#is it obvious i gave up halfway and left ash's jacket as it was in the sketch

[calithso]

just finished a job might share a smoke with the bestie that i have undeniable tension with

ash is from @vendetta-if

[myhusbandsasemni]

Rescuing Ash-Underground Hero: Part 1

This is gonna be a lot, get ready. Part 2 Here

Disclaimer: I was halfway through writing this when I realized I was writing a whump bit written by @morallygreyprompts on accident. I didn’t want to stop so I with have you know this is heavily the same as this post but I added a couple of characters and gave everyone names. Go read the original tho. It good!

Whump warning! Torture and heccin creepy villain. 

WC:1502

Hero: Andrew

Hero’s sidekick: Elliot

VIllain: Justin

The news that Justin, a villain mostly known for well played museum robberies from a year ago, had kidnapped a hero’s sidekick, Elliot, spread like a wildfire. No one really knew why he’s taken Elliot, but there were rumors that he liked to torture and kill sidekicks. After all, his own sidekick had vanished into thin air. 

The hero Andrew had been searching frantically for the two of them. Justin had shown interest in Elliot’s teleporting powers in their last fight and Andre had then woken up in the middle of the night bound and gagged, listening to Justin take Elliot away.

About two weeks after that incident, Andrew was a mess. He had not shaved or eaten more than a few bites of cereal since the kidnapping. He had tried to contact anyone who could help, including the Underground Hero who was known for rescuing anyone and everyone from anything and everything, but no one had responded or knew anything about the situation. 

Andrew sat dejectedly on his couch, leaning over the newspapers and other random documents spread over his coffee table. He felt sick and slightly hopeless. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do now other than wait.

He was considering if he had the energy to take a shower when he heard a knock on his front door. He stood up and shuffled to the door and opened it without looking through the peephole. He was greeted by three faces he never thought he’d see standing next to each other on a sunny morning. 

He wobbled a moment from the mixture of exhaustion and deep confusion before he stepped forward with a cry of relief, pulling Elliot into his arms and kissing the top of his sister’s head. She hugged him back, burying her head in his shoulder. It was obvious it had been a little while since either of them showered, but that didn’t seem to affect the reunion. 

Andrew took a shuddery breath before stepping back to get a better look at his sister. She looked exhausted and a little hungry, but not in terrible condition. No scrapes or bruises to speak of. So, with that, he turned his attention to the other two men who stood on the porch. 

“What do you think you’re doing here,” Andrew snapped at Justin who was doing his best to hide behind the masked man who was dressed very obviously as a hero.

Justin winced. Andrew was surprised by the actual fear that the villain was openly showing.

“Andrew,” the masked man said, “I’m Underground. We got your message and I looked into it. There’s something we need to talk about. The four of us.”

Andrew was about to object, glaring at Justin, when Elliot spoke up saying, “Drew, you have to let him in and listen. Trust me. This is important!”

Andrew looked down at her, surprised by the serious tone she used. He glanced at Justin and then back to his sister. 

“Okay, Elli.” He stepped back and let Underground and Justin in, though he didn’t take his eyes off of the villain. Justin’s steps faltered as a sound notification emanated from his jacket pocket. He pulled it out, looked at the message, and very nearly collapsed when he saw what it was.

His face paled so violently that Underground put an arm around him to support him. The masked hero led the villain to the couch and helped him sit down. Justin shuddered, fingers shaking so bad that Andrew couldn’t make out was on the screen of Justin’s phone.

“What?” Elliot asked, concern in her voice.

“H-he sent me a video,” Justin said, his voice cracking. “He’s never done that.”

“Who?” Andrew asked as Underground disappeared into the kitchen, coming back with a glass of water. 

“Eldar,” Justin whispered, referring to the supervillain who had a thing with murder and torture. “He sent a video of Ash.”

“Ash?” Andrew asked, sitting down. “Your sidekick? I thought he quit a year ago.”

Justin shook his head, ignoring the glass of water that Underground had set on the table in front of him. “He was taken a year ago. Eldar’s been holding him over my head to get me to do what he wants. I know where he’s keeping Ash but I just caN’T GET TO HIM!” Justin lost control of himself, raising his voice in absolute pain. He dropped the phone on the coffee table and pressed his face into his wrists, shuddering and sucking down breaths as if he were trying to physically hold something inside. 

“Justin kidnapped me to try and get me in there to rescue Ash with teleportation,” Elliot explained, worry in her eyes.

Underground examined the phone. The message still laughed up from the screen. “We should probably watch that,” he said softly. “We can watch it without you, Justin, if you don’t think you can handle it.”

“N-no,” Justin hiccuped, rubbing his eyes and looking at the three of them. “I…. I need to see what Eldar has done to him.”

They all crowded around the phone as Underground tapped on the video, pulling it up. 

Justin pressed a shaky hand to his mouth when he saw the screen. The room was dark and cold looking. Eldar, with his horns and piercing eyes, stood behind a chair where someone was bound. The captive was dressed in long baggy clothes and wearing a bag on their head. 

“Hello, Justin,” Eldar said with a hiss. The person bound to the chair flinched.

“There, there, calm down,” Eldar said to the hostage, stroking the burlap. “I haven’t even done anything yet. Do you remember your lines?”

The person in the chair hesitated before they nodded underneath the bag. 

Eldar ripped the bag off with a flourish and a sob escaped from between Justin’s hands. 

Ash was in horrible condition. His hair was long and matted, his eyes sunken and the scars that wrinkled his face horribly promised more to be seen across his whole body. He slowly looked up at the camera and took a small breath and started reciting the ‘lines’. “Ju..Justin. You should have known better than to go to the heroes. Now your sidekick will d-die unless you meet me alone on the bell bridge at midnight. Come unarmed- JUSTIN, PLEASE! GET ME OUT OF HERE! THIS PLACE IS KILLING ME-” He choked off with a sob as Eldar grabbed his hair and pulled his head back violently.

“I don’t remember that being in the lines,” Eldar said smoothly. He made eye contact through the screen and grinned. “See if you can bring that little sidekick you were messing with to me. She may be quite useful. And I’ll be so lonely when Ash is gone, one way or another.” With that, Aldar came around the chair, turning so his back faced the camera, knife in hand. The video ended, cutting Ash off mid scream. 

There was silence for a moment until Justin got up and rushed for the kitchen. The other three could hear him retching into the sink as they contemplated the video. Andrew looked to Underground and was surprised to see that, even with the mask, the other hero looked just as sick as Andrew felt. 

“I’m going to send this to my partner and see if she can get anything from it,” Underground muttered, picking up the phone and pressing some buttons. He finished and they waited for Justin to come out again. He did, eventually, looking pale and shaky, leaning against the wall. 

“What are we supposed to do?” Elliot asked softly.

“Go to the bell bridge at midnight,” Underground replied. 

“He said I have to go alone,” Justin said, hopelessness in his eyes. “He knows everything about me. He knows what I’m doing at all times. There’s no way you can help me.”

Underground nodded. “True, I have some tricks up my sleeve. You will be going alone. We’ll go alone to the bridge ourselves. Trust me, I’ll do everything in my power to get him back.”

Justin stared at Underground’s mask and slowly slipped down the wall to the floor. He nodded vacantly, overcome with the stress that had been building over the past year.

“I think we could all use some rest,” Underground said, tilting his head pointedly at Andrew. “I’ll start the preparations while you three get cleaned up.”

Andrew nodded and stood up. Elliot helped Justin up as Andrew turned to Underground. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“No need,” Underground said, shaking his head. “Elliot had already convinced him to talk to you about this. He was bringing her over when I met up with them.”

Andrew nodded, a sort of pride peeking out from exhausted eyes.

“Now, go get some rest,” Underground said softly, putting a hand on Andrew’s shoulder. 

Andrew nodded and turned to help Elliot with Justin as Underground left the house, rubbing the blue stripe across his chest gently.

Underground Hero tag list:@doubi-ixi @my-dump-of-whump @thethistlegirl

[fireteam-dauntless]

A Tale of Two Guardians XXIX

Part I of the Destined Series Chapter 29 : Vision masterlist

word count : 3.2K tag list: @mail-me-a-snail @basically-nacl @galagd @speed-boop @lady-efriyeet​

We landed in the Hanger, greeted by the Vanguard and Eris.  I pulled off my helmet and walked straight by them.  My eyes were still puffy from all of the crying.  

“Genesis…” Ikora said, and reached out to grab my arm, but I moved out of her reach.  “Guardian.”  She followed me out of the Hanger, and managed to stop me in the hall between the hanger and the plaza.  “Genesis, stop!”  She demanded.  I stopped in place and turned around to face her.  She took one look at my face and I saw her expression soften.

“What happened on the Moon?”

I gazed at her, but I felt like I was void of emotion.  “Ikora,”  I said quietly.  “Your Vanguard built a team of Guardians who are fueled by both grief and vengeance.  Maverick sent Skinner and I away in the hopes that we would make it out alive and he was willing to die in there.  We could have helped him.  He’s only alive because Eris pulled him out with some kind of dark magic.”  I took a step back and shook my head.  “And you wonder why I have issues trusting people.  The moment I let myself get close, I lose them.”

“But you didn’t lose him, Genesis,”  she said.  “He’s alive.”

“Today.  He made it out alive, today.  But what about tomorrow?  Or the next time our situation gets tight?”

I walked away before waiting for her response.  It was raining in the Last City.  I didn’t even stop at the Postmaster, I just took the elevator down to the City and went straight home.  When I got home, I stripped out of my armor and took a long, very much needed hot shower.  Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Maverick just before he sent Skinner and I to safety.  His sacrifice for us could have cost him his life, and we wouldn't have even known.  I shuddered at the thought of that.  If he had died in there, Skinner and I would still be on the Moon waiting for him, and this war would be lost.

I stepped out of the shower and dried off, then slipped into something more comfortable.  I grabbed my glimmer and walked back downstairs, piled my armor on the coffee table, tied my hair up out of my face, and started to clean everything.  I had my Ghost put on some music to help me drown out any outside noise.  While cleaning my robes, I found the dead Ghost I had tucked inside.  I almost forgot about it.  I cleaned off any remains of the Wizard’s ashes and set it inside the drawer of my side table for safe keeping.

Halfway through cleaning my gauntlets, there was a knock on my door.  I paused for a minute before answering, despite not wanting to see anyone right now.  When I opened the door, Maverick stood outside, hands shoved in his pockets, hood pulled over his head to protect himself from the rain.  I took one look at him and started to close the door immediately. 

