#if they ask for pictures of like broken soda cans my suggestion is to get water onto the inner plastic that holds the sodas inside the box

[narcan-necromancer]

Cheapskate tip to Uber eats, Postmates etc- claim that your food was stale or that's something was missing from your order. You will usually have to post a photo, I'm sure you can figure that out. If you don't immediately get an email with a confirmation of your refund, contact support and if you didn't already get a full refund you will get a full refund if you request a refund receipt via email. Don't do this to locally owned restaurants, keep it to chains.

Cheapskate Amazon tip - if you order food on Amazon, they cannot accept returns. For instance, I used to order two 24 packs of monster every few weeks. If you claim that one or both were damaged, they will refund you. If you ordered them at the same time, they will refund both of them. This also applies to EBT purchases. EBT purchases that are refunded will automatically be refunded to the EBT card. They can also refund cosmetics, although I'm not sure if that applies to expensive cosmetics like tatcha.

Thank you. This has been Kira's how to be a cheap and broke bitch show.

[archangeldyke-all]

hii! i was wondering if you could write sev and reader meeting little fucker’s girlfriend? like, little fucker invites her girlfriend over for dinner with sev and reader and sev is super protective over little fucker and accidentally ends up coming off as threatening to little fucker’s girlfriend?

love love love omg

men and minors dni

"okay, she'll be here in three minutes, i'm begging you all-- please just be cool." little fucker begs from where she's pacing a hole in the carpet in front of the front door. you chuckle.

"i'm cool." you say. your daughter huffs.

"you're not the one i'm worried about." she says, glaring at sevika and her sisters where they're whispering to eachother.

baby shithead giggles from the huddle, then breaks off to run to the basement. "be right back!" she calls.

"where are you going?! she's gonna be here any second!" little fucker screams.

the doorbell rings, and little fucker gasps, straightening out her clothes and giving herself one final look over in the mirror. you giggle, kissing your eldest daughter's head.

"you look great." you assure her.

"you do." sevika agrees.

"i'll get it!" stinky butt shouts from where she's swinging open the front door.

"no!" little fucker wails.

"uh... hi?"

all of you turn to the front door, where little fucker's new girlfriend stands.

beside you, you can feel sevika's posture stiffen as she tries to make herself look even taller than usual. you snort and elbow her, and she elbows you right back.

sevika tried to be the cool laid-back mom when little fucker first started dating, she really did. but after your daughter's heart was broken by that cheating bitch, sevika's protective instincts have been on high alert, and she's made no effort to reign them in.

you kinda love it. you love seeing your wife go mama bear mode.

still, though. you'd like to not completely humiliate your daughter tonight-- just slightly embarrass her. it builds character.

"come on in honey, we're all so excited to meet you!" you greet your daughter's new girlfriend. little fucker mouths a 'thank you' to you. you wink at her as you guide her girlfriend inside. "i heard your favorite is italian so we're having pasta night, dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes, can i get you a soda or water?"

"a water would be great, thank you."

your daughter cringes, then tugs your hand. "don't leave-- mom's gonna grill her!" she whispers as you walk toward the kitchen.

"well i can't let your girlfriend die of dehydration, now can i?" you ask.

your daughter groans and then sprints back into the living room to protect her girlfriend from her mom and sisters questions.

you take your time in the kitchen, stirring the various sauces you've got going on the stove, giving sevika a little time to scare the girl a bit.

when you re-enter the living room, you almost cackle at the sight you find.

your baby shithead's found all your old family photo albums, and she and stinkybutt are flipping through and happily showing off all of their big sister's most embarrassing baby pictures to her date.

little fucker's got her face buried in her hands, groaning and possibly dying, while her girlfriend grins down at the photo albums, occasionally snapping pictures on her phone, presumably to use as blackmail against your daughter.

sevika's got a little smirk on her lips, rubbing little fucker's back as she shouts out suggestions to the twins of embarrassing pictures to find.

"so..." you guide the twins to sit, trying to resist the urge to join in on embarrassing your eldest. "how did you two meet?" you ask, handing your daughter's girlfriend her water.

she takes a big sip, and little fucker takes her distraction as an oppertunity to slam the photobook closed and toss it behind the couch. she mouths another 'thank you' at you. you giggle and wink at her again.

"we had study hall together last year... she was always editing my papers for me." your daughter's girlfriend turns a sweet shade of pink as she reminisces. little fucker reaches over and squeezes her hand, an equally flustered smile on her lips.

"she's so good at writing, she just thinks too fast to get all her ideas down properly. so i helped her make a little more sense. but really, i learned more by reading her papers than i did in class." your daughter gushes.

you smile and sit beside sevika. she huffs-- disappointed by how fucking adorable the pair seem to be.

"when'd you guys become girlfriends?" baby stinkybutt asks, empasizing the word girlfriends like it's a naughty word-- like she doesn't have two moms. you snort and flick her head. she giggles mischievously.

"well... this year we share three classes and we just started spending more and more time together..."

"i asked her exactly thirty days after i found out she was single again."

"wha-- really?" your daughter asks, turning to her girlfriend.

she nods. "i wasn't sure when it would be appropriate to make a move but i'd liked you for forever and... i dunno, i looked it up online, the internet said a month was enough time to get over a shitty relationship..."

well, that's just stupidly sweet. even sevika melts a little at this, leaning into your side a bit at the innocent teenage love.

"that's so cute, babe." little fucker gushes before leaning forward and kissing her girlfriends cheek. baby shithead starts to pretend to throw up. you have to muffle your laugh behind your hand.

"who's ready for dinner?" you ask.

dinner goes relatively well.

you learn a lot about your daughter's new beau, and you can clearly see how naturally the two get along. she's a good sport about all the teases too, acting properly embarrassed each time sevika tries to interrogate her, or the twins try to tease her.

there's one moment in the night where you briefly fear that you'll have to give the poor girl the heimlich.

the twins are freshly ten, on the verge of starting puberty but still kids enough to be grossed out by the sexier aspects of life. they're simultaneously fascinated and freaked out by their older sister's new relationship. which leads to stinkybutt piping up during a lull in the conversation, threateningly pointing her fork at your guest. "you know you're only allowed to touch my sister's butt with her permission, right? it's called 'consent'. and mom says we get to beat you up if you don't do it right."

sevika bursts into bright laughter, pulling stinkybutt in for a noogie as little fucker and her girlfriend both start to sputter and choke on their food.

"what is wrong with you people?" little fucker wails. "ma, thanks for dinner it was great, but we're done now, right babe?" she asks, looking at her girlfriend.

her girlfriend's still choking. she nods through her coughs.

little fucker grabs her wrist and takes off for her bedroom. "we'll come back down later for dessert, do not come in my room before knocking!"

"keep it pg-13!" sevika hollers.

"shut the fuck up!" your daughter squeals.

at the dining table, your wife and twins burst into laughter.

taglist!

@fyeahnix @lavendersgirl @half-of-a-gay @thesevi0lentdelights @sexysapphicshopowner

@shimtarofstupidity @chuucanchuucan @badbye666 @femme-historian @lia-winther

@ellsss @sevikaspillowprincess @emiliabby @sevikasbeloved @hellorai

@glass-apothecary @macaroni676 @artinvain @k3n-dyll @sevsdollette

@ellieslob @xayn-xd @keikuahh @maneskinwh0re @raphaellearp

@iamastar @sevikitty @mascdom @nhaaauyen @micronreadzztuff22

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

In the Neighbourhood

Warnings: nonconsensual sex, very lightly edited

This is dark!Andy Barber and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: After your grandmother breaks her hip, you volunteer to look after her as she recovers but her neighbour is a bit too friendly.

Note: @lokislastlove​ thinks I won’t call her out anymore but I’m calling her out and you should too. Always blame her.

Thank you. Love you guys!

As always, if you can, please leave some feedback, like and reblog <3

Your grandmother’s house never changed. Nestled between two larger homes and with grass as green as the next, it was as perfect as any along the suburban sprawl. Inside, the same framed pictures of your mother and your aunt and uncle, those of you, your siblings, and your cousins, and family members you only saw at reunions. All of them far away. All of them keeping her company only in the still images. None of them coming to care for her; none but you.

You didn’t mind so much. With two degrees under your belt, you were ready to start your novel as you pondered a third. Your online transcription job was easy enough to travel with and you loved your grandmother. The least you could do was help her out in her recovery. A broken hip but otherwise okay. She couldn’t do much from her wheelchair and you feared a worse injury if she tried.

You moved in on a Sunday. The family next door, the Barbers, were the perfect picture of a suburban clan. Andy introduced himself and his wife, Laurie, and their quiet son, Jacob. Then they asked if your grandmother, Lucille, was coming to their barbecue that afternoon and invited you along with her. Your grandmother confirmed that she didn’t want to miss out on Laurie’s potato salad because she’d tripped on a rug.

So you wheeled her over, careful as the grass slowed the chair, and you angled her through the open gate. You seemed to be the last to arrive. The air smelled of searing beef and swirled with the buzz of voices. You stood behind your grandmother’s chair as you looked around nervously and a plump woman with short curly white hair approached.

“Darla!” You grandmother greeted. “You’re back from your little getaway.”

“Arn was keen to come home,” The woman smiled up at you and back to your grandmother. “I heard you had a bit of an incident.”

“Oh, still spry, but the damn doctor has me ‘takin’ it easy’,” You grandma sneered. “I’ll be up at it before long. This is my granddaughter, you remember her, don’t you?”

“I do,” Darla smiled though you barely remembered her. “So sweet of you to come down to look after our Lucille.”

“It’s nothing,” You said. “I owe her. I spent too many holidays on campus.”

“That you did,” Your grandmother chided. “But do go on and socialise, dear. There must be someone here your own age. Or closer to. You can’t be lettin’ yourself get caught up with us old biddies.”

“I’m fine,” You chuckled. “Really.”

“You go. Get something to drink.” You grandmother snapped her fingers. “Mingle!”

You huffed but left her with Darla and another woman, you were certain her name was Betty, passed you on her way to join them. You looked around. The wives were in their clusters and the men drank from brown bottles as they laughed and talked about sports. You didn’t know about children or baseball. 

You went to the end of the table, just by the barbecue, a cooler open and waited as a young boy claimed a can of Orange Crush. You reached inside and took out a grape soda. The lid of the barbecue closed and you turned to face its master; Andy smiled as you blinked at him.

“That’s the kid’s cooler,” He said. “There’s a mini fridge in the garage if you want something stronger.”

“I’m good with this,” You cracked the can. 

“I thought you were a college girl,” He said as he set down his long spatula.

“Graduated.” You assured him. “Never was big on the scene though.”

“Really?” He lifted a brow. “I kinda miss it.” He stepped around the barbecue, closer to you. “It was a while ago now but it was fun. You know,” He put his hands on his hips as he looked across the yard. “I was in a frat with Carson over there,” He nodded to skinny man holding a bottle of water amid the sea of brown glass. “We got in quite a bit of trouble. Maybe I wrote a few of my exams drunk but didn’t do much harm.”

“Oh yeah?” You said dully. “What do you do now?”

“Law. Assistant district attorney.” He preened. “But don’t worry, I can still have fun.”

He winked and you squinted at him. He was an old man trying to relate to a youth. There was what, ten, fifteen years between you? Wasn’t that much, really, and yet it was.

“Legal fun,” You suggested.

“Well, the immoral isn’t always illegal,” He mused. “So… Miss Graduate, you have a job lined up?”

“I work online for now but I’m writing, too.” You shrugged. “Nothing fancy but it’ll do for the time being. Until my grandma’s better.”

“That’s a nice thing you’re doing,” He said. “You know, not a lot of people I know my age would drop everything to go care for family.”

“Least I can do,” You sipped from the can. “She always did make the best lemon meringue. It has its perks.”

He chuckled and backed up as he grabbed the spatula again and opened the barbecue.

“Offer stands,” He called over the smoke. “Beer’s in the garage.”

“Thanks,” You smiled and slowly walked away. This was like that party you’d spent hiding on the porch; awkward as hell.

🏡

The first two weeks passed swiftly. You woke up, made breakfast for your grandmother, her usual oatmeal and tea, then you spent a few hours working online, then lunch, an hour of writing, a walk through the neighbourhood, some alone time, dinner, and then some nightly crime dramas with your grandmother. Each day was identical to the last and you felt the vaunted slog of suburban life.

It was Saturday. You needed to get out. Your grandmother even encouraged it. A few hours at the bar, drinking, dancing, you returned with a guy, Gabe, you met there, hushing him as you snuck him in the front door. 

The house was dark as you climbed the stairs carefully and ushered Gabe into your bedroom. You closed the door and grabbed him as you stumbled to the bed. It was messy, hurried, and desperate. Entirely regrettable as you laid staring out the window at the sky after. You didn’t have time to ask him to leave before he started snoring.

You slept for a few hours and woke as the sun began to rise. You poked the stranger you knew as Gabe until he woke up and you threw his clothes at him before you dressed. You peeked into the hall and waved him out behind you. You led him down the stairs and to the front door. He left you with some empty nicety and you hid your wince. It wasn’t your first one night stand but it was definitely the worst.

“Fun night?” You turned as Andy descended the steps of his porch and opened his car door.

“You work on Sundays?” You grumbled. You hoped he hadn’t seen your regret walking away.

“Not usually but I got some hours to make up.” He dropped his briefcase in the back seat and closed the door. “I know that guy. Pretty sure he’s still on probation for the molly he was dealing at the mechanics.”

“Ugh, no.” You covered your face. “You saw?”

“I got a bit curious as I was finishing my coffee.” He pointed to the window with lacy curtains. “Great view just above the sink.”

“So you’re one of those neighbours?” You crossed your arms.

“I seem nosy but really I’m just looking out for you.” He opened the driver’s side door and planted his hand on the roof of the car. “Look, you don’t know the people around here. I’m just trying to help.”

“Well, I won’t be seeing him again.” You retreated to the door and stopped there. “Boring, to say the least.”

“Heh,” Andy scoffed. “Really?”

“Not that it’s any of your business.” You rolled your eyes and stepped inside, closing the door with a snap. You went to the bottom of the stairs and looked up. “Hey, grandma,” You called as you began to climb. “You ready to get up?”

🏡

At the end of the next week, you took your grandmother to her check up. Her recovery was on track but she had a long way to go. The doctor was optimistic that at her next appointment, she’d be ready to use her walker more often.

As you helped her out of the car and got her settled in her chair, you ignored the roar of the mower in the next yard. You’d seen Andy as you drove up. He was pushing the machine back and forth across his already perfectly manicured yard; shirtless. As you turned to push your grandmother up the walk, you couldn’t help but notice that he was in great shape for his age. For any age, really.

“Hey,” He yelled over the motor and shut it down. “How’s it going, ladies?”

“Andy,” Your grandmother chimed. “Great! Doc says I’m doing well.”

“Mmhmm,” You mumbled, still slightly embarrassed over your last interaction with the man.

“Well, seeing as I’m already out here and you already had such a busy day, I could do your lawn while I’m at it?” He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and you quickly tore your eyes away from his chest. 

“Oh, you’re too sweet,” Your grandma giggled. “It’s so hot out here.”

“I don’t mind,” He insisted. “Laurie’s gone to see her parents with Jacob so I’m just trying to keep myself busy.”

“Twist my arm, why don’t ya?” Your grandmother shook her hand. “Fine! Sweetie,” She reached back and tapped your hand. “Let’s go make some lemonade for this young man so he doesn’t overheat.”

Andy smiled and you nodded at him awkwardly. You wheeled your grandmother up the newly installed ramp and inside. She ordered you to the kitchen and directed you to the lemons hidden in the crisper.

“The juicer is just under there.” She pointed to the cupboard, “And you’ll want to add some sugar.”

“I know how to make lemonade, grandma,” You said as you pulled out the pitcher.

“That Andy’s a nice man,” She said. “So helpful… handsome too. It’s too bad you’re so young… and he’s so married.”

“Stop,” You warned. “You said the same thing about your doctor.”

“Yes, but he’s a doctor. He’s rich.” She snickered. “And not married, just not into your type.”

“Grandma,” You snipped. “Really.”

“I don’t know how your mother ended up with you.” She said. “She was such a little troublemaker.”

“Trust me, I’ve heard,” You said as you washed the lemon juice from your hands and added water and sugar to the pitcher. “I think her stories were more a warning.”

“Too smart for your own good,” She tutted as you mixed the lemonade.

You went to the cupboard and grabbed some ice cubes from the freezer as you set a glass on the counter. You poured the lemonade and gave her a sour look. 

“You think you can look after yourself for a few minutes?” You asked dryly.

“Girlie, I was taking care of you while you were in diapers,” She narrowed her eyes.

“Oh, how the tables have turned.”

“I don’t wear diapers,” She hissed as you neared the door. “Yet.”

You went out the front door as Andy pushed the mower across the yard just along the walkway. He stopped and looked over at you. He shut down the motor again and neared you as you came down the steps to hold out the glass. He thanked you and took a big gulp before he handed it back.

“You know, I didn’t mean anything,” He said. “The other day. Sometimes… I say stuff without thinking.”

“It’s… whatever.” You shrugged and set the glass on the rail of the porch. “No hard feelings.”

“I just got a hot tub. Just gotta hook it up and it’s ready to go.” He said. “You should stop by later. Get a soak in.”

“No, I don’t think so.” You stood at the top of the steps. “I don’t wanna leave grandma all alone. She wants to watch Casablanca tonight. I promised we would.”

“Maybe another night.” He offered. “You work so hard. You deserve a break.”

“Maybe,” You said evasively as you turned and crossed the porch. You glanced back as you opened the door and he was still looking at you.

“Lemonade’s good.” He smiled. “Thanks.”

🏡

You finished lunch and left your grandmother to her puzzle at the dining room table. You went upstairs to change the shirt you’d spilled mustard down; it was all you could smell. You tore off your shirt and tossed it on the bed. You rounded the bed to the dresser that sat just below the window and opened the draw. Movement caught your eye and you looked up across the space between yards.

Andy’s eyes met yours through the windows. You’d never realised they were adjacent, let alone so easy to see through. He wore a towel around his waist, freshly showered and his gaze strayed for just a moment. You blanched and pulled out a shirt and covered yourself with it. He smirked and tilted his head. Then he winked and a shiver went through you.

You grabbed the curtain and closed it so forcefully you nearly bent the rod. You backed away and put the shirt on properly. Surely, he was being funny. A tense, awkward moment. What else could he do but make a joke? Well, it wasn’t a very good one.

🏡

You stayed inside for the better part of a week. Aside from your walks with your grandmother and a trip to the grocery store, you kept your curtains closed, and hid yourself away. Maybe you’d built it up in your mind but you were just set off-kilter by the wordless interaction. Since, you felt as though you’d been walking a tightrope, too afraid to look down.

But that night, your grandmother wanted to sit outside. It was warm and the nights were shorter; later. You wheeled her out, a book on her lap, and as you made to skirt back inside, he appeared. Andy had impeccable timing. It made you wonder if he was watching you; if he had been for much longer than you knew. Well, now you were just being paranoid.

“Hey,” He stood at the edge of the yard. “Beautiful night.”

“Sure is,” You grandma replied. “I’ve got a new book and I’m ready to enjoy the breeze.”

“Oh, a new book? What’s it about?” He asked as he neared tentatively.

“Another scary one.” She cracked the cover. “Or so I hear. Skinwalkers taking over a whole city.”

“Ah, spooky,” He commented and looked at you. “And you?”

“Writing. Inside.” You said evenly.

“I figured since it was so nice, I was finally gonna try out my new Jacuzzi,” He said. “I just… I did promise you a soak so I thought maybe--”

“Eh, I don’t know.” You neared the door. “I really should try to get some writing done.”

“Nonsense, dear,” Your grandmother intoned. “You’ve been on that computer all day. You should go, relax.”

“Really, I--”

“Laurie might join us. She’s inside doing some work.” He piped up. “She wouldn’t mind the company.”

“Go on! I’m getting sick of ya anyway,” Your grandmother snorted. “You could stand to loosen up.”

“Grandma,” You huffed.

“Go get changed,” She ordered and smiled at Andy. “She’ll be over shortly.”

You blinked and tried to hide your irritation. You went inside before Andy could notice and you stormed upstairs. You weren’t even sure you’d packed a suit. You searched through the dresser. The curtains were still drawn tight. You found your old pink bikini with the white flowers. Really? It had to be that one?

You changed, reluctantly. It couldn’t have covered less of you. You found a tee shirt and pulled it over. You descended the stairs again and stepped out on the porch.

“Thanks for that, grandma.” You scowled.

“I can see why you were never popular,” She laughed. “Go. Have fun. This old lady can handle herself.”

You stomped down the steps beside the ramp and stopped at the border of the yards. You sighed and went to the gate, it was open in expectation of you. You heard the whir of jets before you entered. Andy was just beside the hot tub, testing the temperature with his hand as you stood across from him. He looked up and gave a crooked smirk.

“Andy,” The back door opened and Laurie appeared. “Oh, hey.” She smiled at you before turning back to her husband. “I’m gonna pass. Gina’s not going to make it in tomorrow so looks like I’ll be up all night.”

“Damn, that’s too bad,” Andy said. “More tub for us I guess.”

“Yes, love you too,” She said dryly. “You enjoy yourself. And don’t leave that thing on all night.”

“Yes, honey,” He said before she shut the door. “Love you.”

You swallowed. Your mouth was dry. Maybe you had been a bit presumptuous. Andy climbed into the jacuzzi and lowered himself into the warm water with a sigh. You hesitated to get closer but you did. He watched you, expectantly. You grabbed the edge and tried to will yourself in.

“You’re wearing that?” He nodded to your tee.

“Yeah,” You lifted your leg over the side.

“You don’t gotta be shy,” He grinned.

You paused and frowned at him.

“I’m joking,” He said. “The other day. That was… funny. Bad timing.”

“Mhmm,” You drew your other leg over and carefully sat.

“You met any more cute guys?” He asked suddenly. You squinted.

“What?” 

“Not much to do around here, you know? Pretty boring.”

“No. I don’t--” You sputtered. “I don’t think it’s a very good idea. Once my grandma’s better, I’ll be going.”

“Still, it’s lonely.” He said softly. 

“What do you care?” You asked, harsher than intended. 

He was quiet. He leaned back and looked over at the house then back to you. He exhaled and spread his arms over the edge.

“So… that toy you hide in your night table? You always use it or you ever just… feel yourself?”

Your heart sank. You felt as if you would choke on air. Had you imagined his words?

“What did you just--”

“Took you long enough to catch on,” He said. “Got a good view of you when I can’t sleep but… not anymore. Too bad.”

“Andy,” You stood and the water splashed around you. “You-- You’re-- Laurie, she--”

“I haven’t fucked her in months. This is what she does.” He sat forward and caught your hand. “She works. All the time. I try and she… just doesn’t want to.”

“Let me go.” You struggled with him. “You’re disgusting. You’re married!”

“Me? Fucking awful some young girl strolls into town and tries to seduce a married man? What would grandma think? And Laurie? She’s not one to sit back and be humiliated.” He tugged on you. “I have a reputation around here. You’re just a stranger, and apparently one, who fucks strangers.”

“What are you talking about?” You nearly slipped as he spun you back to him. “You’ve been watching me and--”

“I’m just a neighbour looking out for you,” He pulled even harder and your feet slid across the bottom of the jacuzzi, forcing you to catch yourself on him. “Like I do all my neighbours. They would confirm as much.”

“Get--” You grabbed his arm as it snaked around you. “Andy! Laurie--”

“Doesn’t give a fuck and if she came out, well, she’d only realise what’s she’s pushed me to.” 

You wriggled as he held you to him. He drew your leg over his so that you straddled his lap. You pushed on his chest and grunted.

“You keep it up and everyone will hear. Even sweet old nana.” He snarled. “I saw you looking at me that day… when you brought me lemonade.”

“No, no,” You rasped.

“I’m old, not that old,” He purred. “As you can obviously see.”

“Let me go. Please.” You begged. He was too strong and your arms only ached from pushing against him. “Andy--”

“Shhh,” He grabbed your chin with his wet hand and pulled you close until your lips almost met his. “In this town, rumours travel. It might be old news that you left a bar with that dumb kid but now, it’s evidence.” His hand slipped down your neck and squeezed. “Such a bad girl.”

“No one would--”

“They have no reason not to believe me,” He rolled up your wet shirt with his other hand. “Annie across the street, she likes gossip. She’s seen you flirting with me, at least that’s how she told it to Laurie but you know, my wife just laughs it off. And now she’s no doubt seen you come into my backyard in just this.” He pulled your shirt higher. “And her mind is going wild.”

