#if you gave me a funny look they would manifest ready to defend me

[youngpettyqueen]

I dont watch sports movies like ever with very few exceptions but I want to watch Paper Lion because A) Alan Alda and B) I love the dynamic of groups of jocks adopting someone who is definitively Not A Jock because thats what happened to me in high school

[currebunz]

Wearing nothing but a smile Ch 6

AO3 Link

The sports festival had ended on a sad note. However, the extra games made it worthwhile. You didn't win, but Togata made sure you had fun. Hado had drug you along to get concessions, mostly to feed Tamaki and make him use his quirk for her amusement. By the end of the day, you were feeling better. "Thanks for today guys" you called out to them. "You don't have to thank us, we're friends" Hado giggled. Amajiki wore a small smile, even he had enjoyed the festival. "She's right! We should have fun all the time" Togata laughed. They were being too nice.

You felt the corners of your mouth tilt upward, a small smile gracing your lips. "Wah! You smiled!" Hado gasped. Togata was staring at you, Amajiki too. "What?" you were taken back as Hado came closer. "You haven't smiled before, I almost thought you couldn't" Hado explained. "Oh, sorry" your smile faltered a bit. "Don't apologize! Ah, there it goes!" Hado poked your cheeks upward and twisted her fingers slowly. It tickled a bit, making you giggle from the action.

The other two boys quietly watched. For Amajiki, that was normal. Togata on the other side was uncharacteristically quiet. Amajiki cleared his throat before speaking. "Mirio? You alright?" he asked. Togata snapped from his daze, turning to his friend with a big smile. "Oh! Sorry, I was..." he trailed off. What was he doing? Sure he thought you were pretty, but that smile was something else. His stomach felt full of butterflies, he was sure his face was red. "You were staring at ____" Amajiki stated. Togata laughed nervously, shushing his friend as you and Hado returned to the conversation.

"Hey, hey, what are you guys whispering about?" Hado tilted her head curiously. "Haha! What indeed!" Togata chortled. Amajiki was just as lost as you were. "Anyways, we should head home for the day" Togata wrapped his arm around Amajiki's neck and lead him away. "See ya!" he called back to you and Hado. You waved back with Hado, watching the two leave. "Boys amirite?" Hado giggled. She walked with you back in the direction to your home before going her own way. You had a funny feeling something was going to happen tomorrow.

Meanwhile...

"Tamaki, I need your help" Togata began. Amajiki paled, here it is, the big moment. "What's wrong Mirio?" Amajiki asked. "I gotta make up for what I did back then" Togata explained. Amajiki knew exactly what he meant, the villain attack. "I'm sure she isn't holding it against you" Amajiki reassured his friend. "Not just that, all the other times I accidentally showed her my-" "Again, I don't think she minds" Amajiki stopped his friend before he could make his joke. Togata nodded, but the frown remained on his face. "It doesn't feel right, I should at least do something" Togata continued. Amajiki knew he wasn't going to be able to convince his friend to change his mind. "Like what?" he asked. Togata's smile returned, although sheepish and nervous.

"A date"

The next day, was the most stressful day for Amajiki. Togata had come up with a romantic plan to ask you out on a date. To Amajiki, it was too much. He felt his head go blank as he tried to remember his part in it. All he had to do was make was placed where you could see it. Hado was in on it too, she was busy distracting you and would help locate the note. If all went well, you and Togata would be hitched on a date.

If only life worked that way.

Amajiki was so tense, he was sitting up straight. His fingers traced the letter anxiously, reminding him of his mission. It was laughable to him, it wasn't even his love letter but he couldn't keep himself from falling apart in front of you. When passing papers back, your hand brushed against his and he kicked his desk. When you glanced behind you, Amajiki found somewhere else to look. Whenever you stood up, his head would be down. Amajiki wasn't good at "playing it cool", he was sure you were on to him. During free period, Amajiki watched you and Hado exchange notes. He slinked out of the room after Hado had given him a wink. He quietly made his way down to the shoe lockers and looked for your name.

His eyes locked onto your locker and he could feel his heart beating violently in his chest. All he had to do was open the door and leave you the letters on your shoes, but suddenly every move felt sluggish. He managed to open the door but he stood there frozen. Amajiki didn't hear the approaching clicking of heels, nor the curious gasp of a certain teacher. "Amajiki-kun, what are you doing?" Midnight sauntered over knowingly. Amajiki let out an unholy squeak, fumbling with the letter. But it was too late, Midnight had already noticed the envelope. "Is that a love letter? Oh, how it is to be in love~" she cooed. Amajiki sputtered, unable to defend himself at this moment. Thankfully, no one else was around.

Midnight swiped the letter from his hands and opened it without breaking the seal. As impressive as it was, Amajiki flushed red as she read the letter out loud. "Oh my, this is so sweet" she complimented. The last bit caught her eye and she turned back to Amajiki with a serious look. "However! It lacks passion! I insist you revise this with me!" Midnight declared. If it wasn't for her grin, Amajiki would've thought she was being serious.

She was just being nosy.

Midnight pulled a sleek pen from seemingly out of nowhere, at least nowhere Amajiki was willing to look and began writing on the letter. He panicked, this wasn't part of the plan! "Hm, you should sign it too" Midnight began writing and Amajiki snapped. He snatched the paper from her, effectively creating a large ink part at the bottom of the paper. "How aggressive of you Amajiki, oh! an anonymous lover would be much more romantic!" her fantasies were causing Amajiki to have stomach cramps. He shoved the letter into your shoe locker and ran off before Midnight could give him 'tips'.

When he returned to class, Amajiki dropped into his seat with an audible thud. Hado found it humorous, while you were slightly concerned. "Amajiki? Is everything okay?" you asked. He groaned only holding his stomach tighter. Togata, who had been eavesdropping the entire time, sprung from his seat. "Tamaki, if you aren't feeling well then just say so! I'll take you to Recovery Girls office!" he laughed. You watched Togata lift Amajiki's arm and haul him out of the classroom.

"Boys, amirite?" you said to Hado.

"Yes, sis!"

Amajiki had passed out after taking pain relievers, Togata had left him in Recovery Girl's care until lunch time. You, Hado, and Togata had gone to pick up Amajiki for lunch. He appeared to be better. However, something was on his mind. Togata and Hado thought he was just recovering from his task, while you were none the wiser. As planned, Togata had suggested you all eat in the courtyard. This meant you would have to change into your outdoor shoes. When you went to change your shoes, you noticed the letter placed on top of our shoes. On cue, Hado bound over excitedly.

"Oh a letter! A love letter!" she sang. You turned the envelope in your hands, studying it for a name. You opened it carefully, giving it a quick glance. Your cheeks blushed red as you neared the bottom. You quickly folded the letter up and put it in your pocket. "A-anyways, let's go already!" you ushered Hado out. You missed the knowing wink Togata gave Amajiki. Togata considered this a mission accomplished.

Amajiki however....

He was ready to have a meltdown. He had to warn Togata somehow, Midnight had added words that Togata didn't know of. His mind was already forming the worst case scenarios. What i-

"Amajiki"

"Huh?" Amajiki was startled from his thoughts. Your brows were furrowed in worry. "Are you sure your okay?" you raised your hand to his face, holding a napkin to his cheek. "You're shaking so much, you're missing your mouth," you said while cleaning his face. Sure enough, Amajiki looked down and noticed a small mess around his tray. "I-I-I'm..." he trailed off. You were so close, too close. Amajiki felt something manifest on his head. "Oh wow! A beansprout!" Hado exclaimed. Sure enough, a small green sprout rose from his hair. "Nice one Tamaki" Togata praised him. This wasn't what Amajiki was going for.

You leaned back to get a good look at it. "Impressive, but you should really save it for class" you scolded him lightly. Amajiki sighed, at least he was out of the fire for now. After Lunch, he kept trying to find time to talk to Togata. However, the latter kept trying to talk to you as much as he could.

The moment of truth came as classes ended for the day. As the letter instructed, you were to meet your secret admirer under the tree in the courtyard. Togata had phased out of the classroom, a pair of spare clothes waited for him in the courtyard. Amajiki rushed out of the classroom as soon as they were dismissed, he had to tell Togata now!

He ran to the courtyard, panting as he tried to catch his breath. "M-mi-mirio..." he wheezed. Togata, who was getting dressed behind the tree, turned to his friend. "What's wrong Tamaki? It's almost time" he fumbled with his pants as he spoke. "The...letter..." Tamaki began. "Oh yeah, thanks again for that!" Togata laughed. "No...the letter..." Tamaki attempted to explain. Suddenly, he heard Hado give the sign.

"Good luck!" she shouted aloud.

That meant you were close, he had to act fast. "Mirio! The letter!" Amajiki stopped his friend. "Huh? What about the letter?" Togata asked. But it was too late, your footsteps were coming closer. There was nowhere for Amajiki to hide. Togata panicked, there was only one way out fo this...

