#it’s just rude to bring that up when I’m going thru a rough time both financially and mentally

[sophiathebanished]

“I may have not gone to Yale, but I ain’t stupid!”

*I say as I wear the jacket Steve Harrington wears, he didn’t even make it into tech btw*

[ofgentleresolve-a]

MUN AND MUSE QUESTIONS ♡

list 5 of your muse’s favourite sensations.

ONE // warm sunlight streaming through the window as you wake up; it might burn too TWO // moist soil, fresh leaves or stems, and any kind of plant between your fingers THREE // blue light from a screen late into the night; you’re so engaged you forget what time it is FOUR // head pats from a loved ones, the security it gives you FIVE // the sound of laughter coming from a kitchen along with the sound of a gas stove being lit

do they have any pet peeves?

condescension of any kind especially since he’s disabled with only one working arm. he’ll tell you if he needs help, thank you very much! jaywalking, unnecessarily loud noises if it’s while he’s teaching or in the library ( apartment’s a different story- ray’s already a loudmouth ), and texting/being on your phone when he’s hanging out with you. that’s just rude!

their comfort read? (could be a book, magazine, comics, etc)

hm....he’s not as big of a reader as he’d like to be, but i’d probably say probably a shounen manga like naruto or bleach. actually fairy tail. that’s his comfort read manga wise. but if you’re looking for something more literary- the little prince.

if the book they are reading turns out to be shit, do they push through just for the sake of finishing it, or do they move on and find something else?

in the past, lamon was that guy who finishes everything he starts, but ever since his car accident, he has to force himself to put it down and go do something else. he has to remind himself he’s only reading this for fun and therefore, if he doesn’t like it, he doesn’t have to see it thru. he might feel guilty for a little while about not finishing it, but he moves on relatively quickly.

their comfort tv show / film?

so many. when he was recovering from his accident, he watched a lot of animated stuff to get him thru the process. he watches lots of animated cartoons/anime so the list right now includes fairy tail, avatar the last airbender, food wars ( for the food ), naruto, bleach, norigami, etc.

a song that is currently stuck in their head? (or multiple)

anything by porter robinson- mirror, get your wish, look at the sky. porter robinson is his comfort music. if he’s in a low place, catch him in the closet, listening exclusively to porter robinson.

the next three questions are for you. do you have anything special in common with your character?

eeep. there’s a lot actually?? i mean lamon manifested at first as all of my high school and college anxieties times three. he’s his own person of course, but of all of the muses i have, lamon might be the most similar to me ( and mana’s husband comes in second place ). or at the very least, we process emotions very similarly in which we take a little longer to like actually feel our emotions?? our brains are like messy rooms- when something happens, i tend think something like ‘okay i know i should be feeling something here and i don’t quite know what it is yet, but it’s there’ and then the emotion reveals itself and i’m like ‘oh there it is!’ lam has a similar process. other things though- our taste in music is very similar. we’re both suckers for animated content too. oh and i like to think his character development from his original conception actually very much mirrors mine?? like his backstory got a little dark there and his personality, very fragile. i wasn’t in a great spot either. and then as i started to recover, i got sad just thinking about him so i decided to change his backstory so it was lighter and his personality so it was more vivacious. i also think we both these days have developed an ‘idgaf’ attitude towards the minor details in life.

what brings you the most joy about writing this character, right now?

hmmmm, i haven’t written him nearly as much as i want to, BUT i do like how layered his personality is. bc on one hand, he presents himself as apathetic and rather cold, but in actuality, he’s quite passionate?? hotheaded?? also v soft and sweet with his friends?? i just wanna explore all the relationships for him bc he also had a rough past few years so GIVE HIM FRIENDS PLS

who would win in a fight, you or them?

 he definitely has the height and weight advantage, but i think i have a fighting chance? for one thing i’m pretty sure i have a little more of a fiery personality than he does. he might be able to decimate me emotionally though.

any advice from your muse?

"sometimes life is just one long terrible joke. and by one long terrible joke, i mean you have to wait for the punchline to come before it all makes sense. wait for it. drink a baja blast. make a comment to the person sitting next to you. get into a conversation about the necessity of toilet lids. maybe go strangle that person if they suggest eating pickle flavored ice cream to pass time. sooner or later, it’ll all make sense.”

tagged by : @undrowns and @mythvoiced ( thank you both so much!! i’m late jskldfjsl ) tagging: @gwyynbleidd ( for quinn! ) @astralglam @bloodxhound @phantombs @everqi @grantsluck @svmmercmance @oplitis​ and you!! steal it, i’m curious now!!

[missblissy]

Could I please get a Arthur request of 03 - meet cute (fluff writing prompts)? Arthur is supposed to be out debt collecting, but gets intoxicated and stumbles into a stranger's (reader's) home in the middle of the night. It can be angsty, but fluffy at the end if that's okay?

Cotton Candy Fluff Writing Prompts

Send me a number 1 thru 50 for a word that I’ll use to write a fluffy headcanon, drabble, or starter. Send 🔄  for a random number instead. WARNING: some prompts listed are NSFW. (SOURCE)

03. — meet cute

((I will do my best anon!! Thank you for asking!! THIS IS REALLY LONG WHY DO I KEEP WRITING SO MUCH SOMEONE STOP ME))

You were trying your best to keep the peace. Your father was screaming loudly while you held your brother back. It wasn’t easy since he was twice your size and strength. You wished you could have avoided this, you wished you didn’t love them enough to get between them.

“Stop!” You pleaded, looking at your brother, “He’s drunk just leave him be!” You kept your back to your father, who was smirking like a sad bastard. He had said something rude to tick your older brother off, something about your mother. She was long since dead, and you missed hear every day, but you were adults now, living at home while trying to run away. 

Your brother looked down at you, outraged then back to your father. You were always the voice of reason, so he listened and backed off. He made a sound of disgust then spit at the floor before he left the kitchen. You were left alone with your father, a useless drunk who spent all the money you’d made -again- on those bottles of whiskey he had gotten. You were thankful your father was just a useless drunk, not an evil or abusive one. He’d rather make sick jokes and drink and sleep all day they work up a sweat trying to beat someone. He was more of a drunk coward with a big mouth. He never used to be that way, but you couldn’t change him back to the man he used to be.

It hurt, having to deal with this so often. This was the second fight today. You left your excuse of a father in the kitchen as you wandered outside to your back porch. A cigarette would taste so good right now.

You sat down on the porch swing and lit up the cigarette. The farm was dead as always. All the animals sold, the barn about to collapse, the fences rotting away. It was awful. You hated looking at the ghost of your own home. You had to curse your own father after your mother died, everything turned to shit. Your father turned to drink and sold all the animals cause he didn’t want to take care of them. You were just a child then, so you didn’t have much say. 

As you puffed away on your cigarette, you hear a noise. It sounded like rustling bushes off in the distance. You ruled it out to be some animal. You took another drag just as the sound of metal clanking around rushed out from the darkness. You could barely see this late at night. You heard a crash then someone curse out. A voice?

Hell… You groaned under your breath, flicking your half burnt cigarette away. God damn it. Why today? Why now? You didn’t want to deal with freeloaders. It didn’t happen very often, but most lowlives clung to your abandon farm, not realizing that yes, someone lived in that shitty little shake up the hill, and yes, this was someone’s land. 

You grabbed the shotgun hidden under the porch, it was the only weapon left in the house and you made sure to keep it from your brother and father. They were both sort of useless and stupid in their own way. Perhaps that’s why you stayed here, they’d die without you.

The sound came from the barn, which was halfway between standing and falling, and leaned heavily to the left. You made sure to bring a lantern with you, clipping it to your side as both hands worked to aim the shotgun. 

You got to the barn doors, pumped the shotgun making it clear you were there, and yelled, “Get out!” SIlence. You weren’t messing around, you fired the gun in the air then pumped it again, “I said get out of there!! Don’t make me waste my bullets on cleaning this place out!”

You didn’t know or really see who was in there, but you could hear shuffling and a low grumble, “I’m leaving, I’m leaving!” A man, you could tell by how low the voice was. You watched a shadow move around in the barn, it didn’t have any doors on it so you saw right inside.

As the man drew closer, you could finally see who was trespassing on your land. He was tall, much taller than you and bigger than you expected. He was covered in weapons. You were beyond surprised to see a man so filled to the teeth with guns act so passive.

His hands were halfway up, hovering around his chest and palms flat out. He was surrendering and stumbling around too. You could tell this man was drunk, you knew the look all too well. He finally spoke, but you couldn’t see his face, he kept it well hidden by the rim of his hat, “I’m sorry,” His voice was rough and sloshy, “I didn’t think anyone lived here,” 

You kept your shotgun aimed at him, right at his chest. From the low light of your lantern, you could make out his jaw, covered with a shaggy beard. His hair was a little long too, he didn’t look too good, “Who are you?” You finally asked.

He coughed a few times, then groaned, “No one,” He sounded in pain. He wasn’t anything like any of the other lowlives that snuck around your land. He seemed different. 

Feeling a little safer knowing he meant no harm, you lowered your gun a bit but still kept it close in your hands, “Why are you here, Mr. No One?” You still couldn’t see his face, which is why you kept your gun close. He could be a dangerous wanted man fooling you for all you knew.

He wheezed in a big breath, coughed again, then chuckled, “Well I was supposed to be picking up some money from some… Mr. (L/N) but I got a little… drunk,” He didn’t sound too pleased with himself, “Guess I didn’t really want to do this job,” he sighed, “I hate it,” Maybe it was the booze, but this stranger sure was chatty. They’d normally leave by now, but you heard this man speak of your father which confused you. You’d never seen this poor sap of a man before, how did he know your father?

It took a second to connect the dots. You’re anger flared up like a wildfire and you snapped your gun right back towards the stranger, “Loan shark,” you whispered, “You work for the German?”

He finally looked at you, lifting his gaze from the ground. He had blue eyes, but they were sunken and tired, his face was gray and he looked like he had seen a ghost, or turned into one, “Nah… Sorta. I don’t really like it, and honestly… I don’t think I’m gonna anymore,” He coughed again but this time it was in a fit. He was sick. Sick enough that his coughing fit caused him to double over and spit up a bunch of phlegm and snot. 

You lowered your gun one last time, feeling that he truly was no threat to you and in turn, you made yourself no threat to him, “So… you ain’t gonna come and beat my father for money?”

