#i'll be over here in my land of being grateful to have something to look forward to in my life.

[goldfades]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 ─ PB⁵

౨ৎ ─ summary | request -> "Could you write a Paige bueckers x Fem Reader pls! where they’re enemies but everyone is always teasing them (everything’s regular, like she plays for UConn and the reader can be a cheerleader or something idk). It can lead to smut or just a super cute story. Ofc you don’t have to follow the plot!"

─ word count | 1.8k

─ warnings | teasing obviously, kinda mean paige but not really, cheer coach being mean, mention of coach's weight (i had to im sorry), hurt/comfort (my new fav trope omg)

─ taglist | @xocherishxo @iienstein @yazmunson @eupheteral and here's a link to my taglist if anyone would like to join!!

─ ev's notes | my requests are closed rn but if yall wanna send in some concepts, please do i'm willing to indulge (trust me this more of a gift to me than anyone)

"OH THERE SHE GOES AGAIN, THE DRAMA QUEEN!" PAIGE MOCKS as you feel your cheeks get red in embarrassment.

KK and Azzi exchange glance before looking back at the two of you. You let out an irritated scoff as Paige drank her water, her eyebrows raising as she awaited your response. You knew she was trying to get a reaction out of you, to see you stumble over your words and get embarrassed.

"Oh shut up," you landed on the simplest response as you rolled your eyes. Paige laughed as she shook her head in amusement as KK stifled a laugh.

Paige's mocking tone grated on your nerves, sparking irritation that simmered just beneath the surface. You shot her a pointed glare, your jaw clenched in frustration as you fought to keep your composure.

Paige smirked, clearly relishing the opportunity to ruffle your feathers. "Oh, did I hit a nerve, sweetheart?" she taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she took a sip of her water, her gaze never leaving yours.

"I'm not a drama queen," you scoffed. "And I wasn't even talking to you! I was talking to Azzi!"

"Well you should've spoken quieter." Paige quickly retorted as your nose flared in utter irritation. "Oh nice jersey by the way," she added as she glanced down at the jersey you were wearing.

You rolled your eyes and huffed in frustration. You were a cheerleader and your team had decided to add some extra support for the girl's basketball team, so they made all the girls wear someone's jersey.

Now this wouldn't be a problem if they would've chosen any other girl on the team, but no. Somehow you ended up with Paige's and now you're sure, you'll never live it down.

"I'll speak however I want, thank you very much," you shot back, your tone dripping with sarcasm. "And as for the jersey, it's not like I had much of a choice in the matter."

Paige's smirk widened at your response, clearly reveling in your annoyance. "And here I thought cheerleaders were supposed to be graceful."

You scoffed, resisting the urge to roll your eyes at Paige's jab. "Graceful or not, at least I'm not the one tripping over my own ego," you fired back, your tone sharp with irritation.

Paige let out a melodramatic gasp, placing a hand over her heart in mock offense. "Ouch, that stings," she replied, her smirk never faltering. "At least I can back up my ego."

You arched an eyebrow, unimpressed by Paige's attempt to deflect your jab. "Oh, please," you retorted, your voice dripping with sarcasm. "Last time I checked, being able to shoot hoops doesn't make you a saint."

"Oh, but twirling around in the air with little pom-pom's does?" Paige's laughter echoed as you rolled your eyes. "I'd like to see you try and shoot a 3-pointer."

You couldn't help but chuckle at Paige's retort, her laughter infectious despite the underlying tension between you. "Fair enough," you relented, a playful glint in your eyes. "But I'd like to see you try and nail a perfect pyramid."

Paige raised an eyebrow, a challenge dancing in her gaze. "You wanna bet?" she replied, her smirk widening into a grin.

Azzi finally cut in and the both of you snapped out of it, remembering that it wasn't just the two of you at the table. "No, Paige, you're not going to be doing any tricks until the season is over."

You and Paige exchanged a knowing glance, the teasing atmosphere still lingering in the air between you. "Damn it," Paige teased, shooting Azzi a playful pout.

Azzi simply rolled her eyes, unfazed by Paige's antics. "Someone has to keep you in line," she quipped, a hint of amusement in her voice.

KK chuckled from beside Paige. "I actually wanna see Paige try and do that little trick in the air, uh... what is it called?"

Paige shot KK a playful glare, her competitive spirit reignited by his challenge. "You mean a basket toss?"

Your eyebrows furrowed as your lips curved into a smile at Paige's response. "How did you know that?"

"You always talk about how can't nail a basket toss, what can I say? I catch on." Paige shrugged as if it was nothing as you exchanged a playful smirk. "Can't be that hard."

KK started laughing as she shook her head in amusement. "Dude, it is hard."

"It can't be that hard. Maybe for Y/N..." Paige teased as you shot her a glare. "But not for me."

"Okay, let's bet. How much?" You glared at the blonde as she laughed. "50$."

"Only 50$? Please, let's see... 100$." Paige raised an eyebrow, her competitive spirit igniting at the mention of a bet.

You exchanged a glance with KK and Azzi, a mixture of excitement and annoyance bubbling within you. "Deal, let's shake on it."

"Okay, I'll give you 100$ if I can't land it and if I can, you'll give me it." Paige explained as she accepted your handshake with a smile.

"Yeah, that's how betting works, P." You teased as Paige's grip tightened slightly, a playful glint in her eyes as she shot you a glare.

"Shut up."

"You first."

"I asked you first,"

"Technically, not really-"

KK scoffed in amusement, interrupting your banter with a shake of her head. "You two are like an old married couple," she remarked, unable to hide her amusement. "Just kiss already."

"Oh shut up!" You guys both said union, Paige's blush obvious on her cheeks as she groaned.

──

The basketball game unfolded on the court, while you stood on the sidelines, cheering on your team with all your might. The gymnasium echoed with the applause of the crowd, the energy palpable as you did your usual routine.

But tonight, everything just felt like a haze. Every cheer felt forced, every move seemed to lack the usual grace and precision that defined your performances. Maybe it was the lack of sleep or finals that had finally been getting to you, but you were exhausted.

On top of all that, your coach was watching you like a hawk, his expression disapproving. With every misstep, you could feel his disappointment weighing heavily on your shoulders, adding to the burden of exhaustion that already consumed you.

Each word felt like a blow to your confidence, leaving you feeling hurt. You tried to maintain your focus, to push past the exhaustion and perform at your best, but it felt like an uphill battle.

Your coach's voice rang out above the din of the crowd, his words sharp. "Y/N, what was that? You call that a toe touch? I've seen better from a beginner! Jesus Christ."

Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes as you fought to hold them back, to maintain a facade of composure in the face of your coach's harsh criticism. But inside, you were crumbling, your confidence shaken to its core.

Paige's head turned at that, she was sitting on the bench as she watched the exchange between you and the coach. Sensing your hurt, her expression softened, a flicker of concern crossing her features.

And as the final buzzer sounded and the game drew to a close, you excused yourself from the team and practically ran to the bathroom. You sniffled quietly as you let the tears out freely, feeling the weight of the entire night crashing on your shoulders.

After a few minutes, you cleaned up your running make-up and made your way back to the court to get your stuff. As you made your way towards the exit, you heard a familiar voice call out to you from behind. Turning around, you were surprised to see Paige running tp toward you, her expression softened with concern.

"Hey," she said softly, taking a step closer to you. "Are you okay?"

You nodded, forcing a small smile despite the lingering traces of tears on your cheeks. "Yeah, I'm fine," you replied, your voice wavering slightly.

She gestured for you to keep walking and you did, she walked up next to you. "You don't look fine," she remarked, her tone gentle yet firm. "Tell me what happened."

"Nothing," you replied rather defensively as Paige shot you a glare. You knew she was just trying to help so you sighed, trying to relax yourself. "It's not that big of a deal."

Paige narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly not buying your attempt to brush off the situation. "If it's bothering you enough to run off like that, then it's definitely a big deal."

You sighed, realizing that you couldn't hide your feelings from Paige, nor did you really want to. With a slump of your shoulders, you relented. "Fine, it's just... Coach was being really harsh on me tonight,"

Paige's expression softened, her concern evident as she listened to your explanation. "Yeah, I figured. I'm sorry." She paused, feeling slightly awkward as she shifted her weight from one foot to another. "If it makes you feel a better, I don't think he twirl in the air like you. Or just in general, 'cus you know, he's like 200 pounds."

Your lips curved into a smile before you even knew it, rolling your eyes as a laugh escaped your mouth. Her awkwardness melted away as she joined in your laughter as she watched your expression closely.

"No but seriously." Her smile softened as she gazed back at you. "Don't let him determine your worth. I already know you're gonna go pro." Paige paused as she took in her words, shaking her head as you let out another laugh. "Can you go pro in cheer?"

"I don't think so," you replied with a grin, shaking your head. "But hey, who knows? Maybe I'll be the first."

Paige chuckled, her smile widening as she playfully nudged your shoulder. "Well, if anyone can do it, it's you."

You felt her gaze locked on you as your lips began to hurt from grinning. You felt your cheeks warm up as her blue eyes held yours, a warmth spreading through you at the intensity of her gaze. It was as if time had slowed down, the bustling gymnasium fading into the background as you found yourself captivated by the depth of Paige's eyes.

Unable to tear your gaze away from hers, you felt a flutter of something unfamiliar stir within you—a warmth that spread from the depths of your being and settled comfortably in the space between you and Paige.

With a soft smile, Paige broke the spell, her laughter ringing out once more as she playfully nudged your shoulder. "Come on, let's get out of here."

"Where are we going?" You laughed as Paige's hand naturally fell on the small of your back to lead you to the exit.

"To celebrate with the girls." Paige smiled. You didn't need any more convincing, you were down for whatever. "You still hate my cocky ass, or whatever?"

You let out a breathless laugh as you shook your head, she always had to ruin the moment. She opened the door for you as she led you to her car, her hand lingering on the small of your back.

"Of course. You still think I'm a drama queen?"

Paige nodded as she smirked. "Always."

↳ make sure to check out my navigation or masterlist if you enjoyed! any interaction is greatly appreciated !

↳ thank you for reading all the way through, as always ♡

[heavyhitterheaux]

Good Intentions

See Me Through You Fic

Synopsis: An argument between you and your twin ultimately leads to an argument between you and your fiancé who calls you out about your actions and tells you how being overprotective isn't a good thing

Pairing: Fiancé!Joe Burrow x Fiancée!Reader

Series Masterlist

Requested by: by boo @hoodharlow 💕

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

AN: This takes place during Ja'Marr's rookie season. You are still at LSU and taking summer classes

The last thing your twin ever wanted to do was hurt your feelings, but all in all he had had enough and had reached his limit when it came to you being overprotective.

At this point, it was honestly suffocating.

It had been this way since the two of you were born and although Ja'Marr was grateful to be able to get along with his sibling since he knew not everyone did, something had to give. Yes, the two of you would talk to each other multiple times a day, but it seemed as if his phone had been ringing nonstop since he landed in Cincinnati.

As soon as he was going to text you and tell you that he wanted to talk about the situation, his phone was ringing indicating that it was you….

Again.

Taking a deep breath, Ja'Marr answered.

“Yes, Pebbles?”

“Bam Bam! Are you okay? How's everything going? I miss you. Did you eat breakfast already and take your vitamins?”

“I'm fine. I was fine when you called me two hours ago too…. at six in the morning. I miss you too. And yes to both of those questions.”

“It's just so weird not having you here and I hate it. I'm so proud of you, though. I always knew you would make it to the NFL because I saw your potential and how good you were. What do you have planned for today?” You asked as you were currently at the nail salon trying to decide on the color that you wanted.

You would be reunited with both your brother and fiancé in three weeks and you had been counting down until the last minute.

“Same plan that I had two hours ago. Just trying to get settled. Go explore the city a little bit.”

“Okay, well I guess I'll let you do that. I like how you're still getting an early start.” You told him as it was still barely eight in the morning.

“Wait, Pebbles can we talk?”

“We'll talk later when I call you back. I'm at the nail salon. Give me like an hour or two. They're ready for me. Love you!”

“Love you too.” Ja'Marr quietly said before the two of you hung up and he quickly looked up at Joe who was sitting across from him and half asleep himself since you had requested once again for him to head over to Ja'Marr's to check on him.

“You have got to tell her because this is insane. I feel like I've seen you more in the past week than I did my whole two years at LSU.” Joe told him as he shook his head.

“I just… I don't want to make her feel bad because I know she means well.” 

“But this cannot keep happening. I'm surprised she hasn't told me to make you move in with me so I can keep an eye on you. That's probably going to happen by the end of the day.”

“I'll talk to her once she calls me back later.” Ja'Marr replied, but if he was being honest he was actually dreading this conversation.

“You mean in five minutes?” Joe asked and Ja'Marr couldn't help but to laugh.

“I should time it and see how long it takes for her to actually do it.”

“Well in the meantime, I'm going back to sleep. But I know I won't be able to sleep for long before she's calling me back too.” Joe said as he got up and grabbed his keys making his way towards the door.

“I just hope she doesn't take it the wrong way.”

“I think everything will die down once she's actually here in person.”

—

When you had finally gotten out of the nail salon after admiring them and taking multiple pictures and had got settled in your car, you called Joe to see what he was up to and to also check on your brother. It was hard not being able to be with your brother as well as your fiancé since you had gotten accustomed to having both of them. 

You were taking a few summer classes which delayed you spending time with him in Cincinnati. Luckily, you only had a few weeks left until you would be able to.

“Hi baby! My nails are pink! I took a picture and sent it to you.” You proudly told Joe as he had you on speaker and was looking at the picture as you were telling him.

“I love them. Can't wait to feel them scratching down my back.”

“I… behave yourself!”

“I am behaving! I can't help that I miss my girl.”

“Aww, I miss you too. I just wanted to take this class so it will lessen my load come next semester. Anyway, babe, can you go and check on Ja'Marr?” You sweetly asked and Joe couldn't help but to roll his eyes and was thankful that it wasn't a facetime call. He knew that it was only a matter of time.

“Baby, I was literally just over there three hours ago. I'm not going over there again.” Joe told you as he was trying to make himself a smoothie and started to get ingredients out of the fridge.

“But I have to know if he's okay!”

“Y/N, are you going to let him be an adult or…?”

“He's my baby brother! And you told me that you would look out for him once he got to Cincy. And since when is he an adult?! He is still three in my eyes!”

“Princess, I am looking out for him, but you are being extremely overprotective and Ja'Marr is scared to say anything because he doesn't want to hurt your feelings. How long are you going to try and hold his hand for? And he became an adult the minute that he turned eighteen.”

“If he had a problem with me calling him so much, he would tell me. He tells me everything.” You said and Joe scoffed.

“Uh? What was that sound for? See, you're the youngest so you probably don't understand! I have been looking out for him since forever! I have so many responsibilities on my shoulders being the oldest.”

“Older by three minutes. And you need to calm down and let him be. You are in the wrong here, but won't admit it. Nothing wrong with checking on him, but babe this is borderline obsessive.” Joe explained to you as he was now cutting up the fruit he wanted to put in his smoothie.

“Joey, what the hell!? He's the only sibling I have.”

“I'm your fiancé and I'm always going to be honest with you. I don't care if it's something you don't want to hear or agree with.” 

“There is literally nothing wrong with what I'm doing.” 

Joe couldn't help but to roll his eyes once more. 

“Okay, baby. Since you don't think it's bothering him, hang up and call him. Then call me back and tell me what he says.”

“Fine, you’ll see.” You said as you shrugged even though Joe couldn't see you.

Once you hung up with him, you called your twin and he didn't even give you a proper greeting before he started to go off on you.

“Y/N, what could you possibly ask me about now?”

“Whoa, what's the attitude for? And I thought you wanted to talk to me? You always want to talk to me.”  You asked as you were caught off guard.

“Don't you have class, or practice, or SOMETHING that you can occupy your time with instead of calling me every five minutes?”

“I… Ja'Marr I just want to make sure you’re okay. You're my baby brother and my twin. Only one I have.”

“Yes, I know and you will NOT let me fucking breathe. Like got damn. I've only been here a damn week and all of my calls are basically from you every two minutes. Yes, Joe is checking on me and making sure I'm good. But I don't need a babysitter. He's also getting annoyed because you tell him to come and check on me ten times a day!” Ja'Marr told you unable to hold back any longer. 

“But… you turned your location off. I need to know where you are. You never turn it off. What's up with that?”

“NO YOU DON'T. I'm good, that's all you need to know. All you have been doing ever since I got drafted was be extremely overprotective! Mom and dad aren't even this bad.” He told you as he was being completely honest.

It was quiet for a few seconds before you decided to say anything, obviously hurt by his reaction.

“If I'm bothering you, I'll stop. I just miss you is all. But I can see that I'm causing more harm than good. So I'll hang up now.” You said with tears threatening to fall from your eyes. 

“Wait, Pebbles, I just…” Now Ja'Marr was regretting his approach because he now knew for a fact that he had hurt your feelings which he was trying to avoid doing.

“Bye, have a good rest of your day.” 

You didn't give him a chance to finish as you quickly hung up and wiped away the tears that did end up falling. Figuring that you were also probably bothering your fiancé just as Ja'Marr mentioned, you decided to send him a text instead of calling him again.

You- I'll stop asking for you to check on him

Joey- Baby, I don't mind checking on him. Just tone it down a little bit. I promise you that he's okay. If he wasn’t, you would be the first person I told.

You- No, I'm not asking anymore at all. If he wants to talk to me, he will and I'll leave it at that. I guess I'm bothering you too so I'll let you be. Talk to you whenever.

Joey- Princess, stop being ridiculous. You aren't bothering me.

You- Ja'Marr said otherwise so goodnight

“Shit.” Joe muttered underneath his breath before typing a response back to you.

Joey- It is literally 11 in the morning and you're being petty

You- I can tell time, goodnight like I said

For the rest of the day, your phone had been blown up by Joe but you weren't budging. Ja’Marr had been eerily quiet, but you definitely weren't about to say anything to him.

He wanted space so that was what he was going to get. 

If he felt like you were being extremely overprotective and also bothering Joe with your antics, you were simply going to keep your distance.

About a week had passed and Ja'Marr honestly felt weird.

He hadn't talked to his big sister and since it was out of the ordinary, when certain things happened he didn't have anyone he would immediately run and tell about it.

That person had been you.

He had been leaving you messages here and there with no response from you.

Joe wasn't any better and you would be sending him one word answers to his text messages while declining his facetime calls despite him wanting to call a truce.

He came to the conclusion that you were obviously still hurt by the argument that had taken place, but he needed to fix this before you came to see him in two weeks.

Well, if you still wanted to see him, that is. 

Because as of right now he wasn't so sure. 

It was now around six in the evening when you and Erin had just gotten back from going shopping and you had begun to put away your clothes in your closet when you heard Erin's phone ring as she was sitting on your bed.

“Oh no.” She breathed out and you looked at her in confusion.

“What?”

“Your baby daddy is calling me.” She told you and you quickly rolled your eyes.

One thing about Joe is if he knew you were mad at him, nine times out of ten he's calling Erin to check on you because he knows that you'll keep ignoring him.

“I'm not talking to him right now.”

“Wait, didn’t you tell him goodnight at 11 in the morning the other day?” She asked while laughing.

“Yes, and I meant it.”

“Let’s see what he wants.” Erin replied as you quickly shook your head no before exclaiming it.

“NO!”

“Too late. Hi Joey!” Erin said as she waved at him with you quickly rolling your eyes.

Great, it was a facetime call too.

“Hey Erin, where's Y/N?”

“In front of me and I told her to call you so that the two of you could make up but she's being stubborn.” She told him and you promptly rolled your eyes.

“Can you pass her the phone?” He politely asked and she quickly nodded. 

“Sure.”

It took a minute for you to take the phone from her, but once you did, you didn't greet your fiancé but simply stared at him.

“Baby….”

“What? What do you want?”

“Lose the attitude. And I’m just checking on you, have you talked to your twin at all?”

“Nope, and I don't plan on it. He asked me if I had something to occupy my time with instead of bothering him and here we are. And I thought I told you goodnight already?”

“Princess, he wants to talk to you and apologize but you wouldn't know that since apparently you've been ignoring him. And you told me that damn near a week ago. We communicate with each other in this relationship and this needs to end tonight.”

“Okay, can I get back to watching my shows now?” You asked as you had now moved from your room to the living room and turned on Netflix with Erin behind you.

“No, talk to him first and then we need to talk.”

“Well I don't know how that's going to happen because I'm not calling him.” 

“There's no need to, he's right here.” Joe told you and quickly passed the phone to Ja'Marr.

“Wait, what?”

“Pebbles….”

“Wow, the minute I say I'm going to stop calling you, look who decides to come crawling back?” You told him and Ja'Marr quickly rolled his eyes.

“You need to shut your petty ass up so I can apologize.”

“I will jump through this phone and tackle you. Fuck a D-line.” You shot back and he let out a deep sigh.

“Like I was saying because I am ignoring that last statement. I never meant to hurt your feelings and it did come out kind of harsh.”

“Kind of? That's putting it lightly.” You muttered as you were deciding which show you wanted to catch up on.

“Y/N!”

“I'm just telling it like it is.”

“Anyway, I'm sorry but we have got to come to a compromise because we can't keep doing this.”

You sighed before answering him, but quickly nodded in agreement.

“I'm sorry too, but the only way I'm forgiving you is if you door dash me some food.”

“Already done. Honey old bay wings, all flats. Should be there in the next ten minutes.”

“Oh, you are definitely trying to get back on my good side. But on a serious note, I promise to give you more space and I never want you to feel like I'm suffocating you. I just… it's kinda lonely here now. I do have Erin and Alisha but…. I have literally never been away from you.” You confessed as Ja'Marr nodded.

“I know and it's going to take some time for us to adjust. But we'll get there. We good now?”

“Yes, we're good.”

“Now stop being a petty ass fiancée to my best friend.” Ja'Marr said as he eyed you and handed Joe back the phone.

“Babe?”

“Yes, princess?”

“I'm sorry and you know I love you. And yes I need to work on my communication when it comes to you and stop shutting you out.” You told him while you got up off the couch to grab a drink from the fridge.

“I don't know how many times that I have to remind you that I'm not him. I care about how you feel and am always willing to meet you halfway. I asked you to marry me for a reason. I love you too.” 

“Sometimes I swear I don't deserve you.” You whispered and Joe simply shook his head.

“We deserve each other and we're going to continue to make our relationship stronger because once I slip that ring on your finger next summer, that's it. You're mine forever and whatever problems may arise, we simply have to figure it out together. We're a team, okay?”

“Okay.” You quietly said as you smiled at him.

"See you in two weeks, princess?” Joe asked with excitement dripping from his voice.

“Two weeks and not a day more.”

[justalittlelilac]

Hiii! Since you're asking for prompts... how about sick step 2 Qiu with a high fever? Being clingy and accidentally confessing their love for the MC? 🥺

This is so cute, I'm going to lose my mind.

Caring for a prickly, clingy Qiu Lin

Barely revised and edited. If you see mistakes, no you didn't <3

It wasn’t uncommon for Qiu to not answer when you knocked on their bedroom door, but this was concerning. You shifted the food tray in your hands, trying not to spill the steaming chicken noodle soup that Mrs. Lin had carefully prepared. The familiar smell of ginger filled the hallway, reminding you of all the times you'd eaten dinner at their house.

Silence was still your only greeting from behind the barrier separating you and your friend.

“Qiu? It’s me. Your mom sent me up with some food and medicine for you. Can I come in?” You asked, concern lacing your words. You pressed your ear against the cool wood of the door, straining to hear any sign of life within.

There was a beat of quiet, but from the other side you heard shuffling, something toppling with a hollow thud, and the distinct sound of papers and pens falling to the wood floor. Qiu’s voice reached you, except it sounded more like a muffled groan. You took that as enough acknowledgment to breach the quarantine zone.

Qiu’s room was usually messy, but that could be an understatement compared to the scene you were met with now. Beyond the typical scattered clothes and notes, tissues covered every surface like confetti after a party. Wrappers from various types of snacks and cough drops, and the occasional water bottle were like little islands everywhere.

Extra pillows and blankets were strewn about the floor as if Qiu had rotated between their bed and the cooler surface of the hardwood. Your eyes traced a path to their mattress, which housed a rather miserable looking lump. The top of Qiu’s head was the only thing visible from the blankets.

Approaching slowly, you placed the food tray down on their night stand, nearly knocking off half empty water bottles and their journal. Qiu was turned away from you on their side, eyes closed, cheeks red, and their dark hair loose around their face.

"I'm dead. Go away," they grumbled softly. Their form remained turned away from you.

"That's weird. Dead people don't talk," you quipped, making yourself comfortable on the edge of the mattress. Qiu's face didn't change, not even an eyebrow twitch to indicate they heard you. "I really don't want to bury you," you added when they didn't respond, clearly taking your point into consideration.