You turned the corner into the courtyard, holding the letter tightly. It was thoughtful if not cheesy. You had never received a love letter before so you were flustered by the display. Your eyes stayed glued to the ground in front of you. Honestly, you weren't sure who the secret admirer was. You had a few people in mind, but your cheeks grew warm at the thought. You stopped in front of a pair of feet. It was now or never.

You looked up into navy blue eyes....Amajiki.

The latter fidgeted nervously. This wasn't supposed to happen. He had no idea where Togata had disappeared to. You were staring, he had to say something!

"_-____..." he muttered.

"Amajiki, I got your letter" you shyly handed him the envelope.

What. The. Shell.

"I'm flattered, I thought you were actually scared of me, to be honest" you continued.

Amajiki.exe has stopped working.

"But I'm relieved to see this is how you really felt" your shyly pressed your palm to your cheek. This was more embarrassing than you thought.

"W-wait, ____ I-" he started.

"I'd like to go on a date with you, even though we haven't known each other very long" you confessed.

Scratch that, Amajiki crashed.

"So, let's set up a date later? I'm sure you're a bit flustered..." you trailed off. Oh no, you were avoiding his eyes. It was honestly cute, but he had to stop! You were Togata's crush! Not his.....or at least that's what he thought. He wasn't declining the date. He couldn't turn you down, not like this.

You shuffled up to him shyly, leaning up and pressing a tender peck on his cheek. "I'll text you later Amajiki!" you called out before running away. Hado was waiting for you at the school gates, ready to congratulate you.

Amajiki, on the other hand, stood awkwardly frozen in place. Togata had rushed over, after going back to the classroom for his clothes. "How'd it go?" he panted. Amajiki felt his heart beat again.

"I have a date"

[pixlokita]

Cosium Adventures- chapter 2

[[MORE]]

The sun was starting to set, making them both stop on their tracks in the middle of the perfect place to set camp. An opening between bushes and the tall trees that they had been walking through for an insane amount of hours. To them it wasn’t as tedious as it would be for most, though; specially if you can keep up a fun conversation between siblings.

The young wolf turned to look at his sister, brows furrowing as he noticed her fur started to change colors.

From the usual vibrant turquoise, softly it started to fade into a dimmer lavender.

It was the usual, still... nor him, nor the rest of her family had gotten used to it.

His thoughts were broken by a heavy thud which came from a small box she had suddenly dropped into the grassy area that seemed most suitable. After a moment it started to unfold into a petite pink tent automatically.

Amelie was always amazed by this contraption that her father had come up with, even half asleep already she never got tired of the way the little cube turned into a comfy place to rest in a matter of minutes.

“It’s a good thing we made it to this point before night fall, huh?” She said, the energetic tone in her voice already becoming more slow than how it had been in the morning.

“Y-yeah..” he responded and sighed while putting down his stuff as well.

His eyes once again turned to look at her figure already slumping down and trying to keep herself awake as the tent still needed four of it’s ends nailed tightly to the ground; and so she started to hammer them slowly into place.

The sound of the clinking metal came to a halt when Tino let out the same old question. She tried not to groan and let him ask away.

“Doesn’t it ever bother you? That you can’t enjoy the night anymore?”

All that followed was a small nod as the clinking continued.

“Sometimes... but I can’t let it bother me always” .

She turned to look at him with a tired but reassuring smile.

After a minute or so, her head tilted slowly to the side. Her expression shifted to a more serious one as her mind struggled to process her thoughts but ultimately failed to do so.

The foggy sensation that started to cloud whatever her mind was conjuring up was getting thicker.

“I kind of... also think it’s a good thing.. in its own way, So I can’t complain”, She finally let out.

True, she had suffered severe insomnia for almost a year before she developed this rare condition.

To her it had become unbearable to stay awake every night.

All alone, all cornered by her thoughts which aggressively kept her from getting a wink of decent sleep for an entire year.

She had wished so badly to be able to open her eyes once the sun was up for a change instead of watching it come up from the horizon time after time to welcome yet, another day followed by increased tiredness that plagued her to no end.

It was like an eternity, an endless cycle of dread. She had started to lose whatever sanity was left during the day time.

Then suddenly, something in her snapped and the sleep which she had wished for so long had manifested itself, but it was more than what she bargained for.

It could only be described as a weird hibernation state that appeared out of the blue and never left after it stroke her down the first time.

Her fur started to lose it’s color after a few months of it as well and settled for a purple hue that somehow matched the sleeping spell that she was put under, though by daytime she mysteriously returned back to her normal color.

Nothing could awaken her once the sun disappeared completely except for the break of dawn, which had worried sick everyone around her until her eyes opened the next morning when it first occurred.

Maybe it was a stress induced comma, or maybe...

“Ever wonder if something else might’ve caused this?”

Her focus was now back into answering her little brother who was patiently still waiting for an answer and still hadn’t taken his eyes off her to make sure she wouldn’t hurt her thumb hammering the last nail into place. Annoyed by the fact that this was still brought up even though It only happened that one time... well those two! - maybe three...’ she gave up on defending herself because the more she thought about it, the more times she was reminded of the times it had happened and lost count.

Once finished, she went to the back of the tent to change.

“We should have this conversation in the morning, I’ll forgetting everything about it as you’re already aware.. I’m more than ok.” She said in a forceful tone trying to make the sentence coherent while it felt like her head was spinning all over the place.

She came out with a simple night gown to match the tent and started setting up her sleeping bag.

Silence was all that followed until it was interrupted by the small tweeting of a chorus of nearby frogs welcoming the night’s fresh air.

A light chuckle and giggling from both when the same memory came across their heads.

“Remember how we used to go frog hunting? When we were smaller?”

Tino was now remembering how Amelie’s mother complained that she should stop wearing her pretty clothes to catch the critters she found fascinating and cute.

“Frogs, lizards, snakes, iguanas.., squirrels....,,,”

Ah... And there it was.

Her eyes were already out of focus, struggling to stay open as eyelids gradually became heavier and heavier, the battle to keep them from closing was futile at this point.

“I’ll start the fire and scout around the area a bit until I get tired” he got up and looked back once more.

It was funny how her brother was literally the opposite at this point, still full of energy and ready to take on even a bear if he happened upon one. Hopefully no unfortunate bear would come across his path.

He also had the same little tent in a box that his sister carried with her at all times for when he was ready to hit the hay, except his was for camping rather than a back up like it was for her when slumbering spells caught her off guard... as seldom as that happened.

It had become a hit item in the market after uncle Sergio had started to sell them.

It wasn’t his intention to make them for marketing, but after witnessing it in action various requests poured in for him to sell these conveniently incredible little things, even for people who didn’t suffer Amelie’s condition.

He had commissioned his uncle for one as well, and the knowing ex-Atlantian had decided to make it a dark red color, like most things his nephew owned. He could be awkward at times but he knew his family well, and as hard as it was for him to express himself when it came to his emotions, his feelings still reached out.

Sharp sparks ignited around the boy’s gloves, after her was done pondering about his past and because of the excitement of the new adventure he couldn’t help but to let out a fired up

“alright!” to mark the beginning of his nightly scouting of the perimeters to secure a path to follow into their destination which would ensure enough daylight to spare the next morning.

The feeling was hilariously answered by a meager attempt of agreement from the barely awake self proclaimed unicorn, who kept Mumbling quietly before slowly succumbing to sleep.

He watched as she lost consciousness for the night and then decided to start his quest to look for branches and pine needles for the fire once he quickly made sure that it was safe to leave her alone in that spot.

“Maybe one day we’ll find out how to cure this rare condition of yours, I think..”

Footsteps disappearing into the depths of the woods was the last thing she heard.

“Maybe.”

She thought to herself before everything faded into black.

[bytheangell]

also your weekly (and probably second last) Jonathan prompt from me ------1) Jonathan's thoughts and feels when Alec and Jace were totally ready to kill him to the point he flapped away.........2) His feels when he unleashes demons and meets Clary again

this was meant for me(Read on AO3)

He turns instinctively toward the arrow, not expecting the flash that immediately blinds his vision. Everything goes white, the ringing adding to his disorientation as he falls to the ground, hands above him in an attempt to protect himself from the movement he hears around him. Jace, surely, making his move.

Except he can’t. Jonathan feels the cold metal around his wrists, handcuffed so he can’t attack but unable to be attacked in turn despite being entirely vulnerable. Not unless they want to harm their precious friend.

Once more he owes his life to Clary. Jonathan closes his eyes and focuses inward - the bond is still in tact. She’s doing fine, wherever she is. He doesn’t feel so much as a scratch on himself from her, which isn’t surprising. If he had any doubts he would’ve taken the sword for himself but he knows it’s safe in his sister’s more than capable hands.

A second set of footsteps approach, the archer’s, and then Jace is gone and Alec takes his place.

“Jonathan Morgenstern, by order of the Clave, you’ve been sentenced to death as soon as Clary’s free of you.”

