#i was sooooooo close to being finished but then my friend pointed out a problem w one of my essays so I have to try to fix it

[transfaggot]

Literally so frustrated with the last essay I need to write for my law school apps. I’m going to bed goodnight

[shhhlikeme]

“Losty Aone” / “Losty Mountain Man🏔” Series:

Outtake Collection #7:

TALKING STAGE OUTTAKES (Right Before Series’ Part 1)

———————————

A/N: sooooooo. Prepare for the feels in this collection. Tumblr said it was too long because I have too many paragraphs—bye🙄 so this will be 7 and next will be 7.5. Please keep in mind they are apart of the same collection as they work well together. I strongly recommend to listen to “Always Be My Baby” By Mariah Carey for the entire read, but if repetition annoys you then just do it for the last outtake in 7.5 which is the confession. It tied for the most fluff votes. If anyone is up and reading this hopefully the next part will be up by the time you finish.

This outtake starts off funny and fluffy but ends angsty, serious and I dont wanna spoil. Fluffville Af, but maybe a bit of a rollercoaster. I poured a lot of heart into this collection, though, so I hope you enjoy it:

‼️THIS IS THE 11TH PART IN A SERIES READ THE OTHER PARTS BEFORE THIS ONE: ‼️

TABLE OF CONTENTS

———————————

One Day After You Noticed Aone and This Baby Doesn’t Know How ACT ☀️💋

“Hello?”

Futakuchi answered his cell phone grumpily as he half-slept.

“Futakuchi. It is Aone.”

Kenji rolled onto his back, wiping his fallen bangs out of his face. “I know. You’re the only person who calls me at 4am. Did you have another wet dream about Y/N?”

“No.” Mountain man answered hurriedly, but then he faltered. “Well, um, actually—yes—and Y/N looked phenomenal...—But that’s not the reason I’m calling this time.”

Futakuchi yawned. “You know, I miss the days back in elementary school when you’d call me because you had a bad dream ... hah....remember Monster Twoosie that lived in your closet?”

Sitting up on his bed, Aone whipped his head to the right to look at his closet. Getting up to close the closet door, he scolded his friend.

“We don’t speak of him, Futakuchi-san.”

Kenji let out a tired laugh. “What is this about then? I thought you’d sleep like a baby knowing that Y/N has finally noticed you.”

Aone returned to his bed, covering his legs under his camouflage blanket. “I’m extremely happy. I can’t stop thinking about her approaching my desk and smiling at me throughout lunch and her taking my phone to put her number in it. It’s not a daydream anymore and it’s just.......” he raked his brain for the word.

“A lot?”

Aone was happy he didn’t need to speak in full sentences to a best friend who could practically read his mind.

“A lot for me, yes, thank you Kenji-san. Usually, when two people are starting to get to know eachother, there is interest on both ends and they just work their way up from there.”

“But there is attraction on both ends for you and Y/N.”

“No. I already know she is the girl for me, and Y/N just figured out who I was yesterday. We are in a very unconventional position.”

“Yes but she’s also the most lost individual—aside from you—that I have ever met, so, what’s your point?”

“How do I get her to like me back?”

“Aone, just be yourself. A lot of girls already like you.”

“I don’t care about the other girls, I care about Y/N. I’ve been myself the past 2 years and she has never even noticed me, so clearly that does not work.”

“Y/N hasn’t noticed anyone, Aone-san.... ask her to name all her teachers I bet she can’t”

“She noticed the outfielder on the baseball team....”

“Right—she noticed that he was a tool. And I won’t let you conveniently forget that he approached her—which you refused to do for two years.”

“That is.............................a fair analysis.”

“Anyway, like I said, just be yourself. If Y/N doesn’t like you then she doesn’t deserve you anyway. Serves her right for being a bimbo the past two years....”

“Kenji-san....” Aone warned in a frightening voice. He hated when anyone had anything bad to say about his crush.

Kenji just laughed through his fatigue because he knew that warning was coming.

“I digress. Now as far as being yourself goes, for starters......how was your texting convo tonight?”

Mountain man was confused.

“Texting.......conversation?”

Kenji’s tired eyes flew open, stunned.

“Y/N gave you her number. She put it in your phone. That’s what you said.”

Aone grunted in agreement.

“So you didn’t text her?!”

“I didn’t know I was supposed to.”

“Holy fuck Aone I’m seriously gonna—“

“There.” Mountain man interrupted his friend.

HUH?! Kenji now felt like he’d just seen Monster Twoosie, because his entire body paled. He spoke slowly as to not lose it:

“Aone.....What do you mean by...............................................there?”

“I just texted Y/N.”

“AT 4 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING ?!?!?!?!”

Kenji yelled so loudly his parents screamed at him to go to sleep before they take away his tv. He quickly quieted down.

“What did you text her?!”

Aone paused, retrieving the message. He read it aloud: “Good morning, Y/N.”

Futakuchi groaned loudly, gripping his bangs on top of his head.

“I am gathering that I should not have done that?”

Kenji groaned again in response. “No, but I did tell you to be yourself. We’ll see how Y/N feels about you being yourself.”

🏫 AT SCHOOL 🏫

“Aone!”

Mountain man was collecting books from his locker, Kenji next to him leaning on the next locker, when he heard his name being called by his favourite voice ever. The middle blocker looked over in the direction of the voice and gulped.

Kenji nudged him. “Be yourself.” He whispered before you approached.

Aone couldn’t get used to you actually noticing him. He fantasized about it so much when you’d call your cheer friends name, that it just seemed so surreal now that you were actually calling him. On top of that, you looked so beautiful today. (You may have tried a bit more this morning for him) in your school uniform, light but perfect makeup, and a bright smile.

When Aone heard your voice call his name he had to fight back a deep blush because it brought him back to his dream last night where you were calling his name like that—only it was much more breathy and the two of you were in much more.....intimate circumstances.

“Hi, Y/N.” the blonde managed to say as he looked down at you. “You look beautiful today.”

Beside him, Kenji cringed and looked away. He couldn’t imagine being such a simp.

“Aw, thanks!” You beamed. “I just wanted to say thank you so much for that sweet good morning text. When I woke up to it, it completely brightened my day!”

Hidden behind the locker, Kenji’s jaw dropped.

Aone’s heart tightened at your words. “You’re welcome.”

You smiled. “Would you like to have lunch together again today? My treat this time.”

You had no idea how much you made this man’s life by saying these things.

Aone nodded, blushing and unable to speak.

“Great. Can you come down here for a second?” You bent your index finger at him as to say come hither and this big blushy baby bent down to your level, confused.

With him now in reach you leaned in to press your soft lips on his cheek. “I forgot to do it yesterday, but that’s for defending me against that snitch Tsume. See you at lunch!” You skipped away to your next class happily.

Mountain man, on the other hand, was just completely out of commission.

Kenji’s eyes were very wide seeing the whole thing happen and he moved to the same side Y/N was just on. Grabbing his friends shoulder he pulled him up because he looked weird still frozen bending over to meet your height when you were gone.

“I guess Y/N likes you for who you are, Aone-san.”

Aone just stared in the direction you disappeared in. Your platonic peck on the cheek made him feel like he was floating.

“Let’s go, we have study hall.” Kenji patted his friend’s shoulder.

Aone called for him to stop, so Futakuchi turned back around.

“What’s wrong? What is it?”

“I don’t think my legs work anymore, Kenji-san.”

hahahahaha poor baby

Needless to say Kenji san was not impressed to have to wait at his best friend’s locker with him for 5 whole minutes until the shock of you kissing him wore off

You really affected the white-haired bb even when you ignored him so Kenji wasn’t that surprised that this would happen

———————————

Weeks Into The Talking Stage - The Date Tech Boys Attend Katana’s Big House Party! 🥤🎉

“I swear to God if Katana doesn’t leave me alone tonight.......... You owe me, Aone-san.” States Futakuchi grumpily as him, Aone, and Kogenagawa shuffled out of their Uber. They stood in front of Katana’s huge cottage: lit up brightly with glow strobes and pictures of her taped up on the logs like a billboard in downtown Los Angeles.

“I appreciate you two for coming, sincerely. You are good friends.” Aone bowed to them.

Kanji bounced on the balls of his feet, the complete opposite visual of the crabby Justin Bieber look-alike.

“Oh no problem!!! I would have never been invited to a cheerleader’s party if you two weren’t my friends! Y/N inviting you to this is MASSIVE, Aone-senpai! I’m soooo happy I can experience this—hey! I think I see that hot cop cheerleader from before. Maybe she wants to thank me for my donations—!” The big boned setter started walking toward the party but Kenji gripped the back of his shirt, reeling him back in.

Kenji glared at his underclassmen.

“Must I warn you every time?! Play. It. Cool. Don’t stare at the birthday girl’s chest and for the love of God please leave the cop girl alone or we will never bring you to another party again.”

Pouting, Kogenagawa agreed, grabbing a red solo cup from a tray that a waiter was walking around with.

Aone grabbed it out of his hand before he downed it, all while scanning the crowd for his beautiful crush.

“No drinking. You’re underage.” Aone commanded, pouring it out in front of him.

“Right.” Kenji nodded.

The giant setter’s pout deepened. He crossed his arms at Aone.

“Thanks Mom.”

He then stuck his tongue out and Kenji.

“And thanks Dad. What would I do without you two? Besides HAVE FUN, of course!?”

“It scares me to even think about it....” Kenji murmured back, ruffling his setter’s hair who started freaking out because he worked hard on it.

Just then, Takanobu gasped a bit because he finally spotted you in the outdoor crowd on the porch. You were dressed in a long sleeve skin tight bodycon dress that showcased all your curves. And the dress was short. (If you remember correctly from his wet dream This man loooves short skirts on you.):

(You May or May not have chosen something a bit on the sexy side to get the attention of the boy you were starting to enjoy the company of.... and who you invited to be your date tonight—)

The look of you alone made Aone lick his lips and shuffle because had the air outside gotten 10 degrees hotter, randomly?

“Dowwwwn boy.” Kenji murmured when he realized his friend had spotted his crush and was very excited. He had that same look when he saw Y/N in that genie costume, and it was one of unadulterated, innocent, unidentified, lust.

“Aone, you can’t stare at Y/N like that anymore. She notices you now.”

Aone tried his very best and he was able to peel his eyes away from you and back to his best friend. “I wish it were easy.” He stated with a frown. “Especially when she looks like that.”

You were over with a group of popular kids, a red solo cup in your hand filled with red bull, chatting and adding to Katana’s stories when out of the corner of your eye you spot a tall white haired beauty on the outskirts, probably just getting here: Your date. Your heart skipped a beat as you interrupted the boy who was speaking to the group.

“He came, he’s here!!” You gripped Katana on the arm.

“Ow, Y/N!” Katana ripped your hand off her. She fixed the tiara on her head. “Of course he’s here, no man is dumb enough to deny a date with you, Y/N.” She returned to her conversation dismissively.

Kusa walked up the porch steps to give you and Katana hugs. She looked so beautiful!

“Looks like your man Aone brought Kenji-san too.” Kusa said to the two cheerleaders.

Katana almost did a spit take with the contents in her solo cup. Quickly, she scanned the crowd, seeing her ex, she now gripped onto your arm and pulled you through the crowd.

Soon you were faced with your mountain man, who looked amazing dressed in a sexy dark green, might you add. You rubbed the arm that Katana had just been gripping as you stood in front of them.

“Are you alright, Y/N?” Aone asked, looking concerned as his eyes scanned your arm.

He is so flipping sweet!

You nod.

“I know that parties aren’t your thing so I wasn’t sure when I texted you an invitation. But.....you came,” you breathed a sigh of happy relief.

“You asked me to.” He responded, unaware of how romantic that sounded to you or anybody with ears.

He is so oblivious to how gorgeous he is, you thought.

Aone turned to look at your best friend briefly.

“Happy Birthday, Katana. This is from the three of us.” Aone handed Katana a card that had a hefty gift card inside of it to her favourite makeup store (Y/N’s idea after Aone sweetly asked what he should get her).

A/N: AONE IS HUMAN GOALS - DON’T @ ME.

“Kenji you got me a gift??? That is SO SWEET!”

Futakuchi rolled his eyes. “It’s from the three—“

“Come inside with me and I’ll open it!” Katana grabbed the volleyball captain’s hand and pulled him into the swarm of people, towards the house.

Aone almost felt bad bringing his friend to his clingy ex’s party because he needed him there—until he looked back down at you smiling up at him—after which he couldn’t feel anything else but happy even if he wanted to. You made him so unbelievably happy.

“Oh and Um, Y/N, I know this isn’t your birthday, but this is for you.” Aone handed you a card as well.

You hesitated, confused.

Blushing, Aone explained quickly, really hoping that his fight to get you this wasn’t going to make you think he was creepy. “I just thought that.... if we gifted Katana a Fenty Beauty gift card, she’d best enjoy shopping with you—her best friend. So I-I got you a gift card, t-too.” He finished sheepishly.

Bursting inside with butterflies, you gave your date a finger curl again, which he now knew meant to lean down so that you could kiss his cheek. This time you pressed your lips to his cheek a little longer than the last time, and although it was a sweet gesture, Aone felt the blood begin to rush down to his nether region.

You pulled away just in time.

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you, Aone.” You whispered in his ear.

Aone flushed, standing back up to his height hurriedly.

“My pleasure.” He replied shakily.

And was it ever. Because of Aone’s long brewed feelings for you, even your two simple kisses on his cheek kept him awake at night, sometimes recalling the way your soft and perfect lips felt as he showered in the mornings gripping his cock.

He was so happy to be given a chance it was like his increasing hormones and already strong romantic feelings were fighting for dominance now that you were physically interacting with him, albeit minimally.

For the past few weeks you two have been taking your budding friendship/romance incredibly slow, Aone too afraid to push further than you were willing to go, and for you: that just being the speed you take. You two spoke in class, had some lunches together, Aone offered to carry your books and walk you to cheer practice.... things like that. You were just getting to know eachother and you’d even let him take you out on a romantic dinner date last weekend. You always took it really slow with boys until you felt that they were important enough, which is why your ex-baseball player got frustrated with you last year. But that wasn’t Aone. He believes that he would gladly accept just this if that’s what you wanted, though he desperately wanted more. He wanted to call you his.

To you, everything was going extremely well and you were beginning to kind of start looking forward to seeing him in the halls at school as 3rd year rolled around. You may have an itsy bitsy crush on the volleyball player....but you didn’t know for sure. The most you two had ever done was kiss him on the cheek twice, which Aone was MORE THAN HAPPY with.

“You look so handsome, by the way, green is your colour.”

Aone looked away then, snapping out of his day dream about your kisses on his cheek but unable to relax when you complimented him. He couldn’t believe you were giving him all this attention. You were so perfect and someone as perfect as you didn’t choose guys like him.

Well, you hadn’t chosen him yet, Takanobu reminded himself sadly.

“Thank you, Y/N. And you look.....um.....w-well.........” His eyes fell to your mouth-watering curves in that dress. You could tell he very much liked your appearance.

You laughed, deciding to tease him.

“I look...’um?’ That bad, Aone-san? What? Tell me.” You poked his stomach, not dismissing the fact that his stomach was actually rock hard muscle.

Fuck.

Aone shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts and pretend he hasn’t been crushing on you forever so he could speak clearly.

“No, not bad. Quite the contrary.” His face softened as he looked back at your face. “I’m trying to tell you in the most respectful way that you look......that you look like the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

On instinct, your face broke out into an ear splitting smile. Aone felt like he’d won the fucking lottery seeing you smile like that at him.

“Thank you, Takanobu! Care to enjoy the party with me?” You reached your hand out and the middle blocker just stared at it for a few seconds, still shook from your dazzling smile. Luckily, Kanji was still there so he pushed Aone inconspicuously from behind, allowing him to snap out of it and take your small hand in his large one.

Aone had to take a deep breath when you turned away to lead him into the crowd because the feeling of your hand in his made him feel utterly complete.

He was falling harder n faster than ever before.

And there were no brakes.

He just prayed you’d start falling, too, and soon.

———————————

taglist: @crushzone @galagcica @nairobiisqueen @chaichai-the-weeb

Part 7.5: CLICK HERE

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #648: Going Out (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)

11:33 a.m. at the Smash Mansion......

Dark Pit: (Makes his Way to the Door and Opens it) I'm heading out!

Pit: Wait. You are? We're about to play Mario Party in a few minutes.

Ren: Yeah. You love those.....that and causing Ryuji misery along the way.

Ryuji: (Glares at his Bro) Dude!

Ren: (Shrugged) Hey. It's the truth.

Ryuji: Yeah. But.....still!

Dark Pit: Trust me, as much as I would love to mess with Skull Boy and countless his losing streak....

Ryuji: (Rolled his Eyes in Annoyance) Glad to see you're still liking my suffering in the brand new year, DP......

Dark Pit: You bet your ass I do. But alas, I have to go somewhere. It won't take too long though.

Makoto: Alright. But be sure not go out for too long, okay? We have a long day ahead of us.

Dark Pit: Roger that, sis. (Walks Out the Door) Later.

'Door Closes'

Pit: Huh. I wonder where Pitto is going to in this early time.....

Futuba: (Shrugged) Probably going out for a walk or something.

Pit: Maybe......

11:54 a.m. Outside of the Big Bang Burger Building......

Dark Pit: (Standing Beside the Building While Checking the Time on his Phone) Where the hell are they? We agreed meet here around 11 and everything.....('Sigh') I guess maybe they really are busy after al-

????: PITTO-KINS!!!~

Before Dark Pit could react to anything, he immediately gets hug tackled by a energetic girl with a peach colored ponytail.