“I can’t--”

“How long did he last? A minute? Less?” He snarled and his other hand slipped down to draw your shirt up. You kept your arms down as you tried to resist. “Bet you could wait to use your little toy.”

“Stop,” You pleaded.

“Get your arms up.” His voice was deep and dangerous. “And stop your whining.”

You stopped and stared at him. His blue eyes burned into yours and sent a shiver through you. His fingertips pinched your hips as they crawled under your shirt and he pushed it higher.

“You don’t shut up and someone will hear, sweetie,” He warned. “Up.”

He tugged until you raised your arms. A wave of bile rose in your chest and you let him peel away your wet shirt and reveal the skimpy bikini beneath. He dropped the cotton over the side of the tub and his hands grazed the triangles of your top.

“Cute,” He hummed. “You hiding this from me?”

You were quiet, sickened. With him, with yourself. You knew you couldn’t fight, wouldn’t. You remembered the barbecue and how you’d been the odd one out. Recalled how Andy had talked to almost every person there. Everyone loved him and no one knew you.

“Mmm mm mm,” His fingertips walked around your neck and he picked at the knot behind your neck. The straps loosened and he let your top fall and expose your chest. 

He bent to bury his face against you and nibbled along your tits. You looked, startled, to the back door. It was still shut. A light glow from a bedroom above and the distant beat of music escaped through the slightly opened bedroom window. Another light died on the first floor and was replaced by a second on the top floor, reflecting against yours on the other side. 

You quivered as Andy took a nipple in his mouth and sucked. You felt it in your core as his hand cupped your other tit. He reached beneath you and played with the edge of your bottom. He drew you back as he leaned against the side of the tub and lifted his pelvis, and you with him. He tugged on his shorts and sat back down.

You felt hollow and a cloud of panic filled your stomach. You struggled against you and he bit you. You squeaked as his teeth threatened to break the skin and stilled. He parted and looked up at you.

“Be a good girl,” He felt beneath you and began to stroke himself.

“Please--”

“Shhh,” He turned his hand and hooked his fingers in your bottoms, pulling them aside. “It’s okay, sweetie.” He rubbed his tip against your folds. “It’ll be good.” He drew you to him and angled you over his dick. “Better than ever before.”

He forced you down and your lips formed an o as he entered you. You latched onto his shoulders without thinking and he pushed you to his limit. His lips and teeth returned to your chest as he once more began to toy with you. You quivered as he began to rock your hips.

The water swished around you, swirling and slapping against your skin. You held your breath as you tried not to cry out. You hissed as you dug your nails into his shoulders and let him guide you. Despite yourself, despite everything, it felt good. It felt wonderful. He was right and you were weak.

“You like that?” He nuzzled your throat. “Is this what you think of at night, huh?”

You bit your lip as he kneaded your hips and kept your moving.

“I think of it all the time,” He muttered. “All the time. Maybe…” His breath caught and he groaned. “Maybe I could offer to take you grocery shopping, hmm? We could have some fun in the car…”

“Andy…” You whimpered. “No, we can’t-- not again…”

You grasped his wrists and tried to push yourself off of him. A semblance of sanity returned to you as you looked him in the face. His eyes were dilated and dusky. He was entranced; incorrigible. You struggled as he held you down.

“This is wrong--”

He shoved you off him as his lip curled. You stumbled back and caught yourself on the other side of the tub. The water splashed as he stood behind you and grabbed your arm. He turned you over and pushed you over the siding, a jet blowing against your pelvis.

“Doesn’t feel wrong to me.” He growled.

He held you down with a large hand between your shoulders as he pushed your legs apart with his knee. He pressed against you and searched for your entrance, swiftly impaling you. You choked down a mewl as your hips crashed into the wall of the tub. He leaned his weight on you entirely as he rutted into you without relent. You were certain someone would hear the clapping of flesh or the stir of water all around.

“You’ll do what I want, when I want,” He sneered. “And from what I can tell, you’ll like it.”

“Andy--” Your voice fizzled as the pressure mixed with the steady stream of the jet as it hit your cunt. 

You held in a moan as you hung over the side of the tub, the blood pounding in your head as you panted wildly. You covered your mouth, afraid you would cry out as the coil inside you twisted and twisted. Your legs quaked as you orgasmed.

Andy’s hand gripped your hips and he pulled you back against him, again and again, using your body easily. You slid back and forth over the side and he bent over you, crushing you against the tub. He growled in your ear and his thrust jolted your body.

He pulled out suddenly, still looming over you as he stroked himself against your bikini and pressed his damp beard to your cheek as he shuddered. His hot cum spilled out onto the wet fabric and dripped down your thigh as he eased himself through his climax. He sighed and pushed himself from atop you, falling back into the water heavily.

You stayed as you were for a moment. Stunned. Shakily you stood and fixed your top and pulled your bottom straight. You couldn’t look at him. You climbed out of the tub and walked unsteadily across the grass.

“Ah, that was relaxing,” He said. “Come back anytime.”

You ignored him and continued onto the gate.

“Oh, and it’s supposed to be a cool night,” He called after you. “You should keep your window open.”

You slipped through and the gate creaked behind you and closed with a metallic click. You shivered as you kept to the side of your grandma’s house and entered through the back. You didn’t want anyone to see; you were certain they would know if they did.

[thiswasinevitableid]

if you’re still taking meet ugly asks, could you do 01 or 13 for sternclay? nsfw please

Here you go! I went with 1.

we were set up on a blind date but it went horribly, so now you message me every time you have a good date because you think your tips will help me in the future, you ass.

Bzzbzz

Joseph picks up his phone and regrets it before he’s even done reading the waiting message.

Barclay: See, this is how you dress for a date at a casual place.

It’s accompanied by a photo of a headless torso, sporting a Ramones T-shirt and blue jeans.

He deletes the message. He told that asshole he was in the suit because Hayes kept him late to finish a report and he didn’t want to be any more behind for their date than he already was.

No, you know what, he’s had enough of this.

J.S: He’s dressed like a college student. No one told me you were a cradle robber.

Barclay: Just trying to help you do better next time ;)

This is the same line he gives Joseph every time he sends one of these texts

“It was great, it felt like a real conversation instead of an interrogation.”

“See, what made tonight nice was he didn’t look at his phone even once.”

“Now, what made this nice is that he didn’t mistake another guy for me on the way in.”

He has reasons, explanations, things that could make him look more like a man who had a bad day and less like the poster boy for the horrors of blind dating. But the one time he tried sharing his side of things, Barclay responded that he wasn’t doing this to make sense of their shitty date, but to make it easier on the next guy.

It was the last date in a long line of increasingly desperate attempts by his loved ones to find someone, anyone, for him to be with; being married to his work fills all his needs. Leave it to his older sister to spot that it wasn’t meeting many of his wants.

Joseph tosses the phone away, retrieves his take-out leftovers from the fridge. As he munches reheated green mango chicken, the city heading out into Friday night revelry without him, he decides that while he’s not about to take dating advice from a guy who can’t pull his head out of his ass long enough to consider someone else’s perspective, Barclay makes one good point: there’s always a next time.

And there’s no moment like the present to start planning for it.

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

Barclay cannot figure out why Logan chose this spot; it’s one step above gay cruising club. Not that he hasn’t had fun at those before, but he was hoping for somewhere quieter. Also somewhere with better food; you can tell a lot about a guy by what he orders, and fuck all about him when the only meal to be found is chips or the olive from a martini glass.

Still not the worst date he’s been on.

As Logan steers the conversation in promisingly steamy directions, Barclay glances at the bar and locks eyes with his biggest disappointment of the year. Joseph raises an eyebrow, then his face goes annoyingly neutral as he looks first at Logan and then to the bartender for another glass.

His date excuses himself and Barclay weighs how much of a dick he wants to be against how good Joseph looks tonight. He’s in a v-neck and a short jacket, dark-wash jeans making it easy to picture how satisfying hooking his legs over Barclays shoulders would be.

Barclay sidles up to the bar, leaning on it and smiling at Joseph, “You finally decide to put my advice to good use?”

“No.” Joseph replies, tarter than a cherry, and goes back to looking at his phone.

“Suit yourself, and have fun going home alone.”

The black-haired man squares his shoulders, turns so that Barclay gets a full-on view of a stunning face and sharp, blue eyes, “At least I won’t be going home with someone who’s using me for a prank video.”

“Pfft, whatever man, you’re just-” Barclay snaps his mouth shut as Joseph turns his phone, showing a Youtube channel hosted by none other than Logan.

“His modus operandi is to have viewers vote on which gay man he should go out with and string along the whole night until he reveals he’s straight.”

“I, I uh, that’s” his heart is in his shoes, “that’s not very nice.”

“That’s not all. There are three cameras recording your date.” Joseph points to three separate guys, “they’re using their phones, makes it hard to prove they’re not just texting or something else innocuous.”

He might cry. Worse, if he cries, he might owe Joseph an explanation.

“There you are baby, thought you’d run off.” Logan sets a hand on his arm and Barclay freezes, trying to work out a non-humiliating form of escape.

Joseph clears his throat, “Are you aware that recording people without their permission is illegal in this state?”

“Uh, no, but what the fuck does that have to do with me?”

“You, and those three gentleman you’re having film Mr. Cobb here, are all at risk of being charged with a misdemeanor.” Joseph’s voice is smooth and clear, utterly in control, and Barclay gets goosebumps as he pulls out his wallet and flashes an FBI badge, “I suggest you get out of here before you do something you regret.”

The quartet disappears in a cloud of body spray as Barclay slumps onto a stool and Joseph orders two more drinks, sliding one his way. Whiskey Soda, his favorite. He’d ordered it during their date.

They sip in silence for three songs before Joseph says, “I guess I passed the dubious honor of your worst date onto someone else.”

“You’re still a strong runner up.” It’s mean, but Barclay isn’t feeling very chipper right now.

“Oh come on, I wasn’t that bad! I was trying to learn as much about you as I could while switching from work mode to a date.”

“You made me feel like I was doing all the work!”

“If you’d given me more than a half hour of your time I could have fixed that.”

“Nah, I know when a date is doomed. No point in dragging it out. It wasn’t going to be fun.”

“I can be fun!” Joseph knocks back the rest of his drink, “I’ll prove it.”

Barclay snorts, “how?”

“I want a do over. Right now.” Lights dance across his skin and Barclay gets a whiff of gin and mint as he leans so they’re almost nose to nose, “Unless you’re afraid you’ll be the dud this time.”

“You’re on.” Barclay growls, “but don’t get your hopes up.”

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

Either his pillow sprouted fur overnight, or Joseph isn’t where he should be.

He cracks his eyes open, squinting in the muted, grey light sneaking in under the curtains. The room, while tidy, isn’t his, and the clock on the wall tells him he’s starting his Saturday out with oversleeping.

Barclay is sound asleep beside him, his broad, hairy chest rising and falling soothingly. A cursory peek under the blankets shows he’s a naked as Joseph is. As the agent slips from the bed and hunts down his clothes, he starts to remember why.

They’d done something in the club bathroom, a blow-job, that’s right, and the instant Barclay dragged him into his apartment Joseph shoved him onto the bed, yanked his pants off, and returned the favor. He remembers, as he surrenders to going commando rather than wear his pre-cum stained boxer briefs, wanting to sleep with his head on Barclay’s stomach, cum still on his lips, but the cook made a very convincing argument to come up and kiss him instead.

His pants are back on when his phone lights up from it’s spot on the floor.

Alert: Snowstorm predicted to last until 5 pm Sunday. Travel limited, recommended for emergencies only. At least five feet of snow predicted.

“Shit” he whispers, pushing the curtain aside to discover a world of smooth, white roof tops and impassable streets.

Jinglejingle

He spins, startled, as what he thought was a black pillow shakes out it’s ears and rises from a cushion at the foot of the bed. It’s the single most absurd dog he’s ever seen, like someone smushed a corgi and a Rottweiler together. It blinks at him, cocks it’s head, and then shifts its attention to the bed.

“Please don’t jump.” Maybe he can still sneak out on foot, or find somewhere else to wait out the storm.

The dog launches it’s tubular body onto Barclay, who “oofs” and is laughing before he even opens his eyes.

“Hey boy, yeah, I know, I know, didn’t let you in until way after bedtime.” The cooks deep voice is scratchy with sleep. The dog wiggles and digs at the blankets on his chest as he turns his head, smiling Joseph’s way, “morning babe.”

“Good morning.” Throwing himself out the window would result in hypothermia. Also a broken ankle. So no luck there.

Barclay notices his jeans, “Oh, uh, if you need to go that’s cool. I, uh” he yawns “I have a policy of making breakfast after a hook-up, but if you’re in a hurry I can just get you some coffee for the road. C’mon Sass, let me up.”

“I, um, I can stay. I don’t have much choice.”

“What do you--oh fuck, I knew we were getting snow this weekend but no one said anything about a fucking blizzard. Guess you’re crashing here for the weekend.”

“I guess so.”

Barclay’s smile shrinks, “Is that a shitty outcome?”

“No! Or, um, I just” Joseph sits on the bed, running a hand through his hair, “I don’t want to impose. I was trying to get out of here so I wouldn’t make things awkward since I, um, I don’t do this much.”

“Gotta say that was kinda obvious.” It’s a gentle tease, Barclay’s fingers flipping through his phone, “huh, when did I take a video last night?”

“I think you--oh, oh my lord.” Joseph claps his hands over his mouth, blushing at the memory.

“What, did I talk you into karaoke or somethi--holy fuck.” Barclay scoots to where Joseph is frozen, holding the screen where they can both see it. The same face growing excited beside him is looking up at the camera, lips wrapped around Joseph’s cock as a voice urges him on.

“You like that, big guy?”

Barclay nods, pulls off so he can drag his tongue up the shaft with a grin. Then he swallows it almost to the base, Joseph’s hand flying past the lens to stifle a moan.

“That’s it, show me how much you like it, s-so the next time you feel like sending me a snarky text you can watch this and remember just how much fucking fun you had sucking my dickAH.” A laugh as Barclay sits back on his heels, pulling off the condom.

“C’mon blue eyes, bet, bet you’re gonna look great when you cum, fuck, think I ruined these pants just watching you. Heh, you like that, like getting me hard and wet on the fucking bathroom floor.”

“Usually it’s, it’s the other waAAaay aroundohfuck, shit.” Cum spatters across Barclay’s face. The cook licks his lips, still smiling, as the camera sinks to his level, Joseph giggling behind it, “here, let, let me clean you up.”

“Don’t want everyone else to see your cum all over me?"

“Nngn. I, I mean no, not in actuality.” Joseph’s hand returns to the frame, gently cleaning Barclay’s cheek with toilet paper.

The video ends there. Joseph is red from his hips to his cheeks, but not so embarrassed that he misses Barclay rubbing his thighs together. Then the cook meets his eyes and sets the phone aside.

“I can delete it. Know your face isn’t in it but if you’re more comfortable with it gone, it’s gone.”

The offer alone calms him, “No, no it’s okay. Thank you for offering. I, um, since I’ll be here awhile, can I use your shower?”

“Sure, it’s just through there.” He tips his head at the door in the left wall, grabbing a robe from the door and heading into the chilly apartment, Sass clickclick-ing on the hardwood after him.

As always, the world is more manageable when he’s clean. A pair of sweatpants and a thick, blue sweater are waiting for him on the bed, and coffee-swirled air coaxes him into the kitchen. It’s small but immaculately organized, Barclay moving from stove to cabinet to fridge and back again in an intimate dance.

“Coffee on the left is yours. I’m doing pancetta in the omelettes; most of my friends are vegetarian so I never get a chance to bust it out.”

“That sounds delicious.” He picks up the mug, sighs as warms his chest, “mmm, you have real cream somewhere in this house.”

“Yep. Remember you said you liked the real stuff when you could get it. I drink mine black, but really these beans demand cream instead of milk; sets of the chocolate notes really nice.”

“I can never taste those. Same thing with wine. But I guess that’s why you’re the professional and I’m not.”

“That’s more a happy coincidence. I got into this to help with the bills when I was in high school. I wasn’t, like, combining flavors and deciding to be a cook like in Ratatouille or something.”

“That’s a Pixar movie, right?”

“Only the best one ever made. Have you really not seen it?

“I, um, I only watch kids movies if I’m babysitting my niece. Which doesn’t happen as often as I’d like.”

“Well, now I know what we’re doing after breakfast. Ah ah, Sass, not for you.” He shoos the dog from where it’s valiantly trying to double in length to reach the table.

“Is his name short for something?”

“Sasquatch.”

“Awwww.” Joseph crouches down to scritch behind one, floppy ear.

“His whole litter was named for cryptids; Nessie, Champ, Yeti, stuff like that.”

“‘Bray’ feels like an obvious one.” He smiles, then remembers not everyone is a nerdy UP agent, “sorry, never mind.”

“Uh uh special agent, I’ve been waiting to ask you about this. You don’t get to say you’re ‘like Fox Mulder’ and then not share more.” Barclay pulls out his chair, kisses his head when he sits down. He then listens to Joseph expound on canine cryptids of the midwest for fifteen minutes, fascinated the entire time.

“Y’know, I had a line cook who swore he’d been abducted by aliens.”

“What was his proof?”

By the time their plates are clean, Joseph has generated three alternative explanations and Barclay is staring at him with an expression straight from a rom-com. The cook sets up the movie while Joseph does the dishes, then pulls him under a mound of blankets.

“The heat in this place is shit, but I promise I’ll keep you warm.”

He enjoys the movie plenty, the weight of Barclay’s arm over his shoulder and, eventually, his waist, even more. They watch Ramen Girl for the hell of it, spooning on the couch while the snow makes dunes out of the sidewalk.

When the second movie is done, Joseph rolls so he’s facing the cook, “What should we do now?”

“Could keep watching movies, or bake something. I’ve got some cards and a few games in the closet. Or we could just cuddle and talk. I’m good with whatever.”

“...Could I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“You’ve been so sweet all day. Why were you such an ass about our first date?”

Barclay shifts, discomfort entering his eyes, “I was having a shitty week and was hoping the date would make me feel better. I ended up so anxious after it, felt like you wanted to be somewhere else, that I kinda took my frustration out by being a dick. I’m sorry. I, um, I wasn’t even on that many dates between now and then; I’d just text you what I’d wished had happened to fuck with you.”

“I should’ve known it; no one has that many good dates in a row.”

“Sorry.”

Joseph cups his cheek, “And I’m sorry for making you feel that way the first time. I had my reasons but, well, you still had a bad time because I was flustered and couldn’t get my mind off work.”

“Think you’ve more than made up for it.”

“Can I try again anyway?” Joseph kisses him, slipping his fingers under the waistband of his sweats.

Barclay’s lips curve up, “Bedroom?”

“Bedroom.”

Once Barclay is comfortably naked atop the blankets (space heater pointed at the bed all the while), Joseph asks if he has any condoms.

“Yeah, bathroom cabinet. But I’m not, uh, I don’t-”

“It’s not for penetration. You said last night that was a no for you.” In the reflection of the bathroom mirror, he watches him relax. If he ever finds out someone saw the tension in those muscles, heard the worry in that sweet, deep voice and pushed anyway, he’s going to set them on fire with his mind.

Barclay nestles his cheek on his pillow as Joseph fishes his swiss army knife from his jacket, puts his ass in the air and wiggles it expectantly as Joseph unrolls the cut latex.

“Is this okay?”

“Uh huh, I really love it when guys do this but, uh, it doesn’t happen much. The hair turns a lot of them off.”

“Cowards.” Joseph holds the makeshift dam in place. Barclay’s chuckle morphs into a moan as he presses his face between his asscheeks, tongue making an obscene sound against the latex. There’s a warmth to this angle that he loves, a tender sort of filthiness to the way Barclay pushes his ass back with little gasps of his name.

He doesn’t get to practice his technique often, but that makes it all the more pleasurable to re-acquaint himself with it now, find the ways of pressing and curving his tongue that make Barclay’s ass tense under his hands.

“Fuck, fuck, Joseph, I take it all back, every rude text, you’re gonna drive every date you get crazy, gonna make them wonder how they got so lucky to get someone so goddamn wild.”

“I don’t think I will. I think” Joseph kisses the small of his back, “I think it’s you. You bring it out in me, you make me want to do all the things I’d be ashamed to ask for the rest of the time.”

Barclay whimpers happily.

“I’m serious. There’s something about you, I feel like I can want what I want without shame.” He nips his right cheek once, gently, “or maybe it’s just that what I really want is you and everything else finds into line because of it.”

“Fuuuck, baby, please.” Barclays weight shifts as Joseph eats him out ever more messily, “wanna, wanna make you feel good.” He’s rubbing his dick, Joseph can tell by the sound.

“May I?”

“Uhhuh, fuck, c’mere” Barclay grabs him as soon as they’re both sitting up, “was gonna pound you into next week but I dont wanna waste time with the harness right now.”

“Then we can do that tomorrowAH, ohlord” his hand stutters on it’s way to Barclay’s cock as calloused fingers circle is dick, “god there is not a part of you that disappoints, you’re just a wet dream from top to bottom.”

“Aw, babe.” Barclay kisses his shoulder, groaning as Joseph thumbs his dick, “fuck, speaking of, you gonna tell me what you meant in the stall last night? About things being ‘the other way around.”

Now it’s his turn to hide his face, “Promise you won’t think I’m dirty?”

“Babe, your mouth was on my ass a minute ago. You’re dirty and I fucking love it.”

“I, um, I, when I travel for missions I look for, for places that have glory holes.”

“Oh fuck” Barclay ruts against his palm, “that’s a fucking amazing image blue eyes. You on your knees, trying to keep that fucking suit clean while a fucking parade of guys shove their dicks down your throat.”

“I, it’s an easy way for me to get off, I can edge myself until I’m done and then cum without anyone being the wise but, god, half the time I’d think about this, want this.” He speeds up his strokes, pumps his cock into Barclay’s fist.

“What, a hairy trans guy?” Barclay bumps their noses together.

“This” his free hand glides along Barclays arm where it’s holding him, “s-someone to see me, hold onto me, fuck the whole of me and not just the acceptable, easy part. But” he meets brown eyes, teases slick skin, “I, the other times I fucked someone like this it, it was like I was still in that fucking stall. Last night, today, I’m here, I want to be and I am.”

“Baby.” The word comes in a sweet rumble of understanding just as Joseph cums with a gasp. He holds on for dear life as Barclay joins their hands and guides his fingers along his dick, forces his mind to memorize the movements and shapes for next time.

Barclay cums with a groan, flinging his hands up to cup Joseph's head and kiss him. There’s cum on his arm, on Joseph’s fingers and now in his hair and he cannot bring himself to give a shit. Gradually the kisses trail to his cheeks, his neck, his collarbone, and then Barclay is nestling his head under his chin.

“I, um, I think it might have been a good thing. That first date. I can be overly focused on work, can forget to turn off the special agent questioning mode and just talk like a person. I’m glad you saw those parts of me and, um, and decided to give me another chance.”

“Hey, you saw that I could be kinda sensitive and stubborn when I think someone did something wrong and you still saved my ass from being humiliated on the internet.” Barclay sighs as Joseph pets his hair.

“Do you, um, want to keep getting to know each other? Good parts and bad?”

Barclay looks up at him. Sees him.

“Yeah, blue eyes, I do.”

[winryofresembool]

Caleo fic: It’s all about the name

Chapters 3-4(/5)

Summary: Calypso is a barista at a coffee shop and one day she gets a customer who refuses to give her his real name. At first he seems really annoying but eventually Calypso finds out not all is what it looks like on the surface. (Coffee shop AU!)

a/n: More updates! Only one more to go after these two chapters that I'm posting today. I would have loved to make this au even longer but time is a b*tch and I'm really itching to continue working on twlitf already.

Hope you enjoy and please do leave me comments because even if I have almost finished this fic, I definitely want to know what you guys think!

Words: 3,6k+

Genre: fluff, humor

Warnings: none

previous chapters / AO3 

...

The next day, the ‘Bad Boy Supreme’ showed up at the coffee shop just like he had promised. He didn’t have to ask for Calypso because she spotted him from afar, being rather easy to recognize. They didn’t have a lot of customers wearing an army jacket over an orange shirt, tools hanging from the pockets, and the bottom half being the work coveralls. At least he had left his backpack home this time, Calypso sighed with relief. She couldn’t deny, though, that in a weird way that outfit suited him. As she saw him more closely, she noticed he seemed pretty cheerful, which was probably a good sign. Or then he was just preparing to annoy her some more and was already looking forward to that. Calypso supposed she’d find out soon enough.

Either way, she stepped closer to the counter so the ‘Bad Boy Supreme’ could see her better.

