass,” Hardcase laughs. He’s lounging on the end of the bed in the bottom half of his armour, legs crossed in front of him. “Di’kut went down on his head instead.”

“Thanks, ‘Case,” Jesse sighs, before looking at you sheepishly. “I was goin’ to comm you.”

You sniff in distain and push into the room proper. “What, in three to five business days? I had to find out from one of the mechanics, Jesse.”

Jesse scowls and you feel your eyes sting again at just how small he looks against the sheets. The white bandages on his chest and wrapped around his skull are stark against the rich brown of his skin. You don’t think you have really breathed in the last three days, not since contact with Torrent went down and it suddenly hit you that you might never get to speak to him again.

“How is this my fault? I was karking unconscious and you’re going to hold that against me?”

“Well,” Hardcase says, eyes darting between the pair of you. He shoves himself off the bed, clapping a hand on Jesse’s blanketed leg. “Sounds like my cue to check out. The boys are settin’ up a round of sabacc in the barracks, don’t wanna hold ‘em up.”

You wave absently to him as he leaves, not taking your eyes off of Jesse’s as your chest fills with fire. You open your mouth to snap back, but the pure weariness that flashes across Jesse’s face sinks in like a knife between your ribs and suddenly you’re just tired.

You collapse into the vacant chair beside his bed and put your face in your hands.

“Kriff, Jess, I’m sorry.” You huff out a little laugh. “I came here to cheer you up, believe it or not.”

Looking up, you’re in time to see Jesse’s face soften. He reaches out and knocks his fist gently against your temple.

“Bold strategy you’re usin’.”

You swallow tightly and keep your eyes on the blankets when you make your next admission, choking the words out. “I didn’t mean to get mad. You just really fuckin’ scared me this time.”

Jesse chuckles weakly. “Think I scared myself. I…I really thought that was it, for a moment.”

You breathe out, long and slow, and try to push away the could-have-beens. He’s here, he’s whole, and he’s alive. Each one of those things is its own blessing. Some part of you still feels like it’s stuck in the awful silence of your comm station as you typed in code after code and prayed, unable to reach any of them and only being able to think about Jesse. His laugh, the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles, the way it makes your stomach tie itself into knots, and the ache in your gut when you thought you’d lost the chance to tell him any of it.

You’re used to being haunted by thoughts of him, but now all your memories have a slightly bitter edge, soured by the possibility that they’d almost been all you had. It’s harder than you expected to let that go, even if you’ve always known you might have to.

“I’m damn glad it wasn’t,” is what you get out eventually. “This place’d be boring without you.”

Jesse quirks a smile. You just want to hold on to him, kiss that smile straight off his stupid face, and can’t bring yourself to care that you’re staring. “Maker, I know, I’m bored already and I’m only stuck in the medbay. What’ve you got for me?”

You reach into the bag at your feet and pull out a card deck and a bottle of blumfruit juice. “I couldn’t bring the boys, but at least I’ve brought the cards, right?”

The way that Jesse’s whole face lights up makes the knot in your chest loosen. You dig around a bit more and pull out Jesse’s razor kit – there’s a fine layer of visible stubble growing on the unbandaged bits of his head. Aside from his huge Republic cog tattoo and the fact the stubble’s dark, he’s starting to look eerily like Rex.

“I thought you might want these tomorrow, too, I cleared them with Coric so I won’t accidentally land you in trouble.”

Jesse tilts his head a little bit and just watches you. You fight the urge to fidget and place the razor kit on the edge of the blanket; it’s hard not to shrug this off like you have a hundred times before, but you made a promise to yourself when you’d heard he’d come back alive. You won’t hide how you feel any more, and he can do what he likes with it. At least you will have given him the choice.

“You went and got these for me?” he asks eventually, his gaze pointed and calculating. You expected it – there’s a reason he’s on the Captain’s core squad – but it still makes you feel naked.

“You always bitch when your hair starts growing in,” You smile. Jesse’s expression clears, but whatever conclusion he’s come to he keeps to himself. He puts the razor on the side table and grins at you.

“The stubble itches. Now are you gonna deal us in, or what?”

You’re halfway through your first hand before you realise something crucial is missing from the set.

“Kriff, I forgot my betting chips! Sorry Jess, I can run back and get them if you like.”

Jesse picks up the bottle of blumfruit juice and gulps a mouthful, his mouth stained slightly red.

“I think I’ve got a better idea. Much more fun if we bet favours, right?”

His expression is far too innocent. You narrow your eyes at him as you accept the bottle and bring it to your lips. “What kind of favours?”

He shrugs. “Just little things. Ship duties, stuff you’ve always wanted to know…that kind of thing. I know you’ve always wanted to get back at Fives for what happened on Orto Plutonia.”

You lick your lips slowly. It’s a tempting proposition, which is dangerous for someone who is so thoroughly shit at sabacc, and for someone who’s opponent knows it.

“…Alright. But we’ve got to agree on the favour before it enters the pool.”

Jesse’s grin is sharklike. “Deal.”

Over the course of the next three hours you lose your mess hall slot, have to tell Jesse the story of how you ended up locked in the communal showers for three hours, and owe him two whole bottles of his favourite Alderaanian spirit.

In return, all you have managed to swindle is that payback on Fives, so when Jesse suggests one more round at 0300, you’re hesitant. You’re pretty sure you’re in love with him, but you still have a little dignity.

“Aw, come on. Where’s the honour in givin’ in?” Jesse grins.

“There’s no honour in marching blindly to defeat, either,” you counter, gathering up the sabacc cards to shuffle anyway. Besides, if you yawn any more you think your soul might escape your body.

“Maybe not, but I think you’ll like what I’ve got in mind.”

His face is oddly serious, and it piques your interest. Before you can stop yourself, you’re nodding and dealing out the cards again, fighting for composure when you lift yours and see the brilliant pair you’ve picked up.

“Fine, one more round. If I win you have to cover my next shift stocking ordnance,” you say quickly.