????: (Smiles Brightly While Hugging Dark Pit) It's sooooo great to see you again!~ Happy New Year's!~

Dark Pit: (Blushes While Sighing and Gently Pats on the Girl's Head) It's....good to see you too, Kyoko....

?????: D'awww~ Did our angel boi actually waited for us?~

Dark Pit: (Sees a Another Girl With Black Hair Making her Way to Him and Kyoko While Smirking) ('Tch') The hell do you think, Misako? You did told us to meet up here. And yet you're twenty minutes late.

Misako: Yeah, sorry about that. We were finishing our make-up. And by "we", I mean little miss pretty girl over there.

Kyoko: (Pouts at Misako) Hey! There is nothing wrong with getting yourself ready for a date. Speaking of which....(Turns to Dark Pit) How do I look, Pitto-Kins? Do I look okay?

Dark Pit: You look great, Kyoko. Don't worry about it.

Kyoko: (Blushes While Smiling Brightly) Awww~ Thank you!~ You really are a sweetheart~ (Gives Dark Pit a Kiss on the Cheek)

Misako: (Starts Smirking at her Boyfriend Again) Well, he did waited twenty minutes for us to get here. (Playfully Pulls on Dark Pit's Other Cheek) Goes to show that this Dark Angel here has a big heart after all~

Dark Pit: (Blushes Even More While Groaning ('Ugh') Whatever! Can we just go in and eat already?!

Misako: Lead the way, babe~

Inside the Big Bang Burger Building.....

Pit: (Sitting on his Side of the Table) So.... how's school going for you girls? Get into anymore fights lately?

Misako: (Raised an Eyebrow While Sitting on the Other Side of the Table with Kyoko) Bold of you ask of us that on our date, angel boi.

Dark Pit: Hey, you're the ones who got yourselves into them on a daily basis.

Kyoko: That is true.

Misako: (Glares at Kyoko) Seriously?

Kyoko: (Pouts at her Best Friend) Oh don't be like that, Misako! Name one time we HAVEN'T gotten ourselves in a fight.

Misako: I.....(Was About to Come Up With an Answer, But Ultimately Gives in When She Couldn't Think of Anything) ('Sighs in Defeat') Fair point. (Turns Back to Dark Pit) But even still, you don't need worry about something like that, DAD. We can take care of ourselves just fine in any fist fights, thank you very much.

Dark Pit: I know. You two kick a lot more asses than I can count. It's kinda impressive if you ask me.

Misako: (Smirks at Dark Pit Once) Admiring us already, babe?~ That's a shock~

Dark Pit: (Glares at Misako in a Bit of an Annoyed Manner) You just love to mess with me, don't you?

Misako: (Shrugged) Hey. It's not my fault you're too easy to tease~

Dark Pit: (Rolled his Eyes) Anyways, I was thinking.....You guys are interested in participate the Smash Tournament with me someday? I can try and talk Mario into letting you two join.

Misako: (Seems Unsure) Ehh.... I think we're gonna take a hard pass on that one.

Kyoko: (Frowns a Little) Yeah.....Most of the fighters there are wayyyy tougher than the any guys and gals we've faced so far. We wouldn't even stand a chance.

Dark Pit: I dunno. I think you girls might have a chance if winning a fight or two. You both are pretty strong after all.

Misako: You think so?

Dark Pit: Yeah. I mean, you were able to send a Yakuza's daughter flying from a literal building before. If you can do that, then I don't see you having any problems facing against anyone in Smash. Not even aganist me.

Misako: (Smiles a Little) You really have that much faith in us, huh?

Dark Pit: Of course I do. You two are my girlfriends. It's only natural for me to give you all the support that you need. (Starts Blushing a Little) Cause I love you guys like that, you know....

Kyoko: (Heart Begins to Melt in Happiness) Pitto-Kins.

Dark Pit: Yeah.

Kyoko: Can I hug you? Like, right now please?~

Dark Pit: Can't we just wait until we-

Kyoko: (Immediately Gives Dark Pit the Sad Puppy Dog Eggs While Wobbling her Lips Up and Down)

Dark Pit: ('Sighs in Defeat') Fiiiiine. Come here.

Kyoko: Eeee!~ (Excitedly Got Up From her side of the Table, Sit Next to her Boyfriend and Hugs Him Lovingly) Thank you for being a supportive boyfriend for us~ We really appreciate it a lot~ (Gives Dark Pit a Another Kiss on the Cheek) ('Mwaaah')

Dark Pit: (Blush Turns Bright Red) H-H-Hey! What with the kiss!?

Kyoko: (Giggles Softly) Sorry~ Your cheeks are practically kissable at this point. Plus, you never said that I can only hug, sooooooo.......

Dark Pit: ('Sigh') Shit. You're right.

Kyoko: Yep! Misako, you wanna join us?

Misako: (Shrugged) Eh. What the hell? (Got up from her Seat and Make her Way to her Girlfriend and Boyfriend) It has been a while since I made our dark angel boi's heart skip a beat.

Dark Pit: Do you have to kiss me right now?

Misako: (Place Two of her Hands on Dark Pit's Cheeks and Give him a Seductive Smirk) Yep. Now plucker up those lips~ (Gives Dark Pit a Kiss on the Lips) ('Mmwaaah')

Few Minutes Later in the Streets of Smash Town.....

Kyoko: (Sighs Relaxingly While Walking Next to her Girlfriend and Boyfriend) That was a good lunch date~

Dark Pit: Yeah. Not gonna lie, I actually had a great time today.

Misako: Same. (Smirks at Dark Pit) I especially had fun messing with you earlier~

Dark Pit: (Looks Away From Misako While Crossing his Arms) ('Tch') A kiss is a kiss. It wasn't that big of a deal....

Misako: Oh really? Then why were you lighting up like a Christmas tree when we walked out together?~

Dark Pit: (Starts Blushing Yet Again) N-No reason.....

Misako: (Chuckles Lightly) You're adorable, you know that?~

Dark Pit: Kyoko is the adorable one in this relationship. Not me!

Misako: Yeah. Keep telling yourself that, cutie.

Dark Pit: (Glares at Misako) What was that?

Kyoko: Now, now, children, there's no need for any of us to fight. We can a be cute together~

Misako: Yeah. No.

Dark Pit: Not happening, Kyoko.

Kyoko: (Turns Away from The Duo in a Pouty like Fashion) ('Hmph') Cowards.

Dark Pit: ('Sigh') As much as I would love see your cute, pouty face some more, I gotta get back to the mansion before my dork of a brother and the rest of the gang gets worried. Hope you understand.

Misako: Eh. Don't worry about it. (Smiles Softly) Being able to spent time with you at all today is good enough for me.

Kyoko: (Smiles Brightly) Me too!~ Thank you so much for letting us take you to lunch.

Dark Pit: I should be thanking you for having me. (Gives Both Misako and Kyoko Each a Kiss on Their Cheeks) Be safe out there. And try staying out of trouble for once, alright?

Misako: (Playfully Rolled her Eyes) Okay, dad, we'll try. You better text us back once you get home.

Dark Pit: Relax. I will.

Misako: I'll hold you to it. (Gives Dark Pit a Kiss on one Cheek)

Kyoko: (Gives Dark Pit a Kiss on the Other Cheek) We love you~

Dark Pit: Love you guys, too. Take care. Alright?

Misako: (Smiles Softly) Will do, chief. (Walks Away) Later.

Kyoko: (Walks Away with Misako While Happily Waving Goodbye to their Boyfriend) Have a nice rest of the day, Pitto-Kins!~

Dark Pit: (Waves Back at his Girlfriends Before Slowly Smiling Softly Once He Sees Them Walking Away in a Far Distance) (Huh. Funny. Who would've thought having two girlfriends would be pretty nice?)

@keyenuta

@princekirijo

@26shann

@albion-93

@ma-lemons

@ink-correctsmashbrosbloo

@italian-love-cake

@caleb13frede

[themadauthorshatter]

TOPPAT!CHARLES PART 6

HEY! HEY, YOU!

Don't scroll past this!

Why, you ask?

Simple.

TIME FOR TOPPAT!CHARLES PART 6!!!!!

Sorry if I scared you there, I'm just über excited for this one, I sincerely am, you have no idea!!! 

If you haven’t read the previous parts, you can find them RIGHT HERE: 

Part 1: 

Part 2: 

Part 3: 

Part 4: 

Part 5:

Previously on Toppat!Charles: Our pilot friend learned the hard way it's not a good idea to say 'no' to the Right Hand Man, and has accepted his offer. Meanwhile, Henry has been having nightmares of his different end selves disagreeing with his decision and chastising him for letting Charles get taken by Right.

HEADCANON/THEORY FOLLOWING OF THE CHAPTER: Watch this theory by Two Left Thumbs, and you'll know instantly. A hint, though, Ellie is dealing with this in her own way; she and Henry ARE connected in more ways than one😉: https://youtu.be/LjOCfKOqkic

Got that? FANTASTIC!!

LET'S DIVE RIGHT BACK IN!!!!

Henry walks down a hallway and toward a break room for breakfast; he, Ellie, and Charles do have an apartment, but the general wants them to stay until Charles is back home safely. 

It has been at least a few weeks since part 5, and that time, in addition to the nightmares, has taken its toll. Henry’s hair is messy, his clothes are wrinkled, and bags have formed under his eyes. 

As he reaches the doorway, someone is there to greet him. 

“Morning, Mr. Stickmin.” 

Bill Bullet sits at one of the tables, having just finished his own breakfast and is now fidgeting with his empty coffee cup. 

Henry takes a seat across from him and rests his head on his hand. 

“You doing alright? You look like Hell in a hand basket.” 

'Hard time sleeping,' Henry signs as he yawns.

"Well, don't go sleeping on me. We're moving today."

Henry looks up at him, now awake and alert.

"Some of my men saw movement from the orbital station on oir satellite. They might be paying Earth a visit."

Henry pulls a newspaper ad out of his pocket and uncrinkles it and shows it to Bullet, tapping on it.

It's an add for a museum exhibit in a neighboring city close to the one Henry robbed in StD, said exhibit being a sapphire, like a large sapphire, like the size of the diamond, ruby, and emerald. It's tempting for Henry to not steal the sapphire and slip back into old habits.

This is an excellent target for the clan.

'The Right Hand Man should be, too.'

Bullet smirks and nods. "I've got a team ready for you. We'll leave on your call."

TIME JUMP TO THE MUSEUM!!!!!

Henry and his team and Ellie enter the museum with little to no problem; Henry brought Ellie for emotional support and so he could show her the sapphire. (A small gift to her for everything she's done as his friend)

They have some close calls like Ellie almost getting seen by a guard, one of the CCC men almost shoots another guard "just in case," and another guard almost falls on yet another guard.

After that, they get to the sapphire exhibit and take out the guards in a way that doesn't get them (the guards) killed. After that, they all sit down and play the waiting game.

The CCC men do a sweep of the area and ready themselves at different parts of the exhibit, hiding in spots and ready to strike. Ellie and Henry take a seat near the sapphire itself, admiring it before focusing back on the mission.

Henry lets his mind wander, thinking about how once they save Charles, Henry will take his place in the CCC. It's the kind of thought that gives them a sick feeling, but all he can think is 'As long as Charles is safe, it'll be worth it.'

He remembers Terrence's words about how life is for living and bites his tongue.

I've seen families live together just fine with no riches, no crime, and no Toppat Clan. We really meant that little to you?

He gets a tap on his shoulder and looks over to see Ellie holding out a cup of coffee to him, a thermos, maybe two, next to her.

"I thought you could use some, since we're gonna be here for a while."

Henry shakes his head and tries to push it away. 'No thanks. I don't really like coffee. Gives me a headache.'

Ellie gives him a withering look. "When was the last time you got a good night's sleep?"

When Henry doesn't answer, Ellie smirks and holds out the coffee once more. "Yeah, thought so."

Henry rolls his eyes and takes the cup, signing with his free hand, 'Fine. When did you become my mother?'

"When you became a child," Ellie barks as she lightly bonks Henry on the head. "And when you came back from visiting your father." She leans back and puts the back of her free hand against her eyes, looking as dramatic as possible. "What they say is true: A boy really needs the love of a mother."

Henry scoffs and shakes his head with a smile before writing on her palm again with his finger. 'I already have a mother.'

Ellie sits straight, now intrigued. "You don't talk about them a lot. Your parents, I mean."

Henry raises an eyebrow and points to her as he nods, gesturing either, 'You don't, either' or 'Neither do you.' Same message, different phrasing.

It's Ellie's turn to shake her head. "They're not people I want to talk about. I doubt my dad would let me visit him, even in a situation like this."

Henry pauses from drinking his coffee.

"Your dad said life is for living. I can't say he's wrong for saying that." She turns her head to Henry, looking him in the eye even those he's staring off into outer space/zoning out. "It's just hard to live life when..." She looks away again, lowers her voice, just so the CCC men don't hear her, and clenches her fists on her knees. "When you can't stop living."

Henry nods as he goes for another sip of coffee.

Then he stops.

'It's hard to live life when you can't stop living.'

Those words make Henry slowly lower his cup and turn to Ellie, looking at her both incredulously and with fear.

"What?" He asks under his breath.

Before Ellie can answer, something is thrown into the exhibit and EXPLODES, filling the room with smoke and no one really getting too injured.

The CCC men fall one by one from being grabbed from behind and put into a sleeper hold, and the toaats responsible run over, mostly undetected because of the smoke.

Henry is seemingly tackled down by Ellie as the two hear glass breaking above them.

The sapphire's case is open.

Henry sees a toppat get close and shoots him in the shoulder, not enough to kill him but enough to get him running away.

"Good shot!" Ellie yells between coughs because the alarms been set off.

Henry points to his gun, then to his hand as he shakes his head with a "Mh-mm." 'I was aiming for his hand.'

The two go toe to toe with a pair of toppats like in the very beginning of this series, but something's different. When Henry kicks his opponent away, the toppat scurries away from the two. And Ellie's just runs when she's just started fighting.

"What's going on?"

Henry shrugs and then looks over at the sapphire.

You know that face and stance he does in Toppat King when the rocket takes off without him? Weeeeellll...

Henry's face drops completely as he holds the sides of his face, gasping loudly.

Ellie is equally flabbergasted, and a little annoyed at how well this plan actually worked in the toppat's favor.

A little too well, I'd say.

"What do we-"

Henry runs after the toppat Ellie was fighting before she can finish asking him.

The three race through multiple exhibits, the toppat throwing down trash bins and benches in order to slow them down.

Henry, however, has the power of friendship and adrenaline and keeps up with him evry step of the way.

"Stop!" He yells. "Where is he!?"

The toppat fumbles, but still continues running. Ellie picks up her pave unitl she's in front of Henry.

"Where's Charles!?"

The chase takes the two of them outside, Henry falls behind, where the toppat makes a sharp turn to the wall.

Ellie sees this a second too late as she is hit in the nose with a cybernetic hand, knocking her down, but not knocking her out, even when a cybernetic foot is put on her freshly healed rib.

"'Ello. It's been a while, 'asn't it?"

Ellie glares up at Right and tries to move his foot.

"Last time I saw you, you had to get carried in a stretcher."

"And you took our friend," Ellie sneers.

Right rolls his eyes; these kids do not play around, which he admires, but it does get annoying when he's in a playing mood.

"Charles. Our friend. What did you do with him?"

Right smirks and looks over his shoulder. "Looks like this one missed you, after all. You'll fit in perfect with the two of them now." Right moves his foot and approaches whoever he's talking to, and Ellie takes this opportunity to try to get the jump on him.

The toppat sees this INSTANTLY.

🤨... I don't know anout you guys, but I feel like I'm forgetting something here.🤔🤔

OH, YEAH!!!

Henry runs out just in time to see this toppat shoot Ellie in the hip.

If this was a movie, we would hear nothing, no music, no talking, just the sound of the gun firing and echoing as the bullet either gets lodged in Ellie's hip or goes THROUGH her hip, close to the joint of her leg. We would get a shot of Ellie's face, eyes wide, brows furrowed and widely arced, like those despair looking anime faces, and lips slightly parted as shock sets in. We would also get three more shots, one from her perspective as she sees the toppat lower his gun,one behind Ellie as she falls back, and the third being on the ground and slightly in front of her as Henry freezes where he is and watches her fall.

BUT HE DOESN'T STAY THIS WAY.

"You BASTARD!" Henry screams as he charges toward Right, who steps back and throws him into the toppat.

The sight of him not only snaps Henry out of his rage, it completely throughs him into a despaired shock.

He's lost a lot of weight in his captivity, and Henry can feel it through his suit and see it in his cheeks, jaw, neck, and eyes, which are blood shot, empty and glassy. His hair's grown longer to where it is past his shoulders and kept in a low ponytail, the rest held back by gel and his own top hat so it stays out of his face. He's gotten pale from his time in space and not being exposed to sunlight and vitamin D.

For a second, neither recognize each other, but Henry is the first to as his chest goes hollow.

"Charles!" He quickly embraces his friend, who is still quiet and nit exactly reacting, but the gears start turning in his head as he realizes who's talking to and hugging him.

Right watches ans his smirk widens as Henry let Charles go and turns to him, tears pouring down his cheeks and now angry as hell.

"What did you do to him!?"

Right looks back at Charles, prompting Henry to do the same.

"Henry?"

A smile grows on Henry's face as he helps his friend up.

"Charles, I'm so sorry! I should've-"

BANG!

Henry falls backward, but doesn't die. Instead, the ground melts away beneath him and he gasps as the bullet wound heals on his forehead. You know that feeling you get when you're falling asleep and feel like your mattress is floating on the ocean waves? Henry feels that until he's back looking up at Right.