The man spit again and shook his head, “Nah,” You couldn’t help but feel sorry for him, and you couldn’t deny the feeling you had to help him. He seemed so… broken.

“You got anywhere to go?” The question was odd but you wanted an answer.

“That’s what the barn was for,” He chuckled slightly, “I’m sorry, I’ll leave.” He made himself stand tall and he tipped his hat at you, “Sorry, ma’am-”

“Wait!” God what were you doing? “Wait- I just… You don’t seem well, mister. I know you trespassed on my land and all… But it feels wrong of me to turn away someone who needs the help,” It seemed like you offended him, offering him help, whatever that meant, “Please, come inside. It’s gonna be cold tonight, might rain,” You looked up at the sky, you could see the faint glow of the moon behind thick clouds, and the wind was picking up, “At least until you’re…” You waved a hand at him, “Sober.”

He didn’t fight you, maybe even if he wanted too. He nodded his head, “Alright,” 

You had turned back towards the little house you had, walking up the shallow hill, “(Y/N), is my name, (Y/N) (L/N),” You told him.

“Arthur Morgan,” He groaned. You could tell he was having a hard time keeping up with your quick pace.

“I think you should avoid the drink, Mr. Morgan. You don’t seem to make wise choices under the influence,”

“No, I certainly do not,” Arthur had found himself beyond repair this night. He wasn’t handling the whole dying thing very well. Strauss had asked him yet again to go get money, but Arthur just didn’t want to do this anymore. He found himself drinking back to back until he got lost in the woods and stumbled into a hilly clearing. That’s when he caused all the ruckus from your barn.

Arthur didn’t really want to impose, either, but you were right. It started sprinkling rain as soon as you got to your back porch. Arthur lost his god damn horse in the mess of forest and he was too drunk to whistle for it to come back. He wasn’t wasted, he could still see and talk and think. He was just… overly depressed and filled with self-hatred. Maybe what he needed was some kindness from some decent folk, and that happened to be a kind young woman who didn’t blow his head off the second she saw him.

When you got inside, you put the shotgun against the wall of your little backroom. The house was small, but it was still town floors. You could hear your father slurring a song and as you walked past the archway to the kitchen, you could see him laying on the dining table.

You rolled your eyes, “Bastard,” you muttered, then looked back to Arthur, “Don’t mind him, the living room is over there, make yourself comfortable. I just made dinner,” It was left forgotten on the stove, maybe, because you had to break up a fight but it was still warm and ready to eat. Arthur just nodded and walked off, keeping his words to himself. You knew your brother was upstairs, possibly sleeping seeing as he had to leave in the morning to go work on as a ranch hand.

You rejoined Arthur with two bowls of the hearty potato soup you made. It was creamy and filled with veggies and chicken. You knew it tasted great because if there was one thing you did well, it was cooking. Arthur was sitting on your dusty old couch when you found him. He took the bowl without complaint.

“You’re a funny woman,” He said. You? Funny? You weren’t the one holding a bowl of soup up to your face and reveling in the steam. Arthur was the funny one.

But you humored him, “Yeah? How so?” You sat down at the other end of the couch, keeping a respectable amount of distance between the two of you.

“First off,” Oh boy, “You’re feeding a man you caught on your land,” He took a spoonful of the soup and he seemed impressed by the bold flavors. He must not be used to eating real food, “Second, you’re being kind to the man sent to basically rob you,” 

Oh that made you giggle, “Maybe I am. But really I just have a weak heart for useless men,” You giggled again at your own inside joke.

But Arthur laughed too, “I’m sure you do,” He shook his head. He found himself liking you more and more. You were funny, you were odd, and you were kind. Maybe he could learn something from your kindness. The world needed more people like you.

“So Mr. Morgan, you can stay as long as you like but I suggest you stay until the storm is gone.” Soft thunder bellowed out as you spoke, “I can only offer you this couch and some blankets for the night,”

“You’re too kind, miss,” He was still working slowly at his soup.

You shrugged, “It’s just the right thing to do.”

Your honesty and words touched Arthur’s heart, it made him smile and you found yourself trapped there, looking at a man who started turning handsome in your eyes. The two of you kept talking as the night passed and you ate away at your food. The more Arthur talked, the harder it was to call it a night. How on earth could someone be so… so tempting? Not in the immature sense, but he was just… nice. It was refreshing to talk to someone outside of your home.

As he sobered up, he talked a lot about parts of his life he could really only share with a stranger, and that was you. You learned he was a very wanted outlaw, he was sick and dying, and he scared.

“My mama died of the same thing,” You confessed, “It’s a awful disease. Slow, painful…” You trailed off, remembering those last awful weeks of your mother’s life, “She was scared too. I think we’re all scared to die.”

“It’s not dying,” He said. His tried blue eyes stared at the empty bowls on the coffee table, “It’s what happens after. I’m not a good man. Or I wasn’t a good one. I’ve killed more people than the men who want to see me swing.”

“I’m sure,” You tried to joke, you both had a quick chuckle, “But did you kill blindly, or did you think for every bullet wasted?” Your words confronted him with a new question he never bothered to ask himself, “Did you kill women and children? Begging for mercy? Or did you kill other outlaws, other men that shot at you first?” He didn’t answer the question, he kept thinking about it. There was something to it that puzzled him greatly.

The two of you went on talking about other things, just two stangers sharing life events. Something about him drew you in but made you feel humble for saving him. Eventually, you did say goodnight.

You went to sleep that night, hoping you’d see him again in the morning. And you couldn’t lie, when you found him missing at dawn, your heart dropped. There was something nice left behind though. He had folded up the blankets you lent him and left a letter on top.

It was folded and seemed to be torn out of a book or some kind of journal. You opened it up, reading it with a smile.

Miss (L/N),

Thank you again for your kindness. You’ve shown so much in such a short time. I owe you more than just a thank you. If there is anything I could do to return the favor, you can find me Anneburg, or I may stop by again in the future. I have little time left, as you know, and I would like to repay you. Please take this money I’ve left. I’ve no use for anything like this anymore. You’re a good person with a good heart. Don’t let anyone change that.

- A.M

[writingkeepsmewhole]

Getting Help

This is part 10 of Betrayal. I’m having to reuplode this because the tumblr rapture. It’s fine... Whatever I got my crap backed up. Let me know if you cant find anything else that I have posted.

Scarlet gets a call from the police her having to make a choose that will affect her sister forever. 

Dean WInchester x OC Scarlet

Warnings:Drug abuse, language, smut.

Taglist: @thewinchesterchronicles @amandamaesweetheart @scarlettreneem

Part 1  Part 9

I was still unpacking when my phone rang. Wondering who would be calling me so late I looked at the phone to see an unknown number. It also being almost one am.

“Hello?” I ask putting the phone under my chin to return to hang up clothes.

“Hello is this Scarlet Ross?” Said a deep voice.

“Yes?”

“This is officer Stanley I have your sister in custody.” He says making ice water run thru me.

“What happened?” I ask moving to put my shoes on.

“We believe it was a domestic dispute but both of them refuse to talk.”

“Both?”

“Yes we believe her husband if with her. Dean Winchester.”

“I’ll be there soon. Thank you.” I say hanging up.

Running down the steps I stop when I see bared chest Sam walking towards the living room holding a bowl of ice cream.

“Oh uh hi.” He says blushing.

“I don’t wanna know.” I say walking to the front door keeping my eyes down.

Judging by Ruby’s cackle from the floor I was glad I didn’t look up.

Grabbing a random off the coat rack I head out in the rain to the police station.

When I get there I don’t pay attention to anyone going to the man at the front desk.

“Can I-.”

“I’m here to see my sister and brother in law.” I say cutting him off earning a glare for it.

I smile and bite my lip my face flushed.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to be rude I just I’m worried.”

Sighing he drops his gray eyes to the computer.

“Name.”

“Rebecca and Dean Winchester.”

“Relation.”

“I just told you. I’m her sister and his sister in law.”

Typing something for a good ten minutes I try not to jump across the desk and choke him.

“Someone will be out in a minute have a seat.” He says gesturing to the wooden bench in the corner.

“Thanks.” I force myself to say and move to sit down.

I tried to think about anything but my mind kept going back to why they were brought here. A domestic report. I knew Dean would never hurt Rebecca but I also knew how she would spin things to help her in the end.

Or maybe Rebecca hurt Dean. She has before she’s done it to me. Maybe she flew off the deep end this time and tried to do something dangerous

I looked at the clock to see that almost an hour has past. I find myself rocking, my palms sweating. Pulling my sleeves down my hands cold I lift my hand to my chin when the smell of something spicy feels my nose. The growing familiar smell of motor oil and burning wood invades my senses. I take a deep breath feeling calmer as the smell of Dean wraps around me.

“Are you Scarlet?” Asks someone standing in front of me.

Looking from there black shoes I look up to meet a woman with short dark hair.

“Yes that’s me.”

“I’m Jody Mills. You can call me Jody.” She says offering her hand out to me.

“Nice to meet you.” I say letting out a sigh knowing that I’m gonna get some answers.

“You know why you are here?”

“Not really. Something about my sister and her husband.”

“Come with me please.” She says turning to walk away.

I get up and follow her. Walking into a room it dark. The only light coming from the other side of the glass showing Rebecca sitting there.

She was mumbling to herself and kept scratching or twitching but other then that she looked fine.

“What happened?”

“She called and calmed there was demon’s after her. Despatch thought it was a prank call until she started screaming then a male voice came on the line. When the officers got there she was in the corner and her husband was the one that let us in.”

“Is he okay?” I ask looking at her.

“It’s funny that you ask that. He’s got a busted lip and a black eye. He has blood on his shirt but since she seems fine we assume it’s his.”

“Can I see him?”

“You don’t want to talk to your sister?” She asks making my stomach knot up with guilt.

“I.. Of course.”

“I can take you to Dean if you prefer.”

“I just me and her don’t get along. She has done this before I’m scared she hurt him and he won’t say anything because he would die for her.” I say looking back at Rebecca just as she jumps up and starts screaming.

“Relax she can’t hurt herself.” Jody says looking at my face.

“She needs help.”

“Clearly.”

“You don’t understand she’s not off her meds or something she on, well coming off something I think.”

“We know. We searched the house. That’s why we brought her husband in. He claims he doesn’t know when she got something. That he was not there.”