“So you did come,” she greeted him and he gave her that annoying grin of his that seemed to come so naturally.

“Why, of course,” he responded. “Couldn’t possibly have missed the opportunity to see the Sunshine again.”

“Are you flirting with me? Because I swear, if you are, it’s not going to work,” Calypso told him bluntly, still having her latest relationship too fresh in her mind.

“That’s crazy talk,” the guy responded, putting his hand over his chest. “How would I even dare to flirt with you? You’re way out of my league.”

“Out of your league? Uh, I don’t know about that,” Calypso mumbled, more to herself than to him. The broken relationships had left a mark on her self esteem and she didn’t consider herself as someone to be looked up to.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear you,” the guy said, looking confused.

“Um, nothing,” Calypso tried to brush it off. “It was not relevant. But enough with that; what are you going to order? Remember, it’s on the house. Do you want the double espresso you ordered yesterday or something else?”

“I’d rather have something else,” the guy said, his gaze going back and forth between Calypso and the menu. “Truth to be told, I’m not big on coffee. I’ve noticed it makes me even more hyper than I already am. ADHD and all that good stuff, you know. Yesterday was a special occasion because I had to work overtime.”

“Alright, what will that something else be then?” Calypso asked, feeling that a lot of things about this guy already made more sense.

“Anything with no caffeine would be good. What would you rec? You’re the expert on your menu, after all,” he noted.

“Do you like sweet things?” Calypso asked.

“Sweet is fine, yeah,” the guy agreed. 

“Then how about hot chocolate? We’re pretty generous with the whipped cream we add on it,” Calypso promised. “And we can even add marshmallows if you like those.”

“I think just the cream will be fine, don’t wanna be in a complete sugar coma when I need to go back to work,” the guy noted. “To go, by the way. I can’t stay long.”

“Fine, one hot chocolate without marshmallows coming then. Will you finally tell me your name?” Calypso asked.

“Super-sized McShizzle,” the guy replied without missing a beat.

“Just when I thought that you might be an OK guy after all…” Calypso said but the tone of her voice told she wasn’t being serious.

“What’s life without some mystery, Sunshine?” He smiled at her and Calypso wondered briefly what the hell this conversation was about really.

“Yeah, what indeed?” she responded. Then she realized that the silly conversation had been going on long enough for a small queue form behind the guy. “Well, Johnny.” His mouth twitched when she said the new made up name. “Your hot chocolate will be waiting for you at the other counter in a minute. And I hope you won’t scare me so much this time that I’ll drop the drink.”

“Will try to not do that.”

The Super-sized McShizzle or Bad Boy Supreme moved to the other counter, and as Calypso was shaking the canned whipped cream, she was still playing the conversation in her head. For an outsider it probably seemed like they were being rude to each other. But Calypso thought she had learned to read this stranger a bit better already and guessed he actually enjoyed their bickering - and she had to admit that some part of her enjoyed them as well. Drawing a small heart after the made up name Johnny, she finally approached him at the counter and managed to deliver the hot chocolate without messing anything up. ‘Johnny’ took it gratefully but he gave her a funny look when he read his name on the cup.

“Aw, you even drew a heart there!” He noted. “I am starting to think you have started warming up to me.”

“No way. You? Why would I do that?” Calypso raised her eyebrow questioningly, but it probably wasn’t very effective thanks to her red cheeks.

“Because all the ladies love…” he checked his name from the cup again. “Johnny?”

“You should learn to know when to stop,” Calypso warned, rolling her eyes, but her mouth betrayed her.

“Oh c’mon, your mouth just twitched. I saw it,” the guy said. Then he took a swig from his cup and hummed approvingly. “Yup. This is the stuff. Not bad, Sunshine, I would definitely drink this again.”

“I’m glad you like it, especially since it’s supposed to be my apology to you.”

“In that case, apology accepted.” ‘Johnny’ wiped his mouth and checked the clock on the wall. “Well, I won’t bother you more this time because Jo is expecting me to be back at the garage any minute now. I was surprised she allowed me to come here in the first place but she seemed to think it’s good for me to meet new people. Apparently I spend too much time at work. But oh well, if I want to buy a car I need to save a lot of money…”

“That’s why you’re working overtime?” Calypso asked curiously.

“Yeah… I’ve been moving from place to place almost my whole life so at least owning a car would make it easier… Unless I find some reason to stay somewhere.” He shrugged, looking more serious than he had the whole time he’d been there. “I don’t know. But yeah, I should get going now. Maybe I’ll see around some time, though.” His smile returned. “This place is definitely better than I first thought.”

“Yeah, maybe I will see you around,” Calypso said, feeling a bit flustered again. It seemed that there was a lot more to this stranger’s story than she had first imagined. The small glimpses of the reality behind his jokes gave her a picture of a restless, unsure young man who was still looking for his place in the world. That piqued her interest and made her wish she really would see him again.

…

The mystery guy started visiting the coffee shop regularly during his breaks. After a couple of weeks Calypso already knew that his boss was called Jo and she was married to a woman called Emmie who handled the flower shop side of the business and they had an adoptive daughter Georgina. Even though the mystery guy hadn’t stayed in town for more than a couple of months so far, he seemed to have formed a strong bond with these people and especially adored the little Georgie whom he treated almost like a sister. Calypso also knew that the guy’s best friends were called Jason and Piper but unfortunately they were currently studying in another town so he couldn’t see them that often. He also had a pet lizard called Festus who apparently liked to nibble pretty much everyone except his fingers. Despite knowing all of that, there was still something Calypso didn’t know about him.

“Let’s play the game: guess my name,” the ‘Bad Boy Supreme’ suggested one time when he was ordering a soda.  “What do you think?”

Calypso thought about it for a moment. “Alright. Mike? Chris? Alex? Peter? Luke?”

“No, no, no, no and no,” he answered without hesitating, his mouth curled up with amusement.

“Ed? Sebastian? Jake? Thomas? Leon?” Calypso kept throwing in random names that came to her mind.

“Still no to all,” the mystery guy shook his head. “Although those were not half bad guesses. I wouldn’t mind being called Ed. A character in one of my favorite animes is called that and he’s quite a badass.”

“You watch anime?” Calypso asked curiously. “I wouldn’t have guessed that about you.”

“Well, I’m full of surprises.” He smirked before turning more serious. “Um, truth to be told, Georgina keeps ranting about her favorite animes when she’s hanging out at the garage with me and one time I just decided to binge watch some of them to be able to keep up with her. Turns out some of them are actually quite solid. Like this Fullmetal Alchemist. Ahem, but that probably isn’t interesting to you so I’ll stop now.”

“No, don’t worry about it!” Calypso reassured him. “I like hearing about your interests. I am not that familiar with anime but maybe some time you can recommend something to me to watch when I have more free time.”

“Yeah, maybe.” The guy smiled before turning a bit hesitant. “Um, I know you’re probably busy and stuff but I have a free chair at my table if you happen to be in need of a break. Just sayin’, but it’s OK if you can’t.”

Calypso was surprised that he asked so bluntly. The truth was that a bit before his appearance she had already considered taking a break so the timing was good enough and she decided to accept his offer. It was a quiet moment at the coffee shop so her coworkers were fine with it as well.

“You know now that I watch anime but what about your interests?” the ‘Bad Boy Supreme’ asked once they had settled down at an empty table. “What do you do outside this coffee shop?”

“You really want to know?” Calypso questioned.

“Of course I do!” he said immediately. “I’ve revealed quite a bit about myself so it’s your turn now.”

Calypso felt a bit hesitant about talking about personal stuff, possibly afraid her mystery customer would judge her. “I, um… I have a mini garden on my balcony… I grow some edible plants there. I also enjoy reading because it's a good distraction from some unwanted thoughts.”

“I can relate to that,” the guy confessed but didn’t elaborate. Calypso wondered briefly what he may have wanted distraction from.

“Yeah…” she said instead of asking more because she doubted he would have liked that. “When I was a kid, I used to do a lot of music related things, like sing, play the piano and stuff like that but I stopped at some point because my father seemed to think it’s a waste of time. So, yeah. I was pretty upset about that. Who knows, maybe when I have more money I’ll be able to take more classes again… Lately I’ve been trying to express myself by painting, though, because watercolors are luckily cheap and I really needed something to do after…” She stopped when she realized she was about to reveal too much.

“After what?” the guy wanted to know.

“I don’t even know your name so I have no idea why I’m telling you this… but I guess it can’t hurt. I can trust you, right?”

“Of course!” her chat mate assured.

Calypso sighed before continuing. “I recently broke up with someone with whom I had been in quite a long relationship. Yeah, looking back to it, maybe it was for the best because clearly he wasn’t as invested as I was, but it still hurt to hear that he wanted to break up with me because there was someone else in his life. So, that’s why I’ve needed more distractions lately.” When she saw his serious expression, she rushed to add: “Don’t worry about me, though, I’m fine. I’ve already accepted that this is how it is. Trust me, it’s better that way. But it explains why I was so grumpy on that day we met.”

“Oh, OK. Sorry about that guy. I think he made a big ass mistake there but unfortunately some of us can be kinda blind… Hey, what are you staring at?” he asked when he noticed her watching him weirdly. In reality, Calypso had felt a small, unexpected tug at her heart because of his niceness but she tried to cover it by shaking her head.

“Nothing. Sorry. I was just thinking about something. But I should get back to work, the coffee isn’t going to serve itself.”

“I guess it isn’t. Well, talk to you later,” the guy said but from the corner of her eye Calypso could see that he was probably wondering what had just happened there.

Chapter 4

Time passed, but some things didn’t change:

“So… when will you finally reveal your name to me? We’ve known each other for several weeks now and you’re still being so mysterious,” Calypso noted one day when the ‘Bad Boy Supreme’ showed up at the coffee shop again. Like earlier, she had asked her coworkers if she could have her break so she could talk with him and they had accepted her request but given each other funny glances behind Calypso’s back, as if saying ‘we know what you are doing here’.

“I will do that when you finally call me Bad Boy Supreme instead of Johnny or Ben or David or whatever fake name you come up with each time.” He just smirked at her and Calypso 100% expected him to keep his word.

“No. That’s the one thing I cannot do, you weirdo,” she said stubbornly.

“Alright, then no can do,” he teased.

Calypso did continue asking him about other things, though, and got some answers.

“Why did you want to become a mechanic? Is it just because cars are cool or did you have some deeper reason for that?”

“Actually, my dream is to become a mechanical engineer so I get better tools to invent - and fix - all sorts of things, not just cars, but at the moment I don’t have enough money to go to college. So, I’m working to save up for that too, not just for the car. I know, sounds like a mission impossible. I will have to work about ten thousand years to save that much. I’ve just… always enjoyed building and fixing things, ever since I watched my mum do that when I was a kid… It’s in my blood.”

“Oh… then your mum must be proud that you want to follow her footsteps!” Calypso said gently, but the guy’s expression darkened.

“Yeah… maybe she would be… if she was still alive.”

“Oh no!” Calypso covered her mouth with her hands when she realized her mistake. “I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed…”

“It’s OK,” he sighed. “I’m starting to get used to it.”

There was a moment of silence before Calypso asked: “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but… when did it happen?”

The guy looked at her darkly. “I was 8 then… So over 10 years ago. Not exactly breaking news anymore. Been going from home to home since then until I got old enough to live on my own; my dear dad didn’t care about me enough to keep me.”

“Wow… I’m sorry… You just give me such a happy and outgoing picture of yourself that I couldn’t imagine… ugh, just ignore me, please. I need to stop rambling now,” Calypso said with embarrassment, blushing slightly.

The guy surprised both Calypso and himself by what he did next: he reached for her hand to reassure her.

“Hey, relax. I only told that to you because you seem like someone I can trust. Not a lot of those people in my life. But yeah, there’s no need to be embarrassed; you couldn’t have known.”

“Oh… I guess I should be honored then. Since you were honest with me, I’m gonna be too: I didn’t exactly have the best of childhoods either. My parents fought a lot before breaking up and my dad… he could be scary when he wanted to. He had to get things done his way and if he didn’t like something… he’d let us know, loudly. I guess some of my temper issues may stem from there.”

“Still thinking about that time when you yelled at me?” the guy asked. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not afraid of you.”

“That’s good to hear,” Calypso laughed nervously, tugging a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Anyway, when my parents got divorced, my father insisted I live with him instead of mum and that did not end up going well. His idea of good parenting was buying me expensive things I didn’t care about, while I could tell that in reality he couldn’t care less if I was there or not. He just wanted to humiliate my mother. I ended up moving out as early as possible, but that’s a whole other story…”

“And that’s why you’re working here now?” The Bad Boy Supreme wanted to know. “Because you desperately needed money? I mean, no offense, but I get a vibe from you that you don’t actually enjoy working here.”

Calypso glanced at her surroundings, making sure none of her coworkers and especially not the manager could hear her answer. Then she sighed. “Yeah. You’re not wrong. I did have some dreams when I was younger but… it’s like you said, it would take me about ten thousand years to be able to afford studying. The rent here isn’t free and I don’t even want to think about the college tuitions. Obviously my dad could afford them easily but I’m not going to stoop so low that I would ask him. I am not going to owe anyone, especially not him.”

The ‘Bad Boy Supreme’ gave her an approving half smile. “I see we have something in common, after all. We both have dreams that seem to be hard to achieve. And I definitely wouldn’t want to owe to my no good old man either. And families… Those can be bitches. But not something bad if not something good; thanks to my round around the country I feel like I may have finally found a place where I could maybe picture myself staying more than just a few months. The coffee here isn’t half bad and the people are decent too.” He winked at her, and she knew his words were actually quite a big compliment from him. Despite that, she pretended to be annoyed by his comment, putting her hands on her waist. 

“Not half bad? I don’t even remember you ordering coffee since that little incident – and you didn’t get your coffee back then - so how can you have an opinion on it?”

“That’s the thing, I didn’t get my coffee so that’s why it’s only ‘not half bad’ and not the ‘best coffee I’ve ever had’” he smiled at her smugly. “However, the hot chocolate was definitely worth getting yelled at.”

Calypso hated how contagious his smile was but she couldn’t help but smile back at him. “I’m glad to hear that.”

They were silent for a moment before the guy started: “Hey, listen… would you like to…”

His question was interrupted, though, because a customer nearby started causing ruckus, claiming the tea water was too cold (even though Calypso knew her coworkers always made sure it was hot enough) and the piece of cake was dry (even though someone had cut fresh pieces like half an hour ago) and she wanted her money back. Reyna was serving her and trying to politely say that she was sorry the customer felt that way and that they’d make sure to do better the next time, but the customer wouldn’t listen. Calypso could tell Reyna’s patience was running thin so she decided to finish her break then and there and go to help, but she had only managed to stand up from her chair when she noticed that she wasn’t the only one wanting to defend the honor of their coffee shop.

“Hey, you,” ‘Bad Boy Supreme’ said loudly, addressing the woman who had complained. “Don’t like, don’t buy. It’s as simple as that. There are other places where you can get your low fat cake with extra cream on the top that will surely match your interests better.”

The woman just glared at him, going slightly red from her face, before dramatically turning away and leaving the coffee house. Calypso sighed of relief, thankful that nothing worse happened.

“That wasn’t really necessary, you know,” she tried to scold her companion but the attempt was half hearted. “I’m sure Reyna would have been able to handle it.”

“Oh, yeah, I don’t have a doubt about that,” he said. “But sometimes it’s fun to let those privileged douches hear it. You guys are just too polite. Well, most of the time. I guess some customers do have a way to crawl under your skin but that requires special talent.” He grinned at her in a way that may have tried to be flirty but failing.

“Oh, yeah, a special talent indeed,” Calypso confirmed, throwing her long braid over her shoulder. “I’m the epitome of patience, as we know. Well, I should get back to work now; my coworkers are probably waiting for me already.” She looked at Reyna apologetically but she didn’t seem to mind one bit. “It was nice talking to you, though, Raymond.”

“That’s the best you can come up with? C’mon, you can do better than that,” ‘Raymond’ protested but waved her a goodbye with a big smile on his face. Calypso gave him a shy smile back.

[dinosaurtsukki]

Would you do prompt 93 and Daichi? Also congrats!! You 1000% deserve it!!

thank you so much bb!! i hope you like this !!

Daichi + 93

93.  “I feel like a freakin’ soccer mom.”

Sometimes, Daichi felt a deep amount of pride being the captain of the Karasuno volleyball team, especially considering the talents and skills of his fellow team members and the fact that he was such a crucial player to helping them achieve their victory. But at other times, he just felt like a really tired father who was practically abandoned by his chaotic wife (Sugawara Koushi) with too many kids to take care of.

“Tanaka! Stop pushing Hinata and Nishinoya in a shopping cart!” Daichi scolded his teammates for what was probably the third time that day during their shopping trip. Hinata and Nishinoya hastily climbed out of the cart at the sight of his angry face.

“Okay, I know you guys are excited that Coach Ukai left us in charge to shop for the training camp this week but it would be for the best, for us and most importantly, my sanity, that we finish this quick,” Daichi explained.

“You got it! Just tell us what to do and we’ll help you out!” Nishinoya raised a thumbs-up.

“Actually, it would be much better if the three of you stayed in one place.” 

“Look! There’s a shopping cart with a car on it!” Hinata pointed at one behind Daichi that had a little kid inside.

“Dibs on one!” Noya grinned sprinting off in the direction of the shopping carts.

“Hey, wait!” Daichi groaned, feeling too tired to actually chase after them. He turned to Tanaka.

“Keep an eye on Noya and Hinata, would you? If they break something or steal something or bother a customer or topple an entire shelf, we’re leaving them behind during the training camp,” Daichi said darkly. 

“Roger that!” Tanaka saluted. No matter how noisy and loud Tanaka was, he was much easier for Daichi to get to.

“Daichi-san!” Ennoshita hurried up to him, a welcome sight in the midst of all the madness that Daichi had to deal with during the day. “I found some bread loaves from the bargain shelf that will still last during the weekend. Figured we could save some money.”

“Thanks, that’s a huge help,” Daichi sighed in relief as Ennoshita placed the bread in his shopping cart. “Also, thank god you came along.” 

“Don’t mention it. I figured you’d need a hand dealing with them,” Ennoshita chuckled.

“By the way, have you seen Suga?”

“Um...” Ennoshita pointed his finger and Daichi turned around to find Sugawara in the drinks aisle, shaking cans of soda before putting them back on the shelf. 

“Okay, we’re definitely not asking him to help out,” Daichi deadpanned. “You know what? Let’s just split up the items on the shopping list and then meet at the check-out counter.” 

“Sounds like a plan,” Ennoshita nodded, taking out his phone to take a picture of the written list before setting off to get rice. Daichi headed to the vegetable aisle, mumbling the things he needed to pick up out loud. 

“Alright, vegetables for curry. A lot of them,” he muttered. The potato bin was in need of re-stocking but luckily, there was just enough for the very hungry people in his team. While filling his shopping cart with potatoes, he suddenly heard a loud cough, the kind that wasn’t really a cough but mostly a means to draw attention, sound from behind him.

“Really? All the potatoes?” Daichi turned around to find you, wearing what appeared to be a Karasuno sports jacket, tapping your feet behind a shopping cart and looking quite pissed.

“Look, I know this looks bad but have an entire team to feed for two whole days,” Daichi explained. 

“Well, so do I,” you raised your eyebrows, knowing full well that the Boy’s Volleyball captain could see your sports jacket. “We have a training camp this weekend.”

If Daichi wasn’t tired from practice and having to watch over his teammates-slash-kids during the grocery trip, he would have taken the time to work out a compromise with you. But, he wasn’t. So, he laid a hand over his shopping cart of potatoes, and addressed you. “If you had wanted the potatoes so badly, you should have come earlier. Sadly, they’re in my shopping cart.”

“Well, maybe if my teammates didn’t take forever trying to make bubble beards in the shower room I would be here earlier and you’d be the one having to beg me for potatoes,” you groaned. And, as if on cue, your two notoriously annoying yet talented teammates from the swim team showed up.

“Y/n-chan! Y/n-chan! Can we make s’mores?” Hanako asked, holding up a bag of marshmallows.

“Also I stole some free tasting samples and the employee guy says I have to pay for them,” Yui added, looking sheepish.

“You guys, I told you to wait in the car,” you sighed, wanting so bad to scold them to hell but a bit unable to because of how cute they were. “Hanako, if you want to make s’mores buy some marshmallows yourself. Yui, I don’t know, make a break for the door?” 

“Got it, Captain!” they both nodded and grinned before skipping away giggling. 

“You too, huh?” Daichi spoke up, now looking a bit sheepish. “My teammates ended up tagging along and I’m just praying that they haven’t broken anything yet.” Seeing how haggard his expression looked provided you with just a bit of comfort.

“Tell me about it. Sometimes I have to prepare lunches for them because if I don’t they’ll just eat milk bread,” you laughed. 

“I started adding an extra espresso shot to my coffee,” Daichi added, finding himself smiling at sharing his experiences with someone who understood. “I feel like a freakin’ soccer mom.”

“Same here,” you grinned. “Oh, and sorry for getting all up in your face about the potatoes. You’re right, you got here first.”

“Oh, no, no, no. I’m sure we can split these,” Daichi shook his head, grabbing a few potatoes from the cart. “I could always replace some of them with tofu or something. And besides, us captains-slash-parents got to help each other out,” he smiled kindly.

“Thanks, that means a lot,” you smiled gratefully. “I’ll take that tip too. I know most of my teammates don’t like it a lot but they’ll have to eat what’s there,” you shrugged.

“Damn right,” Daichi agreed.

“Also, another tip from captain to captain, because you’ve been so kind,” you smiled sneakily and leaned in close to him. Daichi found himself noticing that you were quite good-looking up close. “If you want them to sleep earlier, I suggest sprinkling the tiniest bit of ground-up antihistamine pills in their food,” you whispered. “Something to consider for the sake of your sanity to sleep.”

“I’ll definitely keep that in mind,” Daichi flashed you a thumbs-up. “Well, I’ll see you around, um...?”

“Y/n, L/n,” you grinned. “I remembered who you were from that ceremony seeing off the volleyball team.”

“And I’m sure I remembered your face from one of the sports tournaments but forgot your name,” Daichi admitted. “I’ll, uh, definitely remember it this time.”

“You better. I’ll see you around, Daichi Sawamura,” you waved before leaving with your cart. Daichi found himself smiling as he watched you leave. Sometimes fighting with other customers in the grocery wasn’t so bad. 

taglist (open to anyone who wants in):  @oikaw-ugh​ @montys-chaos​ @miyumtwins​ @strawberriimilkshake​ @pocubo​ @sugawara-sweetheart @akaashisbabydoll @laure-chan @therainroguefanfiction @atetiffdoesart @stephdaninja

[thebeatles-world]

Dallas getting jealous that you moved on from him with Ponyboy ~ Imagine

You and Dallas have dated for 10 months. Sadly it didn’t work out since you guys would end up fighting a lot, Dallas getting drunk a lot and you would have to deal with his soberness, or Dallas not taking the relationship serious by him laughing whenever you would point out his mistakes.

You broke up with Dallas as much as it broke your heart but you knew it was for your own good. Even your family and friends agreed that it was best if you broke up with Dallas.

You broke up with Dallas in person and all he did was put his hands in his jean pockets and walked away without saying a word to you.

Ponyboy and the whole gang (expect for Dallas) heard the news that you and Dallas broke up and they were there for you and checked up on you every day to see if you were doing well.

You truly did miss Dallas but you knew you wouldn’t go back out with him ever again as much as it broke your heart. He wasn’t the first guy you dated but he was actually a guy that you loved more than any of your exes.

For weeks, you silently cried over Dallas as you started to throw away pictures that you guys took together, love notes that you guys wrote to each other back and forth in class, and it was more painful enough when you started to put the stuffed animals and jewelry that he gave you in a black plastic bag and threw it all away.

“I’m doing well.” You would sniff between tears. You knew that Dallas was avoiding everyone including going to the Curtis house and sometime school. Dallas would take a another route to class just so he could avoid seeing you or not be at school at all.

You were still devastated over the breakup. You honestly had no idea how Dallas was taking the breakup until one day you found out from Buck that all Dallas was doing was smoking & drinking while hanging out with the Shepherds and partying.

Your heart crushed even more and you couldn’t help but shed a few tears as you told Ponyboy about it. Even though the gang was there for you, Ponyboy did his best to comfort you during your breakup with Dallas and made sure you were eating well and even helped you catching up with your classes and walked with you to school and back home. Ponyboy even walked with you to your classes even if you guys had the same classes.