This time, he looks at Charles to see Charles is literally about to shoot him, but he hits and throws it away before Charles flips him over and smashes his fist into Henry's face repeatedly until Henry throws him off and stands back up, Charles standing as well and glaring at him, absolutely livid.

"Why'd you do it?" Charles growls. "Why didn't you help me when I needed you!?"

The hollow feeling in Henry's chest worsens as Charles stares him down. Part is him is more than willing to break down into tears, but all the time watching the tapes Right showed him in Part 5 have made his body producing tears next to impossible.

Right only stands back and watches because, as you probably put together, THIS is plan. Not only to take a friend, Charles, away from Henry, but to have said friend destroy him.

"I'm sor-"

Before Henry can finish, Charles punches him again.

"TELL ME!" His voice is a little broken, but he keeps yelling out of frustration and sheer anger because, yes, while Henry sent the destroyers and the government to help Charles, he didn't stop Right in the jungle during the mission. "WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP THEM!? WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP ME!? YOU JUST STOOD THERE AND LET ME GET TAKEN AWAY!"

Henry doesn't have the fight in him to stop Charles from yelling at him or punching him. He doesn't even have it in him to look Charles in the eye.

And that bothers Charles immensely.

"Why won't you say anything?" Charles asks. "No matter what, you've always stayed quiet."

When Henry still remains silent, Charles swings a punch into his face hard enough to make Henry fall down.

"SAY SOMETHING!"

Henry holds up his hands, revealing how much he's been crying and how hard Charles has been hitting him; Henry's nose is broken, one of his eyes his swollen shut, his lips are split, and a tooth is loose.

Physically unable to speak, Henry signs to Charles instead, 'I'm sorry.'

Charels quickly kneels down and snatches Henry's hand.

"I want to hear you say it."

Henry tries forcing those words out, but his throat tightens up and leaves him unable to speak. He tries again and his crying becomes worse as he shakes his head.

"SAY IT!" Charles screams.

Henry breaks down as he shakes his head again, signing and gesturing as much as he can.

Charles rises to his feet, his eyes going glassy and his face expressionless. "I figured as much." He kicks Henry in the mouth and turns to Right. "We're done here. Send a message back to the station. We got the sapphire."

Right nods as his smirk becomes a smile. "Yes, sir."

Henry stands up on shaky legs and stiltedly walks towards his friend.

"Ch-Charles."

Charles shuts his eyes and heaves a breath through his nose, his top hat in his hands.

"Charles, w-wait-"

Charles wheels around as he watches Henry stumble toward him.

"I... I-"

"Don't bother."

Charles holds the hand gun Henry made him drop and aims it at Henry.

"I've heard enough."

When Charles shoots, Henry does not feel the bullet when it is lodged into his waist.

Henry is standing long enough to see Right, Charles, and any remaining toppats be beamed up to the orbital station with the sapphire.

The glare from Charles stays in Henry's mind as he falls, eyes locked on the night sky as Charles's words replay over and over in his mind.

Ellie groans as she crawls over to Henry and falls on her good side, where Charles didn't shoot her.

"We tried," she says as she breathes shakily and hold his shoulder, more his shirt, but I digress. "We tried."

The CCC guards do eventually wake up and get Ellie and Henry back to the government base. Both get immediate medical attention, which leads to Henry getting surgery to get the bullet out and seeing Ellie suddenly begin to panic and shout repeatedly, "I can't feel my leg!"

TIME JUMP TO AFTER HIS SURGERY!

Henry wakes up in his own room and finds that Galeforce is sitting in a chair, hunched forward, fists shaking, and his hat off.

"General?"

Galeforce puts his hat back on and sits straight. His eyes are red rimmed and have bags underneath them now. "Morning, Henry. How're you feeling?"

Henry holds his hand out and sort of tilts it on a way to say, 'Fine.'

Galeforce forces a smile and sighs.

"Ellie's still in the infirmary. That shot form-" He gulps and coughs a little bit. "-From the toppat... did a number on her leg. She won't be on the field for a long time."

Henry sits up, even when his body aches, and picks up a pen and notepad on his bedside table.

'They got the sapphire.'

Galeforce nods. "I know."

Henry shakes as he writes on the notepad again before dropping both and resting his forehead on his knees while loosely hugging his knees. Galeforce hangs his head and lets Henry cry; he doesn't really have much to say anyway.

'Charles,' the notepad reads.

HOLY SHIT DID THIS ONE TAKE FOREVER!!!!!

But that is a really good thing😁!

I hope you all enjoyed this one because I certainly did!!

I'm probably going to take a break from this for a little bit because of how much of an emotional roller coaster this is, and so I don't get burn out. I will come back to this because I love this series, I guess you can say I'm letting my cake cool down before adding the frosting or letting the pot sit so it make good caramel or fudge.

Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much for following this series. I appreciate each and every one of you so much!

I hope you all stay safe this season, thank you again for reading and following, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

[pianoperson]

Revised Cradlesona Character Sheet

Because I got more ideas for my Cradlesona so :’)

Also I made a new artwork!! (I was trying to shade but it looked too ugly sooooooo)

And here’s the updated character sheet!! (Also posting it now because I’m writing for the school event ongoing)

CRADLESONA CHARACTER SHEET

Basic Info:

Name: Angel Burnham

Nickname: None; call her Angel

Birthday: December 12

Age: 22

Height: 150cm

Blood Type: O+

Physical:

Eyes: Her right eye is a natural dark brown color. Her left eye, however, is a mix of colors that resemble a galaxy. It used to be the same brown color as her right eye until she first performed magic. When using magic, both her eyes take on the galaxy colors. Nobody knows why this is the case, although Angel has a feeling it’s because of her heritage.

Hair: Dark brown hair; in some angles, it looks black, while in others, it looks brown

Accessories: Two rosary bracelets on her left wrists and a St. Benedict’s ring on her left middle finger

Features: Other than her left eye, nothing too significant

Illnesses: Aside from allergies to most seafood except fish, none

Social:

Affiliation: Neutral initially, Red Army after two months

Occupations: Originally worked as a waitress in a cafe, but days after she discovered her magic, she was recruited by the Red Army to help them in the war

Relationships:

Blanc and Oliver: These two were the first people Angel met when she first arrived in Cradle. Blanc had been nothing but kind to her while Oliver was more merciless with his words; nevertheless, Angel was able to get along with both of them. Blanc had even given her a tour around Cradle. Angel stayed in their home for a few days until she requested to stay in another place. Blanc and Oliver also helped her find a job.

Fenrir: Fenrir and Angel became immediate friends when he stopped by Blanc’s house. He even gave her a food tour around Cradle. Fenrir found out her new home when he visited the cafe she worked in and since then, he has made occasional visits. He was there for Angel after she learned about her magic and also helped her move out of her apartment after she was recruited by the Red Army.

Lancelot: Angel found him intimidating. She even disliked him for not allowing her to go out of Red Army HQ on her own. However, after finding out about what he had to go through to keep Cradle (and her) safe, she realized he is actually kind.

Jonah: Angel found him very attractive the moment she first saw him during her tour around Cradle. She saw him eating mille-fueille while having a lunch break in another cafe and found it really endearing. When she was made to serve the Red Army, Jonah was assigned to be her (main) bodyguard. They grew closer because of it.

Edgar: Angel found him sketchy, despite his kindness to her. Much to her annoyance, Edgar teases her about her crush on Jonah. However, when he teases Jonah, she either enjoys the show or joins Edgar. Sometimes, if Jonah is really busy, Edgar takes the role of bodyguard.

Kyle: Angel likes his chill personality, especially since she grew up in a lax environment. Kyle has brought her out to the bar he goes to twice. The first time went off without a hitch. The second time, however…

Zero: Because of his quiet nature, Angel doesn’t know him that well. They do talk about their annoyance towards Edgar. If Jonah and Edgar aren’t available, Zero is her third bodyguard.

Personality:

Angel has Filipino and Cradle blood. She was born and raised in 21st century Philippines, having a pretty decent life with a loving family, enough sustenance, and (as decent as it can get) WiFi. Although her elementary and high school taught her, Angel isn’t particular about manners. She can act properly if necessary, but she prefers to let loose and be chill.

When you first meet her, you might be intimidated by her serious expression. However, once you try to talk to her in a friendly way, you actually see she’s really friendly and great to talk to. She’s particularly energetic if you talk about similar interests, such as Pokemon, TwoSetViolin, etc. (sadly no one in Cradle knows about those things). While Angel likes to chat, she is an introvert and can get tired easily during hangouts.

Angel is generally a relaxed person. She would rather go with the flow than organize things because for her, things become messier if she does plan it. She acts chill around people, never trying to get mad at anyone because for her, it makes it much easier in the long run. This is also because Angel hates conflict and problems and would rather stay away if she can.

However, in unfamiliar settings, Angel gets very tense. If she is made a leader, she gets easily nervous and can break down. She wishes that she was more confident, however, so she can be someone people can look up to. In very familiar areas, however, she has more confidence, to the point she can seem arrogant.

Because of her relaxed nature, Angel tends to laze around and not finish whatever projects she herself started on unless there are more people involved in it. This also causes her to not have many passions for things. However, she has two things she really likes: astronomy and music. Stars always make her feel better and she gets excited over space. As for music, she is a pianist and a flutist. Music is the one thing where she feels confident and very much like her ideal self. After discovering magic, however, she had a rocky relationship with it for a while. Angel also likes maths, writing, and drawing, partly because it makes her feel smart but mostly because she likes doing it. She tends to get lazy with those three, however.

Angel is also an honest person, never one to tell a lie. She can also be blunt, especially when the situation calls for it. She is also a very loyal friend, not wanting to turn her back and hurt them.

Deep down, she hates herself to the point where every time she’s asked what positive quality she thinks she has, she wouldn’t be able to give a response. She wants to be good enough for people to even want and appreciate her but feels like she isn’t. Sometimes, she feels like telling someone but she fears she’ll burden them.

Because of this low self-esteem, she attempts to raise it up by counting her blessings every day. Occasionally, this causes her to be arrogant in a way, but she really doesn’t intend for it to be that way. This awareness of her arrogance tends to attack her ego, bringing her self-esteem back down.

Family and History:

Angel is actually from the 21st century who recently graduated from college with a degree in music. While walking back to a condo her family owns, Blanc bumps into her and drops his pocket watch, which she picked up. The rest is history. 

Angel’s family is actually a mix of two worlds. Her mother was a Cradle citizen, born into a family of magic users, while her father was from the Land of Reason. Her mother, dared by her friends, entered the Garden on the full moon via teleportation and accidentally ended up being transported to 21st century Earth, where she met Angel’s father and fell in love. They hid this from Angel and her other siblings and she only found out during a chance encounter with her mother’s parents. Because of the magic and resistance to it being passed down, she inherited both abilities, which are most powerful in music.

Skills and Special Abilities:

Magic: Angel can cast magic like typical magic users. When she uses magic normally, it’s far from the power of magic users such as Lancelot and Harr. However, when she plays piano or flute, her magic becomes much stronger, possibly stronger than the aforementioned two. Using it, however, can cause fatigue, fever, and even fainting.

Magic Resistance: Due to her roots in the Land of Reason, she also has the ability to nullify magic, making her one of the most powerful people in Cradle– and a target. Strangely, when she makes TwoSetViolin references, her magic nullification ability is more powerful. (It was how she even found out about her magic resistance. She remarked “iNtErEsTiNg” once and the nearby lights went off. The crystals in the light bulbs were newly installed.)

Pianist: She has a decade and a half worth of experience.

Flutist: While not as experienced with the flute (only having played it for around 5 years), she can still play it.

Writing: She writes in her spare time.

Drawing: She’s less confident in her drawings and would rather not show them to anyone. She does draw in her spare time. 

Paired with: Jonah

Life in Cradle:

Angel just recently graduated from college when she first encountered Blanc, who bumped into her. Blanc seemed very antsy and, after apologizing to her, ran off. He dropped his pocket watch, however. The same thing that happened to Alice the Second occurred, except Blanc actually was nearby when Angel was falling to 19th century Cradle.

The portal closed immediately after Blanc caught Angel, so she was trapped in the unknown world.

On the first days staying in Cradle, Angel was nervous, even with Blanc and Oliver helping her. Often, she was reminded of how tense she was.

During one of the days Blanc showed her around, Angel saw a troop of Red Army soldiers, being led by Jonah. Angel found him attractive and kept glancing at him. 

Eventually, Angel asked Blanc if she can get a job and her own living space, since she didn’t want to burden him. Blanc helped her find a job as a waitress in a cafe and got her an apartment to stay in.

She found out about her magic nullification abilities when she moved in to her apartment.

For two months, she carried a rather mundane life as a worker in a cafe. There was a day when, during break, she ate in another cafe at the same time as Jonah (and found him cute as he ate his mille-fueille).

A few days after the news of the former King of Hearts being assassinated was announced, Angel was eating out with some friends from work. The restaurant had a piano, so she decided to play Sonata Pathetique mvm. 3. Midway through the piece, she heard screams and shouts of pain. That was when she found out that she was unleashing magical attacks through her playing and started to panic when she realized her hands were moving on their own. That was when an explosion occurred.

She was brought to Kyle thanks to Oliver. She was the only one who survived the fiasco, which was dubbed the Night When Death Sang. She also found out her left eye changed color.

Because of the fiasco, she was fired from her job. 

She encounters her Cradle family by chance near the fountain in Central Quarter. They bring her to her house and decide to teach her how to control her magic.

A week later, Red Army declared war on the Black Army. The next day, they faced off. Angel was nearby when it happened and was praying in her head for nothing bad to happen. That was when she accidentally repelled Lancelot’s magic, confusing everyone. It was enough for Blanc and Oliver to arrive and stop the conflict.

Two days after the face-off, Edgar finds Angel in her apartment, taking her to the Red Army HQ. There, Angel is made to serve the Red Army by using her magical abilities against the Black Army.

Because of what she did at the restaurant, however, Lancelot orders his officers to be Angel’s bodyguards whenever she goes out. Jonah is her main bodyguard. 

[becauseifuckingcan]

“Oh please. Call me V.”

Okaaayyy @rosie-winchester you asked for it and I’m fucking sorry in advanced.

Weeeeeeeelllllll not really cause you kinda asked for it but here it goes. This was kinda the beginning to a series that I started writing a while ago and I just got a weird inspiration to finish the chapter or one shot or whatever you wanna call it. This is totally not my idea cause I most definatly got it from someone else but I don’t remember where sooooooo fuck. Whelp anyway. Story idea. Not mine.

Warning: mentions of abuse also. Cursing. It’s me. I fucking curse a lot.

My small, bare-feet carried me quickly over to her. The cold wind whipped my hair around, making it knottier then before. I didn't care. I am on a mission. And she was so close yet so far. She was walking like she had a purpose. Like she was going somewhere and she knew exactly where to go. But that's how she always walked, never doubting herself. I should know. It took me a while to find her.

I weaved myself between the legs of all the people who were making there daily commute to work. But not once did my eyes leave her. I sped up my pace as she started turning a corner into an ally. "I'm gonna regret this so much." I whispered to myself before running after her into the ally. A let out a scream when she grabbed me from behind before she covered my mouth with her hand. 

"Who are you? Why are you following me?" my whole body was shaking with fear. I tried to respond but because her hand was over my mouth it came out muffled. "If I take my hand off your mouth. Promise me you won't scream." I nodded my head and tried to say 'I promise'. She slowly took her hand away from my mouth and keeping true to her promise I kept quiet. "Well?" she questioned, willing me to speak. 

"Please." I begged. "I need your help." she let go of me and turned me around to face her. She crouched down to my level and put both of her hands on my shoulder. 

"Listen kid. I don't think you know who I am but you most defiantly don't need my help."

"No please." I begged, tears welling in my eyes as she started to stand up to leave. "You don't understand! I know exactly who you are and what you do. You are Vivianne Walker and you are an assassin for hire." hot tears were falling freely down my face because she was walking away. My one chance to change my life for the better. She stopped in her tracks when she heard that. She slowly turned around and crouched back down to my level. 

"How do you know that?" she asked me softly, wiping away my tears

"I have been following you and trying to find you for a while. Two months maybe. But everyday you do something different and I don't know where you stay. But now I don't need to because here you are. And you are my only chance to be free. I know you are payed way more but I only have a twenty that took me forever to get and save up. But I need you to kill my dad. Please! I begging-"

"Ace!" his loud voice boomed through the alleyway. "What the hell do you think you are doing here?" he yelled as I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes. He grabbed me by the arm, the bruises from last night hurting when he threw me into him. "I'm sorry if my bitch of a daughter bothered you. She escap- uh, went out without telling me this morning and here she is." the alcohol from his breath burning my nostrils. I silently pleaded to Ms. Walker to save me. 

"No, no, sir. She actually was gonna join me for breakfast and then we were gonna drop by her house and grab all her belongings and take her to her new home." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in.

"Yeah. And what's in it for me?" he questioned 

"Well your 'bitch of a daughter' wouldn't be your problem anymore."

"Yeah. And?"

"And how about this,"  she started as she pulled out her wallet from her jacket pocket and pulled out a hundred dollar bill and handed it to him. "to consolidate your loss." she finished  

"Alright." he let go of my arm and my hand quickly went to rub it hoping the pain would lessen. "Bye Ace." he raised his hand to slap me and I braced my myself for a slap that never came. 

"Seeing as she is not yours anymore you have no right to lay a finger on her. You do that and I swear to fucking god I will end your life." when she said that I opened my eyes and she was standing over me holding my step dads wrist above her head. He looked like he was in pain and I was glad. "Now when I let go you are gonna turn around a run off to where you came from. K? K." her voice was strong and no words would be able to describe how thankful I am. 

She let go and he ran off and I immediately fell down to the ground sobbing. I felt arms try and wrap around me but I scrambled away before she could.

