#just kidding i'll take them myself and leave them in his pocket

[andy-clutterbuck]

8x01 | Mercy

[logansargeantsbabymom]

Too Good to Say Goodbye

Logan Sargeant x Fem!Reader

Warnings: cursing, Hurt/Comfort & Implied Smut, MAJOR TW: stillborn

Summary: Y/N is tired of constantly being dissed by Logan and he doesn't seem to care, at least not until it's too late.

part 1 I part 2 I part 3 I part 4 I part 5 I part 6 I Part 7 I part 8 I part 9 I part 10

F1 Masterlist

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I clasp my jacket closer to my body as I wait for Logan to open the door of our shared apartment. It's pouring rain and my dumbass forgot the keys, I sigh as I pull my phone out, dialing my lovers number.

one ring

two rings

three rings

four- declined.

*new text from "Logie Bear🐻💙"*

Logie Bear🐻💙: Babe I'm on the sim, give me a few.

Me: I'm out here in the pouring rain and I left my key, You said you'd unlock the door 5 minutes ago.

Logie Bear🐻💙: You fucking made me crash.

Logie Bear🐻💙: I'm coming.

A scoff leaves my lips as I shove my phone into my soak jean pockets that stuck to my skin, a few minutes later I hear the lock click and the door swigs open revealing a less than happy Logan.

"Damn, were you watching our home videos while waiting for me to open the door?" Logan laughed as he took in a soaked me before side stepping so I could walk in.

"I've been outside for 10 fucking minutes in the pouring rain Logan and you're making jokes?" I almost screamed at him

Unbelievable, all I do for him and this is how he treats me?

"Woah babe, take a joke," Logan starts before his phone starts ringing "Yeah? Oh for sure, right now? Uh huh, Okay I'll hop on. Yup yup, just give me 5. I'm grabbing a snack" with that Logan hung up the phone "I'm hoping back on the sim with the boys, so just take a shower and dry the floors, you're ruining the wood."

I wanted to scream, I'm ruining the floors? I wouldn't be ruining the floors if you would've opened the door 10 minutes ago like you fucking said you would.

I made my way into our shared room, grabbing my clothes and speaker before making my way to the bathroom. Once in the bathroom, I connected my phone to the speaker and started playing "Hold Me While You Wait" by Lewis Capaldi on a low volume before stripping out of the soaking wet clothes that stuck to my skin.

My shaking hand turned the tap to hot as the water started spurting out of the shower head, which made me sigh thinking about the shower head I gave Logan every time we showered together. Today makes 3 weeks since we last fucked, and that was also probably why I'm so aggravated at everything he does. All this pent up sexual tension between us is driving me crazy.

Before stepping into the now steamy shower I turned the volume up on the song currently playing. Once in the tub, I let all my problems wash off of me and down the drain as I let the boiling hot water hit my skin. After what felt like 3 minutes of pure bliss, I hear a faint knock at the door before hearing it open. Peaking my head out the shower curtain I'm greeted by Logan just standing by the door.

"Hey Logie, care to join me?" I said in a low & seductive voice, watching as he steps fully into the bathroom and closes the door. A victory smile makes its way on my lips as I pull myself behind the curtain once more, quickly lathering myself in foamy soap.

I can hear Logans footsteps getting closer to the shower, but instead of getting in I hear him pick up my phone, turn the volume down, set my phone back down and as he's leaving he mutters "Not tonight. Boys are on the game and i can’t focus on them because your depressing songs are too loud."

Are you fucking kidding me?

That had been my last straw. In one quick movement I turn off the shower, throw my robe on and march out of the bathroom and into his sim room.

"Are you fucking kidding me Logan?!" I shout as a burst in the room, face red from anger. I can hear a mix of muffled oohs, laughs and you're in trouble. I couldn't bring myself to care about anyone on the sim with him.

"Hey! I'm on the sim! Watch your tone!" Logan shouted back, earning him a glare that said turn your fucking simulator off now.

"We're gonna have a serious talk. Now" I said in a stern voice. That made Logan turn the game off and actually face me

"What the fuck do you want to talk about that you bust into my sim room and interrupt me when I'm on with my friends WHO HAPPEN TO BE A COWORKERS?!" Logan shouted, his beautiful face now a shade of red that no-one liked, his eyes as cold and sharp as ice.

“I WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOU. YOURE BEHAVIOR, THE WAY YOU’VE BEEN ACTING TOWARDS ME, THE WAY YOU DONT FUCKING TOUCH ME ANYMORE, DO YOU EVEN STILL FUCKING LOVE ME?!�� I tried to stop, I really did but all the anger built up inside of me over the last few weeks just started pouring out “WHATS BEEN GOING ON WITH YOU LOGAN? YOU’RE NOT YOURSELF AND ITS EFFECTING ME, YOU KEEP SHUTTING ME OUT, AND MAKING ME FEEL BAD ABOUT MYSELF! AM I NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU ANYMORE? HUH!?” the more I screamed at him and the more I cried, I saw not one bit of remorse in his eyes.

“Are you fucking done being dramatic now?” Logan says with a scoff “Nothing is fucking wrong with me. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you’re the problem? No, you haven’t because you think so highly of yourself. You think that you’re the fucking shit and you’re not!” his words hit me like a punch to the gut.

the tears welling up in my eyes, now falling like heavy rain down my face. “You’re not the Logan I fell in love with,” my breath shaky “I don’t know who you are. I want my Logan back. I want the Logan who came to all my wrestling matches, the Logan who regularly took me out on dates despite his hectic work schedule, I want my Logan who got mad at me when I paid for dinner because ‘it’s a man’s job to pay for his girls meal’, the Logan who always took me to his races and showed me off like I was a rare jewel he found,” the waterfall beneath my eyes couldn’t stop me from staring into his soul while i said this last part “I miss my Logan who stood by me when we had our miscarriage” That seemed to get a reaction out of him.

“You have the fucking nerve to bring up MY baby. Don’t you EVER bring up MY baby like that again. You HAVE NO RIGHT.” Logan said tearing up

“YOURE BABY? HE WAS MINE TOO. IT WASNT JUST YOU THAT LOST A BABY, IT WAS ME TOO. HOW DO YOU THINK I FELT PUSHING OUT OUR BABY KNOWING HE WAS DEAD? I WANTED TO FUCKING KILL MYSELF LOGAN. I FELT LIKE I FUCKING FAILED YOU AND OUR SON.”

“MAYBE YOU FUCKING SHOULD’VE KILLED YOURSELF. HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF THAT?! IF YOU KILLED YOURSELF I’D BE SO MUCH BETTER OFF.” a sob escaped my lips as Logan finishes talking. “You act like I can’t find someone else, like I can’t impregnate another woman. You’re nothing but another piece of ass to me, that couldn’t fucking keep my son alive in you.”

Logan storms out of the room, slamming the door as he goes.

“Well, I’m so glad you told me this now because I’d HATE for our DAUGHTER to be in a house where her dad thinks so lowly of her mother!” I scream while I barge into our shared room, grabbing a suitcase and filling it up with all my shit I can fit in it.

Soft footsteps make their way to the room, stopping just before the door. Slowly I hear the door open and see Logan slowly walking in.

“what did you say?” he asks me in disbelief “did you say ‘Our Daughter��?”

“YEAH IM FUCKING PREGNANT AGAIN BUT SINCE IM JUST ANOTHER PIECE OF ASS TO YOU, IM FUCKING LEAVING AND YOURE NOT GONNA FUCKING SEE HER.” I yell, closing up the suitcase and heading for the door before feeling a tug on my wrist

“no baby, please. I’m sorry, i’m so sorry. let me make it all up to you and be in her life. i’ll change, I’ll be better, I’ll do anything to get you back.” tearing now streaming down Logan face

“I’ll be back in the morning to get the rest of my shit.” I said before tugging my wrist back and slamming the door shut behind me.

pt2 maybe?

thank you for reading! hope you enjoyed !!

@forevercaffeinated-lee

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[strawberrynull]

──⯎ ˙❄ ̟ first snow (enha ver.)

엔하이픈 | Enhypen | ot7

──Pairing: enha ot7 x reader

──Genre: fluff, scenarios, imagines

──Synopsis: You are outside with enhypen when it suddenly begins snowing- the first snow of the winter season. In Korea, there is a superstition that whoever you are with on the first snow is your soulmate

──A/N: guys I love winter so much. It's my favorite season. Also I have a draft that I dunno if I wanna post or not...

(This story was written with @sharksandminhos - please go follow!)

masterlist

이희승 | Heeseung

“Ahh this is why I tell you to bring gloves.” Heeseung sucks his teeth as he takes his gloves off and reaches for your hands, which are icy to the touch. This wasn't the first time you had forgotten your gloves. No, this had to have been at least the 20th time. Truth be told, it was on purpose too.

Whenever you would forget your gloves, you hoped that your boyfriend would take your hands in his. Most of the time he would just hand you his pair of gloves instead.

Heeseung carefully slipped his gloves over your cold hands. You let out a huff and cross your arms in annoyance.

“What?” He feigns ignorance, scrunching his eyebrows together. "I always tell you to bring gloves but you don't even when it's snowing."

"Seungie, you wouldn't understand-"

"It's the first snow though so I'll let it slide this time." He sighs, shoving his hands in his pockets. Before you can even ask what he meant, he began explaining. "They say that if you're with someone on the first snow, that person is your soulmate."

He then grabbed your hands, gaze not leaving your lively features. "I know you've been forgetting your gloves on purpose. It's not hard to miss." Heeseung chuckles. He studies your fingers, playing with the cute silver rings that adorned them before intertwining his hands with yours. You look down at your interlocked hands then up at him through your eyelashes with big doe like eyes. The white snowflakes sat on top of your slightly windblown hair, nose red from the chilly winter air.

“It's really cute, but you don’t have to freeze yourself to get me to hold your hand. I will take it upon myself to hold your hand in every walk we take, whether it’s 100 degrees outside or negative 15 degrees.”

박종성 | Jongseong

You and Jay had gone to the grocery store to get ingredients for dinner that obviously Jay would be cooking. While walking back home along the sidewalk, a tiny fleck of snow dropped onto your cheek causing you to flinch slightly. You pressed your hand to your cheek, using your other hand to tug at his sleeve.

"Hey Jay, look," He stopped walking and turned to look at you. "It's snowing!" You said excitedly. Jay gave a loving smile.

"That's great. We better get home before we get stuck in the snow though." He chuckled before continuing to walk.

"It's the first snow."

"Yeah, I suppose it is." He nodded. You huffed at his ignorance.

"Jayyyyyyy," you pouted. Jay turned to you with a look of confusion. "The person you're with on the first snow is your soulmate."

Jay just laughed. You furrowed your brows and crossed your arms. "So that's why you were acting like this?" He stood in front of you, tucking a stray hair behind your ear. He leaned down just inches from your face. You closed your eyes, feeling Jays lips lightly press onto yours. "Then I'm glad I'm here with you."

심재윤 | Jaeyun

Jake had been rambling on and on about Pokemon for the past 15 minutes. You two were hanging out at the park, as per usual. It was too cold for little kids to want to play outside so the playground was empty besides you and your boyfriend. The swing set squeaked as you swung side by side.

"And I was trying to catch this stupid Tyranitar but-" suddenly Jake went quiet.

You turned to him, dropping your smile. "Jakey you didn't finish your sentence."

"Baby, look!" he gasped, eyes widening. He jumped from the swing and pointed into the air. "It's snowing!"

"Is it really?" You asked, also getting up off your swing. You cupped your hand in front of your mouth and blew warm air into your palms, attempting to warm yourself up a bit.

"I'm serious. It's snowing, it's snowing!" He yelled, jumping up and down while flailing his arms around like a child. "Can we make a snowman? Pleaseeeeee, pretty pleaseeee?"

A giggle escaped your lips as Jake grabbed your hands with excitement, smiling brightly with his signature smile.

"Jake, there is definitely not enough snow to make a snowman right now." He gives a small 'aww' before pouting. You chuckle softly at his cuteness. "It's okay. You know why? Because today is the first snow, and I'm here with you and only you."

He tilts his head in confusion for a moment before his eyes widen and his mouth forms a small 'oh.' A smirk quickly spreads across his face as he comes closer to you, snaking his hands around your waist. He begins to quickly litter kisses all over your face as you stifle out laughs.

"You have no idea how happy I am to be your soulmate."

박성훈 | Sunghoon

Snow had begun to fall as the two of you walked on the sidewalk, passing building after building. This was the perfect opportunity for you to call him the nickname he hated.

"Hey ice prince," you coo. The nickname made him stop in his tracks and turn to you, rolling his eyes. Just the reaction you wanted.

"What is it now?" He huffed.

You immediately scrunched your nose. You dropped his hand, sighing dramatically. "Geez you're so mean to me." You stuck your bottom lip out forming a cute small pout.

"F-fine, I'm sorry." he stuttered quickly. Sunghoon picked your hands back up, slightly panicking. "What's up, angel?" He asked, squeezing your hand gently.

"It's snowing, see?" you explained, hoping to tease him some more. To your dismay, he came back with a comment of his own to tease you with.

"You know, they say that whoever you're with when it snows for the first time will be your soulmate." He smirked, leaning down just mere centimeters from your face. You could feel his breath on your cold face as it made white clouds in the frigid air. He cupped your cheek in his cold large hand. You clamped your eyes shut as Sunghoons lips ghosted against your own.

"Does that make you my ice princess?"