“Angel, wait,” he said quickly, his hand catching the door before I could close it.  “I tried calling you, but you didn’t answer.”

“I know,” I said.  “I really don’t want to talk right now, Maverick…”

“Which is exactly why we have to,”  he pleaded.

“I don’t have to do anything!” 

“Angel, please.”  He looked down at me, red eyes staring deep into mine.  My shoulders sank and I sighed, and released my hand off of the door.  He stepped inside and closed the door behind himself, then pulled off his soaked sweatshirt.

“What do you need, Maverick?”  I asked as I walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch.  I picked up where I left off with my gauntlets.  I didn’t even want to look at him.  He must have noticed this because I heard him sigh before he walked over and took the glimmer and gauntlet out of my hands, set them down, and then sat down next to me. I just sat there for a moment, empty hands still where they had been, before I sighed and let them drop in my lap.

“Angel, I’m sorry,” he started, and gently took hold of my hands.  

I pulled my hands out of his and stood, and walked over to the window.  I hugged myself tightly.  I hated being this cold to him, but I couldn’t forgive him for what he did.  “Are you?”  I accused.  “What are you sorry for?”

“For thinking that sending you out of there was the best thing I could do!”  He shouted.  I winced at the sound of anger in his voice.  “For thinking that I could maybe accept the fact that I let my old team die if I saved you guys.”  His hands gently placed on my shoulders and turned me around to face him.  I gazed up at him, though it was obvious that I was still trying to avoid his gaze  “I get that you’re angry,” he said in a softer tone.  “I get that what I did wasn’t right.”

“You’re damn right it wasn’t right,” I muttered.

“It… it wasn't fair to you.”

I felt tears start to bud at the corners of my eyes.  I averted my gaze and pulled away from the Exo.  “I thought you were dead, Maverick,”  I said, my voice tense and choked by tears.  I walked across the room to give myself some distance.  “I thought you were gone.  It was like Phobos all over again.  What were you thinking?!”  I picked up a book from the table and turned, throwing it at him even though I missed.  “We are a team, you idiot!”  I chucked one of the throw pillows on my couch at him, and it bounced pathetically off his chest.  “Teams don’t split up!  Teams don’t take on literal hordes of enemies alone!  Teams trust each other to have their back!”  I grabbed my cup of coffee and threw it at him, missed again, and it shattered against the wall.  “I can’t believe you!  You could have died there, and Skinner and I would never have known!” 

���I know, but if you would just listen to me for a sec—” Maverick started to approach me slowly, his hands held out in surrender.

“No!” I shouted.  “You listen to me!”  I started to feel lightheaded from all of the shouting and crying.  “You promised me that you would never leave me.  I trust you to have my back, no matter what.”  He was standing directly in front of me now, gently took hold of my wrists, and helped me sit down before my legs could give out.  I took a deep breath and sighed.  “Mon chérie, I trust you with everything, in the field and out of it.   But can you trust me?”

His hand brushed my hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear.  “I do,” he said quietly.  Relief flooded over my body.  “It was… it was just that place.  I lost everyone that I cared about there.  I… I didn’t want to lose anyone else.”

“And we didn’t want to lose you.  You’re not a one man band, Mav, you understand that, right?”

He looked down and gave me a silent nod.

I pulled my hands away and wiped my cheeks dry.  “Promise me, Maverick, you won’t ever do that to me again.  I cannot lose you, mon amour, it would be the end of me.”

“I promise, Angel.  I don’t want to risk losing you again.”

He pulled me against his chest in an embrace.  I welcomed it without hesitation and nestled myself against him.  He held onto me tightly, like I would slip away if he let me go.

After minutes of silence and reconciliation, I had finally found it in me to forgive him.

—————

“Oh!”  I exclaimed after we spent some time relaxing.  “I almost forgot!”  I sat up and reached over Maverick to the end table, then pulled out the Ghost.  “When we first landed, one of the Wizards you killed dropped this.  I tried to get your attention to tell you guys, but you were so focused on the mission that… you dismissed me.”  I sat back down and held it out for Maverick.  The look on his face was unmistakable:  he knew who’s Ghost it was.

“This… This was Vision’s Ghost,”  he said as he took it from my hands.  “It was taken by a Wizard in the Abyss.  One of the Wizards we killed…. it dropped this?”

“Yes it did drop it, I had to brush it off, though it was still covered in the Wizard’s ashes.” I said.

“Hold on,” he said and pulled out his Ghost.  “Open a line with Skinner.” He put his Ghost on an open call so I could hear.

“What do you want Mav?” Skinner asked.  He sounded annoyed.

“You have Vision’s current address right?”

“Yeah, I’m actually with him now so I’ll call you back.”

“I have his Ghost.” Mav blurted before he could hang up.  Skinner must have had us an open call as well, because a second person on Skinner’s end of the call butt in. It must have been Vision.

“He what!?”  Vision shouted.  “Maverick you get your ass over here right now! Skinner send him the address.”

“Alright!  Here’s the address, Mav, don’t be late.” Skinner said before cutting the channel.

We sat in silence for a moment.  “So I finally get to meet Vision?” I asked.

“And I get to see him for the first time since the Pit,” he replied, though his voice was laced with concern and worry.

“Come on, Maverick, he’ll be happy to see you,” I reassured him.  “Where’s the address placing him?”

“In the part of the City for Ex-Guardians, Guardians that have either lost their Light or aren’t mentally fit for active duty anymore.”

“Oh they made a part of the city for just them?” I was intrigued.  I had no idea that the Vanguard had organized this for Guardians that were essentially discharged from the Vanguard, or Lightless.  “Why?”

“A lot of them are unstable.  Being faced with your own mortality takes a toll after a while, you know?  We should be heading out, though, the storm is only supposed to get worse and I don’t want to keep them waiting.”

“Well then, let’s get ready and go.”

I grabbed a jacket and pulled up the hood, and slipped Vision’s ghost in my pocket.  Maverick pulled his sweatshirt back on as I slipped on my combat boots.  Maverick waited for me on the front steps while I closed up the apartment.  We started down the street; I was pressed close to Maverick’s side.  I took his hand and squeezed it gently, trying to give him a feeling of reassurance.  He squeezed my hand back, but I could tell he was nervous and hesitant.

—————

By the time we made it to the sector, it was down pouring.  I was wearing a windbreaker, but I was chilled to the bone.  Water dripped off my hood and down my nose.  I crossed my arms and hugged myself as Maverick approached the Guard post that was at the gate.  This sector really was secluded and set apart from the rest of the city, it was almost a pity that these Guardians were stuck here.

“Who will you be seeing today, Guardian?” the watchmen asked.

“Samuel, from Fireteam Insurgent, I’m Maverick-8, the Fireteam’s leader,”  Maverick replied.  The watchman’s eyes widened.

“Oh, um, hold on.” he said before walking into the booth.

He walked out a few minutes later. “He’s waiting for you at the address he gave you. You may proceed.” he said as the gate opened.

“Thank you.” Maverick turned and motioned for me to follow him.  I walked up and followed close behind him, nodding to the watchman.  He looked like he wanted to stop me and ask for my identification, but seeing as I was with Maverick, he didn’t ask questions.

We walked the streets through the pouring rain.  My breath puffed out in front of me in a thin white cloud.  Maverick wrapped an arm around my shoulders.  “I promise, we’re almost there,” he said quietly.  

Most houses were lit inside, though almost everyone’s curtains were drawn closed.  The people here seemed to like their seclusion, at least.  I wouldn’t blame them, though.  They had lost everything, and weren’t able to move on.  If I hadn’t met Maverick and Skinner, I would probably be living here, too.  I plunged my hands into  my pockets and grasped tightly onto Vision’s Ghost.  I didn’t have the chance to give my friends a proper burial, nor could I ever return their Ghosts to them.  I wanted to believe that giving Vision his Ghost would allow me to reconcile that.

We arrived at a small duplex, the lawn was uncut, but the house itself was very well maintained.  Vision seemed to take pride in keeping the house in shape.  It was probably one of the few things he had left that he could control.  Maverick and I climbed the steps, the Titan in front of me, and he knocked on the door.  Skinner opened it.  There was a cold stare in his eyes as he laid eyes on Mav.  It was obvious he still hadn’t forgiven him for what happened in the Hellmouth.  He looked over at me and nodded.  

“I see you two have made up,”  he said.  “Storm, wait here.  It… it’s better if you guys come in one at a time.”  He opened the door up more, and motioned Maverick inside.  Maverick sighed, like he was preparing for the worst, then stepped inside.  Skinner looked at me one more time, gave me a small nod, then closed the door behind him.

I stared at the closed door for a moment.  My heart was pounding.  I felt like an idiot just standing there, staring at the door, so I took a seat on the top step underneath the overhang.  My leg bounced nervously.

“You don’t need to be so nervous,” Dawn said.

I could hear them start arguing inside and I let out a long sigh.  “Are you sure?”  It sounded like Maverick and Vision, with Skinner butting in every now and then.  Their words were muffled, but it sounded like they were arguing about Maverick’s actions in the Hellmouth.

She didn’t give me a response.  I pulled Visions Ghost out of my pocket and gazed down at the empty shell.  It was like holding Adam’s corpse all over again.  I clasped it in both of my hands and gently rested my chin on top of it.  The arguing inside calmed down.  I must have sat outside for five minutes before the door opened.  I turned and looked over my shoulder, but it wasn’t Skinner or Maverick.  

“So you’re the Warlock that took my spot on the team?”  Vision asked.  It was more of a statement than a question.  We both knew the answer.  “I’m Samuel, or just Sam, the team called me Vision.  What’s your name?”

I went to stand up, but Vision came down and sat next to me  “Genesis.  They call me Storm.  Previously, I was called Long Shot.”

“Previously?”

I shifted a bit and looked down at the Ghost in my hands.  “Yeah… previously.  I… I lost my team, too.”

Vision followed my gaze and saw his dead Ghost in my hands.  He didn’t say a word at first, so I reached over and gently took hold of his hand with my free one.  I felt his muscles tense, like he was ready to pull away.  I met his gaze for a moment, waited for him to calm, then looked down again.  I flipped his hand over, opened his palm, and placed the Ghost in his hand.  

“I believe this is yours,”  I said quietly. 

He laughed bitterly.  “Yeah, well, it’s no use to me anymore.  But thanks.  For finding it.”