Something is wrong. He can sense concern through his bond with Clary, hesitation and confusion stronger than any he experienced since she gave herself over to his side completely. With Jace and Isabelle against her if she falters… if she fails…

She won’t. She can’t. He needs her, and with Alec ready to take his life at any second he feels truly vulnerable for the first time since his resurrection. Panic and fear are not emotions he’s used to experiencing but he feels them both now and they’re overwhelming. He has to wonder how much of it is Clary and how much of it is himself, but as much as he hates those feelings he’s suddenly unwilling to lose them.

Because losing those intrusive emotions means losing her, too.

“CLARY!” He calls out with every ounce of strength he has left. He needs to see her, to know she’s okay. He needs her.

Jonathan feels the searing pain on his right shoulder blade at the exact moment his sister’s scream echoes through the trees. Next comes the flare of magic - their magic - beneath his skin like an electric current, attempting to fight back against that which threatens it.

“Jonathan!” As the sound of his own name reaches him Jonathan’s face contorts in anguish that, unknown to him, mimics Clary’s own. She sounds so fragile, so lost, so scared.

“Clary!” The pain through his shoulder blade is excruciating. She’s hurt. She’s hurt and she’s calling out for him even as they try to tear them apart, and there’s nothing he can do to save her. He’s her older brother, he should be there to protect her, but instead he’s helpless to do anything but feel her being ripped away from him. He can sense the fade of their connection, sees flashes of red and edom. Just like that their connection is gone….

… and so is anything good and light and angelic that she brought into his life.  

There’s a shifting behind him which causes Jonathan to react instinctively. Wings sprout from his back - defending him where his bound hands cannot - sending Alec sprawling backwards. Jonathan breaks the cuffs that hold him and reaches out a hand, calling to the one thing he has left to his name in this world.

“What the hell…” Alec mutters.

The sword comes to him, the only one left worthy of wielding it, and he feels it’s power and energy course through him as he turns to face a stunned Alec noting the trepidation with which the Shadowhunters looks back up at him. What a sight he must be, Jonathan thinks idly: wings unfurled, eyes black, and the Morning Star sword glowing red in his grasp. The true picture of his destiny manifested.

“Apparently being tethered to my sister was holding me back.” Jonathan thought he needed Clary. He thought his sister’s love and acceptance would make him stronger, make him whole again, but he was wrong… or so he tries to convince himself. All Clary ever did was make him vulnerable. He once thought that she was only the weakness of the Shadowhunters they fought, but he made the mistake of allowing her to become his as well. He just couldn’t see it before.

He can see it now, though; everything is so much clearer now.“The Clave will never stop hunting you.” Jonathan wants to laugh at the words out of Alec’s mouth. He could kill him if he wanted to, right then and there, but it would be a waste of time and effort, and a poor use of the Morning Star. He has more important things to do than worry about this one boy and his empty threats. “They can’t hunt me if they’re already dead.” Jonathan gives Alec a final look - a self-satisfied smirk so that he knows Jonathan is choosing to live him behind in one piece, just to remind Alec he’s that insignificant in the grand scheme of what’s about to happen.

Jonathan looks up and pushes himself off the ground, the wind in his face more freeing than anything he’s felt in his entire life. Everything is falling into place. He has the sword. He’s embraced his true self as well as the demonic power within him that his father gifted him so long ago. But the Shadowhunters? They took the last thing he needed for his vision to be perfect.

They took his sister from him, and for that, they’re going to pay.

—

Jonathan wastes no time in felling the demon towers in Alicante. Every moment that passes is another the Shadowhunters have to get in his way again, to try and put an end to everything he worked so hard to achieve. He’s spent enough time plotting to make sure he has everything he needs lined up for the moment the blade was in his possession.

This is it. This is the moment it all comes together.

Every action Jonathan makes is driven by pure instinct and the belief that this is the singular purpose he’s fated for. It was never Clary or Jace who was meant to bring honor back to the Morgenstern name, their father had been wrong about. It was him. It’s always been him.

Jonathan raises the sword and cuts through the sky itself, a slice of fire bleeding through the swirling clouds above. And then, just as he pictured in the moment his bond with Clary severed, he sees the winged demons flood through the breach, set free from their prison. He did it. After so many years in Edom kept from his true birthright, after numerous setbacks during his time on Earth, it’s finally done.

And it’s beautiful.

He doesn’t bother to look away at the sound of footsteps behind him, not even at the sound of Clary’s voice.

“Jonathan! What happened to you?”

Doesn’t she know? Doesn’t she see that the very bond that made her so endearingly merciless was the same one that made him even the slightest bit sympathetic? What happened to him, she must realize, is that without her influence there’s nothing to stop him from giving in to his darkest impulses, his deepest desires.

Without her there’s nothing stopping him from becoming the demon they’re all so quick to view him as. “You wanted a monster, here I am.” He turns slowly, wishing he could be surprised that she came to stop him. He allows a moment of hope that she simply played along with Jace and the others to get back to him and now that she sees the power the Morning Star could bring the both of them she’ll come running back to take her rightful place by his side, just like they planned.

“Please, stop this.” Clary pleads, and he can hear the weakness behind the words immediately. Jonathan mourns the loss of what she could’ve been and buries the last bit of hope he had left.

“There. Is. No. Stopping. This.” He pauses after every word, making sure she understands, driving the point home with the finality of every syllable. “Every demon you banish ends up on the other side of that rift, ready to come back again, and again, and again. Until everybody in this city is dead!” The Clave, the Shadowhunters, they would all have him dead. Funny how a life seems to matter so much more when it’s your own. For them to cleanse the world of him would’ve been justice. So why is his desire to cleanse the world of them so unacceptable in turn?

“That includes Clary,” Jace points out, causing Jonathan to realize how desperate he must truly be. A minute ago that might’ve made a difference: when Jonathan thought there was a chance that his love for her could still be returned, that there was any possibility no matter how slight of him getting back the ruthless sister who was ready to rule the world at his side. But now?

“I know that the love you felt for me, that the love you still feel, is real. You told me you wanted to be better. To be good. Jonathan, please… Please.” Clary’s words are spoken over the ambient sounds of screams, of cannon fire and bursts of exploding concrete.

She isn’t wrong. He did want to be better, to be good - for her. But she doesn’t believe in him or his vision, she only wants him to stop long enough for her to turn on him again the way she had in Paris with that Shadowhunter and in New York when she locked him in that underground cell.

He wants to believe that she cares but he can’t afford to make the same mistake a third time, not after he’s already come so far.

“It doesn’t matter what I do.” His voice is strained and he mentally curses the swell of emotions that well up within him. Jonathan holds out the sword and it turns to dust and ash in his grip. It served its purpose, it opened the rift, and now that it’s destroyed that action cannot be undone. He does care - Clary’s right about that part too - which makes the fate he seals for her with the loss of the sword hurt that much more. It breaks him to do, but if her only goal is to stop him then she has to die along with the rest of them.

“YOU WILL NEVER LOVE ME BACK!” Jonathan needs her to know that he still loves her. That if only she could’ve loved him back things would be different and he wouldn’t have to hurt her this way. Her fate here is her own doing.

He also needs to leave. He can’t look at her a second longer without shattering and he doesn’t want to be here the moment the city collapses around her, or one of the many demons flying overhead single out the angel blood coursing through her veins as their next target.

Jonathan launches himself upward into the chaos of the sky above, his wings carrying him toward the breach - toward Edom - and does his best not to look back.

[thirstyfortom]

Idk about “an act” thing, but I had an idea for this and got carried away LOL. Hope you like this! ^^

Third time’s a charm

This date is taking an unexpected turn. Also not the best one, to be honest.

You and Yoosung had been on two dates before, and they were fantastic, you went to the movies, took a stroll in the park and bought books, so when he asked you out again, you were as tingly as him when you said yes.

So now that it’s getting weird, you feel even worse, because you have no idea when things stopped making sense… is it your fault? Something you said? Something you did? Or is it because this is the third date? Yoosung watches and reads romcom, so of course he would be imagining the third date to end with only one possible closure… and considering how blushy he gets just by kissing and holding hands, it’s understandable that he is spiralling out with the possibility of… you… and him… going a little further than just kissing and holding hands.

But this is a little too much even for him… He’s not being himself at all! At first, it was pretty funny, he suggested that you guys should go clubbing. You were surprised, but it did sound fun, so you agreed, though you were curious about his choice.

“My friends from college say this club is very lit, so I think we should try it.” Okay…

You guys waited on the line for a couple of hours, it was getting a little chilly, and you noticed his ears getting red due to the cold.

“Are you okay? You look cold…” you leaned against him and brought your hands to cover his ears, but he pried your hands away.