Jesse swallows, his honey brown eyes boring into you. “Sure. But if I win, I get a kiss.”

Faintly, you think someone must have opened an airlock somewhere, because you can’t breathe. You hear your lungs suck in, see the way Jesse leans a little towards you, the expression on his face almost hungry. There’s a faint ringing in your ears as you nod eagerly, your palms sweating.

What follows is possibly the longest 30 minutes of your life. It figures, really, that the one game of sabacc you desperately want to lose is the one you can’t seem to not win. When the match is up you scowl at the perfect score of 23 in your hand and toss it down onto the bed covers.

“Sorry Jesse, read ‘em and weep. I’ve got pure sabacc.”

Jesse leans over to read, but instead of looking as annoyed as you feel, he just smirks.

“Now now, cyar’ika, don’t be hasty. Let me present to you: the Idiot’s Array.”

You lean forward before you can stop yourself. “No fucking way.”

The rarest hand in the game? You’ve gotta see that.

Jesse smugly spreads out his cards. You smack him. “That’s not the Idiot’s Array!”

“It is too.”

“Then where’s the Idiot Card, genius?”

Without pausing, Jesse lifts his hands and points two thumbs at himself, grinning at you. “Right here, darlin’.”

You laugh, heat creeping up through your cheeks to the tips of your ears. You slide onto the bed and place your palms either side of Jesse’s legs, your pulse thundering under the heat of his eyes.

“Guess I owe you a kiss, then.”

Jesse’s hand sneaks up to cup the back of your neck. “Yeah. Guess you do.”

[multiverse-imagines]

Ryoga x reader- Always Welcome Here

(Reader is meant to be gender neutral)

You walked towards your home after a long day of school and band practice. The streets are still bustling in the Friday night sunset of Akihabara. A few dark clouds have set in above you, but you figure you'll make it home by then. It's a shame you forgot your umbrella. Passing by a park, you see someone laying on the ground. They appear to be unconscious. After your initial panic, you cautiously approach the body, and notice it's a young man around your age. He has a heavy looking backpack, and a yellow bandana around his head. He seemed to be muttering to himself. 

"Damn you… need...food.."

"Hey, are you okay?" You asked. His tired eyes looked up to you, pleading. 

"Can you give me some food? I'm so hungry." He mutters. You reach in your backpack, and grab a granola bar that you had been saving for the last part of your walk home. 

"It's not much, but I hope it helps." The boy rolls over onto his back, and sits up with difficulty. He nearly swallows the bar whole before standing with a sigh. 

"Thank you. That won't hold me for long though." He fretted, "I've gotta find Furinkan High school again."

"Ah, well, you're close, you're in Akihabara. Nerima isn't too far from here."

"Really? Thank you! Well, I'll be seeing ya." He went to wave you goodbye as he left in the opposite direction of Nerima. 

"That's the wrong way!"

"Oh. Thanks." He turned and went the other way. 

"I wasn't done yet!" You say as you feel a single raindrop on your cheek. The rain began to downpour in seconds as you both ran for the safety of the underside of a slide. You made it and let out a sigh of relief, but where was the boy? You peered out from under the slide, and he had vanished, but his clothes remained. You saw movement from under them, and a little black pig emerged. It wore the headband of the boy around its neck. You used your book bag as an umbrella and walked up to the scared little pig. 

"Hey, did you just turn into a pig?" The pig stared at you wide eyed, and nodded in defeat. You sighed. "Alright, we're taking you back to my house. At least this way you can get some food." You picked up his clothes, and stuffed them in his bag. It was pretty light, but the umbrella… the umbrella had to weigh at least 10 Kilograms! (22 pounds) after adjusting to the shock of the weight, you begrudgingly lifted and opened it to use as a proper umbrella to walk the two of you back to your home.

You entered your house, and thankfully no one was home. Your father worked overseas, and your mother would be at work well past 8:30 as always. You grabbed a few towels and dried him off before yourself. 

"Go ahead and wait here on the couch while I go change my clothes." You let him sit in the fluffy pink towel. You put on some sweatpants and a comfy T-shirt then put your clothes in the dryer. You could hardly believe it. A boy turning into a pig with water. The phone rang, and you hurried a shirt on before answering it. 

"Hello, ____ residence."

"Hey, ____?" It was Mom, "I guess there's flooding over the tracks for the train home, so Kazato offered to put me up at her place for the night. I'm sorry I won't be home."

"It's okay, mom. I'll just see you tomorrow." You made yourself sound disappointed. This way your guest wouldn't receive any Berratement from your mom. You said goodnight to your mom and returned to the living room, sitting next to the little pig on the couch. 

"So, you don't seem to be surprised you're a pig. Is there a way to change you back?" You asked. He nodded, and jumped from the couch, and began wandering from room to room; You followed in curiosity. Once he found the bathroom, he jumped onto the tub, and pointed his little hoof at the hot water switch. 

"Is it hot water that turns you back?" He nodded furiously in response, "Alright. Let me get you some clothes first." You left him in the bathroom with the water running while you grabbed a blue T-shirt, and a pair of black loose-fitting basketball shorts. You hoped they would fit him. You walked back to the bathroom, and thankfully found him still as a pig, and the water level seemed high enough now. You shut off the water.

"I'll put your clothes in the wash so you'll have fresh clothes in the morning." He tilted his head, confused. 

"It's supposed to rain all night. I'm not letting you walk all the way to Nerima in the rain. What if you turn into a pig again? Then what was the point of a bath? My Mom isn't gonna be home tonight, so I'm letting you stay." You turned and left to let him bathe in peace. You began making some food for when he returned. 

It was about a half an hour before he emerged, still wearing his headband, but wearing the clothes you had retrieved for him. 

"Thank you." Was the first thing he said as he leaned on the counter next to you, "I'm Ryoga, by the way. Ryoga Hibiki."

"____ ____. And it was no problem, really."

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions." He seemed embarrassed. 

"Yeah, but, can I ask?"