I smiled at him and nodded.  “It’s only right that it comes back to you.”

We sat in silence for a moment.  It felt… right, actually.  It was almost comforting.  

“Skinner tells me Maverick says he loves you,”  Vision said out of nowhere.  “And that’s saying something for a guy that really can’t feel, but only remembers what feeling is like.”

I couldn’t help the smile that came to my lips.  Vision noticed this immediately.  “And clearly, you love him.  He’s a reckless piece of shit, but he’s a damn good leader and friend.  I wish it was just easier for me to tell him that.”

“Well,”  I said and turned to him.  “It wouldn’t be bad if you let him see you every now and then.  He misses you, you know.”

Visions eyebrows raised in shock.  “Really?  He has a funny way of showing it.  While I was trying to get used to being Lightless and almost totally blind, he was off… somewhere.  I thought he didn’t want anything to do with me.”

“That’s not true.  He wants to reconnect with you.  You’re still family to him, you know.”  He looked at me skeptically.  I laughed a bit.  “Look, I may have taken your spot on the team, but can anyone ever replace a Titan’s best friend?  Especially if said friend is another Titan?  C’mon, Sam,”  I nudged his shoulder in a playful manner.  “No one could ever really replace you.”

I could tell he wanted to smile, but he just looked away and his expression turned blank.  “Yeah, well, bridges are harder to build after they’ve been burned.”

“Yeah… I know.”  I looked out to the street.  “I should go.  You guys have a lot to talk about, and I don’t want to get in the way of you and Skinner telling Maverick that he needs to stop thinking like a Titan and start thinking like a team leader.”

Now he was laughing.  “You sound like you’ve already tried.”

“Oh I have.  I threw a couple things at him in the process.  Ikora says I have a temper.  I think I got through to him, but he might need a reminder from you guys.”  I stood up and stepped down a couple steps.  I turned and looked at the ex-Guardian who was still sitting there, his hands gripping tightly to his dead Ghost.  “It was nice to finally meet you, Samuel.”

“Vision,”  he said firmly.  “I said the team calls me Vision.  You are a part of the team now, Storm.  Don’t forget that.”

I nodded and smiled at him.  “I know,”  I said quietly.  I looked past him and caught a glimpse of Skinner and Maverick in the window before they scurried away from it.  I turned my attention back to Vision.  “If it wasn’t for this team, I’d be living here, too.  Bonne nuit, mon ami.”  There was a look of disbelief in his eyes for a moment, but I left before he could respond.

[invaderdoom78]

Fright Twilight (this is the dumbest title, but I'm going with it)

Peter knew he’d fucked up the moment he had fallen through the trap door that lead down to Jerry's basement lair; especially once he realized that there were no obvious ways of escape in plain sight, no windows to break through, no visible stairs leading back up to the main floor, and no doors with a brightly lit exit sign flashing above it. Maybe if he’d bothered to track down Charley and bring him along as backup the lack of an obvious escape route wouldn’t be as much of a problem as it was now, but the moment he’d learned who had killed his parents the only thing he could think of was avenging them. Grabbing his shotgun and flashlight Peter quickly scanned his surroundings before slowly walking forward, weapon at the ready. Taking a deep breath the hunter stepped into a narrow, barley lit hallway. He’d barely made it halfway down when an arm suddenly reached down from the ceiling, grabbing him by the front of the shirt, and throwing him down the hall into a wall. Crying out in pain Peter grabbed the back of his head, feeling around for any injuries or blood, as Jerry fell from where he had been hiding in the shadows of the ceiling. “My, my look at how you’ve grown” Jerry said, looking Peter up and down “you’ve got your mother's eyes. So tell me. Did you come here to kill me?” There was a pause as he held his arms open in a come at me gesture “well, good luck” Scrambling back up to his feet Peter leveled his shotgun and fired at the vampire several times, missing everytime “you know, I noticed something weird about you” he started slowly walking towards Peter “Stay back!” Peter said, desperately trying to hit the vampire “You smell like a vampire, but you’re mortal. Tell me, did you fuck one of us?” “Fuck off!” Peter growled through gritted teeth, finally managing to hit Jerry in the shoulder “Am I right?” Jerry asked, smirking as he watched Peter tumble backwards off a small drop off Groaning Peter propped himself up on his elbows and looked back up at the vampire as stood at the edge of the stoop, looking down at him, chuckling. “I gave you a chance to live” Jerry said, finally hoping down to where Peter was, still lying on the ground “you screwed it up, so now I’m going to kill you and no one can help you” “Newsflash, asshole” Alec said, he and Jane having appeared out of thin air, standing where Jerry had just been “he has back up” he then used his powers to disable the other vampire “Alec? Jane?” Peter asked, frantically looking from one twin to the other He had seen the two a handful of times before but there was never much conversation that happened between them. Alec would occasionally attempt to have a polite bare bones conversation, but Jane never said anything to him, just looked at him with less and less malice each time they met. While this was happening, Jerry was looking back and forth from Peter to the twins trying to figure out who these two vampires who’d just invaded his territory were and just how the vampire hunter knew them. “Enough” Aro said, having just appeared next to the twins, signaling for Alec to stop With a small smile gracing his face Aro walked up to Peter. “What the hell are you doing here?” Peter asked once Aro was directly in front of him “Getting you out of trouble. As usual” Aro said, holding out his hand for the vampire hunter to take “get up, we’re leaving” “No one is going anywhere” Jerry said as Aro pulled Peter back to his feet “he’s my prey and I am going to suck him dry” Turning around Aro faced Jerry, half standing in front of Peter “This mortal belongs to me and scum like you will never taste his blood” turning to look at Jane and Alec he gave them a small nod “leave him to my people. Let’s go” Since her brother’s powers hadn’t taken full effect yet Jane had decided to use the moment to her advantage watched with a small smile as Jerry fell to the ground in agonising pain. “By the way” Aro said as he and Peter reached the hall that would take them back to the room Peter had fallen through the floor into “I met your friend on the way here” “What friend?” Peter asked, having no idea who he could possibly be talking about “Oh” Aro said as Charley came running down the hall “there he is” “Charlie” Peter asked, looking over the young man “Peter?” Charley asked, lowering his crossbow only to immediately raise it again once he spotted Aro “What are you doing here?” Peter asked, staring at the crossbow “... are you trying to kill this bastard too?” “Yeah” Charley said, glancing over at Aro every other second “is that why you’re here too?” “Yeah” “Looks like Jerry has been a busy vampire” Aro said, in a rather monotone voice Once Alecs powers had finally kicked in, it had numbed the effects of Janes powers enough for Jerry to get back to his feet. “Blah blah blah” Jerry mocked, standing up straight “I’ll die of boredom before any of you even try to kill me” “Then die, motherfucker!” Charley exclaimed, whipping around to use the shotgun he’d had strapped to his back to shoot a hole into the ceiling above them, a bright beam of sunlight shining through “Nice try” Jerry said, after slipping around the beam of light “How about this” Peter said, pulling the steak launcher off of his hip, aiming it right at Jerry’s heart, only to have it backfire when he pulled the trigger “That’s all” Jerry chuckled “lame” “Fuckin’ ebay!” Peter growled through gritted teeth, hitting the side of the barrel in an attempt to unjam it “Uh” Alec said, when Aro rejoined him and his sister “should I…?” Aro raised his hand slightly and shook his head “ok” “I’ve got a plan” Charley said, pulling the ski mask that was attached to his outfit over his head and face “do you have your lighter?” “So that’s what that smell is” Peter said, pulling out his lighter “you ready?” “Yeah” Charley said, adjusting his goggles so they were secure against his face Rolling the flint under his thumb Peter slowly reached for Charlie's pant leg, the flame catching on a pocket flap before quickly spreading across the gasolene soaked clothing. Grabbing and opening the spring snap hook that was attached to his belt, Charley charged at Jerry, tackling him to the ground and clipping the hook onto the vampire’s belt loops. Thus leading to an almost play by play of what had happened in the movie; the flames quickly spreading over the vampires body in his attempt to shake Charley off of him, slaming both of them into as many objects and walls as he could before he found himself dead center in the middle of the beam of sunlight Charley had created earlier, accelerating the burning effect of the fire. Grabbing the steak that he’d hidden in his waistband and used it to stab the vampire in his now exposed heart. Letting out a shrill shriek Jerry seemed to explode as his body turned to ash and Charley was left laying unmoving on the dirt floor. Ripping off his jacket Peter ran over to Charlie, throwing his jacket on top of the young man’s body, using it to smother the remaining flames as Jane joining him at his side curious as to whether or not the other vampire hunter had survived. “Charlie!” Peter exclaimed, pulling the goggles off of Charile’s face “wake up, Charlie” he stated gently slapping the side of the younger mans face “come on!” “Hey, buddy” Charley said weakly, slowly opening his eyes “Impressive” Jane muttered under her breath “You scared me, you little shit” Peter said, before leaning down to kiss Charley causing the twins to look at each other before glancing over at Aro “Oh my” Aro said softly, swallowing the small lump that had formed in his throat

[new2fivesauce]

Please Don’t Regret Me - 3. Bad News First

Please Don’t Regret Me - 3. Bad News First

Warnings: Cursing

March 2018 - 5sos III Tour

If there was anything worse than a delayed flight, it was definitely a luggage conveyor. LAX just had to have the slowest working conveyor of all time. Nelle tapped her foot impatiently. She had two suitcases placed beside her; She needed three more before she could leave the place. She tapped away on her phone, ordering an Uber to pick her and the men of her life up. She glanced at the luggage belt, looking for black suitcases with either orange, red, or blue duct tape on the handles. Nothing.

Uber confirmed her ride and she sheathed her phone into the back pocket of her ripped black jeans. She yawned into the sleeve of her oversized black hoodie. The flight from Milan to Los Angeles had her extremely jet lag. The beginning leg of the III Tour already had her running on nothing but coffee and energy drinks with the occasional instant ramen or breakfast pastry. She needed real food asap.

She took a look behind her to see that Ashton, Michael, Calum, and Luke were not as affected by the different time zones. They were goofing around, playing hide and seek behind the airport benches and fake plants. Her eyes lingered on Luke. He was crouched down behind a pillar, his mouth covered by the sleeve of his jacket to contain his laughter as Ashton wandered around the area looking for him.