“I-I’m fine, MC. I actually can handle cold very well, you know?” you just nod as he smiles in reassurance. Well, if he says so…

Then you guys managed to get inside the club, and you dragged him to the dance floor, holding his hand and making sure he was close. The lights, the smoke, the people bumping and grinding… all of this is overwhelming for you, just imagine to someone who has their depth sense still a little compromised due to the loss in their sight…

“I’m not a good dancer, MC…”

“Me neither, so why don’t we just…” you grab his hands, placing them on your hips “...follow the beat?”

“Oh… oh yeah! That sounds very cool, then I can…” he shakes his head suddenly, clearing his throat and shrugging. “I guess that’s fine.”

Was he really having fun? He seemed so aloof and uncomfortable, he’s not even smiling as much as he did in your previous dates… were you doing something wrong?

Then came the breaking point: a tipsy girl bumped on you, it was accidental, but it was hard enough for you to lose your balance and she noticed.

“Oh sorry, hon, but you should really look at where you’re going…”

“Hum… I was just here dancing with my boyfriend, you’re the one who showed up out of nowhere…”

“Whaaat? Are you saying I’m the one to blame?” she started sniffing. Was she… crying? Crying over something so silly? Both you and Yoosung frowned in confusion.

“Babe, what’s wrong? What happened?” a guy showed up. Huge arms, the biggest you’ve ever seen and if they wouldn’t drive attention enough already, he also had tattoos on his biceps, it was impossible to look away.

The girl kept sobbing in an exaggerated way, she was drunk, she was emotional, and she was definitely making a scene based entirely on nothing.

“Babe, they… they’re just so mean…” she hugged the inked guy, who glared at you and Yoosung.

“Hey, what the hell did you do to her?”

“We didn’t do anything! We were just-” Yoosung held your shoulder and stepped himself in front of you, as if he was protecting you. From what?

“Don’t even think about yelling at her.”

“Yeah? Or else…?” the guy crossed his arms in a threatening way, his muscles bulging to a point it made you gulp.

“Yoosung, just let it go…” you plead, holding his forearm.

“No, this guy is being rude at you and I can’t let this happen! No one talks to you like that, this-”

“They are drunk and it was just a bump, don’t mind them and let’s get out of here, please?”

“Get out!? But MC, our date-”

“Can continue somewhere else. Please let it go.” your voice was firm as you were bossing him, but you were actually begging. The last thing you wanted was him getting hurt or, worse, hurting someone and having to go to the police station.

And after that, you were ready to call a cab and take him to your place for you guys to chill and cuddle, but Yoosung had different plans…

So now here you are, sitting on a chair of an ink studio as he flips through the pages of a tattoo booksource. And now you know where it went wrong: the buff guy throwing a fit for his drunken girlfriend.

“It’s pretty cool how these places stay open late at night, huh?” he comments, and you just nod.

He felt like backing away because you asked was not the right thing to do as a man, not like that man in the club, add that on top of this being the third date and you can understand how pressured he’s feeling. Your boyfriend is worried he’s not manly enough… and the tattoo will be the proof that he’s not a coward, that he takes risks and that he’s as man as that guy.

Your poor boyfriend… if only he knew you think he’s the strongest man you’ve ever seen, if only he knew you wouldn’t care even if he wasn’t, because he’s great no matter what. If only he knew he doesn’t have to mark his skin and go through this pain just to prove a lame point…

“I could do a dragon! In LOLOL, there was a dragon that looked like this, what do you think?”

“Yoosung…”

“Or maybe a snake on my back… or a lizard…”

“Yoosung?”

“Yes?”

“You really don’t have to do that if you don’t want to.”

“Huh? But I want to, I’ve been thinking about it… for a while, yeah, I think a change would make me look cool and edgy…”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yeah, of course, MC! Why… why are you asking me that?”

“I just don’t want you doing something you can regret later…”

“Oh… oh, are you worried I might be afraid of needles? Don’t worry, I-”

“I know you’re not afraid of needles, Yoosung, you’re studying to be a doctor, you handle needles in your internship, I’m not thinking about you being afraid or incapable or… I don’t see you as a scared little boy, Yoosung!” whew… you said it…

“Then… why did you want to get out of the club? I could have fought with the guy, it would be hard to win, but… I would put a good fight, MC…” he looks down, his voice is low and deep in a way you’ve only heard on that time he had just came back from Mint Eye’s headquarters and called you from the hospital…

“I know that, honey. But what’s the point in hurting or getting hurt over something so silly? What’s the point of getting something permanent in your skin just to prove a point to someone we’ll probably never see again?”

“I don’t want to get a tattoo because of the guy, I want to… impress you…” he blushes hard, like you haven’t seen him do the entire night.

“M-me?”

“Y-yeah! I… I just wanted a reminder that I can be strong and defend you, like that guy was doing for his girlfriend. I… want to be someone that protects you.”

Your heart flutters. Yoosung Kim can be so extra even in the way he manifests his insecurities. Insecurities that, if you could, you would rip them off of him.

You make him look at you, cupping his cheek, you lean closer and kiss his left eye, making him flinch as he gasps.

“We already have a reminder of how you protect me, Yoosung. I wish there wasn’t, but it’s here and everytime I look at it, it takes me back to that party where you gave a speech and… kissed me, and ever since then I’m never afraid because I have you to rely on. So… will you rely on me and talk to me before putting on an act to impress me? Will you believe me when I say you’re great exactly like you are?”

His face is on fire, it almost looks like he will burst out to tears at any moment, but all he does is smile. A pure, sunshine smile that lights up the entire room.

And he kisses you. A passionate and sweet kiss onle him is able to pull off so naturally.

“Uhm… did you choose the design for you tattoo, man?” a guy stands next to the door, not even fazed by the PDA, but quite bothered by it.

“”No, not really, I think… I need a few more days to decide, thank you anyways.” and you guys leave the ink studio

***

You guys ended the night at your place, eating junk food and cuddling in the couch.

“So… MC, I was thinking… this was our third date, right?”

“Yep…”

“Yes, uhm… so… I was thinking… can we redo our third date? I… I had a different idea for it, but ended up going with one of my classmates’ suggestion to go to the club, so… can we try again?”

You laugh, nuzzling in his chest.

“Sure. Say the date and I’ll be there.”

“G-good. Thank you for accepting it.”

“It’s my pleasure, just give me some time, okay? I want to do a little surprise for you as well…”

“A surprise?”

“Yeah, you know… tattoos might not be your thing, but I don’t know, maybe it could be mine, so… I was thinking of getting one.”

“R-really? Well, that’s good, I guess. What do you plan to get?”

“I don’t know yet, but I can tell you this: I want to have it in a place of my body only you are allowed to see.”

Yoosung stiffs in the couch, chuckling nervously as you press your body against him, seeking for more warmth.

“That’s… that’s something to discuss after our third date.”

[wu-sisyphus-gang]

Motion Sickness Chapter 13 snippet

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Nora was all over me in a pinwheel of hammer and raw force. I blocked and redirected her massive attacks, giving ground all the while and stepping back to get brief charges of my semblance in. I wasn’t sure how effective this hit and run strategy I was working on really was but there was no way to know until I activated my semblance. 

It arrived with the usual whoosh and I bashed Nora across the face with the shield and she whipped back at me with a large grin. “Ruby’s right. It does make you stronger, but does it make you strong enough for this?” 

She rotated the hammer over her head and I stepped back and to the side, giving her space before the hammer clipped me on the shoulder. I winced, in more pain than the blow would have indicated normally; irritating my wounds was a must, however. 

I shut down Nora’s worried look by spending the charge right in her face. The five hit combo I had used against the Scorpion which carved a massive Kanji in the air. Misfortune. Ren had informed me when he saw it. I unleashed the bad luck cutter right into her gut and knocked her back, bouncing her across the bricks. She was the only one in the group I felt comfortable using that kind of attack against in sparring. Ruby was made of paper-mache and Ren was a lightweight, too. 

Nora on the other hand could really take the hit. 

I checked her aura gauge. Maybe Ruby was right, maybe my own strength was a mystery to me. Nora was yellow. 

She flipped back to her feet rushing me with the hammer but suddenly, without limit, I swayed on my feet, clutching my side. I held up a single hand and her steps stuttered to a stop. 

“You’re not just charging your semblance, are you?” She asked. I glared at her. “Good because that’s funny nonce.”

I panted hard and glared some more. 

Ruby had been watching the fight unfold and walked up to me. She handed me a bottle of water and as she swung past me she kissed my cheek in a crimson flash. Her eyes glowed and a small blush marked her cheeks before she vanished in a small blur. 

“So you and Ruby, huh?” Nora leered with a grin. As though she didn’t know. The two of them had shared a room last night. What secrets had they shared? A total question mark.  

“Yeah, me and Ruby.” My voice had more confidence than I felt. 

“How’d that happen?”

“She got tired of waiting for me and made a move.” 

Nora looked down and rubbed her right arm with her left arm sheepishly. “It’s not that easy,” she murmured. 

“It actually might be.” 

“What if he’s not into me.”