김선우 | Sunoo

You cover your face shyly as Sunoo captures another picture of you on his phone. It had suddenly started snowing while you guys were walking around Hongdae to go shopping together. "Ah don't cover your face! The pictures are better when I can actually see you." You giggle and shake your head before running up to him to look at the said pictures. "Oh those actually aren't bad." You say sighing in content then looking up at Sunoo. He looked just as breathtaking in the snow. You bring your hand up to run your icy fingers through his dark brown locks. The snowflakes that had settled on top of his hair fall as you do so. "You know I should take some pictures of you too. You look really pretty right now" Sunoo's face breaks out into an ear to ear smile and can't help but laugh at the comment. "No stoppppp~ you're the pretty one here!" He says wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you into him. When you open your mouth to protest some more, he beats you to it. "They say that whoever you're with during the first snow is your soulmate~" He wiggles his eyebrows as you look at him wide eyed, your cheeks coming to be a deeper shade of red, and not from the cold. When he starts to laugh even more you hit his arm. "Yaaaa- nobody says that." you pout and roll your eyes. Sunoo shakes his head, insisting that it's true. When you keep denying it he grabs your hands, pulling you close to him. "They do. I'm serious, angel." Sunoo kisses the tip of your peachy nose and smiles down at you with lovestruck eyes. "And there's nobody i'd rather be with than you." You giggle and bury your face in his chest before begging to take pictures of him in the snow.

양정원 | Jungwon

As soon as the cold white flake hit your cheek, your face lit up in excitement. You watched as the air around Seoul turned pale from the falling snow. "Ya Jungwon-ah! It's snowing look!" You lift your palms up and spin around, making Jungwon chuckle. He wraps his hands around your waist and kisses the corner of your mouth lovingly and looks you in the eye. "What happened to calling me Wonnie?" He says playfully pouting. Your eyes widen and you immediately shake your head, some of the icy specks flying off the top. At this point, your boyfriend preferred his cute nickname over his real name. Only you could call him Wonnie. "I'm sorry... Wonnie." You smile innocently. Jungwon pecks your lips once and smiles at you. You can't help but find him adorable- with the way his nose is a rosy shade of red because of the frigid weather, and his hair slightly messy from the chilly evening breeze. "How could I be mad knowing you're the angel I was destined to be with?" You eyebrows first furrow in confusion, but then shoot up with realization. "Oh! I am!" You jump up and wrap your arms around his shoulders to bring him in for a nice, warm hug.

"You don't realize how happy you make me." Jungwon whispers, sighing into your comforting embrace.

니키 | Niki

Snow was falling gently as you and Niki stood outside on his apartment balcony. You had a beautiful view of the city. All the buildings covered in white fluffy snow was a sight to see.

You hadn't planned for it to snow when you were going to your boyfriends house. So now you were outside in thin pants and a long sleeve shirt with the majority of the front cut out.

"Please just take my coat and scarf." He pleaded, taking off his jacket and draping it over your shoulders. "You've gotta be freezing cold."

"Niki you're literally in short sleeves and jeans." You deadpanned, trying to shrug off his jacket. You knew he wouldn't give up that easily though. He had insisted you wear his jacket at least 5 times now. "You're gonna be colder than me. I'll be fine."

"I'm not cold." He lied, attempting to appear as if he wasn't shaking. He took off his scarf- the cold air hitting his bare neck, sending a chill down his spine.

"Yes you are. Baby I can see you shivering." You held up your hands to prevent him from giving you his gray and black scarf.

"I'm not cold." He insisted again, eventually wrapping his scarf carefully around your neck after you stopped putting up a fight.

You watched as Niki shook from the cold, teeth chattering occasionally. He would try to descretely rub his hands together. The prominent goosebumps on his arms made you pout at how selfless and kindhearted he was, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.

"... Come here." put his jacket back on his shoulders and stand in front of him. He slides his arms through the sleeves and snakes his arms around your waist. You carefully wrap the fluffy scarf around both your necks, forcing you two to be close.

"Did you know that today is the first snow?" you ask, barely above a whisper. Niki can't help staring at your lips as you speak. "That means we're soulmates, Niki."

Niki stumbles to form a coherent sentence. Instead he decides to place his lips on yours, squeezing your waist gently. The kiss lingers for a moment, before Niki pulls away, quickly dropping his head in your shoulder to hide his obvious blush.

"Good."

© strawberrynull, 2024. In partnership with @sharksandminhos Do not copy my work. Please DM for permission before translating or reuploading. Thank You

[friendlyneighborhoodslut]

𝓲𝓲𝓲. 𝓦𝓮𝓭𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓭𝓪𝔂

»𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐍𝐨 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐑𝐊𝐒«

0:21 ─〇─────3:32

⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻

“Enemies By Monday” series, part 3.

MASTERLIST

Summary: There's no time to read everything, so they come up with an idea on how to breeze through the curriculum faster.

Warnings: strong language, angst (my god, so much angst), these two never can get along, financial struggles and class conflict.

𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖, 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟓.

Dad, El and I sit around the dining table, silently enjoying the recently reinstated heating. I contemplate asking him how he’d scrounged up the money to pay for it to be turned back on, but decide against discussing bills with El in the room.

"I'm going to be out of town for a while. I need you to stay home and watch your little sister." He instructs, breaking the silence.

I sit up straight from my spot at the dining table, taking a moment to process Dad's words. El glances between the two of us awkwardly.

"What? I have plans all week," I exclaim.

"I don't care, she can't stay home alone," he grunts, shoveling a spoonful of cereal into his mouth. "I leave tomorrow morning,"

"For what?" I snap.

He drops his spoon in the bowl, giving me an exhausted look. I hold his stare, challenging him.

"A court appearance. Something about the Department."

The defunding, I think to myself. I swallow hard, sipping on my glass of water. He leans to the side to pull something out of the pack pocket of his jeans. "I'll be gone a while. I'll call every day and I've arranged for Joyce to come check on you guys periodically. This is for necessities only," he harshly emphasizes the only, tossing a white envelope of cash onto the table.

El and I share a shocked expression.

"Where the hell did you get all of this?" I breathe, flipping through the crisp twenty-dollar bills. Suddenly, I can guess where the money to turn the power back on came from.

Dad shakes his head. "It was unlabeled, in the mailbox. Christmas came early this year, I guess.”

I make a face. I have a pretty good idea of who left this money in the mailbox.

I sigh. “Dad, tomorrow’s Thanksgiving. You can’t wait one extra day to leave?”

He frowns, shaking his head. He stands up, pushing his chair back with his knees. He drops his bowl into the sink and comes back to the table, first leaning over El to kiss the top of her head, and then me. He lingers a bit, resting his head on top of mine. “Behave yourself while I’m gone, Mantis,” he whispers.

I gulp at hearing the nickname my mom gave me over a decade ago. I almost ask if he’s heard from her since she left to marry another man and replace me with their own kid, but I don’t. The answer would probably cause me more pain than it’s worth.

“Yeah Mantis, behave,” El teases childishly. I stick my tongue out at her and she mirrors my action, face twisted up.

The three of us laugh.

A honk outside the house makes me jump.

“My ride’s here,” I tell them.

“Tell Eddie I said hi,” Dad requests casually, taking a twenty dollar bill out of the envelope and handing it to me. “Go get a coat for you and your sister while you’re in town today, yeah?” I smile and nod, taking the bill between my fingers.

“Love you!” El shouts just as I’m about to close the door. I theatrically blow a kiss into the air and cackle, losing the door.

I practically leap into the van, making Eddie laugh. “Good morning, you’re in a good mood today,”

I eye him suspiciously, that shit-eating grin on his face. I shove him by the shoulder. “Ow! Why?” He whines, rubbing his shoulder.

“Edward Munson. Did you leave your drug dealing money in my mailbox?”

He furrows his brows. “What?”

“My dad found money in the mailbox. Was it you?”

“Wish I could say it was. But you told me no, and I respect that,” he admits with a straightforward look on his face.

My face falls and my heart drops into my stomach. My skin tingles and my head pounds. “It wasn’t you?” I was so sure it was him to leave the money, and the realization that it wasn’t has given me whiplash.

He purses his lips and shakes his head. “Sorry, Princess. But no. It wasn’t me.”

I comb my brain for an answer. Our family’s definitely not liked enough around this town to warrant hefty anonymous donations like this.

“Payment for your charity work with Harrington?” Eddie suggests.

“I doubt it. Payment’s supposed to come after the work’s completed,” I tell him. I shake my head to clear my mind. “Doesn’t matter anyways. Will you take me to the store?”

Steve still has the habit of tapping his foot when he's anxious, just like he did in middle school. As he silently reads through the instructions on a Vocabulary worksheet, his white Addidas create a rhythm that is driving me up the wall.

Tap, tap, tap.

I try to ignore it, sorting through the stack of Biology homework. Cells, genealogy, evolution, ecology...

Tap, tap, tap.

"For the love of God," I snap. "Will you quit?"

His head shoots up from behind the textbook he's scanning, looking at me like a wounded puppy. "I'm stressed out, leave me alone," he complains.

"Oh, poor you. Stress out quieter," I say bitterly, slotting a sticky note labeled Ecology into the final subcategory for Biology.

"I'm fucked, aren't I?" he breaks the silence.

"Probably," I reply flatly, never looking up from my task. I fish out my biology notebook from sophomore year, sliding the papers of each category between the related notes on the notebook pages.

"Do you have this little faith in all of the people you tutor?"

"Nope, just you," I reply, purposely seeming disinterested. I dare to peek up from the notebook, and what a mistake it is. He's staring at me like he's trying to light me on fire with his mind, and I wish he would. I sigh, slapping the book closed. "It's possible, but it's gonna be a lot of work, and honestly I'm not sure you're cut out for it," I admit.

He pauses. There’s that thinking face of his again. "How do we make it happen?"

"Start by proving to me you actually give a shit about something other than girls and popularity, that you actually care about your future," I tell him. His eyes are locked on mine now, and it hurts to hold it but I also can't seem to look away. "Prove that, then if we have to stay up for three days straight to get it all done, we will. You have my word."

We sit in uncomfortable silence, our gaze unwavering.

I will not lose this weird staring contest with you, Steve Harrington.

He swallows hard, blinking slowly and looking away.

I hate you. I think. Asshole.

"I need to do a literary analysis on Fahrenheit 451," he announces.

"Have you ever read it?" I inquire.

He shakes his head. "Have you?"

"Forever ago, wouldn't remember much," I dismiss.

"We'd better get a copy from the library then," he decides, standing up to fish his keys out of his pocket.

"There's no time to read an entire book," I deny, standing up and smoothing my skirt. "Let's go to the video store,"

"The... video store?" he raises an eyebrow.

"There's a 1966 British film adaptation of Fahrenheit 451. We find it, we watch it, we do the literary analysis."

"Genius." he chuckles, pointing at me.

I smile despite myself. "That's me."

We pull into the empty Family Video parking lot, the faintest hints of night starting to creep across the sky. Steve steps out of the car, starting towards the store, but he stops when he notices I'm not following him. He returns, opening the driver's side door and poking his head inside.

"Hey, Genius. Get out of the car,"

I shake my head. "I'd prefer people not see us together in public. They'll think we're friends or something," I insult, sinking further into my seat and looking around for prying eyes.

"Wow," he mouthes. "That's how it's gonna be, huh?"

I nod deviously.

"You realize I have absolutely no idea what this movie looks like, right?" he tries.

"You can read, can't you? Or do I have to teach you how to do that too?"

He looks at nothing particular in the distance, composing himself. "You're infuriating," he says it so calmly, and I'm unsure whether to be worried or impressed. He closes the door and I think I've won, until he rounds the front of the BMW and opens my door. "Quit being annoying and help me find this movie."

I admire his dedication, but I'm all about principle. I cross my arms. "No,"

He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Get out of the car," he repeats, more demanding this time.

"No,"

He lunges forward, grabbing my wrists and pulling me upward. I'm unsurprised he's stronger than I am, but I let out a grunt to express my frustration. "Asshole,"

"Yeah, so I've been told," he huffs, arms twisted around me as he straightens me out. My stomach twists and I contemplate biting him to get him to let go, but decide against it when I calculate how many diseases he'd probably expose me to. Instead, I shove him away, fixing my hair. I stomp toward the store, and he follows me like a shadow.

Family Video is characteristically empty for the middle of a Wednesday afternoon. I slither through the aisles, Steve on the other side. His eyes peek over the top of the shelves, eyebrows screwed downward with focus. He's got a thinking face, that's for sure. I stifle a laugh.

A faint bell jingles as someone opens the front door. I ignore it, honing in on the Drama section as I feel I'm getting closer to my desired target.

"Steve Harrington, is that you?" A girl's voice makes my blood turn ice cold. Vicky Carmichael saunters through the aisle, a mess of poofy red hair and a pink shaggy coat. My eyes widen as I realize my biggest fear of being seen in public with him has become a reality. I turn and face my back to them, scanning my finger over the tapes as inconspicuously as possible.

"Vicky, hey..." Steve's voice cracks at the end, and I cringe for him.

"What're you doing here?" she asks flirtatiously.

Someone kill me.

"Looking for a movie?"

Is it a question or a statement, Steve?

"What movie?"

"Fahrenheit 451," Steve says confidently.

Do not subject me to watching you flirt with a girl, Steve Harrington.

"What's that?"

Oh, for the love of God.

I spot Fahrenheit 451 and reach to grab it, maybe a little too fast because I bump into the shelf as I do so. It rattles, loudly, and a part of me dies. So much for flying under the radar. I feel both of their eyes boring holes into the back of my skull.

"It's a movie?" Steve says matter-of-factly. I turn slowly. He shoots me a look that I can’t decipher.

Sorry, I mouth to him, face twisted in despair. This cannot be happening right now. I round the corner and hand him the VHS.

Steve clears his throat. "We're uh, actually on a date, so..." he tells Vicky, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

My body tightens up as I try not to make my surprise obvious. Steve's body feels like a hot iron against mine. Fury rumbles deep inside my stomach. I clench my jaw and force a smile, fighting the urge to run away as Vicky gapes at me.

"Really? You, with her?" She snarks, pointing at me.