She couldn’t help thinking about the past couple of days that they’d been traveling Europe. Luke had bunked in her room 3 nights and had fought to get to sit next to her on their flight to LA. He had pushed Calum out the way, forcing him to sit between Ashton and Michael. Their nights they’d spent together were no different than the night following the release of Want You Back. They were spent watching Netflix, eating food, and innocently flirting with one another. Thinking of those nights gave Nelle butterflies and made her head feel light. What was the deal with Luke?

He was just Luke. Calum’s best friend. He was a jerk sometimes when he was hungry or sleepy. He liked pho and croissants. He was a blond giant who before only conversed with Nelle when he needed to. He wasn't mean to her or ever lashed out at her when something didn’t go his way. She assumed he just knew that her job was basically to babysit them and get them from point A to point B with the occasional errand here and there. Now he was insistent on them being partnered up for everything, but never made it obvious to his bandmates. For a moment, Nelle thought it was part of a cruel prank, but figured that Calum would never let him to do that her; Calum was extremely protective of Nelle. He’d probably disband the lot if Luke ever did something so malicious.

She shook her head. She needed to get it together. And quickly.

---

“Again.” Johnny, the sound producer, mumbled into the microphone. Luke rolled his eyes, adjusting the headphones around his head. This was the ninth again he’d heard in an hour. He huffed loudly into the mic on accident causing a high pitch ring to resonate through his booth and the sound board room. A series of Fuck, Luke and Ouch ran through the music booth.

“Sorry, sorry." He grumbled though not sincerely. “Can I get a break?” He asked looking to his bandmates through the glass that separated them. “Perhaps Cal could come in here instead and work on Babylon?” His voice was hoarse and exasperated. He didn’t even want to be here, but he was supposed to be because Calum said so. Because their manager had called them and said their album needed more work. Because Michael didn’t think it was complete. Because Ashton wrote one more song. Because he needed to rewrite and sing new verses.

Calum stood up from his spot, holding up his middle finger at his bandmate with a lopsided grin.  He waved for Luke to come out the booth. Luke sighed, relieved.

The two passed each other up as one went in and the other went out. Ashton eyed Luke curiously as the curly-haired fellow went to drop himself into the armchair Calum had just unoccupied.

Luke felt exhausted. Their short number of shows in Europe and the flight from Milan had finally caught up to him, but that wasn’t the only thing eating at him. After flying into LA and checking into their hotel for the next few days before flying to Paris, Nelle left. No explanation or anything.

He knew it shouldn’t have bothered him because she didn’t have to explain herself to him, but he thought they’d been doing so well lately. She’d been endlessly playful and flirty with him. Every time she looked his way, he felt so light, like there was no pressure on him; that he was definitely and rightfully okay. Now, since arriving in California, not even a text had been exchanged between the two. He couldn’t decide whether to be worried or not.

There was a SNAP causing Luke to blink furiously and focus on his surroundings. Michael was standing in front him, his hand still extended in the end position of his finger snap.

“What the fuck has gotten into you?” he asked. Luke scoffed, turning his face away. He mumbled a small nothing. “Bull shit.” Michael declared. “Spill…”

Luke had to face Michael now. He sized his buddy up, eyeing him up and down and even bucked at him, but Michael didn’t even flinch. Instead…

“Spill… or I tell Cal you have the hots for Nelle.”

Ashton, who was mid-sip of his iced coffee, began choking. He gasped desperately, pounding the front of his chest with no help from Luke or Michael.

“Dude!” Ashton wheezed. Michael ignored Ashton and stayed focused on Luke.

“So the fuck what?” Luke finally stated. At this point, there was no point in lying. They were going to find out sooner or later just how he had found out when they both had crushes on her.

Michael stepped back, stunned that it took so little effort to get Luke to admit that he liked Nelle. He’d expected more fight. Luke was always on defense when it came to his feelings, especially feelings for girls. He ran a hand through his knotted hair.

“Uhh. Wow. I don’t really know what to say anymore.” Michael went to sit back down next to Ashton. “I guess you can take it from here, Irwin.”

Ashton sat up straight, clearing his throat. “So… Hemmo… what the actual fuck?! Look… take this from our experience of having loved… and still love the most beautiful creature to walk the face of the planet… Calum will hang you if you even so much as look at her the wrong way. I'm surprised he hasn’t caught you making puppy eyes at her... How long has this been going on? This is all rather intriguing and downright confusing.”

With a roll of his eyes and shrug, Luke disregarded everything Ashton said.

“It’s been made pretty clear that she’s not interested in us. She refused the both of you and you, Ash, are probably the most compatible with her. I don’t see how I would be an exception.” He declared, a heavy weight on his heart.

Ashton and Michael shared a brief, but knowing,  glance with one another.

“I don’t know, mate.” Michael began. “I never seen Nelle look at anyone the way she looks at you."

That, there, it wasn’t exactly what Luke wanted to hear, but at the same time, it was exactly what he needed to hear. His heart skipped a beat and he felt light for a moment.

---

Luke trudged through the hotel lobby, hanging back from the other three. Michael, Calum, and Ashton were being boisterous, making the hotel guests and employees look their way as they joked and laughed heartily.

“Dude, c’mon!” Ashton stopped, pulling his two buds by the shirts to get them to stop walking. They waited for Luke to catch up with them. Since their recording session and getting Luke to admit his feelings about Nelle, Ashton had noticed Luke’s attitude had gone to nearly depressed. Calum was curious and had asked what was the matter, but everyone stayed tight-lipped.

Luke pulled his phone out of his pocket, checked to see if he had any notifications, and when he didn’t, he stuffed it back into his pocket.

“I really don’t want to go to Harry’s rager.” Luke mumbled, not bothering to look any of his mates in the eyes. Michael bumped him in the shoulder.

“Serious? Harry Styles is throwing the party of the year and you’re just gonna… not go?”

Luke shrugged. Calum narrowed his eyes at the guy, but didn’t say anything.

“The last time we partied with him, I ended up two cities over with no pants. I think I'm good.” Luke stated. “I think I'll just work on some music.”

Ashton scoffed at this.

“Wooow. You didn’t do shit today in the studio, gave up halfway, and now you want to--"

Calum held his hand over Ashton’s mouth to stop talking. He tried to pry Calum’s hand off his face but failed.

“If you want to stay here, go ahead.” Calum told him. Luke nodded in appreciation and began to turn his feet towards the elevators. They went their separate ways after Michael ran back to Luke to give him a quick hug and kiss on his head.

When Luke was sure that they were gone, he strayed away from the elevators and went to the front desk.

The brunette receptionist glanced over her glasses at Luke. He stood there, nervously, not really sure what to say or do since he was never the one to check them in when they arrived at hotels.

The woman cleared her throat, looking at Luke unamused. “Is there something I can help you with, sir?” Her voice super monotone.

Luke rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, the edge of his neck ran pink from the nerves. He felt his palms growing sweaty. His heart thumped against his chest hard. He could feel his vision closing in, an anxiety attack ensuing…

“My assistant… she checked us in this morning but didn’t tell me what room she was in. I need my room key from her.” Luke managed to say after a few breaths. It was a lie. He had his room key, but Nelle hadn’t told him nor the others what her room was. Right now, he needed to be with her. He wanted to talk to her. The lady, who’s nametag read Monica, raised an eyebrow.

“Do you have your ID?” she asked. Luke nodded rapidly, fumbling with his hands to reach into his back pocket of his black pants. He handed his ID to her and she typed away on her computer.

“Her name is Nelle. N-Nelle Padilla.” Luke stuttered. “My friend’s names are Calum Hood, Michael Clifford, and Ashton Irwin. We would have all been checked in at the same time.”

Monica looked at him, not entirely sure to believe him, but with a shrug of her shoulders, keyed in the names he gave off. She passed his identification back to him. “I have your friend’s names, but the first one doesn’t come up.” She told him.

Luke shook his head. He clearly remembered Nelle checking them all in. She hated LA. She wouldn’t stay anywhere else without them.

Something suddenly clicked. “Wait… could you try Eleanor Padilla?” He grimaced afterwards. He’d just found out her real first name days ago. It was a shock to him since everyone… like literally everyone only called her Nelle. The name was foreign on his tongue. He hoped to never say it again.

The receptionist tried again, typing quickly for there was a couple standing behind Luke now, ready to check in. She shook her head.

“Sorry. That one doesn’t come up either.”

Luke thanked her for her time. He headed back to the elevators, sad, confused, and downright annoyed.

His anxiety was gone. Now he was just irritated. He made his way to his floor, still wondering where Nelle could have gone. He checked his phone, his fingers lingering over the screen on their text conversation.

Where R you? Hazza is throwing a party. U down?

He stared at his text unsure if he should send it. He didn’t want to go to that dumb party, but if it got a response from Nelle, then it was worth it. He rethought the wording then deleted it as he got to his room. He let himself in. The lights were on. He furrowed his brows; he knew he’d turned them off before they’d left for the studio earlier. He entered cautiously, aware that the TV was on as well.

Stepping into the main part of his room, he sighed of relief.

Nelle was sitting on the bed, a pillow already placed in the middle of it splitting their sides. Her hair was damp so she’d had to have just gotten out the shower. It was drying into her waves. For the longest, Luke had thought she had straight hair. Now in the recent weeks of getting to know her, he now knew that it was naturally wavy. He decided he liked it like that best.

Nelle smiled at Luke; it wasn’t her typical genuine wide smile, but a small, closed lipped one. Her eyes looked sad but he didn’t want to question it. He was just glad that she was here. And Nelle was glad he was there too. She had been MIA all day since arriving in LA that morning. She’d sent the boys to the studio, leaving herself to have a meeting with their manager. The meeting had ran long, almost all day and part of the evening. She was mentally drained. She wanted to tell Luke about it but the second he’d walked in, she found herself suddenly feeling guilty and cowardly.

“I missed you today.” Luke mused, looking over at her. Nelle eyed Luke, her amber eyes trying to read his blue ones. He was being sincere. Nelle lowered her eyes, afraid to give her emotions away.

“Missed you too.” She mumbled back.

------

It was a sunny, cool morning in LA. It was 24 hours until their departure to France. Nelle wandered through the streets of Los Angeles, a coffee tray and a bag of bagels in her hands. 5SOS was back in the studio today for a bit. Every minute for the next 24 hours was booked solid and Nelle was determined to not let anything slip through the cracks, even when California always treated her unwell.

She made it the studio building with her arms full and without spilling a drop of anything. The girl at the front desk said hello to her as she carefully made her way to the elevators.