"I suppose if I'm gonna be here all night, I might as well answer any questions you have." He said, picking up his chopsticks. "Let's wait until after we eat. I'm starved." You nodded in agreement, and you picked up the conversation while he helped you with the dishes. 

"Well, how did you become a pig?" He answered with the story of how he was tailing a schoolmate named Ranma Saotome. A rude boy who went to train with his father in China, and he fell into a cursed pond where a pig had drowned. Now whenever he gets doused with cold water, he becomes a pig. He can be human again with warm water. 

"If I hadn't seen if for myself, I never would have believed you." You nodded. Ryoga then went on to mention how many people who have come into contact with Ranma have ended up cursed in one of these pools in Japan. Ranma, his father, and two others have a similar curse of turning into something else via water. 

"That's so strange."

"That Ranma," He growled, "I'll get my revenge someday." He balled his fists up towards his chest, as if restraining himself from punching the nearby wall. 

"Can't you just go back to this Jusenkyo place and change back?"

"Getting there is a battle in itself. I'm, what my family calls, directionally challenged. I can even have a map in my hands and still get lost. Also, getting to China takes money, which I don't have." He grimaced. 

"That's rough," You sighed, "but it makes sense why you didn't know where you were in the park earlier." Ryoga nodded and returned to the couch, placing the blanket you had set there prior over his legs. You sat next to him, turning on the TV. The two of you watched a few game shows, and anime that played on the TV, making small talk as things became relevant. A romantic scene came on at one point, and Ryoga seemed to be bothered by it. It was late before you decided to go to your own room to sleep. You waved Ryoga goodnight as he stretched out on the couch. 

"I'll leave my door open, so let me know if you need anything." Ryoga nodded as he rolled over facing the back of the couch. You retreated to your room and crawled under the covers before falling asleep. The sound of the raindrops hitting harder and faster on the roof. 

You awoke to a large crack of lightning and a crash nearby. You sat up in bed so quickly it made your head spin. Within seconds, Ryoga was in the doorway. 

"_____, are you alright? I heard you scream!" He seemed just as startled as you were. You couldn't recall screaming, but it was probably inaudible over the blood rushing through your ears. You were tried to catch your breath before replying, 

"Yeah, I-I just heard a loud crack of lightning. I think it struck something outside." You said getting out of bed and looking out the window. A street light had fallen on the garage of the house across the street. You looked to your alarm clock to see it dead. The power was out. It was unsettlingly dark in the house now, and it admittedly worried you. 

"Now I'm really glad you aren't out there." You muttered to Ryoga. Another loud clap of thunder nearly shook the house, and you grasped Ryoga's arm. You normally loved thunderstorms, but when the thunder got too loud, you couldn't help but be a little nervous.

"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice was kinder than it had been.

"Yeah, just a little shaken from how close the lightning is."

"Let's sit in the living room for a bit and relax. Do you have any candles or flashlights?" 

"Yeah, there's some in the bathroom." You led Ryoga through the house to the bathroom, and found the handle to the bathroom cupboard. You felt around, finding the candles your mother used for her relaxing baths, and a lighter. The two of you wandered back to the living room and you managed to light one of the candles, setting it on the table in front of the couch. You lit the other two and placed them near the hallway in case you needed to go down the hallway, and the other in the kitchen, still in view of the living room. You grabbed a couple of juice pouches from the fridge, but made a note not to open it from here onward. After some time of drinking and chatting, you finally felt the tension in your shoulders release. 

"Are you planning on going back to bed?" Ryoga asked. 

"Yeah, but I'm still kind of scared. If that pole had been striked at any other angle, it easily could have fallen on the house." You changed over to him, his face also showed a frown of worry. 

"W-why don't I protect you then…" He trailed off. You felt your face heat up, 

"How… how so?" 

"You could…" His face matched yours in color, "stay on the couch with me." 

"Um, do… you think we'd have more room in… m-my bed?" You were just as nervous about this. 

"Oh, your right. But!" The two of you kept embarrassed eye contact with each other, and after the longest second of your life, you let out a breath, and relaxed yourself. 

"There's more room there, and I'd feel safer there. Let me blow out these two candles, and we'll go to my room." You smiled. Ryoga grabbed the blanket he'd been using and stood by the hall while you blew out the other two candles. You took the remaining candle to light your way to your room. You set the candle on your desk away from any papers, and climbed into bed. Ryoga climbed in after you, and you were now laying between him and the wall. Your bed was a bit small for two people, but it was vastly better than what the couch would have offered. However, Ryoga still seemed uncomfortable. It looked like he would fall off of the bed at any moment. 

"If you aren't comfortable, come closer." You said. You practically heard Ryoga swallow nervously before he inched closer to you. Soon the problem became obvious that Ryoga had nowhere to put his arms. He awkwardly had them folded over his chest, but didn't seem comfortable. You reached for his arm, and gently moved his hand to your side. His other arm went above your head like an extra pillow, and you made yourself comfortable by placing your head in his chest. His arms eventually relaxed and his top arm soon hugged your back. You tangled your legs in with his, and looked up to him in the dark. 

"Better?" You whispered, you heard his breath hitch, before letting out an affirmative noise, "Good. Thanks Ryoga, good night." You snuggled into his chest again, and made the attempt to have your body sleep. As you left consciousness, you felt his hand leave your back to pet your hair. 

The next morning, you woke up to the light coming through your window. The candle had put itself out, and Ryoga still held you. 

"....Akane…" You heard his whisper in his sleep. You wondered who that was. Friend? Family? You'd have to ask when he woke up. You would normally get up and make breakfast, but you were so comfortable you decided to fall asleep again. 

You awoke again to Ryoga shifting in the bed. You felt him get up from the bed. 

"Good morning, Ryoga." You said, your eyes half open. 