“When did she get it.”

“A few days ago I think.”

“Thursday?”

“Maybe do you know something?”

“She called me and was mad I confronted her about her problem and she got madder and hung up.”

“Did you see her after?”

“The next day yeah I was moving and she stopped by she seemed fine. Well she stayed outside smoking most of the time but I didn’t notice anything weird.”

“Do you know where her husband was.”

“He helped me move so he was with me yesterday and then he left around five I guess and he called me before he went to bed.”

“Why did he call you?” She asks making me stop in my tracks.

“I.. Ummm…” I bite my lip not sure what I should tell her.

“If you know something you need to tell me.” She says gently.

“It’s technically not a crime.”

“Why did he call you?”

“He dose every night.”

“He dose?”

“I.. He and me ..”

“Are having an affair.” She says making my heart clench at hearing it said out loud like that.

“We talk to each other.” I say hoping she doesn’t tell Rebecca.

“Well I’ll take you to see him you can help me get a report out of him.”

“He won’t talk?”

“No and she keeps adding thing.”

Nodding I look at Rebecca her sitting once again picking at her fingers.

“Come on this way.” She says leading me out of the room.

I follow after her having the passing thought I should have seen Rebecca at least. It’s not that I didn’t love her but I was tried. I was dealing with this side of my sister since I have been fifteenth. For more than five years I have been trying to help, stop, ease her off the drugs. Only to have her get clean and slip back into it. The fact that Dean is only recently found out about it surprises me.

Jody stops at a door and opens it to relive Dean sitting one handcuffed to the table the other holding an ice pack to his head.

“Scarlet?” He asks looking at me.

“Oh my gosh Dean.” I say running in to crouch beside him.

“Let me see.” I say moving his hand to look over his bruised eye and cheek and busted lip.

“What happened?”

“How did you know I was here?” He asks looking over my shoulder.

“Your wife requested her during one of our interviews. Like I told her if you tell us what happened you are free to go.” Jody says behind me.

Standing up I look at her.

“Can you bring me a wet rag please?” I ask softly.

“Sure.” She says leaving us alone.

Getting the other chair I move to sit next to Dean his green eyes looking me up and down.

“You haven’t went to bed.” He says since I was still dressed in the clothes I moved in yesterday.

“I was unpacking when they called me. Wanna tell me what’s going on and why you are cuffed to the table?”

He clenches his jaw and looks down.

“Hey.” I say softly grabbing his hand.

“It’s me you’re talking to remember.”

Sighing he turns to face me.

“We went out to eat like she wanted. She acted normal. We ate laughed had a good time.” He says making my heart clench hearing him talk about being gone with someone else.

“When we got back she wanted to watch a movie. I wanted to call you.”

“You-.”

“Let me finish. I agreed to the movie and even a few beers…” He says stopping.

“Then what?” I ask prig party to prove his incense and party because I was scared of the path my mind was going down.

“She wanted to do more. I told her I wasn’t in the mood. When she accused me a cheating I gave her my phone before I knew what I was doing.”

“She knows?” I ask clenching my jaw trying to hold back the tears.

This was it I knew it would come to a bad end. Dean would go to jail for Rebecca and she would hate me.

“No. She knocked my phone out of my hand and threw a punch. I didn’t even see it coming.”

“Dean I’m so sorry.” I say bring his hand up to brush my lips across his knuckles.

“Don’t be this was bound to happen sooner or later.”

“I should be the one to get the blows though. I started this.”

“I went threw with it.” He says rubbing my cheek with his thumb.

I close my eyes and lean into his touch welcoming the feel of his rough hand on my skin. I don’t get to enjoy Dean pulling away when there is a knock followed by the door opening.

“Sorry to interrupt here is that rag you wanted.” Jody says holding it out to me.

“Thank you.” I take it smiling.

She nods but doesn’t leave.

“I would like to speak with you two if you don’t mind.”

“Sure.” I say when Dean nods.

Turning around in my chair to face her Dean uses the rag to wipe the blood of his lip.

“I’m assuming you two know that Rebecca needs help.” She says setting her hands on her belt.

I nod Dean snorting as a response.

“Well there is a program that can help her.”

“She won’t go.” I say.

“She won’t have a choice. If you sign a paper stating she is dangerous to herself and others we can then get a court order to make her go to a clinic and get treatment.”

“She’s not crazy.” Dean says clenching his jaw.

“I know that. If you are not comfortable one of you is welcome to get her to sign herself in giving you or the court permission to raise her only when she is completely clean and stable.”

“She’s not gonna listen to me.” Dean says sounding tired.

I look at him realizing that he has been up all night too. Not only that but he got attacked and arrested. All because of Rebecca.

“I can do it.” I say looking at Jody.

“You can?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought you didn’t want to see her.” She says making Dean look at me.

“I wanted to make sure Dean was okay he is.” I say feeling Dean’s hand squeeze my thigh.

I smile at him then look back at Jody.

“Let me try.”

“Alright I’ll get the papers.” She says leaving us alone again.

“What did she mean you didn’t want to see her?”

“She’s still angry. When they told me you were hurt I kinda got tunnel vision…” I say blushing digging my teeth in my lip.

I watch Dean’s tent as well making his freckles show up more.

“I’m okay.” He says smiling.

“I know. Your tough.” I say earning a wink.

Hearing a knock I turn seeing a male officer.

“Come with me please.” He says holding the door open as Jody walks in.

“Dean Winchester you are free to go.” She says unlocking his cuffs.

I’m surprised when he pulls me into a hug making my heart flutter.

“I’ll wait for you.” He says kissing my head and walking away with the male officer.

“Hmm.” She says making me look at her.

“What?” I ask following her.

“I have always wondered how affairs work. If one just stops loving the other or if they are just weak. I don’t think Dean is ether one.”

“He’s not.” I state.

“But I guess with you it’s different.”

“Different?” I ask us stopping by a door.

“I have seen plenting of couples in your shoes. But you are different. You care about him and he cares about you.” She says making my stomach knot up.

“I understood how you two found each other. Drug addiction isn’t a game. It hurts the people around the user even more then the user themselves sometimes. You two need each other I think.”

“Thanks?” I say confused by this conversation.

“Sorry I talk to much. Here ya go just get her to sign these.” She says handing my a file.

“Okay.” I nod as she opens the door.

I try not to think about what just happened as I walk into the room.

Rebecca looks up from the table and at first it’s like she don’t see me.

“Hey.” I say softly but she jumps.

“Scarlet!” She says jumping up but not moving closer to me.

“Hey you okay?” I ask moving slowly closer.

“No! They got me locked up when that ass is still out there!” She yells at the ceiling.

“Who are you talking about?”

“Dean did this to me.” She says pointing to herself.

“Did what?”

“Are you blind? He beat me!” She jumps at me making me take a step back.

“I.. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be he’ll get what’s coming to him. He’s probably out screwing his little WHORE.”

“Rebecca calm down before they come cuff you to the desk.”

“Let them.” She spins around to face me.

I watch her eyes jump over me then back like she can’t focus. She mumbles her eyes meeting mine.

“What?”

“Why are you wearing Dean’s hoodie?”

“I.. He left it at my house.”

“Why was he at your house?”

“He helped me move remember?”

“Remember?” She asks spinning around.

“Becca?” I ask moving to softly touch her.

She jumps and looks at me like I’m a ghost.

“Mom?”

“No it’s me Scarlet.”

“I’m sorry!” She says throwing her arms around me a loud sob leaving her mouth.

“It’s okay.” I say patting her back. “You don’t understand.”

“I know.”

“I want it to stop.” She says pulling away from me.

“I know. I have a way to help?”

“How?”

“There is a doctor that is going to help you.”

“No!” She says backing away.

“I’m not crazy.”

“Relax.” I say my voice cracking the weight of the file seeming to grow.

“Just get the voices to stop.”

“Do you want more?” I ask moving closer to her.

“More?” She ask her head perking up.

“Yeah more. There is a place that can help you.”

“Where?” She asks moving closer to me.

“I can show you, but you have to sign something first.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a paper saying you want help. You want to get better right?”

“Yes!” She nods so fast it makes my neck hurt.

“Okay.” I say walking to the desk her following me.

“Right here.” I say pointing the the line.

She bends over signing her name and I get this feeling like I’m locking her up forever.

“I’ll be right back.” I say quickly leaving the room before the first tears fall down my face.

Walking to the front I spot Jody and Dean talking. When his eyes meet mine I feel my throat start to close up.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asks walking over to me quickly taking my face in his hands.

I push myself closer hiding my face in his chest.

“I don’t want her to hate me.” I sob out.

“Scarlet she’s not gonna hate you.” He says holding me and kissing my head.

“I just left her there alone and scared and-.” I’m cut off by another sob.

“You were trying to help her. Did you get her sign?” Jody asks softly.

I hold up the file feeling it be took from my hand.

“Don’t ask me to do that again.”

“I won’t. I just need one of you to sign as her overseer.”

“I will.” Dean says.

“No.” I say pulling away from him and wiping my face.

“Let me do it. She should only hate one of us.” I say taking the pen from Jody.

“Scar you don’t-.”

“It’s okay. Let me do this.” I say smiling at him.

Ignoring my shaking hand I sign the dotted line knowing that none of our lives will be the same after this.

“I’ll call you when they pick her up.” Jody says I answering with a nod.

“Hey you did the right thing. Both of you did.” She says softly rubbing my arm.

“Well I feel like crap about it.” I say another tear rolling down my cheek.

“She’ll thank you for it one day.” She says smiling solemnly and walking away.

I stand there not knowing what to do. I jump when I feel Dean’s hand on my arm.

“It’ll be okay.”

“You don’t know that.” I say not looking at him.

“Your right I don’t but I know one thing.”

“What?” I ask looking at him my throat hurting.

“Your stuck with me for the night.” He says smiling softly.

“The whole night?” I ask knowing he is trying to cheer me up.

“Afraid so.”

“Truck stop breakfast?” I ask earning a smile.

“Come on I’m buying.” He says taking my hand and pulling me back out into the rain.

I let him drive my car partly because I didn’t trust myself with the blurry vision and the other part I would rather not have to think.

But that’s what I did. The ride to the 24 hour dinner and all thru breakfast. I thought about what would happen to Rebecca, how she would be treated, what they did to get her clean. If they could even fix her she was clearly going to need something after all the years of using right?