Ironically, the guys were located on the fifth floor. Anything in regards to the number five was almost always a good sign according to Ashton, who believed in that kind of good luck/bad luck thing. Nelle sped down the hallway to the studio room.

Michael was the first to see her through the thick glass door. He jumped off the recliner he was lounging in and hopped over Ashton’s body on the floor to open the door for her. Nelle entered the studio, trekking over Ashton’s legs, to set the coffees and bagels on the table next to the recliner Michael had just left empty.

“Luke just stepped outside. Cal is in the booth.” Ashton said as he raised his body from the floor to get himself a bagel. Michael was already an arm deep into the bag of round bread when Nelle chastised him.

“If you’re gonna get a poppy seed bagel, you better eat the seeds, Michael.”

Michael mumbled something under his breath before pulling a plain bagel out the bag. He grabbed the coffee with his name on it from the tray and went back to his recliner.

Seconds later, Luke walked back into the studio room and Calum entered from the booth. Johnny, the producer excused himself to make a phone call and to run down the street to the nearest McDonald's.

The room was quiet for a while as everyone ate and drank. Luke kept glancing at Nelle who was sitting next to Ashton on the loveseat couch. She could have sat between him and Calum on the long couch. He pushed that bit of jealously down with the gulp of his coffee but it quickly rose up again as Ashton put one of his hands on Nelle’s thigh. It was an innocent gesture, but his hand was pretty high on her leg and he couldn't help but feel slightly green. It also didn’t help that they were whispering amongst each other with their faces pretty close.

When everyone was finished eating, Nelle stood up from her spot next to Ashton. She picked up the boys’ trash, putting it all in the bag that it had come in. She cleared her throat afterwards and all four of them looked in her direction. She stood awkwardly in the middle of floor, pulling the Led Zeppelin shirt she’d borrow from Luke that morning tight around middle. Luke noticed the way the shirt now clung around her curves and his mind flashed back to that morning when he’d woken up to see Nelle hopping around the hotel room, struggling to pull her pants over the curvature of her hips and ass. Luke hadn’t meant to stare, but he had and when she’d finally succeeded in buttoning her pants, he pretended to be asleep to give him some time for his prick to go down.

“Everyone…” Nelle announced. “I have an announcement to make.”  

Calum looked worried. The way Nelle had said that made goosebumps raise on his body. He shuddered as Nelle cleared her throat to keep talking.

She let out a deep breath, eyed Calum for a brief second for some quick reassurance and then spoke, trying hard to not let her voice break. “I… I am not joining you for the rest of this tour… I am not going on promo for the next single… and I am not going on tour for Youngblood.”

Blue, green, hazel, and brown eyes all widened in shock. The room was dead silent except for the vibration of someone’s phone but no one dared to move.

Michael seemed the first to react as his body collapsed backwards into the recliner, his eyes watering immediately. Ashton groaned in discontent.

“Is this some type of joke?” Calum asked. His eyes darted around the room to his mates; Luke had an unreadable expression and Nelle was not sure what to make of it. He seemed not phased at all.

“It’s not…” Nelle replied. “I—“

“What the fuck!?” Michael interrupted her. “What do you mean you’re not coming with us? This is a bit fucked up, Nelle! We’re in the middle of a fucking tour. We’re about to release our third album and you’re just gonna drop this shitty ass bomb on us like that!”

Nelle had not expected Michael to react so angrily. In fact, she had mentally prepared herself for Ashton to be the one to get mad, not Michael.

“It’s been a long time coming, Clifford. Did you really think I wasn’t ever going to leave? I mean… compared to other assistants we’ve come across, I’ve been around a lifetime… but I need to do my own thing. I’ve been putting the four of you ahead of my own life for almost six years now. I have to do this for my own good.” Nelle clarified but the more she spoke, the more it upset Michael. Ashton scoffed whereas Calum shook his head.

“So we’re a nuisance to you now.” Michael chuckled coldly. “Wow… I can’t even look at you right now.”

Nelle neared Michael, but Ashton gave her a warning look. “Look… I don’t want to leave, but lately it’s just been so much, so fast, and I’m tired. It’s hard to keep my own life organized when I have to organize four other peoples’ lives as well. I haven’t done anything for myself since I decided to come along with you guys. I got into Yale last fall…”

Calum gawked at her. “What the hell? Why didn’t you say anything, Nelle?”

“I did.” She shrugged. “You all were too busy beginning the new album. I got in, they understood my situation, and I’ve been doing online classes since we travel too much for me to attend actual classes.

“You know I love you, all of you” She met Michael’s eyes when she said this and Luke felt a slight pang in his heart. Why didn’t she look at him? “But… that break before you started the new album, getting into this prestigious university, it just made me realize that I need to put myself first now. I wouldn’t take back anything in all these years, but…”

“Can you just get out?” Ashton finally spoke, his voice on the edge of breaking, but he spoke with a cold force that made Calum double-glance at him to make sure it was him speaking. Nelle turned towards Ashton, her heart cracking, a huge lump in her throat. “We don’t need to know why… just fucking go. We’ll call Richard and figure all of this out on our own.” Ashton shooed her away towards the door.

Nelle took another look at the four of them. No one else said anything else, not even Calum, who had always been there besides her and took her side. She tried to meet Luke’s eyes, but he was turned away from her. She inhaled deeply, holding in her tears, and she left.

<<>> 

When the glass door was shut and Nelle was out of sight, Luke turned on Calum.

“WOW! And I thought you were her brother.” He mocked. Calum straightened up real quick, his brows creased.

“You didn’t say shit! Don’t come at me!” Calum argued. “What the fuck did you do to her to make her want to leave?”

Ashton’s eyes darted between the two and then to Michael. Michael, though still incredibly upset, suddenly felt troubled. Maybe he shouldn’t have gotten so upset.

“I didn’t do anything. Maybe it was you selfish assholes.” Luke voiced back. “She does so much for us and we couldn’t even return the fucking favor.”

Luke’s statement made all three of them lower their heads in guilt. He wasn’t wrong, yet no one bothered to admit it. Luke stood up hastily, his footsteps heavy as he walked towards the door.

“I’m not gonna let her leave on bad terms. She deserves the fucking world for everything’s she’s done for us.” He said. Calum sneered.

“Since when do you care so much about her?” he asked. Luke rolled his eyes.

“Since when have you stopped?” Luke shot back before he left.

<<>> 

Nelle stopped before the elevators, her emotions getting the best of her. She leaned back on the wall across the elevators, between two potted plants. Her tears guzzling out before she could stop them. This was not the reaction she had expected.

She knew they were going to be upset, but she hadn’t known they were going to be outraged by her departure. She wanted her last moments to be hugs and kisses and I going to miss you. She hadn’t anticipated getting practically kicked out. She’d wanted to spend the rest of the day together, even if it was going to be spent working. She wanted to drop them off at the airport before they left for France and her Australia. She wanted to make sure their new assistant who was going to be at the airport waiting for them knew every single thing about them because she wanted to make sure they were in safe hands.

She let out a loud sob, forcing herself to rub her face with her hands to clean away the tears. She sniffled, wishing she’d thought to bring her purse because she was really in dire need of tissues and there was no way she was going to wipe her face on Luke’s shirt. She inhaled and exhaled the way she’d taught the guys how to when they got too anxious. Her head was bowed down with her eyes closed, but when she finally felt calm and her tears were now just silent trickles, she opened them up.

She glanced up quickly after noticing a pair of black boots in front of her own. Her wet tawny eyes met a pair of cerulean blues; her body buckled forward and luckily Luke had expected it. He caught her and held her close. This was the first time he’d ever hugged her… and the last his mind was quick to remind him.

Nelle drew in Luke’s scent, the same clean, zesty smell that been clingy to her, his, shirt all day. She pulled away from him, but stayed close enough to where he could keep his arms around her.

“I’m sorry for the way they were…” Luke whispered down to her, his forehead pressing against hers. Their noses touched and it took nearly everything in Nelle’s body to keep her from tippy-toeing up just a few centimeters to capture his lips. She wasn’t going to lie to herself and pretend that she didn’t find Luke attractive. She’d been doing all she could to distract herself from that fact especially in these days that they’d finally become friends. She was keeping her feelings at bay because she had already thought of quitting for a long time. That was why she couldn’t date within the band she always told herself. But Luke was different.

“I’m sorry I dropped the news like this.” She told him back. Luke shook his head when he noticed Nelle’s eyes watering again. He pressed her face into his shoulder, squeezing her body gently for comfort. It took a few seconds for Nelle to calm herself again. She dragged her body away from Luke’s again, this time completely. She couldn’t think straight with him so close.

“I need to go.” She said rashly. Luke looked at her with sad eyes just as Nelle tried to speed off. She managed to push the down button for the elevator before Luke could react. He reached out, grabbing her hand and pulled her back to him. Nelle yanked her hand away, Luke’s face dismayed by her rebuff.

“I don’t want to start anything we can’t finish.” She uttered just as the elevator doors opened. She stepped back into the metal box, pushed the Close Door button quickly before pressing the 1st floor button. She gave him a single wave just as the doors closed. He didn’t even get to wave back.

[gingerxtrash]

As the years go on /5

Pairing: Nalu

Rating: T

Humor, mystery, and suspense

---Natsu’s P.O.V.---

‘What the hell just happened?’ I was frozen in my tracks, trying to comprehend what just happened. Jellal, Erza, Mira, and Laxus immediately get out of the car, most likely thinking the same thing as I am right now. The others went back to the base, so they can report on how the deal went on about a half an hour ago. “Natsu, what just happened!” Erza shouted so she can get my attention. I turn around in confusion, “how do you expect me to know, lets go investigate to see if there is anyone who survived” I said to Erza in a harsh voice. We wait until the fire die’s down, but the warehouse is completely rubble and ashes at this point. There are only a few bodies that are badly burnt but none alive, except for one man who has tan skin and brown chestnut hair. He is muscular and has blue eyes that can match the color of the sea. Mira rushes towards him and kneels besides him “what happened here?” she said raising her voice at him but brings him into an upright position. The man is barely breathing but can muster out a few words, “it all happened out of nowhere, one of our team members be- *cough* betrayed us. But there was a woman *cough*. She was te-*wheeze* ter…terrifying. You must st…. stay away from her”. The man could barely make out anything, “what did she look like!” Laxus said calmly but with a intimidating voice now. “she wa…. was a... she was one of them… a celestial” Now the unknown man grabs onto Mira’s jacket, “you must stay away from her…she is ruth…ru..th..less” he wide with wide eyes. The man starts to lose breath and let’s go of Mira’s jacket becoming limp. He takes some slow breaths but eventually stopped breathing. “He’s dead” Mira looked at him with an emotionless face and stood up. “Have any of you ever heard of the Celestial’s before?” Jellal said looking up at me. “I’ve heard my Dad mention the name before, but I don’t know anything else” I said looking back at Jellal. Okay lets just get out of here right now and go and talk to Dragneel.