I cock my head and I feel Steve tense this time, squeezing my shoulder as if begging me not to start anything.

"What the fuck's that supposed to mean?" I challenge. The little I do know about Vicky is against my will, as talk spreads fast around this town. I know she’s a part of Steve’s clique, or she was, until she randomly quit hanging out with them a few weeks ago. Her dad’s the CEO of some tech company and she loves to flaunt his money like it’s hers. She falls into the subcategory of rich people in this town occupying Uptown—just like Steve—who think they’re better than everyone else because of their zip code and last names.

Vicky is taken aback. She rubs her hands together. "I just mean... well, aren't you, y'know...on opposite sides of the field? You're just--"

"From the other side of town, right? Not the Upside like all you stuck up rich asshats?" I spit. "Is that what you're trying to say? Poor people can only date poor people?"

Her face twists up. "I'm just saying that, maybe, we should all just stay in our lane, right?"

I press my chin to my chest and take a deep breath. A buzzing behind my eyes floods my vision with a deep reddish-black. I forget all about how angry I am at Steve for his lie. I shrug Steve off of me and step forward, smoothing my hand over the feathers of her jacket. She flinches slightly but allows me to continue, bewildered.

"You know what, Vicky? I admire your ability to be so confidently wrong. It takes guts, really," I speak calmly, looking into her eyes. "Almost as much as it takes to wear this hideous fake coat around everywhere. Did your Daddy spend too much money on your deep-fried hair to get you a good jacket for Christmas?" I pout.

Her lips curl up and she sneers, baring her teeth before spinning on her heels and leaving the store.

Silence lingers for a few seconds, and then, something bizarre happens.

Steve begins to laugh.

It isn't a small laugh or a chuckle, but genuine wholehearted laughter. He doubles over, using the wall for support as he gasps for breath.

I pull him upward just so I can shove him.

"Ow," he says through giggles. "What was that for?"

"I'll deal with you later. Pay for the damn movie."

I sit with a binder in my lap, on the opposite side of the couch from Steve. I haven’t spoke to him since the video store, anger and humiliation radiates out of me and infects the air with tensity. He’s propped up on his arm, watching the emotional end of Fahrenheit 451 with every brain cell he can muster up. His lips part slightly as the screen illuminates his skin in a blue hue. I try not to watch him from the corner of my eye as I write down lesson plans for our last few days. I purposely skip out on tomorrow, instead scratching a big X in its place. I finish it and flick it into his lap. He glances at me, slowly picking up the paper.

“You’re mad at me,” he states mater-of-factly.

“Aren’t I always?”

“Yes, but, this is different,”

I think for a bit before responding, continuing to write on stick notes. In my anger, I write fuck you on a sticky note. “I can’t believe you told her we’re dating. Now everyone in town’s gonna think I have an STD,” I hiss, crumpling up the sticky note and hurling it at him.

He flinches as the note hits his chest and falls into his lap. Reaching for it, he unravels it curiously. He smoothes it over and turns it to face me with a blank expression.

“Really? Very mature,” he says, unamused.

“I hate you,” I tell him.

“I’m sorry,” he shakes his head. “I panicked. I’ve been avoiding Vicki for a month. We went on one date and well, as you’ve seen, she’s… a lot,”

As he attempts to explain himself I continue to ignore him, a strange feeling in my chest. There was one point in my life when I wanted nothing more than for Steve Harrington to tell people he was on a date with me. But that was four years ago and I’ve changed so drastically since then—so has he.

I bite my lip and my eyes burn. Why does it matter what happened when we were 13 and 14 years old? Just two stupid kids that make stupid decisions, right? So why can’t I let it go?

“Hey,” Steve’s voice is soft as he reaches out to me, fingers brushing softly against the fabric of my long-sleeved shirt. I jolt, eyes hollow as I look at him. His usual irritated expression is gone, replaced with one of deep remorse. It’s terrifying. “I’m sorry.”

I feel my throat close and walls go up around my heart. I pull away from him, unsure where to put my eyes.

“No work tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll want to spend time with your family.” I croak, beginning to gather my things.

“I’ll uh—actually be alone tomorrow, too,” he tells me, scratching the back of his head.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” I say numbly.

It’s his turn to avoid my eyes now.

“My dad’s got a court appearance in the city for the Station. You obviously know all about that,” I tell him. “So, I’ll need to be home with my little sister the rest of the week. We’ll need to meet at my house until he comes home,”

“You have a sister?” Steve wonders aloud.

I nod, standing to gather my things. Steve scrambles to his feet, a flash of blankets and flailing arms. I swing my backpack over my shoulder. As I watch him fight for his life and lose to a throw blanket, I see him as human for the first time in a long time. He’s awkward and dumb, just like the rest of us. He’s a whole person, with complex thoughts and emotions outside of half-witted banter and detest for me. I’m empathetic to his cause, damned if I’ll let anyone spend a holiday alone.

“You should stop by the house tomorrow,” the words come out of me like vomit; I can’t stop it because I’ve already said it. Now it hangs, heavy and unanswered, in the air. He freezes in place. “It’s inhumane for someone to spend the holidays alone. Even you,” I add some spite to the last part, cementing my position that this does’t, in any way, make us friends, and to hopefully redeem myself from the humiliation.

He fumbles over his words. “Y-yeah. Okay. Sure,”

“Bring your work. We’ll do some to make sure we don’t fall behind,” I add. Keep it transactional, I remind myself.

Steve’s shellshocked expression softens, relieved to return to familiar territory. I’m relieved, too.

“Dinner’s at six. If you’re late I’ll poison your food.” I point a threatening finger at him and he grins stupidly. Something flutters in my stomach.

“Whatever you want, Genius.”

[staticscreenwriting]

I took the good times, I'll take the bad times II Joel Miller

Summary: Joel doesn't think he's deserving of love after all he did and all he went trough. Or maybe he's just scared. Either way he can't let himself fall for (Y/N). Now if only she'd stop sending him those damn postcards.

Pairing: Joel Miller x Female Reader (I always try not to describe the reader physically, if I missed something please let me know so I can change it and make this "applicable" to every reader. Thank you!)

A/N: This is my entry for the dear-uary challenge by @jolapeno . My prompt was "Character A keeps finding X and traces them back to Character B, who might be leaving them intentionally—or not." And I chose Postcards as my form of epistolary.

TW: This is mostly angsty fluff. There is some talk of self doubt and loss of a child but I think that should be it.

Likes, reblogs, comments are all much appreciated. I am German. Sometimes I get the tense wrong or make mistakes. I am useless when it comes to punctuation. Go easy on me, please.

It all starts with a simple postcard tucked into the side pocket of his bag. Joel almost doesn’t realize it’s there, folded twice into a tiny square. It’s only when he’s looking for the list Maria gave him of all the things to look for on this run, that he grabs a hold of the card. 

His gloves make it hard to unfold the small paper but it’s way too cold to take them off. Joel was never big on winter and snow, even before everything went to shit. He doesn’t like the way it lingers, the way it consumes you from the inside out. Now, an unforgiving cold is all he feels as a thick blanket of snow has settled upon Wyoming. 

Bold bright letters scream out to him from the wrinkled paper “ Greetings from Tampa Florida. Wish you were here!���.

It’s one of those campy vintage ones where the letters are filled with drawings of landmarks and beaches. He remembers sending one just like this to his High School girlfriend when Dad took him and Tommy on a trip to Nashville when Joel was 16 maybe 17. It was a good trip, the last one they ever took together. Sometimes Joel wonders how his dad would deal with all of this. This new reality. This fucked up world. He always seemed so strong, so fearless. That man was unstoppable force and immovable object all at once. Every vulnerability Joel finds in himself, he’s sure was absent in his father. Maybe if he was a little more like his own dad he could’ve saved Sarah, could’ve spared Ellie the pain of living in this limbo of knowing and not knowing. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

Joel moves closer to the fire, his only light source other than the stars. There’s writing on the back, blue ink on off-white paper. It’s not a handwriting he knows and for a second he wonders if the card has been there ever since he found the bag years ago, back in Boston. But he would know that, right? Would've found it by now. This must be new. This must be meant for him.

“ I know you hate the cold. I know it makes you sad and gloomy, well gloomier than usual. So let me tell you about the hottest day I ever experienced. I was a kid, maybe 7 or 8 and my mom took me to Florida. Not Tampa (it was the only postcard I could find at the library), but Orlando. We went to fucking Disney World!! We didn’t have a lot of money back then so mom must’ve saved a long time for this. Anyway, Joel, it was so hot. Unbearably hot. My clothes stuck to my skin and my hair got all frizzy. Maybe July wasn’t the best time to go. The air was so thick and heavy, so moist (ew). It felt like breathing in honey, syrup maybe. I still had the best time. I know it doesn’t take away the cold but I hope I can take you away to that hot and humid Florida summer for one small moment. If not, there’s a wool scarf at the bottom of your bag. Made it myself. You never told me what your favorite color is. I hope you like blue. xx 

P.S.: I wonder what happened to Disney World.” 

A chuckle falls from Joel’s lips and forms a cloud against the sharp winter air. He's never been to Disney World. The Millers just weren’t a Disney World kind of family. They were more of a local fair kind of family. All corn dogs and funnel cakes and first kisses behind the bumper cars. Sarah would’ve loved Disney World though. Ellie too. Ellie who doesn’t even know what the hell Disney is. 14 years and the girl has no idea who Mickey Mouse is. What a surreal thought. What a strange world. More than 20 years and it still feels strange. Joel wonders if life will ever let him settle in this new reality. If one day this feels like home and not a bad dream. Not a cosmic punishment. A bad joke that no one’s laughing at anymore.

His eyes travel back towards the blue swirly writing. It’s not Ellie’s bad chicken scratch, he could pick that out of a line-up any day. This looks much neater, more deliberate, and thoughtful. 

“There’s a wool scarf at the bottom of your bag.”

Quiet, as not to wake up the others sleeping just a few steps away, Joel opens the zipper on his bag and rummages through it with a gloved hand. There’s a bunch of stuff in there, food rations, ammunition, a second pair of gloves. Going on supply runs is not something Joel enjoys but it is a way for him to give back. To Tommy and Maria and the entire community. Jackson and its people have taken him and Ellie in as one of their own without much hesitation. They provided them with food, with shelter, with trust. He has so little to give in return. Going on a supply run to look for medicine and other necessities, that’s the least he can do. 

Something soft and squishy meets his hand and he pulls out a dark blue woolen scarf. There are so many holes and even in the dim light of the campfire, Joel can tell those holes are not there on purpose. Maybe it was Ellie after all, but then she never showed any interest in knitting, and the idea of her doing just that is far too ridiculous. No matter how imperfect it is though, Joel has to admit the scarf does make him feel warmer as he wraps it around his neck. 

“Hey,” Adam, one of the other guys on the run, speaks up from beside Joel, “you can catch some sleep if you want. I can take over the watch.” 

It’s a strange thing, how sometimes you don’t notice just how tired you are or how hungry you are until someone points it out to you. Until they offer to take it from you. Then it hits you like a brick to the face. A wave pulling you under. 

Joel feels his eyelids grow heavy and nods at the younger man. "Thanks". 

This mystery, it can wait until tomorrow. Until then he will bury his face in the warm soft wool of the scarf and think of that Florida sun. And though it most definitely is just his imagination, Joel could almost swear the night feels a little less cold.

His boots leave deep imprints in the white icy blanket as he makes his way past the Tipsy Bison and the community hall further towards his house. His home. 

No place has really felt like home in years. Not since all of this started. Everything was temporary. 4 walls and a roof. He wonders if this place will ever start feeling like home? Will he ever get to a point where he doesn’t wait for the second shoe to drop? It all feels like he’s Charlie Brown and life is Lucy pulling the football away at the last second. And it always ends with him falling. He’s so tired of falling. So tired of getting back up.

Joel almost expects the house to be silent as he steps inside. Ellie is slowly making friends with the other teens living in the settlement and is spending more time at their houses than she is at home. He can’t blame her. If he was more like his father he’d find it in himself to start conversations with people, get to know them, forge connections, make friends. Of the Miller boys, Tommy is the one who inherited their dad’s social gene though, Joel only got the snarl and the crippling inability to talk about his feelings.

Laughter echoes through the house as Joel rounds the corner connecting the entryway to the living room. Ellie’s laughter, loud and bright and light. As if for a moment all the horrors and the pain and the trauma have been taken from her.

When he steps into the kitchen, Joel understands. 

(Y/N) is standing by the counter, a smile on her face so soft and radiant it might just rival the sun. That joy she brings out in Ellie, it’s familiar to Joel because he feels it too whenever (Y/N) is around. Not always but sometimes. It’s a spark of warmth that starts in his chest and crawls up his spine. It settles in his lungs, his heart, his brain. Like a parasite. Like a virus. Like a wonderful dream. He doesn’t allow himself to feel it all the time but sometimes, sometimes he can’t deny himself this little bit of warmth.

Joel can’t even remember when exactly (Y/N) became a part of their life. It’s like one day she was there and refused to leave. And really that’s kind of how it went. She works at the library and the school, lives across the street from him and Ellie and for some reason, she’s taken pity on them. Joel isn’t sure if it's him or Ellie she pities. Maybe a mix of both. Either way, she brought over some soup one day and that’s the beginning and end of it all. She’s wormed her way into Ellie’s heart and by extension his too. Whether he likes to admit it or not. Doesn't hurt that she's so damn beautiful too.

“Joel, you’re back!” 

Ellie pulls him in a tight hug. It’s something Joel still has to get used to. Ellie isn’t a particularly affectionate person. She’s definitely not a hugger. And neither is Joel — not anymore at least. So when they do hug, it’s still a little strange. Not bad strange just unfamiliar. 

“Yeah, I’m back. 