“Morning, ____.“ he sounded well rested. You heard the bathroom door close and decided to slowly get up. You noticed your alarm clock's flashing numbers, meaning the lights we're back on. You made your way to the bathroom and heard the toilet flush upon your approach. After a few seconds, Ryoga left the bathroom, carrying his clothes from the dryer. You told him you were gonna make breakfast, and you went about your morning business. You remained in your pajamas since school had been cancelled, and made a quick breakfast for the two of you. You checked the contents of the fridge to see they had remained unscathed by the power outage. As you ate, you remembered Ryoga's muttering from earlier. 

"Hey, Ryoga, you said a name in your sleep last night. Who's Akane?" Ryoga nearly choked on his food, taking a long drink of his juice before replying. 

"Akane… she's. She's the woman I…" He stared solemnly at his plate. 

"You love her?" You tried to finish for him. You gave him the benefit of the doubt he wasn't a murderer. 

"Yeah. I've been in love with her for a very long time now. But she's marrying Ranma, and he doesn't even like her!" His voice raised in volume, "I haven't been able to tell her how I feel and I can't even tell her I turn into a pig! I've spent so much time with her as her pet pig, but she doesn't even know!" Tears filled his eyes with anger. 

"I'm sorry you're going through that. That sucks."

"Yeah, it does…" Ryoga sighed, calming down, "but I'll tell her one day. I'll save her from Ranma, and her and I'll make her so happy." He stabbed a piece of food and ate it angrily.

After the dishes were done, you found Ryoga on the couch rearranging his bag, adding the snacks you gave him for the road. 

"Are you leaving right away?" You asked. 

"In a little bit, yeah. I've gotta get to Nerima to take Akane back." You frowned at this. You'd really become fond of the man you found unconscious in the park and didn't really want him to leave. Once he was ready, you walked him to the street, and faced him in the direction of Nerima. He waved goodbye, and as he left, you stopped him. 

"Ryoga," He turned to you. You kissed his cheek and gently took his hand, "I-if things don't work out, you know, with Akane, you're always welcome here. I'd be more than happy to have you." Your face heated up again, as Ryoga also seemed to pick up on what you were implying. 

"Th-thank you!" He closed shut eyes, "I'll remember that! See you next time, ____!" He shouted as he ran past you in an embarrassed ferver. 

"Wait! Ryoga! You're going the wrong… Way…" You sighed. You chuckled knowing he'd be back someday.

[parkersvibes]

distance

Prompt: “I think I’m in love with you and I don’t know what to do.”

masterlist

kageyama x reader

There are very few things Kageyama knows for sure. He even made a list

He loves volleyball 

You’re his best friend 

He will play volleyball for the rest of his life. 

He’ll be the best setter in all of Japan

Those were the 4 things Kageyama knew and understood for a fact. Until about a week ago when this appeared while mindlessly looking at it again.

5. I love y/n.  

-Present-

Lately, things between you and Kageyama have been tense. Since winning the finals for the Miyagi prefecture Kageyama has been distant towards you. You didn’t know what it was. You two have been best friends for as long as you can remember, but for the first time in your friendship, he was acting cold. It wasn’t something you were used to. 

Others may believe that he was always stone cold and a tyrant king towards everyone he faced, but when it came to you, he had a sense of humor (although dry) and was just a regular kid. Still very much of a headass though. You knew how to make him laugh and what buttons to push to annoy him. You two were both two peas in a pod. 

Kageyama was different on the court, although you’ve never played on a team with him, you were never far from him. Whether you were helping him practice or cheering him on from the side. 

So here you were, sitting in your room with tears in your eyes after Kageyama had snapped at you.

“Tobio, what’s wrong?”

You two were walking home after practice, you can tell he was tense, but you didn’t understand why. He got his yogurt and ate his lunch, he didn’t completely fail his algebra test… why is he so upset?

Now that you came to think of it, he had been acting snippy lately… 

“Nothing.”

Everything 

“Don’t be a dumbass, you’re a horrible liar and you know that.”

“Leave me alone.” 

I want to tell you

“Mmmmm, how about no. You don’t have to tell me right now but that also means that you can’t be so ‘GRRR’ and-”

At this point, you arrived at your house, right across the street from his as he cut you off. 

“God, you are so annoying y/n, no wonder why you have no friends.” His tone was harsh.

I don’t know how to keep a secret from you and I know that if I’m near you any longer than you’re gonna call me out and I won’t know how to tell you that I L-word you.

You went into a complete stop. 

Kageyama is one to make jokes and roast you for things, but he was never the type to joke around things that you were sensitive about. He knew you had a hard time making friends with others. You had a hard time talking to people, he would never say that to hurt you.

“Tobio… I- why would you say that?” 

“Because it’s true and I’m so tired of hanging out with you.”

That’s a lie, he thought. I love spending time with you. You’re the only one in my life that makes me feel infinite. When I’m with you, time stands still and it feels like nothing else matters.

Tears were brimming your eyes as your childhood best friend and (maybe) crush was breaking your heart. 

“You’re being a real asshole right now, Kageyama.”

Kageyama knew right away that he had struck a nerve. He was never Kageyama to you, always Tobio, Kags, Boke, dummy, literally anything but Kageyama. The last time you called him Kageyama was two summers ago when you were both in his backyard for his family barbeque and you were wearing your brand new sneakers that he KNEW you were excited to wear. Suddenly his volleyball was heading towards you and your plate of food. You hadn’t moved in time and the ball hit your plate and the food splattered on your shoes, ruining them. From that day on, Kageyama promised to always control the ball. 

Kageyama says nothing and turns to head inside his home, leaving you in the dark.

- One week later - 

You were sick of this. You were sick of the distance between the two of you. In the mornings, you would purposefully sleep in so that you didn’t have to walk with Kageyama to morning practice. You spent lunch with Tsukki and Yamaguchi, knowing that Kageyama would do just about anything to limit his interactions with the four-eyed blondie. 

Everyone on the team noticed the rift between you two. You had asked Kiyoko if she would let you handle the paperwork since it didn’t require you to be in the gym. 

Meanwhile, the team had missed your rowdiness and constant encouragement. 