“Nora, you’re his whole world.”

“He needs to say it.” She said sticking one hand on her hip. “Not you.”

“So you two haven’t done anything?”

“No we totally have, it's just not like that, or like what you have.”

“That’s not what I meant. Just… don’t wait too long.” I let a little agony creep into my voice. “You really really don’t want to wait too long.”  It wasn’t pain I felt wasn’t from my abdomen. 

She opened her mouth but I found a place to sit and plopped down, clutching my sides with a hiss. 

“Was it a good idea for us to fight?” She asked. 

“I need to stay fit and get used to the semblance and sword. You took it easy enough on me.”

“You’re hurting though. Also you didn’t take it easy on me. What was that?”

“I was hurting before we started, though.”

“Oh that makes it okay then.” Sarcasm leaked through. She aggressively ruffled my hair. “You need to look after yourself.”

“I’ve got you guys to help with that.”

“What are you going to do when we’re not around?”

“I’ll muddle through.” 

Ren approached us, looking us both up and down thoroughly and distantly. His eyes lingered on me and for a moment I thought he saw right through me. His eyes nearly narrowed and with his semblance I couldn’t really put how much he saw past him. He was the strongest empath on our team for a reason. 

“So that’s your semblance, it’s very you.” Ren murmured. “I had wondered when it would manifest.”

“Do you have a name for it?” Nora wondered.

“Do you really need to have a name for it?” I wondered. “It’s just a semblance.”

“Just a semblance!” Nora exclaimed. “Of course it needs a name! Do you have a name?” She wondered rhetorically. 

“Nora calls her’s High Voltage. Mine, of course, is called Tranquility. Ruby’s probably has a name like Scatter or something. Fallen Petals or some such.”

“How about Summit Supremium Smash?” Nora went with.

“A bit of a mouthful, isn’t it?” I tried. 

“Boundless Bash,” she whispered. 

“Something shorter, then, like Limit Breaker.” Ren continued. 

“Limit Break sounds fine.” I settled before some worse option could present itself. “Let’s call it Limit Break.” 

“How are you feeling Jaune?” Ren wondered.

“I’m hurt but I’m getting through it.” I needed a distraction. “How’s enlightening Beifhing’s men going?”

“All done!” Nora spouted flexing one bicep. “All of the king's men are ready for battle.”

I sighed. I felt better leaving the village again if the guards had aura and the power to defend themselves against the Grimm. Of course enlightening so many people posed its own dangers but the Knuckleavee and the danger presented by Vernal was just too much. We couldn’t be everywhere. We couldn’t stay forever. There was a certain compromise there.

The fact was when you handed out tickets to the superpower lottery, someone might win. Example: Raven fucking Branwen who united half a continent worth of bandits in terror. 

It was also much faster and safer for us as a group rather than Ruby doing it by herself in Higanbana. 

I twisted and turned my torso, stretching my stitches to aggravate the wounds. Ren winced next to me and looked me over again. He said nothing though but he met my eyes in certain suspicious silence.

“You feel up for sparring with me?” Ren quirked an eyebrow. I panted a moment longer before I nodded. We were gathering a bit of an audience in the small courtyard. A few young children and some older kids came out to watch the hunters practice. 

“Don’t hit him with that move!” Nora called. “The one you hit me with. Does it have a name?”

“Why would my moves have names if my semblance didn’t?”

“Everyone has signature moves.” Ruby explained. She was back in a blur and plopped down beside Nora with a drink. “Yang likes jab, left body shot, left head hook, right cross. She favors ending everything with a cross, regardless of her stance.”

“So my moves need names?”

“Well sure!” Nora continued. “Whatever you just hit me with for sure.”

“He used that against the scorpion, too.” Ruby gossipped back. “It was devastating.”

“That’s the one he used to break his aura?” Nora wondered. “No wonder.”

“Yeah. You should see the other ones he has too. He has one where he moves with it. It’s hard to explain.”

“It’s pretty, though.”

“I know right.” 

“Are we going to fight?” Ren wondered. “Or are you just listening to the girls?”

“Yeah.” I answered cutely, drawing my sword into a ready position. “You ready?”

“Speaking of…” Nora continued. “What was the name of your semblance Ruby?”

“Petal Burst.” Ruby took a sip of her drink, kicking her legs on the bench she sat on. God she was cute. She brushed her hair back out of her face by pouting her lips and blowing upwards. 

“Boo.” Nora ixnayed the creativity.

“Yang named it.” Ruby defended easily. “It started when I was super young.” 

“How young are we talking about?”

“Young enough to not be able to control it. And to cause a few accidents.” 

“So what are we going to call that move?”

“Kanji Smash,” Rens suggested.

“Slayer,” Nora tried. “Penta Slash. What does the Kanji mean?”

“Misfortune,” Ren answered.

“Unlucky Cutter,” Nora continued.

I grunted. 

“‘X’ slash. Cross Slash,” Ruby listed. I liked the last one. 

“Hold up, Ren! Don't just sit there and let him charge it!” Nora called out. 

Too late. My skull roared and I rushed him. I swept my sword down at him with a blue blur. I made sure not to crack the pavement beneath Ren’s feet. It turns out I didn’t need to because Ren swept backwards. It looked like it was in slow motion compared to his usual speed. 

I gave him no quarter. Limit Break only lasted so long. Fifteen seconds, maybe. Could be less. A long time in a fight but then not that long. I swept the distance between us, in a violent violet haze. I thrusted Crocea Mors in all six foot glory forward as I rushed him with an impaling flick. I caught him in the chest and lifted him up into the air. I followed it up with that baseball style swing where I pivoted my hips into a diagonal slash. I caught Ren flat footed. I was starting to think that that was one of those moves that Ruby had a read on me for. 

It was comfortable though, it felt right. 

He kicked at me, at normal speed now, but compared to the Scorpion he was moving through jello. I blocked it by raising Crocea Mors vertically but it seemed to be a trap.

Ren caught my weapon and swung around me kicking me in the back and I went down rolling. He pursued me with his weapons ready to grapple and whipped my leg out from underneath me with a hook of Stormflower. He ripped out a chunk of my aura with it and the other one at the same time. 

I sighed even before I hit the ground. Semblance or not, some things remained the same. 

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[writesandramblings]

The Captain’s Secret - p.59

“Ties That Bind”

A/N: This chapters covers the first part of episode 3, “Context is for Kings.”

Full Chapter List Part 1 - Objects in Motion << Part 58 - Forward the Frontier Part 60 - Wayward Soldier >>

As Lorca looked at Mischkelovitz's mycelial map on the astrometrics display, he marveled at the beauty of it. Even incomplete, it was a truly impressive initial framework she had assembled.

But then, such assemblies were her specialty. It was no accident that she had been able to create a particle map of null time. Relative positioning was the main focus of her personal research and went to the core of the methodology she had attempted to employ to save her husband. Mischkelovitz saw the universe as a collection of infinitesimally small puzzle pieces. She could see how they fit together and extrapolate connections in a way most other people could not. To her, the main problem with the null time puzzle in the mess hall was that it only had a thousand pieces and was entirely predictable.

Mischkelovitz was standing on the other side of the display, visible through the snaking tendrils of the map as he spun and enlarged it, honing in on the areas with the most detail, zipping across the gaps. She had included color-coded projections of what might fill the gaps.

"This is damn impressive, Mischka," he said.

"It's only a start," she said. "I need more jumps in order to get enough data. But..."

"Yes?" he prompted.

"I noticed something. It's almost like..." She looked down, clasped her hands together nervously, swallowed.

"Out with it."

"It sounds crazy, but I think the network goes more places than Lieutenant Stamets thinks."

"He thinks it goes everywhere in the universe," pointed out Lorca. "That covers everything, I'm pretty sure."

She looked up, wide-eyed like a startled deer. "That's not what I mean." Lorca frowned and held his hand out expectantly for an explanation. "I think it might be able to go places outside the universe."

Lorca let that statement hang in the air a moment. Then he said, "That does sound crazy." Mischkelovitz was crestfallen to be labeled as such, but Lorca buoyed her right back up: "But crazy doesn't mean wrong."

Mischkelovitz approached the display and tweaked it with her fingers, jumping to a specific spot. "Here," she said, enlarging a small section. There were lines of glowing blue dots flowing towards a single point. "There's a point of egress right here next to where we exited on our ninth mycelial jump, but this point doesn't correspond to where it should in our rysical feality. It stands to reason this energy is exiting to someplace else."

He did not even bother correcting her at this point, and if she noticed herself make the mistake, she gave no indication. "You mean like another reality?"

She bit her lip, not quite willing to confirm this idea without more data. As exciting as this hypothesis was, she was still a good scientist and this was little more than wild speculation on her part. "Maybe?"

Lorca whistled in appreciation. "I think you might be on to something, doctor. But we'd better keep it to ourselves, because the minute we start suggesting alternate universes, they're gonna throw us in a looney bin." He chuckled, joking, but for once this was a joke that scared her more than it amused. Lorca sighed. "You just keep gathering data. When we have enough to prove you're right, they won't be able to lock either of us up."