You and Ponyboy were very close friends. You guys met each other at English class and that’s how you met the whole gang through Ponyboy, especially Dallas. You remember how madly you fell in love with Dallas as Dallas felt the same way also when he first met you. That painful memory still broke your heart as you remembered.

You also remembered that you were there for Ponyboy whenever he broke up with his ex girlfriend a few months ago and now Ponyboy was returning the big favor to you.

“Thank you for being there for me Ponyboy, you’re such a great friend.” You smiled softly at him as he brought you your favorite book and goodies for you to eat.

“It’s no problem y/n, i know what you are going through. I know it hurts but trust me, things will get better I promise. Your precious heart will heal in no time.” Ponyboy smiled at you before adding- “I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

“You’re so sweet Ponyboy, I’m so glad I found such a amazing friend like you.” You smiled back at him which made Ponyboy blush softly.

“I’m always here no matter what and honestly I’m glad I met you y/n.” Ponyboy said and you both knew that you guys were lucky to have each other and go through the good and bad in life.

A Few Months Later...

Four months have passed since you & Dallas broke up and you recovered from the breakup by doing hobbies you loved, focusing on yourself and spending time with Ponyboy and the gang of course expect for Dallas. You haven’t seen Dallas since the day you guys broke up which honestly you were glad because it made you feel much better knowing that you didn’t get to see him at all while you were recovering through the months.

You and Ponyboy were dating now. It felt amazing dating your best friend that you knew since English class. You guys had the same stuff in common and everything. You were also relief that Ponyboy was more mature than Dallas was. You honestly didn’t know if Dallas even heard the news that you and Ponyboy were dating but it didn’t really bother you.

The gang were very happy when you and Ponyboy broke the news that you two were now dating. Even Darry and Sodapop started calling you ~ “Sister in Law.” every time they greeted you when you came over to the Curtis house.

You were very happy that you finally moved on and found a guy that healed your broken heart and was there for you since day one.

One day Darry and Sodapop decided to invite the whole gang on a Saturday afternoon and they were happy enough to invite you even if you were welcome any time to their house.

You were happy to spend with Ponyboy and the whole gang. Two-Bit and Steve and Sodapop were too busy playing cards with each other. Darry joined them as well in the next round and you and Ponyboy and Johnny were chatting about a book series that was coming out soon that you guys all liked.

As you were enjoying chatting to Ponyboy and Johnny, you suddenly heard a knock on the door.

Who could that be? You thought in confusion. Everyone looked confused as well. Was there anyone else coming here? You didn’t think that one of the shepherd gang came here unless they were late?

“Who is it?” Darry asked as he got up to answer the door. You paid no attention to the door until you heard a familiar voice as soon as Darry open the knob.

“Hey Darry it’s me Dallas, do you think we can talk?.” Dallas said in the doorway and you froze as you knew exactly who it was at the door.

Ponyboy and Johnny looked at your frozen expression. You did not expect for Dallas to show up at this time especially at the Curtis house since he hasn’t been here in months.

“Sure Dallas, come on in.” Darry said. You took a look at Dallas as he walked inside the Curtis house. He looked a bit rough and looked like he hasn’t had good sleep at all but you still thought he looked good after months of not seeing him. Dallas always looked good in your eyes but you knew you moved on from him and you were more interested in Ponyboy.

Steve, Two-Bit and Sodapop greeted Dallas as he came in and they were saying stuff to Dallas like ~ “Hey man what’s up?” Or “Glad to see you back!!” Or “I missed you man, long time no see!”

After they all greeted Dallas, you and Ponyboy and Johnny just sat there on the couch, not saying a word to Dallas or to each other at all.

You took another look at Dallas to realized that he made eye contact with you but then started to glare at you before going to a room to talk to Darry privately.

“I wonder what’s that all about.” Johnny whispered to you and Ponyboy. You slowly nodded as Ponyboy held your hand before saying “don’t worry, everything is going to be okay.”

“He probably just needs a place to cool down?” Ponyboy suggested. You and Johnny both agreed and moved on to start chatting about something else.

Not even 20 minutes has passed and you heard muffled shouting coming from the room that Darry and Dallas were talking privately at. Before you could ask Ponyboy if he heard a muffled shouting coming for the room, all the sudden you heard a door being open and footsteps quickly coming to the living room.

“Hey Ponyboy, I wanna talk to you man to man.” Dallas angrily said as he made his way to the living room while glaring at Ponyboy. Darry followed behind Dallas and tried to calm him down.

You could tell Dallas was pissed. He looked like he wanted to beat up someone up. You haven’t seem Dallas this angry since you guys dated when a Soc was trying to hit on you in front of him.

But what did Ponyboy do to Dallas that made him really angry? You thought in confusion.

“Dallas calm down man.” Darry said as he grabbed Dallas by the shoulders but Dallas just continued to shrug him off.

“Sure Dallas what’s up?” Ponyboy said in a calm voice as he stood up and looked at Dallas. Ponyboy looked so calm facing Dallas but you knew you were kinda scared of what was going to happen especially seeing a angry look on Dallas face that made you think not to mess with him. Never. Ever. You knew how Dallas got when he was angry and you made sure you gave him space or got out of the way every time Dallas was very angry.

“I wanna know why you stole my girl? Why did you take her away for me ?” Dallas glared at Ponyboy as he angrily yelled at him.

Two-Bit, Steve and Sodapop quickly got up from the seats and went towards Dallas. They knew what was about to happen.

“Dallas you need to chill out, cmon let’s go smoke outside for a bit.” Soda said to him calmly but of course Dallas Ingored him and went on towards Ponyboy.

Ponyboy wasn’t about to back down a argument or a fight. He raised a eyebrow at Dallas and said “You were the one that broke her heart, so I don’t know what you are talking about. I was there for her during the whole time you broke her when you guys dated but where were you? Nowhere Dallas. So you can’t say that I took y/n from you and you left her like dirt and everyone else here in this house knows that.” Ponyboy splat back at Dallas.

Dallas looked like he was ready to kill Ponyboy in a minute and he was just about to fight Ponyboy until Darry, Soda and Steve held him back to prevent Dallas from fighting Ponyboy.

“YOU ARE SO DEAD DO YOU HEAR ME PONYBOY? YOU ARE DEAD MEAT. YOU KNEW HOW MUCH I LOVED Y/N AND YOU STOLE HER AWAY FROM ME. YOU TOOK THE LOVE OF MY LIFE AWAY FROM ME.” Dallas started shouting angrily at Ponyboy while Darry, Soda and Steve continued to held him back.

“Here guys lets get you out of here.” Two-bit quickly dragged you and Ponyboy out of the house. As you shut the door behind you, you could hear Darry say to Dallas ~ “There’s no way that you are laying your hands on my kid brother do you understand me?”

“Man that was crazy.” You shook your head just thinking about the scene that Dallas caused. You did not expect him to be mad at Ponyboy for him dating you or for Dallas to still have feelings for you.

“It sure was, I’m sorry I argued back with him. I could have handling it more mature.” Ponyboy said to you.

You gave Ponyboy a kiss on the cheek. “You did great, I’m proud of you for sticking up.” You said with a giggle.

Ponyboy blushed and held your hang as you guys walked with Two-Bit.

“Hey Two-Bit where are we going?” Ponyboy asked in confusion.

“Yeah where are we going?” You also asked. You didn’t mind where you guys were going as long as it was somewhere to stay away from Dallas and avoid him at all costs.

“We’re going to a nearby McDonald’s, I’m taking you kids out to eat.” Two-Bit said as he pulled out a bunch of dollar bills from his pocket. “It’s my treat.”

“Awesome” you and Ponyboy grinned at the same time. You both loved McDonald’s consider the fact that you guys barely eat it since Darry was strict about Ponyboy eating healthy and so were your parents.

You guys ate at McDonald’s and after eating there, you guys walked for a bit until it was getting dark out.

“You guys ready to go back?” Two-Bit asked. You and Ponyboy both looked at each other. It’s been a few hours since Dallas went off on Ponyboy and hopefully he’s calmed down or gone home.

“Yes we’re both ready, he’s probably calm down or went home.” Ponyboy said which you nodded in response but you were still nervous just seeing Dallas. What If he was still there? Would he have went off on me also? You thought as you walked back with Ponyboy and Two-Bit.

Bunch of thoughts and anxiety went through your mind as you guys got closer and closer to the Curtis house.

You held tightly onto Ponyboy’s hand as you guys headed inside the Curtis house. Ponyboy nodded at you as you both relalized that Dallas was there, sitting on the couch and looking more calm than he did earlier.

“I took them out to eat and we walked for a bit, don’t worry we didn’t come across any bad harm or any socs.” Two bit said to Darry and Sodapop which they thanked Two-Bit and telling him that was a smart thing to do to get you and Ponyboy out of the house.

Suddenly Dallas hopped off the couch and went straight to you and Ponyboy. You suddenly looked into his eyes, the eyes you used to admire but now you started to glare at them.

“Hey listen no hard feelings but I’m sorry for yelling at you Ponyboy. I just didn’t take the news well that you and y/n were dating. I heard from Curly shepherd that you guys were now dating so that’s why I came here and talked to Darry to see if it was true and he told me that “Yes it was true please don’t get offended or angry.” But I paid no attention to him. I just let my anger take over me man. I’m sorry Ponyboy I didn’t mean it and I won’t do that ever again, just please take good care of y/n for me.” Dallas patted Ponyboy on the shoulder.

It shocked you what Dallas said to Ponyboy literally in front of you. You were just in shock after Dallas was done saying that.

“Yeah of course man, no hard feelings. I will. I love y/n so much and I wanna spend the rest of my life with her.” Ponyboy told Dallas and you couldn’t help but look In awe at Ponyboy but you didn’t realized how hurt Dallas looked when Ponyboy said that.

“Thanks man.... do you mind if I talk to y/n for a minute? I won’t hit on her or steal her away from you.” Dallas chuckled softly after he said the last part.

You and Ponyboy both looked at each other once again. “Do you wanna talk to Dallas babe?” Ponyboy asked you, making sure you felt comfortable with it.

“Um. Sure? He can ask me in person, I’m literally standing right here in front of him.” You joked which caused Ponyboy and Dallas to laugh.

“Alright I’m going to give you guys some space.” Ponyboy said as he peck you softly on the cheek. You smiled at him before turning to Dallas.

“What do you need to talk to about?” You asked in confusion. “I literally cried over you for weeks and weeks after the breakup and you just disappear for four months?”

You could tell Dallas felt bad after you told him that. He looked at you with a sad expression on his face.

“Y/n I’m sorry. I’m truly am. I wish I could have treated you better when we dated. After we broke up, I couldn’t handle it. I started losing control. I just kept everything to myself. I even thought about how to get you back but it was no use because I just knew you were done with me for good and I ruined it. I couldn’t handle the fact of seeing you in person again because I knew that it would torn me up. That’s why I avoid seeing the gang for a few months. When I found out that you and Ponyboy were dating, I started having mix emotions from angry, hurt, sadness and depression all at the same time which caused me to come here and talk to Darry to see if it was true. I also came here to talk to him about how I was going through the breakup and why I wa avoiding everyone way before he told me that it was true that you and Ponyboy were dating. I still have feelings for you even when we broke up but I understand. You deserve to be happy y/n. I will always love you and care for you as a person. “

You nodded at Dallas and looked at him with a sad expression as well. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out between us Dallas. But we can still be friends? I will always treasure our memories for as long as I live. I hope you can find a women out there who can bring your life to happiness and love and hopefully she can be your future wife. Yes I know it hurts that it’s not going to be me but you deserve a lot of happiness especially the fact that you went through a lot in your childhood.” You said, knowing that Dallas went through a lot in his life whenever he told you stories about his early life in New York City while you guys dated.

Dallas nodded and said “I know y/n. Thank you, and yes we can be friends. I can handle it I promise.”

“You sure about that Dallas?” You joked which earned a laugh and a smile from him.

“Of course y/n. Pinky promise. “ Dallas nodded with a chuckle before saying “Let’s go join everyone in the kitchen. I heard they were making brownies. I’m ready to eat some.”

“Not if I get the first bite.” You grinned at Dallas before rushing into the kitchen while Dallas ran behind you.

You were honestly glad you and Dallas made peace with each other and now moving on from the past.

[willow-salix]

Isolation update and one of two planned offerings for @gumnut-logic 's "Touch" prompt. Enjoy!

Day 80 of Isolation on Tracy Island and it started with Alan breaking into the bedroom while we were still asleep. I woke to him rummaging around in the bedside drawer.

“Dude? Whatcha doin’?” I mumbled, it was far too early, I was far too snuggly warm and getting up was in no way on my radar for at least another few hours.

“Oh, I just wanted to borrow your contact lens solution.”

“Huh?” I groaned, having kinda half dozed off again while he had continued to search through the drawer. “What lens solution?”

“That stuff you got with those coloured lenses you wore at halloween.”

I prised one eye open again and poked the sleepy hamster in my brain that had fallen off the wheel and was far too lazy to get up again.

“Oh...that…” where was it? Where did I even put it? I tried to mentally rewind more than eight months… it wasn't easy. Hell, without this diary I wouldn’t even know what day of the week we were on or what I did two days ago…come to think of it, what did I do two days ago?

Fingers snapped in front of my face, making me jump.

“Did you drift?”

“Yeah, sorry...lens stuff...it’s in the…” where was it? I could picture it…”drinks cabinet in the lounge!” I finished triumphantly, that was it. We’d had a small party and I’d taken the lenses out half way through as they had made my eyes itch and I’d stashed them in the first place I had come across, which just so happened to be the place where I was returning to the most that night. I blame Scott, I always blame Scott, if there is ever a drinking game happening or karaoke is started, he’ll be there.

“Alan, I…where did he go?” The drawer was still open and the bedroom door was ajar, but at least it was quiet again. I yawned so wide I almost turned my face inside out and curled back up against the warm body next to me and closed my eyes…

Coffee...I smell...delicious black gold...I sat up a little without even opening my eyes and reached for the mug, taking a sip before I felt able to face the world.

Perfect. Milky, silky, smooth, sweet perfection in a mug. I opened my eyes to see that he'd put it in one of my favourite mugs, the black one shaped like a cauldron that said "witch's brew" on the side. The paleness of the milky latte was broken up by a swirl of coffee and caramel syrup that floated peacefully on the surface like a miniature galaxy. Top ten reason to marry a guy, he makes the most amazing coffee, even if he doesn't do it very often.

“Gods that's good, thank you, I so needed this.” I sipped again then put the mug down on the bedside table, I wanted to savour this...why was that drawer open and all my stuff messed up? Not that I was the tidiest person in the world but I know it wasn't that bad. My sluggish brain managed to kick up an image of the blond baby… “Did I dream Alan coming in at stupid o’clock this morning looking for something?”

“Hmm?” John stopped rummaging in the wardrobe to look at me. “I don’t know, I don’t remember anything after we started watching that film with the puppets in it.”

“They are Muppets, you heathen and I have no idea how you could fall asleep watching that, it’s amazing.”

“Because it was after two and I was tired?”

“Pathetic excuse. Anyway, back to the original question, did I dream Alan? What did he want?”

“Again, I don’t know, you’ll have to find him and ask.”

“Mm,” I agreed, picking up my coffee again. “I’ll go in a minute, it can’t be that urgent.”

An hour later I was actually up, showered, dressed and had even had breakfast, that’s how organized I was. OK, so it was technically after lunchtime but that's beside the point. I tracked the small one down to Virgil’s studio, which is never, ever a good thing. No one is allowed in there without permission on pain of death. I caught him just as he came out with a bottle of glue in his hands.

“What are you up to, Squirt?”

“Nothing!” Unfortunately he said that at the same time as he hastily tucked the glue behind his back.

“Nope, not falling for it. What’s going on?"

"Nothing!" he insisted again.

"I can see you hiding something behind your back."

“OK,” he sighed. “ But promise you won’t get mad?”

“What did you break? Because that’s only craft glue for paper, it won't fix broken things.”

“I know that! And I didn’t break anything, you always think the worst of me.”

“Sweetie, I don’t think that, I just know you.”

He opened his mouth to argue but then shut it again.

“OK, that’s fair," he admitted

“So why would I get mad if you didn’t break anything? Not that I’d get mad if you had broken anything as I’m sure it would have been an accident.”

“Thank you for your faith in me.”

“So, what are you doing?”

“Well, I was bored-”

“Understandable.”

“And I started looking around the internet and I kinda fell into a search hole-”

“Also understandable, I’ve been there myself far too many times to count.”

“Anyways, I found this post about things that kids did in the early two thousands and one of them was to make slime. Apparently everyone was obsessed with it.”

“Really? Slime?” I found that quite hard to believe.

“Yeah, there were even whole video channels dedicated to making it and playing with it.”

“People actually wanted to watch videos of people playing with slime? That’s disgusting.”

“No, it’s not like, super sticky slime, but more of a cool slime.”

“That makes zero sense, little dude.”

“I don’t understand it either, but it seemed too cool to not at least try, you know?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I get that, I’ve done many things that seemed too cool not to.”

“Really? Like what?”

“I’ll tell you when you’re older.”

“It’s not anything gross with my brother, is it?”

I gave him that look that says all and nothing, it’s always fun to keep them wondering just what the heck I even meant, the puzzlement on their faces is priceless.

“Wanna make slime with me?”

“Sure,” I shrugged. “How bad can it be?”

***

“So you pour the glue in the bowl,” Alan instructed.

“Done that, what's next?”

“Then you add a… what does that symbol mean?”

I glanced at his phone. “Tablespoon.”

“One tablespoon of baking soda.” We both dumped that in the glue.

“A couple of drops of food colouring.” We both added green, him because he wanted to make fake snot, me because I wanted it to look like Slimer had been visiting.

“Now we add one or two tablespoons of the contact lens solution and mix.”

“Better add just one first,” I suggested, “if it’s anything like baking it's always better to start with less and add more.”

“Yeah, it says the more you add the sloppier it gets.”

We dumped in a spoonful each and mixed...and mixed...and mixed. I added a little more but wanted more of a thick consistency, he added a whole tablespoon more as he wanted ‘the whole slime experience’.

“No we have to knead it,” he instructed me.

“O...K” I didn't like the sound of that. I thought I'd just be mixing, not getting my hands in it. I poked the goo with a finger. “It’s cold!”

Alan, being Alan, just dived right in, sticking both hands in the bowl.

“Coool,” he grinned, squishing the gooey mixture so that it oozed out from between his fingers. “This is so weird.”

I was a little more delicate. I pushed my finger in knuckle deep and felt around. I don’t know what for or what I hoped to achieve. It was like poking barely set jelly, it left a bit of a dent and closed over my finger like it was sucking it in. “Ewwww.”

“This is great!”

“I don’t like it.” I wiggled my finger around in the slop then withdrew it, feeling the stringy strands stick to my skin. “Ewwww.”

“I love it!”

“You would, you gross little munchkin.”

“You gotta get your whole hand in there, don’t be shy.” He slapped his sticky hand down on top of mine, smaming it into the ick. I screamed. It was disgusting.

“You horrible little worm!”

“Wiggle your fingers!”

“No!”

“Do it!”

“No!”

“Dare you.”

“Dammit.” I wiggled and shuddered in revulsion. “It’s horrible.”

Alan was kneading his like he was making bread, putting in far more effort than he had that time we made pizza dough. I glanced into his bowl and yes, it was looking far better than mine was.

“Urghh I’m gonna have to do it, aren't I?” I took a deep breath and stuck both hands into the bowl. “Yuck, yuck yuck, yuck, yuck,” I chanted as I smacked and punched at the mess. Slowly but surely, it came together, becoming far less sticky and turning into a silky smooth substance that, I hated to admit, was actually quite satisfying to play with.

“You’re having fun, aren't you?” Alan grinned.

“I admit nothing,” I sniffed, though he was right and he knew it. I picked up the mess and pushed the bowl aside.

If he was treating it like dough, so would I. I dumped it on the counter and began to knuckle it, pulling and stretching with my hands, just as I would to add air to bread. Suddenly seized by the unholy urge to whip I, I grabbed hold of one end and flung my hand back, whipping it forwards to stretch out the slime and splat against the counter. OK, that was actually pretty cool.

“I wonder if this bounces?” I balled it up again and dropped it onto the counter top where it landed with a wet splat, flattening into a puddle.

“Coooool,” Alan whistled, doing the same to his, although his was a lot sloppier and spread across the counter. Mine looked more like a fried egg, his was like spilt juice.

“Oops,” he tried to pick it up but it was far too slippery, sliding between his fingers and plopping out of his hand.

I helped by grabbing a spatula from the utensils pot and trying to pick it up like it was a pancake. It didn't work. Strings of goo slid between the slats of the spatula and dripped downwards.

“Grab the bowl!” I yelped and he held it underneath to catch the run off. I scraped the spatula against the side of the bowl and peeled the last, stubborn bits off and flicked them into the bowl along with the rest.

“What are we actually going to do with this stuff?” I asked him.

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ve got plans,” he grinned.

“I don’t like the sound of that,” I groaned. “Just please, keep me and John out of it, he doesn’t need the extra stress, he already has to put up with me.”

***

I was sensible with my weird goo, I added a few drops of essential oil having found, much to my amazement, that it actually was quite relaxing to squish it and play with it. I found myself taking it out of it’s tub frequently that evening while we watched a movie, smoothing out the cool jelly, kneading it in my palm and squeezing it until it smushed in between my fingers. The soothing scent of lavender wafting up to fill my nose.

“OK,” John said after watching me for quarter of an hour. “I’ll bite, what do you have there?”

“Slime, I made it with Alan,” I held out my hand and dropped the ball of eww into his palm.

The look of disgust on his face was everything.

“Squish it,” I instructed.

“Squish it?”

“Yeah, like this,” I plonked my hand down on top of his and mashed the goo between our fingers.

“That is the most revolting thing I’ve ever felt in my life.”

I pulled my hand away from his, the slime clinging desperately for a few seconds, stretching between our hands before it gave way and boinged back into one mass in his palm.

"I don't like it," he poked it with one finger.

“It’s not that bad, it’s actually quite ni-”

A pained yelp and then a bellow that sounded like an enraged bull echoed around the villa.

“That sounded like Scott,” I gasped, sitting up.

Scott skidded into the lounge, face like thunder, naked apart from a towel wrapped around his waist.

“What the hell happened?” I asked in shock. “What happened to your head?” I got up to look closer, seeing that a red bump was rapidly forming between his eyebrows.

“I was going to take a shower, but no water came out. I turned the water up higher and something green oozed out of the holes and then the whole shower head popped off and clonked me on the head.”

I bit my lip, trying hard not to laugh.

“What do you have there?” Scotts eyes narrowed, zeroing in on John’s hand where he still held the slime.

“Run!” I yelped and John, pulling on his old track and field days, leapt off the couch and ran for the door, grabbing my hand as he went and towing me after him. It was safer to hide in the bedroom.

Apparently Scott wasn’t the only victim of the slime pranks. Alan had gotten rather creative. He had sneezed goo on Gordon and had mixed up a new batch that included peas and chopped up carrots and was a lovely yellow colour which he had dropped on the floor of Two’s cockpit at Virgil’s feet after making a series of increasingly violent retching noises. Jeff has yet to discover that there is blue slime in the soap dispenser in his bathroom. I dread to think where else it’s going to turn up. But what I do know is that Alan had better avoid Scott for the next few days, because that’s going to leave a bruise.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

Imagine...Dean Saving You In Prison (Part 2)

Pairing: Prisoner!Dean x lawyer!reader

Word Count: 2,500ish

_______

“Alright, Dean,” you said. You set your box down on the table in the visitors room you were working out of. Dean watched as he happily sipped on his soda, taking a bite of his burger. “How’s lunch?”

“Awesome,” he said with a thumbs up, wiping off his hands. “So what do you got?”

“Well first off, we can only get you a new trial if we discover new evidence,” you said.

“Double jeopardy,” said Dean.

“Exactly. Now your defense was screwed from the start because it’s quite obvious your own lawyer thought you did it. You had no alibi, the murder weapon, with your prints, was found at your home. All they were missing was the nice little bow on top. Motive. You had none,” you said. “But it was more than enough.”

“None of that has changed,” he said.

“True. But I don’t like a case lacking motive. It’s sloppy. I want us to take a look at who would have had a motive for killing John Wiles,” you said. “I know it’s only been a few days but I narrowed it down to these three people.”

“That’s already more effort than the other guy ever gave,” said Dean.

You slid your three folders in front of him, Dean tapping one.

“Marcus Porter. I know him. I used to work with him and John at a garage when I was straight out of high school,” said Dean. 

“You friends?”

“On Facebook, bump into each other at the bar every once in a while but not really,” said Dean.