“NOYA, THAT WAS AMAZING! DO THE ROLLING THUNDER AGAIN”

*Tanaka pouts* “Why doesn’t she ever compliment me?” 

“Maybe because you suck.”

“DAMN ASAHI, THAT WAS YOUR THIRD SERVICE ACE TODAY! KEEP SERVING LIKE THAT AND YOU MIGHT STEAL A GIRLS HEART.”

“Uh- I- uh thank you” *Asahi blushing is adorable*

“TSUKKI, I KNOW YOU CAN JUMP HIGHER THAN THAT. AT LEAST TRY AND BLOCK HINATA IT MAKES HIM FEEL BETTER.”

“HEY-”

“If you keep yelling at me, I’m not gonna help you with the chem homework.”

*you shut up because CHEM IS HARD AND YOU WON’T PASS WITHOUT TSUKKI’S HELP* 

“Hinata... “

“Yeah?”

“THAT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME, YOU NAILED THAT SPIKE IT WAS LIKE ‘WHOOSH’ AND ‘KAPOW’. I GOTTA TEXT BOKUTO AND TELL HIM.”

*instant gushing* 

“Kageyama I don’t have any words to tell you other than you still owe me yogurt because Hinata picked up more balls than you. 

“THAT WAS ONLY BECAUSE HE GOT A HEAD START.”

“NU-UH, I BEAT YOU FAIR AND SQUARE.”

“HINATA SHUT UP, YOU’RE SUCH A MORON.” 

Of course, Daichi adds, “Suga owes me ramen because I bet that all the insults you use today would consist of ‘moron’ and he thought that you’d have expanded your vocab by now.” 

“DAICHI CMON.”

All in all, they missed your presence. Even Takeda and Coach Ukai felt that the gym was missing something. Nothing was wrong with Kiyoko, she has been the manager longest, she was just on the more quiet side, but since you joined, you took over handling things in the gym while she did more of the technical stuff. 

“Hey Grumpyama, why haven’t you and Y/N been walking together?”

“None of your business, moron.”

“HEY I’M JUST CONCERNED, WHY DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE SO MEAN TO ME.’’

Suga decided to intervene and say that you wanted to sleep more. He knew what happened. You called him the night that Kageyama snapped at you because out of all the third years, he knew how to deal with Kageyama the most. 

And because you two share the same brain cells, Kageyama had also told Suga what happened, with frustration and sadness evident in his voice. 

“I don’t know what to do. I didn’t mean to hurt her, but I just knew that if I looked at her, the truth would just come out.” 

“Is that such a bad thing?”

“She’s my best friend. I don’t wanna lose her just because she doesn’t like me back.” 

Suga eventually consoled Kageyama, assuring him that he wouldn't lose you over this, but over hurting you and avoiding you. He told Kageyama to talk it out with you, knowing that you’d understand. 

So here you were, sitting on your best friend's bed, watching him pace back and forth while struggling to find words.

“What is it Tobio?’’ The softness of your voice was making it hard for Kageyama to concentrate. How could you be so soft and kind after what he said to you?

“I don’t know what I did, but if you tell me I can try and fix it…” You added gently. 

You knew that he had a hard time expressing his feelings and that the best thing to do is to have patience and let him gather his thoughts. What you didn’t understand was why he was so nervous.

“I think I’m in love with you and I don’t know what to do. Okay?”

Silence. Everything stood still at that moment. 

“Wha- what do you mean?” 

“I think you know what I mean y/n... you- you’ve always been better with these... things... with emotions and stuff.” 

Kageyama stuttered for a second, always such a mess when it came to words but continued. “I just- I love you, and not in the way that you’re supposed to love your best friend. I asked Daichi and Suga what I was feeling... how when you smile, it puts the sun to shame. An- and how when you spend the night at my house and you fall asleep on my bed. God, I’d give up my bed and sleep on the floor for the rest of my life if it meant that you’d be the first thing I saw in the morning. I told them that when you laugh it feels like nothing else matters and that all the bad in the world just disappears.” 

Tears were streaming down your face at this point while you walked towards him. 

You enveloped the very tall boy in your arms. He was shocked, why were you hugging him?

“You are such a dumbass, Tobio.” 

“WHAT- WHAT DID I DO?”

“I’ve loved you since the day you ruined my favorite shoes and cried because I was mad at you.” 

“You… you what.” 

“I… love… you.” You said as you looked up and basically spelled it out for him with tears threatening to spill from your eyes. 

“I- uh- well- I also um- I also feel the same way.” Kageyama struggled to say as he was literally as red as a tomato. 

“Mhm… so you decided that being an asshole was your way outta this. Sorry to tell you bub, but I’m with you for the long haul. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” 

*Kageyama was literally not working at this point. His brain has exploded* 

So he did what he knew his words couldn’t express and kissed you slowly, to let you know that he was sorry and that he wasn’t going anywhere either. 

end- 1,709 words

masterlist

[radramblog]

Album Discussion- Floral Shoppe

Haha why do y’all let me do this.

It’s been almost a decade since Macintosh Plus (aka Vektroid, aka Ramona Xavier) popularised and codified vapourwave as a genre with its first actually popular release in Floral Shoppe. Since then this sub-sub-genre has developed its own subgenres and become its own flourishing marvel of internet music culture. But Floral Shoppe itself is worth examining- not to see where it all began (I haven’t even listened to Chuck Person’s Eccojams or Far Side Virtual yet), but where most people got into the genre. The lifting off point, as it were.

So grab your Arizona ice tea (don’t, it’s fucking awful) and lets dive in.

The first track, ブート(Boot), opens with a buttery smooth cymbal and saxophone line, obviously slowed down, but evoking a level of chill few songs manage to get to for their whole duration, in a total of approximately a minute. It’s a genuinely masterful piece of music. As the vocals come in, you hear them get twisted and chopped, distorted and looped, almost jolting you out of that trance, until it’s clear that the lyrics aren’t lyrics but another instrument, you get used to the nonsense, and you’re back in the zone. The looping with some of the instrumentation makes parts of it feel almost clockwork-like, in a very satisfying manner- especially as the majority of it gets muffled and you realise that opening bass/sax line has been running through the entire time. While the next track on this album tends to get most of the attention, I genuinely think Boot deserves just as much praise.