“How did it go?” (Y/N) asks and meets his eyes over Ellie’s head. A silent conversation happening between her and Joel. It’s that thing she does where she doesn’t need to say a single word but Joel can tell exactly what she’s thinking just by the look in her eyes. He sometimes wonders if this is a them thing. 

“Did someone die” her eyes are saying. “Did someone get hurt?” 

“Did you get hurt?” 

He quickly shakes his head answering her unspoken questions. Not this time. 

“Good. It went good.” 

Maybe the relieved sigh he sees her let out is just his imagination. But Joel doesn’t think so. Joel thinks it's very real.

“Did you bring us something? “ 

He can’t help but smile at that. It feels good to smile. In a world that gives you grief and sorrow, you start to count the moments when it gives you a reason to smile. They are few and far between but the number has surely increased since Ellie stepped into his life — and since (Y/N) did. 

“I brought food and medicine. Isn’t that enough? “

A determined “no” falls from both their lips in a chaotic harmony. 

“Geez, you guys are demanding.” 

“Well — did you bring us something?” 

Joel just rolls his eyes and rummages through his bag for the goods. 

“For you— “ he says and throws the old wrinkled comic book towards Ellie who regards it with that endless sense of wonder she does possess. It’s the kind of spark that flickers and dies once you grow old. Or maybe just his did. Maybe grief leaves no room for wonder. 

Placing his bag on the ground, Joel moves into the kitchen and holds out his loot to (Y/N). Green background. White goats. Yellow bubble letters.

“Oooooh, you did get me something. Pet Sounds, nice!” 

There’s a spark in her too. Dulled and dusted from time but it is there and it flickers and grows every time Joel brings her a vinyl record from his trips outside of the settlement. In a world with so little joy, music seems to be one of the few things that hasn’t changed. In the face of immeasurable pain, humans turn to music. They have done so for a long time and judging by the world as is, they always will. 

“I hope it works still. Didn’t really have a record player to try it out.” 

“I’ll try it out as soon as I get to the library. Feel free to come by and listen with me.” 

“Sure.” 

“Thank you, Joel. I hope you didn’t have to do anything stupid to get this.” 

He didn’t. Not this time. He would’ve though. It scares him how willing he is to put himself in danger just to get her something that will put that radiant smile on her face. He’d walk to the end of the earth if he knew there was a record there she wanted. That thought scares the shit out of him. It’s bad enough he cares so deeply about Ellie, about Tommy. The more people you care about, the more you open yourself up to hurt. Losing either of them would tear him apart. Joel is not sure he can handle opening his heart to yet another person no matter how much his heart wants just that. 

“ Nah. No issues.” 

“Good.” 

She just looks at him for a moment. All soft eyes and gentle smile. There must be something she sees in him, Joel thinks, something he doesn’t see. A version of himself that he isn’t, that he will never be. A version he once was, maybe. A version he so desperately wishes he could be. For her.

“Well,” (Y/N) says and snaps him out of her enchantment “Ellie and I made some stew. I know you must’ve been freezing outside, some good warm stew might help warm you up a little.” 

“It smells great.” 

“You have impeccable timing because we just got done. So, dig in. And uh — I guess I’ll see you guys at the movie screening?” 

He doesn’t want her to leave. The devil and the angel on his shoulders are both screaming at him to ask her to stay. And if he was any stronger a man, any more like his own father and more deserving of good things, he would ask her. To stay for dinner. To stay forever.

But he isn’t. And he doesn’t ask. Just watches as she wraps a scarf around her neck and slips into the thick jacket that's a few sizes too big on her.

“I left the recipe by the fridge. Just in case you ever want to cook it yourself.” 

“Thanks.” 

And he really is grateful. For her. For everything.

“Oh Joel,” she says and stops in the doorway. “I like that scarf. Blue looks really good on you.” 

And then she’s gone, swallowed by the cold winter air. 

Joel hasn’t thought about his favorite color in forever. It’s something you stop thinking about once you start growing hair on your chest and fantasizing about girls in a way you haven’t before. Kids talk about their favorite colors all the time. Sarah did. It’s just once you grow old you lose that sense of self, define yourself through different things. 

Looking at the scarf now, all holes and imperfections, there is no doubt in his mind that his favorite color is blue. 

“Have you ever been to Paris?” 

The lights are dimmed in the big community hall, the movie playing on screen providing the only source of light as the people of Jackson have gathered for another movie night. 

A glimpse into a world that was but no longer is and never will be again. And for some of them, like Ellie, a world that never was to begin with.

Ellie is sitting in the front with some of the other teens, her friends, Joel supposes. She has friends now.

“Joel, have you?” 

A soft hand rests on his arm, shaking him from his gloomy thoughts. (Y/N) sits next to him, eyes focused on the pictures dancing across the screen. Ilsa and Rick, falling in love over and over again in Paris. The beginning of a love story doomed from the start. 

“I uh — no. Never.” 

“Me neither. I would’ve loved to go though. It looks beautiful.” 

He doesn’t know why or how it happens but the words just flow from his mouth like a waterfall. For the first time in a while, he finds himself wanting to talk more. About the past. About Sarah.

“My daughter, Sarah, went to Paris once. Some school exchange program. They don’t usually do it until later but her French class was above average and I guess they won some contest. I don’t know it was a long time ago.” 

“Sounds like she was a smart cookie.” 

"Oh, she was. Too smart for me, that’s for sure. Was hard letting her leave and fly to a whole different continent though. I was scared out of my mind until she was back home. Drove Tommy crazy for a whole damn week.” 

(Y/N) turns her face away from the screen and regards him with that infinite sense of something more. Soft and endearing. If he was a different man he would call it love. He would see the way she looks at him and he would kiss her stupid and life would be all sweet dreams and gentle touches. 

But he is the man he is. Not worthy of whatever she is willing to give.

“What’re looking at me like that for?” 

“It’s just sweet how much you care. About everyone. I think you don’t even know you’re doing it half the time.” 

“Do what?” 

“Care for others. For Ellie and me and all of us. You’re a good man, Joel Miller. I just wish you’d let someone take care of you for a change.” 

He doesn’t need to be taken care of. He can do it all on his own. And anyway, he is not as good of a man as she thinks he is. Good men don’t have the blood of their loved ones stuck to their hands. Good men don’t let their daughters die in their arms. Good men don’t kill. Good men don’t do all the things he did. 

Joel doesn’t want to be a good man. He just wishes he was good enough a man to allow himself to be with (Y/N).

“I ain’t a good man. And I don’t need someone to take care of me.” 

“You wore that scarf, did you not? You allowed me to take care of you then.” 

That damn scarf. He had a hunch it was her. The handwriting on the postcard matched the one of the recipe stuck to his fridge an awful lot. But it’s something else entirely to hear her say it outright. 

“That was you, huh? Had an awful lot of holes that thing.” 

“Hey, I never said I was good at knitting. You wore it anyway.”

Joel turns back towards the screen as Rick and Ilsa share a loving kiss. 

“Yeah, I wore it anyway.” 

And to the sound of bombs and tanks, (Y/N) rests her head on his shoulder.

That’s what you do for the people you love. Even if you don’t allow yourself to love them.

You wear the scarf anyway.

The mailbox flag is up. Bright red against the sharp white of the winter's day. 

It’s never been up. People around here don’t get mail. It’s but an ancient relic of a life they used to live. Remnants of a society long gone. 

But Joel is nothing if not curious. So he stomps up to the mailbox, leaving deep imprints in the freshly fallen snow. 

It’s another postcard. Only this time it doesn’t come with a mystery. This time it comes with that silly little feeling that makes his heart beat just a little faster. That makes his head swirl with stupid thoughts of stupid dreams.

“From Paris with love,” it says on the front. Fucking Paris, of course.

Sometimes the way he feels about her is infuriating, confusing, scary.

And sometimes, like right now, it feels like a ball of warmth settles in his ribcage and warms him from the inside out.

“Dear Joel,

We’ll never have Paris. Not in this life at least. And while I would’ve loved to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle with you and make you eat a croissant (which you would’ve pretended to hate but I think you would’ve enjoyed it secretly), I am glad to get this life with you at least. Or alongside you. Whatever it is we are, I am glad this life gave me that in between all the pain. Despite what you like to tell yourself, Joel Miller, you are a spark of fire, a light in the dark. You are more than the sum of your failures, you are more than your pain. All the good that is in you, that counts. That’s all that matters in the end. And there is so much good in you.

I wish you’d let yourself see it. 

We will never have Paris. But we’ll always have Jackson and that is enough for me. I hope it’s enough for you.

Here’s looking at you kid! ;) “

There’s a tragedy in knowing someone else sees all your good parts and none of the bad. A tragedy in knowing how much they like those good parts and being awfully aware that seeing all the bad parts would destroy them. 

A tragedy in still wanting to show them all of you, even the ugly soul-destroying parts.

But if she thinks he’s a good man, then Joel needs to be just that. A good man who keeps those ugly parts hidden and away from her. Even if that means denying himself the one thing he wants. 

“What’s that?” Ellie speaks up from beside him, a curious look on her face.

“Postcard.” 

“Like what people would send from vacations and stuff?”

“Yeah, how do you know about that?” 

She rolls his eyes at him and it’s one of those moments where he feels like a dad again. Those little moments that mean the world to him because he gets to feel like the old him. The Joel he thought was long dead and buried beside the bones of his own child.

“I watch movies? I talk to people? I read books? Take your pick.” 

“Wow, when did you become such a smartass, huh?” 

She shrugs his shoulders at him “Was born that way. Nothing I can do about it.” 

“Unfortunately.” 

“Hey, you’ve grown to love me! You wouldn’t want me any other way.” 

And she isn’t wrong. Ellie, with all her curiosity and her bravery and her lust for life, whatever that life may look like, is exactly what he needed. Which makes him wonder if saving her from the fireflies was ultimately more of a selfish act than that of a heroic savior. 

“Who’s it from?” 

“None of your business.” 

“Oh, so (Y/N).” 

His eyes flick up and he is met with that satisfied, mischievous grin that is so uniquely Ellie.

“What makes you think that?” 

“You always change the subject when I bring her up. And that way you just jumped when I mentioned her? Yeah, you’re not slick, old man.” 

“Hey! Who are you calling an old man?” 

“You! Old and scared!” 

“I’m not scared!” 

Like hell he is. Terrified even. But there ain’t no way in hell he’ll admit that to Ellie. She’ll never let him hear the end of it. 

“Then go talk to her! She likes you, you like her. Why do you have to make it so complicated?” 

If only she knew all the ghosts swirling around inside of him threatening to break free. Things could be so easy. Only nothing ever is.

“Mind your own business, kid! Anyway, don't you have someplace to be? Think Dina came by earlier asking for you. You two are getting along well, huh?” 

“Aaaand on that note. See you for dinner, old man!” 

She’s gone before he can even hurl a reply at her. It pulls his lips into a smile. There’s no better way to get a teen to shut up than to bring up their crush. Nice to see that some things never change.

Another run. Another record. 

Joel feels silly, standing here in front of her door with his heart beating fast and heavy as he clutches the vinyl record in his hand. 

If Ellie saw him now, she’d surely make fun of him. Tommy too. Sarah even. 

What happened, Joel? You used to be so brave. What makes you so afraid now? 

Life, he thinks. Life has made him scared and bitter and sad. 

“Did you wanna knock or — ?” 

Joel turns around as the voice calls out to him. There it is again, that softness, that smile. 

“Uh, yes.” 

“Okay, good. Did you come to see me? Sorry, I was helping Maria at the farm.” 

“Yeah no uh — don’t worry about it. I just came to drop this off” 

Her eyes grow wide as she catches sight of which record it is he’s holding up. 

“No way! The stranger! You found it.” 

“ I did.” 

He had to clear an old dilapidated bar full of clickers to get that record. Almost lost his damn arm in the process. But her smile, that god-damn, life-ruining, world-shattering, heart-beat-faster, smile of hers makes it all worth it. He would give both arms, all of him. He would give it all to see her smile.

“Do you wanna come in and listen to it with me? Got my player fixed so I don’t have to use the one at the library anymore.” 

Say no. Just say no and go home. Be a good man! Be a better man! 

But he’s not. For this one moment, he can’t be that man. He’s just as weak as the rest of them. 

“Sure.” 

This feels so — normal. So before everything. Different and twisted and warped. But normal.

It’s scary and comforting all at once. Like a tipsy dream when you know you’ll wake up with a headache for sure.

(Y/N) is twirling around her living room, a beer in hand and a smile on her face. Joel leans against the door connecting her living room and her kitchen and all he can do is stare. At this woman who means so much to him. Too much for him to ever put into words. If he even knew how to. He’s never been a poet. 

“I said I love you, that's forever

And this I promise from the heart, mmm

I couldn't love you any better

I love you just the way you are, right”

“I love this song. Can you imagine someone loving you enough to write something like this about you?” 

Yes, he thinks. If only he WAS a poet. He would write a hundred songs. A thousand. And all of them would talk of her smile and her eyes and the way there is no single thing about her he would change. 

But words fail him. They always do. 

So he just nods.

“Joel,” she says and moves closer. The bottle of beer now placed on her couch table, her hands find his chest. So warm. So soft. And all he does is stare. 

“I know you got my postcards. I know you know how I feel. And sometimes I think you feel the same. I see the way you look at me. I know the dangers you put yourself in to get me those records. I just — you never say anything. So am I making a fool of myself here? Please tell me if I — “ 

“You’re not.” 

Wow, so eloquent. 

“I’m not?” 

Her voice sounds so small. So unsure. He hates that he’s the one who put the uncertainty there. Be a better man, Joel! Be a good man for once! 

But all he does is stare. Words fail him. Again. again. again.

“Then can I — can I do this?” 