“Darling? What's the matter?"

"Nothing," I said between sobs, "It's just that you saved me and I will never be able to repay you." 

"Don't worry about it. You will be repaying me without even realizing it." I wiped away the tears and stood up. I watched as she crouched down so we were the same height and she opened her arms and nodded. I did nothing yet she smiled at me.

She stood back up and held her hand out. “How about we go get breakfast?" I looked up at her confused.

"Like, in a restaurant?" 

"Yeah." she chuckled, "Their's this great little diner just down the street. Best pancakes ever." I nodded my head in agreement and smiled as I took her hand. We set forth out of the alley and sooner or later started skipping and laughing at silly faces we were making.

It didn't take long to get to the diner, and there weren't very many people in the diner either. A waitress came up to us and seated us right away and went off before quickly saying "Someone will be right with you to take your order."

Everything was so amazing. The light chattering of everyone in the diner. The clattering of all of the dishes that are being cleaned up from people who have just left. "So, Ace." Ms. Walker said drawing my attention away from everything that was going on in the diner and onto her. 

"Ms. Walker." I said back and she chuckled.

"Oh please, call me V."

"Okay, V." I said, "Wait. How do you know my name?"

"Well, when your step father came yelling in the alley he yelled Ace. And I pieced two and two together." she trailed off and I nodded. We sat in silence while we both looked at the menu. "Like I said. Best pancakes in town." I looked up at V and she was giving me a warm smile. I smiled back and directed my eyes from the sandwich section to the pancakes. My eyes immediately settled on the fresh blueberry pancakes. 

I closed my menu and V took it out of my hands and placed it on hers. "So what did you chose?"

"The fresh blueberry pancakes."

"Good choice. So did I." she smiled at me and I smiled back. I sat there. Looking at her, smiling.

 "Hi. I'm Vanessa. I'll be taking care of you for this morning. Can I start you both with something to drink?" V gave the waitress a warm smile and I followed her eyes so that I was looking at the waitress too. 

"We're ready to order too."

"Okay great. What can I get you." she pointed to me and I froze, all feelings of happiness going away and fear creeping  up my back. 

"She will have a small orange juice and the short stack of blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon. And I'll have the same thing except a large orange juice and regular pancakes."

"Alright, your food will be right up." I heard her say but I didn't watch her. When I froze up I immediately looked in my lap and rubbed my hands together.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hm.” I hummed without looking up

“Ace.” V said this with authority making me shoot up straight

“Yes ma’am?” I answered quickly looking her in the eye.

“It’s ok. You can relax.” V softly spoke. I tried to breathe and relax as she said. “Ace,” she said again, “Whats wrong?”.

“He never let me speak. Only to him and only when spoken to. Not even if his friends or clients told me to I wasn’t allowed.” I watched as V’s expression from concerned to angry. “I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t of told you that. You didn’t need to know that.” I started to ramble off anything and everything before softly trailing off with another “I shouldn’t have told you that.”

“Don’t ever be afraid to tell me something you hear me? Nothing at all. Your my kid now Ace. And things are gonna change for the better. No more clients. No more him ok?” V said this with a strong yet soft tone that made me feel like everything was gonna be ok.

“Alrighty! I’m sorry for the wait. Here is your guys’ food! I hope you enjoy. If there are any problems at all just give me a holler and I’ll be right over!”

“Okay, thank you.” V said before looking at me and giving me a nod of reassurance. “Alright. Let’s dig in cause I’m starving.”

[gothambatsnews]

Podcast 6: Feeling Good During Fall and Winter

[“Spoiler Alert Podcast” theme song plays. There are two feminine voices in the background. The conversation fades, there are three taps on the mic.] [Stephanie:] “Hello Gotham High School and welcome to Spoiler Alert! I’m your host Stephanie Brown, and today, unfortunately, I won’t be joined by my usual co-host Dick Grayson, he’s actually too busy. Buuuut I am joined by the one and only CASSANDRA CAIN! Say hi, Cass”

[Cassandra:] “Hello, Cass.”

[Stephanie:] “Funny. So as you probably know, there’s a veeeery big game coming and our boys are training a lot these days. Thankfully I’m able to use a few minutes here to present you our podcast, but it’s quite wild for the cheerleaders too, as you may assume.”

[Cassandra:] “They’re going to Central City. Playing against the Cougars, next week. Saturday.”

[Stephanie:] “Right. That means for today, it’s a girls only show. I mean, for the hosts. Anyone can benefit the advice in this one, don’t get me wrong.”

[Cassandra:] “Everyone can feel down and suffer from lack of light and warmth in Fall and Winter. Meaning you are welcome to stay, no matter your identity.”

[Stephanie:] “Exactly. As you can suspect it, today’s topic is about Self Love and how to feel better during these dark times. Even if summer’s over, along with its refreshing watermelons, autumn’s got its own little perks. [Cassandra:] “Like Pumpkin Spice Latte.”

[Stephanie:] “Yep. Looking at you, Jason.”

[Cassandra:] “Sound of the rain? When the leaves go crack under our boots? Boots, actually.”

[Stephanie:] “Mmm.. the leaves yes. Boots shopping?”

[Cassandra:] “Just wearing boots, too. Spending time with friends. In the mall? It’s nice and warm.”

[Stephanie:] “Just staying inside where it’s cozy actually.”

[Cassandra:] “With a nice cup of tea?”

[Stephanie:] “Yes, and cocoa if tea isn’t what you like. There’s plenty of good things in Fall and Winter. Not to mention the snow and the unspeakable joy of throwing snowballs straight into people’s faces. But what to do when you’re feeling low nonetheless? Let’s get down to business an-”

[Cassandra:] [In song.] “... To de-feat the Cou-gars?”

[Stephanie:] [Chuckling] “You had to quote Disney, huh? But no, to get into the heart of the matter!”

[Cassandra:] [Sounds like she’s smiling.] “Today we picked four main things that won’t cost too much. Most of us are students and can be hard to follow advice when it’s too expensive.”

[Stephanie:] “Yeah, not everyone is a Wayne, sadly. But the first point may or may not involve getting some supplies, but usually you can manage without buying anything.”

[Cassandra:] “Yes! Art therapy is very popular. Creating is good for our mood. Grab a pen, some pencils, colors, yarn, whatever you have or want, and do something creative. Paint, draw, doodle, just have fun. It doesn’t have to be nice or good looking, you just have to have fun!”

[Stephanie:] “Actually, pretty sure that cooking can be included in that point. Except if your name is Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Damian Wayne or Tim Drake, in which case it’s just living dangerously.”

[Cassandra:] “Calling them out, Steph? They’ll get revenge. You and I know that.”

[Stephanie:] “They can bring it on, this is a free podcast! FREEDOM OF SPEECH!”

[Cassandra:] [Really laughing this time] “Heheh. That only protects your speech, not from the boys.”

[Stephanie:] “I’ll face the problem when I get to it.”

[Cassandra:] [Snorts] “But yes, cooking, especially since it’ll be good for you to eat a balanced meal.”

[Stephanie:] “Don’t just throw a snack in the microwave, or cereals in a bowl. Don’t be a Dick! Make something. Start small. Maybe a smoothie or something, if you’re uncomfortable with the stove and oven. But make it yourself. It’s less expensive, usually healthier, and way better in the long run.”

[Cassandra:] “And fulfilling!”

[Stephanie:] “And once you master the basics you can begin to improvise. Add stuff, cook with new ingredients,... Make heart-shaped waffles…” [happy sighs] “I just want to wake up some day to a tray of heart waffles covered in chocolate, maybe a rose next to the plate. Romance tip, get your significant other heart waffles.”

[Cassandra:] [With a very neutral tone] “Someday, maybe, who knows?”

[Stephanie:] “Ah, but I got distracted, my bad, my bad. Where were we….” [Shuffling paper noise] “Ah right, here. Planting something.”

[Cassandra:] “Taking care of a plant is very relaxing. Don’t know why? It helps to have a tiny bit of nature inside. Especially in Gotham. And you can grow herbs to cook. Bonus points.”

[Stephanie:] “Ok I’ll be honest, I’m terrible with plants, BUT I got a workaround.”

[Cassandra:] “You do?”

[Stephanie:] “Fake flowers. Expensive ones though, not the cheap plastic ones. I got a few ones, mostly made out of fabric, and I switch between the different sets to maintain the illusion it’s fresh flowers. If you don’t look too closely, it’s alright.”

[Cassandra:] “So the parsley I got you…?”

[Stephanie:] “The one you named Peanut? Dead, sorry. So so sorry, I didn’t want to tell you!”

[Cassandra:] “Next time I’ll just get you a scarf like everyone else.”

[Stephanie:] “PLEASE NO!!” [Silence] “I mean… I already got 12 scarves thanks to Dick and Tim and Babs and other friends, I don’t even wear a scarf most of the time.”

[Cassandra:] “Fine. Mittens it’ll be then. Which leads us to the next point, go outside. Get fresh air.”

[Stephanie:] “Get ready to go outside, too. Don’t just make two steps outside with dumb sweatpants and a lazy bun, get ready! Always get out of the house like you’d like a potential date to see you for the first time. Not all out, but pretty enough and comfortable. Put on some makeup too. Nothing much, but if you’re feeling low, there’s nothing compared to putting on some lipstick to see it bring the life back to your face.”

[Cassandra:] “I thought that was the blush powder’s job.”

[Stephanie:] “Or the blush powder, yeah. Any of those. Also for our male listeners, never underestimate the power of a good concealer. Don’t be shy and get some. It’ll cover for all your long nights spent studying. Or anything else, really.”

[Cassandra:] “I thought the makeup topic was for another week?”

[Stephanie:] “It’s never too early for concealer, Cass. Just make sure you got the right tone. Erm… Oh, right. If you don’t know what to put as clothes to get out, stick to the basics.”

[Cassandra:] “Black?? But we said..”

[Stephanie:] “No no, I know what we said, get some colors. Sooooooo… WEAR THE RED AND GOLD!!! GO BATS GO!!”

[Cassandra:] “But at this time of the year be prepared to be mistaken with a Gryffindor student.”

[Stephanie:] “What’s wrong with that?”

[Cassandra:] “Some of us prefer the other houses. Not me, obviously, but you maybe. Or the boys. Especially Damian. He really enjoys being sorted in Slytherin.”

[Stephanie:] “Ok I’ll give you that. But you got to admit that at least it’s easy to get decent clothes, you just have to gather your Gotham High School merch- Oh god, wait.”

[Cassandra:] “What?”

[Stephanie:] “We’re talking about Harry Potter and Tim isn’t ev-”

[A phone dings. There’s some noise as Steph fishes for it]

[Stephanie:] "Oh god, it's Tim." [Cassandra:] "What did he say?" [Stephanie:] "'Tell them about my Dumbledore theory.' No, I'm not gonna. Goodbye Timothy."

[Sound of her phone being placed down.] [Cassandra:]"But you know he'll try to-" [A phone dings] "Text me." [Stephanie:] "Don't do what he says!" [Cassandra:] "He's threatening. He'll come here to crash your podcast."

[Stephanie:] “Please no. Tim if you hear us, don’t. Seriously don’t.”

[Cassandra:] “He’s probably already practically here or something, Stephanie.”

[Stephanie:] “Ok let’s finish this before he comes then. The last thing you probably heard it a thousand of times, but just turn off your phone and computer, and take a bit of time to just breathe.”

[Cassandra:] “Meditation. It’s called meditation. It helps lower the heart rate, and to put things in perspective. Makes people happier too.” [Stephanie:] “It doesn’t have to be hours long, just one or two minutes are already enough. We’ll… Talk about it in depth in another podc-

[Sound of a door being slammed open. A scream on Steph’s side] 

[Tim:] "LET ME TELL THEM ABOUT MY THEORY STEPH, COME ON!"

[Cassandra:] “NO! TIM GO!”

[Stephanie:] “And that’s a topic for another tiMELOVEANDSPARKLES!!”

[End of Episode 6]

[hahahafangirl]

To My Muse - Ch. 5

Ch.1 - Ch.2 - Ch.3 - Ch.4 To my AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/15078014/chapters/34958786

Summary: At this point, all Nico di Angelo wants to do is to finish the draft of his final book. Also at this point, all Will Solace wants to do is works through the summer to stay alive. Perhaps there are many things else that they also need, but they aren’t aware of them, yet. Okay, maybe they just need to do it step-by-step, and thus that first step is at The Flying Ship. ————————————————————

5. Seven Steps Toward Summer

It was Wednesday. Good ole ordinary Wednesday, who endearingly visits every week only to leave in the span of twenty-four hours; just as an old friend that seemed to be ageless in that her existence is unforgettable. Perhaps, it was because her visit is periodical and frequent, that the same sanguine signal followed her voyage: the next day was his "weekend". He loves his work schedule in that his holidays are two days before other most of others'; especially in that the aspect that everywhere he visits are usually void of the crowd - as everyone else is hard at work, he gets his meritorious break. Coffee shops are sprinkled with scarcely a crowd, the pastries at the bakery are more punctiliously made, the silent air of the library circulates more gently. Yet, best of all, he could use the excuse "But it's not the weekend!" to stay inside and "be productive", as he preferred to describe the seemingly dull and insipid activity of working on his school works.

All right, so perhaps he only loved Wednesday because technically it was equivalent to normal people's Friday, but what difference would it make? Why couldn't he still rightfully wax poetry about his favorite day of the week?

Still, to be fair, the last time he dares to portray his day as ordinary or habitual, an utterly momentous event happen: an unreservedly charming man stepped through The Flying Ship's door, eyes fixated at his face. Will Solace might or might not felt ardor blossomed within his ludicrously earnest heartbeat. The other guy - Will reminded himself not to get ahead of himself - might or might not reciprocate such ardent desire. Nonetheless, they befriended; the guy even recognized Will's favorite band! The idea seemed absurd in the past - like a fantasy that kept replaying in his head instead of jumping out and transform into reality. And now, it finally came true. Not just the "recognizing his favorite music" part - the entire ordeal seemed fantastically dreamlike.

Nonetheless, he loves the normalcy of life - the unremitting beat of motion and activity, the perpetual cycle of monochromatic daylight and kaleidoscopic bulbs enlightens the city, the perennial tidal masquerade of the waves - that were law-abiding and sober, yet its heart was sculpted by enchantment, the sleeves still the fabric of charm. Its tricks are just illusions cloaked under its velvety pretense mayhaps, yet what is life but conundrums and secrets? In the regularity of life, the magic is kept to the minimum and logic dominated, most of the time, though, with his mind deluded by its steady, conciliating rhythm, Will won't recognize any hidden variables installed in place. Just as this instance, was it logical or was it magical that Kayla and Austin called him, together, urgently, in the middle of his shift? Especially if he weighted in numerous, countless elements involved

"No, Kayla. As I emphasized, again and again," Will huffed, his eyes comically widen and his eyebrows raised in desperate exasperation - the emphasis on the word "emphasized" weighted like an annoyed grunt "We're not dating. We're friends."

"Good grief, William," Will could practically hear the noise of Austin's eyes rolling in its socket; the boy has made an irksome habit of calling him every possible name that could be shortened into "Will" - except for his actual name, of course, just for the sake of ticking off the older brother; "Sure, just a friend, you know, who came to the shop every single day since the day he practically eat you up by his eyes, that blushes and dumbfoundedly stare everytime you pull up your sunshine smile, and..." Nothing good would ever come out, every time Austin did such dramatic pause "... a friend sooooooo important that you couldn't help talking about him with Drew every single day."

Will could hear Kayla whistling from another end, but perhaps Will's choking noise was even louder - yet neither of those actually helped to amplify the situation, honestly, for the rosiness in Will's cheeks had already gone blood-red five minutes ago, since the first mention of Nico. His gauche "That's not how it is..." barely came out as a suffocated whisper.

"Oh, Will. Oh, Will," Kayla had snatched the phone from Austin's hand, it seemed, her voice theatrically deriding "Finally, don't you see, Austin," she turned to the "sport-announcer" voice now "Our most gracious, devoting, work-a-holic single-mom had found the love of his life now, in his workplace. A coffee shop, you say? What kind of romantic K-drama is this? How much shoujo manga material is loaded into this love-life?-"

"Sickeningly cliché is it, my dudess, yet so heartwarming," Austin added in his two cents in the background

"An overworked mother found her hope in love again after seeing a handsome man in black? Oh goodness, I understood why Drew was so hyped-"

"Now, pause for a second, would you-" Will pleaded

"You know what she said, Wilfred?" Austin's enthusiastic voice came on crystal clear, from either extreme shouting or regained control of the phone, "'Oh my gawd, haven't you children heard? Will was absolutely smitten, I'm telling you. That unromantic boy finally sounded like he is capable of scoring himself a boyfriend.'" It, apparently, didn't matter that Drew was one of his closest friends, seeing that Austin had no problem ridiculing her voice with his absurdly sweet mocking-tone. Kayla's laughing noise was stifled from Austin's end.

"Drew told y'all all of this?"

"Of course, she's... well, our most trusted secret agent out there." Kayla was back on the phone now, practicing her "government-official" voice.

"But, seriously, Wilston," As always, Austin's tone turned solemn, his maturity found its way to outshine his mischievous-loving facet, "Take your chance, dude, I couldn't care less about how slow it's gonna be. Be friend first, then close friend, then best friend, whatever. You finally quit over-worrying about us and get out of this town-"

"That was five years ago, Austin-"

"And you're still a worrywart." Kayla's joined in, her voice earnest, "And I know that you'll always be, Will. But, gods, just... stop. Don't tire yourself out because of us. We're not kids

anymore."