リサフランク420 / 現代のコンピュー (Lisa Frank 420/Modern Computing) is another one of those tracks where it’s just like, what could I possibly say about this that hasn’t been said. If you’re reading this, there’s basically no way you haven’t heard this song, so you know what I’m on about. It’s the quintessential vapourwave track, even if it’s showing its age a bit. It’s just so perfect. When I decided to write about Floral Shoppe, I didn’t really want to spend too much time here- me saying “hey I like this song everyone knows” isn’t the most interesting thing on the planet, I guess. I will say, it’s one of the few vapourwave songs you can actually sing along to, and that’s fun as heck.

Also, the lyric is “it’s all in your hands”, not “it’s all in your head”. To be fair, though, the distortion doesn’t help.

The album’s next track is 花の専門店 (Floral Shoppe, hey I didn’t know this album had a title song), a track that heavily relies on this really panned synth (you can’t even hear that on the left ear) and a lot of looping the same bit over and over again. Honestly, the first minute of this song gets a little grating, but it really picks up after that. It’s really fun and jazzy for a solid minute there, a lovely instrumental you can just groove to in your head. The fade out on this piece lasts wayyy too long for my liking, though- a full half minute of outro feels a little indulgent for this one.

Track four, ライブラリ (Library) is lowkey one of my favourites on the album- The slowed vocals work really well, and the instrumentation feels extremely deliberate and methodical. I think my biggest complaint with this song is just that it’s too short, considering Lisa Frank 420 is literally triple it’s length. But I suppose part of this project is how variable the track lengths are- it seems Vektroid was keen to work with these until she was out of ideas, and no longer, and I can’t help but respect that.

地理 (Geography) sounds substantially darker than the previous tracks, with incredibly low drones and a main line that… I mean I dunno how low it is but that shit is definitely in a minor key, you know. It’s also the sparsest track so far, with much more restraint in layering than anything else I can think of on the album. The atmosphere of this is heavy- I don’t know why, but it reminds me of that really creepy loading screen on the fuckin Magic School Bus goes inside the body Edutainment game. That’s probably a bit of a weird connection, but if you played that shit, you know how fucking eerie it’s soundtrack was, and that’s a bit of the vibe I’m getting from this track.

Our next track is a direct nod to Floral Shoppe’s predecessors in ECCOと悪寒ダイビング (Chill diving with ECCO), a reference to the aforementioned Chuck Person’s Eccojams Vol. 1 (itself a reference to the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game Ecco the Dolphin), and Chill is absolutely right. While many vapour/synthwave pieces are more about entering an aesthetic or a vibe than actually listening to the music, as far as Floral Shoppe goes, that’s most true with this track. It’s also the third longest track here (behind Lisa Frank 420 and the next song), and while it doesn’t develop as much as one would hope based on that (or much at all), spending so long vibing out in a track like this is completely appropriate.

I’m going to be honest, I don’t care too much for the next track, 数学 (Mathematics). It might just be because it comes on the heels of ECCO, but the meandering in this doesn’t hit the same chord as that does. While I enjoy the saxophone on this song, all the shit going on in the background just kinda gets my anxiety going eventually. And by eventually, I mean about halfway through this near 7-minute monster. You’ve got these very chill elements that slowly get drowned out by the steadily rising and accelerating chaotic parts of the instrumentation that just take over eventually, and while it does chill back down again, that’s still a long time focussed on the worst parts of the song. This also really didn’t need to be as long as it is, considering the second half of the track is just, like, the same thing again…

We’re at track 8, and at this point I started looking at the Wikipedia page for the name translation and realising that I have no idea which song this is supposed to be. Like, the track lengths on the bandcamp suggest that this is the 2011 release and therefore this is 待機 (Standby), but it has the name of track 8 from the 2017 release, 外ギン Aviation (Foreign Banks Aviation)? This is confusing as fuck, but since this is the only track here with that issue, I’m assuming it’s actually Standby and someone fucked up somewhere. Oh right, the song itself. Well it’s fucking short, barely past a minute long, and doesn’t have too much going on. I’d call it short but sweet, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Jazzy, loungy, kinda chill. I dunno.

て(Te) feels almost out of place on this album. I mean, the vibe is similar, but the birdsongs really come out of left field. This sounds like the track you’d hear in a video game after you’re finally out of a cave you spent hours in. If the build in this weren’t so intense, I think it’d fit right in on the Minecraft OST. That’s a compliment, for what it’s worth. It’s also worth noting this light at the end of the tunnel bit was absolutely intentional, because this used to be the final track of the album. However, there’s two more here, added in a 2012 reissue (originally they were unnamed bonus tracks), so we might as well check them out.

…under no circumstances should you check out track 10, 月 (Moon). I don’t know what vocal sample that is, but it is loud, and grating, and obnoxious, and the instrumentation is not doing enough to carry the repetition through. Holy shit, this is 6 minutes long. I’m going to be honest, I skimmed through this one, and it never changes what it’s doing. This is… a bold play, I’ll give her that, but it absolutely does not pay off. This has gotta be one of the worst songs I’ve heard in a very long time. What the fuck, Ramona?

Finally, 海底 (Seabed). This… is just like Moon, in that it’s a fucked up vocal sample that is looped over and over with little changing instrumental. The key difference is this one is less bad- the vocals aren’t as jilting, the instrumentation is chiller, and it is mercifully only 2 and a bit minutes. It’s far from good, but it’s not as immediately awful. Okay, it is pretty bad. These should probably have stayed as extras- and seeing as they apparently weren’t on the physical versions of the album (in fact a bunch of these songs changed for that), Vektroid appears to agree.