He ordered Discovery away from the front lines under the guise of a concession to Cornwell for their momentary disobedience, but there was just as much another reason for their destination, and it was not a reason Lorca shared with anyone else.

Lalana had come through. Whoever owed her that favor must have had considerable resources at their disposal, because within days Burnham was on a transport shuttle diverted straight towards Discovery with one important obstacle in its path.

He was in his ready room tracking the shuttle's position when the bridge cut in to alert him of the distress signal. He sprayed his eyes to compensate for the light shift he was about to endure and strode out onto the bridge. "Status report!"

"It's a prison transport shuttle. The pilot is reporting an electrical mite infestation and she's become untethered from the shuttle itself."

"Do we have a lock on her?"

"EV transponder loud and clear," reported Owosekun.

"Get us in range and beam her aboard. And the shuttle?"

"It's continuing on its course. Four prisoners onboard."

"Get a tractor on it and get me the passenger manifest."

"Aye, captain."

His next command was more targeted. "Commander Landry!" he said sharply, which was as much of a summons as Landry needed to leave her tactical console and join him in his ready room. Landry cast a look at the tribble on his desk. She did not entirely approve of the creature and its frequent cooing.

"Will you look at that," said Lorca as he brought up the passenger manifest. "Michael Burnham."

"You're shitting me," said Landry, eyes widening. She could see the evidence well enough herself. Michael Burnham, the legendary mutineer of the Battle of the Binary Stars, the linchpin upon which most of the Federation blamed the war.

Lorca smiled at Landry's reaction. "Well, Federation regulations state that prisoners are to be treated with a modicum of respect, so see to it they're fed and find them a little space to sleep. We wouldn't want to be seen as inhospitable."

"Wouldn't we?" said Landry. He was talking about a group of prisoners, Burnham among them, not model citizens of the Federation deserving of their help. "You want me to tuck them in while I'm at it?"

"Sometimes I forget you're from Canada," said Lorca, amused.

"You can't believe everything they say about Canadians, sir," said Landry.

"That you're all vicious, uncivilized, blood-thirsty savages?"

Landry rolled her eyes. "Very funny," she said.

"And bring Burnham to me after they're fed. I'd like to meet our mutineer for myself."

"Yes, captain," said Landry, clearly disagreeing with this entire course of action, but there was no questioning her ability to follow orders or her personal loyalty to him.

Landry headed off to complete her assignment and Lorca summoned Saru to the ready room. The Kelpien was startled to arrive and find the face of Michael Burnham awaiting him on the display alongside the other prisoners.

"Looks like we have an unexpected guest," said Lorca. "You served with her for years. Tell me everything I need to know about Michael Burnham."

It did not take long for news of Burnham to spread across most of the ship. When the fight erupted in the mess hall, Lorca watched from his ready room with amazement on the security feeds as Burnham disabled all three of her fellow inmates with unflinching ease. It was perfect, too, how Landry waited until Burnham had finished defending herself before intervening, because anything less would have deprived him of the chance to truly see Burnham in action. It was such a good show, it was a shame he had no popcorn.

He waited for Burnham at the window, his hands resting on the windowsill, eyes fixed on the stars. He winced faintly as light filtered in when the door slid open and Burnham entered, but with his back to the door, there was no way for her to see the momentarily flash of pain on his face. He smiled at the starry view. "No matter how deep in space you are, it always feels like you can see home, don't you think?" The only answer to this question was the cooing of the tribble on his desk. "Maybe it's just me."

He could see her reflected in the window, watching him. She stood straight as a rod, and as unflinchingly, clad in a mustard yellow prison jumpsuit.

"Forgive the lighting," he said. "The lack thereof. A recent battle injury. There's nothing they can do if I want to keep my own eyes, and, I do. I have to suffer light change slowly. I like to think it makes me mysterious." He smiled at that, chuckled softly, and turned towards her at last.

She remained impassive. Not even an inkling of reciprocity at the smile he offered her.

"No?" he asked. She was even tougher than he expected. "Captain Gabriel Lorca. Welcome to Discovery."

The meeting with Burnham remained on his mind long after she was gone from his ready room. He kept going over the events in his head. It had not gone entirely as he had wanted. She was stubborn, willful, idealistic, and extremely wary of him. But Lorca had read her file, Saru was entirely forthcoming when asked, and he knew full well what drove Michael Burnham.

Michael Burnham needed problems to solve and the freedom to solve them her own way. Michael Burnham needed mysteries and challenges to overcome. She needed a purpose. She would find all this and so much more on Discovery. He poked the tribble lightly. It cooed happily in response. It was a simple creature.

"Sickbay to Captain Lorca."

Lorca could tell from the tone of Culber's voice that this was going to be an admonishment, but far be it for him to ignore the call of his chief medical officer. "Go ahead, doctor."

"Captain, are you aware that I have three Starfleet prisoners in my sickbay being treated for injuries they incurred in a fight?"

"I am now," said Lorca. Truthfully, this was not news; where else would the prisoners have been taken after that altercation?

His tone was entirely too lighthearted. Culber was terse in response. "Captain, I needn't remind you that pursuant to Starfleet penal code—"

"Then don't," said Lorca. "Save us both the wasted breath. Anything else, doctor?"

"The pilot's fine," offered Culber, annoyed that Lorca had not thought to ask.

"Then it sounds like everything's just peachy in sickbay." There was a certain degree of antipathy in this assessment.

Culber paused. "Just keeping you updated," he managed, his own distaste evident. "Sickbay out."

Lorca shook his head softly. Too many people on this ship came with walking baggage. He tapped the comms. "Lorca to Landry. Commander, let's keep Burnham isolated from our other guests. I believe there's a bed free in cadet quarters." Landry probably disagreed with this course of action as much as everything else that afforded the inmates any kindness, but she acknowledged his command without complaint.

The tribble cooed. Lorca ran his fingers through its fur. There really was something to be said for simple creatures.

It finally seemed he had everything he needed, so of course, it blew up in his face.

His only intent was to thank Lalana for her assistance with the Burnham matter. He beamed to the corridor outside the lab with a pair of fortune cookies. Allan let him in. He found Lalana sitting on the table next to one of Mischkelovitz's cloak detection devices in the main lab area. Mischkelovitz was compiling test results on a display and Groves sat off in his usual corner, feet up with a padd in hand.

"Gabriel! How lovely to see you. Has the operation completed?" Apparently Lalana had been in the main lab area or she would have seen as much on her monitor.

"Indeed it has." He held the cookie out to Lalana. She took it with her tail.

"Operation?" asked Groves.

"We rescued a few wayward travelers in distress," said Lorca, openly bragging. "Prisoners. And you'll never guess who was with them." He offered the second cookie to Mischkelovitz and she beamed happily at the gift.

"Then don't leave us in suspense, you're obviously dying to tell," said Groves sullenly, rolling his eyes at the fortune cookies. He still refused them entirely.

"Michael Burnham," said Lorca, stretching it out into two distinct moments for drama, grinning as if this were a great achievement on his part.

Mischkelovitz froze with half a cookie on her lips and let out a whimper. "Ne kol t'vassa?" she said in a small voice.

Groves put down his padd. "You're joking, right? This is one of your stupid jokes?"

Lorca frowned disapprovingly at Groves, whose jokes were altogether much stupider.

"It is not a joke," said Lalana. "Like Emellia, Michael Burnham was much reviled after the events at the Binary Stars, but also like Emellia, should she not have an opportunity to redeem herself in service of resolving this conflict? I have heard Michael Burnham is quite exceptional and I am sure Gabriel will be able to find an excellent use for her."

This was Lorca's argument almost point for point, but Mischkelovitz seemed not to hear it. She stared into the distance with vacant eyes. "Me oh'tronna," she said. "Me oh'traat vasiinen."

Groves sat up, looking alarmed. "Nai-yo vrakohl, Mischka."

Mischkelovitz's eyes seemed suddenly to refocus. She turned sharply towards Groves and started shouting at him while Lalana and Lorca stared, oblivious to what was being said. It was entirely frustrating listening to a conversation in another language, but Lorca was quite certain he caught the name "Burnham" as Mischkelovitz balled her hands into fists, crushing both halves of her cookie, and threw the crumbs to the floor. She turned and dove under her desk, opening the entrance to wherever it was she usually slept.

Groves shouted something and dove after her, managing to grab hold of her uniform. He tried to pull her out from under the desk. Mischkelovitz twisted, kicking at Groves so hard it sent his head smashing up into the corner of her desk and ripped a line of flesh from his forehead. Mischkelovitz wriggled free as Groves rolled aside, reeling from the force of the impact, and she disappeared into the wall.

Lalana hopped down from the table. "Are you all right, John?"

"What the hell just happened?" asked Lorca, looking to Groves for an explanation.