"I'm overdue for being an adult now, Will." Everytime Austin called Will by his actual alias, the conversation became genuinely heartfelt. That sentence was not new - in fact, lately, it seemed that their conversation would always head toward this direction.

"Plus, I'm going to university next fall, Will. There's absolutely no need for you to worry about us, both economically and, well... everything else-y." Kayla tried to assure him, the words started as solemnly yet became light-hearted, almost humorous, at the end "Just, take care of yourself. Medical school is a fucking mess, so at least try to enjoy your summer..."

"Summer, you say, hm?" Will absentmindedly muttered, his eyes pensively gaze over the street outside. A brooding sense of vagueness engulfed his thought; like a hazy, misty cloth, it suddenly overpowered his eyesight, turning the scenery outside the window distant and detached from his reality, his own universe. For an unknown reason, if there is actually any, the idea of "summer" seemed such a faraway reverie, as if the word deepened in itself a concealed, abstract meaning besides a name of a season. Not necessarily anything that could be associated with summer - the minuscule waves of the butterfly inside his gut was a notional feeling - it wasn't the beach, the heatwave, the ambrosial smell of fruits, nor was it the rush of vacation. That's to be said, there was a hint of liberty in such feeling (No, it was not related to the Fourth of July), not the freedom from the hellscape that is medical school, the freedom from the responsibility of an adult, nor freedom from any physical constraint. It was more of that his heart is free - unbound from any burden, from the invisible weight that he has no idea why, when, and how it got there.

Still, that was just a reverie - a daydream he could sacrifice time to live in, yet, nonetheless, it was anything but a minute of his soul wandering outside of this realm.

"Yeah, Will, and you should come back home sometimes-" Will realized that he must have spaced out for a pretty long while, as the conversation had spiraled out of his mind yet again. Before he could panic and try to follow up on the dialogue, the familiar chimes resonated, pushed through the air and rushed toward his eardrums, for the fourth time in his shift. Which was not a lot, but one had to consider that today was, again, still a weekday. Out of a corner of his eyes, a familiar strand of messy, charcoal hair casually bounded its way into the shop. "-expensive, but Minnie missed you a lot-"

"Listen, kids, I would love to keep talking and listening to y'all complaining about my lack of presence at home, and I'm honestly very sorry about that, but right now I'm still in my shift and-"

"Did Nico just come in? I swear I heard the bell rings!"

"It's definitely Nico, isn't it?" Kayla excitedly followed, then unceremoniously shouted, the phone still directly in his ears "HEY, NICO! HOW ARE YOU DOING WILL LOVES TALKING ABOUT YOU SO MU-

"Bye!" Will briskly shouted a curt goodbye to the phone, which was clutched tightly by two hands, the screen shined its light directly in front of his mouth - the immediate result of having Kayla's booming voice aimed toward his myringa. How he hoped the kid hasn't announced her presence aloud from the phone for the entire West Coast to aware. How he hoped Drew hasn't told them about his new friend. How he hoped he hasn't told anyone about said person.

And oh, how he hoped, dearly, desperately, perilously hoped - because this is one wish in which time-traveling is not involved - that whoever just stepped into to shop (he knew it was Nico, but-) has not paid enough attention nor their hearing was not so exemplary that every single word that bounced out of his phone was heard. Gods, he hasn't even put his phone on speaker.

Still, before he had time to reconsider about every decision he took in his twenty-three pathetic years of exchanging oxygen through the trillions of cells in his body, his obligation toward this job made him tilted his head up and look at the individual that has been so promptly ignored, despite the fact that they had been here for at least three minutes, and probably just hoped for a nice cup of coffee, and not his personal nor familial information. As he expected, Nico di Angelo, his new friend - f.r.i.e.n.d - stood awkwardly in front of the counter, his lean, tiny figure forced him to tilt slightly upward toward the barista. Before Will had time to dreamily gazing over the guy's drastically improved appearance - suddenly, it seemed as if he hadn't had enough time for frankly, anything, lately - a curbed giggle wriggled it way out, through the crevices of Nico's healthily defined, lean and elegant fingers. His eyes curved into crescents, the moonlit surface dotted with the same tenebrous iris, now illumined by the warmth his smile radiated. Was it atypical for Nico's facade to be inundated and enlightened by a sheer jubilant curve of his lips? Will caught himself asking, for how divine and beauteous the other man's joy seemed, the sight graciously, tacitly extricated his soul from pure allure. The melody of his laugh did nothing to lure Will's back from his cherry-blossomed reverie; the angelic harmony danced around his ear, fleetingly fondled his hearing just to dissolved into air. The stifled noise was nonetheless childish and gay, faithful to the depiction that was of a cherub giggling at an embarrassing sight; which is quite accurate, if the rising warmth in Will's cheeks and his ridiculous position whilst held the phone was anything to go by.

"Now, who is the lame one, staring at the other's smile?" Nico smiled yet again, his lips curved into more of a teasing smirk

At this point, Will didn't even bother looking for a retort. He had felt the blood rushing to his face, more clearly this time. The only course of action his brain registered was to jerkily straighten his frame, hastily slam his phone into the counter, hope that the screen won't crack, and hopelessly directed his stare elsewhere - anywhere but the exuberant sight that is Nico di Angelo.

"Wo... wh... what would you like to o... order... today?" He finally breathed out, the supposedly monotonous greeting got stuck on the roof of his mouth

"The usual, if you please." Nico smirked again, this time even more devilishly pretty "So, what was that whole... staring ordeal about?"

"Can't imagine, finally, it came, the day somebody casually said 'the usual, please.'" Will ironically wiggled his head side to side. He heard the second comment about the "staring ordeal", yet had elected to ignore it.

"Uh huh, and it's sure to stay for a while." The smirk still hadn't left Nico's lips "Was that your sibling?"

"Sure. Whatever. What kind of diabetes-inducing treats would you like today?"

"Oh, I'm pretty sure that wasn't something you ought to say as an employee here." Nico glanced toward the glass display "Mango cheesecake, please. At least I'm going to get the fruit required in my diet at once."

"Moral obligation as a medical student, if you don't mind." Will smiled. "That would be $13.67."

Nico handed him the cash, his olive-skin warm and slightly sweaty, "Sure, but right now you're still a barista. Gotta enjoy your summer without such... obligation."

"Who knows, it already invaded my bloodstream." Will handed him back the coins. Nico left for his usual table, bounced jejunely on the ball of his feet, obsidian irises still rested on Will's face

"Maybe lame-ness and boredom had, too, you know. Lucky for us this isn't a Starbuck, or else someone would have to decipher your handwriting."

"Ha, ha, funny little jokester, you truly are." Will rolled his eyes, hands moved to make the macchiato that his muscles had grown to be familiar with.

"See, at least I don't have lame replies to jokes."

"Oh, see, that's because my so-called 'lame replies' are at least humorous enough for everyone to be able to generate a decent reply." Will's eyes were fixed on the cup of coffee, for which he regretted not being able to observe the other man's immediate facial responses.

"If you need to believe so in order to console yourself, go ahead." Nonetheless, Will could imagine Nico dramatically rolled his eyes, again. "Still, you haven't answered my question: Was that your sibling?"

"Yeah, both of them were on the phone, really, but lucky for my ears and dignity that only one of them has the nerve to yell." Will's mind drift about what image should he draw today for Nico's cup

"Bold of you to assume that you have any left after that shout, though." A fox, maybe. A sassy, milky white fox. Perhaps he would let the coffee blend-in enough for the fox to had brown fur.

"Bold of you to assume that you still have any, quoting a meme."

"Hey, one got to catching up with slangs these days, you know. Unlike some cranky old person."

"Whatever ya say, tiny." Will glanced toward the said person, who already brought out his laptop and seemingly about to start typing

"Sure, William, I noticed the floors up there is at least five inches taller than the ground."

Will didn't even bother to correct the name, "I mean, the last time we met outside of this shop, you were still shorter than me."

"Shut your trap, Wilston, I was sitting down." It seemed like Nico somehow knew about the fact that his name really was not William (Will blamed Annabeth. Wasn't she the only one who could disclose that information?) and as of now, just tried to use random names to get a response out of him. Will couldn't stop his laughter this time; he let loose the airy, funny laugh from his lungs. "Why are you laughing?"

"Nothing, just that you're playing the exact game my little brother is playing. Except that he actually knows my name, and just want to mess around." The brief laughter died off, yet its corpse remained in the form of a smile on Will's lips.

"Oh."

"And to give more details on your questions. Yes, I have two younger siblings. One male and one female," Will might or might not forget to mention his two older brothers, but that's a story to be developed in later days. A half-covered truth, in this situation, for Will was not a lie. "His name is Austin, and her name, the one that was shouting, is Kayla."

"A handful, they seemed." Nico ruminated

"Well, generally speaking, they're good kids. But yeah, the pranks drove me insane sometimes. Lovely kids, nonetheless." Sometimes, it concerned him how much of a mom he sounded like - how much of a mom he was to them in the absence of their mother; but he didn't utter anything. It wasn't time, yet. "You got any siblings, though? Enough about me."

In a fleeting second, Nico surprised gaze was frozen in place, stilled against the flow of time. He quickly diverted his gaze toward the streets outside, his inky pupil melancholically straitened. Ironically, perhaps, a tint of blue from whatever sign out there reflected its color on his forlorn orbs, then the guy's breathing gradually slowed. Will wondered if he asked the wrong question. Guilt engulfed his gut, sent through his spine a spark of ice, his sense tingled for him to apologize, yet his eyes and soul could not utter a sound, for Nico's woebegone beauteousness was whittled out of glass - elegant yet fragile, merely for eyes to touch yet not for caress to see - and was it a tragic piece of art, for miseries were the element of its painstakingly exquisite portrayal, a burden so cumbersome, yet bleached with tears and bloodshed into a pulchritude. Was it so heartbreaking that this crestfallen beauty required breathing, required blood to stream through its vein, required neurons to send flares of sorrow throughout his body? There would exist neither pain nor beauty without the rushes of life prodding through human's veins, yet such grace was inflicted upon unfeeling woods, and not another beating heart. Was it fair for the universe to sculpt a life into a living art? Was all that was at stake worth the torment to form such transcending elegance: ichor surging through a sculpture of agony, living force pounding against the hewed claw marks? Perhaps the only path to truly touched human's heart through art was to whittle such art upon living beings, for cruelty was only acknowledged after a costly disaster.

Nico suddenly seemed so small and fragile against the friction of time. As if after all those adorned embellishments were peeled away, only the broken, terrified child remain. A child so young yet had already felt such immense sufferings. His stature stiffened, eyes still not dared for any being to see, yet Will had found the scarred child deep within.

Would he shatter if a sound dared to intrude this coagulated silence?

And for Will acknowledged that the man there was human, that life thrived within him unconsciously, he spoke. His voice trembled more than he thought it would be, the agony he felt more than his conscious mind was aware of.

"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I'm sorry if... the subject is sensitive to you."

Will saw the surprise jerk of Nico's shoulder; as if the air his words resonated suddenly shook him awake from his dream. Eyes still lost in the crowded world outside, Nico gently whisper, barely enough for Will to catch

"It's alright..." There is a pause, before his wavering voice steadied itself, "I have a half-sister, Hazel, you probably didn't notice her from the karaoke night."

Something was hidden within such curt and simple reply, yet Will didn't probe. Didn't dare to, and didn't want to. He respected the guy's secrecy, and since there were hidden words in his sentences earlier, it was not fair to further provoking Nico's woe. He brought the cup of coffee and the cake to Nico's table himself this time, the sudden clicks of porcelain against wood once more shook the ebony orbs out of their pondering.

"See, you're not that much taller than me." Nico tried to make a joke, tried to smile instead of a grimace, yet the dusky-colored air around them had yet to fade away. Sorrow clutched into the air, not quite ready to part yet.

"Whatever, kid." Will so desperately wanted to ruffle his hair, to run his calloused hands through Nico's soft onyx locks, like how he often did to console Kayla and Austin's tears, yet found himself not able to. For some reason, he sat down, opposite to Nico, the laptop stood between them like a barrier.

Nico did not comment. His eyes betrayed his defensive stature; they longed for Will to share their pain, for Will to deepened his light into those impossibly dark pits.

"I had a bigger sister, too" was all Nico muttered, the sound waves emitted were so tiny against the movement of air. Will thought he had misheard his words, but beside the quiet, foggy voice, each consonant was clear and void.

Unconsciously, Will's palm reached the other's trembling hand, the quiver so negligible that it was almost impossible to felt. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 taps. A pause. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, again. The steady rhythms gave them something to focus on.

Outside, a summer rain merrily marched its way through the town.

-------

That day, Nico barely got anything written in the shop. First was the mention of his... family, then it was the persistent tapping of Will's gentle fingertips against his hand. The sunlike warmth of his palm left a burnt imprint on Nico's olive-skin. Not that at that point, his brain was in the shape to get anything done.

Honestly, he didn't blame Will. It wasn't like he was a seer or any of the like; the guy didn't know how sensitive he was to the slightest allusion toward Bianca, and it wasn't his fault that their conversation was about siblings and family. If it was anything to go by, in the end, Nico still disclosed the fact that Bianca existed.

Existed. Exists. Existing. Existed.

He no longer sure if it would matter if Will knew about the incident.

--------

"A thickened air of tense quietness embraced the pair before Mei could bring herself to glanced once more into Songoro's eyes. The ambers that she had grown to trust upon were fogged with inquietude and hesitation. The taut, soundless atmosphere felt like extreme humidity; as if every particle in the air was gravitating toward their inner battle, ravenous for the taste of their struggle on some quantum-scaled tongues. The room temperature seemed to drop, the esurient air besieged their breathing, hindered the oxygen exchange. Right, Mei felt suffocated, purely from tense uncertainty and anticipation - suspense for whatever decision they were going to make.

The burden of the world had mushed their lungs together, flat, voided of life.

And thus, so was the plan they schemed. Voided of humanity and compassion, void of empathy and moral. And soon, voided of breathing being.

There was too long yet too little time for Mei to decipher the lines embarked on Songoro's face. Too long the days they spent staring into papers, scheme, and strategies; too little the hours they spent to know the hidden anxiety, the turbulent emotions within their hearts.

Mei was aware of how Songoro often stared into her eyes, discretely, from a respectful reach. Not the way another general drilled into another, piercing his way through her armored arguments to find a sophistry; his gaze was compassionate and empathetic, the very way opposite with the nature of their incoming work, yet she won't complain. They were human, after all, she reminded herself. But the way she remembered the moments when Songoro's ambers were limpid and sharp made it hard to be so, as of right now.

She knew what his eyes meant when he stared at her like that. As if he was trying to decode the misery in her eyes, then gave up and lured himself into a still observation. She knew the poetic way he was assessing her pain. It was ludicrous. She knew that he tempted to convey the torment in her eyes into some crudely stunning arts. That whatever scars and marks were indented on the mahogany of her skin, that he would sketch them as adornments for his sculpture. As if sorrow was exquisite and her body was the gold-varnished embodiment of despair. As if the ichor rushing through her veins and her scars coalesced into diamonds. It made her conscious, now, when the gloom had melted away from her heart. Songoro meant well, Mei reminded herself, despite the inner protest of her mind. How tired she was of compassionate eyes throw their gazes toward her direction -  as if the woe within her was a black hole, gluttonous for empathy. Mei was not craving for their silent consolation, still, the rain of their collective guilt over her past drenched her lungs.

But Songoro was a man of action, one of the only people whose next step was not away from her to nurse their own tears, but toward Mei in her forlorn expression and awkwardly tried to console her. Her mind suddenly drifted toward the steady beat of Phoebe’s fingers against her skin.

Of course, she noticed the hurt in his eyes, too, as it emerged from the ocean of amber he desperately drowned it under. Mei noticed it before, and it was here, at that very moment, as they decide if the sacrifices were going to worth the chance. She saw the perturbation threatened to emerge and devastate his mind; a burden handled so immaculately at the first sight that no one bothers to lingered a bit longer, to see that his barricade was about to shatter into pieces just as glass. There was an invisible responsibility in his shoulder and the weariness it inflicted upon his darkened eyes, a strain that ruptured the gemstones that were his eyes, his dam, his panoply. Mei wondered if there was something else hidden in his silence; a thought so personal and unfathomable that no one could reach into. Countless times she heard the quietest of audible noise escaped his thought before sound succumbed to the roaring silence of their own awkwardness, speechlessness, and guilt. Mei could understand, yet not truly feel, how onerous and harrowing the plan was going to be for Songoro - if there was an unspeakable cause of his hesitancy. Yet, one thought she was certain of amidst the grueling nature of this moment, was that sooner or later, they would need an immense resilience to accept that this was the best they could think of.

The only strength they need was the strength to admit that someone's blood would be on their hand. And that there was no other way.

Thus, Mei squeezed his hand. Firmly. Twice. So that their ideal was spared a chance to blossom."

----------

Hi, finally I’m back with... this kinda slightly longer than before chapter. Thanks to @fififerielb and everyone that enjoyed my previous chapters :3 So sorry this took so long, but life and writer’s block are apparently a thing so..... :cry:

[savetheblackpaladin]

Sooooooo I was thinking what would Shiro do if his s/o showed up to party in a sexy black dress just to get him back for spending so much time with Voltron P.s I love your Blog!

I like the way you think! I do love me some petty revenge.

“Hey Shiro! What are you up to today? Cause I was thinking–”

“I’m sorry, Y/N, I need to go over Voltron’s last battle and come up with some sort of game plan,” Shiro sighs and glowers at the screen in his hand, “We should have taken that Robeast out before it had that chance to knock us down. Maybe if I had had Lance and Hunk move us–” He’s talking more to himself now so you just cluck your tongue and walk away. Maybe next time.