After a moment, you shrugged your shoulders and rose, giving a dramatic sigh. "Alright, I guess I'll go get the shovel. I was really hoping it wouldn't have to come to this." You turned to head to the door, intending to just venture downstairs to let Mrs. Lin know you had made the successful delivery.

You hadn't taken three steps before Qiu Lin's head popped up, their hair sticking out every which way and glassy eyed.

"Wait," they croaked. You turned back, trying not to smirk as they avoided your eyes. "I may not be dead, but I am definitely dying," they declared, then sneezed into their elbow as if to prove their point. They flopped back onto the bed like a deflated balloon.

"Ew," you responded with another laugh, returning to your previous sitting position. With a sniffle, they stretched their arm, fumbling around on their night stand, and nearly landing their digits in the bowl of soup. You acted fast, reaching over to supply a clean tissue to their hand. Their tired eyes met yours with a small, grateful smile.

"Thanks," they said, before blowing their nose like trumpet. "What are you doing here anyway?" They blinked at you like they'd completely forgotten about the tray of food right next to them.

"You were dead, remember? Your mom let me in because she knows you'd want someone to mourn you properly."

Qiu rolled their eyes, but their smile stuck around. "She probably would rather have you around anyway." They pushed themselves up against their pillows, which took way more effort than it should have.

"Maybe, but I think she'd miss her only child," you assured optimistically, poking them in the leg. They winced, and you immediately felt bad. "And I would too," you added quickly.

Qiu's cheeks grew redder, though with their fever it was hard to tell if you'd actually made them blush.

"I have been sick for years," they insisted, but their tone was a little lighter than their previous attempts to convince you of their demise.

"You're so dramatic. Here, eat and take your medicine. I command it." You placed the tray in their lap like a stern head nurse. They blinked down at the contents, not realizing it was there until now.

"Chicken noodle soup?" was all they asked, eyes shifting from the steaming bowl of broth, noodles, and veggies to your face.

"Your mom said it's your favorite," you shrugged, watching their expression carefully. They didn't react any further than that, and picked up the spoon to begin eating.

The room grew quiet aside for the occasional slurp, but it was a comfortable kind of quiet, the kind that happens when you've known someone long enough that you don't need to fill every silence.

When they finished, Qiu wiped their mouth with their sleeve, then noticed the napkin on the tray and gave you a sheepish look. You just shook your head and handed them their water bottle and the medicine. Once they'd taken everything, you helped move the tray away.

Qiu shuffled in the bed, sinking back down into the blankets. You assumed that was your cue to leave and stood to do so. Subtly, you felt a tug on your pant leg. Turning to look down, you found Qiu's fingers pinching the fabric. Their eyes were closed, but where their face should have been relaxed, ready for rest, was the furrowed brow of confliction.

"I don't want you to go, but I don't want you to get sick too," they muttered into their blanket.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" You couldn't help grinning. Even sick, Qiu was too fun to tease. Their brows furrowed even harder and the corners of their lips pulled down slightly, as if the pain of repeating themselves was greater than the fever ache.

"I said, I don't want you to go, but I don't want you to get sick," they grumbled out, just slightly clearer than before.

Oh.

You had half expected them to ignore you in favor for not having to repeat themselves. Qiu's eyes opened, and they peered up at you expectantly. It took you a moment to realize you needed to respond.

"Oh, well, I guess I can stay for a little while." You tried to play it cool, but it was hard to ignore the feeling in your chest, a mix of flattery and the excitement that came with having a crush.

"Besides, I have an immune system of steel. I'm pretty sure I have ancestors that were impervious to the black plague or something," you added casually as you sat back down.

You were trying to keep the mood light, remembering how your mom would say that laughter is the best medicine. It was also to reassure Qiu that if they wanted you here, you would stay, sickness or not.

It may not have cured them immediately, but you did catch their smile as they scooched over to give you more room. Their bed wasn't huge, but it was big enough that you could fit next to them with while they propped themselves up again.

There was a beat of silence as the both of you were not quite sure where to go from there, but then Qiu Lin broke the pause.

"Sorry," was all they said. Their eyes darted to your face, and then back down to their lap. "About the whole thing," they tacked on after a pause.

"What?" You asked with your head cocked in confusion. Qiu rolled their lips into their mouth, you could feel the heat radiating off them. Hopefully the fever medicine would kick in soon.

"I just don't want you to be bored," they explained, looking at you with an expression that seemed to be asking more than their words were saying.

"Qiu, you are literally my favorite person to be around, you know that," you said it so simply, like it was a universal fact. "I do have my phone though. We can watch videos or something." You reached into your pocket to pull out your mobile device and wave it subtly.

The tension in their shoulders loosened and they nodded at your suggestion. Qiu was a bit slow, but they eventually settled against you. Their body was burning up against your skin, but you didn't mind. You could handle it.

You pulled up YouTube and clicked on a video you'd watched recently. After a while, Qiu's head dropped onto your shoulder, their breathing getting slower and steadier. When you glanced down, their eyes were closed, face finally relaxed instead of scrunched up in misery.

They let out a content sigh, snuggling closer like your mere presence was the cause of comfort and not the ibuprofen they'd taken.

"Your my favorite person too...you're always there for me...that's why I love you," Qiu murmured so softly, so gently, that it came out like they were expressing it more to themselves than to you. As if they had intended it to be said in their fevered mind than out loud.

If the sound of your video hadn't been playing, one would be able to hear a pin drop. That would be due to your halted breath. Your wide eyes lingered on their relaxed, sleeping face.

"I love you too, Qiu," you whispered the words back to them. They didn't respond. Sleep had claimed them once more. Your attention turned back to the video, dissecting what hat just transpired.

Eventually, you did leave Qiu and the Lin residence when you were sure your friend was deep in sleep. Your thoughts were scattered, unsure if Qiu's words were that of a friend or more.

But you didn't get a chance to bring it up, because two days later, the tables turned completely. You and Qiu had switched places as the patient and caregiver.

You were convinced your friend must have had the plague with how bad you were feeling. They called you dramatic in return.

"Maybe it's not the plague, maybe it's a different disease," you mumbled incoherently into your pillow. You were sweating like no tomorrow and the only reason your face was pressed to the soft surface was because it was cooler than the air around you. "Now I'm the one who is going to die and it's going to be all your fault Qiu Lin," you groaned.

Qiu laughed, crawling onto your bed to sit beside you, a mirror image from when they were sick.

"You can't die. If you do, how will I tell you 'I love you more' when you say 'I love you too'?"

You turned your face to theirs, the heat rising in your cheeks was absolutely definitely from the fever, and not from what Qiu had just said. They were giving you that soft lopsided smile they always did as they brushed a piece of hair from your sweat drenched forehead.

"Okay." It was all you could respond for the moment. "I won't die then."

[oh-no-its-bird]

Staring into the void thinking about my unloved little guy favorites and feeling the thoughts mix with my adoration for stupid niche crossovers. I want a svsss x Naruto crossover but instead of anyone especially notable from svsss who crosses over it's my favorite "really not as bad as he could be" award winner, Ming Fan

Squinting back at naruto and flipping a coin to decide if he lands in warring states era or modern konoha and deciding I like both of these options, so we're going to do 2 separate stories/timelines. Or maybe we'll have him land in the past then get flashed forward to future Konoha when he tries going home so he gets the best of both worlds, who knows— I'll decide when I get there.

With that said, buckle in baby because it's time for:

✨️ Ming Fans very unfortunate fall into the mess that is naruto canon ✨️

Ming Fan gets flung into another dimension due the ultimate possible sin in svsss: being a background character.

Some obligatory crazy adventure was happening to Luo Binghe and SQQ involving some magic artifact, and in your stereotypical "someone not too important to the plot touches the object and gets exploded, proving it's dangerous to touch + upsetting SQQ so LB can appropriately comfort him" (probably originally a wife plot) scene, Ming Fan gets zapped into naruto canon. Woops!

If it helps him feel any better, SQQ really is upset by this. Binghe is not. At all. He might think it's karma but also this guy doesn't know the first fucking thing about appropriate levels of karma so maybe he should keep his mouth shut.

(Neither of these facts make him feel better but do you know what does? Imagining SQQ yelling at Binghe for this. He's so fucking sure it's that guy's fault somehow. It's always his fault somehow.)

So boom, he gets zapped into the worst possible (and my personal favorite moment for inconvenient time travel) moments; The final battle between the Uchiha and the Senju.

Specifically, he gets zapped directly onto Tobirama's sword. Queue shocked Pikachu faces from everyone— including Ming Fan but with added dramatic blood and cursing in chinese. Bc hey!! They don't speak the same fucking language actually!!

Unfortunate.

So Tbrm and Izuna both jump back away from this unknown as Ming Fan continues to bleed and curse and be very fucking confused as to where he was.

He took the hit in the shoulder of his non dominant arm, it's a pretty clean cut and he's a cultivator so he'll be fine with some rest but MAN if it don't hurt like a bitch. On top of the motion sickness of being launched through time and space too, and wrapped up in a little bow of "surrounded by hostile looking strangers all yelling in a language I don't understand"

Yeah he's not having the greatest time right now.

So like, Ming Fan just sort of appeared out of nowhere, right? Which has Tobirama extra fucked up bc, yk, hiraishin.

Izuna doesn't know that he was just saved from death death, so he's appropriately grateful at avoiding being stabbed but also like. Who the fuck are you. How did you get here. You just interrupted my battle with my rival and I take a little offense to that actually.

Everyone is yelling and confused and Ming Fan is seriously debating hopping on his sword and flying off because fuck this.

Madara and Hashirama finally enter stage left and are both like "well he's not one of ours" so now everyone is eyeing him even more suspiciously and a couple people are for sure lowkey tensing to attack

Enter convenient svsss mcguffin! Because "idk it sounds like something SQQ would know how to do," Ming Fan knows some language technique that allows him to speak/understand a language for a certain amount of time.

So he grabs his sword and circulates his qi to prepare the technique, and everyone tenses up because hey what are you doing over there buddy

Tobirama, a really good sensor, can actually sense the differences between Ming Fan's qi circulating through his dantian vs how shinobi would circulate chakra through their chakra coils. So he's holding a hand up like 'wait let him cook' @ the Senju who tensed up for a possible attack, if only because he wants to see where this goes and is confident that if he tried anything fr, well, he's kind of surrounded on all sides rn by two entirely different factions

The Uchiha meanwhile don't want to be the first to strike, so everyone's just kinda cautiously gripping their weapons in this very odd battlefield stall

And boom: now he can speak their language.

I'd say the first thing he does is grab Tobirama and shake him while cussing him out about watching where he's swinging that sword of is but he's smarter than that. (For sure it's what he wants to do tho. He is picturing it. Oh man is he picturing it.)

So like, actual communication for now

Now. PIDW is fucking filled with all sorts of mcguffins, "I touched something I shouldnt have and when I opened my eyes I was somewhere strange" is alarmingly common, and the sect absoloutley has some sort of "teleportation checklist" to run through whenever your random, unfortunate disciple gets fucking zapped.

(I like to hc that Shang Quinghua had some sort of hand in making an "official" checklist taught across the peaks, and that different peaks treat this checklist with uhh,, different amounts of respect. (LQG thinks its useless but has simultaneously run the tally for peak lord whose gotten stranded by artifacts he shouldn't have touched the most. These two facts may be directly correlated.))

Anyways; Ming Fan gets to doing that checklist. He's demanding to know where he is, when he doesn't recognize the name, how close he is to the sea, what year and time of the year it is, where the nearest sect is, etc.

At first this is directed at Izuna and Tobirama both, but when Izuna fails to answer as directly as Tobirama does (with quick, flat answers) and also tries to return the questions ("who are you, how did you get here, etc.") he directs his attention soley to Tobirama. Even though hes a little BITCH and stabbed him

(Ming Fan can recognize he teleported directly onto his blade but this will not change him being butt hurt ab it)

For everyone watching, this is weird as all hell! Who is this guy? Why these questions? Ew why is he deferring to the Senju, our Izuna-sama would be so much better to ask—

Now, quick side note, the thing about Ming Fan is he's just like a dude. He's just a guy. But also he's really not, but also he really is? If that makes sense?

He's the senior most disciple and (correct me if I'm wrong here bc its been a while) SQQ's head disciple, which means he'll be the next peak lord in however many years when SQQ and his generation chooses to ascend. So he's definatley not a slacker when it comes to power or wit. Even if he does rank pretty low in the overall SVSSS canon, but also like, yeah, background character vs actual heavenly demons n shit.

So he's definitely a pretty impressive guy!! But also he's just a guy. And he's in contact with the power houses and freaks that is SVSSS main cast (*cough* Luo Bingghe *cough*) So his sense of self and where be ranks power wise is probably skewed to a degree. (Though I imagine that when left to his own devices and not having to defer to his shizun, he definitely suffers from "haughty bitch disease" (tragically not fatal, for now at least)

Thus; cultivator version of just a dude. I love him!!

(arguably the only better option for the "svsss just a dude award" would be Gongyi Xiao, who I also love dearly but he's not here right now, so, winner by default Ming Fan!!! (Story of his fucking life tbh))

Anyways, back to plot:

So, thinking that Ming Fan immediatley recognizes Tobirama's hiraishin design bc it was actually enscribed on whatever artifect got him sent here. Wwoahhh mystery or something idk but theres that

(Was Airplane thinking about naruto when he created this specific object? Did he maybe google "sealing design ideas" then copy paste the hiraishin directly into his work, knowing no one but him would know what he had done since there was no artwork to go with it? Maybe. Perhaps. Just possibly.)

I honestly dont really know where itd go from that, but like Ming Fan probably sticks around specifically to harass Tobirama in the hopes he can send him home.

He points at the Hiraishin and goes "Your talisman brought me here. Take responsibility."

Tobirama understands this as his activation of the Hiraishin in battle literally summoned Ming Fan (only half true) and the poor mans presence here is thus entirely his fault. (Ehhhhh not really)

Ming Fan will not correct this assumption.

Either way though, Tobirama would not give up the chance / excuse to interact with and help return an interdimensional traveler. Can you say science experiment?? Because Tobirama sure fucking can!

Tobirama ends up having a fucking field day trying to find ways to replicate Ming Fan's different techniques with chakra instead of qi, and just in general studying how the energy in their bodies flows and works so differently yet so similarly

Anyways !

Through convoluted reasons peace happens somehow

Ming Fan calls Izuna a dumb bitch to his face maybe, idk that sounds like smthn hed do. But also like more politely bc they have different ways of speaking and SQQ probably gets on his ass about 'if you're going to insult someone do it in a way that reflects well on your own and the peaks teachings'

Actually I love that and now I need Ming Fan and Izuna cat fights

Actually I need Ming Fan and everyone cat fights, Izuna just gets the worse of it bc in my heart he is diva coded in a similar way to Ming Fan

Tobirama also bites back but hes too interested in the opportunity to study Ming Fan to risk being proper rude like he usually would to like, pretty much anyone else.

"Did this guy call me and my entire clan useless warmongers with the collective IQ of a tree stump? Yes. Do I want to cut him open to see if his organs match my own? Also yes. And my chances of getting to do this are very slightly raised by at minimum not pointing out that he has the attitude of if chihuahua got fucked by the worlds angriest hairless cat and spat out a human shaped baby."

Madara is NOT safe from the Ming Fan bitchfest but hes too busy happily drinking with Hashirama at the prospect of peace to give him his full attention, so he lets Izuna handle the cat fights

Hashirama meanwhile thinks hes kind of a tool but is also too busy happily drinking with Madara to really care, and is also the sort of guy to think that bitchy people are funny (as long as he isnt the one who has to deal with the consequences they bring) so honestly? Hes also having fun watching him and Izuna fight

Ummm stuff happens, peace is achieved, Konoha is developed and Ming Fan is in the thick of it bc he still needs Tobirama to send him home. He's kind of just,, there. Hanging out. Doesnt really have anything to do here, isnt particularly invested in this city building shit. As head disciple he has experience with things like management and the like, but nothing on this scale. He is however familiar with the concept of government-esq bodies overseeing superpowered people in societies equivalent to something close to a village. So that might come in handy, idk

But yeah, Ming Fan is just kind of hanging around, maybe he's brought in as a fresh pair of eyes / consultant

When it comes time to elect a Hokage, it's Madara vs Hashirama, with both of their younger brothers obviously backing their elder brothers.

Ming Fan, who has taken many, many missions across many different villages, countries, kingdoms and more, has seen this fucking story go down a million different ways. Better yet, he's seen this story go down a million different ways, often with SQQ hanging over his shoulder providing live commentary and a fucking insiders POV on the mechanics of this

The thing about Madara is that he is clearly respected by his clan, and feared by others. But he's not really,,, approachable.

Meanwhile Hashirama is the same, but he is approachable

And Izuna? Well, he has a real charm to him that his brother lacks. A charm that could realistically stand pretty well against Hashirama's own charm. He's popular, genuinley, among his own clan and surprisingly among some Senju as well. Whereas Madara was 'the force to be reckoned with' Izuna occupied a sort of middling space, always standing against Tobirama. Plus, hes easy on the eyes and can rock a pretty effective 'open and friendly smile.'

Not to mention he was the Uchiha's spy master, probably would go on to be Konoha's in the future, so he's a pro at managing people

Between Madara and Izuna, if you want an Uchiha to run for Hokage and win... wasn't Izuna clearly the better option?

Ming Fan brings this up to Izuna one day and he's actually kind of blindsided by this. The idea straight up never occurred to him, too used to being in the position to back his brother and raise him up to ever consider wanting the position Madara desired for himself.

He considers it for all of 3 seconds, a noticeable hesitation, before he laughs and shakes his head, saying that he would never steal his big brothers dreams like that. If he has the skills to win the Hokage position, he'd just use them to make sure Madara does instead

(Madara, overhearing their conversation from the hallway, retreats silently to think.)

A week later, and right before the intentions of Madara and Hashirama are announced to officially begin running for Hokage are announced, and a switch is made. A strangely quiet Madara switches out with Izuna at the last minute, a surprise to literally everyone but Ming Fan, who huffs approvingly

(This... has been his dream for so long. The village, his clan, safe and at peace. To be able to lead that would be... everything. But if his own baby brother would be more likely to be choosen for that over himself... At the very least, Madara wants to see an Uchiha with the hat.)

It's worth mentioning also that at this point, Ming Fan has a decent amount of influence on his own. Like, obviously, he's hanging out with the clan heads and heirs, he isnt contributing too much to the village, but he is contributing. He's pulling his weight, and he often spends time just kinda wandering around, talking to people, learning about this different world and the things it has to offer— different food, clothing styles, stories, the culture, just all of it

And that on its own is enough to endear him to plenty of people. Plus, as Konoha grows and more clans join in, he remains at its center sort of by default of having landed in that position from the start.

I think he's especially popular with more common people, bc he'll often be wandering around, just kinda exploring and all that, and if you complain to him theres a chance he might take that complaint all the way to the top, and your complaint (if its serious enough) might actually be dealt with. And as Konoha grows and more and more people clutter the information train, that's really fucking valuable!

All of that is to say that when Ming Fan makes a mostly careless comment in public about thinking Izuna would make a better Hokage, well, it's an endorsement from a well respected person. Who knows if it truly impacts the outcome, and god knows Ming Fan isn't like, actively campaigning for either of them—he probably doesn't care too much on who wins, finds them both agreeable enough as leaders (they both annoy him in different ways but at least with Izuna he's clearly grown begrudgingly fond of the back and forth they have)

So! It's an incredibly close race, but in the end Izuna wins, becoming the first Hokage

(His dramatic ass is absolutely on board with Hashirama's idea for a carved face in the mountainside, even as Tobirama, Madara and Ming Fan both physically cringe at the idea)

Ming Fan ends up being stuck there for a couple year, which is... annoying, but he's an immortal cultivator and has had much longer missions, so overall he's mild about his displeasure. Clear progress is being made by Tobirama, who is open about each new discovery he makes between Ming Fan and a normal mortal of this world

("To discover what made the hiraishin bring you here from another world entirely, we must first map out exactly what makes you and me so biologically different that the seal would react so strongly")

Anyways, Tobirama finally figures out how to fuck with the hiraishin enough to send Ming Fan back !! Yay, the day is saved and everyone is different levels of sorry to see him go, ranging from mildly fond to 'oh thank fucking gone, LEAVEEE ALREADYYYY' from the many, many people he's probably annoyed while here

Izuna and Ming Fan say goodbye and "Ill almost miss fighting with your bitch ass" in the weird language of insults they've developed, which to others just sounds like "dont go missing me too much, even tho youll never find someone else on my level to talk with again 💅"

Izuna gets one last jab in as Ming Fan is teleporting away but literally right as he's dissapearing Ming Fan gets one back in, making him officially holder of 'Got The Last Word' and this will piss off Izuna for the rest of all time

And so Ming Fan is safely returned hom— OH FUCK WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS WHERE IS HE NOW?? GODDAMIT TOBIRAMA

Yeah, so, Ming Fan is instead zapped some decades into the future, into Kakashi's genin days

I mean, congrats to Tobirama, he just invented time travel, so, thats cool

Ming Fan doesnt actually give a shit though because this is not what he was promised, Tobirama you useless hack—!

He was sent back from the battlefield where he appeared, something about eliminating the chances of the specific location being involved in the act of breaking through universes, and reappeared in that same place.

He pretty quickly makes his way over to Konoha via flying sword, easily dodging the many patrols in the area who are at pretty much full swing due to the fact that we're nearing the start of the second shinobi war.

(Sakumo has not yet been assigned that doomed mission of his but will be any day now)

Ok so. POV you're one of the guys guarding the gates of Konoha.

And out of seemingly nowhere this fucking GUY. Just. DESCENDS FROM THE SKY FROM THE BACK OF A SWORD. Immediately starts angrily yelling at you about demanding to know where Senju Tobirama, the fucking nidaime who died years ago, currently is. And that he needs to get his bitchy little quack doctor ass out here RIGHT FUCKING NOW and do what he GODDAMN PROMISED

As Im sure you can imagine, the gate guards. Do not react too well to this.

I think Ming Fan received a konoha headband, and he usually doesnt wear it unless he's like, going into battle and needs to be able to be identified by his allies. And he wasnt wearing it when he was ready to hop on home, so he takes it out now and kinda shoves it in their face like THERE LOOK IM ONE OF YOU NOW WHERE IS TOBIRAMA.

They might have tried to arrest him but he was rocking with that "do you know who I fucking am, let me speak to your manager RIGHT NOW. Who is your hokage is Izuna still in charge I will ask him to light your ass on fucking fire if you dont bring me to him 5 goddamn minutes ago" swag and, like, he was just so confident about it the gate guards didnt?? really know what to do?? HE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT HES TALKING ABOUT GUYS AND THATS SCARY

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOULL ASK THE SHODAI HOKAGE TO (WHAT, RISE FROM HIS GRAVE?) TO GIVE US A SHAKING

(He wouldnt lmao, Izuna would probably have given them a gift basket for inconveniencing Ming Fan tbh. This fact however will never and has never stopped Ming Fan from using his name as a blunt force weapon against those who dont know better.)

So.

Ming Fan is brought to the Hokage.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE AS WE NOW INTRODUCE KONOHA'S SANDAIME HOKAGE IN THIS TIMELINE MING FAN HAS NOW LIGHTLY FUCKED UP,,,

KAGAMI UCHIHA !!!

Yeah so with Izuna as the first Hokage, the hat then went to Tobirama, who then passed it down to Kagami, who is currently looking at Sakumo as his possible successor

So, a very peeved Ming Fan is escorted to the Hokage's office. On his way over, he's taking note of the buildings and the clear passage of time. He looks at the mountain and finds 2 new faces besides Izuna's own annoying one, and catches wind of exactly what happened pretty fast.

Hopefully Tobirama isn't dead yet though, because oh man does Ming Fan have some words for him

(Ming Fan is annoyed to find his favorite little shop from before has been replaced by some stupid fuckin ramen restaurant. Ugh.)

Ming Fan finally arrives, and Kagami, who actually interacted with him more than a few times back in the day, does a fucking comedy spit take and blurts out, "Fan-dono?????"

Ming Fan does not recognize him at first and when he finally does, it's him going oh you're that hanger on brat who was always begging Tobirama to teach you.

Not. The most flattering take. But Kagami will take it.

So Kagami is like, Hokage now. But also he has memories of Ming Fan as both Tobirama's friend and also Izuna's friend and also just like. "Respected guy my mom told me to be good around."

So theres all sorts of things happening in his head rn on how to react to this situation

Ming Fan meanwhile has never interacted with a Hokage he wasnt allowed to call stupid to their face (to be fair Izuna would immediatley call him stupid back) so he is not giving Kagami the respect expected of like. Literally any ordanary shinobi to give him.