“He ever ask about your personal life? Work hours? Relationships? Activities?” you asked.

“We would shoot the shit. I guess that stuff would come up. Why?”

“He was learning your schedule, Dean. He knew when you wouldn’t be home so he could plant the weapon,” you said. 

“My house wasn’t broken into though,” he said.

“Also true. But you just told me you would meet up at the bar every once in a while. He could have stolen your keys, made an imprint of your house one, and slipped it back in your pocket without you noticing,” you said.

“So...why me? Marcus and I weren’t best friends but we got along,” said Dean.

“It likely wasn’t personal. You were probably the easiest fall guy in his opinion,” you said. Dean ran his hand through his hair, staring at the folder. “Having someone to look into really helps, Dean. No one is perfect when it comes to this. They can plan and plan but at a certain point, they have to take some kind of risk. We just have to figure out what that was for him.”

“What if he didn’t slip up though?”

“We’ll find something, I promise.”

Three Weeks Later

“Hello, De-“ you said, stopping short when you saw the black eye. “What happened?”

“Oh, you know me. Always so popular with the other boys at recess,” he said.

“The douche from the riot,” you said.

“Yeah. He’s in solitary for a few days so at least I get a break. I’m getting nervous to be honest. I don’t think next time it’s gonna be just a few punches,” he said.

“Punch a guard,” you said.

“Excuse me?”

“Punch a guard. You’re safe in solitary and I feel like we are so, so close to getting a retrial. Do that until I can get you some privacy. Blame it on me, alright?” 

He nodded and you pulled out your box again, Dean smiling wide when you set a piece of pie down in front of him.

“Anyone ever tell you you’re the best lawyer ever?” he asked.

“You, pretty much every time I see you,” you laughed. “Okay so I think I found fifteen minutes in Marcus’ alibi.”

“Fifteen minutes? Y/N, that’s not-“

“Why do you think I’m in my athletic stuff? I’ve been up all night running around town,” you said. “During the day, it’s impossible because of traffic but the middle of the night, if he took Conklin, it’s all greens and he has plenty of time to kill Wiles, and plant the weapon before you got home from work. I know how he did it.”

“Awesome. Now how do we prove it?”

Two Weeks Later

“Relax,” you said, fixing Dean’s tie for him.

“Last time I wore this suit, I went to prison,” he said, scratching at his cuffed wrist.

“Dean. All we have to do is bait him. He’s gonna take it,” you said. “We got the judge to let us put him up on the stand. He’ll take the bait.”

“I know. I would really like to not go back to prison tonight is all,” he said. You gave him a smile, Dean grabbing your hand when you started to gather up your things. “Y/N. No matter how it goes today, thank you for everything.”

“You stopped someone from hurting me. We are more than even, Dean. Let’s go win so I can take you out for some pie,” you said.

“Okay. Okay. Let’s do this.”

“He’s not cracking,” whispered Dean when you walked back over to the table.

“Yes, he is,” you said, grabbing a picture off of the table. “Mr. Porter. Can you identify what this is?”

You walked over and held up the imagine, Marcus glancing at the judge. 

“Your leash is getting shorter, Ms. Y/L/N,” said the judge to you.

“Please answer the question,” you said.

“A bloody knife?” said Marcus. 

“It is the murder weapon that killed John Wiles,” you said. 

“Okay?” he said.

“Mr. Porter can you tell me what this is a picture of,” you said, holding up another.

“A dead guy,” he said.

“Let the record show I am holding up evidence photographs 1B and 1E. Now, Mr. Porter, it’s quite clear from the photograph and the autopsy report that Wiles died from several stabbing wounds. Something is a bit funny though which is why I need your help. You see, these stab wounds are on the front of the right side of Wiles’ torso.”

“Ms. Y/L/N, I suggest you get to your point and quickly,” said the judge.

“Mr. Porter, I’m not a detective but why would a right handed man stab someone with his left? You know what? We’ll come back to that,” you said, smiling as you walked back to the table and grabbed the autopsy report. “According to the coroner's findings, the angle of the wounds indicate an upward slicing motion starting left and moving right. Now if I’m holding a knife in my right hand, why would I do that? Why take the risk of using such a poor angle when I could have easily moved a few feet to my right and gotten a much better hit? We’ll come back to that one too.”

You went back to the table again, the room much tenser as you grabbed the plastic bag with the murder weapon.

“This knife was used to kill Mr. Wiles. It has his blood on it and Mr. Winchester’s fingerprints. These are facts. This knife was taken from Mr. Winchester’s kitchen. He admits it was missing from his butcher block. Also a fact. As the owner of the knife, it makes sense we would see these prints. What doesn’t make sense is why a right handed man angled his knife the way a left handed person would. That’s a little odd. What doesn’t make sense is how a right handed man would even strike with this knife at this angle, especially in an intense moment. I’ve never killed anyone but I think you want to know you’re going to hit your target. That’s also a little odd. Then there’s the timing. We all know the traffic headache that’s been going on over on highway 23 for three years now,” you said.

You glanced over at Marcus, giving him a smile.

“Mr. Winchester much like the rest of us, hates traffic and avoids the highway as much as possible. Except on Wednesday nights. You see, on Wednesday nights, Mr. Winchester goes to Paulie’s bar for a drink and to shoot some pool with his buddies from work. He always pays at the end of the night and credit card records will show he paid off his tab at 11:03pm on the night in question. He then proceeded to drive home. But Mr. Winchester took highway 23 home instead of side roads. Why wouldn’t he? It would be faster, even with the construction and single lane. So Mr. Winchester took the highway home. 

“He took the highway home, parked his car in his garage and went to sleep. We know for a fact that Mr. Wiles was killed between 11pm and 11:30pm. We know this because Mr. Wiles was also in the construction business. In fact, he was on the night crew working on the highway. It’s not a lot of time to kill someone if you think about it. So Mr. Winchester pays off his tab at 11:03, goes to the parking lot and then he has to get to Wiles’ home within 27 minutes and kill him. That’s plenty of time. If you aren’t Mr. Winchester. See, there’s no highway access anywhere near Wiles’ house. The lead construction crew member testifies that he saw Mr. Winchester’s vehicle that night, just before the night shift was set to start. It makes sense. It’s about a ten minute drive from Paulie’s to where the main construction was taking place. That’s 11:13. Let’s give Mr. Winchester a minute to actually walk out of the bar and get to his car. 11:14. Now we only got 16 minutes,” you said, turning towards the judge. 

“The next closest exit is eight minutes away. Eight minutes. 11:22. Mr. Winchester has eight minutes left to drive all the way back to Wiles’ on side streets and kill Mr. Wiles before his carpool buddy, Mr. Ericsson, will discover his body. Does anyone know how long it takes to drive from exit 9 to Mr. Wiles home? Twelve minutes on a quiet night. That’s 11:34. But John Wiles was discovered at precisely 11:30pm. Isn’t that a little odd too?”

“What is going on,” said Marcus.

“Where were you between 11:00pm and 11:30pm on the night of June 8th, 2018,” you asked.

“Excuse me?” said Marcus.

“Answer the question, Mr. Porter,” said the judge.

“At home with my wife,” he said.

“Yes, I see,” you said, pursing your lips. “Your wife says you took the dog out for a few minutes. 15 minutes in fact.”

“Yeah, I took him for a walk. He had to go to the bathroom,” he said.

“Well which is it? You were at home with your wife or you took your dog for a walk?” you asked.

“You didn’t give me a chance to say that I took him out,” he said.

“Oh. My mistake,” you said with a smile. “Mr. Porter, do you have any idea how close you live to Mr. Wiles?”

“A minute or two.”

“Just over a minute but I’ll be nice and give you the two. Now do you have any idea how close Mr. Wiles lives to Mr. Winchester?”

“No.”

“They live two minutes apart. Any idea how far to get to your house to Mr. Winchester’s? Using that math, four minutes. You were gone for fifteen minutes. Two to Mr. Wiles. Let’s say four to break in and kill him. Two to Mr. Winchester’s, three to plant the murder weapon and four back to your place. That’s your fifteen minutes Mr. Porter. I mean that’s pretty weird too isn’t it? I mean, the fact he owed you money and the fact your wife had to take your dog out to use the bathroom just an hour later despite you having just taken him are just little coincidences, right?” you asked with a smile. “You being left-handed is also completely coincidental, right?”

The whole room was quiet, Marcus staring you down. 

“I didn’t kill him. He did. His fingerprints are all over the murder weapon,” said Marcus, nodding towards Dean.

“Oh, we already addressed that Mr. Porter. You get tired of Mr. Wiles not paying you back? Or maybe it was the affair he was having with your wife,” you said.

“That has nothing to do…”

“Oh so he did have one with her? Mr. Porter, why didn’t you say something? Were you embarrassed? Felt like less of a man?” you asked.

“I am-“

“Well she had to go looking elsewhere. I bet that hit below the belt. Did you catch them in your bed? Did you catch another man with your wife in your bed?” 

“The slut-“

“I bet she even bragged about how much better he was at it. How pleasurable it was. How that was a real man.”

“I am a real man.”

“Real men are tough guys, they don’t get cheated on. They don’t settle for that shit.”

“I am a real man!”

“Oh are you?” you said, the judge saying something but you ignored it. “A real man that gets cheated on with the guy who took his money? It sounds like John Wiles was the real man. He got the girl, the money. I bet they even laughed about you behind your back.”

“He-“

“He took everything and you were left to sit there and be humiliated like the-“

“I showed him humil-“

“Oh yeah? How’d you show him? Cry to your mommy about it?”

“I killed the son of a bitch! That’s how I showed him!” shouted Marcus. You looked at the judge and smiled spinning around.

“No further questions your honor.”

“That was fucking awesome,” said Dean that afternoon, smiling wide as he ate a burger outside some hole in the wall joint.

“How’s it feel to be a free man?” you asked.

“Awesome. You were awesome up there. That was like some A Few Good Men shit up there,” he said.

“That’s what I was hoping for,” you said, Dean tilting his head back and enjoying the sun on his face. “I told you I had this.”

“I don’t know how you did it but whatever you want, it’s yours,” he said.

“Make some better friends for me,” you said, Dean chuckling.

“Yeah, I will definitely be doing that from now on,” he said. “But I’m serious, I owe you.”

“Buy me dinner,” you said with a shrug. “You’ve been flirting with me for weeks Winchester.”

“I think that can be arranged,” he smiled. “Y/N.”

“Mhm,” you hummed.

“Thank you.”

“Dean. You gotta stop with that.”

“Alright, alright. So where would you like to go to dinner tonight?”

“There’s this new place downtown that’s pretty good,” you said.

“Sounds perfect, sweetheart.”

_______

[glorifiedpigeon]

Fluffuary - The Dog Days

A Moxiety oneshot! Virgil gets messages from an old client with an absolutely adorable dog. He might be falling for him, just a little.

AO3

HappyPappy: Thanks for the hard work, Storm!!! I love it!💖🐶💖

PhobiaBrainstorm: No need to thank me, you already paid twice the sales price.

HappyPappy: Because you're totally underselling your work! These things are too amazing to be ten bucks a piece.

PhobiaBrainstorm: Well, it's nice to hear you say so. Thanks for picking my etsy store, hope you're satisfied.

HappyPappy: More than! Do you have a tipping system?

PhobiaBrainstorm: You already paid way more than you should've, I don't need any tips. Save your money for important things.

HappyPappy: Aww, fine, but only because I do need my money for treats for my little princess.

PhobiaBrainstorm: Your dog, right? Laney?

HappyPappy: Yes! She's who I got the squeaky toy for.

PhobiaBrainstorm: I thought as much. What kind of dog is she?

HappyPappy sent an image.

Virgil rolled his eyes, but he opened the image anyway. There, grinning at the camera, was a large golden retriever wearing a dazzling tiara. Behind the tiara, a man was leaning into the camera too, with big blue eyes, straw blond curls, and his face scrunched up. His tongue stuck out of a bit wobbly smile, and large round glasses were awkwardly perched on his face.

Hap was adorable. Virgil couldn't help but sigh, both fondly and wistfully. Nearly against his own common sense, he found himself typing a new message.

PhobiaBrainstorm: Be sure to send me updates on how your little princess likes her new dragon!

HappyPappy: No problem!

HappyPappy sent an image.

Virgil laughed as a picture of the big golden retriever sniffing a little stuffed cat with a treat pocket inside. The dragon was positioned right behind her, and she had yet to notice.

Virgil had made these toys for his own dog, at first, a powerful doberman whose bite was terribly destructive. He wanted something secure that wouldn't be destroyed so quickly. So he experimented with the cloth scraps of his old clothes until finally he had something Thunder would dismantle slower.

Then he made a lot of them, in various adorable patterns, and his brother suggested he sell them. After all, plenty of people had to be looking for shit like that. So he did- he made a little etsy shop and stocked up before he put each on his site to sell.

Then he met Hap, whoever he was. Hap had prefaced that he liked Virgil's ideas, but he was hoping for something a bit more suited for his princess, and he asked, ever so politely, if Virgil would be willing to make a dragon.

HappyPappy: See, Laney always gets so sad when her dragon gets broken- I was hoping you could make a more durable one?

Virgil had never sewn a stuffed dragon before, but he found himself really, really wanting to. So, he agreed to do so and began working on the little dragon.

He had told Hap as much, to which the stranger had responded with a slew of apologies for picking something Virgil had no experience in. Over the month it took for him to craft the little thing, he and Hap exchanged many messages. Hap would ask about his progress, then ultimately the conversation would turn into any number of topics.

Which was why Virgil whistled to Thunder and snapped a picture once he had his attention. Then he sent it to Hap.

HappyPappy: !!!!!!

HappyPappy: Oh my god, adorable!!

PhobiaBrainstorm: His name is Thunder.

HappyPappy: He's a big strong boy, isn't he!!! Give him some kisses!!!

Virgil smiled and leaned over. "Come on, Thunder, kisses."

Thunder, ever the secret glutton for affection, immediately put the full weight of his front onto Virgil's lap. Virgil kissed his head right between the ears a few times then leaned back and let Thunder kiss him back. He snickered and grimaced as Thunder slobbered across his face.

"Down, boy," Virgil chuckled, wiping his face with his sleeve. Thunder let Virgil push him off, then got bored of sitting next to his owner. He trotted out of the bedroom and back towards the living room. Virgil returned to his phone.

PhobiaBrainstorm: Kisses delivered

HappyPappy: Oh good!

Virgil smiled and typed out a farewell. If that had been the end of things, he wouldn't have been very surprised. Bummed, perhaps, Hap was a lovely conversational partner. But not surprised. Most of his business transactions were far less involved.

But the next day, Hap sent a picture of Laney sleeping with her new dragon toy. At the end of the week he sent a video of Laney playing fetch, running across a beautiful backyard to catch the little green dragon. A month later, and Virgil was talking to Hap more than he was talking to his brother.

Eventually, they shared their names. Virgil was more hesitant to give his, but Patton had been so patient and kind, he couldn't exactly refuse him for very long. Patton had even told him his name was beautiful.

The honest truth was that very, very quickly, Virgil's life became sewing, selling, and basking in Patton's digital company. He waited every day for Patton's messages, and messaged him back with the enthusiasm of a thirteen year old girl- really, Virgil had never behaved this way in the past. Nor had he ever opened up so quickly to anyone.

"This is the fifth time you've checked your phone in as many minutes," Logan, his older brother, commented. Virgil blinked and glanced up from the selfie Patton had sent of he and his dog.

"It hasn't been that often," Virgil protested, as he saved the image to his phone.

Logan just raised his eyebrows pointedly as Virgil began to type out a message. "Just who is this Patton Foster?"

"No one special, just like. A friend," Virgil said, shoving his phone back into his pocket.

"You seem a bit infatuated is all, so I thought I should ask," Logan said.

"I'm not infatuated," Virgil protested.

"If not, then I can only imagine something malicious is taking place. Your attitude has drastically changed, as has your behavior," Logan pointed out. Virgil flushed.

"Okay, I might be kinda infatuated. He's just… sunshine, you know? He's comforting," Virgil explained. He sighed and took a swig of his Italian soda. "I mean, you know me, L. I'm constantly thinking of ways the world could end right at this minute, but when I talk to him…"

"I understand, Virgil. He puts you at ease," Logan said with a soft smile. "I'm glad you've found someone to feel that way with."

"I just want to make him feel as wonderful as he makes me feel every day," Virgil sighed.

"Are you falling in love with a man you've never met?" Logan asked quietly. Heat bloomed in Virgil's face.

"I have no idea where you got that idea. How's the roommate situation going?" He abruptly changed the subject, but his brother merely rolled his eyes and allowed it.

"I have to interview three candidates this afternoon," Logan began, and he began to describe the three applications he'd received for sharing his apartment. Virgil let himself drift as his brother spoke, forgetting his shame.

But at the end of the day, he couldn't help but think about it. Over and over and over. A man you've never met.

HappyPappy: Hi Virgil!! How was your day?

HappyPappy sent an image.

Another selfie with his little princess. Virgil smiled at the silly face Patton was making. He whistled and Thunder ran up to him, barking happily.

"Ah, good boy! Were you good today?" Virgil asked, rubbing his hands into Thunder's fur. Thunder barked affirmative and Virgil laughed, bending down to accept a few kisses from his boy. Then he lifted his phone.

"Come on, Thunder, selfie time for Patton!" He hugged Thunder close and looked up into the camera.

PhobiaBrainstorm sent an image.

Phobia Brainstorm: Do you want to meet up?

HappyPappy: !!!!

HappyPappy: I'd love to meet you in person, Virgil!

Virgil grinned, and flopped onto his back, beginning to hash out details and travel options with his dear friend.

@tsshipmonth2020

[deliciousdetectivestranger]

Some Rudy snippets

Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes 2020

Rudy’s obnoxious jacket stood in stark contrast to Aiden’s usual somber getup of a dark long-sleeved shirt and darker pants. The cousins were engaged in an argument. “The whole point is to be subtle,” said Aiden. “It’s an undercover mission.” “I was born to stand out,” said Rudy. “Well, you’re going to die that way too, apparently.” Rudy shrugged. “Haters gonna hate.”

Rudy swallowed hard, clutching the outer edge of the chariot. “Can we take the stairs?” Beside him, Mini beamed, which made Rudy recoil a bit. “What is it?” he asked. “I like that you get scared.” “That makes you happy?” asked Rudy, inching farther away.

“So what’s this Mr. V like?” Rudy asked Brynne in a whisper. “Gotta adjust my attitude, you know? Am I going for charming? Rich? Rich and charming? Kinda weird? But, like, intellectually weird? Or—” “Silent?” suggested Aiden. Rudy paused, then tapped his own chin. “Yeahhh. Silent and brooding, like you! Okay, so give me some tips. Do you hate everyone, or is it more like an inward, self-loathing thing?” Aiden glowered. “I don’t hate anyone, but you’re proving to be the exception.” “Okay, so not an inward, self-loathing thing….”

“Are you saying the Sleeper left behind Horcruxes?” Aru demanded. “Yeah, I didn’t sign up for a Horcrux hunt,” said Rudy, looking around for the exit. Mini held out Dee Dee, blocking his way.

“We’re going to die here, aren’t we?” asked Rudy, collapsing against Aiden. “I can’t die like this! There’s things I haven’t seen! Music I haven’t listened to! I still don’t know what a microwave does!”

“That’s not fair!” Mini said. She stepped forward, holding up Dee Dee like a scepter. Behind her, Rudy’s eyebrows shot up. “You can’t just execute us because Rudy is a naga—” “Prince,” whispered Rudy. Then he looked at them innocently. “What? It’s the truth.” “He’s never done anything to you,” Mini said to Garuda. “It’s true.” Rudy nodded. “He can barely defend himself,” continued Mini. “Very true,” said Brynne. Rudy opened his mouth to protest. Aiden reached over and closed it.

The Pandavas regrouped, quickly catching their breath. Aru glanced over at Rudy to see that he was kneeling on the ground, rummaging around in his messenger bag. “Rudy, what are you doing?” demanded Aiden. “Go hide!” “No,” he said. The wooden eagle lay before him on the grass. He pulled out glowing stones with a glimmering mesh overlay—something that looked like the heart of the moon, and a chunk of quartz that wriggled as if it were alive. “Garuda thinks it’s broken, but I can fix it.” “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” asked Aiden. “Of course not!” said Rudy cheerfully. “Then why—?” “Because I’m the only chance you’ve got.”

Rudy had sat next to him, on the far side, despite Aiden pointing to the many empty chairs. “Nah, I’m good,” Rudy had declared, scooting closer. Now Rudy was snoring, his enchanted sleeping jewel in his lap and his cheek on Aiden’s shoulder. Aiden was careful not to disturb him as he adjusted Shadowfax.

“Where is everyone?” asked Aru. “The celestials are super into their time away from ordinary people,” said Rudy, grumbling. “It’s like they think they’re so much better than us just because they have a planet. Like, so what? I could make a planet out of all the jewels we have, but you don’t see me running off into space.” Aiden patted his back. “There, there, rich prince. I’m sorry there’s other rich people in the world.” Rudy sniffed. “It’s really hard.”

“I can’t die now! I haven’t seen enough of the world! I don’t know what Florida is!”

The five of them walked toward the entrance, dragging Rudy behind them as he swiveled his neck around and frowned. “What’s that?” he asked, looking at one of the soda machines outside the store. “A vending machine,” said Aiden. “What does it…��vend’?” asked Rudy. “Soda,” said Aiden tightly. “What’s soda?” “A drink.” “Can I try one?” asked Rudy. Aru had a brief but vivid image of Rudy after he’d downed a can full of sugar syrup, running in circles around the parking lot. Maybe everybody else had the exact same vision, because as one they responded with a resounding “NO.” Brynne looked at Aiden. “Can I knock him unconscious?”

Rudy clapped and started chanting, “Heist! Heist! Heist!”

“Nice,” said Rudy appreciatively. “Could you make me a blue blazer? I want something with tassels—” “Nope,” said Nikita. “Why not?” Aru asked. “’Cause she’s a life-ruiner,” said Rudy darkly. “She ruins people’s lives.” “Because I think red is more your color,” said Nikita flatly. Rudy perked up, then started preening again. “Oh. Well, obviously.” Aiden snorted back a laugh.

“WAHHHHH!” A huge piercing wail rose from Aiden and Rudy’s section. Nikita held her plant closer and glared at the boys. “I said quiet! You’re scaring this one!” A squat green potato-plant baby with one orange spike on the top of its head sat between Rudy and Aiden, howling. Rudy picked it up and bounced it in his hands. “It’s your fault!” he said to Aiden. “It liked chewing on the jewel, and you took it away!” “Because it could choke!” said Aiden, tossing one of Rudy’s shiny gems over his shoulder. “They’re plants!” “And that jewel could cut its roots!” said Aiden, snatching back the baby and awkwardly patting its spiky head. “Shh…” “You’re so controlling!” said Rudy, reaching for the plant baby. Aiden gripped it harder, giving Rudy his shoulder. “You’re reckless!” “Uh, boys?” tried Aru as the ground began to tremble. “Well you’re boring!” said Rudy. “At least I’m fun—” “Fun? Fatal? What’s the difference to you?” demanded Aiden.

Rudy stood frozen, still stunned. He flailed a hand at Aiden. “You can sing?” asked Rudy, awed. “Sometimes,” said Aiden cagily. “Wait, with my music and your voice—” Aiden winced. “Please don’t—” “We—” “No.” “Should start—” “Rudy. No.” “A BAND.”

“Weird,” Rudy said, poking the asphalt on the street. “You don’t use crushed stars in your pavement?” “Rudy, please get back on the sidewalk,” said Mini. “I’m exploring!” “You’ll be roadkill,” said Brynne. “It has a sort of decrepit charm to it,” said Rudy. “I’ll buy two streets. Who do I pay? Hello?”

“You’re my lead singer,” said Rudy proudly. “Nothing is happening to you.” “I’m also your cousin!” “Second priority, honestly,” said Rudy, but he smiled like he’d just won a prize.

Aru Shah and the City of Gold 2021

They found themselves standing outside a decrepit, musty tunnel. “Ugh, what is this place?” Aru asked, staring around her. “It looks abandoned.” “I think this used to be part of a train station in the Naga realm,” said Mini. “I remember Rudy mentioning something like this. “Oh yeah…” Aiden grimaced. “He once wanted to bring me here so we could take ‘edgy’ pictures for his album cover, Rudy Rocks: The Genesis of Rock.” “He’s in a band?” asked Kara. “I mean, he thinks so,” said Aiden.