(Y/N)’s gaze falls to his lips then back up to his eyes. She is so close. He can feel her warm breath on his skin. Can smell the scent of her shampoo. Notices the tremble of her fingers as her hands rest on his chest.

And he wants to kiss her. Every version of him that ever was and ever will be wants to kiss her. But all he does is stare.

All he does is stare and pull away.

And it breaks his heart to see hers break in that moment. 

“I uh — oh I’m sorry Joel.”

Tears gather in her eyes, fill them with sorrow, fill his heart with rage. He can’t do anything right, can he? Everyone he’s ever loved, he’s disappointed. But how can he let himself love her, how can he let her love him, when he is so broken? When all he does is break things?  Taint them with this infinite sadness that lives and grows inside his bones? 

“It’s not you.” 

“Oh please, Joel. I made a fool of myself already. Don’t make it worse.” 

“I ain’t trying to. It just ain’t you. It’s all me. It’s always been me”

His palms are sweaty and he feels like someone has reached into his ribcage, cracked every rib on the way to his heart, and ripped it out with bare hands. Snapping veins and arteries and all.

“I want you. I want this but I can’t have it. You think I’m a good man but the truth is, I am not. I do bad things all the time, over and over again and time and life have made me so numb to it. But you, you are so good. You deserve someone better. Someone whole.”

It’s like once he’s started it all comes flowing out like a fucking waterfall. All his fears and insecurities and pain. It’s all there for her to be disgusted by. Because god knows there is no way she won’t be. He is. All the time.

“I have not been the same since this all started. Since Sarah — since she died. I live with this immense grief. It surrounds me. It IS me. All of me. And I so desperately want to claw my way out of it. Rip it apart and leave it behind. But at the same time, I want to bury myself in it. Because what if I do leave it behind and I start to forget? Her and all that she was? How is it fair that I have to remember her far longer than I got to know her? So if I get better, if I become the man I need to be to be worthy of your love, am I still gonna be the man she knew? Can I still remember? Because that is all I have. And that is not a burden I can put on you. Not you and not Ellie.”

Joel takes a breath then another but it does little to calm him down.

“You two mean everything to me and I am sorry I am bad at showing it. That I can’t say it. I need you to know, it’s all me that’s the problem. It was never you. I’m sorry.” 

He doesn’t wait for her to say anything. He doesn’t think he has the heart to hear a reply anyway. It’s like he just ripped himself open and spilled all his guts, his heart, his lungs, and all his inside out on her living room floor. 

If he was any better of a man he’d pick them up and try to rearrange them.

But he is not a good man. Maybe he never was.

“There was something for you in the mailbox” Ellie exclaims and slumps down on the couch next to him. “I was this close to opening it but I didn’t want to make you even more grumpy than you already are.” 

“I’m not grumpy” 

He has to admit, the tone in which he said those words does not do much to counter her point. Ellie knows too, judging by the way she raises her eyebrow “Sure, you’re not.” 

She drops a sunflower yellow envelope on his lap. ‘Joel’, it says in that swirly handwriting he’s become so familiar with.

It’s been a few weeks since he’s seen (Y/N). Since he spilled all his sorrows and worries to her and then ran. And, surprisingly, Jackson makes it very easy for someone to avoid another person if you only try hard enough.

Maybe Ellie has a point, maybe he has been exceptionally grumpy lately. No correlation to any recent events though. Absolutely zero.

“Sooo are you gonna open it?”

Ellie looks at him with curiosity and that little spark of mischief as if she knows something he doesn’t. 

“Not with you watching over my shoulder, I ain’t.” 

“Why?” 

“Cause it’s none of your business.” 

“Excuse me? I have to live with your grumpy ass because you guys can’t get your shit straight. I think it very much is my business.” 

“Jesus, Ellie. Language!" 

“Sorry,” she says and gives him that pseudo-sheepish look he’s grown familiar with. “You guys need to get your stuff straight.” 

He used to scold her for it but really, he isn’t one to talk. 

“Anywayyyyy, I’ll go stay at Dina’s tonight … just in case you decide to go over and apologize for whatever it is you did and you guys finally sort it out and need some privacy later.” 

“Why do you think I did something?” 

And there it is again that sassy eyebrow raise. The same one he’s seen on Sarah so many times before. It truly is a woman’s world and he’s but a fool living in it. And they let no opportunity pass to remind him of just that.

They are also absolutely right.

“My lawyer advised me not to answer that question. Anyway, be nice. Have fun. Byyyye” 

Her voice trails off as she grabs her bag and rushes outside leaving Joel alone in this big empty house with nothing but his demons and this mysterious envelope.

Carefully he opens the seal and shakes out the contents. A postcard, a photo, and a — cassette tape? 

His eyes find the photo first. It’s a polaroid of him and Ellie and (Y/N). All 3 of them smiling, yes even him. He remembers that day back last summer. It was one of those warm but not yet hot days. (Y/N) was wearing that agonizingly beautiful red sundress. The one that made his heart beat twice as fast. She brought over a whole basket full of cherries from the tree in her garden. A pie too. And that damn Polaroid camera. 

Of course, Ellie was enamored by it, wasted almost the whole damn film. 

“Come on Joel, let's take a picture together,” she had called out to him and pulled him to sit down next to her and (Y/N) on the blanket they had placed on the lawn. 

“I’m not a picture guy,” he had grumbled, “ ain’t nobody want to see my old mug.” 

“Oh shut up. Joel, you are so handsome, don’t even pretend like you don’t know that.” 

It was the first time (Y/N) had ever called him handsome. It was hard for him to believe it then, hell it still is. But she has done it a lot more since then. Calls him handsome and gorgeous and pretty all the time. At first, he thought she was just humoring him but slowly but surely it dawned on him that she meant it. Means it still.

“We don’t know how many good sunny days we have left. Ain’t no shame in trying to remember this one, right?” 

Her eyes held so much honesty then. Vulnerability too. And gratefulness for all they had then after all they had lost. It made him smile then and it makes him smile now.

The Postcard is next, big bold letters spell out TEXAS and in the corner, there’s a drawing of the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

When he turns the Postcard over, there it is again, that swirly writing he’s grown to love so much. 

“Joel, the ‘Postcards from around the world’ book I got from the library didn’t have an Austin one but it did have a Texas one so that’ll have to do. I’m not even sure if you're going to read this. I hope you do because you didn't give me a chance to say my part when you stormed off & I think I deserve that.

You're not the man you were in Austin, you lived through the worst thing imaginable and it changed you. But you are not just your pain. It is part of you but it doesn't define you. I know you see all the bad but none of the good but believe me I see it! Ellie does! You are your pain but you are also the smile on Ellie's face when you bring her a new comic or teach her a song. You're the guitar chords echoing through the air on a warm spring afternoon. You are those fluttery feelings in my heart whenever you look at me.

Joel Miller, I understand if you don't want to be with me but if it's only because you don't think you're good enough then I think that's a choice I get to make. Taking that from me is a dick move. 

You said you're bad at showing love but you're not. You showed me through all those records. Through all those songs. Now let me love you back.”

Joel can’t quite name the feeling spreading through him. It’s both foreign and familiar at the same time. Like an old friend. A hazy memory. Pictures blurred and dulled by time and age. 

Maybe he was wrong, and he hates admitting that. Maybe he ain’t a good man but maybe that is hers to decide. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

He takes the cassette tape in his hand and squints his eyes at the tiny writing on the label. God, he really is getting old. Those eyes ain’t what they used to be.

God only knows - The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

You’re my best friend - Queen - A Night at the Opera

Just Like Heaven - The Cure - Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (you should!) 

In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel - So

Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper - She’s so unusual

Your Song - Elton John - Elton John

Can’t Help Falling in Love - Elvis - Blue Hawaii

Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton - Slowhand

The Book of Love - The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs (!!!! LOVE SONGS!!!)

Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel - The Stranger

"You gave me all these records with all these songs and all these words to tell me you love me and I’m not sure you even knew.” 

And she’s right. He got her those records because he knew they’d make her smile. Because that smile means everything to him whether he wants to admit it or not. He got those records to show her that even when he’s gone on a run, she’s always on his mind. He believed it to be a curse, a ghost haunting him for all his past mistakes and taunting him with what he shall never have.

But maybe it’s not a curse. 

Maybe it’s a blessing. A sweet song to remind him that someone back home is waiting. A gentle reminder that life can and will go on and good things can come from immense tragedy. And moving on doesn’t mean forgetting, in fact, it means remembering. Remembering the bad and believing that there can and will be good and that it’s worth it to go on. Even if you are a different you. Not worse or better, just changed. And that you deserve love. And kindness. And warmth.

Joel drops the envelope and its contents on the table and grabs his thick winter jacket as he rushes outside. The cold feels only half as bad as it nips at his skin, he barely notices. There is a fire inside him now, burning away all the doubts and hesitation. 

He’s back at her door, only this time he doesn’t wait to knock. He’s spent so much time denying himself the one thing he wants that he can’t lose just one second more. The rapping of his knuckles against her door echoes through the winter day. Oh, how he can’t wait for the spring and the summer and her in that gorgeous dress. 

“Joel?” 

Back before — everything, Joel remembers a movie night with Sarah. She got to choose and despite being an avid fan of trashy action and horror movies, that time she chose a romantic comedy. All things considered, Joel can admit that when Harry met Sally wasn’t the worst choice but he still would’ve preferred Star Wars or Terminator. 

He does remember the ending though, the grand finale. He remembers Sarah trying to wipe away tears without him noticing. And he remembers Billy Crystal’s words “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” 

Back then he thought it was some silly, cheesy movie speak. No one feels that way, right? It’s grandiose and kitschy for the sake of movie magic.

But no, he’s sure now, that one is true. Because it’s how he feels.

“I love you!” 

That confession should come with ribbons and flowers and fireworks but it doesn’t. It comes with honesty and that is all that matters. It comes from the heart.

“Huh?” 

“I got your postcard. The photo too and the tape. And I love you.” 

“I know. Took you long enough to figure it out.” 

“I’m sorry. I — I still believe that I am not a good man and that you deserve better. But it would be selfish to punish you for my own insecurities. I love you and I want to let you love me. If you still want to, that is.” 

“Joel Miller?”

“Yeah?” 

“Please just fucking kiss me.” 

Joel remembers a lot of kisses in his lifetime. Some rushed, some clumsy. Quick kisses in secret. Long drawn-out smooches in smokey bars. Loving, fast, aggressive, and soft. 

This one is different, as cheesy as it sounds.

This kiss makes him feel like all he’s ever been and all he ever will be can live in peace with one another. This kiss makes him feel like none of it matters as long as he has her. 

She tastes like peppermint and sunshine and he’s sure he’ll never get enough of her. The feeling of her skin against his as he gently cradles her face in his hand. The soft movements on her chest as she breathes. The twitch of her lips as she smiles into the kiss.

For the first time in his life, Joel is sure that a kiss is more than a kiss. It’s a healing hand on a shattered heart. It’s a new path to a new future. It’s sunshine melting the ice from his bones.

It’s a promise to try every day and to be better and to be enough. ---

[yxngbxkkie]

#1 3RACHA supporter

okay, so i think this is the cutest thing on earth. my last installment of 3racha in NY for global citizens, and i'm so proud of myself for getting three fics out in two days 😌 i hope you guys enjoy it! let's hope my creative juices will stay with me 🫢💓

feedback is greatly appreciated 🥰

This is all for Jisung. This is all for Jisung. You keep repeating to yourself. You and your best friend flew to New York to surprise your boyfriend's, Jisung and Chan, at the festival they're performing at. What you didn't expect was a monsoon.

The two of you managed to make it to the front of the crowd, having the perfect view of the stage. Excitement flows through your veins as you wait for 3RACHA to take the stage.

You glance down at the Han Quokka skzoo in your hands, adjusting the shirt it's wearing. Someone beside you nudges your arm, causing you to glance over to see your best friend.

"Are you okay?" She asks you, a look of concern in her eyes.

"Yeah, sorry! I'm just getting a little impatient," you chuckle, moving your wet hair out of your eyes. "We haven't been able to see them for weeks on end. I just want to see my baby."

The shorter woman rests a hand on your arm, comforting you. "I know. They'll be on stage soon!" She reassures you with a smile.

You shiver underneath the orange poncho you're wearing as your eyes drift back up to the stage. You squeeze the quokka in your hands, feeling the excess water dripping down your hands.

The announcer calls out 3RACHA's name, causing you to jump slightly. People around you start screaming as a video plays on the blocked television screen.

A smile comes to your lips when you see Jisung on the screen. Your heart pounds against your chest as the Stray Kids anthem begins to play.

You glance down at your friend, seeing her Wolf Chan sitting in front of the lower part of her face. You shake her shoulder in excitement, bringing your gaze back to the stage.

A gasp escapes your list as you can see your friends and boyfriend standing on the side, their gazes settled on the crowd. You quickly turn to your friend, almost yelling into her ear where they're standing so she can see Chan.

"Oh my god," she says loud enough for you to hear.

"I know, I know. There's our boys," you almost cry, feeling the tears begin to well up.

The first song they perform is 3RACHA, a classic for this trio. You keep your eyes trained on Jisung the entire time, waiting for his eyes to meet yours.

You capture multiple pictures and videos of the members, feeling proud that they're here. When they finish their song, they start talking about all the problems in the world and that they need our help to make a difference.

Heyday is the next song, and you bounce in your spot, dancing and singing along to them. Jisung walks over towards where you're standing, and you stand on your toes, trying your best to capture his attention.

"Han Jisung, I love you!" You scream out, waving your skzoo around.

You grin widely as your gaze meets his. He continues to rap his verse, and you watch his boba eyes widen. You swiftly point to your best friend as well, conveying the message to let Chan know.

Jisung finishes his verse, giving you a subtle nod before throwing out a heart. Stays around you scream at his action, causing your heart to flutter.