So that’s Floral Shoppe, and it’s really one of those albums that kinda drags on at the end. Frontloaded with the good shit, I suppose. Moon and Seabed aside, it’s not like anything is completely awful, but after 25 or so minutes you’ve kinda gotten the point. With that said, the album is as influential as it is for good reason- the first couple tracks are phenomenal, and once you’re drawn in by those, you’re probably going to appreciate the rest of it at least a little.

Modern vapourwave basically sounds nothing like Lisa Frank 420/Modern Computing, or Floral Shoppe at all- the genre has moved past plunderphonics almost entirely at this point, and the aesthetic has shifted to a more consistent, less memeable tone. Even Macintosh Plus is going new directions- the single released in December 2019 as a teaser for Vektroid’s next project under the name sounds nothing like this album, though it is completely fucking awesome (and completely fucking batshit). While it seems like the genre itself has moved past Floral Shoppe, though, it’s still the touchstone the majority of people, especially those unfamiliar with the genre, recognize as the herald of Vapourwave. I’m pretty sure this was the first album to do the whole pink aesthetic, marble bust, computer graphics style, and clearly that’s the style everyone thinks of when they make bad vapourwave art. That’s the aesthetic this album inspired. Long may it reign.

(Ok seriously though guys go listen to VAPERROR or George Clanton or something)

[itsadamcole]

you should be sad

fem!reader x adam cole

Reader and Adam go out for karaoke night, and she decides to sing a song about her relationship with Adam and his actions ...

word count: 2.2k+

warnings: mentions of cheating and an abusive relationship, angst

— this is based on the halsey song “you should be sad”. it’s one of my favorite songs right now honestly —

masterlist

~ potentially triggering content below - read at your own risk ~

***

You put on your sexiest dress. A tight, dark red satin number that hugs every curve of your small figure. The low cut neck reveals a decent amount of your cleavage and the dress pushes up the dress for you, so you’re not wearing a bra. The thin straps on your shoulders are sliver and they are sparkly. You wear a pair of black lace panties under the dress. Your Y/H/C hair is up in a curly ponytail.

Your boyfriend wears a black button up with dark blue jeans and dress shoes. His long brown hair is tied back in a bun.

You and Adam were invited to go out for karaoke with a few of the NXT wrestlers. Resident NXT power couple Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae were the ones who invited you and Adam.

Things weren’t what everyone believed they were when it comes to you and Adam Cole.

When out in public, everyone thinks you and Adam are the cutest couple. You laugh and smile when out with him. He holds your hand and sneaks kisses to your lips, cheek, and neck.

Behind the scenes, things aren’t what they seem. Adam has cheated on you with several other women. When he cheats, he blames it on you. He plays the victim. He tells you that if you satisfied him more than he wouldn’t cheat. Adam thinks you only know about three of the times he’s cheated but you know he’s cheated at least half a dozen times.

He’s never hit you though. He’s never been physically abusive toward you. Only emotionally and mentally.

You haven’t had it in your heart to leave him. You love Adam with your entire heart. You know he loves you too, even if sometimes he says he doesn’t.

Tonight, you are planning something though. You’re going to make it known how you’ve been feeling. To Adam, to your friends. You have a song in mind you’re going to be singing when Candice begs you to sing a song.

You and Adam arrive at the karaoke club. You wander around the club, looking for someone that you or Adam know. You spot Johnny, Candice, Mia Yim, and Keith Lee in a corner. You believe that the rest of the Undisputed Era are coming with their wives and girlfriends.

Good. Maybe they’ll start to keep their friend in check.

Candice says, “Y/N. You have to sing a song tonight. Your voice is beautiful and I could listen to it for hours. I have listened to it for hours.”

You laugh. While your boyfriend is NXT’s longest reigning champion, you’re a 4-time Grammy award winning artist. You’ve been friends with Johnny and Candice for years. They’re the reason you even met Adam.

***

“Y/N!” Candice says. “You came!”

You laugh and hug your best friend as you say, “I couldn’t miss my best friend’s birthday party! Happy 25th birthday, Candice.”

Your best friend giggles and says, “Thank you. Oh, by the way, remember that guy I was telling you about? He’s here, and he’s recently broken up with his girlfriend.”

You roll your eyes and say, “You’re not still on this. Plus, my career is finally taking off.”

“I know, I know,” Candice says, hooking your arm with hers. “At least meet him, Y/N. Please.”

You stare at Candice and say, “Ugh, fine. Only because it’s your birthday.”

Candice drags you over to the bar. She taps the shoulder of a man that’s standing at the bar. She clears her throat and says, “Cole. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

The man that Candice referred to as Cole turns around. You immediately meet his pretty blue irises. He’s almost clean shaven. His burgundy shirt match his maroon pants. The jacket he wears matches his pants.

Candice says, “Y/N, this is Adam Cole. Adam, this is Y/N L/N. The girl I was telling you about.”

“The future Grammy award winner?” Adam asks. “That Y/N L/N?”

You feel your cheeks heat up as the attractive man in front of you speaks.

Candice nods and says, “She’s agreed to perform tonight too.”

Your head snaps in Candice’s direction. You never agreed to that. You’re about to say something when Adam Cole says, “Well, I look forward to it. I think Kyle just got here so I have to go but Y/N. Come find me when you’re done so I can buy you a drink.” He sends you a wink and you watch as he walks away.

You find yourself staring at Adam as he walks off.

Candice elbows your side and says, “I can see the wheels turning. You’re actually thinking about it.”

“We’ll see what happens after my impromptu performance,” you say. “Thanks for that, by the way. No heads up?”

Candice says, “There’s a microphone right there. It’s a karaoke machine. Sing some covers or some of your original songs. You’ll be fine, Y/N. Break a leg.”

She walks off and you call, “I might break yours just for fun.”

Candice laughs and you sigh, getting set up for your little performance.

You sing a good four or five songs, ending on “Happy Birthday” for Candice.

The attractive man from earlier finds you after you’re done singing.

Adam says, “I can see why Candice called you a future Grammy award winner. Your voice is amazing.”