But he lucks out and gets a pass on it bc Kagami still has him slotted into the "sensei and Izuna-sama's respected friend" part of his brain that makes him feel like a kid again

(behind him, the ANBU squad does not like or agree with this turn of events. at all. who the FUCK are you to talk to the Hokage like this what the FUCK)

I think Danzo fucking despises Ming Fan, just because its funny. Ming Fan called him a nosey little brat one too many times as a kid and Danzo developed a childish grudge that he totally forgot about later in life— till he runs into Ming Fan again, years later, looking annoyingly exactly the same, and reawakens the rage of a slighted 12 year old

Sarutobi I dunno, I think hes somewhere between Kagami and Danzo on "this guy hits the buttons in my brain that make me feel like Im a kid being scolded by my sensei again" and also "holy shit FUCK this guy"

Anyways! Heres the thing:

When he left, Ming Fan absoloutley took some of Tobirama's research with him. It was probably some sort of exchange thing— way back when Ming Fan agreed to be a little science experiment in the first place, he probably made a deal of "yeah ok fine but I want every crumb of research you pull from me and I wanna take it home when I go"

Tobirama kinda shrugged and went "yeah fair enough, but were gonna have to agree on what kind of person is allowed to see some of it"

Shook on it, the end

So Ming Fan has this big ass thing of notes up his sleeve— filled with stuff about the differences between a shinobi and a cultivators bodies, some different fun notes Tobirama took while adapting some of Ming Fan's techniques to be used by chakra and vice versa w Ming Fan trying to use Tobirama's techniques with qi, notes on editing the hiraishin to try and get him home, etc.

Theres also probably just some other random stuff— mostly medical and jutsu / sealing guides, which Ming Fan traded information to bring home thinking the sect would benefit from it. If nothing else, his shizun will get a kick out of it

(oh boy would SQQ get a fucking kick out of seeing goddamn naruto lore written out in detail and refffered to as texts from another dimension)

^ so all of that is to say that Ming Fan has the traces of the seal to try to bring him back home, but he cant fucking use it himself bc he doesnt know how to preform the hiraishin, which is a major component of it

(and also part of why Tobirama let him take it to begin with, unconcerned of Ming Fan or someone else ever using it to come back bc they've already established his different biology somehow makes him physically unable of using the hiraishin)

So he just needs to find Tobirama again, or minimum someone who can use the hiraishin, and he can at least just try again. Maybe the last time sending him forward was a fluke? It probably only needs some minor tweaks, right? So just— get him Tobirama, and they'll sort it out

Learning Tobirama is dead, Ming Fan is,,, well, he was already prepared to say goodbye when he left the first time. And looking at the statues, Tobirama clearly lived an accomplished life. Same with Izuna— Ming Fan kind of resolves to just not think about it.

When he asks about Madara, Ming Fan is informed that a year after he left, Madara apparently turned traior and attacked the village. This is. A lot. For him to swallow.

Ming Fan has a moment of blaming himself for not having seen the darkness festering inside Madara, but brushes the feeling away. There was nothing he could have done, and he has been down the road of blaming himself for not catching a tell that hinted towards secret evil intentions one too many times during his missions to do it again here.

(Still, a complicated feeling rises in him. He'd spent years, at that point, by the founders side. To hear Madara had gone and tried to kill them all— If nothing else, Ming Fan had truly thought Madara loved his brother.)

BUT DO YOU KNOW WHO IS SOMEHOW ALIVE? FUCKING HASHIRAMA AND MITO !!!

Hashirama, having never become Hokage, was never poisoned! Instead he retired, now too old to fight even if he wanted to, and lives in the Senju compound with his aging wife and big family (including his granddaughter, Tsunade)

In the last few years, it's seems like he's become sick, only a few people allowed to visit him, and almost only senju. Very sad, he's expected to die any day now

SO !

Ming Fan hops over to the Senju compound, and though literally everybody expected he wouldn't be allowed to see him, Hashirama permits him to enter his rooms

(The list of those who can see Hashirama is as follows:

His wife

His children and grandchildren

The Hokage

and on one very memorable occasion, the current Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Hikaku)

Ming Fan being added to that list,, well, he may not realize it's weight, but its safe to say that once the fact gets out, it's enough to pretty instantly cement him as trustworthy to most of Konoha. Especially those in higher circles

So, Ming Fan goes to Hashirama's side, and Mito greets him. She explains that the Mokuton is as much as a curse as it is a blessing, and opens the door for Ming Fan to see exactly what she means.

For the past few years, Hashirama has been stuck in the process of turning into a tree.

There... isn't much more to say about that.

They had prepared a room for him to spread his roots in, open aired and protected by enough seals to blind a man if they attempted to look in. With grassy floors covered in wildflowers, and a small stream that Mito says they decorated with rocks from the Naka river.

Hashirama sits at the center of it all, more tree than man, asleep most days but having miraculously awoken just in time for Ming Fan's arrival.

Hashirama jokes that it must be fate, and Ming Fan, sobered in this moment, nods and says that his Shizun has often said that everyone is bound by the strings of fate. Whether they obeyed the strings was up to them, but so long as they walked, the strings would continue to guide them to the places they needed to be.

Hashirama laughs, and tells him that he half expected to be cursed out once he'd heard that Ming Fan had been stranded here by his brothers seal.

"Is that really how you wish for this reunion to go?" Ming Fan asks, and Hashirama only laughs again.

"I'd rather hear you curse my name than sit and suffer through you playing polite because you're too offput by this old mans condition to say what you're thinking."

Ming Fan sighs, laying on the grass and staring up at Hashirama's leaves and halfheartedly curses at Tobirama's name, lamenting his situation as Hashirama listens with a smile.

"You don't seem as distressed as I'd expected!" Hashirama notes, and Ming Fan only shrugs. "I'll figure it out, I'm sure."

"How uncharacteristically optimistic of you!"

"I suppose that's just you rubbing off on me then."

Hashirama and Ming Fan talk for quite a while, and it reminds Ming Fan of older nights, when Konoha was still young, before even the Hokage was elected. Nights occasionally spent drinking together, sometimes alone, sometimes with others— Tobirama, Izuna, Madara, Touka, Hikaku, an array of clan heads and heirs, people who've come to make a home, find some peace, and in that moment only share a drink.

To Ming Fan, it had only been a couple of years since those early days.

To Hahirama, it had been decades.

Ming Fan is invited to stay at the Senju compound for as long as he needs to find a way home.

When he stands, he turns to Hashirama, and offers a bow. Lower than any he's offered before, in this world.

"Thank you for your generosity."

Hashirama smiles, and accepts the gratitude for all that it means.

That night, Senju Hashirama falls asleep, and never wakes again.

SOOO ANYWAYS !!

Ming Fan is now staying with the Senju!! In this verse the family is a bit bigger than canon, due to Hashirama's continued survival throughout the years and how that impacted general Konoha politics. This is also before Tsunade left the village, with her little brother Nawaki still alive and Orochimaru's student (though much like Sakumo, their tragic fates are destined to happen any day now)

Through Ming Fan interference, both of these characters eventually avoid these fates, dont ask me how tho but just know that it happens, so.

Ming Fan has 2 goals!

Find someone who can preform the hiraishin!

Find someone who can alter the seals Tobirama used last in an attempt to get him home!

Luckily for Ming Fan, Mito knows just how to help in both of these cases! She can cover number 2, as Konoha's leading (and oldest) seal expert, and her darling grand-niece, Kushina, just so happens to be dating the only guy in the world who knows how to use the hiraishin, isn't that convenient?

With Mito agreeing to help alter the seal and someone to actually use it set in place, Ming Fan has nothing left to really do other than just,, wait.

The good news is that, since he brought Tobirama's research with him and the alterations shouldn't take nearly as much time as last time, it should only be a few months!

This is where we get Ming Fan once again fucking around the village, and how inevitable interferes with Nawaki and Sakumo's deaths

Maybe he's bored and goes with Nawaki on his mission? He's definitely interacting with him, they both live in the senju compound after all!

Nawaki idolizes his grandfather Hashirama, and Ming Fan is apparently a good friend of his!! So hes totally harassing Ming Fan to know more about that!

I think the "time travel" bit is kept secret from the public, just bc like, messyyyy, and Ming Fan's own involvment in early Konoha is pretty unknown in general just bc he was overshadowed by more relevant historical figures— plus its not like he had a clan to continue to remember him.

So very few people even know he existed, let alone that he's that same guy from history

Ummm Ming Fan and Sakumo friendship, I like to hc skaumo as being friends with the sanin so maybe hes around the Senju compound sometimes, idk

A panicked Sakumo is called in for a super last minute mission and tushes over to beg Tsunade to babysit only to realize shes also out, then somehow ropes Ming Fan into watching over Kakashi

Ming Fan ends up lightly making fun of Kakashi's use of chakra (his own pov of how to use chakra being heavily skewed due to experiments with Tobirama) and ends up being roped further into helping to train Kakashi using techniques, tips and tricks told to him by Tobirama

Ming Fan does NOT want to teach Kakashi, Kakashi is very much harassing him into doing it and Ming Fan is less teaching and more 'throwing techniques at him in the hopes hell go away only to find that Kakashi has figured out how to do it correctly on his own and wow thats really alarming actually'

I think Ming Fan would like Kakashi and also be a terrible fucking influence on him bc he is absolutely encouraging him to be as mean and bratty as possible (with other people)

Ming Fan is the kind of guy to teach his students to be evil under the table so they can get away with it, like, "ok so I heard you tried to sabotage someone. And Im really disappointed actually bc you chose such an obvious way and if you're going to sabotage someone at least dont do it in a way that will tie back to you, like, really" kind of energy

Minato receives Kakashi as a student around this time and has to beg Ming Fan to stop bc the things hes teaching Kakashi keep clashing with shit he's trying to teach him and also "did you really tell Kakashi to try and beat up Obito behind the ramen shop to establish dominance because he almost did and I can not express how bad this is for team moral"

Minato is STRESSED but unfortunately this is not Ming Fan's problem. Sorry. Do better.

Without Izuna around to shoot the shit with Ming Fan actually finds himself incredibly bored. He got used to having someone he can be catty around, now hes like. All bored. And maybe a little lonely.

LONELY? WHO SAID THAT? HES NOT LONELY WHAT THE FUCK SHUT UP !! YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOURE TALKING ABOUT !!!!

He goes to the stupid ramen place that replaced his old favorite shop and discovers he does not like ramen.

This does not improve his mood.

He's fucking bored is the thing, which is why he decides to take missions. And how he ends up with surprisingly high clearance (due to being technically a founder)

And how he ends up on the same team as Sakumo for a very specific mission.

And how, when the mission goes wrong, he sends Sakumo home saying that he'll rescue their mission partners bc at least he's not stupidly recognizable the way Sakumo is.

And how Sakumo never falls from grace

And how just a week later, Sakumo is announced as Kagami's pick for the 4th Hokage.

Sakumo is very grateful towards Ming Fan for the mission thing, considers him to be a good man. He is a little bit blind to the awful fucking influence Ming Fan is on Kakashi, much to Minato's despair.

ANYWHOOO

some months pass and the seal is now complete! Minato is brought in and let in on the secret, and agrees to help!

(getting rid of ming fan? holy shit sign him up!!)

Ming Fan says his goodbies, Nawaki and Kakashi are especially sad to see him go while the adults are all different flavors ranging from "understanding but fondly sad to YES GO GO GET OUT GET OUT LEAVE ALREADY GO PLEASE THANK YOU GOODBYE"

Mito is in general amused at all the shit Ming Fan has managed to start while here, she's a fan of watching him fuck around from afar, eating popcorn

So.

Third times the charm, right? Right???

As Ming Fan immediately realizes, no, no it is not the charm.

Ming Fan reappears on the fucking eve of Konoha's destruction by Pain's hand.

Now. As already stated: I love Ming Fan "just a guy but not really" so much! I think he is decently powerful on his own, just overshadowed by the general cast of SVSSS, and I also think that these past few years hes spent here in naruto, sparring with people like the founders, participating in experiments with Tobirama to see how far qi can be pushed in contrast with chakra, learning new techniques and adapting to the different levels of ambient chakra and qi in this world— well, he's not ready to split skies or anything like that but its safe to say that Ming fan was, and now is even more pretty fucking strong.

All of that is to say Ming Fan may be more attached to Konoha than he realized bc when he sees it being destroyed it isn't just the anger of a righteous cultivator seeing innocents be attacked that's lit inside him, nah Ming Fan is about to throw the fuck down

(It takes him not even a second to affix the konoha headband to his belt before he jumps into the fray)

So! Lets take a peek at the Hokage time line in Ming Fan's absence!

Kannabi bridge went unfortunately similar to canon, and Obito fell into Madara's hands.

With Sakumo still alive at the time, Kakashi was able to recover from this without the major personality shift, and due to a combination of Sakumo and Ming Fan's additional training, when it was Rin's turn on the chopping block, she instead survived and now continues to live as the Konoha's second jinchuriki

Obito attacked Konoha with the intention of releasing the kyuubi, and at the time Kushina and Minato were in the Senju compound for the birth

Mito got in his way, delaying him long enough for Sakumo to also arrive

In the fight, both Mito and Sakumo died (fucking thanks, Obito. I dont think Kakashi's gonna be able to forgive u for that one this time around) but Kushina and Minato survived, and Naruto was born healthy and without the fox sealed into him

Kakashi is understandable devastated, and as recovery efforts begin, he's taken in by Minato and Kushina. He offers little fight against this.

With Sakumo's death, Kagami was once again appointed as the Hokage. After only a year or two of stabilizing Konoha + preparing his successor, he quickly gives Minato the hat, and retreats once again to retirement.

Minato makes Kakashi and Rin both ANBU, expressing his desire to have them by his side (at least this time they're slightly older, with Kakashi at 15 and Rin at 17) and puts them on home guard, specifically as Naruto's ANBU guards. It's an easy job, and helps Kakashi in particular to heal some, even if he gets even more rigid about things like rules and formalities

With Izuna as the first Hokage and Kagami as the third (and technical 5th) Uchiha-village relations were actually very good! Thanks to this, the Uchiha massacre was avoided entirely

Kakashi is raised pretty much as Naruto's very protective older brother, with Rin in a similar boat but she still has her own family so there isnt quite so much trauma fueled dependency from her end.

Naruto grows up to be alarmingly talented, with Kakashi and Rin tutoring him, and Minato and Kushina obviously doing their best (though Minato remains mostly busy due to the unfortunate realities of being a Hokage. Meanwhile Naruto is absolutely a total mommas boy)

Kakashi and Rin end up actually fighting over who gets to be Naruto's sensei (Naruto wants NEITHER OF THEM!!!!! HES A BIG BOY NOW STOP CODDLING HIM!!!!!)

Canon then proceeds mostly the same, though with some very obvious major changes

Somewhere along the way, Itachi is convinced to ditch Konoha even without the massacre, and later down the like Sasuke also follows suit to investigate what happened with his brother— though this time he leaves with orders from Minato to go undercover, and investigate Sound

(fucking THANKS dad!! -Naruto, probably, when he finds this out)

COOL! SO! WITH THAT OUT OF THE WAY!

Ming Fan fucking bodies Pain right before he kills Kakashi. (Sorry Kakashi, no fireside chat with your father for you)

Now, Ming Fan had a pretty lasting effect on Kakashi's life overall, but he was only around for like, idk, half a year maybe. And Kakashi was young during the time, so his memories of the man remain very blurry and overall half forgotten.

So Kakashi doesn't recognize him immediately— Though from Ming Fan's side, he's immediately mistaking him for Sakumo, then realizing no, wait it isn't him, doing the mental math and making an educated guess that this has to be Kakashi then.

But that doesnt matter rn bc it is THROW DOWN OCLOCK !!!!!

The overall battle goes mostly according to canon but w less casualties since Ming Fan joins in, but then Naruto does his talk no jutsu or however that goes, Pain agrees to revive everyone, boom there done.

So tbh my knowledge of Naruto gets HELLA blurry from here on out, so we're gonna keep it vague, but, like, MING FAN IS HERE AGAIN YAYYYYY

Unfortunately p much everyone who could have instantly recognized him is fucking dead now. Kagami, Danzo and Hiruzen got picked off in previous battles or smthn, Mito and Sakumo are fucking dead, the kids who grew attached to him were too young and the time they knew him too short to really remember,

BUT.

Despite literally only being around for like, 6 months. Ming Fan succeeded at being so annoying that Minato never fucking forgot his face <3

(also there are probably some Uchiha around w sharingan memories of him)

So Minato sees this guy and goes through all the stages of grief at once. Meanwhile Ming Fan is seeing the hat and raising his eyebrows and going no way Sakumo chose THIS bitch boy for the job.

Meanwhile Naruto is standing direcly next to Minato going DAD WHOS THIS WHO IS THAT DAD HEY DAD HEY DAD WHO IS THAT DAD—

(Listen this is a hard day for everyone. Minato included. But this. This. He could just. Really use a fucking break. Thanks.)

But anyways Ming Fan is here and even if he got the option to go home, like, right now, he honestly probably wouldnt take it bc now hes kind of pissed. What do you MEAN Konoha is under attack? What do you MEAN some masked figure killed Sakumo years ago and now is back and also claiming to be Madara Uchiha and theyre trying to fucking kill everyone??

So yeah he's on board to fight, Konoha headband equipped to his belt, he's ready to stick around some more before he tries to go home again.

(and then someone gasps theatrically at Pain's eyes and goes "omg the rinnegan,, the mystical eyes said to be able to traverse time and space,,," and Ming Fan goes WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY THOSE EYES CAN DO")

But also Pain is dead now. So.

(Distant Sasuke, who is still following the beats of his canon story but just undercover under Minato's orders now noises)

So like Ming Fan sticks around, battles happen, we get Kakashi and an older Nawaki remembering him. Nawaki falls back a bit into his old view of thinking Ming Fan is just the coolest, but meanwhile Kakashi kind of takes on the role Izuna used to have, and now him and Ming Fan are having little cat fights in the bg

(With Sakumo having lived so much longer + having been able to comfort his son after Obito's death, the lack of Rin, Minato, and Kushina's death, and just in general all the little things stacking up in a different way than before, Kakashi avoided his major personality shift and is a lot closer to being the strict, bratty kid he used to be than the lazy, perpetually late slack off we know and love in canon)

anyways, blah blah blah, stuff happens, lots of battles, drama, oh my,

Finally we get to the Hokage's being revived for the final battle.

For whatever reason, Ming Fan was occupied somewhere else, possibly getting wrapped up in Sasuke's shit, when they were brought back.

So like.

POV he enters the battlefield, intending to face off with Madara. Then just.

Tobirama, distantly across the battlefield: ᵒʰ ˢʰᶦᵗ ⁿᵒ ʷᵃʸ

Ming Fan, who can hear him just fine bc cultivator: OH SHIT YES WAY YOU USELESS HACK

Ming Fan spends way too much time shouting at Tobirama when he should be FIGHTING GET BACK TO WORK MING FAN

I need a Ming Fan > Izuna > Kakashi bitch fest where they all just fucking snip at each other actually, I think it'd be funny

Ming Fan probably winds up yelling at Madara too, who did not expect to see him here

"Didn't the Senju send you home??"

"Didn't you die after making a fool of yourself in front of all of Konoha??"

Ming Fan doesnt use chakra so he's able to help back up Gai in his fight against Madara, and Gai is able to leave the battle not crippled for life, which is nice

Kaguya descends, things happen, the fight is won and the day is saved, and the fighting finally comes to an end

Sasuke somehow manage to end up with the rinnegan, and instead of trying to use the hiraishan for the third fucking time, Sasuke agrees to try and instead use it (and Ming Fan's qi) as a homing beacon to try and find his original dimension w the rinnegan! Much more reliable method

And so, for the final time, Ming Fan says his goodbyes.

It's,,, an event.

The old hokage's, including Sakumo, are still around with the power of edo tensei, and he's able to give his goodbyes to them all once again, one by one.

Tobirama gives only a brief apology for the seal not working as it should before dissolving into mumbled theories of what might have gone wrong— then remembers himself and shakes his head, offering a curt goodbye

Izuna scoffs and says that at this rate, he expects to see Ming Fan again in a couple decades when the next chakra goddess tries to explode the world and the living are forced to once again turn to him for help💅

Ming Fan tells him to shut the fuck up, and if it happens then he'll just look forward to getting another opportunity to call him a fool to his face, instead of to a grave.

Izuna laughs, and waves him away

Kagami doesn't have too much to say, but thanks Ming Fan for his help. "You may be from another world, but you are just as much of a konoha man as any of us."

Ming Fan... chooses not to take this as an insult. Instead, he nods his head, and gives Kagami the full respect a Hokage would ordinarily deserve, for quite possibly the first time.

Sakumo, he finds holding his son as Kakashi clings to his shoulder. Ming Fan watches for a moment, and Sakumo catches his eye. He gives him a big, genuine smile, mouths thank you, and bows his head.

They already said their goodbyes once, and Ming Fan doesn't wish to take any of the time he has left away from his son. He nods back, and continues.

Minato, when he finds him, is hiding out on the battlefield, laying down with an arm covering his eyes. He groans, when he sees Ming Fan, but sits up.

"Don't despair, you'll finally be getting rid of me." Ming Fan sighs, and Minato snorts.

Minato is... Well, he's a lot more fond of Ming Fan than he once was. Even if the man is still a giant pain in the ass. They speak for a bit, Ming Fan advises him to go ahead and retire already, god knows its what his son would want, and Minato stares up at the sky.

"At this point? I really should have ages ago."

Minato shakes himself, and finally stands, offering a hand to Ming Fan.

Ming Fan clasps his risks, and they nod to each other, probably more civil than they ever have been before.

"Fighting with you has been.... a wonder." Minato seemed to settle on, and Ming Fan arched a brow.

"Not an honor?"

"I think we both know the answer to that."

Ming Fan rolled his eyes, but still smirked.

"Likewise. Take care of your family."

"May you finally return to yours."

And with that, they part ways.

He's walking back to Sasuke, when those who had been edo tenseid fade away. He's just in time to see Kakashi, back turned, as he watches his father go for one final time.

When he turns, he catches his eye. Eyes, plural, as it seems Obito had left him with quite the gift.

Kakashi nods to him, seeming still overwhelmed with his fathers departure, and not quite sure what else to say to Ming Fan.

It's a stark cry from their first goodbye, Kakashi so far from the young boy who once clung to Ming Fan's leg, huffing about him not being allowed to leave till he taught him just a little bit more.

It's Ming Fan, who takes the steps towards the man.

"I'm glad my lessons were ever of any use to you. You've certainly made better use of them than I ever could have imagined." He says, and when Kakashi goes just a touch red under his mask, Ming Fan thinks he might understand what Shizun was talking about, when he laments about the cuteness of his students even once grown.

"WHAT? Are you seriously gonna go, just like that?"

It's Naruto, who's apparently caught wind of Ming Fan planning to leave sooner rather than later.

"No way am I letting you leave with the bastard before he's given me an explanation!" Naruto grabs Sasuke, who with the pained face of someone who knows they're about to get what they deserve, just sort of lets it happen.

"You gotta stay for at least the celebration! We finally won, it's time to party!"

(Ming Fan laughs, and he decides that just for a bit longer— Just a night more, he will stay)

.

.

.

It has been one year to the day, since Shen Qingqiu's head disciple disappeared.

The exact allowance of a disciple to vanish, before you must consider declaring them dead.

Shen Qingqiu...

Doesn't like to talk about it. Binghe seems to realize he can only comfort him so much for this fact, and today has taken to giving him a bit of space, which he appreciates.

It's for this reason, when a swirl appears in his bamboo hut, depositing two men, that Shen Quingqiu is alone.

"Shizun, this disciple is reporting his absence for these last 6 years. I apologize for my lateness." Ming Fan cries, falling to his knees and bowing his head.

Shen Quingqiu is on his feet in an instant, reaching towards his disciple, already having to suppress the cry rising up in his throat as he falls to his own knees, taking Ming Fan's hands in his own.

"Ming Fan will not apologize for thing out of his own control, this one is overjoyed to see you home."

The man behind his disciple shifts, and Ming Fan gestures towards him.

"This Uchiha Sasuke has assisted in bringing me—"

Wait WHAT.

Fuckin. Lugh track. Roll credits. Idk. Boom. Done. Theres ur au. Fuck how did this end up being so long

[tacticaldiary]

I just recently found your blog and am in love with everything about it You are a very talented writer and I look forward to your post so I was wondering what you think it would be like sharing a bed with ghost

I Swear I Asked For Two

Pairing: Simon 'Ghost' Riley x Reader

Genre: Fluff; The Classic 'One-Bed' Trope

She freezes when he turns with her, a strong arm banding around her middle, holding her in place. "You gonna make me hold you in place?"

Bless whoever's up there for the dark because her face is burning.