What this meant for me, I would have to agree on what they could do to her. It would be my fault if they fried her brain.

When Dean laced his fingers with mine under the table I felt my thoughts shift. What did this mean for me and Dean?” With Rebecca getting better would we drift apart now that we didn’t have the stress? Would they still get a divorce? Would Dean take her back after she was clean? How long would she be there? Did that mean I should pull away from Dean? Or would he pull away from me? What did this mean for all of us?

“She’ll get clean and we’ll go on about our lives.” Dean says pulling me from my thoughts.

“What?” I ask looking at him.

We were in the car outside of Ruby- I mean my house. It was raining but it wasn’t that bad in the distance you could see the sky a lighter gray meaning the sun would be up soon.

“You asked me what would happen now, Rebecca will get clean. Me and you will move on.” He says not looking at me.

“Oh..” I say that answering one of my questions. Dean was done.

“I guess.. Umm you can keep the car.” I say grabbing the handle but stop when Dean grabs my sleeve.

“Don’t you remember?” He asks making me crinkle my face up.

“Your stuck with me for the whole night. It’s still night.” He says lighthearted maybe even flirty but his eyes are dark with sadness or guilt.

“I thought you said we would move on.” I whisper scared to say it any louder.

“I didn’t mean apart.” He says his eyes boring into mine.

Feeling my heart clench I move to get out of the car my heart racing closing the door I walk to the other side and knock on his window.

“You coming?” I ask when he it down.

“Or are you going to make me stand in the rain.”

I watch his grin light up his face as he quickly rolls up the window and opens the door. It’s barely shut back before he’s pulling me into a hug.

I cling to him as he picks me up and spins me around earning a giggle.

“Come on before we wake the neighbors.” I say lacing my fingers with his as I walk to the door.

“Oh don’t look in the living room you might see your brother naked.”  I say earning a disgusted look.

Smiling I unlock the door and pull him straight to my room. I close the door and move to the bed falling on it.

“I’m so tired.” I groan out and turn my head to see Dean standing there.

“What is it?” I ask sitting up worry setting up in me once again.

“Nothing.” He says shaking his head and pulling his jacket off.

“You sure?” I ask as he moves closer to me.

“Yeah just figuring some stuff out.” He says sitting to take his shoes off.

Moving to the end of the bed I wrap my arms around him and lay my head on his shoulder.

“Wanna know a secret?” I ask saying the first thing that pops in my head.

“Hmm?” He hums.

“Your amazing.” I say him chuckling.

“How so?”

“Easy.” I say grabbing the hem of his shirt and tugging it over his head.

“Your funny, kind, a gentleman.” I list off as I reach to unbuckle his belt.

After seeing him tonight after knowing that he could have gotten really hurt I needed him. It was the strangest need. It wasn’t from lust or pride or loneliness or whatever reason you sleep with someone. It was because I almost lost him and I needed to hold onto him. To touch him be with him. Something anything.

Dean must have felt similar because his fingers tangle in my hair him bring my mouth to his. I kiss him hard and open mouthed letting me breath in the taste and smell of him. Old coffee and copper from his lip. Neither one of us seem to mind as our tongues wrap around each other. Not fighting for dominance just enjoying the feel of each other.

With my hands still on Dean’s belt I feel him grow harder. Reaching into his jeans I run his growing erection through his boxers.

He lets out a throaty moan him moving to grab my wrist he pulls away from me.

“I need you.” He growls out making me almost melt from the sound.

“You read my mind.” I say moving away from him back on the bed.

Following me he unbuttons the jeans on my shorts pulling them my leggings and panties down in one motion. I gasp when his cold hand covers my mound.

I bite my lip as he rubs my clit roughly. I don’t mind the feeling seeming to ground me from my thoughts. Though my thoughts were only about Dean at the moment.

“Don’t scream.” He says moving down his head burying itself between my legs.

Most woman would be turned off by what he said but in that moment with his tongue running threw his folds I could understand why he said it. Taking a breath I held it as his fingers pushed inside me. Arching my back I bit my lip trying hard not to make a sound.

“Dean…” I whine out him looking up at me his chin wet.

“Please?”

Smiling he moves to press his mouth to mine I’m met with the taste of myself as he finishes freeing his cock.

Pulling away from me he makes me gasp when he flips me over on my stomach. I barely get my ass in the air before he is pushing into me. He doesn’t slow down or stop I have to bit the pillow my face his shoved in as he roughly pounds into me.

Grabbing the bed covers I moan Dean grabbing my hair and pulling my head to the side letting him once again kiss me.

I kiss him back as best I can his hand slipping under me and finding my clit. I let out a squeak as he pretty much fucks me down onto his fingers.

It doesn’t take long of his rough  treatment for the blissful ball to start building.

“Dean..I…” I pant out.

“Mme too.” He groans quickening his pace.

I give into the feeling letting waves of electricity pump threw me so hard and fast it almost hurts it’s prolonged feeling Dean shoot inside me his cock twitching.

I whimper when he pulls out of me and lays next to me. Pushing off my bottoms I move to curl up around him, him pulling me close and kissing me gently.

“Sorry.” He says stroking my cheek his skin covered in the a fine layer of sweat.

“Don’t be.” I say licking my dry lips.

“I liked it. I can say that my room is officially christened.” I say earning a throaty laugh.

“We still got the dresser.” He says his eyes hooded.

“We have tomorrow.” I say the sun shining it making his green eyes have flecks of gold in them.

I lift my hand and run my finger over his damaged skin him closing his eyes leaning into my hand.

“I wasn’t lying before. You really are amazing.” I say softly his eyes meeting mine.

“Well I did just rock your world.”

“Shut up!” I say pushing him and rolling my eyes.

Laughing he pulls me close and kisses me his lips wrapping around my bottom one. I kiss him back running my fingers threw his hair at the nape of his neck. He pulls away from me and kisses my head.

“Bedtime baby.”

“Are yo tired?” I ask looking up at him.

“Don’t make me bend you over the dresser.” He threatens a smile on his face.

Giggling I tuck my head into his neck and close my eyes. I lay there letting the silence wrap around us the only sound if our breathing and the birds chirping outside. I sigh feeling Dean’s thumb brush my arm. I felt happy and wonderfully satisfied. Dean was right we would move on with our lives but not apart. We would move on together.

[renegadesrpg]

Paladin: Part 7. Ra

Tater Tot:

One night, not too long after I'd opened my place, a homeless man stood begging in my alley. What struck me the most was he was a member of my race. He was a vampire. I had no clue until that moment that there was such a thing. It broke my heart and reminded me of what Lily used to say about opening our eyes to reality. My mahmen and sire scoffed at her but I kept her words close. I just didn't think my eyes were truly shut, until that moment. 

It was at that moment I swore to never close my eyes again. My employee was trying to get the beggar to leave but I interrupted, handing the male a few dollars, because my food handler permits weren't ready yet so no food was being cooked, and I told him to go get a hot meal on me. His gratitude was palpable. He scurried away and I left orders to never turn a beggar away. If there were concerns, come to me.

A week later there were several beggars at my alley door. I knew this could get out of hand and needed to figure out a way to keep my paying clientele plus help these poor. I tried a couple different things but it just seemed to get worse. My frustrations were overflowing and, unfortunately, it boiled over onto the beggars. The next night is when I met her. Twila, the so-called "Street heart" of Charleston.

I had just given $5 to a male beggar when a young, feminine voice blasted through my eardrum. "Are you insane or just a dipshit?" I looked around but saw no-one, until I looked down and there she was. If she was over 5' I'd have been shocked and she couldn't have been more than a year past transition. She was redheaded and, from the look on her face, had a temper to match. 

"Please tell me you are NOT contemplating giving out more money to these fools?"

+Excuse me? This is my place and if I feel like giving money to beggars, I most certainly will!+

"Ohhhhh you can take the boy outta the Glymera but you can't take the Glymera outta the boy. Look, Robin Hood it's great you wanna help, make amends or whatever...but do it right and know who you are actually giving money and food to."

She spoke so quick and stern my head spun for more than a moment. She had a quick tongue and wisdom in her eyes that belied her very young appearance. +Who are you and what do you mean? And shouldn't you be at home with your parents?+ 

"Ok, I don't have time to give you a reality check so here's the scoop. I'm Twila and I'm older than you, by like a lot. I have been on these streets for awhile now. So, listen when I tell you...those are not real beggars. Those, dear Robin Hood, are scoundrels who play at begging for the joy of screwing do gooders like you over. Real beggars, wait for it...don't beg in back alleys."

+What, why, how do you know this?+

"Ummm I live on and in the streets, I literally know all. Do what you want but I don't think Lily would want her big brother giving money to bored rich folk."

My head exploded with the information this waif of a girl tossed at me, then I got pissed. +How do you know my sister? How dare you speak her name!! You know nothing you filthy TatorTot. You get the fuck out of here and do not return or I'll leave you for the sun!+

She laughed! Her response to my threat was to laugh at me. "Oh ok tough guy. You could do a lot of good, your heart is wanting to be in the right place. Just trying to help but whatevs. Toodles!" Then she was gone. 

The next few days had my brain scrambled but I found myself being more hesitant to give out anything and when I did, I observed things more instead of just giving blindly on my assumptions. And I'll be damned but I think that little female, no bigger than a TatorTot for hell's sake, was right. One of the males that had become a regular, when I looked closer, was clean and shaved except for two dirt smudges on his cheek and forehead. In fact, the three nights I helped him, they were in the same spots...odd. And another male had leather shoes, in really good shape, not what you'd expect for a male living on the street. The female that came had a handbag that looked a little rough but not that bad. Upon further inspection, it was Prada! +Fucking hell, she was right! Goddamn fool.+

I stopped helping the beggars then and I can honestly say I inwardly hated myself for my stupidity. I think I berated myself for a good two or three weeks. Then, the TatorTot returned. Great, like I wanted to deal with her saying she was right and I was an idiot. Needless to say, I wasn't very nice.

+You get the hell out of here, NOW! I told you to stay away from here didn't I. I don't want your ass here.+

"If I stayed away from every place that told me to go away I'd be living on a cloud cuz I wouldn't be allowed on the ground. Now, grab your jacket, your big boy panties, and follow me."