As I open the car door I hear the roar of a engine, I look to the source of the sound and I see two people on two different motorcycles’. There is a man with a muscular physic and a women with a curvy physic. I barely see anything due to them zooming by…’wait…is that blonde hair?’ I thought to myself but quickly dismiss the thought because there are a lot of people with blonde. I get in the car and Jellal starts to drive to the base, the car ride was quiet but once we enter, I quickly get out without a word, so I can go to my Father.

Going through the main hall, I see multiple people talking and drinking with each other, but I didn’t really pay attention to them. While I’m on my way I see a flash of blue long hair rush towards me and quickly gives me a big hug “Natsu you’re finally home!” Wendy said with a big smile. Wendy and I are very close with each other, I always make time for her even if I am the heir to Fairy Tail. Even if the members of Fairy Tail are supposed to be terrifying, we still make things fun and have a childish side when the time is right. I go down to hug my little sister, “of course, how is my lil sis doing, but aren’t you supposed to be in bed?” I said with a grin. “I didn’t wanna go to bed and I’m not little! I’m 14 years old now so I’m a big kid now!” Wendy said as she rested her arms on her hips and puffed up her cheeks. “Alright lil girl” I said as I rubbed her head. Wendy smiled and giggled, I stood up and proceeded to my Dad’s office like I was before. I opened the door, but the sight is horrifying…I see my Father Igneel hovering over his desk and his shirt halfway unbuttoned reavealing his chisled chest and... he was making out with my Mother, Grandeenye and she is sitting on the desk. They are having a very steamy moment and now I feel like I am going to be sick. Igneel looks up and widened his eyes, “Natsu, Don’t you know better than to knock before you enter” he said with a strict and annoyed voice. “SHEESH DAD, CAN’T YOU WAIT UNTIL YOU GO TO THE BEDROOM. “Well you know, when you love someone you should express your love. Plus, I got to leave a reminder for you when you take over the family business” Igneel said with a smirk and raised his hands. “Well can you put some close on?! I have something to talk to you about” I said as I left the room. “Remind me Hun to always to use a condom” Igneel said with a flirty wink to my Mom as she gave a small giggle in response.

A few minutes later my Dad opened the door and gestured for me to go in. Right now he is wearing black pants, a red button up shirt, and a black suit jacket with no tie. My mother is behind him with a white pencil skirt with a purple button up top. Igneel went to sit down at his desk and gestured for me to sit down on the other side of the desk “So Natsu, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about” my dad said to me with a serious tone and crossed his arms to his chest. I narrowed my eyes, looking straight at him and said, “what information do you have about the group called “the Celestials’”. Igneel looked at me and narrowed his eyebrows at me, surprised by my sudden question. “And why do you ask that my son?” I straightened my posture, “during the deal, Jura told me to check on Neo-Seis because he had some concerns about their actions, but when I got there the building blew up and now everything there is now in ashes. There was a survivor, so we asked what happened and he said that and just one person from the group blew the building down”. My parents remained in their seats and stared at me with wide eyes, “Are you positive on that?” Igneel said narrowing his eyes to look straight into mine. “I am positive Father”, I said giving him the same stare.

My Dad looked down and let out a big sigh, “I thought they wouldn’t come here. Natsu, I suggest you to not interfere with them”. ‘Not get in their way?’, I am confused that he is saying this. Fairy Tale is the most feared gang in Magnolia, no the most feared in Fiore, so why is he saying that we shouldn’t pay them any attention? “Can I ask why we shouldn’t pay attention to them? What if they interfere with our deals or someth-“ my Dad raised his hand to tell me to stop speaking, “the Celestials is a trio who is highly trained in deals, intelligence, and combat. They have taken out a few gangs that are both big and small due to there alliances that work for the Tartaros gang. I have no idea what their motive is but if they don’t interfere with us, I couldn’t care less” he said with a smirk on his face. I just stand there, not knowing what to say so I thank my Father and start to go to the door. “Although Natsu, if you really want to keep an eye on them go right ahead, just don’t get in their way” my Father said but I didn’t look back because I didn’t know if he was joking or not.

---Lucy’s P.O.V.---

Before the Neo-Seis base exploded

As Cobra and I go through the building there are just people who are in the first floor either drinking, playing billiards, or talking. I kept in the shadows with my hood on while Cobra walked closely next to me because no one will suspect him due to his membership in the gang. While we were trying to get to make our way to where Zero is I over hear an annoying voice coming from the crowd. “WHO THE HELL DOES THAT BLONDE B*ITCH THINKS SHE IS!” Minerva practically screamed this while talking to Jenny, Mindnight, and Angel (who is currently wearing sling and has bruises due to my last meeting with her). “You know, you did go a little overboard on her, but I applaud you for your work. Sheesh, seeing that fight made school interesting today” Cobra whispered with a smirk on his face. I just look at him and didn’t respond to his remark, ‘I did go a bit overboard, but I really don’t care’ I thought to myself.

As Cobra and I walk down the down the hallway he turns into a dark room. Once the light turned the room was filled with chemicals as if these people are trying to make something, but those ingredients make it obvious of what it is. Acetone, ammonia, lime, diesel gasoline, pseudoephedrine, and many more. These are the ingredients of meth and cocaine, ‘Wow, these people make me sick by the minute. Sex trafficking, producing dangerous drugs, and forcing people to join this pitiful gang makes me sick. As gangs we are the people who make dangerous activities, but certain activities are not acceptable. Virgo, Loke, and I obviously make illegal actions, but I am doing this for our own personal reasons. They are the ones who did this, and I am not letting that happening this happen ever again.

There are some sounds coming from the corner, so I look over at Cobra and see him taking out a pipe and other materials. “Okay, the plan is that you go and take of Zero and I will be making this pipe bomb” Cobra said as he held up the pipe that’s in his hand. From what I am observing he is going to use the bomb to blow up the room. Due to the small explosion, it will set off another explosion due to the chemicals in here that are highly flammable. “That is a great plan, but what if you go ahead and blow the place while I’m still in the building” I said with a smirk on my face. “Oh don’t flatter yourself, I don’t have a reason to kill you” He said to me with the same smirk I gave him, “Plus I owe Loke a favor and I hear some of your plans for the future and I’m interested to see what happens.”

‘I guess I have that to just go with it, I don’t really have many things to live for anyway’ I think to myself but quickly change myself into my usual positive attitude. I start to walk to the stairs, keeping myself in the shadows with my hood on. Cobra gave me some directions before we entered the small room.

After two minutes or so I reach the hallway were Zero’s room is, although there is only one security guard and his back is faced towards me. He is tall and has a small figure. I could almost confuse him with Cobra due to his tan skin and chestnut messy hair, but the obvious difference is that he has blue eyes that match the sea. I take this chance to sneak up on him while he is not aware of my presence. He moves a little bit, so I quickly grab my tranquilizer, but he see’s me so I must move quick. I twitch my eyes to see him raising his fist to me. He launches the hit towards me, but I move my head and feel the breeze from his hit while it misses the target he has set on me. I quickly grab his wrist with my right hand to pull it away from me and kick his back with my left leg making him hit the wall. I grab his shoulder to keep him upright, put and gave him the tranquilizer to knock him out. “Wh..ho are you?” the man says while looking at me, trying his hardest not to pass out. I still have my hood on so he can’t see me, but that doesn’t mean much because they will all be dead soon anyways. I turned towards him and place my foot on his shoulder near his neck and said “oh hun, the only thing you know is that I am a Celestial and I will not accept the actions of this gang”.

I barge open the door to see Zero sitting down behind his desk doing something, so I just go ahead a walk towards hi. “So, you hide in this dump? Hmph, I thought it would be at least have a bit more…..nirvana feeling (if you get what I mean lol, sorry I’m lame)” I said with a devilish smirk on my face. “So, you were able to get in here without a scratch? Pretty impressive little lady.” I roll my eyes towards my comment but notice that he has stood up from his chair and started to walk towards me. “Too bad that you get to die before you get anywhere, or…. before you die should I play with ya for a little?” he said with a disgusting look of lust all over his face, grinning in hunger. Wow, this makes me even more disgusted with this gang, “I am here for one reason only, I am here to kill you and get rid of your sick gang”

“You think that is supposed to scare me missy” he said. Zero grabs his gun and immediately shots it. I quickly move my head, so the bullet grazes my cheek, only drawing blood so I grab my whip and swing it at him and it grabbed on to his neck. I pulled the whip towards me, at this moment he falls forwards and drops his gun towards me but unfortunately he caught hold of my foot. Once he grabbed it he hit the back of my chin and caused me to fall over then pinned me to the floor restraining my arms to the ground. “Now little lady, you’re going to die”, he was reaching for his second gun but was stopped when I face-butted him in the head. He falls back, he tries to get back but was caught off guard when I take the gun that was dropped earlier and pointed it straight to his forehead. “Hmph. Sorry old man, but you’re the one who will be dying today” *BAM*

Seeing it as slow motion, he starts falling back and blood starts spilling from his head. He falls over and a pool of blood starts forming around him and immediately stops breathing. “Pitiful b**tard”.

I slip out of the door and start to quickly make my way to the room where Cobra is, after a minute I reach the room to see with a bomb in his hands. “It’s done, I will set the time now, so we need to get out here now or else we will get caught in the explosion” Cobra said looking at me with a serious face. We immediately here a scream coming from upstairs and it sounds as if everyone is heading upstairs. Cobra and I take this time to sneak to the door and leave.

It didn’t take us long to get out of the door, so we could escape, and we get as far away from the building as we can. Once we get to the border of the fence we freeze for a bit.