"Would love that, actually." She mutters to herself before she can reign the impulsiveness in.

Masterlist

"Don't hurt me." Raises her hands in surrender, taking an exaggerated step away from him as the door to their room clicks shut behind them. "I swear I asked for two."

Ghost, bloody and dirty and exhausted, runs a hand down his balaclava-covered face, dropping his bag somewhere near the wall behind him. "Better than the floor." Is all he manages.

Once she's sure she's not in any mortal danger, she shoves back her bag next to him and kneels down, rifling through it. "Wash up first, L.T. I'll go after." There's no response but he must agree because he goes off wordlessly, a testament to how he must be just as exhausted as she was.

12 days. 12 days they had been trekking through this rural town trying to track down a target. The man had infiltrated their chain of command and had been feeding crucial information to the enemy for over a month, information that had led to quite a few of their operations being compromised. Needless to say, once he was found out he had ran in the middle of the night.

A slippery bastard.

Long stretches of land, a lot of camping out and surveying the area. Days and days of hunting this man until he was finally caught. Secured with the unit that had been traveling with them, they'd relinquished their target and been ordered to wait for exfil the next day.

Until then...well, this shady motel would have to do for the night.

They're lucky they were near a town and not in one of the long stretches between them, that much she's grateful for. Even if she didn't completely trust the room's ceiling to cave in while they were sleeping.

Stains on the walls she doesn't want to think about, cracks in the ceiling, and of course, the one queen sized bed pushed back to the far wall.

The bed.

Truthfully she doesn't know how she managed to keep her voice steady before. Her stomach was rolling at the thought of having to share a bed with him. With Ghost. With Simon.

He was...well, she thought he was extraordinary. Capable, brave, and funny in his own way. It hadn't taken long for her to develop some sort of a crush on him.

And now she was supposed to bunk down for a night with him? On that bed? Alone?

She shakes her head, focusing on rifling through her pack to find a spare set of clothes. They'd slept in worse conditions before, this was no big deal.

No big deal at all.

She curses as she finds her other pair of clothes filthy, mud staining the fabric. She'd forgotten about how she had to use them already after an unsavoury encounter with one of the locals.

"Something wrong?" She jumps at the deep voice, head snapping up to see him.

His hands are stripped of his gloves, his tactical vest off and away. A soft t-shirt takes its place, along with sweatpants that she has to make a conscious effort to tear her gaze away from.

This simply wasn't fair. It's like he's making this whole situation ten times harder for her on purpose.

"Negative." She says instead, standing up. "I'll have to make do with these clothes, forgot my spares were filthy." He studies her in that silent way for a beat, before he leans down and rummages through his pack.

Leaving him to do whatever, she pushes open the bathroom door while wondering how quickly her clothes would dry if she ran them under the tap-

"Here."

Ghost holds out a spare shirt to her. Plain black.

His.

"What?" It takes a second for her mind to catch up.

He cocks an eyebrow. "You're filthy. I'd rather not sleep next to someone who smells like shit."

The insult draws an indignant bark of a laugh from her, "I don't stink." She exclaims, snatching the shirt from his grip. "Not as bad as you do."

"Tell yourself that." He deadpans, but she swears she can see a hint of an amused smirk beneath his mask when she slams the door in his face.

Muttering to herself, she cleans up before slipping the shirt on. It's obviously large on her, just skimming the bottom of her thighs. It smells like him, something so distinct and familiar it makes her relax on instinct.

It's a wonder what good a hot shower can do for you.

Ghost is already stretched out on the mattress when she emerges from the room. He spares her a glance, and she visibly sees something like muted interest snap into his eyes even despite his lack of words.

She'd be lying if something in her doesn't preen at the way his eyes subtly follow her across the room.

Neither of them exchange a word as she slips into the covers next to him. Both of them barely fit on the mattress, but neither having the energy to complain. They don't brush against each other but if she shifted they'd definitely touch.

The room was secure, they'd done a thorough sweep and checked the doors and window, all the locks and for cameras. Nothing of interest, so they allowed themselves to let their guard down.

"Sharp 05:00 tomorrow, Sergeant." He says into the dark.

"Copy." She stifles a yawn and they fall into silence.

His heat is unbearable. She can't push the thought out of his mind, the knowledge that he's right there, a fingertip's distance away. She can hear his steady, quiet breath, almost taunting her.

Despite her exhaustion, she stays awake, turning onto her side away from him hoping that the movement would dislodge the thought from her mind. She needed sleep, needed to relax but isn't that impossible with how all she needs to do is lean back a little to touch him-

She huffs silently, turns onto her back again, rustling the sheets.

No, this was bad. Her body's tired but her mind and heart are racing. Traitors.

She shifts onto her side again-

"Fucking hell, will you stay still?" He rumbles, startling her. The gravelly, tired voice shoots straight to her head and if she were standing she's sure she'd have to grab onto something to stay upright.

She mumbles out an apology. "Can't sleep. Little chilly, isn't it?" She bluffs.

When he stays silent, she thinks he may have just accepted the answer. Letting out a shaky exhale, she turns again-

She freezes when he turns with her, a strong arm banding around her middle, holding her in place. "You gonna make me hold you in place?"

Bless whoever's up there for the dark because her face is burning.

"Would love that, actually." She mutters to herself before she can reign the impulsiveness in. Her body stiffens when she hears her own voice, and she's ready to spring up and apologise, tell him she didn't mean to make him uncomfortable, ready to banish herself to sleep on the floor.

But then Ghost hums.

His hand starts to drift. She swallows as he traces a slow path down to where his shirt's hem is, toying with the fabric between his fingers.

Dream, this must be a dream-

He tugs her backward into him, into his warmth and his soothing scent and something about it has her going completely boneless. It felt...comforting. Felt nice to be held. Ghost takes to tracing small circles into her skin, soothing and repetitive. "Relax." He orders, albeit with less of a push.

A shiver runs down her spine as she feels his breath fan over the back of his neck. The bastard notices too, if for the way his chest rumbles with a chuckle.

There's no way Ghost doesn't feel her heart pounding against him.

Maybe it was the comfort of the dark that makes the both of them so bold, but she takes in a shaky breath and reaches for his hand, stilling it in place with her own. They stay like that for a moment, and suddenly the silence isn't as unbearable.

Eventually, her breathing evens out, her eyes become heavy and she finds the tension draining out of her. Nothing would happen to her here, she didn't have to worry about anything right now. Just sleep. Just sleep and the warmth that enveloped her, and why the hell was he so warm and why does she want more of it?

Right before she lets the lull of sleep pull her under, she mumbles a whisper of thanks to him.

She doesn't think she imagines the content sound he lets out in response.

Reblog, Like and Comment!

(2/09/2023)

[mika-no-sekai-blog]

Word count: 2600+

Warnings: mentions of war, anxiety, vomiting, blood and dead animal

In books there's no mention of Tamlin being able to winnow, but for the sake of story, let's pretend he can

Part III | Part V

You woke up with a jolt, unable to take a breath. Something was pushing you from behind into sturdy, but warm object, crushing you. You squirmed and scratched until the thing under you stiffed and moved. It was alive. The grasp on back of your head and waist loosened a bit and you sat up gasping for air. As soon as you calmed down, you looked back to see what held you. Your eyes widened as you recognized the person next to you.

Tamlin was still asleep, lying on top of the blanket on your bed. He looked tired and torn, his cloths were dirty with bloody stains, his golden hair all dishevelled. He didn't have a single scratch on his skin, though he seemed to be trapped in another nightmare. He was moaning, gritting his teeth and frowning. His head was tossing from side to side, fingers clenched into fists.

"Please.. no.. don't le-.." he murmured under the breath.

"Tamlin," you shook his shoulder. "It's just a bad dream. You are.. safe."

High Lord woke up panting. Swallowing hard he looked around, seemingly trying to remember where he was. His green eyes stopped on you. Confusion and pain on his face was replaced by relief.

"You are awake," he breathed out.

"So you are. How did this happen?" you gestured between him and your bed.

"Ah, this.. Don't worry. Nothing happened. You passed out and as it looks I fell asleep while taking care of you. When was the last time you ate?" smirking he slowly sat up, his face just an inch from yours. You tried to put some distance between you and him, but everything went dark for a second. His big hands caught you, grounding you. "Slowly."

"I'm fine now. Thank you."

Tamlin shook his head. "When was the last time you ate?" he repeated his question.

"I don't know," you admitted, shrugging. "Is the war over? Who won?"

"We did, but I already told you yesterday. Don't you remember?" he tilted head in rather an animal way.

You blinked confused. "Really? I-I don't remember any of that.."

"Hmm," he watched you with concern. "It's interesting. When I came in I thought cottage is empty. I couldn't sense you at all. Then you suddenly appeared in the shadows and when I told you we won, you passed out. Don't you really remember it?"

You frowned and shook you head.

"Well, never mind," Tamlin sighed. "Let's find you some food."

"I'm afraid I don't have any at the moment. I.. couldn't go out.. I-I was worried.." you blushed turning your gaze away from him.

A wicked grin appeared on Tamlin's face. "I thought you are angry at me and meanwhile," one brow raised up, "you worried for my wellbeing. I'm flattered."

You blushed even harder. Since when did you have such kind of feelings? You didn't recognize yourself. "I could feel it.. The magic of this world was..wild..roaring."

"Yeah, it was quite a tough fight," Tamlin was once again serious. "War is a horrible thing. Many lives were lost. Too many. Things you see on a battlefield.. It's hard to erase it from one's mind.."

You could feel the enormous weight burdening his shoulders. Suddenly you felt really sorry for him. He was just a young male and yet.. he had a great responsibility. Many lives depended on him. He had to rule entire Court and fae who lived there. He was protecting this land for so many years and then human woman came and things started to fall apart.

"I'm going to get us something to eat," Tamlin stood up, heading to door. "You stay here and try to rest. I'll return soon."

He stopped, hand on a handle. "Uhm.. can you handle a meat? I know you said you don't remember if you've ever eaten it, but.. unlike you I'm afraid I'm not able to collect mushrooms and herbs. I'd most likely poison us."

You giggled. "I'll give it a try," you agreed grateful for anything he could bring. Tamlin's cheeks turned pink. Nodding he left.

Barely twenty minutes passed when you heard Tamlin returning back. His steps were heavier than before. Curious you carefully went downstairs using walls for support. Seeing an animal slung over his shoulder, you yelped.

"You shouldn't stand up," Tamlin said calmly as if he wasn't carrying big deer.

"Are you going to," you swallowed, "cut it open here?" If you had anything in your stomach, you would throw it out right there on the spot. You felt faint and needed to sit down. When Tamlin took a note of your state, he let the deer fall to the ground and rushed to you.

"Easy, vicious witch," he smirked helping you sit to your armchair. The smell of the dead animal stuck on his clothes and you gagged.

"I'm sorry," breathing deeply you tried to work off the nausea.

"No, I am sorry. It should have occurred to me you might feel sick when you see this," he pulled away, fanning you with hand. "It was really bad idea." Thinking about something he narrowed the shining green eyes on you. "I could.." he said hesitantly, "clean it and roast it at my house." You nodded weakly with closed eyes. "But I don't want to leave you alone for so long in this state."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine. Just leave me here," you groaned, the desire to be as far from the dead animal's body and its smell as possible growing with every second.

He studied your face for a while. "Come with me," he said firmly. You wanted to object, but he continued before you could even open mouth. "You can rest in other room or take a walk around if you will feel up to it. I would be less worried. And meal won't unnecessarily cool down."

His gaze was too piercing and you had to look away. The very same feeling you had when you tried to go to check on him in his manor returned. Leaving this forest even for hour or two made you nervous. Whole your body was against it. You started sweating.

"I'll winnow us. No need to be afraid," Tamlin assured you. "Come." He pulled your hand lightly.

"I.."

"If you are afraid I will do something to you, no need to. If I would really want to, I already had a plenty opportunities, don't you think," he grinned and winked. Under all the playfulness there were traces of something dark, cold and painful. He was trying to suppress it, but you noticed it nonetheless.

Maybe it was for that pain that you agreed at last. Uneasiness was crushing you from inside and you had to repeat to yourself that it would be just for few hours and you would return back home.

Tamlin winnowed you as he said. When you dared to open your eyes a little, you found yourself in a room with big windows. It was impressive just as expected from High Lord's manor, but signs of neglect were visible all around. Every surface was covered in dirt and dust, some pieces of furniture were broken. Tamlin blushed looking around.

"I'm sorry for this," he gestured around. "This used to be the nicest room, but certain things happened and.. all servants left.. The state of my house is.. quite horrible at the moment."

Your eyes wandered around the room while he spoke, taking in beautiful details. You turned to him only when Tamlin stopped talking, waiting for your reaction.

"It is still very nice house. And bright," you smiled nervously. "It's so huge."

"For one person, it's too much," sadness filled his eyes. "If you want, you can look around or find some place to rest. Just.. stay nearby, please.. You know.. just in case you pass out again.." he added nervously as if his request needed an extra explanation. You heard that High Lord basically imprisoned his fiancée in the manor after their return from under the mountain and she broke down. That's when somebody from Night Court came to rescue her and she left him for the first time.

"I'm going to take care of the..meal," his voice snapped you out from your thoughts.

"Okay, I won't go far then," you promised and sent him reassuring smile. You watched your High Lord until he disappeared behind the doors on the opposite side, leaving it wide open. Was he really such bad person? He was gloomy, sad and broken, but down under it all, he seemed to be caring and gentle in his own way. You had mixed feelings.

You were weak and felt sick, so you decided to sit on chair near the window overlooking the garden. At least the anxiety of leaving the forest wasn't so bad right now. Resting you head against the frame of the window, you let your thoughts wander.

The peaceful moment didn't last long. Air changed and something felt off. Wondering what's going on you trailed in the direction Tamlin had disappeared in. It didn't take you long to find kitchen, the faint smell of dead animal guiding you. You were about opening the door when you sensed some stranger on the other side. His magic filled air with smell of dark chilly night, so strong it made a shiver ran down your spine. Whoever it was, he was powerful, more powerful than your High Lord. No matter how scary it was, it felt familiar in a certain way. You halted, trying to remember where did you met with such powers, but there was nothing.

You shook your head concentrating on a small gap in the ajar door. Peeking through it you could see Tamlin standing behind the table across the room, his hands dirty from the animal's blood. He was cutting - no, tearing it to pieces, obliviously ignoring the stranger standing on the other side whose back was turned to you.

"I just came to check on you," the stranger purred, even his voice was like silky night.

"Why would you bother?" Tamlin grunted, his eyes trained on the meat he was peeling off the skin.

"You saved my life which I'm really grateful for. Feyre said you even wished her a happiness. We used to be friends, Tam."

"Right, we used to. The past tense," Tamlin snarled.

Stranger stayed silent for a while, ignoring his words and looking around. "This house turned into a great mess. You should do something about that."

"Your mate made sure nobody stayed here," your High Lord snapped. Now it gave sense. The other male was Night Court's High Lord, the one Tamlin's fiancée ran to.

You could see Tamlin's discomfort, his shoulders tensed, jaw tightening. It worried you. You felt hate towards the male who came to tease him, to kick him while he was at the bottom. You were debating if you should go in and support him or stay hidden when Night Court's Lord spoke again.

"Are you really alone?"

Tamlin's gaze shot to the door you were hidden behind, flash of panic in his eyes. It took just mere second, but you noticed. He was afraid the other male could find you here. It was like a signal to stay where you were. "Yes," he rasped.

"Hmm," other male hummed amused. "Maybe I should send somebody to make you a company."

"Shove it up your ass, Rhysand! I don't want your sleuthhound to sniff around," Tamlin barked, his claws punched out.

So called Rhysand raised his hands in surrender. "It was just a friendly offer. You don't have enough men to guard the borderline. I can help you out with it."

"I. Don't. Need. You." Tamlin growled.

"Okay, I've got it. But if you change your mind or need help, let me know," Rhysand laughed and winnowed.

Tamlin stood there, his chest rising and falling as he heaved, sharp claws ready to tear the flesh into shreds. He was angry once again, pain all over his face. You hesitantly stepped out of your hideaway. His gaze shot to you, studying you from head to toe.

"How long were you eavesdropping on us?" His words were sharp like daggers.

"Long," you admitted calmly although your heart rate increased.

"So now you know.." he whispered, voice full of pain and looked down on his bloodied hands.

"That you are High Lord? I know it since I treated your wound."

His eyes shot up to you with surprise, searching your face for disgust, hate or any other emotion subjects of this court usually felt for him. He was taken aback when he found none of that.

"Will you leave like others did?" he asked in a small voice. "I.. won't stop you.."

"No," you answered simply. "I already told you I won't leave my home."

His lips pulled into a thin line. "Your cottage.. right.." he mumbled. He silently stood there staring absently at the table.

"So.. When will be the meal ready?" you changed topic, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Tamlin gave you a questioning look. "You don't mind eating with me?"

You huffed, raising a brow. "Have I ever given you such impression?" He searched your eyes and then returned back to portioning the deer.

"You know what I've done, don't you?" he asked while putting a piece of meat on the spit.

"I heard something."

"I see." You felt him watching you out of the corner of his eye.

You smiled. "Do you plan to lock me up in your manor?"

His head snapped up. "No," he hurried to answer. "I-"

"Easy," you stopped him. "I was just teasing you." You smiled wider. Slowly a shy smirk appeared on his face, his shoulders relaxed bit more.

A silence stretched between you. Tamlin was roasting the meat, while you were standing as far from the rest of the deer as possible, going through almost empty shelves. When his servants were leaving they took most of the useful things with them. In one of the cupboards you managed to find some plates and cutlery.

"Do you.. do you have a name?" Tamlin asked suddenly.

You hummed. "Probably, but I don't remember it," you said unexcited.

"So with your past you forgot also your name," he stated. You nodded. "Well then.. how should I call you?"

"I don't know. Does it matter?" you shrugged.

Tamlin stopped in the middle of reaching out to turn the meat, gaping at you. "Of course it matters. Everyone has name." He stepped closer, examining your face in disbelief. You gazed back at him. He was met with emptiness of your eyes. There was again no emotion, no sentiment nor desire. It was disturbing.

"If that's the case I will give you name," he decided lastly. He took his time, watching you, circling around you with thoughtful expression. "How about... No." He circled around you one more time. "I will call you.. Y/N. What do you think?"

"Well.. I guess it's..fine." It felt strange. You didn't want to, but nevertheless you cared. It was just a name, yet it changed you. You couldn't grasp what it had done to you, but it was big. You felt different.

"Fine?" He raised a brow. He watched you closely, lightly grinning at your reaction. "Your High Lord just gave you new name and you say 'fine'?" He really enjoyed teasing you. You shrugged.

Since then he made sure to call you by the name he gave you at every opportunity. It took some time, but at last you got used to it.

[whateverisbeautiful]

♥️ Ranking Richonne

#5: You're My Family (S9E05)

✨Top 5!✨ Words can't even fully capture how much I adore this scene right here. 😭 But I'll try. - I am so grateful for it and for Danai for being a big reason why we got this moment. This is such a significant scene, especially because it’s Rick and Michonne’s final exchange of dialogue before Rick’s departure. And what a perfectly fitting, stunningly beautiful way to land their love story until they’re reunited again. The family and true love Rick and Michonne know they found within each other will always move me. And I know this scene is a hallucination, but listen, Michonne said it’s real, so it’s real to me too 😌...

(now if I went all out for my last 25 posts, then for my Top 5...🎵you know that I'm gon' be extra🎵 as we get into the big guns of this countdown. thanks for reading ♡)

I'll always love that Michonne is Rick’s final hallucination in his final full episode. It’s such a confirmation that she truly is home to him.

As I noted in my Reveling in Richonne post on this scene, the final stretch of a journey is often the most draining and challenging to get through, and it’s there when you need to tap into the most powerful source of strength and reflect on what most fuels you to keep going, so, of course, Rick's mind went to the ever-so-important love of his life - Michonne. 

And I love how any time we’ve seen Michonne in Rick’s mind, she's always this glowing, calming, goddess-like presence. No wonder Rick looks at her like she hung the moon and the stars all the time. 😊

It’s sweet seeing that while Rick's mind conjured up all the living people he loves on this bridge, it’s Michonne whom he envisions having a personal moment with. He needs her. And she’s so reassuring when she tells him it’s gonna be okay.

The real Michonne is going to be understandably distraught when she sees Rick bleeding out on this bridge, but here Rick imagined her as the calm, comforting, and life-giving presence she’s always been to him. 

And then it’s powerful for Rick to tell Michonne to take care of tf because he’s again passing the torch. Similar to him telling her she’d have to be the one to lead the others forward in Say Yes, Rick clearly believes so strongly that his people will be in good hands with Michonne as the leader. He knows this because he’s been in good hands with her as his leader. 🥲

And what a testament to Rick's trust and belief in her that he could know that this thing he’s dedicated his life to - protecting his people - is something that Michonne can continue. And as he thinks he's dying, it's like this moment is Rick personally finding solace in that Michonne will continue to hold things together if he doesn't make it.😭

Michonne encourages him, instilling faith that he'll get through this, and I always love the moment where Rick vulnerably says, "I can’t" because he’s always been allowed to be so human with her. I love that she says confidently, "You will, it’s not over," and it's just so believable when she says it.

And then, I have many favorite parts in this one scene, but the following part is particularly special because it is my favorite visual of Rick and Michonne of all time.

Like if you told me I could only ever look at one visual of Richonne again it would be this one right here where Rick and Michonne stare right into each other's souls as her eyes instill this blazing strength in him.

BREATHTAKING. 🤩😍🤗 It’s just beyond powerful and beautiful to me and perfectly illustrates the relationship and depth and strength of these soulmates so well. What this gorgeous power couple gives to each other is one of a kind. And as always, this moment is literally and figuratively magnetic. 🧲

I love that Michonne tells Rick adamantly, "We don’t die" as a motivating rendition of "We’re the ones who live" and a graphic novel nod. And again, when Michonne speaks, you just believe it.

I remember watching this live, unsure if Rick would survive or not, but when she said this I was like alright it is written, my baby Rick doesn’t die, cuz Michonne is always right...

But I also love her saying "we don't die" for its figurative meaning, as truly the love Richonne found with each other is endless and will never die.

And I adore that Rick looks her right in the eyes and nods, hearing and believing her even despite the odds and the pain. All versions of Rick can hear Michonne and allow her words to reach him. 

Then there’s this wonderful moment where Rick is about to exhaustedly hang his head and Michonne lovingly takes his face in her hands to both physically and emotionally lift him up. The movement just feels so symbolic of how she will not let him stay defeated and low. She always lifts him up like only she can.

I get teary over this whole scene, especially because of how powerful it is to see Rick have someone who can hold him up like this even in his toughest moments.

And because Michonne always knows what to say, she then brings the focus back to one of the most motivating, important, and inspiring things in their life - their love. 

When Michonne asks Rick, "You wanna know why I fell in love with you?" in that lovely tender tone, I was gagged then and I'm still gagged now. Like you would think one of us pitched this moment. 😋 It’s just so romantic, and I am forever elated that Rick and Michonne got to directly discuss their incredible love in their final conversation. 

(Also, again, you really can't watch this scene and then be surprised that TOWL is being called an epic love story. I repeat - Richonne's story has always been an epic love story. 😌)

At this moment on this bridge, where Rick needs the ultimate fuel to keep fighting, this is his own mind focusing specifically on the love supreme he found with Michonne - his guiding light, who has kept him going so many times before. Eternally here for it. 🙌🏾🥹

One of the many things that chokes me up about this gorgeous moment is when I stop to think about the start of Rick's TWD journey.

When we were first introduced to Rick he had a wife who wasn't sure if she was still in love with him and caught legitimate feelings for his best friend. And that very best friend ultimately plotted to kill Rick and told him his own family would move on from him because "they've done it before." Like that's so painful.

But then, in the wildest of circumstances - an apocalypse - Rick found a wife and a best friend all in one. He found the ultimate love of his life. He found Michonne - whose love for him runs so deep, so visible, and so certain always.

And where his hallucinations of Lori were more tormenting, here Rick is hallucinating his wife Michonne and envisioning her enveloping him in her consistent and unwavering love that has always meant the world to him.

And as Rick's mind imagines Michonne bringing up their love on this bridge, it's him in the potential final moments of his life also thinking about how honored he is to have loved her and been loved by her. 🥹

So after Michonne asks if he wants to know why she fell in love with him, it is so extremely moving the way Rick intently looks at her with a tear, eager for the answer.

And Michonne stays holding his face up as she tells him with conviction that she fell in love with him, "Because you're a fighter and you never give up." 😭 Exquisite. To see Rick be showered with this love and praise from his true love is just everything and more.

You can really tell that for Rick in this exact moment the only thing he's thinking about is her. Not the pain, not the turmoil, not the past or the future - just his wife's love.