“Thank you,” you say, your face turning red as you look up at Adam Cole. You meet his pretty blue eyes and find yourself getting lost in them. Adam smiles.

He points toward the bar and asks, “How about that drink I promised you before the performance.”

You walk over to the bar with Adam.

That is how you met. That is how you got into this situation. You didn’t know then what would happen, and now you have a little bit of regret that you even agreed to meet Adam.

***

The rest of the Undisputed Era shows up and that’s when Candice says, “Okay, Y/N. Please come sing a song with me. Please.”

You smile and say, “Alright. Let’s go.”

Candice gets excited when you agree to go sing a song. You and Candice walk over to the booth to pick a song to sing together. Candice picks the collaboration between Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga. Rain On Me.

Someone hands you both microphones as Candice says, “I want Gaga’s parts. There’s no way that I can hit Ariana’s notes.”

You laugh and say, Alright. I don’t know if I’ll be able to either but I’ll give it a try.”

Candice walks up onto the stage and you follow her.

You and your best friend have the best time. You hit every single note. Once the song is over, Candice hugs you and everyone cheers. You say, “I’m gonna sing one more song. You can head back to the group.”

Candice nods and you walk over to the booth. You ask, “Can you put on ‘You Should Be Sad’ by Halsey?” The man behind the booth nods and gets the song set up.

Nervously, you walk up onto the stage. You glance at Adam and he looks like a proud boyfriend. Of course he looks like that. You wouldn’t expect anything less.

The song begins and you take a deep breath before you begin to sing.

I wanna start this out and say I gotta get it off my chest Got no anger, got no malice Just a little bit of regret

You make sure to stare down Adam as you sing. Candice looks at you then looks at Adam.

Know nobody else will tell you So there's some things I gotta say Gonna jot it down and then get it out And then I'll be on my way

Johnny notices how intently you’re staring at Adam and he says something to the leader of the Undisputed Era.

No, you're not half the man you think that you are And you can't fill the hole inside of you with money, drugs and cars I'm so glad I never ever had a baby with you 'Cause you can't love nothin' unless there's somethin' in it for you

As you sing, you begin to leave the stage, walking down toward Adam. A spotlight lands on you as you walk off the stage.

You approach Adam, who has a look on his face. You can’t tell if his face is full of anger or full of sadness as you sing. The look of proudness that was on his face earlier is gone now.

Oh, I feel so sorry I feel so sad I tried to help you It just made you mad And I had no warning About who you are

The group around you looks at you as they realize what’s going on. Candice is looking at you with concern and when she looks at Adam, anger rises inside of her.

I'm just glad I made it out without breaking down And then ran so fucking far That you would never ever touch me again Won't see your alligator tears 'Cause, no, I've had enough of them

As you sing the song, you feel confidence come over you. You realize that tears have started running down your face as you finish up the last few notes. Before you finish the song, you head back up to the stage to finish the last few lyrics.

Once the song ends, the crowd in the building cheers for you before you hand in the microphone before you walk over to the group. Candice looks up at you and asks, “Y/N, what’s going on?”

You are looking at Adam as you respond to Candice saying, “Ask Adam. Or better yet, ask the several girls he’s fucked behind my back.”

Candice looks at Adam and Johnny says, “Bro, what the hell is wrong with you?”

“I didn’t know that you knew about all of them,” Adam says. “I was going to tell you.”

You stare at your boyfriend and you say, “That is such bullshit and you know it. Once is maybe a mistake. Twice isn’t. Four times isn’t and six times sure as hell isn’t.”

Candice says, “Six times? Adam, you asshole.”

Tears threaten to spill over your eyelids and you say, “I’m done, Adam. I’m so done.”

You gather your things and start to leave. Adam calls after you as you leave. You walk out the door and wipe away your tears.

“Y/N,” Adam says, panic laced in his voice. “Y/N, please. Please don’t leave.”

You groan a bit and you say, “It’s not just the cheating. You play the victim and you blame me for your cheating. You tell me you don’t love me. I can’t deal with this anymore. You’ve had your chance and you threw it out the window as soon as you decided to cheat on me with not one, not two, but six other women.” The tears have begun to fall as you continue to talk. “I don’t know how you can live with the guilt that you’ve broken my heart so many times.”

Adam can’t even look at you when you’re done talking. You’re breathing heavily, trying to keep your sobs back as you stare at the man in front of you.

Both of you are quiet. Adam avoids your gaze and you stare holes into him.

After a few moments of silence, you say, “You can’t even look at me.” You wipe the silent tears away as your voice breaks. “You can’t even say something to me to try and make me stay.”

Adam looks up at you and he says, “What do you want me to say, Y/N? The odds are that you won’t stay no matter what.”

“I’ve stayed through every time I found out you’ve cheated,” you say, your sobs making their way out. “I’ve stayed every time you’ve blamed me for your cheating. I’ve stayed through every time you’ve told you didn’t love me. I can forgive you, Adam. I have forgiven you before, but you think that I won’t stay.”

You watch as Adam’s face goes from panic to sadness. He’s finally realized how his behavior has affected you. It makes him mad that he made you feel like this.

Adam says, “Y/N, I’m so sorry. Please don’t go. Believe it or not, I need you in my life.”

You wipe your tears away and say, “I can’t deal with this anymore, Adam. I love you, but loving you hurts me.”

He says, “I can change my ways. I can be honest with you. You can even come out with me if you want to just to make sure that I won’t do anything.”

“I’m not becoming your babysitter, Adam,” you say. “I can’t watch over you to make sure you won’t cheat on me again. I’m your girlfriend, not your babysitter. If you want a babysitter then go back to Britt.”

Adam says, “I’m sorry, Y/N. I’m so sorry. Please.”

You give a shaky sigh and you say, “I’m giving you one more chance to show me you’ve changed, Adam. You get one chance. You hurt me one more time then I’m gone because I can’t keep dealing with this.”

He looks at you and says, “I won’t throw that chance away. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me one more chance.”

“Don’t blow it,” is all you say.