After 3RACHA's set is over, you and your friend make your way out of the crowd. You can feel your phone vibrating in your pocket, and you fish it out before answering it.

"Hanji, you guys did amazing," you greet him instantly, smiling ear to ear.

"You guys are here?! For real?!" He asks excitingly. A chuckle leaves your lips, and you assure him that you're really here. "Where are you guys? I'll send Skijigi out to get you two."

You stop in your tracks as you stand by the tent that's selling food and water. "Uhm, we're right by the flag that says ultimate VIP and the tent that's selling food and drinks," you inform him, hearing him pass the message on to their manager.

"He's going out there now. It shouldn't be too long until he finds you," Jisung mentions, a quick sigh leaving his lips after. "I can't believe you're here. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, baby. I was getting so impatient waiting for you to perform," you laugh into the phone, tucking some wet hair behind your ears. "Hey, do you by chance have extra clothes?"

You can hear Jisung rummage through his bag as he mumbles incoherently to himself. He lets you know that he indeed does have extra clothes you can change into.

"I see Skijigi! I'll see you in a minute, baby," you mention, tapping your friend's shoulder before heading in his direction.

"Okay, I love you."

You smile fondly. "I love you too."

You bid each other goodbye before you hang up, slipping your phone back into your pocket. Skijigi greets the two of you with a quick hug before leading you to where 3RACHA is.

As soon as you see Jisung, you're sprinting. You weave around people walking, throwing out an apology before colliding into your boyfriend's arms.

"My baby," Jisung whispers into your ear, twirling you around. "You're so beautiful."

You laugh at his compliment, knowing for a fact you look like a hot mess. "Such a charmer, Hanji," you grin, placing your hands on his cheeks.

He leans forward to capture your lips in a quick kiss. "I gotta keep you around somehow," Jisung jokes after pulling away.

You roll your eyes, shaking your head. "You don't even have to try, baby," you confess to him, resting your forehead on his.

"Thank you for coming. I'm so grateful for you," Jisung whispers while setting you back on your feet.

"Of course, baby. I'm your number one 3RACHA supporter," you wink, pressing a chaste kiss on his lips.

Changbin laughs as he walks by the two of you, shaking his head at how dramatic you both can be. Jisung grins, scrunching his nose slightly. "Yes, you are, my baby."

~

tagging: @thewxntersoldier @reddesert-healourblues @spacegirlstuff @moon0fthenight @foxinnie8 @like-a-diamondinthesky @prettymiye0n

[camels-pen]

(inspired by this post)

"Here."

Usopp stared at the hat in Sanji's hand. He patted his head, surprised to find it bare. His memories were fuzzy after meeting that kappa kid, but he hadn't even realized he'd lost it.

Sanji shook the hat. "Well? Aren't you going to take it?"

Usopp looked up from the hat. Sanji had his face turned away.

Usopp deflated. "You're still mad at me?"

Sanji dropped his arm and the hat crumpled in his hand. "What were you thinking, running off on your own?"

"Like I said to Nami, it was an accident—the backpack wouldn't come off and sent me flying! And besides I came back—"

"Not that!"

Usopp's brows furrowed. "Then what—?"

"When I was cooking, what possessed you to fuck off on your own?"

Usopp scowled. Seriously? "Oh no," Usopp said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "You had one less cheerleader to fawn over you in your manly cooking competition. The horror." He reached for his hat. "I'll just take this and go—"

Sanji swiftly pulled it out of his reach. Usopp tried for it again and again, but Sanji kept dodging him. His grip on the hat was getting noticeably tighter.

"Sanji, quit it! Just give me my hat and you can go back to avoiding me—"

"I don't want to avoid you!" Sanji dodged another grab. "You just keep pissing me the hell off whenever I look at you!"

"How is that my fault?!" Usopp said, taking another unsuccessful swipe. "I thought we all talked this out already! And Nami's not mad anymore, so what's your problem?!"

"You wanna know what my problem is?!" Sanji grabbed a fistful of Usopp's collar and yanked him forward. "You disappeared!"

Usopp's eyes widened. Sanji had practically snarled at him, but the look on his face didn't match up: there were terrible bags under his eye. Dried blood on bitten lips.

Tears threatening to fall any moment.

Sanji deflated, his grip on Usopp's shirt loosening. "You disappeared and... and I couldn't find you."

"Damn, I really worried you, didn't I?"

"Of course you did, dumbass!" Sanji swept his arms wide. "What was I supposed to do when I saw that shitty kappa wearing your hat while you were nowhere to be found?! Shit, at one point I thought you were—" Sanji cut himself off.

"Sanji?"

Sanji brought the hat up to rest on his chest, taking a deep breath. "It doesn't matter. You're here now. You're fine." Usopp didn't know whether he was saying that for Usopp's sake or his own. "Just forget I said anything and take your hat."

He could. He certainly could. But…

The way Sanji's shoulders slumped. The way Usopp's hat was still clutched close to his chest. The way he looked awful despite them having left that island behind a few days ago.

He couldn't just leave Sanji like that.

Usopp rolled a few ideas around in his head before clearing his throat. In a posh accent he said, "Well then, good sir, I am terribly grateful to you for finding one of the most prized hats in my collection."

Sanji pursed his lips. "Usopp, just take the damn hat."

"All in due time, of course! However, oh dear,"—Usopp put his hands to his cheeks with an exaggerated gasp—"I've found myself without my beautiful attendants to aid me in adorning such a magnificent piece atop my head."

"Usopp—"

"It's truly a shame that such a thing will be collecting dust until I'm able to reunite with them again." Usopp pretended to cry into a blue handkerchief. "Oh, whatever shall I do—"

"When did you—?!" Sanji frantically patted his pockets.

Usopp grinned. "I'm well traveled you see. I've even learned a few things from a thief of legend who just so happens to be a friend of mine."

Sanji huffed. "Nami-san's generousity, huh?"

"Oh, woe is me," Usopp put the back of his hand to his forehead. "Wherever shall I find a beautiful and dependable and radiant attendant on such short notice?"

Sanji huffed. "Alright already, I got it. You don't have to lay it on so thick."

Usopp's grin widened and he bent his head as Sanji's careful fingers started to gather up his hair. Usopp closed his eyes as he felt little touches all along his hairline. He sighed at one particular feeling of a thumb rubbing circles into the skin behind his ear. Usopp gave a content sigh and Sanji chuckled. 

His hat was fitted on his head and all too soon. Sanji’s touches lingered before pulling away.

Usopp grinned up at Sanji. "Thank you, my good sir."

Sanji rolled his eyes, but responded in his own version of a posh accent and a short bow. "Of course, my dear nobleman."

They kept themselves together for a few seconds more before Usopp burst into laughter and Sanji followed suit.

Usopp couldn't apologize—couldn't promise Sanji it would never happen again. He was bound to go exploring on his own from time to time, after all. But, he could lighten the mood like this, help Sanji relax and understand that the danger had passed. That they were alive and at home on Merry's back. 

That everything was fine. At least for the moment.

[i-padfootblack-things]

Marry Me [John "Bucky" Egan x reader]

Author's Note: In honor of the last episode coming out yesterday (my heart is still broken), I wanted to write something for Bucky. This is based on the portrayal of actors in the Masters of the Air series on AppleTV+. I respect the referenced real life stories and people wholeheartedly. This is not meant to offend anyone.

Warnings: Historical Inaccuracies.

Hope you enjoy this short fic! It seemed like something Bucky would do!

Bucky stormed into the Cafeteria, quickly scanning the room to find someone. The moment our eyes met, he started making his way towards me with long steps. I couldn't tell if I should be worried about what he was going to tell me or excited he came to see me, as I could feel my heart beat rise the closer he got to me.

"Bucky! Are you all right?" My voice betrayed my uncertainty as he reached me. He stopped for a second, his eyes wide, before he closed the distance between us with a kiss.

His action caught me by surprise, making me let out a soft gasp, which allowed him to deepen the kiss. I could tell we both got lost in it, forgetting we were in such a public place, but I was reminded of it as soon as I heard other pilots whistling around us, making me pull away from him. It was the first time he showed any physical affection towards me in public.

Before I could speak, he dug into his pocket, took my hand into his and raised it to his lips.

"Marry me." Was all he said after his lips brushed the back of my hand. All I could do was raise my eyebrows as my eyes grew wider, not able to form any words. I hadn't expected any of this. His eyes were slowly losing their confidence with each silent second that passed between us, so I pressed my lips against his again, in a chaste kiss that meant more than anything we'd shared before.

"John Egan, of course I'll marry you!" I finally managed to say as we pulled away. He raised his free hand to my cheek, to wipe the tears I hadn't realized started falling.

"I've been given three days leave. I've asked for you as well." I laughed at his words, which I could tell confused him terribly.

"You want to do it now?" I tried to keep my tone serious, but it was so out of nowhere, that I could barely stop my laughter. He nodded, looking away. "I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you, I just didn't expect this when I woke up today."

"Honestly, me neither. But I don't know when else we're going to find the time, and I want you to become Mrs. John Egan as soon as possible."

Five hours later, we were married and making our way through our friends, all dressed up in their formal military suits. I bought my dress from a small shop in the center of Cambridge -- the moment I laid my eyes on it, I knew it was going to be the perfect wedding dress.

Standing in front of the Chapel, Bucky put his arms around my waist, pulling me to him. He kissed me deeply, only breaking apart when we were out of breath. When we did so, everyone around us was clapping and whistling.

Buck, Bucky's best man, was taking pictures of us. We could hear the camera going off every other second, at this point we had at least twenty.

"Take pictures of Mrs. John Egan! Look how beautiful she is! I need to look at them when I'm in the air to remind myself that I hadn't dreamt this moment!" His words made me laugh, but I shook my head, ready to contradict him.

"Take pictures of us together, we'll have to show our kids someday what our wedding day looked like!" All my girlfriends started swooning over my words, and Bucky just nuzzled his head in the crook of my neck, whispering naughty words.

"The first kid better be named after me!" Buck said, putting the camera away.

"I quite enjoy the sound of that. What do you say, Mrs. John Egan? We should start practicing." I laughed, pushing him away, but he wrapped an arm around my waist and put the other under my knees, pulling me up, and carrying me to his jeep.

[marvelnatr]

I’m never wrong

Natasha x reader: You’re at a training facility for shield and the team comes to pick one recruit out of hundreds to choose from. One boy and one girl.

Natasha's POV:

I walked into the room with Steve. Were here to pick out a new possible member of the team to work very closely beside me. One for the boys and one for girls. Steve had already picked his. A bold kid with a kind heart. We had been through fifteen training rooms already and none of the girls appealed to me. So here I was in the gallery watching the recruits train. Steve watched me "what about her?" he pointed to a taller young woman sparring with a man. I shook my head "for one she doesn't wanna be here and two she's got no center of gravity" he nodded taking my word and I kept looking around. Tony walked in with a energy bar and I took it from him "thanks" he looked at me "I was eating that!" I took a bite and watched them "not anymore". Tony rolled his eyes and I elected to ignore it, continuing to watch them train

A young woman fell off the climbing wall for the eighteenth time and I saw some recruits teasing her as she went back up to the wall. I nodded "her" Tony looked at me laughing "the one that's literally five foot one?" I nodded he scoffed and I walked downstairs as everyone stared at us three. Walking past them I looked at the girl "climb it" she looked at me and started to climb I watched as she maneuvered her body to get up there only to fall again. Recruits started to laugh and I looked at them "shut it!" they all stopped and I looked at her "try it again" she looked at me "I really want to ring that bell but I don't know why the fuck I keep falling" I walked up to her "gimme your hands" she gave them to me and I began to rewrap her hands "your too far away from the wall, keep your body close to it, the air is pushing you the second you get the higher point" she nodded "yes ma'am" 

I wrapped my hands around her waist and lifted her back onto the wall and watched her "get close to it and tighten your core" she did it and I watched her pulling at her slightly. For a small girl she sure is strong. I nodded "alright, let go and try again now" The girl began climbing again. Keeping her body close to the wall as she skillfully made her way up to the top and rung the bell. I nodded at her as she came back down and unhooked herself. She smiled proudly and I melted inside "what's your name?" she took a swig of water "Y/N Y/L/N" I nodded "go pack your stuff, you coming with me, we will meet your S.O. in their office" I looked at the other recruits who were teasing her "as for you all, pack your shit and leave and don't make me escort you myself, I will guarantee you you will look pathetic" they all left and I looked back at Y/N "you ready?" she nodded a bit clearly intimidated and walked in front. Steve followed me "you sure about this?" I nodded "she's persistent, you can't teach that. What I can do is teach her skills" he nodded and followed me. 

We walked into her Supervising officers office and I looked at him "I'm taking her" he looked up then pulled out her file "I-I'm sorry but she's not cleaned psychologically" I looked at him "I don't care I'll work on it with her, give me her file and were leaving" he gave it to me and I nodded taking her with me. She was quiet the entire time. We walked to her bunk while Steve walked with is recruit. I watched as she packed. The girl didn't have many things, just a small suitcase and a single picture of her when she was a little. I watched it and she quickly put it in her pocket. The girls guarded. As we walked out to the quinnjet with her bags she watched the jet, her breath hitching slightly "are you okay?" she nodded a bit and walked onto it. She wasn't trying to lie she was just avoiding conversation. 