Brynne aimed a cloud of steam at the being just as Mini threw off the invisibility sheet. Aru cast her lightning-bolt net. There was a sizzling crack and a howl of pain before a familiar voice shouted, “Again with the demented rope? Really, Shah?” The Potatoes raced forward, and when the fog from Brynne’s attack cleared, Aru spied a garish tie-dyed denim jacket, blinding-white sneakers, and a familiar smirk. Pinned beneath Aru’s net, Prince Rudra of Naga-Loka managed a weak wave. “Sup, fellow Potatoes?” said Rudy.

Rudy, what are you doing here?” asked Aiden. He bent down to hoist the naga off the ground, but Rudy batted away his hand and leaped up, dusting the shoulders of his jacket and pretending like nothing had happened. “That’s a nice way to greet your closest living relative,” said Rudy. “You’re not my only cousin, Rudy,” pointed out Aiden. “I’m the only one who matters.” Aiden groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, which he did a lot whenever he was with Rudy.

“I meant the unconscious chick,” said Rudy. “That’s your first question about her?” demanded Aiden. “She’s not a chick,” said Aru. “A chick is a flightless baby bird, and Kara’s got a sunlight trident….” “And she’s smart and has a ridiculous vocabulary,” said Mini. “And exceptional fighting skills,” added Brynne grudgingly. Rudy frowned. “I wasn’t calling her a bird. I was calling her a chick, like, ‘Cute or Handsome being of Indeterminate origin who might Consider Killing you.’ You know. A chick.” The Potatoes stared at him. “So, what’s this chick’s name?” asked Rudy. “You keep using that word…” said Aru. “I do not think it means what you think it means.”

“See that?” Rudy talked, puffing out his chest a bit. “I’m officially on guard duty, which proves that my family thinks I deserved an upgrade in responsibility. I mean, even I lost count of how many times I saved your lives on the last quest. My parents are calling me by my full title now: Prince Rudra of Naga-Loka, Heir of the Jewel-Strewn Seas. And I even have facial hair.” Rudy angled his face up and Aru saw a single sad hair beneath his nose. “Last time I saw you, your mom called you ‘Baby Snekky-Snake’ and carried you into a fountain,” said Mini with a little edge to her voice. Aru snickered. “Also, that is a hair,” said Aiden. “That’s because I had to shave the rest! It was getting unruly!” Rudy scowled. “And my mom was using my DJ name then….” “DJ Baby Snekky-Snake?” asked Aiden. “The music industry is crowded—I need to distinguish myself,” grumbled Rudy.

“C’mon. I’ll take you back to the palace, and you guys can shower.” Rudy paused, sniffing the air and frowning. “On second thought, you have to shower. You smell like rancid potatoes. And you look—” One glare from Aiden and Rudy coughed loudly. “Tired,” he continued.

Rudy went to the elevator and blocked Mini and Aru from entering. “I…I was hoping I could come and help out?” said Rudy, looking straight at Mini. “Seriously. Tell me what to do!” “You can start by getting out of my way,” said Mini, bored. “I mean, yeah, sure, but what else?” said Rudy, staying put. “I’m a prince….” Mini raised an eyebrow, as if saying So? “And my parents are good friends with Lord Kubera! If something goes wrong, I can totally help smooth it out! And I know you’re down one person because of the unconscious girl, so I can fight in her place. Or I could just watch over her and make sure she’s safe while you guys fight?” “Fine. You can come with us,” said Mini, flipping her hair and pushing past Rudy. “But while you may be a prince, I’m a demigod. So let’s just remember who’s the boss.”

“Looks like we’re in the right place,” said Brynne. “Wrong,” murmured Rudy, whipping on a pair of shades. He flipped up the collar of his jacket. “There’s nothing right about this climate for my skin. I could shrivel up here. Look! My scales are dulling already!” “You’ll be fine. I’m pretty sure Dee Dee offers both UVA and UVB protection,” said Mini with a fond glance at her Death Danda. “Now what do we do?” asked Brynne. “I bet the second we remove the shield, the eye will go straight for the House of the Sun, and we don’t know what will happen.” “My mustache…” groaned Rudy. He patted the single lonely hair on his upper lip. “It’s wilting.” “Here, lemme see?” asked Aiden. Rudy turned to him. “Oh good, you can help me, though I don’t know how, considering there’s nothing on your face except—” Quick as a flash, Aiden grabbed Rudy’s mustache hair and yanked it out. “OW!” said Rudy, clapping his hand over his mouth. “What did you do?” “I put it out of its misery,” said Aiden. “And maybe now I can say the same thing for us.” Rudy glared at him. “You’re a monster!”

Rudy fell backward onto one of the clouds and flapped his arms as if trying to make a snow angel. “Very nice quality,” he said. “At least twelve-hundred-cloud count. I wonder where they got this. I heard only Airavata can make clouds this soft, but he’s very particular about who gets his product.” “Maybe it’s a knockoff,” said Rudy haughtily. “It’s not,” said an unfamiliar voice. Rudy scrambled so fast to get out of the cloud that he fell on the floor.

“I understand that,” said Rudy solemnly. “At least, I did, before someone ripped off my mustache out of jealousy.” “It was a hair,” Aiden said with a sigh. “There would’ve been more!” said Rudy. “Eventually.” Brynne swatted both of them.

“My father will hear about this!” shouted Rudy.

“We need the gods’ favor!” said Aru loudly. “DEAR GODS, I PROMISE I’LL DONATE ALL OF—I MEAN, MOST…WELL, DEFINITELY SOME OF MY TREASURE!” hollered Rudy. “What a sacrifice!” snarked Brynne.

“I don’t want to fall to my death!” moaned Rudy. “Probably impossible, since this is the fall that won’t end,” said Mini serenely. “You’re much more likely to die of dehydration or starvation. Or you might get hypothermia and freeze to death.” “WHAT?!” screamed Rudy.

A loud trumpeting caught their attention, and Aru turned to see Rudy standing in front of Airavata. The naga was draped in clouds, and it kind of looked like Airavata had knitted him into a giant meringue. Airavata made a happy rumbling sound, then patted the top of Rudy’s head with his trunk. “Look upon me and despair, mortals!” he said. “I’m ready to fight in my new cloud armor.” Mini giggled. Brynne glared at him. “You look like a deranged cake topper.” Rudy ignored her, and swept a bow in Kara’s direction. “Hi, I don’t know if you know this, but I’m a prince—” Kara frowned, looking confused. “Kara, Rudy, Rudy, Kara,” said Brynne tersely. “Kara, ignore Rudy.” Rudy scowled.

Urvashi opened her arms to Aiden, her nephew, and he embraced her. Rudy, who looked starstruck by the sight of Urvashi, followed him. “Uh, I’m related to Aiden…. Can I have a hug, too?”

Rudy raised his hand. “Um, can I leave now?” “NO!” said everyone at the same time. “I still don’t know what a microwave does,” said Rudy mournfully. “And now I’m going to die not knowing….” “Well, there’s always reincarnation,” said Mini brightly. Rudy whimpered.

“Uh, what’s going on with you guys?” asked Aiden. “Is it puberty?” whispered Rudy nervously. Aiden swatted him.

“Okay, what about my glow-up?” demanded Rudy, holding out a pocketknife. “HELLO?”

“I need some kind of sound blast,” Aru shouted to Rudy over the din. “Something that will knock the enemy back!” “I got’chu, Aru,” said Rudy. He rummaged through his backpack, then hauled out five bright-orange crystals and hurled them into the sea. Noise like the buzzing of a thousand insects filled the air. The Sleeper’s soldiers ducked, flailed, covered their heads, and ran from the sound, leaving one section of the ocean empty and calm. “Good work, Rudy!” said Aru. He grinned. “I’ll stay on noise control!” Rudy shouted. In a blink, he morphed into his naga form and slithered into the water.

“I’ve known this chick for exactly twelve hours,” announced Rudy, gesturing at Kara, “but I will happily destroy something on her behalf.” Kara scowled. “Chick?” “Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean what you think it does,” muttered Aru.

“Ooh,” said Rudy, holding up his phone to show the Potatoes his screen. “Hashtag-IStandWithThePandavas is trending number one on Chatter!” “What’s Chatter?” asked Aru. “It’s like Twitter for the Otherworld,” said Aiden. “What’s Twitter?” asked Rudy. “A cesspit,” said Brynne darkly.

Except maybe Rudy. He seemed delighted with all the new attention. He walked backward, blowing kisses to the crowd through the glass walls of the hallway. People threw flowers on top of the tunnel. “THANK YOU! THANK YOU! FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA! MY INSTAGRAM HANDLE IS—” Mini sighed, grabbing Rudy’s arm and hauling him forward.

“It’s super fun to have an army. Very imposing. Plus, a great driver of tourism if you’re thinking about opening up an island resort or some such.” “Ooh!” said Rudy, perking up. “Yeah…That’s not exactly a priority at the moment?” said Aru. Rudy deflated.

“Like a Horcrux…” Rudy whispered under his breath. “Why do we always end up with Horcruxes?” “No one’s asking you to wear it,” said Aiden. “Oh, thank gods,” said Rudy, letting out a breath. “That chain would clash with all my outfits.”

Rudy decided to return to his parents’ palace. First he gave the Potatoes multiple, though somewhat unwanted, assurances that he’d find a way to see them every week. “I’m literally a hero,” said Rudy. “And I’m a prince. Who’s going to say no to me now?” He winked. Aru noticed that this time he wasn’t looking at her…but at Mini. Who didn’t seem to notice. Or, if she did, she acted like it didn’t matter.

Last week was Aru’s turn, so she’d made them watch Snakes on a Plane. By the end of it, Rudy was furious. “This is the most disrespectful and inaccurate thing I’ve ever seen,” he’d hissed. “We would never go on a commercial flight!” “Yeah, that’s definitely the biggest inaccuracy of the whole film,” said Aiden.

Rudy’s “posse” of naga friends—who kept getting distracted by products of human ingenuity, like staplers—

They all watched as larger pieces of the Boo egg fell away. “Awww,” said Rudy. “This looks just like my baby photos in the family album.” Everyone went silent. Rudy looked confused. “You guys weren’t hatched in two hundred days?” “No?” said Mini. “Humans are weird.”

It was somehow the best and worst game of Hot Potato between the Potatoes. It ended with Aiden and Rudy fighting over who got to hold the chick longer. “You already had your turn!” said Rudy, trying to wrench Baby Boo out of Aiden’s hands. “Gimme!” “You tried to feed him a diamond!” said Aiden. “I was just showing it to him! Everyone loves shiny things!” “It’s irresponsible,” said Aiden, bouncing Baby Boo in his hands. “Why are you the worst?” grumbled Rudy. “He’s going to like me more anyway when he grows up.”

Mini whispered to Rudy: “Say ‘And you have my bow.’” “But I don’t have a bow?” whispered Rudy. “Just say it. You know how Aru feels about Lord of the Rings.” “Can I have a bow after this?” asked Rudy. “No one else has one. I want my own weapon—” “YES, Rudy, we will get you a bow,” said Aiden. “Now just say the line.” “And you have my bow,” said Rudy smugly.

[lovelyirony]

"You found me crying on the kitchen floor in the middle of the night next to a broken jelly jar" and "my parents are coming over in 10 minutes please put some clothes on"

Helen Cho was the Perfect Student. Her notes were the stuff of envy, never had less than a B+ in any class, and always treated others around her with kindness. She was friends with Jane and Bruce, and then soon got absorbed into Bruce and Jane’s other friend group. 

There was just one thing that she couldn’t quite get an A in, and that was talking to her crush. 

Sharon Carter was the prettiest girl that Helen thinks she’s ever seen. With a brilliant smile, a very cute leather jacket, and combat boots, Helen could barely shape words to form a possible discussion.

Sharon also happened to be her neighbor, who liked to wave to Helen whenever she saw her, blasted music from her car, and was also friends with Maria, who Helen was getting closer to. 

So, interaction was unavoidable. 

“You could just say hi,”  Jane mentions. “You could definitely say a one-syllable word.” 

“I’d probably mess up and do something completely awful,” Helen moans. “Like maybe I’ll try to talk to her about weird things.” 

“That just means she learns more about you,” Bruce says, taking a sip of coffee. “But you can’t avoid her. Maria’s hosting a house party at hers tomorrow night, and you’re coming.” 

“I have homework!” Helen exclaims. 

“You’re ahead on the coursework,” Jane responds. “And you can do the history homework the morning of. It’s all about World War II, so you can ask Steve if you want help.” 

Helen agrees, although her mind is racing. 

Sharon, of course, looks great. She always does. Helen likes the blue shirt she has on, and the eyeliner. 

“You should tell her that,” Jane says. She’s been sipping on a drink for a while, trying to get the courage to talk to Thor’s new friend Valkyrie. “I think I’m going to ask Thor’s new friend about herself.” 

Helen circles the room and eventually gets waved over by Sam. 

“I was wondering when you would come over and talk,” he teases. “Listen, we need to settle a debate. What is your opinion on using sharp cheddar cheese on a cheeseburger?” 

“Don’t listen to him, he’s an idiot,” Sharon argues, laughing. She has a beautiful laugh. “He thinks that green bell peppers on pizza is good.” 

“It’s the texture!” Sam yells. 

“They taste gross,” Helen agrees. “Plus, sharp cheddar can overpower the burger. But are we talking grilled at home or restaurant?” 

“Restaurant.” 

“Depends on the other things they put on it,” Helen says. “If they put on everything, then it’s okay. But if it’s just that, it’s a shit burger.” 

“See?!” Sharon exclaims. “Helen gets it, which is why she’s the coolest person here.” 

Helen finds it easier to talk to her after that. Even if she does stutter a little bit when Sharon sits closer to her on the couch when Maria shows up and they start settling down for the night. 

Helen and Sharon listen to Tony tell some wild tale about some of his engineering society buddies and the newest project. 

“Rhodey couldn’t be here, but listen…” 

The stories divert to different people, and Helen listens as best she can before the sleep hits her. 

“You falling asleep?” Sharon asks. Helen nods. 

“Just a little bit. I can get up to get some soda…” 

“Eh, it’s too comfy for you to move,” Sharon says, smile easy. “Here, just use my leg. Sam! Pass me a blanket.” 

Helen is kind of freaking out. She sends a raised look of slight panic to Jane, who laughs from her position nearly on Valkyrie’s lap. 

“That’s all you, Cho.” 

“What do you mean, Jane?” Sharon asks. 

“Nothing!” Helen says. “Just something that we talked about earlier. It’s nothing.” 

“Interesting,” Bruce says, smiling. He’s cuddled into one of Thor’s arms, completely content. “Carry on.” 

Sharon smells like mint. Helen likes it. She thinks maybe that she could stay there for forever. 

She gets woken up by Sharon over her. 

“Hey, time to wake up.” 

“Why?” Helen asks sleepily. “It’s comfy. You’re comfy.” 

“I’m givin’ you a ride home, sweetheart. Up you go.” 

Sharon’s car is comfortable. Helen nods off on the passenger seat. Sharon looks very pretty in the low street light. Her hair looks nice. 

Helen sways as she gets out, smiling goofily. 

“Bye, Sharon. Love you.” 

Sharon laughs, and waves. 

Helen wakes up and realizes she said that. Which, in the grand scheme of things, is not a big deal. People say that all the time. 

But it’s Sharon, who looks very good all the time and oh god she also told her that she was comfy who says that?????? 

At school, things are better. Sharon teases her about it. 

“So, you get very interesting when you’re sleepy.” 

“Oh god,” Helen groans. “I’m sorry if I said anything that was weird.” 

“Nah, you’re cute when you’re sleepy.” 

Helen’s face turns a bright red, and she has to bend down in her locker in order to avoid Sharon seeing the entirety of that comment’s effect. 

Jane is at her locker next, smiling. 

“You’re so whipped. It’s hilarious.” 

“Well so are you with Val!” Helen says. 

“Yeah, but she knows about it. And I’m completely fine with that, really, it leads to so many good things like–” 

“No!” Helen says. “Do not wanna hear it!” 

“I was gonna say dates but I see what you’re thinking,” Jane says, laughing. “But seriously, talk to her.” 

They actually do talk more. Sharon comes to more events, and Helen becomes more comfortable chatting with her. She’s really funny, honest, and they have the same taste in humor. 

This all culminates to the end of the school year. There are finals, and Helen is stressed. She really puts her all into tests, because she wants to get the best possible score for the best possible scholarships. 

Studying does hard things to you, it really does. Helen’s been stressing about her chem exam, because the teacher didn’t mention a lot and what if she fails and then her college tells her that she’s a gigantic failure who should just live in obscurity possibly in the middle of Vermont–

She breaks a jelly jar. 

Her parents are gone, and there’s no one there, and she broke a jelly jar. 

There’s a knock on the door. Helen doesn’t know who it is, but she peeks through the blinds. 

She knows it’s Sharon, and she looks a mess, but she just really needs someone to help her. 

“Honey, what’s wrong?” Sharon asks, bringing Helen into a hug. 

“I just…I’m too stressed. I worked up too much about tests and now I-I’m going to f-fail and no college will w-want me!” Helen says, tears forming. “And I broke a j-jar and I can’t remember where my dad put the broom, and–and–” 

“It’ll be okay,” Sharon says, smoothing tears away from Helen’s face. “Let’s go find the broom, okay?” 

They clean it up, and Helen sits as Sharon sits by her. 

“I’m sorry,” Helen says. 

“You have nothing to apologize for, you know that. I’m just happy I was here to help.” 

Helen leans against her, and Sharon presses a kiss to her forehead. 

“I’ll help you study next time. You do great things, Helen. You care so much for people, and you know that you’re good at school. Anyone would be lucky to have you, and everyone else will be jealous.” 

They don’t get together then. Sharon looks like she might almost kiss Helen, and maybe she would’ve. But Helen has to bid her a goodnight. 

Sharon actually asks Helen to the spring dance. She gives her a sweet sign, candy, and asks her if she wants to have coordinating outfits. 

“How do you mean?” 

“Matching colors,” Sharon says. “I was thinking about wearing a suit, but what were you thinking about wearing?” 

She’s not going to lie: Helen’s brain short-circuited for more than a few moments. Sharon in a suit…that’s a powerful image. 

“What color would you want?” 

They decide on blue. It’ll be cute. Jane grins widely as she drags Helen to different stores. 

“I don’t even know what I’m wearing, but I’m making sure you look so cute that you’ll make her fall into your arms.” 

“I think I’d fall over.” 

“Nah, love makes you strong. Now come on, I think I found a dark blue dress for you.” 

Helen loves the dress. She can’t stop twirling and practicing poses, and her mother loves it. 

Sharon won’t show her the suit until the day of. 

And it’s great. The sleeves are rolled at the elbows, and she’s paired it beautifully with red lipstick. 

“You look great,” Helen says, smiling. 

They take pictures together, and she can’t stop the little thrill that goes through her when Sharon holds her waist just a little bit tighter. 

The dance is fantastic. Some head over to Tony’s, and then Helen and Sharon head over to Sharon’s for a sleepover. 

It ends up being a bit sleepless. 

“I can’t believe you look so amazing every day I see you,” Sharon murmurs. 

“What? Have you seen yourself?” Helen asks. “You look…amazing.” 

“Oh yeah?” 

“Yeah.” 

There’s a brief silence. 

“I’m just gonna say it,” Sharon says. “I really kind of want to kiss you right now because I like you. Is it mutual, or…?” 

“Get over here,” Helen breathes, grinning as Sharon starts kissing her. 

Sharon’s gotten Helen out of her dress before they hear a phone buzz. They stop, both checking. 

Sharon’s face pales. 

“My parents’ event got cancelled and they’ll be home in like two minutes. Get some clothes on!” 

Helen scrambles, and ends up wearing one of Sharon’s shirts and her old pajama shorts. 

“Hey girls,” Mrs. Carter says, smiling. “Good to see you, so sorry it’s early.” 

“No problem at all,” Helen responds sweetly. What event got canceled?” 

“Oh, a couple’s night at a bar,” she says. “It was trivia night.” 

“You could always do trivia at the bar down the street,” Sharon suggests. “Because they do it until, like, two a.m.” 

“Already trying to get rid of your mother?” Mrs. Carter responds. “What have you two been up to?” 

“Eh, nothing,” Sharon says. “Just got home, changing out of dance outfits. You know the drill.” 

They exchange a few more pleasantries, and then Helen nearly bursts out laughing. Sharon grins, crawling up to bed. 

“Well, guess the excitement is over for the night.” 

“I suppose you’re right,” Helen says, smiling. “But hey. There’s a new place downtown that’s supposed to serve killer shaved ice. Wanna come with me?” 

“Helen, I’ll go anywhere with you,” Sharon whispers, turning off the light. “Anywhere at all.” 

[zach-the-fox]

Furiends Episode 7: Broken with Power

It is a new day, and the friends gather once again. This time, their conference takes place at the Heroto Diner. They squeeze together in a round booth and get comfortable. After having washed off the last of the rainbow chemicals and rest from their time at the ruined laboratory, the gang finally chills without having to be in an eerie environment. Brook takes a big gulp of sweetened iced-tea as Emmy sips on her mug of hot, steaming coffee. Hatboy and Zach, on the other hand, hold soda in their grips. Carly is the only one focused on the activity she creates in her drawing pad.

“Ah,” utters Emmy, smiling. “This is nice: sitting in the diner and having a good meal.”

“I second that,” Hatboy replies, reflecting his expression. “Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned burger and some french fries.”

“I agree!” adds the purple rabbit. “It’s so much better with you guys, unlike those cold-hearted animals known as Team Rescuers.” She turns to Zach. “Sorry, didn’t mean to bring that up. No offense, you know…”

“None taken,” Zach tells her. “In fact, I’m happy to say I’m past all of that. You guys have helped me back on my feet and changed my life. You’re the greatest friends a fox could ask for.” She pats him on the back with a smile.

Emmy looks to the cat. “Carly, can’t you work on drawing another time? We’re at the table with our friends.” Carly scoots away slightly to ignore her. “Come on. Don’t be so-” The warthog pauses as she notices the people of the diner begin eyeing the gang. “Um, does anyone get the feeling something’s wrong here?” The others see what she means, observing the specters of the eatery.

Brook sees what she means. Her smile disappears. “Everyone is looking at us… Why are they looking at us like that?”

“We didn’t do anything,” Hatboy implies. “We’re just hanging out… Unless, they all think we’re weird because Zach is with us…”

“Maybe we should get out of here,” Zach suggests. “I feel like we’re attracting unwanted attention.”

“I second that,” Brook insists. “Besides, I’m feeling a little headache…” Everyone agrees, get out of their seats, and stand. Carly keeps her head in her sketchbook as she draws.

Hatboy places money down on the table before the whole gang exits out the diner. The eyes of the other animals follow them as they disappear, and remain fixed on them through the glass as the others distance themselves from the diner. “Okay, that’s so creepy,” he comments. “What is going on?”

The warthog halts beside the glass window of an electronic store, noticing her and her friends’ pictures on the screen mounted on the wall. “Guys, come look at the television right now…”

“Not now,” Carly says. “I’m working on something very-”

“We’re on the news!” the warthog interrupts. Everyone gathers by the screens and watches the news story.

“Welcome to Heroto News!” utters a well-dressed owl. “I am Helen Hooters with your regular news stories. We begin today with a warning to the town. Team Rescuers are advising us to be cautious of these five figures shown here. We’ve been told that they were at the old ruined Heroto Laboratory last night and are have been acting suspicious. Team Rescuers and police are urging residents to be cautious.”

Brooks remains fixed on the television. “What…? They think we’re suspicious? Suspicious of what? This is ridiculous…”

“We’re now going to turn to our breaking news,” the owl continues. “The Heroto orphanage had been ripped apart by a loud explosion. We go to you live on the spot with Camille Chicken.” The scene cuts to the orphanage building with a large hole in it and emergency services around the area.  

In front of the damaged structure stands a chicken in a trench coat. “Good morning, Helen. It is a surprising morning to everyone in Heroto as we have found the orphanage had been blown up in the early morning hours. Residents have informed the news team that they heard a loud “boom” last night around 4:20 a.m., and are calling it an act of terror. Team Rescuers had combed through the site to find evidence that it was, indeed, a terrorist attack, after finding pieces of explosive materials around the area. There have been only mild to moderate injuries, and everyone who was involved in the blast are expected to make a full recovery in the hospital. People have been informing us that they’ve seen five animals walking through town and suspect they are the culprits behind the attacks. Team Rescuers has advised us it’s the flawed fox and his freaky friends that hang about, but there is no word on whether they were the ones behind the attacks. This is Camille Chicken reporting to you from the Heroto Orphanage.”