Why I followed, I'll never know. But there is something about this female that makes me do it. Maybe it's her take no shit attitude, her persistence, or maybe I'm just desiring a better way to help this city and thereby making Lily proud of me. 

"Listen up Robin Hood. This is an area we like to call Tick Central. That over there is #Sasha and #Bogi. They run this area and know everything happening within it. They also do their begging in the streets. Generally between 34th street and 70th. They don't like going too far from T Central. They could use regular meals as could a few of their buddies. If, IF you want to help...start here. These are good peeps and they are vamps so you are helping the race."

+But, how do they survive during the day?+

"Underground Tunnels of course." 

+Shit. How do I do both?+ I looked at Twila, my desire to help still battling with doing good at my place. 

"I tell you what. You have 20 food boxes ready by 7pm 4 nights a week, let's say Tuesday thru Friday,  and I'll pick them up. Eventually you could bring them or #Sasha will grab them. You both just gotta earn each other's trust first is all. "

Relief flooded me as I saw a way to do what I wanted. +Thank you+

"Hey, you're the one with a willing heart. Do good, or I'll gut ya Robin Hood. Now, I got a person to see about a thing so you see your way back, Ok? Toodles!" Aaand she was gone again. Odd little TatorTot but she was growing on me.

This began a routine where she showed up at the prescribed time and days, took the food boxes, winked, then was gone again. It went like that for a couple of months then one Tuesday she didn't come. In her place was #Sasha, and she didn't say anything except a quiet 'Thank you' as she took the box and left. Another month went by and then TatorTot came back. She said #Sasha was ill so she'd take the boxes. Unfortunately, before she could leave one of my customers came looking for me.

"Ra, I've been asking for you for 10 minutes, it's rude to keep your customers waiting."

+I apologize #Gwyn, just another moment and I'll be with you.+ I don't think he caught that bit as he was too busy staring at Twila. She didn't look pleased to see him either. She collected the boxes to her chest and said, "Keep better company Robin" then was gone. 

I found it strange but not enough to do anything so I went back into my place with #Gwyn on my heels.

A week later #Sasha showed up on a Monday. She didn't say much, just banged on the back door, grunted til the staff got me then grabbed my hand, pulling me to follow her. +#Sasha, wait a minute. What are you doing here? Is something wrong?+ All she would do is stomp and grumble.

+#Sasha I will go no further without an explanation. What's going on?+

Finally her words formed, "Twila hurt, bad man, come help."

TatorTot hurt? Was that even possible? +Ok #Sasha, take me there.+

We ran through back streets and under a bridge until we got to T Central. There behind a box was TatorTot, bleeding and bruised. 

+Who did this? Let me get the doctor, he will help.+

"Doctor doesn't help streethearts Robin. Just need a first aid kit and I'll be good as new. #Sasha shouldn't have bothered you." She needed blood, to feed, she should be healing by now but wasn't.   

+You need to feed. Do you have a regular feeder? Can I get them for you?+

"First aid kit Robin. Feeding is overrated."

+Here, first aid kit.+ I got close to her which made her shrink further against the wall but she needed this. So, I shoved my wrist in her face, +feed.+ "fuck you, get that away from me!" +feed please?+ "go away please?" Now I'm grumbling under my breath, what an infuriating little creature she is. But two can play at stubborn games.

+feed TatorTot.+ " Don't call me that! Asshat." +feed or I'll keep calling you that.+ "fFuck. You. Nno." Needless to say this went on a while.

She grew too weak though and eventually, I won. It was obvious she didn't feed from someone too often but she got enough in her to heal well. When she finished I licked the wound closed and asked what happened.

"Nothing Robin. Thanks for your help but I should go. Toodles."

I grabbed her arm before she could disappear on me again. +Who did this to you TatorTot? I'm not asking again.+ I growled, didn't mean to but damn she needed to know I was serious and, if I'm being honest with myself, she reminds me of Lily. Her spunk and annoying stubbornness that is. 

+Answer me, NOW!+ My patience was gone.

She even managed to make her sigh sound indignant. Damn this female.

"Your buddy #Gwyn. I was involved in a situation where he lost a wee bit of money and he recognized me the other day, realized I had something to do with his loss and took his revenge. Not the first, won't be the last. I can usually hold my own just fucked up this time and lost. The End. May I go now?" She might as well have knocked me down with a baseball bat. Shocked didn't even cover how I felt in that instant.

+What did you do that cost him some money?+ "Oh sure, blame the streetheart ! Just like all you asshats do. Never take into account that 87% of vampire crimes are committed by aristoscats. Fuck off, not even sure why I bothered trying with you Robin Hood. "

+Explain it to me then, help me understand if it's that big a deal. If he is in the wrong then I don't want him or anyone like him in my place.+

"Your pal was into illegal firearm distribution. I found out, told those in power, and his business was closed. Cost him around $30 million. Your place is a prime spot for assholes like #Gwyn to visit to conduct business. Its dark, busy but not too busy, and appeals to the aristoscats because it makes them feel trendy while they do illegal and hurtful shit to their own kind. If you want to stop it, don't run them out...keep them close, listen, get info, pass it to me, and I'll get it where it needs to go."

+Damn, you weren't kidding were you? You really think I could do that? It's not what I want to do. It's not anywhere in my comfort zone.+

"I get it, it was just an idea as I could always use more information gurus. Now I really need to go, you wanna help then let #Sasha know and she'll get a hold of me. Toodles!" Aaaaaaannnnnddddd she was gone...again.

Two weeks later things had gone back to a good rhythm and I was happy. I was still giving out food and my piano place was doing well. The words TatorTot had uttered at our last meeting still rang in my head and, despite my best efforts, had me looking at my clientele more closely. 

One night the words seemed to be particularly loud and annoying and that's when I saw #Ector and #Samuel. They used to come in with #Gwyn but when he disappeared so had they, until now. 

+Hello gentlemales, welcome back. It's been a while. Your usual table?+

"Yo Ra, you a waiter now?"

+No, just playing host for a little bit.+ I chuckle as I lead them to a table that I had set up with a hidden microphone one day, on a whim...a 'TatorTot is in my head and won't shut up' whim that is. 

+Here are the menus for tonight and the waitress will be by in short order.+ "Thanks Ra, glad you kept our table for us." +Of course, be well.+

A few hours later the males leave and I retrieve the microphone. I won't listen to it until later but I want it in my possession. I finish my work, close the bar, and go back to my home. My doggen, #Oliver, brings me food and a much needed whiskey sour. I rewind then hit play on  the tape that the males conversation was on. 

"Did you hear that #Gwyn found a new buyer for his product? Already made back what that bitch cost him. He said he'd be damned if he let the 'wannabe king' or city rulers tell him what he can or cannot do." "#Samuel, did you get the number to his new buyer? He told us to get it and memorize it but I forgot my copy at home. Plus, he thinks he'll have a second buyer in a few days. He's really pushing shit but the money is wicked. I won't be complaining that's for sure."  *laughter than the sound of silverware moving around follows*

Damn, they are really doing it again, even after getting in trouble before? Dumbasses. Great, Tater Tot was right...I can't let this sit. Too much danger to our people and I don't want anyone hurt because some asses want more money. So, the next evening I sent a message with #Sasha for Twila. An hour later, "Hey Robin what's shaking, you wanted to see me?" 

+Damn female, would it kill you to knock?+

"Yes, it would. Now whatcha need?"

I chuckle because, well you just can't help it around TatorTot if I'm being honest. +You were right. Shady shit is going down in my place and I won't have that. Two associates of #Gwyn came in last night and he's apparently back in business. + I hand her the tape and she pockets it.

"You recorded them huh. Mighty sneaky Robin Hood. Proud of you. Now, do you wanna keep helping me or is this a one time thing?"

+I wanna help, just not sure how this could work.+

"Easy peasy. Select 2-3 tables that you can wire up. If people come in you sense are questionable, sit them at those tables. Occasionally I'll send people your way but I'll always give you a heads up. Give me the recordings and I'll handle it from there. Eventually, you'll instinctively recognize assholes from decent folk. You won't have to do more than hand me information. Sound good Robin?"

+Yes. I can do that. When should I start?+ 

"Tomorrow. I have someone I could use information on. His name is #Gerald and he always has a blonde bimbo on his arm."

+Alright TatorTot.+ I went to pat her shoulder and she growled and jumped back. "No touching unless I say so. And. I. Didn't. Now I gotta fly. Toodles!"

And off she went.

I come out of my reverie, sucking in a long, deep breath.

It's been a few years since this all happened and Twila is all she said she was and helping her has been a pleasure. I love helping and this has helped me deal with my sister's loss in a way nothing else had.

I look at the clock and realize I need to get some sleep or I'll be a nasty bastard tonight.

[crzcorgi]

Happy Birthday Doll!

a belated birthday message from Negan for @itsjustafeelingthatihave

Sorry it’s a bit late!

Negan x Alyssa

Under a cut due to length

  “Sir, please don't touch the machinery again!”

  “Do you know what you're doing?”

   “That's not supposed to be green!”

 Fuck them, fuck them all. This is my Sanctuary and if I want to make my girl breakfast in bed, then I'm fucking making my girl breakfast in bed. So, I will use that freaking toaster, I will fry some fucking eggs. And maybe coffee shouldn't be that color, but I'll just add some of that fresh milk and it look fucking fine.

 It has to be fine. It has to be fucking perfect. Because if it's not it's just one more thing I've fucked up. And my girl deserves better. This time you just might realize it. I could wake up tomorrow and you'll be gone.

 I forgot my sweet doll’s birthday. You said it was okay, that I'm such a busy man that it can happen. I have so much on my mind, on my plate that I can't be expected to remember something as silly as your birthday. But I could see the sadness in your eyes, hear your beautiful voice crack just a bit, holding back the tears. I know you think you're second to everything, everyone else.

 But you're not, and I need you to know that. So I am bringing you breakfast. It may look like shit. Fuck, it will probably taste like shit too. But I tried, and I know you, my sweet Alyssa,  will understand. You always do.

 I'm going to surprise you today. We're taking a vacation, a real honest to fucking God vacation. On the last run, the one that made me miss your special day, we found an old homestead, fuckin’ untouched by looters and the such. It was a bit worse for wear, time’ll do that. But the flower gardens and small pond still look like they must have fucking looked before the end. I had some of my Saviors take some supplies back there, make it perfect for you, my doll.