Steve's recruit talked to him the whole time. Y/N on the other hand fiddled with her fingers as Tony flew us home. I took the time and begun reading her files. The combat side of her was first. Really high marks. Impressive. I looked over what she may need work on and begun writing notes on the side of it to remember everything. Within that time we landed and I led her to her room "this is your room. Wanda is on your left and I'm on your right. Maria Hill is here occasionally but the boys don't sleep on this floor alright?" she shook her head and gently walked in her room as I set her bags down for her. I watched as she sat on the bed and nodded "Y/N do you want to be here?" she looked up at me "y-yes yes I really do I'm just nervous" I nodded and sat beside her "that's normal but you have to be open with me if you want this to work okay?" she nodded "yes ma'am" I gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand "come get me at anytime"

I walked out and Steve walked beside me "my kid won't shut up" I laughed "well my girl won't speak so" He nodded "are you sure she wants this?" I nodded "yes I am she's just intimidated by me or something" he nodded and walked "maybe ask Wanda for help, she's a lot more approachable then you" I nodded "true, thank you" he smiled "no problem Romanoff". I walked into my room and changed into comfortable clothes. Sitting on my bed with a glass of wine and reading over the rest of her file. Her S.O. wasn't kidding, there is no way she should've been cleared psychologically. I looked through all of it and mumbled "how the hell did the girl get all this?" I flipped all the way too her background and sighed "well that explains it". The red room, they got her from the fucking red room. I knew there was still stragglers but shit she was young. She's only 20. I read a little more then put the file in my important documents and completed a mission report. 

It was a little around 12:00 am when I finished, I put my computer away and went to wash my wine glass. To my surprise Y/N was up, sitting at the kitchen island drinking water "you settling in okay?" she looked up at me and processed for a second then nodded "yes ma'am thank you" I washed my glass while she took her bottle of water back towards the rooms. I followed her and she threw her hoodie in her room then kept walking "where you off too?" she looked at me "to train" I nodded and followed her and she looked at me "o-oh I don't wanna keep you up" I shook my head "nonsense I want to watch" she nodded and walked then threw her stuff down and looked around. I watched her "you didn't come to train did you?" she shook her head and watched everything and I sighed "take off your shoes Y/N" she looked at me "my feet are cold" I folded my arms "bullshit Y/N don't you lie to me" she froze and I watched her "come on Y/N lets go" 

I watched her sit on the bench and take them off showing her blisters, my heart sinking as I whispered "I get it honey I do, but when you wanna dance please come to me so I can take care of your feet" she nodded a bit and I whispered "is that why they won't clear you? the nightmares?" she nodded and I watched her "I'll work with you okay?" she nodded and gently stood. we sat in my room and watched a movie. She looked stiff as hell and I watched her "relax honey, why are you so uncomfortable?" she whispered "I-I uh I'm gay so I'm scared" I nodded, a fear of our sexuality was instilled in us in the redroom. "I'm gay too so relax okay?" she looked at me shocked for a minute then relaxed and I nodded "now pick a movie while I get food cause I missed dinner" I watched as she began looking and nodded walking out. 

-Bonus scene months later-

I looked to the side of me as Y/N threw her knife at another guy, killing him and I smiled "that's my girl" she looked at tony and called out "your six Stark!" he turned and sure enough there was a guy coming up on him and Y/N shot him. I smirked and watched as he told jarvis to open his mask "I had that" I laughed "no you didn't" he rolled his eyes and went back to work and I laughed going on my coms and speaking to Y/N "good girl baby" I heard a little giggle and smiled then shot a man running at me and looked at him "really fucker?" 

Hope you enjoyed! This is from my Wattpad account but I’m seeing how many people like it. I’m deciding if I wanna make it a book or not🤔. I’ll probably do a poll and ask

[pink-tonic]

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Today is Wednesday. If this was any other Wednesday, I wouldn't call it anything special. But this Wednesday does, in fact, have something special to it. Today is the debut of Kizano's play! I've been secretly looking forward to it ever since I got to see his short warm-up. Unfortunately, I might not be able to be by his side today. Instead, I'll have to be right by Saikou's side. I hope Kizano isn't going to be too bothered by it.

Yesterday, the Drama kids were selling tickets and advertising the play. It was last minute, but a lot of kids were very supportive and they sold out in a matter of hours. I brought myself a ticket and I brought one for Saikou too. I'm planning on making it a surprise. I just hope he doesn't leave before the play starts. It's an afterschool event, so I have to let him know before then.

"There you are, and I thought you had enough of my nagging," Taeko comments as she walks over to me. I didn't talk to them at all yesterday. She must've thought I was mad at her because of our small argument on Monday.

"I could never get mad at you. I just had to get to school early and all of my time was taken up by Saikou," I explain to her as I adjust my bag on my shoulder. Saikou has taken up most of my time, but it's fine. It's my job to take care of him for this one week.

"Oh! (Y/N), are you going to go to the play afterschool?" Hanako asks me as he runs up to me. Trying his best to catch up to my speed. I'm still surprised that he took my rejection will. I still can't believe that he even had a crush on me. It happened so fast. How was he able to catch feelings for me when we only just started off as friends? I want to ask, but I would rather leave that behind me.

"I am," I happily answer, unable to hide my smile, "I can't wait to see what Kizano and the other club members have made over the past few weeks."

"Are you going to go there with Saikou?" Taro breaks his usual silence and I look over towards him.

"Yeah, I bought a ticket for him. I just hope he’s able to go with me. Kizano said that he wanted to get the play ready by the time Saikou came back to school so he could see it, but Saikou could be too busy to see it. I just hope that isn't the case."

"You seem to really care about this guy," Taeko teases me as she gives me a look. I would describe the look as the type your friend gives you when they’re teasing you about a crush you have.

"Well, it's my job after all," I sheepishly answer, hoping that she isn't getting the wrong idea between me and Saikou. Saikou is an interesting guy, but I probably would never be his friend. It hurts a little to say that, but Saikou and I are from two completely different backgrounds. I know that shouldn't stop us from finding common ground, but his world is so different from mines I might as well be an alien to him.

"Cool! You're like a bodyguard or something!" Hanako exclaims in excitement. He comically jumps up and down, and I can't help but laugh at his wave of enthusiasm.

"You can say it's something like that."

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

I meet Saikou in the student council room like usual. I have the two tickets tucked away in my jacket pocket. I hope to tell him about the event now. I'm sure he knows about it already, but I'm unsure if he is willing to go. I step into the room, and I find all the other members there. This hasn't happened at all within the past two days. They’re all outside of the room patrolling their usual areas. All of them look over to me, and I could feel myself becoming smaller. I can feel their eyes look me up and down, almost analyzing me in some way. I am taking care of their president, so they must be making sure that I am suitable for the job.

"Hello," I greet them as I close the door and walk further inside.

"Hello to you too, (L/N)," Saikou greets me with his usual professional tone, "We were just discussing something. I'm sure that we finished the tour yesterday, was there something else you wanted to tell me?"

With all of the eyes of the student council members looking at me, I lost all the courage that I had. I look away from him, and I start to become shy. "No, I just wanted to check up on you, Saikou. I'll take my leave now, it was nice getting to know you."

I turn around and I step outside of the club room. I close the door behind me. As I was about to keep walking, someone was standing in front of me. I look up and I see it’s Ayato.

"Oh! Ayato! I'm so happy to see you," I couldn't stop the uncontrollable smile take hold of me, "Was there something you needed?"

"I was just wondering if you finished talking with Saikou. I would like to spend time with you again," Ayato tells me as he looks down at me.

"Yes! I've finished showing him around the school," I answer him, "But, you know, I thought it was going to take the whole week."

"I did too, but now you don't have to deal with him anymore," Ayato's bluntness makes me laugh.

"You're so blunt. But we can spend time together."

The bell rings and students immediately start to make their way to their classes. "How about we talk during lunch?" Ayato only nods in response, and we both walk to class.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

"I'm happy that we spent time together on Friday," I admit to him as we walk up to the rooftop. I really couldn't hide my affection even if I wanted to. The memory of his arms wrapped around my waist and his words just fill my mind with hope. Hope that we are turning to a new chapter in our friendship.

"It's fine. I enjoyed it too," he tells me, and I can't help but smile even wider.

"You've gotten sweeter, Ayato," I comment on his new behavior, "I hope it stays like that."

"I'll do my best. I'll have to be with you on Friday," my eyes widen as I take notice of what Ayato is hinting at. The Rana case. I can't believe I'll have to testify in front of him, and I have to go. I can't just turn this down. I need to tell them what happened. Then the thought of Rana’s defense attorney doubting my words makes me more fearful. Then the jurors, are they going to be judgmental because I'm a guy? This type of stuff is taboo, and I wouldn't be surprised if they decide that Rana did nothing wrong.

"Yeah... I got it in the mail on Friday. I just put it in the back of my mind. I have my doubts about it," I confess to Ayato. I need to walk into that courtroom with the thought process that Rana might be set free. I just have to accept that fact before it becomes a reality.

I could see that Ayato's eyes started showing a different emotion, one that didn't match the rest of his face. He looked frustrated, and I knew why. He hated Rana for the same reasons I did, and the fact that he might walk away with minimal punishment must set him off in some way.

"Don't worry. I'll be there for you. Let's just hope for the best," Ayato adds on, trying his best to make me feel better. It does make me feel better, but it's only temporary.

I then get reminded of the tickets sitting in my pocket. Maybe I could take Ayato to the play? I pull out the tickets and he sees them.

"You're going to that?" I hear Ayato ask as he looks down at the tickets.

"Yeah!"

"Why do you have two? Are you planning on going with someone?"

"Yeah... I was. It was Saikou, but he's doing something important and I don't want to bother him," I then find the perfect opportunity to invite him, "Would you like to go with me Ayato?"

I see his eyes widen, I guess he wasn't expecting me to ask him. I hope that he accepts my invitation, I wouldn’t mind going with him.

"I...I can't. I have to go somewhere after school," I can tell that he wished he was free. I'm just starting to notice that Ayato has more expressive eyes. He might smile or frown, but his eyes show me what he is actually feeling.

"It's fine. I'll just keep it. As a reminder of sorts," I place the tickets back into my pocket.

"What are you going to do? Are you going to go back home and rest? I wish I could do that, but I have club stuff to worry about," after the event I'm planning on going back home and looking through some of the articles submitted for this week, and working on one of my own. I'm planning on writing an article about the play and hopefully getting an interview with Kizano and some of the other actors.

The bell rings. It felt so much shorter today. Talking to Ayato must make time fly faster for me. "I'll be going. I'm going to try to find Kizano while I can. You can head to class. I'll see you later."

I start to leave Ayato and I follow the route that would take me to the Drama Club the fastest. Students filled the hallways or lingered within them. Teachers and student council members ushered them to quickly head back to class before they receive an infraction. I'm one turn away from making it to the Drama Club. Before I can make the last turn, I feel someone grab my hand. I jump and I stumble into the person that grabbed me.

"Hey!" I yell out but before I can say anything more, I look at the person and he smirks at me, "O-Osoro, I didn't think it was you." I shyly tell him as I revert my eyes down. I can't bare to face him right now. After the incident on Friday, I can only assume that he's mad at me.

"I've been looking for you, but once I saw you with Ayato I left," his gruff voice fills my ears and I'm unsure if I want to turn away or listen to him.

"I'm glad that you decided to let us be," I praise him for his thoughtful decision, I feel guilty thinking that he would invade our privacy again.

"I know that right now isn't the best time to talk, but can we talk after school?" he asks me, and within his golden eyes I can see the sincerity in them, "I know that you might be busy with that play or whatever, but I could go with you. As long as they don't find out that I don't have a ticket."

"I have an extra ticket! You can be my plus one if you would like," I reveal to him the extra ticket that I have with me.

"Would you?"

"Of course!"

I start to notice a lack of students in the hallway. I move away from Osoro and I start to take my leave. "I'll see you there. I've got to go, I don't want to be late."

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

When the final bell rings, I quickly leave the class and start to head towards the gym. I want to get front row seats to the event. The Drama kids told the school in order for you to get front row seats you'll have to come early, or be met with the dissatisfaction of sitting all the way in the back.

I quickly go and find Osoro who is near the gymnasium. I assume he was hanging out here the whole time. I wave over to him and he looks up towards me.

"I didn't expect you to be the first one here! I'm happy you're here," I tell him with a smile. I was happy to have someone with me. It feels like everyone is busy with something, and I've been left in the dust because of it.

"Happy? Thought I would never hear you say that," Osoro smiles down at me, "I was getting a lot of slack from the guys for coming. But I told them that I wanted to make you happy.”

"That's sweet of you. You know... I'm sorry for what happened on Friday. I'm not exactly sure what happened between you and Ayato. But can we still be friends? I don't want to lose you."

"Yeah... let's keep being friends," Osoro responds but I think I can hear a bit of sadness in his voice. Is being friends not what he wants? I'm overthinking again. What else would Osoro want with me at this point? He was clingy but maybe he acted that way because I was his first non-delinquent friend.

"Look, they're opening up the gym. Let's go before the good seats get taken!" I grab Osoro by his wrist and I drag him over to the entrance. We stand behind a group of students. It was clear that Shidesu sticks out. His towering figure, his intimidating presence, his unruly looks, and his uniform that barely meets the guidelines juxtaposes everyone's proper appearance.

Some students look over and whisper to their friends. I can hear these whispers. They're pointing out Shidesu. Asking why a delinquent like him is standing in line for a play. I let out a small sign. I feel bad that Osoro is being judged just because he's standing in line for something that seems out of character for him.

The two of us eventually make it to the front, and one of the girls from the Drama Club happily greets us. "May I see your tickets?" She asks us as she places her hand out, ready to take the tickets. I dig into my pockets and I find the purple colored tickets. I place them onto the palm of her hand, and she gingerly takes them before ripping them in half and dumping them into a trash can. "Thank you for your support, please enjoy the show."

We make our way inside as we look around. It seems that only around thirty students are currently inside. Some of the students go towards the back, middle, or go straight for the front row. I grip Osoro's baggy sleeve to get his attention, "Let’s go to the front row."

"I'm glad that you're here with me. I wanted to go with other people, but they’re all so busy. I'm just happy that you agreed to come, even though this is the last place you would go," I break the short silence. I want to show my gratitude towards him. Without him I would be showing up alone. Sure, I would see Kizano at the end of the show, but I did want someone to come with me.