You paced back and forth on the observation deck, growing increasingly agitated with every slowly passing minute. Seriously? He’s thirty minutes late! Where the hell was your boyfriend?!

You stop and loudly vent your frustration before storming storming towards the training deck. God help Shiro if he’s still training during date night because oh…he’s not here. None of the paladins are. So, clearly they finished? 

You sigh and head towards the rooms. You can hear various showers running and the thought of scaring the crap out of Shiro while he’s showering brings a skip to your step. But when Shiro’s door opens, you can see him laying face first in bed with his armor still on. You deflate and let his door shut on its own. If he’s tired enough to sleep in his armor then there’s no point in waking him. 

And so it keeps happening. Every time you think you finally get Shiro on his own he either has Voltron related business, extra training, or is passed out in places he shouldn’t be. It’s frustrating. It’s vexing. It’s starting to piss you off. 

Of course, you don’t think you’re more important than defending the universe from evil purple aliens but dammit, it hurts to be pushed aside so easily! 

But tonight…oh-hoho, tonight you were going to get back at the Black Paladin. 

You see, Allura, Coran, and Shiro have been in negotiations for the last week or so with the twin High Priestesses of Il’rea, who have long been fighting the Galra in their own quadrant of space. They’ve been highly successful; due to the combined power of Lady Arcadia’s tactics and Lady Selena’s bloodlust and frankly, Team Voltron needed help from people like them if there was any hope to defeat Prince Lotor. 

Tonight, the whole planet was celebrating the new alliance in Voltron’s honor with a huge party. Food, music, pretty girls, pretty guys (just pretty people in general), and displays of power and magic promised to be a fun night.

But there was a small problem. The problem was, as Lance put it: “Those Priestesses are total babes! They could literally crack my skull between their thighs and I would die happy.” Whether he was on duty or not, Shiro was spending a lot of time with beautiful women that were not you and tonight was the night you were going to drag his attention back, Voltron and the Alliance be damned. Especially since it’s been a good two weeks since you two had some true alone time. 

You smiled triumphantly at the sexy little black number hanging on the back of your door, ‘Watch Shiro ignore this.’

Shiro missed you. God, he missed you so much it started to hurt and the guilt he was carrying about temporarily pushing you aside to focus on Voltron was starting to haunt his nightmares. He was determined to fix it tonight. He was going to apologize for being a shit boyfriend, apologize for overworking himself, and apologize for making the love of his life feel like she no longer mattered to him. 

Keith had made it a point to find Shiro tell him that last little tidbit last night. It hurt. It hurt so bad Shiro actually spent most of the night crying and beating himself up mentally for that one. He royally fucked up, and he knew it.

So when the shuttle carrying you and the Paladins arrived, his heart began racing and Shiro felt the telltale fluttering in his stomach that told him he was nervous. But there were only four bodies on that shuttle and none of them yours. Concerned, Shiro pulled Keith aside to speak to him in a low whisper, “Hey, Keith. Wh-where’s Y/N? Isn’t she coming?”

Keith pursed his lips and glared. Shiro dropped his hand from Keith’s arm and took a step back, caught off guard by the uncharacteristic hostility in his friend’s eyes. He waits and Keith looks away before clearing his throat, “She’s not coming. She said she has a migraine so she’s going to take advantage of a silent castle and sleep it off. She doesn’t want you there.” He walks away with a final glare, making sure to clip his shoulder against Shiro’s. 

Shiro rubs his shoulder and glances towards the other paladins. He blanches as they quickly turn away to hide their glares. Crestfallen, Shiro swallows the lump in his throat and blinks back the tears that threaten to spill. He has a job to do tonight so he steels himself and turns around, stepping out of Takashi Shirogane - the failing boyfriend, and into Shiro - the Black Paladin and Leader of Voltron. 

He doesn’t see Lance and Hunk sharing concerned glances as they wonder if they took their glares too far or Pidge and Keith giving each other a thumbs up. He also misses you slipping out of your hiding place in the pod and moving to the next hiding place, shoes in hand. Allura, who has been your silent partner in tonight’s shenanigans, gives you a wink as she steps in front of your new spot, further hiding you. Bless her. She’s just as petty as you are.

Parties.

There was a time in his life that Shiro once enjoyed a good party and the chance to get shit-faced drunk without a care in the world. Now his anxiety was acting up, telling him there were too many people, too many points of entry, too many chances for an assassin to sneak in, this is was just another chance to get Lance blow–no. No. He needs to stop. There’s no point in thinking like that.

God, he needed a drink.

Luckily, Il’rea has alcohol, or something like it, and Shiro grabs a glass from a passing waiter and downs it in one gulp. Much better.

He grabbed another drink with every intention of downing that one too but he was stopped when he saw you flitting through the crowd. But it couldn’t be you, you were in the castle. Right?

He drops the glass from his mouth and moves to follow what he swears was you. His searching is fruitless and Shiro gives it up as a bad job only a few minutes later. He was looking for a black dress in a sea of black and white with little variation. Why couldn’t the woman have been wearing a red dress? That would be so much easier!

Like Allura! Shiro could make her out easily since her dress started as a bright yellow and faded to a soft orange. She looked like an Earth sunset was easily the brightest person in the room. Shiro smiled as she laughed at some aristocrat’s joke, happy to finally see her so carefree after the stressful week they had. He wished he could be like that.

He watched for a few more moments and was about to turn away when Allura hooked her arm through the arms of another woman and they turned as one to move together. His heart stopped for a split second because he knows that face. He knows that face.

Where Allura was as radiant as the sun, there you were, looking like the human embodiment of the night. Your hair was pulled up and artfully messy, lips painted a deep purple to match purple eye shadow, the front of your black gown draped over you to deeply expose your breasts and Shiro swallowed when he saw the long beautiful silver necklace he found for you sitting innocently on your chest. The last time he saw it he was watching it shimmer and shine as it moved with every thrust of his hips against yours.

You looked like Sin. And when your eyes locked Shiro swore then and there to have you underneath him before the night was over. He continued watching with hungry eyes as Allura twirled you two around and revealed the (pretty much non-existent) back of your dress and he changed it to within the hour. The wink you gave him over the shoulder as you disappeared into the crowd gave him the fuel he needed.

But it wasn’t that easy. Every time he got close to you, Hunk or Lance would whisk you away for a dance and pass you off to someone high ranking enough in the Il’rean hierarchy that Shiro knew it would cause tension if he just cut in, so he was forced to wait. 

And wait.

 And wait. Prowling like a panther at the edge of the dancing crowd, waiting for his chance to snatch you up.

Eventually there was a lull in the music and Shiro used it to beeline towards you, determined to have you in his arms and screaming his name in one of the smaller rooms next door. But he was stopped by Keith shoving a plate of food in his hands with a cheeky grin. “You haven’t eaten all night. Here. It’s delicious.”

“I-Uh…What? Oh,” he looked down at the plate just long enough to loose you in the crowd again and he cursed his luck. And his crew, the shits. He could spy Pidge up on the balcony, no doubt keeping an eye on the situation and instructing each of the Paladins to intercept him every time he got too close. He should have known they’d be in on this. They do like to stir up trouble. 

Well. There would be no getting to you this way. Not with Pidge directing them. And he couldn’t just run up there like a psychopath and stop her. She’d see him. He popped some of the food Keith brought him into his mouth and saluted Pidge. If this was his punishment, it was his punishment. But he could spoil their fun by giving in. His own private revenge on his crew for their mutiny.

“Surprise, surprise. You didn’t come for me,” you sigh as you lean against the balcony entryway. Shiro turns towards you with a bittersweet smile, “Would you have let me?” He leans against the balcony, doing his best to appear nonchalant even though his heart was hammering in his chest because there you are! His beautiful girlfriend! The light of his life! The woman he would willingly risk life and limb for! Dear god, he could see how pissed you were.

You fake thinking for a moment, making sure to bring a finger to your lips, just to enjoy the way Shiro’s eyes darken at such an innocent gesture. “No, not really. I was enjoying myself soooo much. I didn’t want to distract myself with my significant other.” Your pointed glare hits home and Shiro drops his gaze to the floor. You do nothing but wait, letting his shame settle in.

You soften as his shoulders drop and he slowly walks towards you, frightened that with each step closer he moves, you will bolt. You both release the breaths you didn’t know you were holding as Shiro slowly brings his forehead to yours. His large hands feel so right as snakes them around your waist and just holds you, taking a moment just to savor you in his arms before he can gather the courage to speak. 

“I’m so sorry, Y/N. I didn’t mean to push you away. I didn’t intend to make you feel like you don’t matter to me, because you do. You are–I love you,” you gasp at his confession and the urge to scream ‘I love you too!’ is almost to much to bear but Shiro isn’t done talking, so you bite your tongue. Literally. “I made a mistake. I need to try harder. I will try harder. For you and Voltron.” 

The kiss he gives you is so tender and so sweet it nearly brings tears to your eyes. You pull him down for another harder kiss as he pulls away, wrapping your arms around his neck for leverage before pulling away enough to mumble against his lips, “You beautiful idiot. I love you so much but you’re too hard on yourself. I just…I missed you.”

You buried yourself into Shiro’s chest and squeezed him tight, enjoying the way his arms tightened against you and the gentle way he nuzzles into your hair. He was so warm and comforting and you couldn’t believe that you had gone nearly two weeks without this. These were the moments you lived for: domesticity in a universe at war.

“I’m going to fuck you in that dress the moment we get back to the castle,” his voice is low and gravely in your ear and you shivered. Moment ruined. 

“I’ve had to watch you prance around in that sorry excuse for a dress all night. Did you even see how much people wanted you?” A moan escapes as Shiro mouths directly against your ear and he moves his cool metal hand up your exposed back. You can feel his half-hard erection against your hip and he grins wickedly against your ear as he lightly rocks against you, “You naughty thing, I’m going to–”

“Sorry to interrupt,” you and Shiro jerk apart as Lady Arcadia glides by, her sister in tow, “but might I trouble you to use one of the rooms down the hall? As lovely as public displays of affection are, surely you two would enjoy privacy?” They quirk twin eyebrows and smirk, gliding away the way they came. 

You adjust your dress and hair, thankful that you were interrupted before anything else started. You share a bashful look with Shiro and clasp hands before re-joining the party; putting a pause on your libidos to play ambassadors. There would be time to play later tonight.

~*~If you enjoyed this or any of my other works please consider donating to my Ko-fi or Digital Tip Jar!~*~

[l-l-kristofferson]

My Last Semester Of School

For those who have been following me on Instagram, you guys have been up to date about things I've been doing. Including the fact that I have finally finished school as of Thursday the 14th. When I finished, I could not describe the feeling that came over me. It was pure and utter joy. I have been going to school since I was five years old. I am about to turn twenty-two next month. That's nearly seventeen years of school. Seventeen years of busting my ass. Seventeen years of stress, irritation, and frustration. But after all that, I have finished with the best grades I've ever had. For the first time since I've been in college, I made the Dean's List. And I am proud of myself.

Although it is the end, the road to get here was not an easy one. There were numerous challenges that I faced to get to this point. I could not have made it without the support of my mom and stepdad, my friends and their kindness, my teachers, my classmates, and the countless number of customers that encouraged me while I was at work. I would also like to thank the staff at my school: my friends in the lunchroom, my friends in the library, my friends at the bookstore, and the many friends I made through the social events I attended in my final semester. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. For your kindness, sincerity, and encouragement. It really carried me through.

Now to get into specifics.

The summer before my final semester, I sought out an internship. To do this, I had to seek out the coordinator of the Experimental Learning program, Angela. She was the sweetest and most hip of most of the people I had met at my school. She liked a lot of the music I liked. Brownie points for that. So she was my push to get the perfect internship. She helped me every step of the way. From the search, to the interview, to the resume, to the cover letter, and to the final stages. I came to her when I was having issues with my internship. For those who don't know, I interned in downtown Philadelphia at a place called US Dream Academy. It is a wonderful program that provides a lot of opportunities for children and teenagers. I got a chance to interact with the staff behind the scenes and the kids on some level. Although it was a good program, my contact person was not the best at communication. Which made no sense since they had Drexel interns and volunteers. Long story short, I had few hours and it was nearing the end of the semester. In light of that situation, I had to get another internship. I interned with the Associate Dean of the Arts at my school. I've had her as a teacher before so we had a preexisting relationship.

At the end of it all, I succeeded in my assignments from both internships. I made a post about author and writer Julia Kristeva. If you have not seen that one, go check it out. It is titled "I Love Writing" and it was by far one of my favorite assignments ever. My favorite assignment of all time was designing a poetry workshop for the kids of US Dream Academy. It was a six week program and it was a tedious task. But it was something I loved. I hope they get someone with as much enthusiasm as me to teach it.

If the internships weren't enough pressure, I had to do the homework for six classes. That's a full course load for a full time student. The least to take for a full time student is twelve credits (four classes). I was taking eighteen (six classes). I was initially supposed to take five classes with the internship being something extra. But when it was fully integrated and now a requirement in order to graduate, I was shit out of luck when I thought I could just drop the internship when I wasn't getting the hours. Thanks to Angela and the Associate Dean, it was all made possible. Some of the assignments were ridiculous, especially from my Junior Seminar class. This teacher wanted us to do weekly responses, do a minimum of a five page paper and read three to four hundred page books in a WEEK. A WEEK! I know this is college but come on. We have other classes to attend to. This guy assumed we could solely devote ourselves to his work and get it all done. Despite all this, I got a B in his class. It only got fun near the end when we got to the Zombie Apocalypse. I love that stuff sooooooo much. I love all things zombie.

When I wasn't at home doing homework, out at my internship, or at home sleeping, I was at work. I wasn't scheduled a lot but I was always scheduled to close during the week. The night shift on a weekday is very busy when you work in retail. This is the time that people get out of work and come to pick up the things they need for dinner, the house, or things for their families. The busiest days at the store are Mondays, Fridays, the first of the month, and weekends. If you work in retail, you know that this is all true. At my job, I would have to snack on something during my shift. I only got a half hour lunch. That isn't enough time to relax and eat. So I would have to buy snacks to sustain me as I worked.

During my break, I would listen to music and text so I could detox. Those who have never had a job in retail think that it is easy to be a Sales Associate. You have to deal with customers that get angry when things aren't a dollar or the price they want it to be (I work at Dollar General. Because dollar is in the name, everyone thinks it's a dollar store), customers messing up displays and merchandise, leaving carts in the parking lot, and putting things back because they can't afford it. I have some words of advice for most of the customers that come into my store: please read the signs closely and come in with a budget. If you did that, you wouldn't have problems you have when you come in.

If I wasn't dealing with anything about school or work, I would have to deal with problems in my personal life. For those who have followed me and have gotten to know me, you know I suffer from horrible insomnia. So I normally don't sleep well at night. And when I can't sleep, I am up writing or chatting online. On a lot of mornings, I would have to drink a strong cup of tea to get through the day. I try to drink as little caffeine as possible so I don't end up dependent on it. But I would always deal and get through the day. Thank you Lipton black tea for keeping me awake on those long school days.

But when it wasn't sleep problems, it was problems with my mood, hygiene, and basic self care. In a previous post, I spoke about my two and a half month low in a crippling depression. That spanned throughout most of the semester. It wasn't until mid November that things started to improve. So from the end of August until mid November, it was a struggle to even get out of bed. I nearly lost myself. But I held on and got the help I needed. I thank those who supported me through that hard time and lifted me up to get to this part of my journey. You are all wonderful people.

Now I'll talk about the fun stuff.

I got really close to my friends Amber, Meggie, Jordan, and Rich. There were countless others like my friend Chris (Big Brother), my fellow loco Puerto Rican Manny, my very close female friend (I've talked about her before), my friend Karyn (Danni), and my good friend and coworker Adriel.

This year, I got to help out at my school's haunted house, which my friend Meggie ran this year. We raised money for the Ferocious Fighters, a charity that supported research and treatment for the neurological condition RSD. My friend Meggie suffers from the condition and has for nearly five years. She is by far the strongest friend I've ever had. She has to deal with constant pain everyday. But she doesn't complain and she faces every single day with a bright smile and a strong sense of determination. I admire her very much. She is a fighter like me. And the kindest soul. I love you Meggie.

My friends Amber and Jordan were like the dynamic duo. I would hang out in their class if I happened to be free on Thursdays. We would chat it up and have a good laugh. Jordan was the king of memes. He would make them all the time. He is also my go to guy when it comes to anime pictures. If I ever needed something, he was there to find it. As for Amber, she was queen of Vans merch, along with being queen of the bands The Front Bottoms and Modern Baseball. She reminds me of Tina from Bob's Burgers. When the three of us were together, Jordan was Gene, Amber was TIna, and I was Louise (mostly because I was an outspoken, crazy and at times mischievous guy). They enjoyed my weird humor and quirkiness.

Thank you guys for being my friends. You brightened my days when they seemed so bleak. For listening to my problems and never turning me away. You guys will always have a place in my heart and a place in my phone. I've never met a group of people so awesome. And Alisitie, don't think I forgot about you. I love you too you amazing human being.

This post was not only about me. It was also to appreciate all the people that played a part in me getting to this place. I love you all so much. Words cannot describe what you mean to me. I am grateful for you.

Quick update for you guys. I have a new email address to interact with you guys. If you want that email, DM me here. I will also post my social media and story handles for you.

Instagram: lame_dude_20 (Profile picture of Roxas)

Kik: kingsebastianisdead (Profile picture of Ventus. Username is The Roxas Joker)

Wattpad: WarriorEmpath

I will be posting a yaoi vignette on Wattpad before the new year. So stick around for that.

Thanks for listening. Write again soon.