 As I step inside our shared bedroom, I can't help the sharp intake of breath I take. Fuck baby girl, you still amaze me. Looking like an angel, sleeping there with your gorgeous hair spread out on your pillow like a fucking halo, your little mouth barely opening, tiny snores escaping. I place the tray of my fucking concoctions down, slowly making my way to you.

 I just want to watch you sleep, so peaceful, not a fucking care in the world. No sadness, no death, not a fuckup for a husband. But I try to gently wake you, my green coffee is getting cold.

 “Baby, wake up sweetheart.” I tap your cheek softly, running my thumb across it enjoying the softness, such a stark contrast to my roughness.

 You begin to stir your eyes blinking and trying to open. “Negan? Are you okay?” Thinking of me right off the bat, like always.

 “I'm fine as fuck baby girl, but I've got a surprise for you. So open those gorgeous eyes and get that sexy ass out of bed.”

 Sitting up a smile already on your lips, you reach your arms out to hug me. Snuggling into my chest you mumble a sleepy “love you Neg.”

 I pick you up, knowing you'll protest. But I need you close as possible. As I carry you over to the sofa, you run one hand up and down my back, something you always do, soothing both me and you. Your nose nuzzling into my neck.

 “You smell like…burnt toast?”  

 I couldn't help but laugh at you, your tiny nose all scrunched up, I sat down, still holding on tightly to you. “Take a look sweetheart.”

 You turned in lap, noticing the platter.

 “Neg, did you do this all by yourself?” You looked up at me with a look of shock and surprise.

 “I did doll, all for you, made with fucking Negan love!” I laughed again, moving you off my lap, placing you gently next to me. Leaning over I grabbed a plate, picking up a fork and handed it to you. I watched as you picked up some egg, slowly entering your mouth. You chewed and I could see it on your face.

 “Neg, could I possibly have a napkin?”

 “It's okay baby, I know it tastes shitty. I just wanted everything to be perfect for you.” I sighed, picking up a napkin and handing it to you.

 I felt your hand on the back of my neck. “Everything you do for me is perfect Neg. I would expect nothing less. But why all this?!”

 I took the plate from your hands. “I missed your birthday doll. I know you said it didn't matter, but it did! It was your day a day just for you and I screwed up. So I'm trying to fix it, fix my fuck up.”

 I closed my eyes for a second only to feel your soft hands on my face. “Negan, you screwed nothing up. There's nothing to fix. Just you, being you, is all I need and want.”

 Opening my eyes to look at you all I see is love, pure fucking love. Fuck knows what I did to ever deserve you but I ain't questioning it.

 “Okay doll, go get dressed, I got another surprise for you and this one ain't fucked up, I fucking promise!”

 I waited, and yes, watched, as you got ready. Fuck baby girl, gorgeous fully fucking naked, still stunning fully fucking dressed. And every step in between.

 “I'm dressed, Neg. My surprise?” Your face lit up like a little girl on Christmas morning, I couldn't help but smile big myself.

 “You'll see sweetheart!” I picked you up, causing a fucking squeak to escape your lips. Carrying you thru the Sanctuary, getting fucking strange looks as I patted your sweet ass. “Get to work fuckers, nothing to see here!” I bellowed.

 “Neg, don't be so rude!” And you slapped by back.

 “Ohhh, baby girl! That will be punished later on!” I growled into your ear, causing you to squirm and giggle.

 When we reached our truck, I placed you in your seat, leaning in to kiss you, but you brought your hand up placing a finger on my lips.

 “Where exactly are we going?”

 “Let me give you a fucking kiss doll and maybe I'll tell you!” You grabbed my face, bringing me back in to kiss you as I wanted. All tongue, nips and licks. Fuck if we couldn't go further but we needed to get on the road.

 I pulled back sighing, running to get into the driver’s side. I yelled to the two Saviors that were coming for security, to follow us.

 As we made our way to our destination, you snuggled into my side.

 “Gonna tell me where we're headed now, Neg? Or do I have to tickle it out of you?” You began tickling my side.

 “Fuck Alyssa, I'm driving doll!” I couldn't help the laughter from starting. Which quickly turned to grunts when you began playing with my zipper.

 “Baby…what are you doing?” I growled.

 “I don't know Neg, what AM I doing?” You looked up at me thru your eyelashes, winking.  “Maybe I'll continue if you tell me where it is we're going?”

 “You naughty little minx! Fine, I found a house, basically untouched. Thought we could spend some fucking time there, just us. You know, fucking!” I snickered.

 “Oh, Neg, you're such a romantic!” You giggled, but continued with your ministrations. My now hard cock in your fucking glorious mouth.

 I can't say it enough baby girl, you are my everything, I wouldn't, couldn't survive in this fucking walker wasteland if it wasn't for you.

Forever, Alyssa

And Happy Birthday my love.

[therewillalwaysbeapril]

Chapter 4: Sixteen Hours

6:30 AM The alarm rang abruptly in the stillness of the morning, a rude shrill noise, splintering our warm, nocturnal embrace and throwing us both into the coldness of the day. 

“April, we gotta get up”, I said, mumbling as I shook off the last remnants of sleep. She groaned softly, rolling over and pulling the covers away. “Hey, get up. Geee-tta UGH-PUUUU! Get TU DA CHOPPAH!” I did my terrible Arnold Schwarzenegger impression loudly and poorly, adding in a loud grunt for full effect. 

“Argh, I need muh clothes, my boots, my motorcykalll”, she said, in the same bad Austrian accent without opening her eyes. “Come ONN, do it. Do it Nah-OW!”

Stumbling out of bed, vision still blurry, and nearly tripping over the corner of the blanket now fallen to the floor, I reached over and grabbed from the basket the first item of clothing on the pile of clean laundry that we neglected to fold from the previous night. I pulled open the top drawer of her dresser and felt around for a bra. I threw both toward the bed as I made my way to the bathroom. April put on her top as she stood up. Hair a mess and eyes barely open, April exuded a dreamy, other-worldly quality as she floated from the bed to the sink wearing the dark red floral patterned shirt dress I had bought for her the weekend before. I blow dried my hair into a more presentable state and shaved as she washed her face and finished combing her hair. 

I packed April’s belongings into her backpack for her, the both of us hurrying downstairs to my car. After stopping by a McDonald’s drive-thru on the way, we ate Egg McMuffins sitting in the early traffic heading toward Downtown LA. I looked at her as she opened a ketchup packet.

 “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful!” she said, laughing as she carefully squirted the ketchup onto her hashbrown.

 Briskly walking up the parking lot escalators and half-skipping across Pershing Square, April got to the bus stop just in time as the vehicle screeched to a halt. “WESTWOOD/SANTA MONICA” said the display. A quick kiss goodbye and she was off to class.

8:00 AM The office was dark as I stepped out of the elevator. Walking toward my desk, I was greeted by lights flickering on as motion sensors began to stir. Fresh cup of coffee in hand, I left the kitchen for the far side of the floor toward my favorite viewing spot. 

The Los Angeles morning was peaceful when viewed from high above. Cars moved slowly down Broadway; I could hear their distant honking noises in the early rush hour. Construction workers below near Third Street walked carrying their equipment, passing by the shops just beginning to open in Grand Central Market. From my hawk’s nest I saw a cyclist zipping down Grand Avenue past the Museum of Contemporary Art, in front of which a food truck was beginning to set up shop. My breath and the steam from my coffee fogged the glass as I stepped closer to look at the crowd of people gathering by the Broad. The early light bathed my city in a warm amber glow, thawing its sleepy commuters as a new workday began. Flecks of gold and saffron twinkled as the dawn bounced from the stirring skyscrapers and automobiles, blinding me. I, too, was beginning to wake as I finished my coffee. 

With my headphones on, back at my desk, I continued sketching out the wireframe concepts from the day before. Wireframes are the foundation of plotting out designs for interactive products such as apps and websites. They are a high level way of designing ways in which someone can use a product and the organization for which types of information and interaction appears on which screen, before a designer has to focus on the finer details such as animations, visual appearances, and the style of smaller items such as buttons. Even though the other designers created wireframes in programs I was also familiar with such as Adobe XD or Sketch, I always took great care in sketching out early ideas neatly on paper. I felt there was a purity in shaping ideas away from a computer, a kind of humility in making things with my hands.

8:30 AM The office is still dim as I make myself a second cup of coffee. This was one of those sluggish days; I felt slow to start, and was glad to still be the only person in the office. There was less pressure this way. I returned to my desk and cleaned up my lines with an eraser, reinforcing others with a Sharpie. Boxes with crisscrosses represented images, various other shapes representing icons and call-to-actions. Simple line patterns signified text, clearly showing the underlying grid to the layout. Adding final touches, I drew an outline of an iPhone over all of the screens before using a green colored pen to create the markings that showed how a user interacted and navigated from screen to screen. I felt pride for the cleanliness of my draft, as I never knew whether the second draft in the computer would be made by myself or a different designer. Finished, and satisfied with my work, I walked over to the simple Kanban board on the far wall and moved the task’s corresponding post-it note from the column labeled “in work” to the column labeled “done”.

Aside from a few coworkers from accounting, the floor was still mostly deserted. Sitting back and listening to the rest of Bach’s Goldberg Variations on my headphones, I fidgeted at my desk for a while. Impatient, I walked back over to the job board and grabbed one of the tasks from the column labeled “backlog” and moved it to “in work”. This should keep me occupied, I thought.

10:00 AM Standup was always kind of fun. Normally I have always preferred to work alone, with headphones on, lost in thought as I built designs and mockups, in an almost-meditative state of flow. However, I liked my coworkers very much, and it was also nice to see everyone at the beginning of the day and update one another on our work progress in the morning as we created the pieces of our product together. I enjoyed this kind of organized interaction that afforded me boundaries and space to create.

 <Walalala..>, texted April. It was her way of greeting. Warm and cheerful, albeit at times a little silly, it was a greeting that I had come to love. It would also be a salutation I would receive less and less over time until I would not see it at all. <What you doing?>, she added.