And it's cool because in one of my Reveling in Richonne posts from years ago, I was analyzing that season 4 finale scene with Michonne in the car with Carl while she listened to Rick talk to Daryl outside. And I felt like that scene in the car and their special "Cuz I'm Okay Too' scene were signs that Michonne was falling in love with Rick, especially after Rick showed how far he'd go to protect his son in contrast to her previous partner. This is what I wrote way back then:

"Like she needs someone who won’t give up and she saw firsthand that Rick doesn’t give up, especially when his son is involved. And so I think this is when she starts really thinking of Rick differently."

The fact that years after that post, Michonne straight-up tells Rick she fell in love with him because he’s a fighter who doesn’t give up made me even more confident that my love timeline theory is pretty accurate and that I was on track with my studies in getting a Ph.D. in Richonne. 😂

She fell in love with him way back then. I mean, Danai has even said Michonne has been in love with Rick for a long time. (And I bet if Rick were to tell Michonne when he fell in love with her, it would suggest it was around season 4 as well.)

In this s9 hallucination, I love that Rick gets this uplifting encouragement from the woman he loves and has long been in awe of and that her words so clearly breathe life into him. Michonne has always breathed life into Rick, so it's only fitting that she did it one more time in this series.

And then I really love that she tells Rick, "Fight for me." 🥹 Oh it's perfect. It’s just touching knowing this is Rick’s mind telling him to fight for her. Fight for his wife. Fight for Michonne, the most important person in his life apart from his kids. 💯

I'm willing to bet that during the years that Rick's been taken away from Michonne and Judith, the words "fight for her" likely played in his head often and helped keep him going.

(Side note: This moment and "fight for me" line right here should tell everyone watching that Michonne is in a category of her own to Rick. It shouldn't need to be clarified cuz it's so obvious. But for anyone that still needed clarification, I love that TWD & TOWL promo has set the record straight (time & time again, amen) that Rick's wife and kid(s) are his ultimate choice. As I've noted before, one thing I've long known and long-loved about that man Rick Grimes is he gon' make it about Michonne every time and make sure everybody else knows what we've known for years - His wife and his kids are his everything. I'm not against a reunion with some of team family eventually, especially a reunion with Daryl after he watched over Richonne's kids - but I also just know viewers demanding to see all these different friends (and even enemies 😪) on screen with Rick again does not automatically mean Rick needs it. Within the actual story that we've been watching of Rick Grimes since the pilot episode of TWD, we can be confident that reuniting with his immediate family - Michonne, Judith, and RJ to be clear - will take precedence. As TWD has said, reuniting with each other is the only goal - as it should be when a man's been taken from his wife and kid(s). 👌🏽 While I haven't seen TOWL yet {which ahhh we're so close 🤗}, I've been quite positive for literal years that while Rick's been away, he's felt like all he is anymore is a man looking for his wife and child...And anyone who has got in the way of that is gonna lose.)

Rick knows that despite the pain and exhaustion on this bridge he has to keep fighting for the love of his life. And it makes so much sense why Michonne would fall in love with the fighter within him.

And then Michonne says, "Fight for all of us," because team family is of course important to them too. It's just Rick is a whipped man, see, and so even here there's this subtle aspect where Rick is staring straight at Michonne and really only looks to the side once Michonne turns to face the others. 😋

But then, as Rick does best, he puts his attention right back on Michonne and just warms my heart completely when he looks at her and says, “You’re my family. I found you.” Gospel truth and Utter Perfection. 😭

I adore how s9 Rick was just so vocal about his reverence and love for Michonne every chance he got, even in hallucinations. 🤩 And it is so sweet that in his final exchange with Michonne, and really his final dialogue with anyone, Rick gets to look at her and cherish finding family through her.

And with what a family man Rick is and has been since season 1, it is truly the greatest treasure in the world that, even after losing all his family from before the apocalypse, he still found a genuine family that became his life's fuel.

I love the way Rick places a hand on Michonne's shoulder to really emphasize that he found family in her.

It is so great that in this 9.05 episode where Rick is repeatedly talking about needing to find his family, his mission since s1, we get this lovely declaration that Michonne is so much of who he was always looking for. 🥹

And what a beautiful way he found her both in their actual life journey and in his mind’s mental journey this ep. 

Michonne’s tear as she smiles and again affirms him and says, "You did." Just beautiful and melts my heart.

Andy and Danai did a masterful job depicting the immense love Rick and Michonne have for each other in this scene. They always have, and of course, their final scene delivered on another level. 👏🏽👑

Truly this has been a stunning love story from the moment they laid eyes on each other in season 3 all the way to this s9 moment here (+ their s11 finale moment) - and now beyond as we look forward to Richonne's story continuing. 🤩🙌🏾

It’s heartbreaking that after a moment of such love and warmth, Rick then has to acknowledge that this exchange isn't actually happening in real life. He says, "But this isn't real", and then I will forever love that Michonne assuredly says, "Yes it is." 👏🏽

It is real. What they found with each other is real. The abundant love emitted between them in this scene is real. I feel like had Michonne actually been able to get to him on this bridge, the exchange could have gone similar to this (but like a lil more frantic probably cuz she'd be anxious to get him some medical help) But in many ways how Rick is picturing their love playing out here is so real and accurate.

So I love that Michonne got to confirm that the love and family she and Rick found in each other is real in any dimension. Since this is all in Rick's mind, it's like this is his mind also deciding that everything in this moment is real and something he has to fight for when he wakes up.

Then Rick and Michonne seal the moment with their precious final kiss within the TWD series and it's another perfect example of true love's kiss. Y'all this really is a love story for the ages and I’ll never stop shouting that from the rooftops. It’s beautiful. 🥰

It's fitting for Rick to imagine her kissing him and breathing life into him one more time because 🎵these are a few of his favorite things🎵. And if he's dying then Michonne's love is what his mind wants to remember before he goes.

(Also I wish the real Michonne got to know that on this bridge Rick was imagining her empowering him and kissing him one last time. 😭)

Finally, Michonne tells Rick to wake up, and the resilient king does as she wishes, notably without knocking out like he did the other times he hallucinated people, which to me is a nice subtle way to suggest there was something more real about Richonne's exchange than his previous hallucinations.

This scene is just gorgeous and touching and emotional and a lovely ode to what makes Richonne so special. We really are spoiled cuz we’re fed with gourmet content in each and every scene. And this scene was a feast and the perfect exchange to close out Richonne on the show. #I'mGrateful

Had this moment legitimately been their last exchange ever it would have done Richonne justice. Fortunately, though, we've finally arrived at a point where this won't be the last exchange between them. 🥳🙌🏽 Soon, this 9.05 scene will have to be referred to as Rick and Michonne's 'final convo in TWD,' because more Richonne content is coming. And this is why...

In this Top 5 moment from Rick's last full TWD ep (where Andy and Danai gave a masterclass in each scene they had both together and apart 👏🏽) I adore that this final intimate exchange between them served as a reminder that Rick and Michonne fell in love, that they don’t die, and that what they found in each other is a beautiful family that is forever real and everlasting. The ultimate win.

I will always celebrate that Rick and Michonne found the truest family in each other and that they will soon find each other again. 😌

[doe-eyed-fool]

Fallen {Chapter Twenty Two}

Alastor x (fem)Reader

Warning(s): Mentions Of Past Abuse, Abusive Ex, Confrontation, Drug Overdose Mention

Knocking at my door caused me to stir out of my sleep, I groan and sit up in bed. "Yes?" I call. "Morning, Y/n! Hurry can get dress please. We have a new guest staying at the hotel!" I could hear Charlie from the other side of my door, voice filled with excitement.

I raise an eyebrow. A new guest? Huh...Well, alright. I tell her I'll be down in a second before getting dressed. I leave my room and make my way through the halls. Angel had caught up with me, and joined me on the way down.

"What do you think of the new guest?" I ask him as we step into the elevator. He shrugs. "No idea, haven't met em' yet. But, I hope it's a new hottie." He says with a smirk, I laugh lightly.

We get out of the elevator after a few seconds and walk into the lobby. Everyone was gather to greet the new sinner looking for redemption. I didn't get a good look at them, as they were being blocked by Charlie. Who, by the way, was over the moon to see them.

"Alright, who's the new guy?" Angel asks, crossing his arms. Charlie looks back at us with a wide smile. "Guys, I want you to meet Liam, our newest addition to the hotel! Yay!" She cheers as she steps aside, given us a better view of him.

Liam was a average sized wolf demon, his jet black fur looked an almost deep blue under the lights of the hotel, his red eyes scanned the room, ears flicking slightly. When his eyes landed on me, he grinned. But, for some reason...

His grin was not a friendly one.

I furrow my eyes in confusion, and then, he spoke.

"Thanks for having me. It's a pleasure to be here."

My heart sank into the pit of my stomach.

That voice...I may have lost a bit of my memory, but I could never forget that voice. The voice that one minute, would be so loud it'd send me into a frozen shock.

Then the next, be so soothing and loving, that it'd make me forgive everything he's done for a while. I could never forget. Never ever forget that voice, his voice.

Angel seemed to be the only one who noticed my distress, he placed a hand on my shoulder. Only to take it away when I flinched under his touch. "Y/n?" He says quietly, voice filled with concern. I open my mouth to speak, but I couldn't find the words.

There was nothing I could say, even if I wanted to. My mind raced, everything became so loud so fast. My heart was beating like crazy, and I felt sick. "Y/n-" Angel didn't get my name out before I took off back to my room.

He watched me for a second before turning back to look at Liam, eyes narrowing in suspicion. 'Something ain't right...' He thought.

And he wasn't the only one who thought it. Alastor had thought anyone who'd come to this hotel for redemption, wasn't all the way there in the head. But...Liam seemed to be a whole new case. But, he kept his false welcoming persona as he spoke to Liam.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, my good man. But, I have important matters to attend to, so, you'll have to excuse me." Alastor says to him. Liam nods. "Sure thing." Alastor excuses himself from the group and walks away. Angel said nothing as he passed him by, but secretly hoped Alastor could help...

I paced in my room, arms clutched and wrapped around my body in a weak attempt of comfort. What the hell was going on!? Why was he here!? I mean, I'm not surprised he went to hell, but. Why here of all places!? Tears pooled in my eyes, my heart beating so fast it hurt. What am I going to do now?

I let out a sharp gasp as my door was open, I quickly turned to see Alastor. A wave a of relief washed over me at the sigh of him. "Alastor..." My voice cracked.

Alastor shut the door behind him and approached me, he didn't touch me right away, which I was grateful for. For now at least. "I take it, that was your ex?" He asked gently. I nod my head, tears streaming down my face. "W-What is he doing here? How the fuck did he find me?" I sob.

"I'm wondering the same thing." Alastor muttered. "Y/n, just give me the word, I'll go down there right now and have him taken care of."

"No!" I quickly say. "N-No...I...I don't want anyone to know by drawing attention."

"I can do it discreetly, it'll look like a bloody accident." Alastor tells me. "But...Charlie was so happy that there's someone new." I sigh. "Does that matter? Out there in that lobby is the reason your life was misery and why it was cut short." Said Alastor, almost in disbelief that I wouldn't let him get rid of that man.

"It doesn't...But, I think..." I exhale shakily. "I think I need to say my peace before I agree to anything." Alastor raises an eyebrow. "You want to speak to him?" He asks.

I nod my head. "There is so much I want to say to him...I want him to answer for all the pain he's caused me." Alastor was silent for a moment before speaking. "If that's what you want." He says softly. "Would you like me to come with you?"

"I think I should do this on my own. I might not get the answers I want, if it's not just the two of us." I tell him. "If you insist...But, the moment you feel that you're unsafe, just call for me. I will hear you." Alastor says firmly. "Understand?"

"I will, I promise."

Hours later, after Liam had gotten accustomed to the hotel, and when I was sure he'd be alone, was when I decided to finally speak with him. Wave after wave of anxiety washed over me, though I tried to stay calm. It would do me no good to run away. I've endured so much of his shit for so long, he will answer for it.

I will say what needs to be said, what should have been said a very long time ago. I found him right outside of the hotel, cigarette in hand. A puff of smoke left his lips, along with a deep exhale. His ears flickered towards my direction as I closed the hotel doors behind me.

He turned, and another rush of anxiety shot through me. "Hey there." He greets me. "Liam, can we speak?" Liam stares at me for a moment. "Do I know you?" He asks with a grin. "You do." I mutter. "I may not look like I use to, but I'm still the same. And I know it's you under that new form as well. Let's not pretend."

Liam's grin remained the same. "Yeah. I figured it was you, based on your reaction when you first saw me." He says before taking another drag.

He exhaled the smoke and casually asks me. "How have you been?" I clench my fists tightly at my side. "I'm surprised to see you here." He continues. "You were always so nice. What did you do? Hm? You do some terrible things I didn't know about or something?"

"Why did you do it?" I ask, ignoring his questions. "Hm? Do what?" He asks. "Don't act like you don't know! Why!? How could you do that to me!?" My emotions began to take over. And his stupid fucking grin was only upsetting me further.

Liam flicks the cigarette away before taking a step towards me. "I was good to you." I kept on. "I tried to be a good girlfriend, a good fiancé. I would have been a good wife. But you...all you've ever done was hurt me. You never appreciated me, you lied to me, you made me feel like less than a person. And for what? I would blame myself, but I've done nothing wrong. I stayed with you because it meant so much to my family, as well as yours. I did it for their sake, but most of all, I did it for you."

I continue. "I know how your family was. They were so insistent that we marry, or else you'd get the shit end of the stick for it. And I loved you...so why wouldn't I agree?"

"Why Liam? Just why?" Tears filled my eyes. "Why did you kill me?"

Liam was but a step away from me. "I didn't want to kill you." He starts. "You know how much shit, I went through because you died? My parents had to pull so many strings, get through to the right people, just to make sure no one found out. They hated me for it...Said I was a fucking disappointment. Didn't want me to get the shit end of the stick, huh? If only you didn't fucking mouth off to me that day. Maybe I wouldn't have gotten so angry. But you always had to test me, even now...you don't know when to quit."

"You have no one to blame but yourself Liam." I said firmly. "I didn't make you push me down those stairs. God, I feel so stupid. I don't know why I couldn't see it sooner. You were a bad person then, and I see nothing has changed now. Liam, I wanted to stay with you because I really did love you. At one point I did. I wish things could have been different, but, I see now that we were doomed from the start. I can't help you, I don't know how to, and I can't suffer by trying. I wish I were brave enough to say all this while I was still alive. But better late than never, I guess."

I turn to leave. "That's all I wanted to say. I don't think you're serious about this hotel, so I don't expect you to stay long. But while you're here...I hope you'll stay away from me. Because, I want nothing to do with you ever again."

"I don't think you really understand, Y/n."

I stop walking. "You ruined my life when you died. My parents pretty much disowned me. Cut me off, and I was left on my own. I struggled to keep employment, I turned to drugs, and I eventually died trying to forget that fucking night when you died. It's your fault you died, it's your fault I became an addict, and it's your fault I died. I'm suffering, and I will continue to suffer forever, because of you!"

I couldn't believe what he was saying. I was right, he really isn't capable of change. I turn to give him a piece of my mind, but it was then in that moment, he lunged at me...

And everything went dark...

[saint-vagrant]

we packed up my studio on Thursday night, so my residency in the burren is officially over 💔🌦 i'll miss it tremendously, including my fellow residents who have already dispersed— such a lovely group with whom i'm so grateful to have shared this time, they improved it tenfold. and i'm grateful to everyone who helped me make this possible.

i worked on pieces large and small, which i haven't had time nor energy to accomplish in the last few years. i didn't finish everything, mainly due to spending as much time exploring the mountains, woods, ruins, and Árann islands. the writing i paired with my work for the Open Studio event reflects my thoughts on being in The Land as someone (mac tíre) severed from the security of family, making space for my trans and queer body, a soft indentation in the sea grass. bithchuimhne 🍃 i introduced some of this in my comic for the HOME anthology— to be embraced in kind means more than words alone can say.

with unfinished pieces, i at least have something to look forward to once i'm settled in.

at the same time, going back to the core feels almost criminal. does it ever not? níl cara ag cumha ach cuimhne. i'm furiously sad at the absence of the Palestinian students who were meant to be here, Mohammed and Nadin. we held a bonfire in honour as a small gesture of committment and memory, and i've been in touch with Mohammed a little, only when he's able to access rare internet connection. Ireland, to be fair, is hardly better— hiding behind selective, vicious, cowardly "neutrality" that somehow continue pandering to the same colonising forces Ireland prides itself on rejecting. but on the ground, coalitions of people are ever here for each other and will not stop coming out in droves against the odds. in that way, israel will lose, as will its guardian the US, as will each languishing oppressor in this conflict and the next. at this moment i can't offer much more than that, but i do believe in it. it's the only thing i've ever believed in. from the plough to the stars, from the river to the sea, saoirse don Phalaistín 🇮🇪🖤🇵🇸 and around the world.

[i-literally-cant-with-this]

Ohhh Bunny! I have fulfilled your request.

C/W ::: ProHero!Hawks, Office sex, boss/secretary dynamic, oral,     p->v, cum eating I think that covers most of it. Let me know if I missed anything too too bad. 

What the hell is a drabble? Is it like, where one just blabs about some cute shit someone does? Idk, man. Someone tell me, please.

WC ::: Can't remember. I want to say just over 3,500 though.

You're the newest hire at Hawks' agency and how you landed the job will probably forever be a mystery to you. You weren't even looking for work, really. You remember a few weeks ago talking to your friend on the phone about possibly looking for work when your class load eased up a bit. But that was outside of a coffee shop. You don't even recall him being around. He's definitely someone you'd notice, too. It's just strange how it all unfolded.

Regardless, you're grateful for the opportunity to have such a chance fall in your lap. You stood in the lunchroom heating up your cold cup of coffee in the microwave when the door swung open and he walked through. "Hey, birdy. How's it goin'?" He flashed you that smile that would seem smug if it was on anyone else's face. But on him, it just looked ... "Fuck." You said. "Iiisss there a problem? Birdy?"

You looked at his eyes through his yellow tinted goggles and slowly shook your head. "I - um, no. No. Shit. Sorry. I didn't mean to say that. Out loud, anyway." He laughed and put his right hand on the counter to your left, leaning in close to your ear. "What did you mean to say?" He all but whispered that to you and you shuddered enough that he took notice.

The microwave timer went off and you jumped at the sharp sound. He backed away from you to pull the hot mug out and sat it on the counter. "'S hot, don't burn your lips, birdy. They're too pretty to be mean to. Catch ya on the other side." The door swung back and forth a few times before you realized that he wasn't in the small room with you anymore. A heavy breath left you that you weren't even aware you were holding. "M - my lips are too pretty? Jesus. I'm going to get fired. Fuck."

You spent the rest of your day trying not to think about it. Trying not to think about how you were attracted to Hawks, or how he seemed like he was attracted to you. All day it just played over and over in your brain, "... too pretty to be mean to." You wondered exactly what he meant by that. Did he want to be gentle to your lips? 

"Hey, birdy." His voice brought you back to the present moment as you watched him walk through the door of the lunchroom again. "Do you know where the file is for the last report of the 3rd quarter? I can't find it in any of the files on my computer. Would you please come into my office and help me track it down?" You nodded, packing up your leftover lunch and throwing it in the garbage and standing in front of him. "Of course, I'll help you find it. Lead the way."

You followed him out of the lunchroom and down the hall to his office, wondering why he didn't just look for it on his own. "You're so good at finding things. I couldn't find anything without you, birdy. You're the best assistant I've ever had." You smiled and walked into his office, sitting in the chair across from his desk. He sat in his chair and looked at you for a long moment before speaking. "So, guess what. I didn't need help finding the file. I just wanted to talk to you. Away from prying eyes and ears."

Your mouth dropped open in surprise. "Oh. Well, um, okay. W-what do you need, Hawks?" He scooted his chair back and spread his legs wide, smirking at you. "You mean to tell me you don't already know? C'mere. Sit on my desk, right here in front of me, little birdy." You stood and smoothed your skirt down, not that it mattered. It was a linen skirt that was supposed to look bunched up. But you wanted to do something with your hands before you hopped up on his desk.

You did as he asked, and he pushed your knees apart with his index fingers, looking up at you with a devious grin. "This okay, birdy? You ... okay?" You nodded and swallowed hard. "Ye-ah." Your words got caught in your throat as he slid his hands under your slip and ran his thumbs over your thighs. "Can I touch you?" You nodded again and he pulled your panties to the side, running his index finger over your slit. "You're wet already. Good girl."

He leaned in and pressed his lips against your clit, sucking hard as he continued to move his fingers around your pussy. You could feel your thighs tremble and your stomach clench as he worked you over, bringing you to the edge and then backing off just to do it again.

"Hawks - fuck - please. Did you call me in here to---" He interrupted you, "I called you in here so I could find something, little bird. Now," he began lightly scratching your thighs, "I think you can help me find … your … this." Your head fell back as he began to run his fingers through your folds. “H-oh god, Hawks …” He pushed his goggles off of his face onto his head and looked up at you through lazy eyes. “Found it.”

You moaned and pushed his hands away as you hopped off of his desk. He watched as you walked to the wall-sized window of his private office, looking out over the city. You wanted to face him and look at him while you stood there waiting for him to make a move. It didn't take long for him to walk over to you. "Why're you flittin' away from me, hm? You got somewhere better to be? Something else you'd rather be doing?"

He stood so close behind you. The heat from his body was palpable. You closed your eyes as he resumed his efforts. Licking and sucking your neck and your shoulder until you were practically panting. "Keigo, fuck." He pulled away from you and grabbed your hips, pulling you closer to the back of the brown leather couch.

Hawks scooped you up in his arms and tossed you over onto the cushions. You bounced a couple of times, "Oh!" laughing at the fun of being virtually weightless. He walked around and got on his knees in front of you.

"What are you…? Are you gonna--" He smiled and nodded, "Mmhm. You want me to eat you out? Is that what you want, birdy?" You nodded and he started to tug your panties down. You lifted your hips and helped him slide them off before he threw them behind him. You opened your legs for him and he leaned in, licking and sucking on your clit like he'd done before.

You moaned and writhed around on the couch as he slid his fingers in and out of you. "Fuck, Keigo, I'm so close. Please don't stop. Please, don't – hah!" You exploded all over his face and fingers, grabbing a fistful of his hair as he lapped up every bit of you. He moved up to your chest, licking and sucking on your nipples, leaving tiny red marks all over your tits.

"Can you stand up? I wanna fuck you so bad. Can you handle it, birdy?" You stood up and turned around, bending over the back of the couch. "Yes, please." You smiled up at him. He laughed and smacked your ass before unzipping his pants and pushing them down around his knees. He grabbed your hip and lined himself up, sliding his cock inside of you.

"Shit. You're so tight. Fuck, I love it." He began to move his hips in and out of you, fucking you from behind while you pressed your face into the couch cushion. You felt your second orgasm building as he pounded into you, his balls slapping against your clit. "Are you gonna come for me again, birdy? C'mon, I wanna feel it. Let me feel it." He fucked you harder and you could feel yourself clench around his cock as he filled you up.

After a moment, he pulled out and cleaned up, pulling his pants back up and tucking his dick back into his green and blue plaid boxers. You stood there, his cum dripping down your thighs and he couldn't help but take notice and admire how messy you were right now.

"You uh, well, there's a little somethin', hell. Sit. Let me help you with this." He scooped the cum from your thighs and pushed it back into your pussy and then he sat you back down on the cushion. Hawks kneeled before you and kissed up your legs, from your knees to your entrance.

"Hmm - mm-hm." He licked your hole, sucking a little bit. He pulled back and stood up, looking down at you. "There you go. A nice little birdy bath." You couldn't help but chuckle at that. As you laughed, more cum leaked out of you. Hawks just smiled. "Let's get you cleaned up ... again? Can't have you leaking cum all over the office."

He helped you pull your panties back on and straightened out your skirt. "Now, let's figure out our excuse to get your sweet ass back in my office tomorrow, shall we?"

Taglist ::: @millennialmagicalgirl @arlerts-angel @callm3senpaii @darkstarlight82

Sorry, I screwed up earlier and had to fix it.

[catchdawn]

ᴡʜᴏ... ᴡʜᴏ ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ...? | ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ꜰɪᴠᴇ

________________________

NOTE: HAIII AUTHOR WRITING THIS !!!

THIS ISN'T AT ALL A CHAPTER BUT MORE OF HOW LEON AND CLAIRE THOUGHT ABOUT U.

MIGHT BE DOING THIS IN EVERY CHAPTER IF NOT LAZY JUST WANTING TO DO THIS SHORT CHAPS WHERE WE AT THEIR POINT OF VIEW MEETING U.