“Thank you, Camille.” The shot returns to the owl. “Now, we’re unsure if these two events are related to each other, but it seems plausible at this time. Team Rescuers and police are urging caution. We now take you to Alan Hawk for the weather.”

“That can’t be good,” says Zach. “That can’t be good at all…”

“Indeed,” Emmy adds. “We better get out of here now before-”

“Flawed Fox and friends!” The gang turns to see Jay and the team appear before them. “You have made a grave mistake!”

“Oh, hello there, Team Rescuers,” utters Brook. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”

“Can it, Hops! We had suspicions you would, Flawed Fox!” Jay marches up to the fox. “I know you always loathed the orphanage, and it’s a good enough motive to get you arrested!”

“Hold on.” Carly stands between the two animals. “What makes you so sure Zach was the one who blew up the orphanage? He was with us the whole time.”

“Indeed, you were,” says Miffy. “You five have quite the nerve attacking poor, defenseless children!”

Carly turns to her quickly. “What?!”

“We weren’t the ones who attack the orphanage!” cries Hatboy. “We were all hanging out last night.”

“Yeah,” responds. “Hanging out by the old laboratory!” Hatboy flinches with fear. “You don’t think we know? You’re all in big trouble! You’re coming with us!” She reaches for Zach and grabs him. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this, Flawed Fox!”

“Get off of him!” Carly smacks the sheep with her sketchbook, causing her to fall back. She then charges toward them, but Hatboy pushes her aside, tossing her into a trashcan nearby.

Jay growls. “No one hurts my girlfriend!” He starts for the red rabbit, clawing at him and scratching his face. Zach steps in and extends his arm across Jay’s face, punching him in the mouth and knocking him away. “That’s it! I’ll kill you, Flawed Fox!” He charges for the fox, but then freezes within three meters of them as Brook stands in front and sticks out her leg, which connects with the area between his legs. The wolf covers his sensitive spot and stumbles to the ground.

Brook smiles. “I’ve always wanted to do that!”

“You’ve messed with the wrong group!” Kenji gets into his ready stance. “Prepare to face a master in martial arts!” Emmy stamps on the monkey’s foot, which causes him to lift and hold it before Zach quickly pushes him into the trash with Cindy.

“You criminals won’t get away with this!” As Miffy presses forward, Carly grabs her by the tail, yanks her, and spins her around. With enough momentum, he lets go and tosses her into a wall, where she’s stunned and dazed.

“Don’t ever mess with my friends!” Carly yells. The gang looks around as a crowd of angry citizens gather by them. “Uh… Uh oh…”

“Let’s get out of here!” Emmy shouts. Her and the others bolt away from the area with the mob. They run, faster and faster, as the yells and cries of the mob continue from behind them. The gang gets chased around blocks and corners. Eventually, they head down into a subway station and travel down the dim-lit tunnel. The gang continue down the line, then hide. When they no longer hear the cries and yells of the townsfolk, the friends stop and rest in place by the nearest station.

“Phew,” comments Brook. “That was close… Who would’ve thought people would become agitated quickly…?”

Zach turns to the others. “That was amazing… The way you all took on Team Rescuers…”

“You did well, too,” says Carly, smiling. “It was a nice punch against Jay. Did it feel good?” Zach nods.

“Friends always stick up for each other,” Emmy implies. “That’s what we do. It’s too bad that everyone, including Team Rescuers, will be after us, now…”

“That’s just great,” Hatboy starts. “Now the whole town thinks we’re terrorists…”

“W-what do we do now?” asks Carly. “We can’t go back to our homes… Team Rescuers will be waiting for us up there…” She sighs. “Great, now my mother will definitely kill me, if not Team Rescuers.”

“But we didn’t do anything!” Brook utters. “How could they blame us for something we didn’t do?!”

“I don’t know,” Zach responds. “They’re probably just blaming us because-” The fox pauses and holds his head. “Ugh!”

Carly moves closer to him. “You okay, Zach? What’s gotten into you?”

“My head,” the fox tells her. “I-it hurts so much! It’s like a hammer is banging on my skull a million times! My whole body’s aching, too!”

“You should take s-” The cat mirrors the fox’s move and flinches, trembling. “Ow! Ugh, I don’t feel so good…”

Emmy heads over to them with worry. “We should see if we -” The warthog pauses, then quickly kneels to the ground as she grudges her stomach. “A-ah! W-what is happening?! Why does my body ache so much?!” Soon, the rabbits join them in agony as pain fill their minds, bodies, and senses. All they could do is endure it, with no help or relief. The friends moan, groan, tremble, grit, and clench as their suffering continues. Half of them lie on the ground as the rest lean against the wall, wishing it would all stop. And then, just like that, the torture ceases.

“W-what just happened?” asks Zach, getting off the wall. “What was all of that about?”

“Ugh,” Hatboy stands from the concrete ground, still holding his head. “Why do I feel so strange? I feel like a fly that’s been squished.” Light encompasses the red rabbit as he changes form. His entire body morphs into a giant black fly. Everyone stares at him with gaping eyes and mouths. “Why is everyone looking at me like that?”

“Holy!” Carly points at him. “You’re a giant fly!”

“What?” Hatboy looks down at his paws, which are the limbs of an insect’s. “What the?! What’s happened to me?!” He pulls out his phone, looking into the camera’s selfie function. “I’m a fly?! Ah! Change me back! Someone!” Just like that, he returns to his normal self. “Uh…”

“Oh my god!” Zach yells. “How did you do that?!”

“I don’t know… I just said I was a fly… I have transformation abilities?!”

“Hold on!” Carly puts his paws on the area between her legs. “I have to use the bathroom real bad!” She runs away fast, then returns within five seconds. “Phew.” Everyone stares at her in bewilderment. She looks at her friends before reflecting their expressions. “Oh my! Did I just run to the bathroom and back in a matter of seconds?! Wait a minute…” She pulls out her sketchbook, and within a few seconds, she fills the entire page with her speed. “Whoa…”

“You have super speed!” exclaims Brook. “That’s so cool!” She looks down at her paws to examine them. “I feel a little tingly in my paws… I wonder what happened to me…” She extends her arm out to Hatboy. He starts glowing bright light blue before being hoisted in the air. Brook’s arm conducts him high. “Whoa! I’ve got telekinesis! Cool!” She takes back her arm, dropping the red rabbit. “Oops, sorry, Hats.”

Emmy holds her head. “I feel a little light…” Suddenly, she vanishes into thin air.

“Oh!” Carly juts. “Emmy, where’d you go?!”

“I’m right here!”

Carly looks around frantically. “Where?!”

“Here!” The warthog reappears in front of her. “I’ve been standing her the whole time! Didn’t you see me?!”

Carly stares at her in surprise. “No… You just disappeared, then reappeared!”

Emmy thinks hard about it, causing her to disappear and reappear again. Her expression turns to reflect the cats. “I-I have invisibility… That’s insane!”

Zach looks down at his body. “Why does my body feel strange…?” Everyone looks toward the tunnel at the sound of a horn, seeing a railroad car speeding toward them Everyone but Zach jumps out of the way. The fox extends his arms out to the metal vehicle and shuts his eyes tightly. The train slams into him and pushes him along the tracks, but then slows to a halt. Zach opens his eyes to see the subway stopped in its tracks as he holds it out in front of him. The others come out of hiding, looking at the fox with shock. Zach himself examines the work that he’s done. “Oh… My… God…” He then pushes the cars in the opposite direction with great force. “I’ve got super strength… I… Whoa…”

“We have super powers,” concludes Hatboy. “That’s incredible… How did we get super powers?”

Zach gasps, tracing his thoughts back to the event that lead up to this point. “The chemicals from the laboratory! The rainbow liquid that washed over us! That’s how we’ve got them!”

“I’m down with that,” Brook says. She pushes the empty cans with her telekinesis. “Man, this is “super” cool. We’re like superheroes!”

“Hm.” Carly puts her paw on her chin. “That actually gives me an idea. We should start our own little super gang with our new abilities. We can blow Team Rescuers out of the water and show Heroto what real heroes are. We’d be better than them.” Everyone hesitates with her suggestion, but then soon come to an agreement on it.

“Just one question,” adds Emmy. “Where are we setting up our base of operations? We’re wanted by the whole town, and I’m pretty sure Team Rescuers will be out looking for us.”

“We can hide down here, actually,” Zach implies. “There’s an abandoned subway terminal just down the line on the third set of tracks. Been abandoned for years, and no one ever uses it.”

“Ooo!” Brook smiles. “I like the sound of that! Very interesting! Wait, how the heck do you know about that?”

“When I was with Team Rescuers, we intercepted Capital Corp using the tunnel, but we – I mean Team Rescuers – battled and pushed them out.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” Carly tells him. “We should get our things if we’re going to set up down here.”

“And how are we going to do that with Team Rescuers and the townspeople above us, waiting to hurt us?” Hatboy queries.

“We’ll go at night,” Emmy suggests. “That way no one can see us. Carly can use her superspeed and I have invisibility, which means we’ll get everything down here quickly.”

“Yeah, that’ll work. First thing’s first, though.” Brook looks at Zach. “Lead us to the abandoned station, Zach. I’d love to see that.”

“It’s right this way.” Zach traces the third track down into the tunnel with the gang following him. “It’s going to be a bit of a long walk, but since no one comes down here, it should be safe enough to hide in.”

Emmy has her hoof on her chin as she follows the fox. “I’m starting to grow skeptical of Team Rescuers…”

@carlycmarathecat​ @emmy-the-absolute-goof​ @bendy-bear-15​

[niiwa-angel]

Coming Home

//This is a prequel to Late At Night, a Halbarry story I wrote and posted on both tumblr and ao3, you can find me on Tumblr under niiwa-angel or on a03 as Niiwasong for any requests. This story will contain mentions of violence, medical procedures, and mentions of underage nudity though nothing sexual, and pedos can gtfo. As well, I am not a doctor so im relly just making up procedures from what makes sense to my uneducated mind and what I saw on Grey's Anatomy. If i’m wrong just take it with a grain of salt. And don’t be scared to reblog and like. :p //

Hal collapsed on the sofa next to his boyfriend with a tired sigh, he stretched one arm around Barry’s shoulders and nestled the bowl of popcorn between them. Barry laughed and continued to scroll through netflix without sparing a glance at his partner.

“Look, this is the first movie night we’ve had in three very long months. I am not half assing our entertainment with some crappy half cooked comedy!” Barry exclaimed, drawing a theatrical moan from Hal.

“Babe, there was nothing wrong with Spaceballs! It’s a wonderful comedy, you like that movie!” he said, with a tone that suggested he had had this argument more than a few times. His partner paid him no mind, continuing his search for a perfect movie.

“Hey, we haven’t seen “Grown-ups” have we? It’s got good reviews.” the blonde exclaimed, finally looking at Hal, who just shrugged.

“Whatever babe, as long as you’re happy.” he said, pulling his lover closer into a kiss. Barry grinned against his mouth, moving one hand to the back of Hal’s head. Breaking apart, Barry quickly started the movie and dipped his hand into the popcorn bowl.

“Thanks for the snacks love.” he muttered, curling against the taller man and resting his head on his shoulder. Predictably, Hal wrapped his arm around him and squeezed his waist. Both turned from the T.V. as the intro was broken by Barry’s cell, Iris’s name and picture lit up the screen as Barry removed it from his pocket.

“You mind if I take this?” Barry asked, biting his bottom lip with an apologetic look at Hal, who just shrugged.

“Yeah dude, she’s your sister! You answer if she calls, I would never come between you and your family!” Hal said, nudging Barry up, and reclaiming the popcorn bowl. Barry laughed.

“And you’re scared of her!” He crowed, raising from the green soda and making his way towards the kitchen. Hal nodded sagely.

“Everyone in their right mind is scared of your sister. You know she threatened to cut my balls off if she ever found out I hurt you?” He joked, though he grimaced as he remembered the fiery red-head turning those intense emerald greens at him, a whispered threat if anything happened to her adopted brother. Barry chuckled.

“She did mention it. I’ll tell her you say ‘hi’. Don’t eat all the popcorn!” He smirked, hitting the answer button and stepping into the kitchen. Hal smiled and leaned back, turning the volume down on the movie and popping a piece of buttery popcorn in his mouth. He sat dead up, as Barry’s angered “What?” came from the kitchen.

Barry stormed out like a man possessed, his normally kind blue eyes were hard and he looked ready to murder. Hal could hear Iris’s muffled voice from the other end, she sounded like she was biting back tears, though he couldn’t make out what she was saying.

“Yeah we’re on our way, be there as soon as we can.” he snapped, a tone he would normally never be caught dead using with his sister, but clearly whatever had just been passed on violated any sense of normalcy they had. Hal stood as Barry turned his attention to him.

“What’s going on?” the short question carried more weight than it should have, Hal was mentally going through what could be wrong. Had Joe had an accident, was something wrong with Iris? The possibilities were horribly endless.

“Wally’s in the hospital, in critical condition. Iris said he might not make it and we need to be there to deal with the cops.” Barry was pulling on his coat while simultaneously trying to lace up his boots. Hal jumped up, slamming the remote and bowl onto the table, movie still playing in the background.

“I’ll drive, you shouldn’t be behind a wheel right now.” Hal said, racing towards the entrance and snatching the keys from Barry.

“Oh and you should be?” Barry snarled, reaching for them, only for his lover to hold them out of reach.

“I’m military, we’re trained to stay calm under stress. It would be safer if I drove and this is not a debate,” Hal’s voice dripped with authority, and Barry slightly deflated. “We will get to Wally, love. I’ll get us there as fast as I can.”

Barry nodded and the pair slipped out into the cold November air, movie still playing on the television, popcorn abandoned on the coffee table.

~~~~~~~At The Hospital~~~~~

Barry raced into the waiting room and straight into a pacing Iris, eyes wet with tears. Hal rushed in just in time to see the too hug, drawing small comfort from the other, Barry grabbed Iris’s shoulders and pushed her away, looking her directly in the eyes.

“What happened? Where’s Wally?”  He asked, bringing another round of tears from Iris. Hal gently placed an arm around both of their shoulders, guiding them to the hard plastic chairs near the wall. As soon as they were seated Iris told what she knew.

“I got a call from the police about half an hour ago. The neighbours heard Rudolf swearing and yelling and they called the police, then they called again when they heard crashing. Rudy was taken to the police station drunk, apparently they found Wally at the bottom of the basement stairs with his head bleeding really badly. He wasn’t breathing, they had to restart his heart in the basement, and twice more in the ambulance. As soon as they got here they took him to an operating room and nobody told me anything since!” She sobbed, wiping her face with her palm.

“Well that’s a good thing right?” Hal asked, receiving disgusted looked from his boyfriend and his sister. “Guys, if their operating, it means Wally’s alive, at least. It’s a start.” identical dawns of realization crossed the sibling’s faces and Hals brain marveled at how similar they were, despite not being biologically related.

“What about Mary?” Barry asked, breaking Hal’s unhelpful train of thought. Iris shook her head.

“I don’t know, I haven't seen her though and I imagine they wouldn't have called me if she were. I’m Wally’s emergency contact, they only call me if his parents are unavailable.” The redhead looked to the male pair.

“I can’t believe Rudy would do that to his own son.” She shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself.

“Wait, hold on! Are we sure Rudy is responsible for this? I mean I was never in this guy’s fan club but we’re talking what might be attempted murder.” Hal said, though his mind already knew what the answer was, kids didn’t do that kind of damage to themselves.

“From what the police told me, there were injuries that were…” She swallowed hard, like she was trying to keep the words from being said. “That had to have been done by another person, and Rudy was holding the weapon!” Her voice failed her as she trailed off into sobs yet again. Barry wrapped his arms around his sister and both of them clung to each other, the only sounds being muffled reassurances and choked sobs, Hal sat in silence, pointedly looking towards the hallway, giving the pair a sense of privacy. Iris took a deep breath, breaking away slightly, though still with her right hand grasping her brother’s forearm.

“I just can’t believe Rudy would do this! Bear, did you ever think that he would be capable of-” she broke off, green eyes taking a sudden interest in the tile floor. Hal snorted.

“Barry and I haven’t seen much of Rudy since we announced our relationship and Rudy told us in no short terms we weren’t welcome in his home. After that, he and Barry agreed on which holidays they got with the family and left it at that. That was around four years ago.” The trio collectively nodded. “Well Wally was only three then, and I never noticed any signs.” Barry muttered, trying to remember if anything in particular stood out to him but coming up with nothing.

“I think it may have started after Rudy lost his job. He started acting weird, I should have noticed something.” Iris sighed, her nephew should have been safe, and now here they were, three people who all cared deeply for a certain red haired child, sitting in an impersonal waiting room hoping to an inattentive god that their boy made it through the night.

~~~~~~~~~Hours Later~~~~~~~

Dr. Samanta strolled down the hallway from the operating theatre, most late night operations ended in crying relatives and having to call time of death, but tonight she got to tell a family that their loved one was able to live to see another day. Ducking into the waiting room, she instantly saw a trio occupying the corner of the waiting room, a red haired woman curled against a blonde man, with both of them tucked, sleeping, against a brunet who was gazing at her with a desperate look. She knew it well, it was a look many families gave her, as if silently pleading with her would change her news, like she wouldn’t keep all of them alive if she could. She knew who they were here for but she still called.

“Family of Walance West?” The blonde and red head jerked awake and the brunet straightened his back, waiting for the others to rise before standing himself. All three of them rushed to her, all with scared  expressions adjourning all of their faces.

“He suffered three broken ribs, one of which punctured his lung, a concussion, a bad sprain to his left wrist, multiple welts on his back are infected, and some mild internal bleeding. Because of the concussion, his brain started to swell but we were able to fix that. We patched his lungs up, though we do have him on oxygen for some time and in a medically induced coma, but he should make a full recovery.” She smiled as the trio started celebrate, the red head hugging her tightly, with a whispered, “Thank you for saving my nephew”

“Just doing my job. He’s still sleeping off the anesthesia and visiting hours are technically over, but if you all promise to be very quiet, you can sit with him for awhile-” she broke off as all three started on promises to be quiet and begging to see their family. She turned and gestured for them to follow her down the hall toward a small room in a corner, Wally lay in the middle of a cot that dwarfed him, making him look smaller than he was. A cobweb of wired and tubes disappeared into his gown and connected into his body, a pale turban of bandages covered his head, hiding his hair, while a tube connected to an oxygen mask rested over his mouth. The blonde put a hand over his mouth to cover a choked sound that came from his throat while he slipped closer.

“Wally?” he gasped, putting his other hand on the bed next to him, tears falling next to it, to quick for him to catch them all. The brunet crept next to him and put a comforting hand around his shoulder.

“You said he’s in a coma?” he whispered, turning those eyes on her. Dr. Samanta nodded. “A medically induced coma, just for a while. It should give his brain time to heal and for the swelling to go down, he’s young so the risk is small considering. You can talk to him, let him know you’re here.” The redhead nodded, slipping her hand into the childs. Dr. Samanta nodded, and turned, walking into the hallway, removing the surgical cap and replacing it with her Hijab.

“Doctor!” She turned to see the Brunet stalking towards her, freezing as he saw her head covering. She stood taller, bracing for a islamiphobic rant. Instead, he put his hand over his chest.

“I can not thank you enough for saving my nephew, my husband and I, and my sister in law are so grateful.” He nodded toward her head. “I was in Afghanistan, I met a lot of inspirational men and women there. If anyone gives you trouble for your faith, I will have some of my brothers in arms come talk to them.” She smiled.

“Thank you, Mr?”

“Jordan, Hal Jordan. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Wish I didn’t have to. I will keep you in mind, go take care of your boy. He’s had a rough time of it.” And with that, she turned down the hallway and disappeared around the corner. And there she finally allowed herself to truly smile.

~~~~~The Next Day~~~~~~

To say the atmosphere was tense would be an oversimplification. The police and social services had filled Iris, Barry and Hal in on what had happened and were trying to work out what came next.

“Listen, as much as we would love to place him in your care, the state requires married couples!” The social workers sighed, massaging his temples. “We can work out with a foster family to let you have visiting rights but right now none of you have the necessary requirements to house him. I agree it’s unfair, but there is nothing I can do.” With that, he stood, gathered his coat and hat, and left the room. Hal looked to Barry, who was quietly fuming in his seat.

“This is Bullshit! We know Wally, we love him, and we could care for him! But they want to put him with strangers because we aren’t married!” He hissed, blue eyes icy.

“We cannot let him disappear into the system!” Iris snarled, just the thought of strangers having unlimited access to her nephew was enough to make her sick. Hal nodded.

“He won’t be.” Getting out of his chair he pushed it away and knelt next to Barry, who startled.

“What are you doing?” He demanded, while Iris broke into a grin behind him. “Well they said we couldn’t take him because we aren’t married. We can fix that really easy.” Hal chuckled, putting his hands on Barry’s knees. The blonde smirked.

“I do believe you’re asking for my hand.” He joked.

“I am. Right now I’m just thinking a courthouse wedding, that way Wally’s safe but if you want a big ass, balls to the wall wedding, we can do that after we get settled. Hell, I’ll even wear the dress.” Barry smiled and threw his arms around his lover.

“Yes, I would love to marry you. We don’t need a huge service, we can have a small garden service in our yard, just some close friends and family. A small dinner, with cake.” He laughed, wiping his tears away happily. Hal nodded, touching their foreheads together.

‘Whatever you want love. But first, let’s make sure our boy is safe.”

~~~~~~A Week Later~~~~

Wally’s head hurt. His mind felt like he was thinking through a heavy fog, he was clumsy, his limbs never seeming to follow his thoughts.

“Useless” his father’s voice whispered in his head, causing him to stiffen up. His uncle noticed from where he was settled in the corner of the hospital room, getting up and coming towards him.

“Don’t hurt me! Please, i’ll be good! Pleasepleasepleaseplease!” He mentally pleaded as his Uncle Barry came closer, one hand slightly extended.

“Hey, you doing okay kiddo?” Barry whispered, though even that sounded too loud. The doctors had said that that was because of the concussion, he was already tired of it, the lights were too bright, the noises to loud, and he was jittery.

Wally nodded, though he still wouldn’t look Barry, who looked toward the door for Hal, who was finishing up paperwork.

“We’re really looking forward to having you live with us Wally. We have your room set up, just a bed and desk right now, but all your stuff from your parents house just needs to be unpacked, and ofcourse we can paint your room whatever colour you like.” Barry told him, desperately trying to engage his nephew, Wally was distant, barely speaking and flinching whenever Barry or Hal got to close. The oxygen was still required, though the face mask was replaced by a tube under his nose feeding it into his lungs when he breathed.

“Well, that’s the paperwork done! Ready to head home you two?” Hal asked, rushing into the room, a small mountain of paper under his arm. Both adults looked to Wally, who just shrugged. Barry looked to Hal, eyes sad as he went to get Wally into the wheelchair.

“I gotta pick you up kiddo, you okay?” He asked, getting another shrug. Barry settled the oxygen tank into Wally’s lap before slipping his arm under his legs and around his shoulders, carrying him bridal style across the room and placing him into a wheelchair. Hal put the papers into Barry’s satchel before taking up the handles of the chair and pushing him out into the hallway.

“The nurses have your last dose of painkillers at their station, though Barry and I will pick up your prescription later okay squirt?” Hal asked, when he received nothing he leaned closer and whispered.

“Personally, I think they just wanted to see you one last time before you left. I mean it’s not every day you get to spend time with THE Wally West.” The got a reaction, the adults noted, as Wally ducked his head, cheeks flushed a little.

“There’s my favourite redhead!” A man in nurse scrubs exclaimed, jogging up to the trio with a dixie cup and a ketchup cup. “I got your meds here little man.” Wally nodded, accepting the outstretched items and downing the pills.

“Now those should make you feel drowsy, so no driving. Other than that, you guys are good to go.” The nurse gently clapped Wally on the shoulder and Hal pushed him towards the exit. Leaving the wheelchair with the front dsk and carrying his nephew out to their car.

Wally vaguely felt Hal clip his seatbelt into place and shut the door, he leaned his head against the window as Barry crawled into the passenger seat, turning to face him.

“Do you mind if I put on some music, Wally? I promise to keep it quiet.” Wally shrugged.

“I don’t mind, Sir.” He muttered, listening as Barry pluged his phone into the USB and Hamilton started playing from the speakers.

“You guys like musicals?” He asked, noticing how Barry lit up as he asked the question, though it was Hal who answered.

“Oh yeah, we go see local productions all the time, and we choose one Broadway musical a year. How about you?” Hal didn’t stop trying to navigate them out of the busy hospital parking lot, but he did glance at Wally in the rear view mirror, Wally just nodded.