<Designing more apps. What about you?>

<Nothing bored in class>

<Lol. You should pay attention! I’m pretty tired too. I don’t think I woke up yet>

<I miss you.>

<Haha, I miss you a little too.>

<Only a little bit? Fine! Text me when u miss me a lot!>

<Ok I miss you alot>

<Pfft, you still need me to remind you?>

<Ha, you should pay attention in class. Your mom will kill me if you fail because of me>

<Well you can always quit and go to engineering or med school!>

<YOU can go to med school. I’ll make more apps!>

<Too hard~ And I’m so tired today I don’t want to do anything. Head hurt.>

11:00 AM Sketches spread out on the table before me, I began to create the second round of digital wireframes. As much as I enjoyed sketching, this step was also one of my favorite things to do. The useful aspect having hand sketches was their looseness — from a high level perspective, during this stage there were still so many possibilities. Creating the first digital wireframe versions, despite their inherent roughness, narrowed down those possibilities. To do so felt like taking a camera lens and turning it slowly into focus. At this stage, it was not a crisp focus, but much more recognizable as a coherent direction. The process was therapeutic as it was methodical; moving through it step by step, there was room to make improvements on the fly, perfecting each idea. However, today, my process of refinement would be interrupted by a different task.

There needed to be a version of our project for a new client, said marketing. A simple mockup of our app must be made in the style of our new client, a baseball team. The refinement of the new screen designs would have to wait. Grumbling to myself a little, I closed the program and neatly piled the sketches into my drawer.

<Heyyy, why u ignoring me?>

<Sorry, some other stuff came up at work>

<So sad but it’s okay. I feel so sleepy and tired>

<Maybe have some coffee? I’m on my second cup already>

<I dunno. Stomach hurt a bit too>

<I’m sorry. Would you feel better if you ate something? What are you gonna get for lunch?>

<Expensive grass, haha>. “Expensive grass” was April’s name for salad. They always cost more than they should, she would remark.

<btw…>

<what’s wrong?> Nothing good ever happened when April said “by the way”.

<If I go back to Taiwan after graduation, can we still be friends?>

<We’re not breaking up. We can make this work>

<I mean, if. Can we please stay friends? I can’t imagine a day without you, even if we’re only friends>

<I want you to stay though. We can figure this out>

<I don’t know…>

12:00 PM It is lunchtime. Mood now sour, I didn’t feel like leaving the building. After informing my deskmates that I was taking my lunch break, I grabbed a stale bagel from the kitchen and microwaved it with a slice of cheese. Taking that and a diet soda from the fridge, I returned to my viewing corner.

We had only recently moved into the forty fourth floor of the building from six floors above. The company had now grown bigger and the fiftieth floor was not enough space. However, it was only the design, marketing, and accounting teams on this floor, leaving most of it empty. In fact, we only occupied one corner, leaving the other three quiet and deserted. I enjoyed taking walks around the empty areas, sometimes even bringing my cello to work and practicing in one of the empty rooms during breaks. Today though, I only wanted to look outside and think.

Now midday there was visible smog in the Los Angeles air.  Protestors were forming on Grand Avenue. I looked closer, curious as to the reason for this group. I could not make out the writing on their signs. A car accident was visible further down on the 2nd Street intersection, blocking it off. The authorities closed off one of the lanes, backing up traffic. A bus awkwardly took up both lanes as it attempted to merge into the available space. An adjacent driver made a rude hand gesture out of his window. I sighed, feeling exhausted as I learned against the wall near the window. I sat on the floor as I drank my soda and looked out of the floor to ceiling window, thinking. The conversation I thought of was not with April, but one with someone else, from a different day, in a different language.

•••

<Your girlfriend is really pretty! I saw the pictures you posted to WeChat yesterday>

<Yeah, I took her to the airplane museum the other day.>

<Do you spend everyday with her?>

<Well, she kept asking me to stay over, and then I had to stay with her after she crashed her car. Lately though, she tells me she just doesn’t like it when I’m away. It feels weird, but I’m really happy with her and I love her, so I guess I’m not complaining. She’s been coming to work with me and taking the bus to school too>

<Hey, you should pace yourself. All couples need their space from time to time.>

<Maybe? Sometimes I go to work and five minutes after I leave she texts me that she misses me. I think she’s very sweet.>

<Okay, I’m just looking out for you. What if she turns out to be one of those possessive types?>

<She told me she gets jealous easily. A lot of my female friends came to my birthday party and she told me she felt weird about it. ‘I’m very jealous’, she said.>

<Hey! I knew it!! Is that why you didn’t answer any of my calls or texts last winter in China?>

<Sorry. I guess it’s just weird, what happened between us.>

<Why would you tell her that…>

<She had someone else she was trying to get over and I was trying to comfort her.>

<Well, nothing happened between us!>

<I know! Well, I don’t know. You are one of my best friends, and what happened affected me very deeply. It may have been nothing to you, but it was definitely something to me.

<I’m sorry about that. I really am. I was as confused as you too. I never meant to be cruel. I hurt you, and I ended up hurting myself too.>

<I’m glad we’ve moved past it and we’re still friends>

<How long have we been friends? I was still ten or eleven years old I think? We’ve been best friends for so long even though we are in two different countries. Don’t you think this is a friendship worth keeping?>

<I know! I’m trying to figure this out>

<You promised not to throw this friendship away after you meet some girl remember? You made me a promise.>

<Yes, I remember. And I will keep my word. I just need to figure this out. She’ll come around eventually. I really think the two of you would become great friends.>

<Well, you gotta figure it out eventually, because this is just awkward what you’re doing>

<I just need time…>

••• 

1:00 PM I snapped back to reality as my phone alarm went off. It was time to go back to work.

The caffeine was beginning to wear off. Still debating whether or not I should have a third cup of coffee, I flipped through the Android Material Design Guidelines online, pondering what visual branding treatments were acceptable within Google’s design parameters. Writing down the correct color hex values on a notepad, I began to change colors on app elements in Photoshop, reskinning the interface. The phone beeped again, as another text message arrived from April.

 <I’m sorry. I want to stay with you too. But I’m so worried>

<About what?>, I answered.

 <What if it doesn’t work out between us? In a year? In five?>

<Why are you worried about this now? April, I love you and I’m perfectly happy with you>

<Yeah, but what if we DO break up eventually? You’re not a doctor and I’m supposed to marry a doctor.>

<Come on, I can’t change that>

I stopped working. Taking off my glasses, I sat back in my chair, rubbing my forehead. I was getting very tired.

<I just wish you could accept me for who I am>, I texted back.

<I do! I really want you to make it. I love who you are I just don’t love what you do>

<There’s nothing wrong with what I do. I am a designer and I’m good at it. I make a decent salary and I like my life>

<It’s different>

<Well that’s just your viewpoint. We’re just different, I guess>. I saved my work and walked to an empty conference room.

 <Why do you even love me?>, I texted. My thumbs began to sweat. Typing was becoming difficult.

<I love you because you are kind. I love you because you value family, like me. My friends ask me why I love someone who is not what I want and why I want to change him knowing how much effort I have to put in>

<The only complaints MY friends have about you is these things you say from time to time! It’s so messed up. Maybe your friends are full of shit. At least I love you for YOU>

<I do too! Doctors are all over the place, especially with my family background it’s easy for me to just marry one, but I can’t find a doctor who is YOU>

<I’m getting back to work>

I stomped back to my desk, angrily chucking my empty soda can into a nearby wastepaper basket. A couple of coworkers stared.

3:00 PM For the next two hours, I tried my best to focus on creating more animations. More interactions. I compared the mockups I made against the Android and Apple guidelines. So far, so good. Sending the finished mockups back to marketing, I went back to the kitchen and made myself the third cup of coffee. 

I chugged the hot beverage, nearly searing my throat. I went back to designing the wireframes. There were only three hours left in the workday, and I originally wanted to have had this perfected at the end of the day. 

<Are you done with class yet?>. There was no answer from April.

Frustrated, I placed my phone face down on the table and returned to the designs. These have to get done, I thought. So little time. Fuming, I angrily threw the boxes together on the computer screen, connecting the button hotspots together as violently as someone could inside a digital space. 

 “Hey are you ok?”. It was Julie, who sat across from me behind my monitor. “I can hear you breathing from here”

“I’m fine”, I said. I sat back in my chair and looked at what I’ve made. It was sloppy and nowhere near the level of detail that I have been known for around the office. 

 “Take a break man. I just got an email that we have until the end of the week for these screens now”

“Oh…”

“Yeah. You can just chill”

“I think I’m gonna take a walk then.”

4:00 PM I looked at my watch as I waited in the elevator. Who does she think she is, I thought. So what if I’m not a doctor? Life can’t only be about status. I was so mad. That is such a shallow way of thinking! And it wasn’t me who started all this. I was just minding my own business working. She was the one who had to bring up Taiwan, and her parents’ crazy expectations for who she should be dating. 

 I walked outside briskly in the shade of the tall buildings. It was much louder now that I left the lobby. A street performer was beating a drum across the intersection. A crazy person was yelling about the end of times on the other corner. Good. Noisy enough that no one could see how angry I was.

And I hated the way she texted. How am I supposed to always be at her beck and call? I have a job to do; I can’t be there to simply answer every time she worries about crazy hypotheticals. I was doing fine today, I should’ve simply not answered. And now that she’s finished ruining my day, she’s stopped texting and has gone back to whatever she’s doing leaving me to pick up the pieces. Every single month, we have to have some fight about something completely stupid like this. Every single month — 

Oh. 

April had complained about being tired. April had experienced stomach pains during class. I counted the days since the last time I remembered similar complaints. There were many things I remembered for her. April could be so forgetful.

“Twenty-seven, twenty-eight….”, I counted in my head. I knew what she was going to need.

I stopped at the Rite Aid on 5th and Broadway. Quickly making my way through the aisles, I picked up a pack of Ibuprofen, a box of what appeared to be feminine pads, and a bottle of water. The cashier handed me the items in a paper bag after I made my purchase. Strolling further south, I began to think about what transpired.

Did she really mean all that she said? Perhaps a deeper question was, WHICH of what she said did she actually mean? You can’t tell someone you love them for who they are but also want to change them, I thought. Girls just say crazy things during their time of month right? I checked my phone.

 Still no answer.

 This is bad, I thought. Perhaps I was too harsh. Her car is in working condition. She chose to take the bus because she genuinely wanted to spend time with me. And now she’s probably on the bus home, in pain. All for me. I’m such a jerk, I thought.