NOW THAT IS DONE HERE IS THIS CHAPTER

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⚠ ᴄᴀᴜᴛɪᴏɴ ⚠: °{Near death experience, blood, gun, and violence in general (?), hints of obsessed tension.}°

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ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : » [The Blond] «

┆ ⤿ 💌 ⌗ TV Girl ┆

0:00 〇────── : 3:48

⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻

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ʚ ︵‿︵‿︵꒰ welcome Leon ꒱︵‿︵‿︵ ɞ

┊﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍┊

꒰ 💭 ꒱ Name: Leon Scott Kennedy

꒰ 💭 ꒱ Sanity: 95%

꒰ 💭 ꒱ Relationship: 5% Acquainted with user

꒰ 💭 ꒱ Extra: He is grateful to save you from that thing that tries to kill you back there. He thought you were pretty cute without that blood on you though he tries to push that though as he needs to focus on what's going on rather than having a puppy crush on some random person who he just met!

︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶

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꒰ ʟᴇᴏɴ ᴘᴏᴠ: ꒱

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I looked ahead at the endless road... When would I come to Raccoon City...? This feels like a cycle that isn't stoppable... Feels like I have been in these streets longer than I intended.

The only thing being heard beside the car driving was the radio blasting songs that I wasn't really paying attention to. It was there to relieve my stress for the night as I was coming late to the station.

↳ ❝ [ɢᴀꜱ ꜱᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ] ¡❞

I looked over to the gas station that came over my view, wondering if I should stop to refill my car with more gas.

“Yeah… I should stop here for now…” I mumble as I start to drive over there. Stopping near the station. I hop off my jeep as I stand beside it as I go to pump my car with more gas. My eyes landed on the police car parked in front of the gas station.

“That's weird …” I mumble to myself as I glance down… To see blood…?

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“Huh?”

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Blood was planted on the floor as it was coming inside the gas station, seeing a phone booth still ringing as it was taken from its spot… I sense something terrible happened.

I instantly walked to where the blood trail went, ignoring how the rain poured in, wetting my hair. I tried my best to cover myself to get myself wet.

Opening the door to get in, I couldn't see anything. It was pitch black. The only thing leading to at least guidance was the moonlight that was able to pass through the window and many other papers planted on the wall. I looked down to see a flashlight on the floor relief. I took it so I could now see.

“Hello? Is there anybody there?!” I said as I started to look around the small store as everything was a mess… Items were thrown on,there was a trail of blood, and even the sounds of banging? “Something is not right…”

I went further into the small building, my eyes landing on a man who was on the floor, his back leaning on the wall as he was holding down on the side of his neck where blood was pouring out.

“you alright?” I asked the man as he didn't seem to answer my question. Instead, he pointed his finger to another room from where the sounds were happening.

“Don't move… I'll be back for you.” I reassured him,as I went ahead to the other room where I could assume was the storage where they held other items before putting them on shelfs.

Walking down the same hall to where the sounds were coming louder sounded like… growling…? I'm not sure…

The door that was open was not wide enough for me to even see that I used my right hand to push the door using my left hand to steady my flashlight to see what's going to be in front of me.

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What I saw made me frozen.

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A dead cop laying on the floor with big chomps like an animal was taking a bite on him, which killed him.

A man who was painfully pure pale as blood was painted on his hands and mouth, they were on top of someone. I glanced down to see someone who was in danger, and they were about to be killed.

Without wasting time, I pull out my pistol and release a shot aiming at the man hitting him in the forehead. Falling down on top of a poor victim, which I hope is still alive.

“Are you okay…?!” I asked as I quickly walked over to them, pushing the weird man off them. They looked very much relieved of being safe from whatever that was.

I stretch out my hand for them to take. They took without a second as they pulled themselves out now with them at full size. I could see them up close…

They looked so hopeless as they were covered in blood and whatever thing that was spilled on them. They looked like they came straight out of some tornado with clothes, quite ruffled and pulled, most likely by that thing. Beside them looking homeless.

They still good-looking? I guess… The shade of color in their eyes sparkles even with almost dark this place is, and this poor lighting flashlight I'm using. Maybe washing off the blood, giving them fresh clothes, and-

"It's there something in my face...?” They asked as they looked at me in confusion as they wiped off anything on their face. I was puzzled until I realized that I was still quiet and looking at them. Feeling embarrassed, I tried to give them a response, hoping they didn't think of me as a creep or something.

"Ummm- No! My name is Leon Kennedy... Yours?” I blurted, not wanting to look strange from my actions, feeling my cheeks warm luckily with how dark it is they might not even notice it.

"My name is 𐔌ᴜꜱᴇʀ𐦯 !” {{USER}} answer with a small smile… They looked good with a smile on their face… What the fuck are you thinking? You barely know them and you already hook… Snap out of it. It hasn't been at least a week after your girlfriend broke up with you.

“Well... We should go... 𐔌ᴜꜱᴇʀ𐦯... Is not safe being here.” I replied as I went ahead to the exit of this tiny room. I looked off my shoulder to wait for them to follow me which they did for the better.

As we walked out of the room, we noticed one of the other coworkers, the one that led me to the other room, was now standing up… He didn't seem right as he was doing the same thing as the other now making growling sounds now seeing us in his view he started to limp toward us. We didn't want it to end like dinner. We sprinted out the front door as other people with the same symptoms were trying to catch us.

Reaching the front door, I was about to pull on the door to open it when someone did it first.

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ʚ ︵‿︵‿︵꒰ welcome Claire ꒱︵‿︵‿︵ ɞ

┊﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍﹍┊

꒰ 💭 ꒱ Name: Claire Redfield

꒰ 💭 ꒱ Sanity: 97%

꒰ 💭 ꒱ Relationship: 6% Acquainted with user

꒰ 💭 ꒱ Extra: She finds you interesting! You just appear randomly, and she hopes to find more stuff about you... Hope you talk more about your life to her soon... But for now, she needs to find her brother Chris! Maybe you can join her...? You show great potential!

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꒰ ᴄʟᴀɪʀᴇ ᴘᴏᴠ: ꒱

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I looked ahead at the endless road... When would I come to Raccoon City…? I have to find my brother… Where could he be? All I know about his last appearance was him telling me about this city before he went all silent. Being the worried sister I am, I went all my way here to find him.

I know it's quite silly of me doing all of this, but I know this is serious. The rain is pouring down on me as I ride my motorcycle, speeding down the road.

Seeing light appear, I assumed it was some gas station thinking it's best to fill my motorcycle before going back to the streets.

Stopping next to the pump before I could even start to fill my motorcycle with gas, I tense up as I glance over to see the store to be completely dark. No light. No sounds. Nothing.

My body tense at whatever was happening at that store hearing the sound of the phone . I looked over to see a phone booth walking over there. I was about to put it back when I heard a voice pick up.

“{{USER}} did you pick up the phone…?! Don't tell me you already died… didn't you?” A woman's voice coming out sounded distraught… she seems scared for that particular person…

“Ma'am hello? This was left on its own, and the person here isn't he-”

“Oh fuck- umm nervermind I should of end the call- Also you should check your surroundings ever few seconds.” The woman replied as her voice didn't sound as scared as she was a few seconds ago before I could even open my mouth to ask why. The call ended.

“That was weird…!” I said to myself as I put back the call, looking back just like what the woman said…. I just wish I was lying to myself when I say this…

Across from me a few feet away, I could see someone limping toward me… I assume someone was hurt when they were getting closer… Closer enough to see them in the light…

They were rotten from the inside and out, clothes torn, looking more of a monster than a human.

I noticed behind that there was more coming…! Not wanting to see what happens next I ran over to the door for safety.

Pulling on the door, the first thing I saw was a pistol pointing in front of me. Looking up to the person holding the pistol was a young man with dirty blond hair having blue eyes.

Raising my hand up as I didn't want to get myself shot by him, nervousness coming at my body as I was either going to be eaten by those weird shitter outside or be shot in the head.

“She not infected Leon…!” A voice came out but not from the man across from me pointing a pistol at me. Looking behind him saw someone else being thankful from a random person for the first-time ever.

The man who I now assume is Leon looked behind me seeing something dangerous. “Duck!” Leon yelled as I went down, Leon, who now pulled a trigger shooting at one of those things behind me.

Getting out outside once more, you three dashed to the police car and decided to sit in the passenger seat while Leon chose to be the driver while the stranger who I haven't gotten their name thrown themselves at the back.

Leon, who didn't waste any time, went full speed out and straight to the streets as we were speeding to Raccoon City.

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↳ ❝ [ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴀᴅ] ¡❞

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꒰ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ ᴘᴏᴠ: ꒱

Everyone was quiet. Tense. And scared. Mind replaying from minutes ago of what they saw that night… that scene looked straight out of an apocalypse fantasy…! That can't be real! How could that occur…? Maybe the station could tell what's going on.

“Ummm... Well... I'm 𐔌ᴜꜱᴇʀ𐦯... What's your name…?” {{USER}} said out of nowhere as they were looking straight at Claire who now finally knew their name…

“Claire-Claire Redfield” she answered as she noticed that your name was called out from that woman in the call… Wanting to know about that,but decided to keep her mouth shut for now.

"Name is Leon Kennedy!” Leon introduced himself as his eyes were on the view, but his eyes were going every few seconds to the rear view window looking over to you. He doesn't know why he is doing this�� He never did this type of behavior to someone he barely knows… Does he have a crush…? No.. that can't be… Maybe he was just scared of losing one of you with how the situation is! Yeah…

Even though he only felt that only to you, not to Claire.

Claire didn't even give much of a thought of Leon which was so out of character for her… She thought she held a grudge because he pointed his pistol at her, but she was not sure at this point…

She found out a few things about him, one he was a cop. Two, this was his first day of his job. And three… Not much to say….

Claire wanted to seem interested and gave a response to her brother, who was in the city. Wanting to find him, she went her way through here.

“What about you 𐔌ᴜꜱᴇʀ𐦯…?” Claire wanted to know more about them… They seem special… She doesn't know how to explain it… They are still pretty much strangers with a little info about them… I don't even know their last name!

“Oh! Well... I have lived in Raccoon City for a few weeks now... and my job is at the gas station that we were on a few minutes ago…” {{USER}} replied, sounding unsure… They sounded not truthful at what words were coming out of their mouth. Both Leon and Claire knew something was off, but not wanting to pry into your life, they let it go.

.

.

.

↳ ❝ [ʀᴀᴄᴄᴏɴ ᴄɪᴛʏ] ¡❞

.

They just hope there information of what the fuck is happening.

.

[quigonswife8]

Reveal: Namor x fem reader

After finding out that you're pregnant with Namor's child, you sit by the ocean everyday in hopes he'll appear so that you can tell him.

Warnings: injury, mention/talk of sleeping together, pregnancy as I know some people don't like reading these types of fics.

Thank you for the request anon. Sorry it took so long to get out, but I do still hope you like this

Also after I finish and post the other requests, the requests will be closed for a while. I'll still write, but it's hard to also write the requests, sorry about that.

-

It happens so quickly. One minute you're reading, the next an injured man stumbles to the shore and falls over. You don't even notice the wings on his ankles at first.

"Oh god."

Dropping your book you nearly trip over your feet, thankfully keeping stability. "sir?!" and, as fast as you possibly can, you run over to the man.

"Sir?"

He attempts to stand but ends up falling again and groaning.

"Are you okay?"

There are three scratch marks on the left side of his face, you note. He looks up at you, but then closes his eyes to try and get rid of the pain, and groans.

"Sir?"

"My..." another pained groan. "Right ankle wing." though he falls short on words and groans again. Right ankle wing? is that code for something? Confused you look down at his right ankle curiosity getting the best of you. Your eyes land on his ankle, and then your eyes widen in surprise. They go to his other ankle, and you notice a difference.

Well, to begin, you notice how he was telling the truth. 'right ankle wing' wasn't code for anything since he does actually have wings on his ankles. However the difference between that one of his right ankle wings have been sliced off, while the others seem to be fine.

Your confusion slowly wears off, until you look at him. It's now that you notice people are staring, and confused, but that doesn't really get your attention.

"I'm a nurse." you begin. "I can fix your ankle up for you if you want."

The stranger opens his eyes again.

"You do not have to."

"...but I want to."

You move to place a hand on his shoulder, a stern but kind look in your eyes. "Please let me help you."

-----

"Here." you hand out a bottle of water for him. He slowly looks at the bottle, and then you.

"Thank you."

You leave to grab what you need, as he drinks the water you'd just passed him, and he watches you. He's a bit surprised by the events that just transpired, but he's grateful for your help. Though, if Namor is being honest, he's a bit embarrased for seeming so weak.

"You're welcome...oh, I never asked your name."

shuffling through your equipment, your hands land on a bandage.

"...i'm (y/n)."

Grabbing the rest of what is needed you turn and walk over to him.

"My people call me K'uk'ulkan." he begins. You kneel down in front of him, "...but my enemies call me Namor."

Then it clicks. You're not sure why you hadn't realised who he was when you'd seen his ankle wings.

"...the winged serpeant god?" you reply, surprised. He simply nods. Wow. you'd only heard legends of 'the winged serpeant god', but you never thought you would ever meet him.

The man that can live underwater and breathe on land. Who can fly with the wings on his ankles. He is a fierce leader and a fierce protector who will do anything for the people he cares about.

"It's an honor to meet you." you nod to him, beginning to bandage his ankle. "...and I'm sorry that you were hurt, but I'll do my best to fix up your ankle..."

"Níib óolal..."

Huh?

"What?" tilting your head in confusion, while Namor didn't even realise he'd reverted back to his language. Since he's underwater most of the time, he doesn't have to speak english, as he speaks his language.

"I said thank you, in my language. I am sorry for not speaking your language."

"You don't have to be sorry." tightening the bandage enough, you check over everything. "... and I think your language is beautiful, and everything i've heard about your culture is too. I would..." you stop yourself as you don't want to badger the guy. You've just met, you don't want to annoy him.

You stand up and move back to give him his space.

"That should be good until it heals."

Namor moves his leg around a little, then he looks up at you.

"Thank you, really. I appreciate this (y/n)."

Namor begins to stand, confident that he can.

"...I should get going." when he finds it hard, though, he ends up stumbling, and you quickly wrap an arm around his waist.

"I don't want to be annoying Namor, but you need to stay while your wing heals." he wants to say no, because he needs to go home...but you're right. He can't leave yet, and because you've been nothing but kind and you'd bandaged up his ankle, he doesn't mind.

"Okay."

-

For the next couple of weeks you let him stay there until his ankle wing is healed enough and he's healthy enough to go back home. Despite him saying it's alright, and that he can make his way home, you'd told him it would be better to let it heal up before he does.

If he were to hurt himself even more, that would mean waiting longer to heal. As a nurse you know this is the best option as you have dealt with patients hurting their ankles. Well minus the part where they didn't have wings on their ankle.

As you nurse him back to health, Namor tells you a lot about who he is and his culture, as a whole. The many stories he describes in such detail that it feels like you're there. He tells you about Talokan and how there would never be enough words to describe how breathtaking it is, and how the people who live there like him fit perfectly.

You tell him about yourself, about stories from your past. That you became a nurse over ten years ago, and how you can't help but admit that you're a damn good one too. Namor agrees with you on that. That you'd moved away from your hometown to be where you are now, and you're happy you did. Not that where you lived was bad or anything.

Over these weeks you begin to grow closer, becoming friends. Though as your friendship blossoms, new feelings grow to the surface, and before long all you can think about is him. That when you stare at him all you want to do is admit how you feel, and you'd be lying if you said you didn't look at his lips every-so-often, wishing hoping to kiss them.

-

Then, one night as you're talking to Namor, one thing ends up leading to another.

Your head rests against the wall behind you, while your hands rest by your side. Though all you can think about is how that more beautiful he looks like in the light from the moon.

You're talking about something. A story from the past, and you're so invested in telling it that you don't catch how he stares at your lips. How he feels intoxicated with the feelings that he holds for you. The feelings that you're oblivious to.

As you begin to say something, Namor gets to it first. He looks at you, then your lips, and mutters 'can i?' and you're confused at first.

"Can you..." but, then, you notice his eyes on your lips, and you realise. He wants to kiss me? surely you're imagining things...right? 'cause why would he want to kiss you? Still you find yourself mouthing 'yes'. and so he leans forward, capturing your lips with his, and your walls cave in.

You think the kiss is the only thing that happens. Turns out Namor has wanted you, as much as you have wanted him, 'cause the kiss turns into more.

Next thing you know you're stumbling to the bedroom.

-A few weeks later-

"Oh god."

You hold onto the wall fearing that you'll fall over if you don't. Eyes focused on the test in your right hand, tears fill your eyes, and you close them.

"I'm pregnant?"

You should have realized after feeling sick in the mornings lately. That you haven't been feeling the best as-of-late. Though pregnancy never did come to mind, but now you're pregnant with the child of the man you haven't seen in weeks.

There's no bad blood between you both. He'd left because he needed to continue ruling, so that's why hasn't visited. Bringing yourself down into a sitting position you rest your head back against the wall, sighing. "now what am I going to do?"

You never thought to hide the pregnancy from him, as he deserves to know. Though how you're going to tell him is the hard part, cause what if he doesn't even want a child with you? What if he only viewed your one-night-stand as just that, and what if his feelings weren't true?

So you sit there, test in your hand.

----

You decide to go to the beach and call his name. At night so people don't think you're weird. He doesn't arrive the first time, though you don't leave straightaway.

For the next couple of weeks you go to the same beach in hopes of getting his attention. Every day you call for him but he doesn't answer or let you know that he can hear you. It kind of stings as you need to let him know.

You wonder if he'll be a good father. He's a kind man, a good man, so you think what he'll be like as a dad. You wonder what you'll be like as a mother, if you'll be a good one. Having kids have been on your mind for a while but you hadn't found 'the one' to have them with. Maybe Namor is the one, though you're not sure if he thinks that about you.

The hopes of seeing him, however, start to lessen and you worry that you'll have to raise this child alone...until things change one wednesday.

-

"Namor?"

You make your spot on the sand, with your right hand out-of-habit rests on your pregnant stomach. The waves are calm, and the water is flat. The night is cool which helps to calm the nerves you have, as you pray that he'll finally appear.

"We need to talk."

You wait. You wait for five minutes, but he doesn't show, and you're ready to continue waiting like you usually do as you're convinced he's not going to appear. The water suddenly moves as you think that, and then something makes a splash....well, someone.

You watch as he walks out of the water towards you, and you stand up. When he reaches you he surprises you by taking your hands in his:

"I am sorry for not being here sooner."

He squeezes your hands.

"...but I am here now, so we can talk."

With a nod, you sigh. Now that he's there you have to reveal that you're pregnant, and you pray that he won't just leave. Though, why would he?

"Okay..." here we go. "I have to tell you something, but I'm not sure how to."

"Well..." he replies. "...take your time, in yakunaj." in yakunaj. He'd muttered that to you during that night. You're still not sure what it means, but you could- can tell that it means something. His words seem to help you admit what you've been meaning to admit, but it's not easy to get those words out.

"Namor I...i'm...pregnant." averting your eyes from him, you continue. "...and the baby is yours." now as you aren't looking at him, you don't notice how his eyes seem to widen.

"...that's what i've been meaning to tell you, because you had the right to know." then, you turn to look at him again, scared that you'd seen anger in his eyes, or disgust. Instead, however, you notice the surprise on his face.

"You're... pregnant?"

"I...I understand if you don't-"

"No." realising he's still holding your hands, he squeezes them softly.

"I'm just surprised."

Now he hates that he wasn't there sooner. He knows you would have been feeling alone without the father of your child being there to be your support. To be the other parent to your child. You needed him, and now he hates himself for not being there.

Though he's still shocked that you're pregnant, but he isn't angry. In fact, despite the circumstances, he is happy you're going to have a kid, and the kid is his. You aren't dating, but that doesn't matter, as he just wants to be there for you.

"...I know this isn't ideal for you." he continues. "but I will be there for you. for our kid." he softens his tone as he says this. "...I promise you." and you can't help but tear up hearing him say this.

"You will?"

The winged serpeant god nods and god you can see the amount of care his eyes hold. "I promise you (y/n)."

The tears run down your cheeks, but you're happy. These are happy tears, because why would you be sad? He's going to help you raise this kid, which is all you have wanted.

"Thank you."

-

Throughout your pregnancy, Namor is amazing. He offers you to stay there and as it's easier, you agree. Though you don't move in at first. He gets a room set up for your baby, and you find it adorable how excited he is.

You find yourself falling harder for him, more than you had initially been, and you found yourself wanting a relationship with him. Though you weren't sure he did, too. He did. But he wanted to wait to see what you wanted.

It was about a month into the pregnancy, that you'd been staying there, that you'd admitted how you wanted a relationship. He'd let you know he wanted one too, and before long, you'd begun dating.

When you give birth he's there, and when you hold your baby girl in your arms, you look up at him with such love. While Namor is tearing up, he can't help it. When he holds your kid, he tears up more, and you tear up, too.

You have your own little family. It's so perfect, that it feels surreal.

Everything is perfect.

[violettduchess]

hi violet, can i req for gilbert, prompt forbidden love? if it's ok i'll leave it up to you whether if it's gonna be a fic or hc :) thank you

A/N: You all voted for this to be an Angel / Devil AU and here we are.

CW: death, sickness, war

Gilbert x Reader

Word Count: 2650

1095: the Holy Land

The first time you see him it is over a rising cloud of brown dust, stamped from the earth by a cacophony of hooves and sandaled feet charging at each other. Sunlight glints off curved steel and chain mail as blades from both sides bite into flesh, punctuating the haze with red droplets.

Through the blood and dust you see him, walking amid the chaos. He is, quite simply, the most beautiful being you have ever seen. Every movement exudes grace, from the bend of his torso to the tilt of his head. He is so arresting that you stop in your tracks, frozen under the burning sun, watching him across the din until he turns his head. Fatefully, his gaze finds yours. His eyes, the clearest, deepest red you have ever seen, pull you in, like a fishing line cast into the ocean. You find yourself moving towards him, the epicurean tide drawn to the beauty of the ethereal moon, breathless with something. Time stands still, all sound dwindling into nothingness. The screaming of men, the groaning of the dying, the frenzied cries of horses, it all fades when he smiles, your heart suddenly caught in the curve of his lips, the line of his jaw.

And then he sees you clearly, as the dust begins to clear, as the last man lays gasping, calling for his mother. He sees you and his beautiful face darkens with an emotion you are all too familiar with. The shadowed mask of fear.

You blink and he is gone.

1348: London, England

It is nearly a millennium before you see him again. You step outside of the small, dank house, the smell of sickness lingering in the air. It clings to you, the sheen of rot and ejecta, and you are grateful for a moment’s respite. It is then you see him, walking alongside the rickety wooden cart piled high with bodies, some still oozing sickness from their sores.

“Bring out your dead!”

The man pulling the cart and yelling is sweating, salty droplets of water leave tracks in the dirt caked on his sallow skin. His heartbeat is too fast, too erratic but he fights it, the fist squeezing his lungs, wanting to get just one more footstep further away from this thing they call the Black Death.

But then his voice is gone, his knees buckling as his heart finally gives up the fight. Gilbert, draped in robes the color of twilight, kneels in the dirt road beside him. You watch as his pale hand touches the man’s face and soothes back his matted hair. He speaks and whatever you expected his voice to sound like, it is not this. Not like the soft sound of the wind sweeping across rolling plains. Not like the velvet depth of night, when darkness blankets the mortal world.

“Hello Richard." He is gentle, so very gentle. "My name is Gilbert." He cups the man's face with a tender hand. "It’s ok, my friend. There is nothing to fear. It’s simply time to let go.”

Like a being transfixed, you watch as he guides the soul from its prison of flesh and bones, and with a wave of his hand, sends it on its way.

“You look so young.” 

The words leave you before you can stop them. You know speaking to him is forbidden and yet, somehow, it feels as natural to you as sunlight.

He looks up at your words and again, the flicker of fear burns in the red brightness of his eyes. He rises slowly and you admire the way he conquers it so quickly.

“I’m older than you.”

He knows he should not answer you and yet he does, turning to face you fully now. You tilt your chin upwards, letting him look, letting him drink his fill of the sight of you.

“I’ve never seen you before.”

Something dances across his face, tears his gaze away from your form.

“My duties were elsewhere for a time.”

The story behind his words is in his eyes, straining to be freed. His lips burn with the need to tell you more.

And then the bell tolls and you both look in its direction.

Time is fleeting. You have work to do.

With great effort you turn away from him, walking toward the next sad building reeking of death. When you look over your shoulder, past the curve of your leathery wings, you find him watching you.

And you smile.

1839: Mazatlán, Mexico

The winds and water have washed away the small town on the coast. There is nothing left of it, aside from bits of broken buildings and bodies lying in watery graves.