[otteron-the-sun]

[2] Two side of a coin

State : In progress Characters : Moobin x Rocky x OC (Mee Joo) Genre : fluff / a bit of angst / maybe  future smut? Featured : Poly!Rockbin and College!AU Summary : Being a college student seems to be easier for your love life, little did I know that a bet between two guys won’t make everything goes so smoothly after all. Word count : 2,300+ Side note : I wanted to add, Mee Joo is only a true character, with her own life, and own look. If you want to identify at her while reading, you can, and change the look to yours, but I prefer her to be herself when I write. Then again, thanks to my baby @wolfheart-46 ♥

Previous part

Wednesday morning, it was an awful morning. I was terribly tired, face buried in my pillow, and letting out a long and raspy groan at the sound of my alarm going off. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone to bed so late yesterday, but I thought that finishing my essay during the night was a better idea than doing it a bit each day and completing it the weekend. But there was the problem. Since I’ll be going to the party at SanHa’s fraternity, I prefer to finish it now and have a free weekend. Maybe free if no one give us homework on the meantime between today, and Friday evening. After a lot of efforts put together, I got up of my bed, staring blankly at the wall for a good minute, and then went take a shower, trying to wash the tiredness off. Not to mention, it didn’t totally worked, and I only want to go back to bed. But no. I have to go in class until the last one to finally go see Rocky for a bit. And I couldn’t hide that it was the only thing that motivated me to go through the day. But that also meant that I have to be cuter than usual, to keep a face in front of him. That’s why, after my shower, I walked to my closet and stood up for a while, staring at every pieces of clothing. And I tried to put two things that looked good together before adding a third, and another one. That’s how I finished with a white tank top, in my high-waisted jean. I really have a thing for high-waisted bottom uh. I took a flannel, a bit to hide my bare shoulder. And also to hide from the cold. We still were in the month of March, so, nop, too cold for only a tank top. Not forgetting to put my sneakers, eat breakfast and grab my coat before leaving, almost late. So, it was fun for the pedestrian, they looked at me, running down the way to the university, grabbing hard on my backpack. I ran until I was in front of my classroom and then stopped immediately, rearranging my hair. Shoot, I haven’t even put makeup on this morning. I’ll have to do it during my lunch break then. Once inside the room, I took my place, next to one of my best friend, Shin-Ae, and I leaned my head against her shoulder, quietly mumbling something close to a “good morning”, and she just patted my head with a laugh. “Wow, you look worse than usually, you don’t even have makeup on. Are you sick?” she couldn’t help but laugh when I looked at her with a yawn, before shaking my head, crossing my arms on the desk and leaning my head on it. Me, almost sleeping, was the first hour of the morning. I said sleeping? My bad, it was totally me, trying my best not to die while also trying to take notes, which was kind of a tough job. But after half of it, fighting against sleep, I started to feel better, more awake, and a part of this universe. It was at this moment that I looked around before pulling on Shin-Ae’s sleeve, tugging softly. “Do you think that I look good today? About my clothes. I’m going to see Rocky at the end of class, and I don’t want to look like some kind of joke beside him… I mean, he’s cute, and I look like… a goose.” She let out a little snort, rubbing little circles on my back, smiling at me. Before telling me that I look really cute, but I’ll look cuter with a hairdo and some makeup, and “she’s sooooooo gonna take care of that during lunch break”. What an angel, sometimes, I wonder what I’d without her, and the reply is: nothing, I’d be lost for my dates. But it wasn’t really a date with Rocky, so it wasn’t the matter right now. Was it? Just the thought of it being a date had my head spinning for a bit, biting slightly on my thumb, thinking about it for the rest of the morning, still taking notes, somehow. It’s true that we get along pretty well, and he is really cute, but… I don’t know, was it too soon? Too soon to go on a date? Come on, it’s just a date. Or maybe it wasn’t, actually. Lunch break was a true relief, eating a bit, thinking a lot. About everything. But I couldn’t just think too long before Shin-Ae pulled me on a chair in one of our classroom, and start doing my hair. She didn’t do much to it to be honest, just pulling it into a bit-messy bun, letting my fringe free. And when she did my makeup, oh boy, it was like being under the touch of a bunch of fairies. It was so nice and light. So peaceful. I could almost fell asleep under that touch. But I didn’t, and I ended with a really nice makeup, not too much on the eyes, not too much on the lips, something really natural, almost cute. Actually, I felt really cute for once. And her, she seemed like she had so much fun, taking care of me like a little doll or even a little girl. But me, I felt like seeing Rocky like that would be a piece of cake, since I was cute, I didn’t looked like some lost girl who cling to him because he’s so nice and so cute. I wonder if someone ever tried to act lost just to be with him for a bit. It wouldn’t even surprise me. Two more hours was spent in listening to the teachers, taking notes as always, and trying so hard to ignore all the little comments that everyone made once they saw me. It was from some guy telling that I was really pretty when I wanted to, to some girl saying that it wasn’t me, it didn’t suits me, and if it was for a guy, he probably won’t fall for me. So yeah, I decided that ignoring them was the best idea I could have today, before finally leaving the school. But seeing Rocky in front of the entrance door was quite unexpected. I mean, did he really knew where the literature building was, or he just guessed right. His head snapped up to look at me when he heard my footstep on the gravel. And I was greeted by his smile the second his eyes fell on me. “Wow, If I knew, I’d be wearing something a little more… I don’t know, classy? To match you.” Wow, is he serious? I mean, yeah, he don’t wear a tuxedo or nothing like that, but he’s really well-dressed. Shaking my head with a smile, I just looked at him before looking back at my school building. “Did you really knew where it was, or are you just a stalker?” “A stalker. Definitely.“ We burst into laughter after staring at it each other for way too long, and then, he explained to me how he knew. Actually, it was just Moonbin who told him where it was on the campus, because, of course that Binnie knew that. Even SanHa didn’t know where was my building, which was… not really surprising if we count that he didn’t even know where my apartment was. I mean, it’s SanHa, do we really need to add something here? During the walk to the coffee shop, the little talking was mostly about what we did those three last days. I mean, more him than me, since I just went to school, then went to work, before going back home and do my homework. But even though my days was pretty boring and tiring lately, he just listened to me complaining, and he complained with me at some point. Because it was fun to complain about things, like, school, homework, people. We really have a lot to complain about, and it’s nice to have someone that I can complain with. It was great to talk with him more than we did the last time, with the others. It was better to know each other that way, kind of easier. In front of us was standing a coffee shop that was way too familiar to me, since I usually work here after school. I didn’t mind coming here for a drink, since : first, I have a discount on everything because I’m an employee. Second, I could kill for their strawberry cake. But seeing me in one of my day off made my coworker laugh at the sight of me. “ Hey MeeJoo, you know that you don’t work on Wednesday? Or maybe you just missed seeing my face like I missed yours?” It was my turn to laugh, reading carefully the black boards with the drinks’ names on it, but nothing had change and I still know them all, them and what’s inside. “Mhmmm, no thank you, I’d rather have a drink.” And I winked to him, just to tease him before letting him take my command and Rocky’s one. We waited for it, with my comments on how slow my coworker was. We took a sit in one of the booth to be a bit more in a private space to talk. We just sat face to each other with our drinks displayed between us. My vanilla milkshake with my strawberry cake against his cold Americano and a simple chocolate crisp muffin. I took the opportunity of being on a banquette to be crossed-leg on it, doing my best to not let my feet touch the leather of the seat. It was way more comfortable this way. “Soooo.. You work here then? I’m sorry to bring you here during your day off… I just like this place.” He began, a bit embarrassed that it was my workplace, but I just brushed it off with a smile and a movement with my hand. “That’s okay, I like being here.. You should come Thursday afternoon, until 7, we could see each other that way !” Big smiles creep on both of our face. It could be way more nice to have him with me during work, it could make me feel less alone when there is no one with me, and it was always the case the Thursday afternoon. No coworkers, just me. The conversation went on, talking about what we do in our school course, what was the best and what was the worst in it. And he was so in love with dancing. The way he talked about it almost make me fall in love with it. With dancing, not in Rocky, slow down. He started to talk about their new project in dance, that’ll count in his grade for the semester, which was dancing with someone else. “ And of course, I chose Binnie as my partner, since I know him for a while now.” Of course. Strangely, with Rocky, it was always how Moonbin was nice, intelligent, knows a lot of things. But it was really cute to see him being his little hypeman, always there to say good things about him. It’s maybe what happen when you know someone for so long and never leave him on the side. And I thought about SanHa and me, we are close, we tell everything to the other, but since we aren’t together 24/7 like before, we prefer to roast each other when we’re together. And roast other people too. Not everyone have the lovey-dovey friendship apparently. While talking, my index finger drew little squares on the screen of my phone. We ate and drank but then, looking back at my phone, a question subsided in my mind, and I looked at Rocky “Tell me Rocky, how did you got my phone number ?”

“ Oh uh… I… First I asked SanHa but he refused because he didn’t want to be the one to ‘put us together’, so I stole his phone and tried to find by myself but I didn’t find your contact name…” He made a pause, reluctant to tell me how he did, so I decided to push him to do it “It’s probably CryBaby or something like that, if you ask me. But then how?” “ I asked Binnie, and he gave me your number.” Silence. The time my head process what he just said. It took me some attempts to finally talk, my mouth opening and closing a bunch of time before. “Why.. How did he do to have my number then?” I wasn’t even mad. Some sort of impressed and flattered, because we never talked before the diner. And so many girls were drooling over him. So, why me. “ I think he likes to have the number of people he want to talk to, but he never find the bravery to text you maybe. Do you want his phone number?” I let out a little “No thank you”, almost like a whisper. I’d love to talk to him, but I prefer to gather up the courage to ask his number directly, not like he did. But somehow, it’s cute that he wanted to talk to me for a while but never did. At the end of the afternoon, he decided that it was nice to escort me to my building to go home, once more. And it was quite useless to spend more time together, it’ll be just more and more awkward to have only one meeting where we talked about everything. We agreed to do that more often, before I climbed the stairs, finishing  my journey directly in my bed, not seeing the text on my phone before dozing off.

[18:51] Rocky : I hope you’ll be there Saturday, it’ll be funnier with you !

Next part

[amylillian22]

Unwelcome Interruptions - Brett Talbot Imagine

Requested by @rochyu : What about this one: when the reader and brett are cuddlind in his bed naked (bc why not) and they're falling asleep together until scott and stiles burts into his room and take him with them bc he have to help with something and then the reader and all the girls are taken to the lake house ffor sleepovers and brett find her and he so pissed bc his baby girl is not with him and pls end it cute 

Word Count: 1,545

Warnings: implying and mentions of sex

Author’s Note: Feedback is greatly appreciated :)

[My Teen Wolf Master List]

Brett and Y/N's relationship isn't easy. They both go to two different high schools and are constantly busy trying to save their town from the supernatural chaos. Yet, somehow, they make it work. It’s rare when they have time for each other, but when they do, they make every second count. They would go out on movie and bowling dates, go out to eat, or sometimes stay home to cuddle, and simply enjoy being with one another. Just like right now. 

As soon as the final bell rang, Brett surprised Y/N by showing up in her school's parking lot. He was leaning against his car, with his ankles crossed, and his arms folded to his chest. It was like Jake waiting for Samantha in Sixteen Candles. He took her to get ice cream at her favorite ice cream parlor. Afterwards they went back to his place, where they were just going to watch a movie, but ended up in his bed. Now, they were wrapped in each other's arms with their half naked bodies underneath the sheets.

"God, I've missed you," Brett said as he pulled her to his bare chest. She hummed in agreement as she cuddled against him, taking in the mixed smell of his cologne and sweat. Brett ran his fingers through her silky hair and kissed her forehead. "I love you."

Y/N drew random shapes on his lower back with the tip of her fingers as she buried her face at the crook of his neck, peppering it with soft wet kisses. "I love you, too," she sighed in content.

Brett heard a set of footsteps after car doors were slammed. He leaned up on his elbows to look out his bedroom window and noticed Stiles' baby blue jeep was parked in the driveway. Brett has gotten closer to Scott and Stiles since he started dating Y/N. It came to a point where they could come and go into each other's houses without knocking or ringing the doorbell.

"Shit," Brett mumbled as the best friends walked up to the front door and opened it.

Completely unaware of the situation because Y/N isn't a werewolf with enhance hearing, she was confused. "What? What's wrong?" She asked concerned as she looked up at Brett.

Before Brett could explain or warn Y/N, Scott's voice echoed down the hallway as he caught Brett and Y/N's scent in his bedroom.

"Stiles! No! Wait!" Scott shouted, but it was too late. Stiles had already opened Brett's bedroom door, only to see Brett and Y/N in bed. Brett quickly sat up as Y/N wrapped the bed sheets tighter around her body.

"Oh," Stiles said, suddenly realizing why Scott was so quick to try and stop him from opening the bedroom door. He looked up at the ceiling as Scott turned around and gave the couple his back. Stiles scratched the back of his neck as he spoke, "Sorry to interrupt, but we need Brett."

"What's-"

Stiles interrupted Brett, already knowing what he was going to ask. "As always it's a supernatural problem and we need your help."

"Ditto," Scott said with his back still facing them.

Brett sighed as Y/N shook her head and placed her hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, baby. Go be a hero and protect this town." Y/N leaned in and kissed his cheek as Stiles rolled his eyes at her cheesy comment. Stiles and Scott left the couple and told Brett they would wait for him in the jeep.

"I'm so sorry," Brett apologized as he pecked Y/N's lips and got dressed quickly to meet the boys outside. Brett said he'd be back as soon as he could before he said goodbye, leaving her naked in his bed. 

As soon as the front door closed, Y/N's phone beeped with a new text message from Lydia with a picture of Lydia, Kira, and Malia in their pajamas, making silly faces with their facemasks.

Boys are doing God knows what. So I’m having a sleepover at the lake house with the girls. We're all waiting on you.

It had been a while since the girls had a slumber party. With Brett out with Scott and Stiles, Y/N didn't know how long it would take for him to come back to her. It could take all night. Deciding she needed a girls’ night in, she quickly texted Lydia she’d be there soon.

"Sooooooo," Lydia lingered as she started her second coat of Devilish Red on her fingernails. "How are things with you and Brett?" 

Malia grabbed a handful of popcorn, mumbling something no one understood. Kira giggled as she painted Malia's toenails Jet Black. "Don't talk with your mouth full, Malia."

"Things are pretty good, I guess," Y/N shrugged her shoulder as she turned the page of Seventeen.

"What do you mean?" Kira asked concerned.

"Yeah, I thought things were great between the two of you," Lydia added, giving Y/N her full attention and ignoring her wet fingernails. 

"I mean it's hard to see each other all the time when we're in different schools and when we do find time something always interrupts our time together," Y/N explained with a heavy sigh.

"I said," Malia swallowed the last of the popcorn in her mouth, "things must be good since she reeks like Brett’s scent. She probably had sex with him before she got here."

Lydia and Kira looked at Y/N kind of surprised considering she just said they rarely have time to be together.

"That's exactly what I'm talking about," Y/N quickly defended herself before she continued to explain. "Brett surprised me after school. He took me to get ice cream and then we went to his house to hang out for a bit. One thing led to another and we're tangled in each other, naked, under the sheets. Before we could enjoy just being with each other, Scott and Stiles basically dragged him out of bed to deal with some supernatural thing. Don't get me wrong, I love you girls and I love hanging out with you and having sleepovers, but sometimes it kind of bums me out because I miss him."

Lydia and Kira aww-ed, as they leaned in and hugged Y/N. Malia didn't have the same reaction as they did, but she could sense how much Y/N was hurting. She wrapped her arms around the small group hug to give some sort of comfort to Y/N.

"I wish I had like an entire weekend with just him and with nothing getting in the way," Y/N mumbled as she pulled back.

"I have an idea. I have a beach house. Why don't you use it next weekend? Or any weekend that works for the both of you," Lydia offered.

"Really?" Y/N asked.

Lydia nodded as Y/N's phone vibrated on the coffee table. She grabbed it and immediately saw Brett's picture. She swiped her thumb across and answered, "Hey-"

"Where are you?!" Brett immediately interrupted before Y/N could finish her greeting. Brett's voice was frantic as he continued to ramble with more questions. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Who are you with?"

"Geez..." Malia mumbled as she overheard Brett having a full panic attack with her werewolf hearing. "Paranoid much?" She whispered to the girls.

"I heard that Malia!" Brett snapped as Malia rolled her eyes at him.

"Baby, I'm fine," Y/N reassured him as she pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped an arm around them. "Are you okay?" She asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," he sighed, as a wave of relief washed over his body. "I just panicked because I came home and you weren't there, so I thought the worst..." he trailed before he sighed. "I'm just glad you're okay. Where are you?" 

"I'm with the girls at Lydia's lake house. We're having a sleepover," Y/N explained.

"So you won't be coming back anytime soon?" He mumbled. Y/N could practically see Brett's bottom lip pouting, completely upset they weren't picking up where they left off.

"No, I'm sorry, baby," she apologized.

"Go," Malia said. She could sense how badly Y/N was missing Brett and she wanted to help her friend. She wanted her to be happy.

"What?" Y/N asked confused.

"Yeah,” Kira agreed with a smile. “Go be with Brett."

"It's fine. We can have another sleepover another night when Brett has plans with the guys or something," Lydia squeezed Y/N's forearm, reassuring her it's okay to leave.

"Are you sure?" She asked the girls.

"Don't ask them. Just say thank you and get in the car," Brett spoke through the phone.

Y/N chuckled as she shook her head, realizing how eager her boyfriend was. The girls nodded, giving Y/N permission to leave.

"I'll be there in a few minutes," she told Brett as she quickly stood up from her spot and held the phone against her ear with her shoulder. She began to gather her stuff before Lydia stopped her.