*BOOM*

time skip to the next day

---Levy’s P.O.V.---

“Yo shrimp, can we just go and ditch class? You know that nothing happens here and you’re already done with your student council stuff” Gajeel said with his hands behind his head. “No, not right now, I’m just thinking about something” I just said as I’m looking down at my book while chewing the tip. “It’s about Bunny girl, huh?” he said looking at me. I want to deny that but it’s true. How could she just say she doesn’t want us to talk to her. We wouldn’t ever hate her for leaving, no matter the circumstances. *sigh* “I really hate it when you’re right, Gajeel”. He didn’t respond but he just put his hand on my head which is honestly really comforting to me. Although, I have to talk to Lucy but I need to find an excuse to talk to here because Natsu doesn’t want us talking to her. Hmph, the man who has loved her for all the years she has been gone doesn’t even want to interact with her. Hah, that is one big joke. There is something really fishy going on and I’m not going with it unnoticed. She was my best friend and there is no way in hell that I will not get her back.

Gajeel and I go to the lockers to meet up with our group to talk before having to go to class, although I don’t plan to stay with them. “Hey Gajeel, I need to finish up some stuff, so I will meet you later, ‘kay?” I said and he just gave me a nod so I head the other direction that is leading to the classroom. Not many people are in here yet except for a few that is including Lucy, but I just payed no attention to her. I go to my seat and take out my notebook and a pen, so I can quickly write a note.

I stand up to start walking towards her. She had an oversized uniform on and had glasses on, her hair was pulled back in long low resting pigtails. Honestly, she still looks like the same girl that we knew four years ago. When I look at her I see innocence, but I know that is a wrong assumption and I need to find out what is really happening here. As I approach the front of her desk I just slam down the piece of paper and just give her a cold glare and she just looks at me emotionless. Although, I see a bandage right eye and I get a bit curious but I didn’t bother asking. I go back to my seat and see her read the note from the corner of my eye. After a few minutes, students start to enter the room and eventually I see Gajeel and the rest of them which is a relief so I don’t have to sit here in boredom anymore. We all continue to talk until the room went silent when Angel, Minerva, and Jenny enter the room. Everyone is silent due to seeing that Angel’s arm is in a sling and her face is all beat up too. I’m not going to lie that I’m a little curious, but at the same time it’s none of my business.

“Hey Angel, what happened to you?” a random student asked from the room, but Angel just glared back and didn’t answer the question. “Hah, the girl got her a** whooped by new girl over there” Everyone including looked at Lucy who is currently hiding behind a book and is starting to blush. Everyone starts to murmur over what happened but I laugh to myself ‘that’s our Lucy, always full of surprises’ I think to myself with a small grin. I see that Gajeel let out his signature laugh out loud and the rest of the class looked at him. Lucy continued to fake read and blushed even more due to all the attention on her. “You gotta be kidding me, do you mean the ugly girl over there?” someone said from the front. When that was said Natsu glared at the student and they cowered back into their seat in fear.

“Hey fatty, what happened to that ugly face of yours?” Minerva asked and gave Lucy a smirk, to think about it…what did happen to Lucy’s cheek? There was a bandage there so I couldn’t really see what happened. Lucy just stayed quiet invested in her book even though she was getting insulted, and I absoluetely hate that. I want to stand up for her but I know Natsu will scold me for it.

Minerva stood up, walking to the other side of the room towards Lucy desk and slambed her hand onto the desk “I said I’m talking you nerd”. Lucy still was looking at her book “you should keep your hands to yourself if you don’t want to end up like Angel” Lucy said. Once she said this, everyone looked at her in surprise, than looked at how injured Angel was. People were surprised to see that the little blonde girl caused so much damage to one of the top girls in school. Minerva raised her hand, preparing to slap Lucy, “you bi-“. Before you she could do anything, Natsu stood up and caught her hand and said, “don’t do it, you might just brake a nail”. He sat down and just looked out of the window but Lucy just looked at him as if she was confused why he defended her. ‘Humph, that’s our Natsu. Always protecting her just like old time’ I thought to myself and let out a small chuckle that only Gajeel could only hear. “Looks like Salamander still protects bunny girl without realizing it. Gihehe, and he says that he doesn’t have feelings for her. Don’t you think that is total BS” Gajeel said giving me a smirk. “Just like old times, huh” I say back to him. “They may be a cute couple, but not as much as us ya shrimp” Gajeel says but I just give him a glare and puff up my cheeks.

A couple minutes later the bell rings and everyone rushes out to get out of the school, but I just told Gajeel I’m staying behind. Once he left I went up to the rooftop in the school and open the door to see the garden that is out there. I look around and then see a person with blonde low pigtails and over sized clothes.

“Well, it’s been a while coward. Can you tell me what the hell is your problem?” I said and saw the girl turn around. “Well, what’s your answer Lucy” I said and glared at her.

Hey guys, I’m sorry it took me so long to right this chapter but things kept on getting in the way so it took a bit longer.

Okay so I do like Minerva, but I had to make certain people the bad guys so please don’t hate on me! I hope you liked the chapter so please review it or repost. By the way, what will happen next with Levy, comment below of what you think 😊

[setoangel01-fanfiction]

Therapy

Set Me Free - Chapter 2 (Previous Chapter)

Rated: T

Chapter Summary: (Sing 2016) Ash tries to ignore these strange feelings for Johnny as she delves deeper into her ex-boyfriend's betrayal and lies she begins to believe. But perhaps some encouragement and therapy is all she needs.

Fanfiction.net

A03

Ash thought she may throw up.

The sugary bubble gum she was chewing suddenly tasted of ashes in her mouth the very instant this strange feeling befell over her. Nothing she could have anticipated or expected just tidal waved through her delicate body and she was having none of it. Using the last shred of control Ash had, she utilized it to ignore them. Pretended she didn't hear those kind words, and she did not, I repeat, did NOT appreciate his gentle and somehow compassionate smile.

Pushed away any sort of indication of anything other than indifference; blaming these indiscretions on her own faltering emotional state. She hardly trusted anything right now; especially a nice smile and some encouraging words from an attractive guy (did she really just think that?). Besides - what did it matter? She'd already learned her lesson the hard way, thank you very much.

Ash dared not return his kind statement nor didn't bother looking at him anymore. She instead decided to turn her face away and valiantly try to ignore Johnny even as he made a rather amusing display of pushing the piano onto the stage; the egregious squeak accompanying made her fur and quills prickle and stand up on end.

Feeling more than a little annoyed at this point, she took a deep breath to try and calm her nerves. Reaching back into Rosita's bag to grab another small handful of butterscotch candies, she began unwrapping one when Johnny's playing and singing filtered through the bitter clouds of her crippling depression.

The song was "All of Me". She reluctantly admitted that the choice fit him perfectly. Soulful tones befitting of the ballad and she had to acknowledge that it was pleasant even if a sappy love song was the last thing she wanted to hear right now.

Halfway listening, she reluctantly appreciated those strong vocals, its deep raspy quality and his impressive vibrato yet as soulful and annoyingly pure as his voice was - his piano playing desperately needed work. (For all she knew, he could be doing great considering he was learning piano from a thousand year old lizard.) Ash listened and slightly flinched as he'd missed note after note on the ivory keys and his voice faltered with it at times in what had to be embarrassment or nerves. It was almost painful to listen to and whatever embarrassment she may have felt about her own performance were dulled but it didn't make it feel good to hear someone else screwing up…

Before she could even fathom that strange musing, Rosita reappeared through the thick burgundy curtains. Gunter was close behind; wearing a rather inappropriate, not to mention skintight, costume as he sauntered after her.

Ash's brows furrowed slightly; one ear subconsciously listening to Johnny and the other trying to figure just exactly what was wrong with Rosita. The two pigs were speaking back and forth and Rosita was rubbing at her reddened nose and seemed in distress. The side of Ash that wasn't mourning her own emotional status or trying to rationalize her strange thoughts was desperate to rise to her feet and return some of that comfort Rosita had provided earlier. Only problem was that her tongue wouldn't exactly work because frankly, what could she say?

"Rosita, you don't need za papers or learn da steps! Ya need to feel it! Feel zha fire un desire!" Gunter explained in a thick accent; sauntering his hips sensually and Ash's nausea returned with a vengeance.

"The fire went out a long time ago…" Rosita replied; a dejected sigh exiting her lips as she reached for the yellow tote that leaned on Ash's side. The female pig gave her a sad smile while pushing the straps up her shoulder.

Ash was more confused about what exactly happened; feeling suddenly terrible that she didn't even bother paying attention to Rosita's performance… Guilt was not a welcome emotion now but it plagued her regardless.

"I'm sorry. I-I gotta go." Rosita breathed and before Ash could squeak out a single word, the kind woman had disappeared around the corner.

Legs finally working, she bounded off the tall box and took a few steps toward the direction she left, but Rosita was already long gone.

"Rosita, wait." Ash breathed out fruitlessly when Meena made her presence known.

"I-Is she alright?" the soft-spoken elephant asked Gunter whom let out a dramatic sigh while zipping up his golden jacket.

"Yah," the pig said with a dismissive flourishing hand, "Jus needs ta feel da rhythm is all! Do not worry! She'll ze back." with those words, Gunter suddenly disappeared the way Rosita came but neither Ash nor Meena felt compelled to stop or follow him.

Ash stared after the pigs for a few seconds and when she turned her attention back to where Meena was once standing, the elephant was gone as well. Now with literally nothing left to hold her attention, Ash relocated back to her seat upon the music equipment box.

Truthfully, she wasn't even sure why she was still here. Her only chance of the day already exploded in her face and there was really no reason to prolong her suffering. Letting a sigh inch its way from her throat, she stared down at her lap. Hands cradling a few remaining candies and the guilt began eating away at her stomach. Wishing she'd said more to comfort Rosita in whatever occurred but at this point, what did it matter? What did any of this?

Chewing at her gum again to ignore how her stomach flip-flopped in her stomach, she popped a bubble and a voice she thought she'd blocked out began echoing into the now silent backstage. Ash was just as surprised as anyone that Johnny was indeed still singing. It'd felt a lifetime since he disappeared behind the mahogany curtains and it had been less than three minutes. Starting the final bridge of the song, his voice remained strong and powerful; Ash reluctantly had to hand it to him - as amateurish of a pianist he was, he still wasn't giving up. Vocals stronger as he tried to overpower the off-key notes or at some points went almost completely acapella; at some points it worked…kinda…not really.

But hell, at least he was trying. It beat blubbering and sobbing like she'd done.