“Yeah, but Dad never let me listen to them, he said boys weren’t meant to like them.” Barry rolled his eyes hard, knowing his adopted brothers stance on musicals and other “soft” passions, but he didn’t voice his opinions.

“Well, we don’t mind and musicals are absolutely for boys to like!” Barry said, turning as much as the seat belt would allow to look at Wally. The young red head smiled, before his face spit into a yawn.

“You just rest kiddo, we have about an hour drive ahead of us. We’ll wake you when we get home.” Wally nodded at his uncles words and leaned his head against the window, the cool glass pulling him into sleep.

~~~~~~At the House~~~~

Barry and Hal quietly shut their car doors and Barry went to grab Wally. Hal threw their overnight bags over his shoulder and went to go unlock the door for his lover carrying their kid, Pushing his way inside, he waited while Barry carried a sleeping Wally over to the couch in the living room.

“Hey babe, can you go draw a bath in the upstairs bathroom?” Barry asked, eyes not leaving the sleeping child on his lap.

“Are you sure he’s up for a bath right now? Kid will barely talk to us.” He pointed out with a frown. Barry just shook his head.

“I’m not really concerned about that right now, he hasn’t had a proper bathe since before the hospital, his immune system is already weak and we don’t need any of his wounds getting more infected than they already are.” He said with a finality that made arguing pointless, though Hal had to agree with him, the poor kid was filthy.

“Alright, I’ll come get you when it’s ready, kay?” he asked, pressing a kiss to Barry’s head, before darting up the stairs to the rarely used main bathroom, Hal and Barry often used the adjoining bathroom to their bedroom so the main was often only for guests, which they didn’t get a lot of. Hal turned on the water and pushed the plug into the drain, watching as the tub filled to about half before shutting off the tap and heading back downstairs to his husband.

“Baths ready.” He muttered, watching as Barry stood up. Wally was a little more awake, though from the look on his face it was iffy, the kid looked like he could pass out at any given moment. The blonde carefully took the stairs and slipped into the bathroom, setting Wally on the closed toilet, before gently removing his clothing.

“W’er you doin?” Wally mumbled, squirming a little as Barry lifted him up again before transporting him into the bath.

“Just cleaning you up love, you’re okay.” Barry comforted, trying to simultaneously keep the child upright and clean the grime off him. Hal grimaced, he had seen Wally’s injuries but somehow, when they were all displayed, they seemed worse, it didn’t help that he was drugged and clearly on the verge of panic. Barry was getting stressed as well, trying to keep the boy’s head up with one hand and clean the dirt off with the other, when it got to be apparent that it wasn’t working, Hal placed his phone and wallet on the countertop before gently pushing Barry to the side.

“What are you- Hal!” Barry yelped, watching with sheer disbelief as his husband slipped into the water, cradling Wally against his chest.

“Helping you. Now he can sit up without you having to hold him.” Ha said, plainly as though he was discussing the weather. Barry looked at him, dumbstruck for a moment, before he burst out laughing.

“god, I married an idiot!” He exclaimed, before he put some soap on a washcloth and gently started washing the dirt off Wally’s skin, careful of his bruises and cuts. Hal just pressed a gentle kiss to Wally’s head, and hummed a tune under his breath. Wally started giggling.

“Uncle Hal, you’re gonna get your clothes wet.” His voice still had the slur brought on by heavy painkillers, but he seemed a little more aware of his surroundings. At least enough to take in the hilarity of the situation.

“Oh, I think he knows squirt.” Barry sighed, shaking his head at the nonsense. “He probably thought it would be funny. Hal, did you seriously not take your socks off!” Barry demanded, causing Hal and Wally to sit up slightly to examine Hals socked feet, now soaking wet.

“Well, what do you know?” Hal asked, his face a picture of innocence, “I guess I didn’t” He smiled at Barry, who snorted and muttered something under his breath, while Wally laughed again, harder this time.

“Well I’m glad you two find this funny, but we only brought one towel in, so Hal, you have to stay in the tub till you dry.” Barry scolded, unsuccessfully hiding his smile. “Okay squirt, all done.” He slipped his hands under Wally and lifted him from the water, wrapping him in an oversized, fluffy red towel, before carrying him out of the room.

“Whoa, hey, babe! Come on please, just bring me a towel.” Hal called, sitting upright as the pair left the room. Barry looked at Wally, tilting his head.

“You hear anything squirt?” He asked, laughing when Wally shook his head. “Me neither, come on let’s get you to bed.” Hal groaned as Barry left the room.

Five minutes later, Barry strode in carrying a green towel, offering it to his grumpy partner, who was now quite soggy, Hal took it and started to dry himself off.

“I don’t know why people say you’re the merciful League member, you have a wicked side.” Hal grumbled, walking towards the master bedroom, Barry chuckled.

“Only when my husband get into a bathtub fully clothed.”

“Well, jokes on you, because I got Wally to giggle!” Hal said, pulling Barry into a hug.

“Ah, you moron, you’re all wet!” Barry squawked, pushing away from the pilot, who pulled him closer. Barry rolled his eyes as Hal changed from wet clothes into clean pajama, settling down into bed.

“You know? I think we can pull this parenting thing off.” Hal whispered, hugging Barry close. The two fell asleep with their hands entwined, the house one member up, and a little bit happier.

[solangelover]

Leave Me or Hold Me Close

Solangelo Week 2k19: Day 7 – “Enemies / Lovers” @solangeloweek

A/N: AU where Will has been a year-rounder since age 8 and Nico since age 11, they’re both now 15 and have an intense rivalry-type thing.

Read on AO3 or FF.net or Wattpad 

“Ugh, just leave me alone! Why do you feel the need to rant at me, Solace?”

Nico stormed out of the infirmary, leaving a steaming Will Solace standing in the doorway.

“Well, maybe if you stopped being an idiot and getting sent to the infirmary, I wouldn’t have to see you so often!” He nearly stomped his feet in frustration as he glared at the retreating back of Nico di Angelo. But Will wasn’t a child, so he threw his hands up and made incoherent noises of rage.

“That stupid, idiot son of Hades! I just—gah!!” Will shadow-boxed the air as he whipped around and stalked back to his desk. His sister, Kayla, simply watched this all go down with a raised eyebrow. Their three-going-on-four-year long hatred of each other was nothing new, but she felt like it was reaching its peak. Something was going to break soon, but with all the fights, she couldn’t tell exactly what.

As soon as Will sat in his chair, Kayla jumped up on his desk and looked over her shoulder at him. “So, how’s life, big guy?”

Will gave her a withering glare, to which she immediately jumped off the desk and put her hands up in surrender. Still, she stood there, arms crossed and waiting for a reply. Will took a deep breath and let out an even deeper sigh. “di Angelo. I just can’t with him! I don’t know what he wants! I try to help him since, hello, I’m head medic and he can’t seem to go one week without ending up here. He’s so dumb I swear. I can’t really avoid him if he keeps needing medical help, so if he doesn’t want to see me then that’s his problem!” He groaned and ran his hands through his hair, effectively disheveling it so he looked a little crazy. Nico was slowly but surely driving him insane.

“Soooo…” Kayla drew out. “What I’m hearing is, you want Nico to be safer because you care about his well-being?”

Will closed his eyes and held his head in his hands. “It’s not like I want him dead, Kayla. Of course I want him to be safer.”

“But you don’t want to see him? Like, at all?”

Will thought about that. He pictured Nico’s annoying face, his harsh glare that was constantly thrown Will’s way, his scowl that always twisted his features. Sometimes, when Nico wasn’t paying attention to Will, he would see Nico look excited, hear him laugh at some dumb joke Percy made, and just be a totally different person than who Will knew. They’d been at camp together for the past few years, and Will couldn’t even remember exactly how their “rivalry” started, but he knew that he was tired of it. It was probably fun in the beginning, but at some point, their insults became real and their fights venomous. Will never knew how strongly he could dislike a person without knowing why.

“Will?” Kayla’s voice brought Will out of his thoughts and back to reality.

He sighed once more and picked his head up to look at his sister. “I’m just tired, sis. I only want some peace in this crazy camp.”

--

“AGHHHH!” Nico threw another pillow against the wall of his cabin. Annabeth suggested it after she walked in one time to the shattering of a lamp, the ceramic pieces joining various other broken things on the ground.

Nico’s latest trip to the infirmary ended in a yelling match between him and the one and only Doctor Solace. Nico knew he was being stubborn, but the guy was insisting that Nico either come in for check-ups more or just not get injured so often. Honestly, did he think Nico liked getting attacked by monsters? Or losing in a sparring match?

Did Will really hate his face that much?

But then Will also asked for him to come in more often, which he wouldn’t do if he didn’t want to see Nico, right?

No, idiota, Nico chided himself. He’s just doing his job. He doesn’t want to see you.

A knock sounded at Nico’s door, jolting him out of his thoughts.

Percy stood in the open doorway (that Nico forgot to close in his rage) with a concerned yet amused look on his face. “Rough day?”

Nico glared as Percy invited himself in, plopping down on the bed across from Nico’s. Meanwhile, Nico took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, opting to sit right there on the floor in the middle of the cabin. He clutched the pillow he was about to throw to his chest, his fists threatening to rip the material.

Percy popped his head over the foot of the bed to better see Nico. He cocked his head expectantly.

Nico sighed. “It’s just Solace, nothing new.”

“Are you… angry at him?”

“No duh, Jackson.” Nico rolled his eyes at the son of Poseidon. What did he think was going on?

“Just checking,” Percy chuckled. “So, what did you do this time?”

“Nothing!” Nico flew the pillow up in the air and it landed a few feet away from him. He glared at it as if he could scare it into coming back to him. “I did nothing at all, just got hurt in training and went to the infirmary. Then he lectured me on safety and limits like I’m a child. So I got mad and we fought and I left.” He was scowling so hard, Percy was sure his face would get stuck like that.

Percy hummed. “Sounds like he just wants you to be safe?”

“No schist, that’s his job,” Nico deadpanned.

“True,” Percy agreed. “But I don’t see him lecturing many other campers.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Why does he hate me so much that he won’t leave me alone?”

“Well, is that what you want? For him to leave you alone?”

“Would be nice,” Nico grumbled.

“I’m serious, Nico.” Percy waited until Nico met his eyes. “Do you want to never see or speak to Will Solace?”

Nico frowned at that and looked down. Did he? He couldn’t really imagine his life without Will in it. Not that he was the center of his life or anything, but Will had been there since he first got to camp. Will had been one of the first kids to talk to him and try to be his friend. But Nico had been having a tough time and it didn’t manifest well with his temper. He didn’t remember exactly what happened, Nico just knew that one day, they were fighting, and simply never stopped.

What would it be like if he just let that all go?

Percy didn’t interrupt Nico’s thinking, knowing that his friend was a big time internal processor, and this was kind of an important question.

Finally, Nico sighed and looked back at Percy. “I don’t know.”

--

That night saw them at the campfire. It was going on as usual, with the loud singing of the Apollo kids and non-stop chattering from the Hermes kids. Everyone sat with their friends, laughing up a storm or making crazy gestures as they told stories.

Will sat with his cabin, as well as Lou Ellen and Cecil. Nico was surrounded by Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, along with other random friends. Both boys kept casting glances at the other, new thoughts running through their minds concerning their relationship.

“Geez, what’s up, Will? Feeling thirstier for some di Angelo than usual?”

“What?” Will squeaked as he whipped around to see Lou Ellen with a smirk on her lips.

“Dude, you keep looking over at him. Just talk to him already.” Cecil dropped down in front of Lou Ellen with a freshly toasted marshmallow.

“Yeah seriously, there’s so much sexual tension between you two, you could cut it with a knife.” To prove her point, Lou Ellen held up a shiny dagger in her hand.

“Lou! Put that away, that’s dangerous!” Will scolded. She grinned widely, and a second later her dagger disappeared in a puff of smoke and mist. Annoying Hecate kids.

“But seriously,” she leaned in. “What’s going on?”

Will sighed, turning fully to his friend so his back was to Nico. “I’m just… thinking. I don’t know what, but I want to talk to Nico. Civilly. I want to be, I don’t know, his actual friend, not his enemy or rival.”

Lou Ellen and Cecil shared a look, then met Will’s eyes with a smile. “That’s a great idea, Will. The gods know your guys’ game of hard-to-get has been going on long enough,” Cecil stated.

Will sputtered, “Will you two stop?? I said I want to be his friend, stop implying!” Will was blushing at this point, and he hoped he could blame it on the firelight. By the looks on his best friends’ faces, it was probably obvious.

“Whatever,” Will shook his hair out as he turned back toward the fire. Maybe he could talk to Nico after the campfire.

--

“Nico, if you keep glancing over there, I will literally lose it.”

Nico turned to see Annabeth mid-eye roll. “What are you talking about?”

“Bro, she’s talking about you constantly looking over at Solace, like this whole night.” Percy slung a comforting arm around his girlfriend, as if Nico was actually causing her stress. “If you wanna talk to him, just get up and go.”

Nico scowled at the couple. “I don’t want to talk to him. I think he’s seen me enough for one day.”

“Oh my gods, Nico. Will doesn’t actually hate you,” Annabeth stated.

“Really? So we just fight constantly for fun?” Nico said sarcastically.

“Ugh! Just shut up already!” Drew called down from a couple rows up the bleachers. The daughter of Aphrodite was always listening in for gossip. “I swear, di Angelo, stop throwing yourself a pity party and go. It’s about time you and Mr. Sunshine end your flirtationship and make some progress. We’ve been sitting on this for years!” She immediately went back to filing her nails.

Nico gaped at her. “What the Hades??” He turned to look at his friends, who all avoided eye contact. “What is she talking about?” When they still didn’t look at him, Nico narrowed his eyes, turning to the one he thought might crack. “Grover, tell me you don’t all think that.”

“Uhhhhhh,” Grover nervously chewed on some soda can, glancing to the side before answering with a high-pitched, “yes?”

“What the…” Nico stood up and fully faced his friends. “I don’t—it’s not—that’s not what’s happening here!” He could feel his cheeks heating up, but he chalked that up to anger.

Unsure of where to go from there, Nico just walked off, glancing back over his shoulder towards Will, who happened to look up at the same time. Their eyes met, noticing something different in Will’s eyes. Before the moment stretched on for too long, Nico turned away and left the campfire.

--

“Nico, wait!”

Nico turned to see Will jogging up to meet him. He stopped before climbing the steps to his cabin as Will reached him, taking a moment to catch his breath.

“Why’d you leave early?”

“I was being tortured by my friends. What do you want?” He winced when it came out a lot harsher than Nico intended. Way to start a friendship, di Angelo. “Sorry, I just…”

“No worries, I get it.” Will didn’t think he’d ever heard Nico apologize to him before. Maybe this just might work out. “Um…” He didn’t know exactly how to articulate everything he’d been thinking over. Luckily for him, Nico was impulsive and nervous.

“Did you know everyone thinks we like each other?” Will didn’t miss Nico cringing at his own outburst. It made him smile a little. “I mean, like, like like each other,” he said quietly as he nervously twisted his skull ring.

Will couldn’t really say he knew, but he wasn’t exactly surprised after Lou Ellen’s comments. “I—it’s—nevermind that. We’ll deal with that later.” Will shook his head and took a deep breath. “Can we just, start over? Be friends? I don’t mind us fighting still, but I’d like to, I don’t know, not be so… mean? Gods, I don’t know what I’m trying to say.” Will covered his eyes with his hand, feeling his cheeks burn in embarrassment. What exactly was he trying to accomplish here?

Nico’s lips parted in a small ‘o’ of understanding. Seemed like he and Will were on the same page for once. “Yes,” he blurted. “I mean, yeah, I agree. I still strongly dislike you right now,” Will rolled his eyes and Nico chuckled, which was pretty friendly for them. “But less hatred would be nice.”

Will brightened, and it definitely did not make Nico’s night, that’s ridiculous. “Truce?” He held out a hand.

“Truce.” Nico gripped Will’s hand firmly, giving it a small shake.

As they looked into each other’s eyes, they both had the same thought.

Let’s see where this takes us.

 A/N: I was gonna try go all the way to lovers but my slow-build brain wouldn’t let me, sorry.

[ghost-nabbers-imagines]

🛏 sleepy Sal x reader, and kissing his scars 💋

I excitedly walked around my apartment double checking everything one last time. Pizza, video games, movies, snacks, soda, and music. Perfect. I wanted tonight to be perfect. My best friends Sal and Larry were coming over tonight for a sleepover and I couldn't wait.

My parents had gone away for the night so I told him and Larry to come eat pizza with me. Being as our building was known to have some issues (like the paranormal Kind) Larry suggested someone stay over with me. He was always like an older protective brother to me. Larry also knew about my feelings for Sal and was trying to onvince me to do something about it. Larry also thought Sal was having some trouble sleeping so I thought I'd see what was up.

A sudden knocking at the door caught my attention. I practically skipped over almost tripping over my own feet. When I opened the door Larry and Sal were both stood. Larry had one of his goofy smiles on and it looked like Sal was blushing a small bit from the color of his ears.

"Hey ya (y/n)!" Larry cheered as the two entered my apartment. "Hey Larry Hey Sal!" I exclaimed hugging them both. "You can set your stuff down I'll go get the plates and drinks!" I instructed running into the kitchen. Larry entered the kitchen a few moments later. "Hes definitely not sleeping well lately dude hes been practically falling asleep all day." Larry informed me. I looked up at him concerned. "Hopefully I can get him to sleep tonight." I said worried about my crush. "Just so you know it's just gonna be the two of you tonight." Larry informed me. I whipped around to face him again. "W-What? You're not staying?" I stuttered nervously. "Nah I'm not into third wheeling." He chuckled with a wink.

       "I really think you should go for it tonight. Just take it easy on Sal. He's a great guy but he's very new to having a girl like him." Larry pointed out Seriously. I nodded understanding walking out and setting the stuff on the table with the pizza. Both boys made their way over grabbing plates. We sat on the couch eating pizza and listening to Sanity's Fall for a couple hours. I had completely forgotten about the nerves in my stomach till Larry informed us that his mom wanted him home and he left.

        "So... Just us I guess." I laughed nervously scratching the back of my neck. "Yeah guess so." He chuckled staring at the floor. "I'm gonna go get my pajamas on." I said awkwardly excusing myself. As soon as I was in my room I pressed my back against the door running a hand through my hair.

This has to be the night I can't hold it in anymore. Besides Larry said if I didn't say something tonight he'd make us play truth or dare or something. I took a deep breath before pulling on my pajamas which consisted of an over sized Sanity's Fall shirt and short shorts.

I made my way back out into the living room to see Sal had changed into his pajama pants already and not wearing a shirt. The two of us were watching a movie and Iciuld practically see his head bobbing to the side every time he began to doze off. "You ok Sal?" I asked concerned. "Hm oh yeah I just need another refill and I'll be fine." He smiled reaching for his soda. I grabbed his wrist stopping him. "I think maybe you should get some sleep come on." I said pulling him up with me. I shut off the tv making my way into my room.

I hopped up onto my bed patting the space next to me. "O-Oh I uh. I um don't think that's appropriate but I can sleep on the floor next to your bed if you'd like." He offered nervously. I had to admit him being so adamant about it stung. "O-oh ok blankets are in that closet there." I said pointing to my closet. He nodded making his way over to open it. "Sal if you're that uncomfortable around me I can sleep on the couch and you can sleep here but I really think you should get some sleep in a real bed. You're eyes are starting to look more like a raccoon than Larry's." I blurted out making him freeze in his tracks immediately turning to face me. "N-no that's not it it's just.. it's not you it's... uh." he stuttered out shaking his head. "What Sal?" I asked confused by his behavior.

He sighed wrapping his arms around himself. "It's my face. I don't want you seeing my face. And I have really bad nightmares I'd probably keep you up anyhow with how bad they've been lately." Sal explained. It was then I remembered how scarred he said his face was. I crawled forwards wrapping my arms around his small body.

"Sal I'm so sorry I didn't even realize. You're more than welcome to sleep wherever you want. However if you chose in bed with me I promise to not judge or make you uncomfortable." I whispered placing a kiss on the cheek of his prosthetic. He turned towards me hugging me tightly. After a few minutes of the embrace I pulled away and crawled back up to my pillow. I pulled the light switch and got comfortable under the covers.

"You deserve a good nights sleep. If you'd like you can come up here and be the little spoon and I'll take the nightmares away. Otherwise like I said there's blankets in the closet use as many as you need. I know you get cold." I told him silently hoping he'd take my offer. After a few minutes he moved next to me facing away. I pulled the covers up and over his small form. "Want me to take out your pigtails?" I asked in a whisper. He nodded his head mumbling a shaky please.

I gently pulled the hair ties from his electric blue hair setting them on my night stand. "If you wanna take off your mask you can, I promise not to look. Tonight I just want you to sleep." I smiled playing with his hair. "I don't wanna scare you away." He said with his voice riddled with pain. "Sal that's not gonna happen. Truth is I really like you and-" before I could finish my sentence he sat straight up facing me. "You like me like you have feelings for me?" He asked shocked.

I giggled shaking my head before flipping the light back on. "Sal I've had a crush on you for a while now. And trust me whatever's under there isn't scaring me away. At least lift it up a little." I reassured him moving my hands up to cup his head. He let out a breath before moving his hands up to undo the bottom buckle. He lifted the mask neither to reveal his lips and chin.

There was bad scars and indents showing. A big chunk was missing above his upper lip. The scar tissue seemed to create a resting look of sorrow on his face. I used the pad of my thumb to caress the small portion of his cheek that was visible. "C-can I kiss you?" He asked making my heart leap out of its chest.

I nodded quickly and he wasted no time in pressing his soft slightly chapped lips against mine. The second our lips connected it was like fireworks were going off in my chest. We pulled away for air leaving us both smiling. "What do you say can I take it off?" I asked in a quiet tone. He nodded biting his bottom lip. I carefully reached around to unbuckle his mask. I pulled it from his face setting it near the hair ties.

 I couldn't help the tears that formed in my eyes. Despite his broken skin he was absolutely beautiful. I let my finger tips wonder his skin. His icy blue eye watched me fearfully. He was so scared I was gonna reject him. "Sal you're so beautiful." I said smiling widely. "W-what?" He asked clearly taken back. "You're so perfect." I whispered. I leaned in and carefully and gently pressed a kiss to each and every scar that littered his face.

       Something seemed to cloud over Sal's eyes as he pulled me into his lap connecting our lips again. His hands rested on my hips still slightly shaking while my hands made their way to to his hair.  Our mouths collided passionately for a good while til Sal pulled away and buried his face in my shoulder holding me tight 

      "Thank you (y/n)." He mumbled with a small sniffle. "Your welcome Sally Face. Now let's get some sleep Yeah?" I asked laying down holding my arms out. He smiled cuddling into my chest wrapping his arms around me. And we drifted off just like that.

       I woke up to see Sal still cuddling with me his breathing still and steady. It honestly felt so right to just be laying in his arms. I ran my hands gently through his hair. He let out a few mumbles as he snuggled into me more. I couldn't help but giggle at the adorable sight.

��      I felt him move again and I could tell he was waking up. "Morning handsome." I beamed moving his hair away from his face. He sat up a bit leaning on his elbow to face me. "Morning Beautiful/handsome." He yawned a small grin on his face. I stared at him in adoration reaching out to caress his face. He leaned into my touch closing his eyes. I kinda had him pegged as someone who was touch deprived and I guess I was right.

        "You're really not scared or grossed out?" He asked opening his eyes. I shook my head smiling before placing a quick kiss on his cheek. He smiled widely before his facial expression changed and he crooked his head to the side. "You know I actually didn't have any nightmares last night." He pointed out still smiling. "Sal that's great I'm happy you got a good nights sleep." I cheered happily. He reached down to his bag and pulling out a phone. "Come here." He said sitting up and motioning to the space in front of him. I slid over in front of him and he wrapped his arms around me handing me his phone. "Can you take a picture of us for me? I wanna send it to Larry." He asked a small blush on his cheeks.

        I took the phone and gently kissing his cheek again. He buried his face in my neck so I angled the phone and snapped a picture of the two of us. "Perfect!" He exclaimed grabbing the phone and sending both Larry and I a copy. "Now he'll shut up about me asking you out finally." He chuckled pulling us both down so I was laying on his chest. He turned to me like he had a sudden realization.

       "(Y/n) um. Did you uh want to be my girlfriend?" He asked nervously. "Yes Sal of course." I smiled kissing his chin. Sal's phone dinged with a notification so he picked it up letting out a small chuckle. "Larry says we make a cute couple." He grinned showing me the message. I smiled happily kissing him again.

~Lex💛