Groves tentatively touched his hand to his forehead, gasping at the sensation of raw, exposed flesh. Blood dripped onto the floor. He winced and shuddered as he carefully pressed the flap of skin back up into place. "Go get her," he hoarsely hissed at Lalana.

Lalana turned and looked at Lorca, expression as unchanging as ever, but it was easy enough to imagine a look of concerned confusion. She ducked into the wall passage in pursuit of Mischkelovitz.

Lorca stared down at Groves, utterly unsympathetic. "I'm still waiting on an explanation, specialist."

Though Groves did not respond in any language Lorca understood, the intonation of his words sounded a lot like he was telling Lorca what the captain could go do with himself. Groves pulled himself to his feet using the desk. The hand pressed to his forehead only partly staunched the flow of blood. Half of Groves' face was now dripping red.

"In English," specified Lorca.

Groves did not comply. "Saal mo prohti se'kaal beratiikannen. Ke bo'tro si kii? Je kaal'do'hol!" Even if the words were not clear, the emotion was. There was derision in there, and bitterness. Groves began to pace, muttering to himself and waving his free arm. Blood dripped from his chin to the floor, leaving a trail of dark droplets down his uniform. The drops on the floor quickly turned into bloody smudges under his feet.

Lorca suspected Groves was intentionally trying to antagonize him by not speaking English. He tried to think of a way to simultaneously neutralize Groves and get the information he needed. An impromptu interrogation into Groves' childhood seemed a little too out of left field. The brig was clearly not an effective threat. Threatening to remove him from Discovery was slightly too abstract in the moment and more likely to antagonize O'Malley and Mischkelovitz, and Lorca still needed Mischkelovitz. In particular, he needed to know Mischkelovitz had not just abandoned everything because of Michael Burnham's presence on Discovery.

There was always the threat of physical violence, but Lorca dismissed it. That was not the Starfleet way. As frustrating as it was to admit, Groves really did not let anyone have any leverage over him, which was trait Lorca could admire except for the fact he was on the wrong end of it.

It took twenty seconds for O'Malley to arrive when called. He must have used the site to site transporter into the hall. He was still in his sleepwear and his mouth fell open in shock at the sight of the blood on Groves' face. "What the hell happened!"

"He got kicked," offered Lorca. When O'Malley's eyes turned accusing, Lorca clarified, "By Mischka," and then shrugged exaggeratedly to indicate he had no clue beyond that and certainly it had nothing to do with him.

O'Malley's confusion only deepened as he attempted to get some further explanation from Groves. After two questions failed to elicit anything more than syllables of apparent nonsense, O'Malley shouted, "John, stop it, I can't understand you when you're talking kworyaan! Sim—sim trell ka—" O'Malley struggled, clearly knowing a few words, but not enough to form a sentence.

This only served to enrage Groves. He stopped pacing and snarled at O'Malley, "You'll never be one of us and your mother will never love you or Emellia so just shut up!"

It was a decided cruel sentiment even devoid of any context. O'Malley, to his credit, ignored it, turned to Lorca, and asked very pointedly, "Where is my sister?"

That part, Lorca knew. "She went in the wall. Lalana's with her."

O'Malley groaned faintly and shook his head. "Right. I need to get two doses of veter- vitter-toxic—"

"Vetroxican, you idiot!" said Groves. "How can you not remember that!"

O'Malley whirled on Groves and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Just because I'm not as smart as the lot of you doesn't mean I'm an idiot! Now will you sit down and let me help you!"

Lorca's eyes went wide in surprise and struggled to contain the smile spreading on his face because O'Malley losing his temper was utterly hilarious and this was an entirely inappropriate response to the situation. Groves, at least, was not so amused and immediately sat down in his chair. O'Malley comm'd Allan to fetch two doses of Vetroxican from sickbay, "and don't let them tell you no."

"As if they could," said Allan.

The phrasing mildly concerned Lorca. "Lorca to sickbay." Culber answered. "Please see to it Major Allan gets whatever he needs." Culber assented with a note of confusion in his voice as to why Allan was in need of anything, but Lorca had no interest in filling the doctor in.

O'Malley frowned. "That wasn't necessary, really."

"I think it was," countered Lorca, who trusted O'Malley and Allan to adhere to proper protocols about as much as he trusted himself. (This was an entirely accurate assessment on Lorca's part.)

O'Malley went over to Groves then, tugging Groves' hand away from his head. Groves resisted the attention. Still short-tempered, O'Malley said, "Knock it off, John. Do you think I like doing this? Do you think this is what brings me happiness?"

"Then stop," said Groves bitterly. He dropped his hand away from the wound, letting the blood drip down his face. "I hate you."

"I hate you, too, but I don't let it stop me." O'Malley examined the wound. The flap of flesh was considerable, but also well-attached. Mostly it was lot of blood.

Propelled by a need to be relevant, Lorca located the medkit and brought it over. "He should go to sickbay. He could have a concussion," he advised. "It was a pretty good whack."

O'Malley snorted as he cleaned around the wound and made use of the medical tricorder's default scans to assess the situation. "Right. John, care to tell the captain why you'll never go to sickbay?" Groves glowered. O'Malley sighed. "He can't go to sickbay because if he goes to sickbay, they'll figure it out right quick his medical records are all falsified."

"Not my height and weight," said Groves.

"Yes, well, if only all medical care were based on your height and weight," said O'Malley acerbically.

Lorca leaned back against the worktable in the middle of the lab and crossed his arms. "Groves, you might be the most frustrating person I have ever met. Why would you falsify that?" Falsifying medical records was not only potentially criminal, but falsifying your own was without question criminally stupid because when you needed medical intervention, your best hope was that the records were correct.

Groves smiled then, which looked truly macabre with all the blood still on his face. "'Cause, captain." This seemed to be all the explanation he was offering.

Lalana emerged from under Mischkelovitz's desk. "I do not know that I am helping Emellia. She keeps saying something about Burnham, but I do not know what."

"Burnham? As in Michael Burnham?" asked O'Malley. "Why would she be talking about her?"

Groves' smile widened into a manic grin. "Oh, you're gonna love this!"

O'Malley kicked Lorca out of the lab. He did not actually have that authority, but Lorca complied, because O'Malley seemed to be at the end of a heavily knotted rope and there was clearly nothing Lorca could do until everyone in the lab calmed down, which was not something he had any control over. His decision to bring Burnham aboard had caused a chain of events in Lab 26 that would not be easily brushed aside.

As if that weren't enough, Culber then decided Lorca needed to be questioned about the fact he had essentially ordered Culber to give two doses of Vetroxican, a highly controlled neural inhibitor, to a security officer for what reason exactly?

"Dr. Mischkelovitz needed it for her research," said Lorca, the explanation so paltry he failed to convince even himself.

He could practically hear Culber's head shaking over the comm. "Captain, I understand Dr. Mischkelovitz probably doesn't deserve the reputation she has, but I have to ask, what exactly is she working on?"

"It's classified."

"Captain, if she's conducting experiments on live subjects with this drug, it's in violation of every standard of medical ethics—"

"That's enough, doctor," said Lorca sharply. "Her research has been approved by Starfleet Command and that is all you need to know."

As usual, Culber folded to Lorca's ultimate authority, but was unhappy about it. "I have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of everyone on this ship, and I take that seriously."

"Rest assured, you have no reason for concern." This lie, at least, sounded more convincing, probably because it was halfway true. There really was nothing unethical about Mischkelovitz's research.

Culber was momentarily satisfied, but Lorca was frustrated. After everything, he finally had all the pieces he wanted and needed, and they seemed to be crumbling in his fingers. Mischkelovitz had vanished into a wall, Burnham was obstinate and defensive, Stamets was still regrettably Stamets, and now Culber apparently suspected Mischkelovitz of medical ethics violations. This was not going as intended. What was next? Saru accusing him of farming Kelpiens for emergency rations?

He really, really needed a win.

Part 60

[failureoftheyear-blog]

I will go down with this ship: Chapter 20

"Did I really?" Sakura cringed, Sasuke nodded.

"Mm-hm, you regarded yourself as 'mama' as you neared the siren" Sasuke informed, Sakura groaned and placed her face in her hands.

"Oh god, how embarrassing" Sakura whined, humiliation filling her.

"It was" Sasuke agreed, Sakura pouted at his unsympathetic expression.

"You cretin, you should be comforting me" Sakura complained, Sasuke shrugged.

"Hard to do so since you were drooling" Sasuke responded, Sakura let out another embarrassed groan.

"Why is my life just a series of awkward moments that follow each other in a never-ending spiral of difficulty?" Sakura sighed, Sasuke chuckled at her expression. Her comically miserable countenance reminding him of her child-like features. "I didn't do anything else, right?" Sakura begged, Sasuke shook his head, allowing Sakura a sigh of relief before she looked curiously towards Sasuke, "How come you weren't effected?" She enquired, Sasuke once more found himself in a position of mendaciousness.