A sudden tidal wave of embarrassment washed over and filtered through her body; own lingering doubts began their hostile takeover. What if it happened again? She could hardly trust herself to keep it together for a single damn song and her own emotional status was deteriorating by the second… There were so much uncertainty and inklings as to everything that could and probably would go wrong the next time around. Figuring out how to get over this breakup and write a new song?! It all seemed far too impossible; too great a hurdle to overcome in her delicate state…

Maybe Lance was right…maybe she couldn't do this…

Continence falling, she felt her eyes getting blurry again but she quickly wiped the moisture away. She'd cried enough for one day. Perhaps she should be truthful with Buster. Perhaps he was wrong to even pick her let alone let her get this far. She's already did a hell of a job proving how unfit she could be; allowing her emotions to ruin her performance and Lance's harsh words to control her. Perhaps she didn't deserve another chance let alone at $100,000…perhaps she should just…

Suddenly, like a bat outta hell, Johnny barreled through the curtains. At a full sprint, he passed her and almost tripped up the stairs as he burst through the backstage entrance. As the door slowly had yet to close behind the gorilla, she heard the primal roar of an engine and the harsh squeal of tires before a deafening silence befell the entire area. Before she even could breathe yet alone figure out what happened or had gotten into Johnny, Buster's frustrated voice broke out.

"Johnny? Johnny?! …ugh... Where did that boy go now?"

The slight confusion on her part faltered when Buster continued a second later.

"Oh well. Anyway, is that all, Ms. Crawley? Did those raccoon's ever leave?"

"I believe they're still practicing in the backrooms. I'll remove them now, Mr. Moon." she replied in that slow stuttering tone and you could hear her tail dragging as she moved slowly toward that direction.

"No, no, no, I just…" Buster dramatically sighed out his obvious frustration and Ash figured there was no time like the present.

Smoothing out the wrinkles on the silver dress and spitting her gum in an extra candy wrapper, she jumped from the box, pushed through the curtains, and exited to the stage. The bright lights were not at all appreciated; hating how it distorted her vision as she made her way to the orchestra pit.

There in his normal seat was busy-body Buster Moon; the koala distracted, organizing his many sheets of paper work to notice her appearance.

"Mr. Moon?" Ash asked respectfully, loathing how her voice was so nasally and cracked; she harshly cleared her throat to remedy the problem.

"Oh." wide blue eyes lifted to meet hers, "Yes. Ash? Um…M-May I help you? I thought I sent you home. You are dismissed."

"Yeah, Um, listen, I don't think I can do this. I really screwed up today and -" Ash started; the confidence she once prided herself in was almost completely vanquished.

"Mr. Moon, Judith from the bank is on line two again!" Ms. Crawley interrupted from another room and it was hard not to notice how his fur prickled at the voice. Whether it was from the voice itself or its contents, she wasn't sure. Perhaps it was both. All she knew was it must have bothered him enough to rush up to the stage and stand next to her.

"Thank you, Ms. Crawley, just tell her I'm with a client and I'll call her back later…tomorrow!" Buster called back.

"But you said -"

"Thank you, Ms. Crawley!" he shouted this time between gritted teeth, his hands shook and if Ash wasn't uncomfortable before, she was a flat-out awkward duck now.

"Look, if this is a bad time -" Ash started.

"No, no, no! Listen, Ash. We all have bad days. Believe me." he emphasized by folding his hands and lifting himself higher on his toes for a moment. Eyes majority staying on her but tended to flick toward other areas as if planning an escape. If she wasn't so lost in her own problems, perhaps it would have been a bit more suspicious.

"I-I don't -"

"Ash, it's okay." his voice was quick and movements even more so as he placed a small hand on her shoulder, "Everyone struggled today. It happens! Oh, Lord knows it does, but hey, that's show business for you! The point is - there's bound to be a bad performance here and there. What's important is you come back to prove yourself!"

Ash desperately wanted to refute his confident nature but he spoke it so genuinely that it couldn't be ignored. Her tongue remained silent.

"I know you have a ton of potential and it's about time you put it to work! Alright? Is that all you needed?"

"...uh…Y-Yeah…" she sighed.

"Great! You're excused. Now, run along. I'll see you on Friday morning. Alright? Perhaps with a different song, m'kay?" Buster's words were quickly spoken with dismissive hand gestures, but they hit home. Icy blue eyes and mouth hanging wide open as the koala smiled nervously and waved her off before he quickly escaped with short quick steps into the backstage area. A very nervous Meena, who apparently had been standing there the entire time, gave her a small wave before following after him.

Ash just stood there as if frozen in time. Her heart more or less battered and weak as it beat against her pained rib-cage. The hurt was hard to ignore; a constant ache she was certain wouldn't dissipate felt…lighter somehow.

For someone else to speak those words seemed to make it more graspable reality. It wasn't over even if her heart pitter-pattered painfully in her chest; the bleeding organ screaming and flopping pathetically in her chest. While Lance's betrayal was just so fresh leaving her little time to think of anything else, there was some truth to it.

This wasn't over.

Buster didn't throw her out or reject her even though frankly, she kinda deserved to be. As small as a chance there was of her picking herself up and performing for him again - there was still a chance!

A flicker; a light she was afraid had went out permanently sparked inside her chest. There was a sudden underlining anger to her grief; a desperate desire to prove Lance wrong. And it sure wouldn't be found in any of those lame songs Buster kept choosing for her. Ash needed more sustenance; more fuel for the fire that came to life and began to rage deep inside her gut. Before she realized what happened, she felt more alive; more determined than ever to prove Lance wrong. To prove she didn't need him and never did.

…and she was more determined than ever to make sure he KNEW it…

With trembling fists, Ash smirked and ran backstage to change and head back home.

As confidence steadily leaked back, it still wasn't easy to be back in thei-her apartment.

A strange feeling fell over her just to enter the space. It was so obvious now just how utterly loud Lance had been. The television, radio, or his amps always blaring and to come home to it dark and empty was almost soul-crushing.

Silence.

Nothing but utter silence enveloped her much like the inky darkness surrounding.

Flicking on the light switch, she was greeted with his belongings. His CD's, DVD's, and sheet music all scattered around the floor, band posters littering the walls, mike and guitar stands propped up in the corners. Further looking upon it as if for the first time, she took in the tattered remains of what used to be their life. Picture frames littered around on their coffee table and walls; some of the frames old and hung crooked, but neither cared at the time.

Ash placed down her guitar gently as she tried to ignore the bile that rose to her throat.

A familiar pain greeted her much like an old friend; this withered sensation washed over every fiber of her being as she walked through her house. The rooms filled with stuff they'd bought during their time together. Mismatched plates, bowls, and cups in the cabinets and some piled in the sink. Junk food and soda well-stocked in the cabinets and fridge. It was as if it had been a fragment of time; wall cracks scattered throughout; peeling paint in neglected areas, and perhaps one too many stains in the carpeting. Lance always had a bad habit of spilling food or drink and when she wasn't home, it would leave it time to set. He never even bothered to try cleaning it up himself…Shaking her head subconsciously as a few of those fights flashed through her mind as she made her way to the bedroom.

Light pouring in from the flick of a switch, she quietly took it in. The sheets and comforter of the bed wrinkled and unmade from her previous night alone in it. Clean laundry haphazardly folded at the foot of thei-her bed. Her books on her night table and Lance's wrinkled and rolled-up magazines littered his side. Always recalled how she had to clean up after him; pick up his food scraps, dirty laundry, balled-up sheet music, and random trash scattered everywhere. At the time, it seemed almost normal but now it had her stomach sinking when she recalled the very few, if any, times he said "thank you" for all her hard work.

Scarcely could remember the last time he said a kind word; not dismissive or borderline cruel - just anything encouraging! …and she couldn't…

A sudden anger flared to life in her chest.

This - their life had really meant nothing to him! Sure, it wasn't perfect in any sense of the word, but it had been their life. A life he threw away as if it meant nothing to him; as if she were worthless to him.

Five years in which she believed in his many lies. Fallen so deeply in love with a deceiver; one that would toss her aside like a dirty tissue without another thought. How meaningless this all felt. To think just days ago he was here and she couldn't be more content with life. Those mornings before the audition where they were so utterly excited for the chance to become superstars and win a bunch of money. The world had felt so vast and full of opportunity; she had her boyfriend of five years beside her, holding her hand in a tight grasp. Together, they were going to make it happen…

It took just days to bring the ship crashing down in an epic explosion.

Ash didn't even bother fathom that night again; didn't care to remember tossing and turning in the sheets that still smelt like him as she tried fruitlessly to fall asleep. A hellish night filled with crying and weeping with scarcely stopping for breath. She felt like she was dying inside; as if her other half was physically ripped out through her still beating heart…

To think she'd really loved him…when he likely didn't even know what that word meant…

Paws shaking precariously, her eyes met the picture she kept on her nightstand. The one of many 'selfies' they'd taken over the years. How innocent the world seemed to that girl in the photo; the one never knowing what he'd do later on…

If only she'd knew then what she knew now…

Yet instead of crying like she desperately wanted to; Ash grabbed the frame. Moved throughout the house to collect every single picture of them she could find and loaded them into a pile in front of the couch. Careful not to destroy the frames, she took out every single photograph and tossed them to one side of the room while she placed the now empty frames back where they belonged.

Feet dragging slightly on the rough carpet as she returned to the living room. Staring down at the evidence of their five years together; picture after picture of them through various dates and locations. If she was a stranger looking in, she would say they looked like a happy couple. The cute boy wearing his normal lazy smirk and this pretty girl looking so damn naive and stupid to ever believe a single word he said…

"You can't write your own songs…" his taunting voice invaded her subconscious.

Yet, instead of allowing it to damage her further like he intended, more voices spoke up on her behalf.

"It sounds to me like you're better off without him. That -that -." Rosita's kind voice echoed through her head.

"-that total super jerk dinkle-shplat!" Gunter's voice came in and she couldn't stop that half-smile that rose on her face.

"I know you have a ton of potential and it's about time you put it to work!" Buster weighed in.

"Good luck, Ash. I know you'll do great next time." Johnny's voice suddenly filtered into her subconscious and her heart skipped a beat.

Swallowing thickly and pushing those notions aside, she stared at the picture in her hand. That one time she believed she would be with Lance forever, that he was everything she needed and wanted and just how foolish that sounded now. Lance wasn't worth this pain; wasn't worth this torment he caused her battered heart. She didn't need his approval and never did…She was going to write her own song, dammit, and she was going to do it all without him!

With a agile flick of her wrist, Ash ripped the picture in half with a satisfying tearing noise - in that very moment, she'd never felt so free…