"Leave it. I'll take your stuff over tomorrow. Go be with your man," she smiled.

"Thanks," Y/N quickly hugged Lydia before she turned around and grabbed her keys on the way out. "Baby?" She spoke through her phone.

"Still here," Brett answered. 

"I'm on my way," she smiled before she started the car. 

"I know," she could practically hear the smile on his face as he spoke. "I'll be here waiting for you, baby. I love you."

"I love you, too, Brett," she said before she hung up and drove to spend the rest of the night with her boyfriend before someone could ruin it again tomorrow.

[cupcakesquid]

Drunk in the morning (Dick Grayson x Reader)

Summary: Drunk in the morning by Lukas Graham (Lyrics)

Pairings: Dick Grayson x Reader

Warnings: mentions of alcohol, drunk people

a/n: i love this song so much sooooooo.. also ty @rougeunknown por helping meh understand drunk, because the only experience i’ve had with drunk people was in this hotel at like one in the morning where i had to go to the lobby and there were a bunch of drunk people shouting and it absolutely terrified meh so.. also idek but it may be just the slightest fluffy also @maiamiii

‘are you still awake?’

You stared at the text message you received from Dick. It has been about a week since you last talked and that was quite a long time considering that he was a close friend. All you knew about him was that he was out with Jason since Jay texted you. The real mystery here though was what prompted him to text you in the wee hours of the morning? You shook your head and placed your phone back on the nightstand and laid your head on a pillow. You shut your eyes peacefully.You assumed you were still dreaming or something. It was a strange occurrence, but not as strange as him going out with Jason to grab a drink. Being his best friend was quite a handful, but knowing that he was out drinking with Jason worried you about his safety.

Suddenly it clicked in your mind that he was probably drunk. You quickly grabbed your phone again to see another message.

‘awake enough for me to see you?’

Okay, you couldn't tell if he was lonely or needed a ride home. It was very hard to tell through text. You typed up a response ad sent.

‘Dick, are you drunk? and what's up? You haven't talked to me for days.’

You got a response almost instantly.

‘please just listen, i know it's late but better never than late, right?’

He was definitely drunk and pretty clueless. You wondered how he could even text properly. You figured you had to pick him up before things get out of hand.

‘what the fuck are you going on about? I’m coming to pick you up, where are you?’

You got up and walked over to your closet looking for a jacket. You found a leather jacket and wore it. You went back over to your nightstand grabbing your bag. You were about to walk out the door when your phone vibrated quite violently in your hand. You answered it and held it close to your ear.

“Dick, where are you?” You asked seriously concerned.

“It’s 5 right? Uhm. Who am I calling?” He giggled happily like a child.

“Dick, it's (y/n). Now where the fuck are you?” You slightly yelled getting irritated.“Woahhh, don't get mad lady. Oh wait you're (y/n). Hah.” He continued laughing with his voice sounding very tired.

“I’ll come over, girl. We haven't seen each other for a while. You might be lonely.” He responded ending the call. You groaned and dialed Jason. He answered and you were about to let out some anger.

“Jason, where the fuck is dick and what the hell did he drink?” You spat out.

“I’m working on it, okay?” He said sounding apologetic. You could hear the concern in his voice too so you took a deep breath before speaking again.

“I’m sorry. What do you mean you're working on it?” You asked less furiously.

“We were walking to his apartment when he just ran away.” Jason explained. Your eyes widened.

“fuck fuck fuck fuck.” You mumbled pacing around.

“How did you know by the way?” He asked. “He just called and said he was coming over.” You massaged your forehead and sat on the couch.

“okay, he’ll probably be there in a few. Just wait for me when he gets there.” and with that he hung up. You thought you should prepare for the mess to be here so you went into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. You were sure that dick handled his drink well, but you were obviously wrong. You also prepared some pancakes, because you were hungry too.

After you were done with your preparation, a knock came from the door perfectly timed. You opened it to see the drunk wing.

“you’re so beautiful.” He slurred.

You rolled your eyes. You helped get inside and closed the door. You were able to sit him down and drink some water. “So how'd you manage to get to my apartment?” You asked genuinely wondering how he did.

“there was this unicorn.” He hiccupped.

“Really now?” You laughed. You were mad as hell, but drunk dick was actually quite cute and precious. “Yep, but that doesn't matter.” He placed an arm over shoulder and was barely hanging.

“Will you go on a date with me?” He asked as you looked into his drunk eyes. You decided to amuse him and play along. “Will the unicorn be there?” You asked. “Of course.” He replied laying his head on your thigh, looking up at you. He was so cute. You could not help, but play around with him. He was so clueless and carefree.

“Then I gladly accept.” You said poking his nose. His eyes lit up like child’s eyes would on Christmas and he had the widest smile in the world. It was refreshing to see his smile after a long period of not seeing each other. You wished you could just kiss his adorable face, but you knew it would cause some controversy. The problem with your thought was that it was not just yours; it was also his. He sat up straight and started caressing your cheek.

“Dick, what ar-”

He suddenly brushed his lips against yours and the rest just happened instinctively. You slowly accepted it and you were in an extremely heated moment. You tasted the alcohol on his lips, but he smelled like the sweetest of candies. He started to tug the hem of your shirt and you quickly pulled away. That reminded that he was drunk. He was drunk in lust, love, and so much more. This was nothing, but a mere dream.

“Dick, you're drunk.” You sighed sadly and looked down.

“No I’m not.” He slurred once again proving himself wrong.

“Just keep telling yourself that.” You laughed yourself. He just frowned sadly.

“to prove I’m not drunk, I’ll ask you out again tomorrow I swear. I’ll even note write.” He hiccupped. You decided to be happy again and just entertain. There was no use in making him miserable “yeah, sure.” You slowly smiled again.

Jason knocked on the door repeatedly until you came to answer it.

“he’s over there.” You said pointing at the couch. Jay quickly walked over and helped dick get up. “I’ll see ya tomorrow, (y/n).” He garbled flirtatiously as Jason rolled his eyes.

“Thanks so much. I owe you one.” He helped Dick out the door. You just smiled in response with your sweet smile. You figured dick wouldn’t remember any of this which was sorta a tragedy, but it was fun while it lasted. In a matter of moments you were left in silence, alone in your apartment like the beginning. You went into your bedroom with your phone in hand. You plopped onto your bed laying down comfortably. You sent a text to dick which read ‘have a good morning dork.’ and placed it on the nightstand. You closed your eyes and slowly fell asleep.

The next morning you woke up late, but you didn’t wake up on your own terms. You were awoken by the banging of your door. You lazily stood up from your bed and made your way to the banging door. You were still half asleep and very grumpy at whoever the fuck thought they could wake you up from your enchanting sleep. You opened it to see a hungover, yet quite happy grayson. He hugged you and you just breathed in response. He let go and looked at you realizing he interrupted something.

“Uhm. sorry. I just had to talk to you now.” He said apologetically. You nodded in response letting him continue.

“Uhm there was this note in my phone, that told me to ask you out..” He started which caused you to widen your eyes. He actually did it. You were just terrified of what possible words could come out of his mouth next. You didn’t know what was going on; you were just having a nice siesta until this dork came along and talked about something that could potentially change both of your lives.

“What did I do last night?” He asked.

“Well, to be precise it was 4 in the morning and you may or may not have asked me out.” You trailed off. He just froze up and nodded his head the same way you did to let him know he could continue.

“And well i said yes, of course. There was going to be unicorn according to your drunken state.” You laughed and let out a smile chuckle. “Then we kissed..” You finished looking up giggling in a pathetic way. Dick looked at you sadly knowing that your laugh was not a happy one. “And i told you that you were drunk and that wasn’t actually how you felt and-”

“It is how I feel.”

A long silence filled the space between both of you and him. He then took the liberty of kissing you again, but this time is was truly sincere and genuine. You really felt the emotions he was trying to get to you that morning. You didn’t believe it before, but now you were very sure of it.

He did love you.

After a few more moments, he pulled away. You both felt like the happiest lovers on the planet, because both your troubles have ended. Dick leaned on the door frame ‘seductively’ for laughs and asked

“So, about that date?”

[andymull]

WWE Wrestlemania 33 - Preview & Predictions

Goldberg (c) vs Brock Lesnar: Universal Championship Match

The first of many matches on tonight's show, many. Currently as I type this it is still the main event of the show, with small murmurs that the Taker/Reigns match may steal that slot at the last moment. The first thing about this match I can say is man the build really hasn't caught me at all, the prospect of Goldberg as champion has quickly led to quick title matches helping no-one other than him. Lesnar has been made to look weak with the quick finishes and I dont see how marks should see him as a threat in the build up.

The company must really be worried about the reactions during this match, knowing that the crowd knows it will be less than 10 minutes probably including entrances as well. And I really dont know who’s going to be cheered as I have a feeling Lesnar is going to get the male adults cheers and Bill gets the women and kids maybe.

In terms of victory here I really dont mind as many people are more concerned as to who becomes champion after these two and how they get the belt, I have a sneaking suspicion that Goldberg gives up the belt tomorrow on Raw if he wins which will be devastating to all the other talent on Raw who wont have the chance to beat him. Lesnar on the other hand will have no problem taking a big pay check to drop it sooooooo. - LESNAR

Bray Wyatt (c) vs Randy Orton: WWE Championship Match

Speaking of weak build we enter this feud, childish hokey angles in the build, the WWE Championship added to the feud to give it more of an important feel and a higher spot on this card, and people still dont care. The idea of giving Orton the Rumble win was a waste as he still could have ended up in this spot easy as the title wasn't needed in the first place.

I imagine Bray gets an expensive entrance in the dark Mania sky with probably tons of extras wearing Sheep masks, leading to a reveal of one of them being Erick Rowan helping him keep the title. Leading to Luke Harper having to feud with Rowan while Wyatt/Orton have a rematch then hopefully Harper gets a title feud.

Wyatt needs to keep the title for awhile with some really good title matches to make him look more of a star with the title, having him lose it to Orton this quickly shouldn't be happening especially in an era where they NEED to establish new top guys. I can still see them going with Orton as they know he will get a good reaction from the crowds when hitting the RKO and they pop when his music hits, sadly those have been really important over the past 20 years in keeping guys in higher spots than they should have. - WYATT

The Undertaker vs Roman Reigns

Well this is the other match that is still in contention to be the actual main event of the show, I feel it really may end up being a late decision as they may want to see the actual reactions from the crowd to their faces appearing on the big screens to see which is the better way to close the show.

In terms of the match this really could be the way to turn Reigns fully heel and not this weak face booking but heel reactions which HHH seems happy with from recent interviews. Destroying Taker and turning on the crowds reaction is needed, hell even if Taker wins he needs to destroy him to get that point over in the biggest way possible.

They really want/need Reigns to remain the main guy in the company but truthfully a loss isn't the worst thing here as long as the followup is strong, hence my idea of the beat down afterwards which would leave more of a memory than the three count. But, the big question is what does Vince think is the best way to do so, sooooooo Reigns win it is - REIGNS

Seth Rollins vs Triple H: In A Non Sanctioned Match

If its me I would have kept Rollins off of the show after his injury and not rushed him back, seriously if he gets badly injured in a garbage brawl match and is out for a long period of time it will be ridiculous. This now will be a weapons filled brawl that will most likely see Samoa Joe come down to join in the match and then we will see the return of Finn Balor to help Seth out (forget that Rollins injured him for now btw).

Rollins really needs the win as after Mania he should be relied on alot at the top of the card on Raw, HHH gains zero from going over and he knows that, no ego trips will be had here, trust me - ROLLINS

Shane McMahon vs AJ Styles

AJ should really have been in a better match for the title on this show, but sadly that was not to be so we should look forward to what he can put on with Shane, which tbh could be a real fun match with the crowd reactions. And as previously seen Styles was able to have a fun match with James Ellsworth, so replacing him with Shane should mean there wont be a problem in a straight up wrestling match between the two.

I cant see a reason why Shane would win, and even if they say he is to go over I would imagine he would argue to lose. Styles needs to go over clean, show a level of respect to Shane at the end as an AJ face turn isn't too far away, and he should be prime and ready for the title and title feuds as soon as possible - STYLES

Bayley (c) vs Charlotte vs Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax: Raw Women’s Championship Match - Elimination Match

Ive mentioned before my dislike for how they have booked/handled the women on Raw, and this isn't helping things. The elimination stipulation was added for seemingly no reason and doesn't add to the match.

The way this ends is with a Banks heel turn and cheap win over Bayley, Jax out first, Charlotte gets pinned after Bayley and Sasha work together and Bayley pins her, then as Bayley rise back up she gets cheap shotted by Banks in her desperate attempt to win the belt - SASHA

Chris Jericho vs Kevin Owens: US Title Match

Great build to this match and with the minds of both involved it should see for a fun, brutal match. The crowd will be desperate for Jericho to win and retain his title but really this should only end in one way and that’s with Owens taking the belt. 

Jericho should be taking some time off soon to continue his music career, and Owens is the guy they need to be building large segments of Raw around each week. With some of the guys currently on the roster and those potentially getting promoted from NXT we could be in for some fun times around this title belt and around Kevin - OWENS

Nikki Bella + John Cena vs The Miz + Maryse

Another feud with awesome build, Miz and Maryse with their Total Bella Bullshit segments and near enough every Cena promo on both Smackdown and Talking Smack, sadly Nikki hasn't brought anything to this apart from being the one wanting it to happen most so that they can attempt to pressure Cena into proposing following the match and maybe Nikkis retirement?? 

I see this match being fairly quick with the women getting a heated cat fight in but the main body of work being left to the men, this really has all been built to Cena/Nikki winning and the prospect of a proposal/ retirement but truthfully this is begging out for a Miz/Maryse victory as the win will do wonders for him especially in looking a more solid threat. Plus Cena is off shooting a movie and wont be on tv weekly to have any effect of winning here, but we all know that wont stop them - CENA/NIKKI

Dean Ambrose (c) vs Baron Corbin: Intercontinental Title Match

A match that really will be lost on the card, Boring Baron Corbin does nothing for me but seemingly has someone backstage high on him so look for him to win his first title in the WWE

There really isn't much to write about this match is there? lol - CORBIN

Big Cass + Enzo vs Gallows + Anderson vs Cesaro + Sheamus: Raw Tag Team Title Match - Triple Threat Ladder Match

Quick we need a stipulation, lets suddenly bring in a ladder on the last Raw before Mania and make it look like that was the plan!! lol For me the added stip of the ladder is purely just a way of bringing back memories of the Hardys, listen out for the announcers to mention them alot by name or even keep saying the word broken.

Not one team sticks out here as needing to win with only two of the teams really having something special to win, the champs to retain and Enzo/Cass to win their first titles, nothing about Cesaro/Sheamus winning again is special to anyone apart from their friends and family.

The factor here is actually one that may not even be a factor for awhile longer yet and that’s the Hardys, they are due to return but we dont know exactly when yet but the safest idea here is for the heels to retain ready for the face Hardys to return and feud with them - GALLOWS/ANDERSON

Mickie James vs Natalya vs Alexa Bliss (c) vs Becky Lynch vs Carmella vs Naomi: Smackdown Women’s Championship Match + Surprise Guests/Stipulation

Im really glad this match was re-added to the main show after being dropped to the pre show, the problem will be that they were dropped for a reason and that most likely was down to the timing of the show and them being re-added means less time for the girls and also one or two other matches/segments.

We still dont actually know what the actual match stipulation is yet as well as the rumours of some of the older Diva’s returning to take part as well. The only real story/factor here is Naomi returning from injury in her home town, which screams a title change to me. Hopefully that doesn't come to fruition as Alexa is the be all and end all for me easily - NAOMI

Neville (c) vs Austin Aries: Cruiserweight Championship Match - Kickoff Show

Gutted that these guys were relegated to the kick off show as they could have had the match of the night but probably wont be allowed to go all out on the pre show, still though they wont have anything less than a 4 star match no matter then length of time they receive.

Aries has come into the company on fire in the ring as well as on commentary, and Neville has been one of the best performers in the company since moving to 205 Live. Look forward to watching this and hope that they dont have to perform infront of a half empty arena - NEVILLE

The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal - Kickoff Match

The usual throw everyone not being used into a match for a pay check battle royal, out of the names entered and announced its really between the following. Braun Strowman, Big Show, Sami Zayn and Tian Bing, yeah you read that right Chandler Bing’s Chinese relative. The others make sense with Bing being added purely as a quick attempt to see their growth rise in the Chinese market with a Chinese wrestler being under the focus, I doubt he wins but at the same time it would be some very smart business if he did, not very smart in terms of getting a reaction from the live crowd though - BRRRRRAAAAAUUUUUNNNNNN

The New Day Hosting

Gutted that the team arent involved in the Tag Title scene on Raw but this will present them with a number of segments during the show, as well as potentially segments with Legends that should be written well, better than alot of their Raw segments. A big concern will be the crowds reaction to Woods after the Paige incident, especially as he has been kept backstage in segments since then and not put infront of live crowds yet so this could see a big reaction the first time he’s out there.

Man that’s alot of matches, good luck to those going in keeping interest in everything. 

Also look for the return in some form of Hulk Hogan on the show, brother.

Quick thought - I would love a Wrestlemania 9 finish with the Goldberg/Lesnar match with Shinsuke Nakamura in the Hulk Hogan role

The music performances on the show are going to be lame and not worth mine or your time as normal

Quick thought 2 - I would love for Samoa Joe to come out and attack Kurt Angle during the HOF segment.

Hope everyone enjoys the show, I wont be watching live as the Network means I dont have to stay up till 4 or 5am anymore I just have to not go on social media until I finish, simple. Hit me up on Twitter @AndyMulligan with feedback or female admirers 

Bye for now

Andy