An old woman with a broken back lays, panting heavily as the light slowly fades from her dark eyes. You approach her, your heavy robes trailing in the dirty water and mud. When she sees you, her breathing quickens, her eyes widen and her fingers, old and gnarled and broken, scramble to touch the worn silver cross that has hung around her neck for the last sixty-eight years. Little does she know it too has been lost in the storm. You kneel beside her and she whimpers, her whole body trembling as you reach down, laying your hand on her forehead.

“Por favor,” her voice creaks, “por favor.”

“Begging won’t save you now. You know the life you led. The women you sold. The children.” It doesn’t matter what you say. They can always understand you.

Her body spasms as you reach for her, the real her, the essence inside. Her last words die unspoken on her lips as you send her soul to its journey's end..

Rising, you scan the debris, feel the call of so many souls and you are weary. You make your way towards the beach, stepping over the rubble until you have reached the soft, white sand and smooth gray boulders. You slump down against one of them, tired. The sand is soft, the boulders warm with collected sunlight. You have learned to appreciate the simple things of this plane of existence. The sound of the ocean. The smell of the salty air.

“So even your kind needs a break.”

That voice.

He is standing above you, backlit by the sun, and you wholly believe he is worthy of the countless prayers shot to the heavens by pleading lips.

You can’t help but smile. “Come sit with me. Take a break yourself.”

He smiles back and your heart cracks open, bursting with something newborn and unexpected. Something you can’t give a name to, yet.

“Isn’t there a story about a garden and a serpent that starts this way?” But he lowers himself until he is next to you. His arm brushes yours and it feels like holy fire.

“I shouldn’t be here.” Your voice is softer than usual as you watch the roll of the waves along the beach. A single shoe made for a tiny foot bobs alone in the water. Its former owner is his responsibility. Babies always are.

“You’re doing your job.”

“No, I mean here. With you.”

The words sound as loud to your ears as the waves crashing into the rocks scattered about the shallows. Embarrassed, you start to move away from him, from his warmth and his light and his heavenly smile.

And then you feel his hand wrap around yours, the dawn grasping the dusk, and he pulls you towards him.

Falling into his embrace is easy, so much easier than you ever would have believed, easier than you could have dreamed. Easier than all the rules that say it is forbidden would have you think it is. He is light and warmth to your shadow and shade. You drink him in, wrapping your arms around him, pulling him close against you. He gasps softly into your hungry mouth, stunned by the feel of you.

His kind have always been told a litany of warnings to stay away from you. That nothing good will ever come of associating with devils. That he would burn in the pit fires of hell if the rules were ever broken. And oh he is burning, just not the way they described. 

As he pulls you against him, your softness yielding to the planes of his body, he does burn. He burns with a singular need to kiss you, to touch you, to claim you as his. He burns with a desire far more dangerous than hellfire. It sharpens him, hardens him, shifts his purpose with every movement of your lips against his. Your mouth is ambrosia. Nothing will ever taste as good ever again. He will forever be thirsty for it. The feel of your hands, pressed against his back, just under his wings, is branded into him, changing him, claiming him.

It is only the tolling of the celestial bell that falls like an ax through the haze of your lust. The call to work.

“I must go.” He looks over his shoulder, then back to you, his dark hair falling across his forehead in a way that makes your fingers ache to touch it. “We’ll meet again.”

He stands slowly, spreads his large, white feathery wings and in a rush of wind, a flash of light, he’s gone, leaving you alone on the beach with the mournful sobs of the dying, the monotonous lull of the ocean’s waves and his kiss burning on your lips.

October 1916: Somme River; Picardy, Northern France

It feels wrong, rushing to meet him with the thunderous sounds of war rocking the world, and the deadly fog of mustard gas rising like a cobra to sink its fangs into shaking men. Even you shudder as the shrill cry of artillery shells and the spitting rage of the machine guns echo hell on earth. Men are dying in record numbers but it is precisely for this reason that you can meet. The bloody ground with its endless sea of death and destruction masks your movements from anyone who may wonder where exactly you are. Too many souls departing too quickly. Everyone is busy, thanks to men and their thirst for war. Angels and devils alike roam the ravaged fields, answering the call of the doomed.

He waits for you behind a burned-out house amid charred, leafless trees. You gasp when you see him. One eye is covered by a swath of black silk. 

“What happened?” Your hands are on his face, now familiar to your touch. You have loved him for almost a century, a drop in the ocean of time, and yet, short as it may be, it feels essential. Sacred. 

“They know.”

Those two words sink into your heart like a stone, dragging you down into a trench of despair. He has lost an eye in punishment. There will be more coming. The sky above you explodes orange against gray.

There are so many words that they stifle your speech, stacking one behind the other in your throat. None of them will change anything. None of them will save you. He reaches out, pulling you into the shelter of his embrace, a tender kiss placed on the top of your head, between your short, black horns.

“It will be alright. I have a plan.”

You tilt your face up to look at him as the world rumbles, heavy tanks rolling like moving fortresses through the dead fields.

“I will come for you. Give me time.” He sounds so sure.

Dread crawls up your spine with tiny, grasping claws but you nod slowly. You trust him. 

He leans down, pressing a light kiss to your lips, a small beacon of hope in the darkness that surrounds you, the darkness that fills you. Then he steps away, unfurls his pristine wings, and vanishes, leaving you alone amid the wreckage.

2023: St. Anne’s Nursing Center; Regina, Canada.

The old man sees you, although his eyes stopped working years ago. Ignoring the exhausted muttering of the overworked nurse, his drawn face, etched with lines and mottled with brown spots, turns towards the doorway where you stand.

You are never who they want to see. You with your black wings and horns, with your fiery eyes and ashen skin. You, devil. His heart, worn and faded, skips its final beat as you walk over, curling your cool fingers around his frail wrist.

He wants to scream but all that comes out is a wheeze of fetid breath. Holding his wrist in your hand you lean down, lips close to his ear.

“It’s time.”

Every last living cell in his body wants to fight and you sigh, tightening your hold on him. It’s not a pleasant end when they fight, especially once they realize where they are going. And this one has reason to fight. His soul is as tainted as can be, a history of violence and hate and a pile of bones that will eventually be unearthed in the far corner of his remote property. Too many for just one person.

He submits, his soul needing to be pried from its cage of weak bone and flaccid muscle before you are finally able to send it down, down, down where it belongs.

There are others here, dancing on the edge of this life and the beyond, but none require your attention. Not today. You leave the now still body, making your way down the generic beige hallway and across the dated, olive-green tile of the entrance until you are outside, breathing in the cold, clean winter air.

Above you, the sky is black, the moon only a sliver of silver amid the twinkling stars. You’re about to move on when you hear it. The unmistakable beat of wings.

You turn and you see him, dropping down to the ground in one elegant movement. What you see brings both hands to your mouth, snatches the breath from your lungs.

Gone are the soft white feathers of his wings. They have been plucked out, burned away. The bloody leftovers re-formed into the stretched black leather of bat wings, darker than yours and wider. His robes are darkest obsidian, his hair midnight kissed by stars. And sprouting from it, the surest sign of what he has done: long, black horns, curled like a ram’s and deadly sharp.

“No…..no……” You know what this means and it brings you to your knees, right there on the icy pavement. His red eye is aflame with determination as he walks over to you, leaning down to take a strong hold of your arms and lift you again.

“It was the only way.” His voice is steady, gentle but sure.

You shake your head. “You are Fallen. You know what He will do. What you will have to do to prove yourself.” The Morningstar is cruelest to those just like Him.

Gilbert brushes your soft hair back, his skin pale as bone, now cold as ice. 

“I will not only endure it, but I will conquer it and prove that I have earned a place among His agents. Perhaps….even….conquer Him.” His expression softens as he cups your face, his thumb stroking the line of your cheekbone. “I can master anything. You are by my side. You,” he pauses, his voice a whisper that roars louder than thunder, “are the reason for it all.” 

And then his mouth is on yours and you melt against him, love for him clouding the danger of his words, the fear of what is to come. You wrap your arms around him and you return his kiss hungrily, greedily, covetous. His teeth sink into your lower lip, his wings extending to black out the sky before wrapping themselves around you, his hands grasping at your robes, yanking handfuls of it away from your skin until he can take hold of the soft underside of your thighs. With a deep growl he lifts you, pulling you against him, his unbound lust finally free. 

After all…..he too is now a devil.

Tagging: @aquagirl1978 @alixennial @alexxavicry @queengiuliettafirstlady @rhodolitesrose @ikemen-writer @bellerose-arcana @thewitchofbooks @redheadkittys @dear-mrs-otome @firestar-otomeobsessed @curious-skybunny @kpop-and-otome @writingwhimsey @mxrmaid-poet @silver-dahlia @wendolrea @otomefoxystar @nightfoxqueen @myonlyjknight @queen-dahlia @aceuuuuu @scorchieart @bubblexly @joiedecombat

[creativenicocorner]

A little nonsense blurb to try and make something productive out of my own rude awakening. Don't know if I'll use it for Glow Worms or Refrigerator Problem, or maybe it'll forever live here on tumblr - whose to say.

something something venting with country boy Reigen? Kind of?

Reigen hadn't gotten much sleep. It seemed he hardly managed to sleep as much as he'd like. Yet this time, with the joy of knowing he didn't have to do anything the following day, Reigen allowed himself to enjoy the night and stay up as much as he wanted.

Reading, watching multiple movies, and so on.

It was rare for a city to be so quiet, and that was the magic of three in the morning. When everything became more subdued. Velvety. If he closed his eyes, he could even relax. Not only that, but with three in the morning came the insurmountable joy that no one needed him, would call on him, or expect him to do Anything.

And just like that, everything was wonderful.

Then the crack of dawn seemed to appear, a shocking affair despite it happening everyday. Life slowly stretched awake. The sun's rays oozed between skyscrapers and buildings on its trajectory higher and higher into the sky. And there was a peacefulness in this too that Reigen greatly enjoyed.

Until the nerves hit. Followed by a construction crew working on the building next door. The racking sounds that made his skin grate against his tendons. It felt like a bee maliciously buzz sawing against his nervous system.

Reigen tossed and turned, shoved his head into the pillow, dipped deeper under the covers that did nothing but make him feel too hot.

The construction showed no signs of stopping. Which made logical sense, of course, after all they had only just begun. That didn't mean he had to LIKE it.

Everything felt LOUDER.

Not even closing the window and shutting the blinds helped.

"Why did I ever move into the city," Reigen bemoaned. He groaned, and resigned himself to a horrible morning.

Staring up at the ceiling with blood shot eyes, Reigen wondered what was better: constant unstopping noise, or being teased with silence only for some other sound to come in and hit his mind with a steel chair, metaphorically speaking.

He had no answer, only a sneaking suspicion that perhaps they weren't constructing a building, but were in fact summoning the noisiest demon known to human history.

Then, a while or so later, Reigen sat up and looked around his room. He realized he could breathe easier. That the world wasn't so grating.

"Ah," said Reigen to nobody, "the noise stopped." He sunk back down, relief filling him from head to toe letting out a full lunged sigh.

Silence. Blissful quiet. Reigen folded his hands over his stomach and stared up at the ceiling. Perhaps he could trick himself into daydreaming about looking up the underside of trees. Or birdcalls.

Oh man, he thought, a kingdom for a hammock.

He closed his eyes and tried to hone in on the pigeons that had just passed. A smile tugging at his lips. He could doze to this. Drift to that land of slumber he had neglected during the actual hours of slumber.

That's when the jackhammer started up. This was followed by someone vacuuming upstairs. The added metallic screeching of some unearthly monster, perhaps. A car alarm entered the picture at some point.

Reigen felt like crying. He settled for screaming internally instead.

[jpmarvel90]

Knight in Shining Armour

Masterlist Scarlett Masterlist

Relationship: Scarlett x Cop Reader

Summary: After a incident after a night a club. Detective Y/l/n comes to Scarlett's rescue, seeing their relationship grow.

Word Count: 8008

Scarlett's POV:

I didn't even want to come out tonight. It is cold and I have been so busy with work, I just wanted to start my weekend off with a night in with a glass of wine and take out. But instead, I was convinced by some of the cast of my latest movie to join them at a club. Not being in the mood, and being the only sober one, doesn't make for a good night.

Deciding to cut my losses, I say goodbye to everyone and head out to order a taxi. I mean it's already 2am. I did ok to stay out this late! The cold air almost feels painful against the skin that's showing and I'm regretting not ordering a taxi sooner. Trying to take cover from the wind whilst I wait for my uber, I tuck down the side of the club, sighing when I no longer feel the sharp wind against me.

"What's a pretty lady like you doing on your own out here?" I hear a slurred voice ask. I turn around and see a man stumbling towards me. I quickly move to the main path again to get in the view of other people, not sure where this encounter is going. But just to my luck there is no one around! "HEY! Don't walk away from me. I'm talking to you lady!" He yells after me. I decide to just ignore him grabbing my phone to check where the uber is. 5 minutes away.

I feel a hand harshly grab my bicep and I spin around to push the guy off me out of instinct. That was the wrong idea as it just seems to irritate him and he body slams me against the wall, giving me no time to protect myself. Fear floods my body as I see his dark eyes look over me. "So angry. How about I make you feel more relaxed." He husks, his voice making me feel sick.

He's strong as I try to push him or get away. I open my mouth and start to scream for help, but he quickly covers my mouth. "Now, now. We don't want anyone joining the party." He scolds me. I scream into his hand as his own runs up my exposed thigh and under my dress. Tears are streaming down my face as I'm completely defenceless in this moment.

I squeeze my eyes shut tight, praying this is all a dream and I'll wake up. "HEY! GET OFF HER!" I hear shouted from down the street. The man still grips me tightly, turning to smirk at the woman heading in our direction. "This doesn't concern you." He hisses. "Let her go and this won't end as badly as it can." She warns him slightly. "Oh yeah, what are you going to do about it?" He asks, his grip loosening slightly. "Well, if you don't let her go, I'll make you. Then I'll arrest you." She threatens, grabbing a badge out and flashing it in his direction. "Shit" He mumbles.

Thankfully, he let's me go to charge at the woman, clearly hoping that he'll be able to make his escape. I watch as he swings at her but she dodges it easily and lands a punch of her own on his chin, knocking him to the floor. She flips him over on to his front as I hear sirens in the distance and oh look, my uber's here! She's quick to cuff him as he grumbles on the floor. As soon as a squad car pulls up, she gets off him and rushes over to me, leaving the asshole to the officers. "Ma'am, are you ok?" She asks, stopping a foot in front of me. Something I'm grateful for as I don't think I can be touched right now.

She slides her jacket off and holds it in front me when I don't respond. "I'll get one of the officers to grab an emergency blanket once they've dealt with him. In the meantime, here, take this." She instructs. I reach out and nod in thanks as I slide it over me, pulling it close for the warmth. The smell of her perfume is comforting. "I'm Y/n. Can you let me know if you're hurt anywhere?" She asks softly, still respecting my boundaries.

"I'm Scarlett and I think I'm ok. Just bruised." I reply, finally finding my voice, shakily trying to get to my feet. As I stumble, she quickly reaches out to catch me. Once I'm stable, she removes her hands off me, something that disappoints me for some reason. "Sorry, I didn't want you to fall." She apologises as she takes a step back. "Detective, we've got a second squad car arriving in two minutes. We're taking the perp down to the station." One of the officers informs Y/n. "Ok, make sure one of you stays to talk with the owner of the club for their CCTV footage. I'll travel with Ms Johansson to the station." Y/n replies.

I'm grateful to know that she won't be leaving me anytime soon. She's proving to be a big comfort to me. The officer hands over a small pack and gets in the car to drive my attacker to the station. "Here, this will help to warm you up quicker. Can I put it around you?" She asks, unfolding the foil sheet in her hands. I nod, not trusting my voice at the moment. She carefully wraps it around me and sits me on a bench whilst we wait for the police car to come and get us.

"We'll head to the station for a statement, and we'll get you checked over to make sure you're not hurt. If you're uncomfortable at any time, just say and they can stop, and if needs be, take your statement at another time." She explains to me, which helps some of this panic subside. She saved me. I hate to think what would have happened if she hadn't been there. "What were you doing here?" I ask her, wanting to know where she appeared from.

"I was trailing someone in the club for a case. I had stepped outside after getting what I needed when I thought I heard someone scream. I looked around and saw that man on you and knew straight away that there was something wrong." She explains. "How are you feeling?" She asks me, turning in her seat to look at me. Eyes boring into me like hers are now, usually make me feel uncomfortable, vulnerable. But not hers. There's a comfort to them. A kindness.

"A bit shaken. I didn't even want to come out tonight and then this all happened. It just scares me what could have happened." I share, feeling tears prickly at my eyes. I drop my head into my hands, feeling the fear all over again, but ultimately, I feel relief. Relief that she was there to save me. My knight in shining armour. "I'm going to put my arm around you. Is that ok?" She asks, making me melt for her even more at her consideration to not make me uncomfortable after what I just went through. I nod and her arm slowly drapes over my shoulder and pulls me into her body.

It's then I notice that she must be freezing herself as she's only in a shirt. A nice shirt mind, she looks really good. It's hugging her torso in all the right places. God, how can it be I've just gone through something traumatic, yet my messed up brain is checking out the detective that is helping me. Before I can offer her jacket back to her, a car pulls up with an officer inside. "Detective Y/l/n, I'm here to take you both to the station." She explains, coming around to open the door.

I move to get in the back by Y/n stops me. "You're not in trouble, so you shouldn't have to sit in the back. You take the front seat and I'll be in the back." I nodded in response as she held the door open for me, before climbing in the back herself. It's not a long trip to the station and I find myself getting lost in my thoughts. They're broken though when the door opens and I see Y/n's kind eyes looking at me, her hand held out. "Are you ready to go in?" She asks. Again, I nod and take her hand and let her lead me into the station.

"Would you like a drink, a coffee maybe to warm you up?" Y/n asks after she's signed me in at the front desk. "Yes, please." I respond. "Ok, follow me, I'll take you to the staff room, we have much better stuff up there than this machine!" She laughs. I just follow like a lost puppy. She encourages me to take a seat and prepares us both a coffee. When she hands it to me, I wrap both my hands around the mug to for the extra warmth.

"Do you have someone that you could call. A partner or a friend perhaps?" Y/n suggests. "Uh, yeah. I can call my best friend." I respond. "I'll leave you to make your phone call and I'll go and see if they're ready for you. Will you be ok for a few minutes?" She asks. "Yes, thank you." I respond with a smile. When the door closes, I take my phone out and dial Lizzie. She's confused as she's half asleep, but as soon as I tell her what happened, I can hear that she is running around the room getting changed. "I'll be there in half an hour." She tells me before hanging up.

Y/n comes back in a couple of minutes later. "They're ready when you are. But there is no rush. This is all in your own time." She informs me. "I'm ready. I'd like to get this over with." I say back with more confidence than I've had this whole evening. "I don't blame you. Follow me and I'll take you to the officers." I do as I'm told and follow her to an interview room. "Officer Garcia and Maddox will be taking your statement. If you want to stop at any time, just let them know and they'll listen." She explains before going to open the door.

I quickly reach out to stop her and she turns to look at me confused. "Are you not coming in?" I ask almost at a whisper. Her face softens and she smiles. "I wasn't supposed to as it's not my department, but I'm sure I can sit in there for support." She smiles and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I'm still holding on to her hand, but she doesn't seem to mind. In fact, she uses it to take me into the room. I take a seat opposite the two officers who kindly introduce themselves. Y/n takes the seat next to me and carries on holding my hand. Which she squeezes in support throughout the 20 minute interview.

It's horrible having to relieve what happened, even though he didn't get what he wanted, I can still feel his hands on me, the pain as my back hit the wall. I'm grateful for Y/n's presence as it helps to give me the strength to carry on. When we're done, she guides me to the waiting room and sits with me. "We're just waiting for our medic to be available, and he'll check you over. If he's happy you're free to go." She tells me with a kind smile. Our eyes lock for a moment and I go to open my mouth to thank her for everything she's done, but we're interrupted.

"I'm here for Scarlett Johansson. She was brought in after being attacked." I hear the panicked voice of my best friend. "She with you?" Y/n asks, and I nod. "I got this Jerry. Ma'am, Ms Johansson is over here." Y/n tells her, pointing in my direction. Lizzie rushes straight over to me and pulls me into a tight hug. "Oh, thank God. Are you ok, did he hurt you?" She asks, looking over my body to look for any obvious injury. "I'm fine Lizzie. Y/n helped me." I tell her with a wide smile. "Who's Y/n?" She questions with a look of confusion.

I point at Y/n who gives a shy wave. "Oh, sorry. I'm Lizzie. Thank you for helping her." Lizzie thanks. "Y/n Y/l/n and it was my pleasure." She answers, giving me a wink as she does. I notice Lizzie grin in my direction as Y/n indicates for her to sit with me. "I'll check on Dr Mayfield." Y/n excuses herself, leaving me with a grinning Lizzie. "She seems nice." She observes. "Yeah, if it wasn't for her, who knows what might have happened." I respond, avoiding biting the bait she is clearly trying to get me to take.

My response seems to remind her why we're here and her face turns to one of concern. "Are you ok? Do you want to stay with me tonight? I don't like the idea of you being on your own." She offers. "I'll be ok. It was a little traumatic, but I'll be fine. And yes please. I don't want to be alone." I admit, a tear falling down my cheek. Lizzie pulls me into her and holds me until Y/n re-joins us. "This is Dr Mayfield. He'll give you a quick check over and let you know if you need to go to the hospital or not." Y/n explains, introducing the man stood behind her. "Lizzie, you're welcome to join her." She smiles and Lizzie is quickly by my side following me through.

Thankfully, there is nothing more than some scratches and bruises and the doctor gives me the all clear to head home. I'm grateful that this is all over and I can get home into bed and just relax over the weekend. When I go back into the waiting room, Y/n jumps up when she sees me, and it instantly makes me smile. "All ok?" She asks, a look of concern on her face. "Yeah, I'm good to go." I reply with a smile and I see her shoulders relax.

"Well, I checked in with Officer Garcia and she has confirmed that the CCTV and your statement is enough to charge him. They may need you for some paperwork over the next few days. But even if he pleads not guilty, it is unlike to go to court." She assures me and that makes me feel much better. "Thank you for everything Y/n. You've made this so much easier than it could have been." I express my thanks. "You're welcome. I'm glad I could be there. Here, if you need to, please call me. I'm more than happy to help with anything." She states, holding a card out in front of me.

I take her card and read Detective Y/n Y/l/n. Organised Crime unit. "Thanks. I will." I respond, not really wanting to leave her, but knowing I have too. She walks Lizzie and I out to the car and waves us off as we drive away. "I think someone's got a crush. At least something good came out of something so horrible!" Lizzie teases. I would argue, but she's right. Y/n was the silver lining. I tug at her jacket, which is still draped over my shoulder, and take a sneaky sniff, gaining more comfort from her scent.

_________

I ended up staying with Lizzie for the weekend. She's in between projects at the moments so we had a lazy weekend. With her encouragement, I dropped Y/n a text last night and safe to say it went well.

Scarlett:

Hi Y/n. This is Scarlett. Thank you again for everything you did for me. I realised that I still have your jacket. I was thinking I could return it to you. Perhaps over dinner?

Y/n:

Hi Scarlett, good to hear from you. Dinner sounds great, though you didn't need the jacket as an excuse to ask me. 😉 When were you thinking?

Scarlett:

I'll keep the jacket and take a date then. Are you free tomorrow evening at 7?

Y/n:

It's a date 😊

Lizzie was almost as excited as I was and has been helping me get ready all afternoon. Y/n is picking me up and taking us to the restaurant that I've booked. I'm really excited to see her again and have the chance to get to know her without the background of the attempted sexual assault on me.

When we get to the restaurant, there are a few paps that get our picture, but it doesn't bother me. I've been out as bisexual for a few years now, so I'm not worried about being pictured with Y/n. Who knows, if this goes well, then maybe we'll be pictured together more regularly. Although I'm not worried, Y/n wraps her arm around me protectively and blocks as many of the cameras as she can with her body.

Once we're through the door, we're instantly taken to our table. Y/n, being a complete gentlewoman, takes my coat and pulls out my chair for me. "Nice jacket." She grins as she hangs my (her) jacket on the back of the chair. "Thanks, I think it suits me." I reply with a mischievous grin.

We end up having a great dinner. There is never an awkward silence, and I don't think I've laughed this much in a long time. She is really attentive, and I love the subtle touches she makes through the night. It makes me sad when the night comes to an end. She drives me back to Lizzie's, as I'm still not comfortable to be on my own and walks me to the door. "Here's your jacket." I say, moving to take it off. "Keep it. It looks way better on you!" She stops me. I smile, slipping it back over my shoulders.