"They didn't affect me" Sasuke claimed, though Sakura wasn't as easily convinced as the blonde.

"But you explained to me what sirens were, saying that they captured the minds and created their most ultimate desire" Sakura pointed out, Sasuke cursing internally on her memory, "So how was you able to resist?" Sakura asked, Sasuke shifted slightly.

"I am not one to be enticed by sinful temptations" Sasuke lied, Sakura stared at him for a few moments before smirking.

"You saw someone other than Neji, didn't you?" She grinned, Sasuke blushed.

"Wha-! I most certainly did not!" Sasuke exclaimed hotly, ashamed to be caught doing something he shouldn't have. "I'll admit to…being lured in by the siren's spell, but I only saw Neji, no one else" Sasuke fibbed, but Sakura was tenacious in her quest for truth.

"Then why would you lie?" Sakura confronted, Sasuke blinked a few times with no quick-witted answer in place.

"B-Because…" Sasuke started, but failed to finish. He sighed. "Fine" Sasuke admitted, "I may have…seen another" Sasuke confessed, Sakura's eyes widened slightly. Since she never expected him to confess to such a thing.

"Who?" She asked instantly.

"I'm not saying, I feel shameful enough that I even had such thoughts for the sirens to manifest" Sasuke carped, "I feel as if I'm Judas; betraying Neji like this is unforgivable" Sasuke voiced in distress, Sakura frowned at his clear turmoil. He shook his head. "How could I? I'm a disaster of an Ojo, we're expected to be loyal to our fiancées, yet I'm clearly disparaging him" Sasuke cried out, Sakura placed a hand on his arm.

"Sasuke, you did nothing wrong, you were under a hex" Sakura reminded, but Sasuke sighed.

"I should have had more control" Sasuke replied, "I'm a disgrace" Sasuke stated, Sakura was about to deny such a thing when another overheard his declaration.

"Whoa! Where did that come from?" Naruto asked with surprise as he approaching them both, "You're not a disgrace, love" Naruto stated, Sasuke scoffed.

"What do you know?" Sasuke replied, Naruto frowned and opened his mouth to respond, but Karin from across the helm spoke up.

"Naruto! We're here!" She called out, Naruto nodded and turned his attention back to Sasuke.

"We'll leave it for now, but we're going to talk about this later" Naruto promised, Sasuke scoffed and folded his arms as the ship coasted to a stop. Sasuke looked around to see that they were at least a quarter of a mile away from the island.

"Why aren't we docking at the island?" Sasuke asked, Naruto shook his head.

"Can't" He answered, "The island isn't real land, it's all trees that have bonded together and created one" Naruto explained, Sasuke intrigued by such a phenomenon, "The way to travel is by row boat, also, climbing the trees and vines" Naruto added, Sasuke was trying to comprehend such a place as Karin approached them.

"Alright Naruto, we're lowering the rowboat and we'll be on our way" Karin confirmed, Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Yeah, about that…" Naruto started, Karin raising an eyebrow towards him, "You're, um, not coming" Naruto confessed, Karin's eyes widened.

"What?! I always come!" Karin exclaimed, Naruto sighed.

"Look, we know to only take three people and-"

"Yeah! Me, you and Sakura, who the fuck else?!" She snapped, it was silent as her gaze landed on the raven. She glared maliciously towards him, "You have got to be kidding me…" She scowled, Naruto stepped in her line of view.

"Now Karin, we need him to translate the map, remember?" Naruto reminded, but Karin refused to go down without a fight.

"He could just wait until we got back!" Karin pointed out, Naruto having to confess another awkward point.

"Yes…but I promised to take him, I wanted to show him the wonders of the Crystal Labyrinth" Naruto explained, but Karin refused that as an answer.

"What the fuck does that have to do with our quest?! Besides, why the hell would you want to take him anywhere?!" Karin insulted, Sasuke now taking a keen interest in defending himself.

"It's not my fault that I make better company" Sasuke remarked haughtily, Naruto frowning at the glares being sent back and forth; akin to a volcano and a hurricane battling.

"Oh?! And a little brat like you does?!" She hissed, Naruto managed to get in between them before a fight broke out.

"C'mon, Karin, I need someone reliable to take Kyuubi to the nearest harbour to get him repaired anyway" Naruto pointed out, "By the time you get back we'll be ready to go, okay?" Naruto voiced, Karin huffed lightly and nodded with clear distaste. "Good" Naruto smiled as she stalked off. The blonde then gazed at Sasuke, "Didn't I tell you to be nicer?" Naruto asked, Sasuke scowled and folded his arms.

"The rest of your crew is tolerable, it's her that I can't stand" Sasuke replied, Naruto sighed and knew he'd never get the two to converse friendly, but supposed he just had to keep them separated for now.

"Fine, just stay away from her then, love" Naruto instructed, Sasuke rolled his eyes silently and followed Naruto to the row boat. The blonde hopped over the side of the ship to land on the row boat, as well as Sakura. Sakura saw an opportunity and elbowed Naruto, he looked confused towards her and her expecting expression.

"Cap, carry him, he is an Ojo" She whispered, Naruto blinked a few times before quickly jumping back up and smirking towards Sasuke.

"Your personal chariot has arrived" Naruto voiced, Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"Dobe" He remarked, Naruto swiftly swept Sasuke off his feet and jumped back down to the row boat. Sasuke squeaked and clung to Naruto through the ordeal, pleasing a certain pinkette. "A-Alright, you did your job, now put me down" Sasuke ordered, Naruto chuckled at Sasuke's demanding aura and did as he was told.

It was almost refreshing to Naruto to have someone question his authority. As strange as it may sound, it as a revitalising adjustment from the monotonous respect and obedience he was given. So to have such fire and spirit entertained Naruto to no end. Though there was an another spark within when Sasuke glared towards him. Something unexplainably satisfying and sound. Naruto raised an amused eyebrow at Sasuke as he pushed him lightly to make space for him to sit.

"Hn, you really are a funny one, love" Naruto remarked, sitting next to him. Sasuke grimaced in response.

"Don't get too close, I want to avoid picking up any diseases" Sasuke retorted dryly. Naruto laughed as he picked up the oars and started to row.

"I'll just make you love-sick, is all" He chuckled, Sasuke rolled his eyes once more and waited patiently as Naruto rowed them towards the mysterious Crystal Labyrinth. Entering the grey mist and identifying the strange features of the island. As Naruto had said, it was made of trees and their trunks; each interlocking to create stable land. As they finally settled next to the wooden mass, Naruto tied the row boat to the side of a trunk that delved into the sea. "Watch your step, it's dangerous" Naruto warned, the three of them climbing up the many trunks to get on top of the island.

"Whoa!" Sasuke exclaimed as he lost his footing and began to fall. Though secure arms wrapped around his waist to pull his closer. Sasuke viewed his blonde saviour.

"Falling for me, love?" Naruto smirked, Sasuke scoffed and looked away with a petite blush. Naruto manoeuvred Sasuke onto his back, resuming the climbing until they were at the top of the island, "It's probably better I carry you" Naruto stated, Sasuke wanted to argue, but was in no position to do so. Instead he grumbled incoherently. Naruto and Sakura tread carefully on the trunks, trying not to slip and fall.

"I can't wait to see Tsunade, I learnt a new enchantment" Sakura spoke excitedly, though Sasuke's eyes shot open in horror.

"What?!" Sasuke exclaimed, Sakura immediately tensed, "Y-You partake in sorcery?! Sakura, you can't! You'll end up in hell!" Sasuke rushed out, panicked that his dear friend would be punished for the rest of eternity. Sakura sighed.

"Um, listen, Sasuke, I know that you're worried about me and all, but um…" Sakura started, Naruto knew what was coming and made sure he had a steady grip on the raven. Sasuke observed her with strangeness, puzzled by her reluctance to speak. "I'm not…a catholic anymore" Sakura confessed, Sasuke's eyes widened in astonishment.

"What? Wait, Sakura, surely you're not a…a…protestant?" Sasuke managed to say, but Sakura just sighed at his lack of view.

"No, Sasuke, I'm not" She answered awkwardly, Sasuke with a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness, but what else could you possibly be?" Sasuke enquired, Sakura shared a nervous glance with Naruto, who gave her a nod of comfort. Sakura took a deep breath in and locked in stare with Sasuke.

"I…I'm a spiritualist" She voiced, Sasuke tilted his head.

"What's that?" He asked, Sakura shifting nervously.

"It…it means that I don't believe in your god" Sakura started, though no other explanation could be given as Sasuke's eyes rolled to the back of his head and he fainted once more. Naruto made sure he had him and gave a heartening smile to Sakura.

"He'll come around" Naruto stated, Sakura sighed.

"I have some explaining to do, I suppose" She stated, looking at her clearly shocked friend that lay on Naruto's back, "I just hope he'll understand"

Uh-huh.