Ducking into Bottega Louie on 7th, I bought a box of half dozen French macarons. They were rather pricey, but came in a beautiful box and were, I had heard, delicious. The small rigid box was not unlike jewelry packaging, with beautiful calligraphy and gold speckles dotted throughout its powder purple surface. It was a small gift that was sure to brighten up anyone who was having a less than perfect day.

6:30 PM The workday was now over as I closed my work laptop and packed away my things. The bus from UCLA arrived as I waited on a bench in Pershing Square.

“Hey what took you so long?”, I asked as I took April’s bag from her. 

“I had the most horrible day!” she said.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize I sounded so mean—

“No, not you! My period started and I forgot to bring pads so I had to use tissues. And my phone died, and then the bus had to take a detour. So I needed to get off and wait for another bus, but I couldn’t use Google Maps and I’m so tired and I just want something to eat”

“Well, first things first I guess”

I handed her the box of macarons and discreetly showed her what was in the paper bag. “Let’s find a bathroom,” I said.

She looked into the paper bag. She looked at me. She started giggling, the happiest I’ve seen her all week.

“What? What is it?”

“Have you never bought pads before?”

“Well, no, but I figured you needed them. Was I right?”

“Those are panty liners, not pads!”

“Oh.”

“It’s okay, I’ll be alright. Cmon, let’s eat”

•••

8:30 PM After April had a chance to change, I took her to a nearby Hong Kong styled cafe. It would be nice to have some porridge, she said. 

As we sat down and waited for our food, by reflex I folded April’s chopstick wrapper into an origami chopstick stand, as I have always done since our first date. I looked out the window into the dark. 

The San Gabriel traffic outside was a lot calmer compared to the city. It was quiet and I could just make out the sounds of crickets. A high school couple walked out of the boba shop across the street, laughing to themselves, carefree. An elderly man picked out a newspaper from a box near the entrance. I felt a soft caress on my forearm.

April handed me a crudely folded flower made from a chopstick holder. 

 “I’m sorry about today. I keep forgetting how to fold that fancy origami, but I want to thank you for taking care of me.”

She smiled the familiar funny smile.

•••

9:30 PM As we walked in the darkness at a nearby park, digesting our meal, I stayed quiet. How can I make all nights like tonight?, I thought.  Is there really an expiration date to our happiness? 

Perhaps reading my mind, April said, “I don’t know what we’ll do if I really have to leave…”

I looked at her and kissed her forehead.

“Whatever”, she added. “If I have to go back to Taiwan, I guess I’ll just get another boyfriend, and it’ll be a doctor this time! HA HA!”

I did not laugh.

I let go of her hand and walked a few paces ahead, sullen.

 “I’m kidding!” April grabbed my arm. “I really do love you, alright?”

[imagineshiratorizawa]

OHOHOHO THEN hcs for childhood rivals (is that a thing? children can have weird rivalries.... they fight over crayons....) to best friends to lovers trope for kawanishi and semi?

Taichi Kawanishi

ღIt all started when they were little. Their mom were friends and wanted their kids to be friends as well

ღA mistake because you were too loud for his tastes and he started ignoring you. That didn’t suit you well

ღYou fuking punched him and you started to fight, your moms had to come and separate you both lmao

ღAfter that well you both weren’t on good terms with each other

ღYou just couldn’t let it go and neither could him apparently

ღYou always, always had to fight aka one fight per year

ღAlso because you were always one-upping his scores and looking at him with a haughty look, (absolutely shameful)

ღAfter you graduated from middle school the fights cooled down a bit, honestly gave your mom a breather because you always came home with some sort of bruise on you courtesy of taichi (and taichi as well) and after the fights started lessening, your bruises did too

ღOn your last year of being middle schoolers you got paired up for a project (im just a walking cliche aren’t i?) and he dared you that you couldn’t get into shiratori because of that really fucking difficult exam

ღYou agreed to take it, if only to shut his mouth up (it wasn’t even your first school of choice you wanted to go to seijoh) (s/o wanted to be a seijoh whore)

ღYou both went on the same day to take the exam, glaring at each other thru it, it was a wonder how you both managed to complete it

ღThe next day taichi had volley tryouts and told you some kind of passive-agressive stuff like “sucks for you that you don’t get a chance to get in on a sports scholarship” idk maybe taichi thinks you won’t get in on grades and also doesn’t have the same chance to get in thru sports 

ღ Anyway he told ya he thought he did good and to wait until next week for the scores and letters

ღWhen next week came you trotted up to taichi with a grin, practically shoving the paper down his throat as you showed him the score. You had passed and it was almost close to a perfect score

ღTaichi was shocked (not that he’d tell you) and showed you his score, which quite high, but did not come near yours

ღYou then asked about the tryouts and he told you he was accepted, which was a relief because his mother had been bugging him about it

ღYou congratulated him and told him “we should have a fight on our first year there hm? Just like old times where i would beat your ass~~”

ღSavage reader-chan

ღHe was shocked because he thought you wanted to go to seijoh but you shrugged and shook your head; “nah i wanna at least see what school shira is. If i don’t like it i could always change schools”

ღafter that you made changes and started to treat each other amicably and you couldve called yourselves friends

ღthey did indeed fight on the first day there and that like cemented it lmao

ღYou still kept teasing him and beating his own scores (you both were in advanced classes)

ღOn your second year the teasing toned down a bit, and you spent more time with him, going to all of his practices, games and away games too when you could.

ღHe had come to care for you and what better way to ask you to be his than on the last tournament of the year, the Interhigh spring high or interhigh lol i dont remember either thanks anyway i’ll use that then~~

ღYou were already up with the school but taichi texted you to meet him before the first game started. You did and met him outside in the hall.

ღHe gave you his jacket, before asking you out. There was a slight waver to his voice from the nervousness

ღYou were shocked and couldnt believe, after everything but you accepted with a cocky smirk, pulling him down for a smooch

Semi Eita

ღYou did not get off to a great start with semi

ღYou may have stolen a ball he was playing with and refused to give it back

ღYour first fight ever and it was versus a guy for a freakin’ ball

ღFrom then on you fuckers tried to fight each other everytime you saw each other

ღYou were always trying something to rile him up, always teasing him with a grin

ღYou were driving him crazy and not in a good way

ღThis continued up to highschool

ღWas he practicing volleyball? Gotta have a snide comment thrown his way every now and then. His unfashionable clothes? Another comment too

ღAnd then satori had to give you material to tease him more honestly

ღHonestly each time you walked into a room and he was there it was a pissing contest and a huge amount unresolved (sexual-) tension

ღIn your second year you stumbled upon semi angrily serving a ball into the court, just it missed by a lot and almost took your head off if you hadn’t moved in the nick of time

ღHe looked at you, looked right thru you really and his eyes were red and he was breathing heavy, mumbling a rough sorry as he went to pick another ball to serve

ღYou whistled at him, positioning yourself on the other court to attempt to receive his serves

ღHe nodded, serving just as hard as before

ღThe first serve you couldn’t properly receive, cursing at the sting but looking at him to do it again

ღThe afternoon was passed away in a flurry of volleyballs, curses and feet running on the court

ღAfter he ran out of balls he walked up to you, panting and stretching his shoulders out. You rubbed the sting off your arms, plopping down on the floor. He sat in front of you, hunched over

ღ“What happened semi? I’ve never seen you so pissed off, and thats something because that’s my job” “you know shirabu?” “the new kid on the team? Yeah what about him?” “He’s taking my spot… on the team.” “WHAT? But semi-sem-” “-dont call me that-” “you’re better than him!!” “I know… thanks y/n. You helped… alot.” “even if i’m your sexy rival~?” “I’ll disagree on the sexy part.” “Rude! I’m sexy and you know it~!” “Maybe you’re not so bad after all y/n.” “could say the same of you eita.”

ღAfter that there was less teasing coming from you and you soon both became friends

ღ“Semi-semi~” “don’t” “pick me up” “Why should I?” “Why shouldnt you?” “..fine” “yay~” “happy now?” “oooh~ the great semi-semi is picking me up with his strong manly arms~” swoon

ღOf course being friends didnt stop you making things a contest every single time

ღYou passed more time with him, satori, the team and other classmates were asking if you were dating

ღY/n looked into the Camera like in the office

ღ“Satori pls” “i mean you’ve been spending so much time with him~” “cut it we’ve been rivals since we were little” “true”

ღAnyway it wasn’t until your third year that you were like “yeah. I like Semi-Semi. Unfortunately.”

ღIt was on the spring tournament, before the first game that he pulled aside when you gave him the good luck charm. He took your face in his hands and drew you in for a deep kiss, leaving you breathless. (There was faint shouting in the background courtesy of the third years yelling “get it Semi-Semi/eita”)

ღHe moved back, embarrassed, but he tightly held one of your hands, a bashful smile tugging at his lips.

ღ“didn’t know you had it in you Semi-Semi” “s-shut up /////” “I’ll be cheering you on when you serve eita~!” “Thanks… babe.” “:3c” “what’s with that face?” “Nothing~”

ღEvery time it was his turn to switch in for the serves he looked up at you, waving and mouthing ‘good luck’

ღWhen Shiratorizawa Lost against kara you stood stunned and quietly slipped out of the bleachers  To go stand near the exit.

ღSemi was one of the last to leave, spying you and lagging behind the others.

ღHe quickly took you in his arms, angry and frustrated, just like that day in your second year. You just held him saying nothing.

ღAfter a while hayato came looking for him since they had to leave, seeing both of you wrapped up.

ღ“You played great semi, and those service aces were spectacular.” “but we still couldn’t win” “but a team is of six people eita, you only couldn’t bring the team to victory and you know it.” “I know… you always know what to say” “I’ve known you my whole life eita of course I know.”

ღHe walked away, catching semi’s eyes and motion towards the bus.

ღEita nuzzled into your neck, pulling away and planting a smooch “after we get to school, get to the gym and wait outside. I’ll come get you because we have punishment to do” “what punishment?” “100 serves” “yikes” “yeah” “this is because of wakatoshi isn’t it?” “Yup” “whatever, I’ll be there, like always”

ღWhen he came and got you, he made you sit a little ways behind him on the serve line, with a lot of water bottles, his phone and jacket (which you wore.)

ღHe started, along with the others, to do the punishment, looking back at you every couple of serves.

ღWhen he was around the 50 mark he stopped and sat next to you, taking one of the bottles you offered and drinking from it.

ღYou moved and put your head on his shoulder, your hand squeezing his other hand.