There is a beat of silence as our eyes just gaze into the other. "Thank you for tonight. It has been really good fun." She tells me, taking my hand in hers. "Yeah, best first date I've had." I admit, and I notice her cheeks flush. "I really want to kiss you." She whispers. "What's stopping you?" I reply with a boost of confidence.

At my words, she leans down, and I push up on my feet to meet her lips. My eyes close as her soft lips touch mine. Our lips mould together as her hand cups my cheek. My hand fists her shirt and I pull her closer to me. She doesn't hurry the kiss, letting our lips explore each other. Her touch ignites a fire within me, showing me that it's the only touch that I want to feel.

As she pulls away, my eyes are still closed as she rests her forehead against mine. "Goodnight Scarlett." She whispers against my lips, placing a gentle peck, and stepping back. "Night Y/n." I respond, watching as she gets in her car and drives off. I lean back against the door, my butterflies still going mad in my stomach. I raise my fingers to my lips, tracing over where hers just were.

I'm broken out of my trance as I'm suddenly on the floor. The front door I was leaning on, thrown open by my over excited best friend. "Oh my God! That was so sexy!" She squeals as she pulls me up from the floor. I raise an eyebrow at her, and she drops her gaze. "I was watching through the window." She admits, pointing to the hallway window. I shake my head and walk upstairs, ignoring the calls from Lizzie to tell her all about the night.

She's more persistent than I thought, and when I come out of the bathroom, she's already led in the bed, with a glass of wine in her hand. "Now will you tell me all about it?" She pleads, giving me her best puppy dog eyes. I take the glass from her hand and slip into the bed next to her. "Ok." And that's how we spend the rest of the evening, me gushing over this amazing woman that I met by chance.

Y/n's POV:

My date with Scarlett was fantastic. I've never felt a natural connection with someone so easily before. And that kiss. Oh, that was like no other. I was so glad that I was there at the right time to stop what that asshole was trying to do with her. I just wish I had been there a little earlier to stop him ever getting his hands on her. The look of fear on her face when I got to her was heart breaking.

Since our date we've texted a few times and are planning our next date. We've had to push it back a bit as I had to finalise everything on a big case that I was working on. It's been years in the making and the information I got from the club last night gave me everything I needed for me and my team to do our final raid. We were able to arrest a crime boss who has been plaguing the city for decades. We have concrete evidence to ensure that he and his men won't see the light of day again, making the streets much safer.

It was a press conference I had to attend which made us move our date. I stood by the chief's side as he announced the arrest and gave me and the team praise for all our hard work. It was a relief that it was finally over, and I am planning to take a prolonged leave of absence to give myself a chance to recover. That night, when I get in after a long day of shaking the big wigs hands, I flop on the sofa and grab my phone to try and rearrange my date with Scarlett. It's a little late so I'm not expecting a response, but I'm excited to hear from her tomorrow.

I don't hear from Scarlett at all the next day. Or the day after that. I assume that she's filming and leave it before checking in with her again. I've finalised the last bits of paperwork for the case and I'm about to start my six month sabbatical. I'm planning on going away for a week or two. I've not had a holiday in years and I'm looking forward to getting some sunshine and relaxation.

I was hoping to see Scarlett again before I go away, but I don't hear anything. I've texted her, tried calling her and nothing. Maybe I had misread how our date went and she wasn't actually that interested and felt like she had to be nice because of what I had done for her. I instantly feel guilty that she perhaps felt obligated to go on a date with me.

My heart sinks at the thought, knowing that I've well and truly been ghosted. It's not the first time this has happened to me, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. Instead, I decide to book my trip. I decide on a four week trip to New Zealand. I've always wanted to go, and this is the perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new. I spontaneously book for next week and then spend the rest of the evening planning everywhere that I want to visit. There are so many amazing places, I decide to hire a car so I can explore the two islands and see as much as I can. Planning the trip helps me to ignore the slight ache I have in my heart. It's stupid to feel this way. I barely knew the woman and we had one date. Yes, it was the perfect date and have the most perfect kiss to end it, but I can't get hung up on that. I'm not wasting this time off getting hung up on a date with me.

The next day, I'm out shopping, buying everything that I need for my trip. I really go all out, pretty much buying myself a new wardrobe. I've not done this in a long time, and I've been so married to the job, I've managed to save up enough to indulge myself. My little bit of retail therapy works and I'm already feeling much better, excited for what my trip is going to bring me.

__________

My time in New Zealand was amazing. I managed to see so much and met some incredible people. It was exactly what I needed to unwind from how much I've been working these last couple of years. I don't remember the last time I took a vacation but this more than made up for it!

I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do over the next five months before I return to work. I know that I want to visit places in the US and spend more time with my friends. I'm almost embarrassed by how little I've seen them recently. But still, they've stuck by me. So that's what I start doing, making an effort with my friends and family. We hang out, go on trips together and tonight, we're heading to a bar.

I've not had a night out in a long while, and I'm ready to let my hair down. I still felt a pang of pain in my heart when I thought of Scarlett, but the last 8 weeks has really helped to lessen it. Hopefully tonight, I'll be able to find a reason to completely move on from the truly pathetic episode I've found myself in.

In my new outfit, I head out to meet my best friend, Jenna. She's managed to get someone to watch the kids and she is going to make the most of it. We head straight to the bar and order cocktails and two shots of tequila each. We pound the shots and head straight out onto the dance floor. We get a in a bit of a routine. We dance until we're tired, then head over to the bar to get more drinks and shots before heading back out again.

"That red head is checking you out." Jenna tells me, nodding her head in the direction of this woman. I subtly turn around and meet the blue eyes of a gorgeous red head. I give her a smile and she dances over in our direction. "I couldn't help but watch you." She admits freely, which makes me blush a little. "I'm flattered!" I shout over the music. "Perhaps you could join me?" I ask, seeing Jenna wiggling her eyebrows next to me. "I'd like that. I'm Hannah." She introduces herself. "Y/n." I respond, holding my hand out for her.

She easily takes it and moves into me, dancing to the beat. As time goes on, my confidence grows and I place my hands on her hips, pulling her into me. She spins around and pushes her ass up against me and starts to grind. I can't help the smirk on my face at the feeling. "I feel like I'll be heading home alone tonight." Jenna teases with a wink. I roll my eyes at her but know she's right.

"How about I get us some drinks." I suggest to Hannah. "Sounds good." She replies and takes me hand to walk to the bar. I squeeze in and manage to get to an empty seat. I help Hannah get up and she pulls me so I'm stood between her legs. I smirk down at her and lean in. Our eyes shut as I feel her breath on me. "Hey babe!" That voice snaps me out of the moment I'm in with Hannah, and I feel my heart drop when I look up to see the last person I had expected to see. Scarlett.

Scarlett's POV:

I woke up the day after my date with Y/n, a smile permanently etched on my face. I couldn't wait to see her again. There was just something about her that made me want to spend all my time with her. But I don't want to be too clingy after one date, so I get started on my plans for the day. I start off by calling my daughter. She's staying in France with her dad and will be back in two weeks. I miss her so much, and there is part of me that is actually wondering about what she'd think of Y/n. I quickly shake the thoughts away, knowing I'm getting far too ahead of myself.

Eventually, I get up and join Lizzie downstairs for some breakfast. I'm feeling much better about everything that happened last week and have decided to stay at my house tonight. Lizzie has offered to stay the night just to make sure I'm comfortable, which I'm grateful for. I'm so lucky that I have her as my friend.

I end up sending Y/n a text later that afternoon, and we catch up a little. This carries on over the next couple of days and we even start to plan our next date. Unfortunately, Y/n had to postpone as she had something important to do for work. But she said once that's over, she'll have plenty of time to dedicate to our second date.

That evening, I switched on the TV and had the news playing in the background whilst I was catching up on some work emails. But in the corner of my eye, I spotted a familiar person. I focused on the TV to see Y/n stood behind the police chief, who was briefing the press. I turned the volume up and watched as the chief spoke about the arrest of Johnny Murphy. He was a notorious crime boss that the police had been trying to deal with for years.

"All of this could not have been done without the hard work and dedication of Detective Y/n Y/l/n. She has dedicated her time to ensuring that we have everything that we need for a concrete conviction of Mr Murphy." I smile briefly at the thought of all her hard work paying off, but that soon disappears as I start to spiral into dark thoughts. What am I doing dating a detective? Especially one that's working in organised crime. She will be busy all the time, how would she have time for me? What if she's in danger and gets hurt, or I do through association. I can't bring that into Rose's life, it's so irresponsible. I can't let myself get hurt like that.

So, in my wisdom, I make the decision to end things with Y/n before they even get a chance to start. But I'm too much of a chicken shit to actually talk to her, so I do the one thing that I hate, I ghosted her. It's easy enough to ignore her at first as she doesn't pester me too much. But after a few days, I look at my phone and guilt creeps in as I look at all the unanswered messages from her.

Y/n:

Sorry I had to postpone. But I'm all yours now. I've got a really cool idea for our next date if you'll let me take the lead. Let me know when you're free and I'll get something arranged.

Hey, I assume you're probably busy with work or filming. But just wanted to check in to see how you're doing. I was watching TV today and We bought a zoo started. Is it embarrassing to admit I only carried on watching for you?

Hi, me again. Just checking that everything is ok? Are you still up for date number 2?

I'm taking the silence as your answer. I'm really sorry if I've been bothering you and got the wrong end of the stick. I didn't mean to make you feel obligated to date me. It was nice to meet you anyway.

With her last message, my heart broke a bit. She thinks the reason I'm not interested is because I feel obligated to go on a date with her because she saved me. Which is completely untrue. I should have just told her and not let her come to her own conclusion. But it's too late now. It's done and I just need to move on.

__________

"So? When's the next big date with the detective?" Lizzie asks, dropping down on the sofa next to me. I avoid her eye contact and keep my focus on the TV ahead. "Scar?" She questions. "We've not really spoken since." I admit and I notice a flash of anger from the corner of my eye. "I can't believe her! How can she take you on a date, kiss you and then just ghost you? What a complete asshole. She probably thinks because she's some big wig detective, she can treat people how she wants. Unbelievable!" She rants, her hands flailing in the air.

Part of me feels lucky I have someone like her in my corner, but the guilt creeps in that it's actually me that she is describing. Just replace detective with the word actor, and she's hit the nail on the head. I am an asshole. "Give me your phone." She orders. "No, Lizzie. You are not getting involved." I scold her, but she's persistent. "I'm serious." She gives me the infamous head tilt, but I'm not budging. I shake my head and turn my attention back to the TV, which is the wrong idea. Before I know it, Lizzie has launched over me and grabbed my phone from the arm of the sofa.

Before I even have a chance to try and stop her, she's jumped up and unlocking my phone. Fuck me for having the lock code as my daughter's birthday! Lizzie is angrily opening WhatsApp and I see her face turn to one of confusion. "Wait. She did message you." She states, looking up to me. "Why are you ignoring her? Is she right? Did you feel obligated?" Lizzie questions.

I let out a sigh and try to ignore her, but like I said, she's persistent. "Scar, talk to me. You were so happy after your first date. What happened?" She asks, calmly, taking a seat next to me. "I'm scared." I admit, knowing that I can't lie to Lizzie. "Of what?" She questions, placing a comforting arm around me. "I like her. A lot. But when I saw her press conference, all I could think about was how dangerous her job is and that I couldn't get hurt like that or let Rose be in danger because of my girlfriend's job." I share.

Lizzie is quiet for a moment. Clearly collecting her thoughts. "I can understand that, but why didn't you talk to her? Ghosting her is pretty harsh and now she thinks she's either done something wrong or made you feel forced into a date with her." She doesn't say it harshly, but there is an underlying tone that shows her displeasure. "I thought it would be easier. But it's too late now." I sigh. "But it's not. I only met her for a brief moment, but she seems really kind and understanding. Maybe just go and talk to her. Tell her why you don't want this to go any further. If that's really what you want." She suggests.

I rub at my head, feeling a headache coming on from the stress. "I really like her Lizzie." I admit and she smiles sadly at me. "Then go and tell her and find a way to work through this if it's what you want. It might be worth the risk. But don't let her blame herself." She asserts. She's right, I need to try and fix this, if she'll let me. I take my phone back off Lizzie and send a text, hoping she'll give me a chance to explain.

Scarlett:

Hi, I'm really sorry for not responding. I was wondering if we could maybe meet up so I can explain everything.

I sent the message off, already feeling slightly better. Lizzie is right, I gave up without even trying to talk it through with Y/n and explain. Fingers crossed I'm not too late. Now I just have to wait for a response.

Yeah, I didn't get a response from Y/n at all. It just sat on unread. It made my heart ache, knowing that I had blown this. But I'm not planning on giving up, so I decide to head to the station and see if she's there. I grab my things and drive over. I feel a bit nervous at the thought of seeing her, but almost an excited nervous. I walk into the station and approach the reception desk. "Good morning, how can I help?" The officer asks with a kind smile. "Hi, I'm looking for Detective Y/n Y/l/n." I reply, with as much confidence as I can.

"Oh, I'm sorry ma'am, but Detective Y/l/n has taken an extended leave of absence." He explains and I feel my heart drop. I'm too late. "Oh, do you know why and when she'll be back?" I query but he gives me a sad look. "I'm sorry but I'm unable to disclose that. If you need to talk to someone, I can arrange for someone else to come down to see you." He offers but I shake my head to decline.

Leaving the station, I feel so deflated. I don't even know where she lives to be able to turn up on her doorstep. God why did I have to go and fuck this up. I'm always self-sabotaging and I've hurt Y/n in the process. Feeling down, I head home and hide away with a tub of ice cream and romcoms. I know, it's cliché!

The next day Lizzie is already tired of me moping and is forcing me out to a club. I normally would be really up for this, it's been a while since I've been out, but I just want to wallow at the moment. Unfortunately, I have a very determined friend, who practically man handles me to get ready. Knowing that I'm not going to win, I decide I should just make the effort and try and enjoy the evening.

When we get to the club, we turn up and head straight to the bar. We take seats in a booth and decide to let the alcohol take effect before braving the dance floor. Whilst we're chatting, I'm glancing at the dance floor, and I smile when I see the person, I've been desperate to find. "Looks like fate is on your side." Lizzie teases, leaning in and giving my shoulder a nudge. "Or not." I reply, my smile dropping when I see a woman approach her.

My jealousy rises as I see them dancing together, and it only gets worse when Y/n pulls her into her, and the red head starts grinding on her. Fuck, this is torture! Lizzie just gives me a pitying look as I down my drink. I end up just staring at the two of them, not able to tear my eyes away. When I notice they're heading to the bar, my body starts to act without my consent. I grab Lizzie's drink and down it, before making my way over to Y/n.

My jaw tenses when this woman pulls Y/n between her legs and rests her hands on her hips. Y/n has a dopy smile on her face, and I just wish she was looking at me like that. "Hey babe!" I greet from nowhere, taking myself by surprise as I place my hand on her shoulder. "Babe?" The woman questions, pushing Y/n away from her. "What? No, I'm not with her." Y/n defends but the red head just scoffs. "Right sure. I can't fucking believe this." She curses, grabbing her bag and walking off. "Hannah! Wait, this isn't what it looks like!" Y/n calls after her, ignoring me and turning towards the woman.

I quickly reach out and grab Y/n by the arm and she spins around, a look of fury on her face. "What the fuck are you doing?" She yells at me. I flinch a little at the anger in her voice, but I guess I deserve that. "I didn't like her dancing all up on you." I admit but she just scoffs, shaking my hand off her shoulder. "Well, I'm not your girlfriend, so it's none of your God damn business who I dance with." She seethes. My gaze drops in embarrassment. "Can we please just talk?" I plead but she shakes her head. "Now you want to talk?" She laughs coldly. "You made your feelings pretty clear, even through the radio silence. Now I'm leaving." She fumes, storming out of the club.

"Y/n wait!" Another woman calls after her, rushing out the door in her wake. "What are you waiting for?" Lizzie questions me. "I don't agree with what you just did but go after her. This is your last chance!" She scolds. Thankfully my body takes over again in this moment and I'm soon running out the door following her. When I get outside, I see the woman who chased after Y/n trying to calm her down. "Just breathe for me Y/n/n." She pleads.

"I can't. I'm so fucking angry! Like who the fuck does she think she is." She is now in a full rage and I'm not sure if this is the right idea to come after her. "I know Y/n. I totally agree with you. But there's no use getting this angry. Let's just go to another club and drink to forget all this." Her friend suggests. When Y/n reluctantly nods, I know it's now or never to talk to her.

"Y/n. Wait!" I call after her, but she just rolls her eyes. "Go away Scarlett. I don't want to talk to you." She hisses. "Please, just give me 10 minutes, and then I'll let you go and never bother you again." I beg, reaching out to grab her arm. She quickly pulls it away. "Why should I give you any time? You ignore me and then act like my jealous girlfriend when I'm with someone else." She questions angrily. "I don't deserve your time. You're right. But I'm asking for you to show a slither of kindness towards me so I can explain everything." I express.

She looks towards her friend, who Lizzie has now joined. "Fine." She admits defeat and indicates for me to go to the greasy spoon next door. I have to hide a small laugh when Lizzie and Y/n's friend sneak in and take a table not too far away. But I need to focus right now. I don't know how long she'll give me. I look up at her and I can still see an anger behind her eyes. "Can I just start by saying how sorry I am for what just happened there. I had no right to act like I did. I just had this wave of jealousy wash over me, and all I could think about was stopping what was happening. It was completely selfish, and I apologise." I start off.

"You were the one that stopped talking to me. You ghosted me and made it clear you didn't want things to go further between us. It's totally unfair of you to act like you did." She states firmly. "I know, there is no excuse. There's no excuse for how I have acted at all over the last few weeks." I admit. She doesn't respond, so I take that as my queue to carry on. "It may not seem like it, but I really like you Y/n. I felt a connection with you that I've never had with anyone else. But I got scared when I saw your press conference. I worried about your job. You're in the organised crime unit. There is so much danger with that and I just panicked about you getting hurt, what that would do to me. I also worried that it might put my own daughter in danger if I was dating you. So, I decided it was best that I didn't pursue anything between us."

As I'm explaining I hear a scoff. "So, you decided that ghosting me was the better option than actually talking to me and having an honest conversation?" She questions, and I feel small under her intense gaze. She's not letting me have an inch here, not that I blame her. "It was a mistake, and I was a coward. I thought it was the easiest way. But you're right. I should have come to talk to you instead of just letting you think you had done something wrong. Please know that I didn't go on that date with you because I felt obligated. It couldn't be farther from the truth." I insist.

"You know, if you had talked to me, I could have explained my job to you. Yes, I work in organised crime, but it was only temporary for the Murphy case. I was pulled onto the task force after I was investigating a murder of a teenage girl. We never expected it to go on for two years. But after my leave of absence, I was returning to the homicide unit." She shares and I instantly feel even more stupid for not giving her a chance to explain. "I really am sorry Y/n." It's all I feel like I can say in the moment.

There's a moment of quiet before she lets out a sigh and nods. "Ok. Well, thank you for being honest with me now. I'm sorry you didn't feel comfortable with my job." She says, standing up and indicating for her friend to join her. I watch as she's walking away before I hear Lizzie hissing at me. "Why are you letting her go?!" I shake out of my frozen state and call after. "I still really like you. I like you a lot and I hope that maybe you could give me a second chance." I shout across the diner, making other drunk customers look at me in confusion.

Y/n stops at the door, her back still to me. "I might be scared, but I think I'm more scared of missing out on something that I truly believe could be perfect. I know I've screwed everything up, but please. Just give me one more chance." Y/n slowly turns around at my confession and walks back towards me. Her face unreadable. "My job isn't going to change. The homicide unit still has its dangers. Less so for you and your family, but still danger." She warns me. "I know, but what is life without risk?" I say with a teary smile. "Please. Just let me take you on that second date." I plead.

I take a risk and step forward and place my hands on her hips. She doesn't move away as she still ponders my request. "One more chance?" I whisper, looking up into her eyes. "One more chance." She agrees, holding her index finger up at me. I feel my whole body relax, but once again, it's taking control as I pull her down towards me and capture her lips with my own. She doesn't hesitate to kiss back as her hands fly to my hips and pull me flush against her. We're interrupted when we hear cheering. Not just from Lizzie and Y/n's friend, but the other customers in the diner.

I hide my face in Y/n's chest in embarrassment as she wraps her arms around me. The sound of her racing heartbeat gives me comfort, and I know right now in this moment. I'm where I'm meant to be. Safe in her arms.

[moodymisty]

Hi hello there! First of all, congratulations on the milestone, it's a hell of one to clear 🎊🎉 I hope you are proud of yourself for it (you should!), because it's an awesome achievement, and you're awesome for hitting it 😌

Now, if I'm not too late for the party, could I place a request? You see, I'm a Delta Squad girlie first and human being second, so if you could write for any of them glowy face darlings (esp Boss or Sev!) I'd like, be forever grateful 🥺🥺

Delta boy + "You look so hot when you do that", with Reader skilfully performing a task and he goes like 👀👀👀 new kink unlocked: competence

I hope this ask finds you well, and that you remember to sip water and do some stretching!

(@clone-a-palooza)

❀ from my 1k followers event ❀

Author's Note: DELTA BOYZ DELTA BOYZ I have a 4k+ Sev fic i'm working on in at the moment, so how about we give our boy Scorch's discostick a ride? I hope that's ok? I know you mentioned all of them, but highlighted Sev and Boss if not feel free to tell me and I'll cook something else up

Relationships: Scorch/Gn!Reader

Warnings: Lewd but not nsfw, Flirting, Scorch is down bad, a hint at Scorch being a bit of a masochist but very tame and could be easily taken as a joke but I figured I'd warn anyways, being a bit reckless with weapon handling, Messy kisses <3

"Nice headphones."

Scorch watches you turn to look over your shoulder, glancing him up and down in one overexaggerated motion.

"Nice bucket."

One of the best things about Scorch is how easy it is to tell how he's feeling by his body language- even with his 'bucket' on. His shoulders rise and fall along with his chest, as he lets out a silent laugh.

The last group of troopers left the range a bit ago, as it's getting late enough that many of them need to get some rest before getting deployed. You and Scorch only just got here however, having sneaked off away from the rest of the Deltas to have some fun on your own.

As much as Scorch loves making things go boom, he seems to be more interested in watching you do so at the moment, leaning back against the wall behind you and watching with crossed arms as you look back at him.

"I've only done this a few times, so don't roast me." Scorch shakes his head and lazily gestures outward to the air surrounding him.

“That was such a poor choice in wording, pudding pop.”

You just roll your eyes, looking away from him and back towards the range, blaster in your hands. There's a target plate at the far end of the range, as far back as you can send it. Any closer felt a bit too, easy.

You can feel eyes on your back as you take aim, watching down the lane as you steady your hands a take a breath.

'BANG' In the center.

'BANG' In the center again.

'BANG' And again.

Each shot lands exactly where you want it in the center of the target time after time, all forming a near perfect cluster.

So maybe you weren't as rusty as you thought you would be, leaning away from the sights a bit to look down at your handiwork.

Hmm, not bad.

Leaning back into position, you take a few more shots, up until you feel the blasting getting noticeably hot. Only then do you stop, admiring your work again before throwing a quick glance over your shoulder to look at Scorch. He seems, more than a little surprised; And you remember you've never actually told him you weren't half bad with a blaster.

"Scorch?" Your eyebrows raise, looking at him as he eyes the target plate for a moment before his brown eyes go right back to you. He's walking towards you now- and quickly- brushing a hand along the curls of his hair with one hand.

"Fuck. You look so hot when you do that. Holy shit."

Having already torn off his helmet moments ago Scorch's jaw is effectively dropped, swallowing hard enough that you see the knot of his throat noticeably bob.

"You gotta- holy shit, can you pistol whip me?" You gasp as you laugh, back to the range as you look at him.

"Scorch! I am not going to hit you!" He steps forward even more, pressing the middle of your back against the table where the blaster case lays, as his body almost squishes you. His hands slide down to cup your ass as his lips crash with yours, almost bending you backwards. Your hands float awkwardly in the air, the wrist you're holding the blaster with going limp outward. His teeth scrape over your bottom lip, pulling as you try to speak again.

"Hey! We're in public anyone could see and- and let me put the blaster down!" He doesn't seem to listen to you, apart from blindly reaching for your wrist, taking the blaster from your hand and sitting back in the case once he flicks on the safely. How he can do that all blind, you can't hazard a guess. The whole time his lips never leave yours, feeling the way his hips press against your stomach. You feel like he's going to squish you, but you wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

"Can," He stops his sloppy, passionate kiss, only to let you speak a few words. "Can we at least take this somewhere else?"

"I ain't exactly patient right now, you gotta think fast." His hands keep pawing at you, cupping your hips and ass and keeping you against him.

"The refresher at the end of the hall?" Scorch allows you to stand fully upright, but his lips barely leave yours.

"Refresher works."