Osoro leans back in his foldable chair, spreads his legs, and places his arm over the padded back of my chair. Sitting like a true delinquent. I let out a small laugh that catches his attention.

"What's funny? I would like to laugh too," he looks over to me, analyzing my face.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it," I tell him, I didn't want to tell him that I was laughing at him. I’m sure he wouldn't take too kindly to that.

He crosses his arms, "Whatever. How long do we have to wait?" His impatience was clearly showing. I look over towards the door and I see that there’s still a long line of students, and many seats haven't been filled yet.

"If I had to guess, maybe ten to fifteen minutes," I tell him my guess and he groans a bit in response.

"No wonder you wanted someone to come with you. This wait is a killer," he comments, taking a quick glance at the door before looking back at me.

"At least we have each other," I tell him while looking up at the stage. The long, red curtains decorate the large stage. I can see the curtains slightly move, and I can only guess what is happening behind it. Actors getting into character, the lighting crew checking if all the lights are ready, the set designers moving the sets around, and the music operators making sure that all the songs are in the right order.

I wonder what Kizano is thinking right now. He must be losing his mind, I hope he's fine without me. I wish I could be by his side.

Then I think about what Kizano will think once he sees me with Osoro. I know they both see each other as rivals when it comes to having my attention. I wish they would just talk it out with each other.

"I guess that's not so bad," Osoro responds, "Being with you without anyone bothering us is a win to me. I can't stand those guys."

"I wish you could just talk it out with them. Osoro, I know I shouldn't ask you this now, but I don't understand your motives. I know you care about me, and I care about you too. But the way you act towards me is possessive," I finally get the courage to tell Osoro what I think. His expression is rather comical. His mouth is open and his eyes are wide, the definition of speechless. I didn't think that I would make a delinquent surprised.

Other students start to take their seats, and the once empty seats are now all taken by excited students. Osoro notices this sudden change and looks away from me, "Let's talk about this later. But I'll tell you this, it makes sense for you to be the leader of the newspaper."

"I'm guessing your answer is very personal," I comment and his eyebrows raise in confusion. Giving me a look, questioning how I knew. "I hope you can tell me after all this."

The doors to the gymnasium can be heard being shut. The girl that once took peoples tickets comes up to the stage. The lights of the gymnasium dim, but the stage shines brighter than before. The girl climbs up the small set of stairs and went backstage before reappearing. She stood in front of the curtain and took a tall stance.

"Now, if you would all quiet down, that would be appreciated," the gymnasium quickly falls silent at her request. I sit in awe at her ability to quiet down a room full of students in a matter of seconds. "Thank you.Today, the Drama Club would like to present to the Student's of Akademi High our rendition of Alice in Wonderland. This play has been in the works for a few months, but with the help of other clubs and volunteers we were able to present it to you all today. We would like to dedicate this show to the grandson of the founder of Akademi High: Megamo Saikou!"

I go into a short state of shock at the sight of Saikou appearing on stage. He stands at the front of the stage and waves to the whole student body. They all clap and cheer at his entrance. I clap with the crowd. My clapping was lost with the rest of the crowd, but my presence wasn't. As Saikou's eyes swept over the crowd, he zeroed in on me. I could see his eyes narrow down on me. It felt judgmental. As if I had disappointed him in some way. I didn't know what I did, but then I look over towards Osoro. Maybe that look was given to me because he didn't expect me to be seen with a delinquent.

"Now, Mr. Saikou will be given the mic to give a few words," the girl speaks into the mic but it is quickly handed over towards Saikou who takes it.

"Hello, students of Akademi. I hope you are ready to watch a wonderful show, courteous of our Drama Club. I would like to take this time to remind all of the third years that we will soon be leaving this institution. We are almost a month away from graduating, and I hope you are ready. I know that this school has faced... some obstacles during this year, but I am planning to improve this school right before I leave so the remaining students and new ones can experience the best the school can offer in peace. That is all," Saikou then hands the mic back over to the girl who was idly standing as he spoke. His speech caused students to get up from their seats and applause. They continued to cheer as he left the stage. It was clear that his speech was something that the students needed to hear. It felt like someone in power was finally seeing all the odd events that have taken place over the past few months, and taking action to fix it.

But I felt so... dissatisfied.

Saikou is a great leader, it's in his blood to be one. It's just that I feel that so much more could be done. Cameras aren't enough. More has to be done. He is going to leave and Akademi will be another memory to him, but I'll still be here. I hope that he gets something done before he graduates.

"Now, it's finally the time most of you have been waiting for! Akademi High's Drama Club would like to present its rendition of Alice in Wonderland!" The girl then moves to the off right of the stage, disappearing from view completely. The gym goes completely dark. Students start to chatter at the sudden change of lighting. Then the sound of the curtains separating can be heard. A bright light is then shined on stage, and we see a girl in a light blue dress standing at the center of the stage.

I lean back into my chair, and watch what Kizano has dedicated his time to.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

The play was amazing to watch. It followed the main beats of Alice in Wonderland, but it was unique in its own right. All the actors were captivating to watch, but Kizano was one of the best. It was clear that he loved his role as the King of Hearts. I'm happy to see him and see his talent as an actor.

The curtains closed at the last scene. A second passed before students started clapping. The feeling in the room was electric. I didn't notice it before, but some students started to throw items on stage. Flowers and stuffed animals decorated the stage. I didn't expect that to happen, and I wished I was able to throw something on stage too.

I looked over towards Osoro, and I saw a look of indifference. He must be the only one in the audience feeling that way. I understand his look, he only came here for me. I'm just happy he was respectful. He didn't get up or even sleep during the whole play.

The girl from before shows up on stage once more, "Thank you all. Now, would the actors come up on stage and give a final bow." All of the actors slowly come on stage, in the order they were introduced in the play. Once they are all lined up, they take a bow at the same time.

One last set of applause is given before they walk off stage. "You may leave the gymnasium. Thank you for coming to our show," the girl tells the audience before leaving the stage too.

"Finally," Osoro says as he gets up from his chair, "Don't ask for my opinion. But did you like it at least?"

"Of course I did."

"Good. That's all I wanted to hear. Remember what I said about telling you how I felt? I'll tell you tomorrow. I still need to think about it. Now, are you staying or leaving? 'Cause I'm leaving."

I look towards the stage, where Kizano is backstage. I want to talk to him. I also need to talk to him for the article that I tasked myself to do. "I'll stay. But thank you for coming with me, I appreciate it greatly. I’ll talk to you tomorrow," I answer Osoro, but I also show gratitude for taking time out of his day to come with me.

"Right. I'll see you," Osoro turns around and starts walking away from me, and heading to the doors of the gymnasium. Now it's my turn to leave. I start to go over to the stairs that will lead me backstage. I come across a few actors leaving. They look relieved but also exhausted. Some of them even take notice of my presence. They whisper to each other about how I'm going to interview them, and they become excited at the opportunity.

I make it to the backstage area and I see a few of the actors. Most of them are getting out of the costume, taking their makeup off, or just chatting with other crew members. Before I can even find Kizano, he finds me instead.

"Oh my gosh! It's you darling!" I suddenly feel a new set of weight being put on me. I almost fall over but I am able to catch myself before that happens, "I knew you would visit me! Where are my roses? You got me roses, right?"

"Oh... I'm sorry I didn't. I didn't think about bringing gifts," I nervously answer him. I hoped that he would be fine with it. I feel bad, but it's not like I can get a bouquet of roses right now.

I can see Kizano pout and cross his arms, "Well... I guess that's fine. I'll just have to be content with having you see me. But I am quite mad at you, and it's not for the roses."

"Why? What's wrong?" I seriously couldn't think of doing anything that could make him mad. Sure, I wasn't by his side and I didn't give him flowers either, but I'm here right now. That must mean something to him, I hope.

"You were sitting with that brute! You thought I wouldn't notice? But I did!" Kizano points his finger at me. He was clearly upset at the fact I decided to show up with Osoro. "I would've much rather you showed up with Aishi or even Saikou! Why him of all people? Wait!" Kizano backs up and covers his mouth with his hands. It seems his mind has made a connection, one that rips his heart apart, but leaves me confused.

"Don't tell me you're in love with him!?"

My eyes widen in surprise and immediately deny, "Kizano, that's not it at all! I'm not in love with him at all!" I couldn't believe that Kizano made that conclusion. Osoro doesn't love me, and I don't either. He’s a great guy, but I wouldn't consider going out with him.

"So... that means you're in love with someone else?" Kizano questions me, and I'm still surprised. I'm not in love with anyone.

"No, Kizano. I'm not in love with anyone at the moment," I answer him. I make my response as clear as possible, so he isn't left wondering about it.

Kizano's eyes become downcast. It's clear that I broke his heart again. His feelings must still be strong for me even months later. Maybe one day I'll feel the same, but that day is not today.

I can't believe that I'm thinking about this. I came here to get a quick comment for my article and to talk to him, but it's clear that I'm not going to get that comment.

"If that's how you feel... then I'll just try harder," Kizano tells me as he moves closer to me. I look at him with a confused look, but I understand what he means. He sees this as another challenge. He sees it as having a chance to win me over.

"Kizano... maybe it's best if you don't."

"But! (Y/N), you don't understand I'm-"

Then another voice enters the conversation, cutting Kizano off.

"(L/N), I would like to have a word with you."

I turn around and I see Saikou standing behind me. I didn't expect to see him here. I thought that he left already with everyone else. As I think about it more, it doesn't make sense for him to be here. He is here for me, but I don't remember doing anything wrong. Maybe he just wants to ask me a question?

"Of course, Saikou."

"Come with me. I have a matter I would like to discuss privately with no prying eyes," Saikou eyes Kizano before turning around and walking down the steps.

I look behind me and I see Kizano just as confused as me. I only shrug my shoulders as my response, and I start to follow Saikou.

I see Saikou leaving the gymnasium and I run to catch up to him. He stops in front of the gymnasium, and looks over towards me. I feel embarrassed and nervous with him looking at me. Whenever he looks at something it feels like he’s analyzing it to see if it's worth his time. It's a bit unsettling.

"I wanted to talk to you about a position," Saikou starts off, not stalling with what he has to say, "Earlier today you walked in on us discussing something, and I'm sure you noticed the way they were looking at you." Saikou references what happened in the morning, and I did feel their stares on me. It was hard not to.

"The reason they looked at you like that is because I brought up the idea of allowing you to become a student council member. As you know, we elect new student council members. Next year, I won't be here and two other members will be graduating, as well. Two of the three spots are filled. They will be filled by upcoming first years, but the last spot is still vacant. We usually don't select students who are already in a club or even a club leader, but I recommend you," Saikou dumps all this new information on me. And all I can think about is that I have the potential to be a student council member.

"A few have their doubts. I even had my doubts today. When I saw you with that delinquent, I started to question if I made a good recommendation. You are just as good as the company you keep around. Ever heard of that phrase? I believe it. But... I am willing to give you a chance. Can you prove me right, (L/N)?" Saikou looks over towards me. His expression is stone cold. It makes me feel uneasy, and it even reminds me of Ayato's facial expressions.

A part of me wants me to reject him, being a student council member comes with its pros and cons. I could have more power, but I could also be more restricted. I won't have the freedom I have now. I'll have to follow the rules more strictly and have another responsibility under my belt. Is this what I want?

"It's clear to me that you're thinking hard about it. I understand. Just keep it in mind for now. The other members have to come to a decision by the end of this week. If they agree to let you in, then you'll actually have the option to reject or accept. I felt like letting you know, so you know your actions these next few days will mean more than you'll ever think. Make me proud, (L/N)," Saikou then starts to walk off, heading back into the school.

I feel like I'm going to have a headache. First, I confronted Osoro about what he really wants from me. Second, Kizano is still going to try and win me over. And now I have this going on with Saikou. Not to mention, the trial that I have to attend and having to participate more in club activities. It feels like I'm suffocating.

I'll figure it out. I'll do my best to do so.

[trashlama]

FUTURE RISE!LEO X READER

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Heyyyy-oooo it's me your guys favorite friendly pervy neighborhood consumer! Back with some more fics!

Yeaahh

Oh yeah I can totally sense your guys' excitement.

So this idea wasn't mine. I was lurking through the ROTTMNT fandom since recently I was too busy being dragged down the Record of Ragnarok fandom pit. It's like Hetalia all over again.

Anyways— I was lurking and came across one of my favorite creators ( @yanteetle ) that got a request for a fic. And like the idea was too good not to write a one-shot for it.

Like there was already a fic for it out there but, I thought I'd try my hand.

I really enjoyed writing this, I'll probably do another part except with the second idea with young Leo being little brother blocked by Casey Jr. cause Casey knows how Leo is with his future relationship with (y/n).

And maybe another one that has a different take on the first idea. But with a ✨ Age Gap✨. Cause man do I love myself a DILF.

Like brah there is no way you can't tell me future Leo isn't a DILF.

Anyways—

Enjoy the fic!

PICTURE NOT MINE! FOUND IT ON PINTEREST AND FELT LIKE IT WAS PERFECT-O

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Rushing water flooded the ancient channels that you were trudging through. The bottoms of your cargo pants were drenched despite being tucked into the openings of your pleather boots. Frigid rosey digits clung to the insides of the pockets to your cobalt colored coat. A shiver shot down your spine. Not from the chill of the down pour above you but rather, the ghost that didn't seem to want to leave you alone. Even now you were quite sure. Somewhere amongst the ruins of New York's sewer system, he was lurking. Never too far behind but, still too close for comfort.

You've been here for two years and five months in a few days according to the calendar that hung in your shared quarters. However you weren't planning on staying for the anniversary.

A brown satchel that hung from your shoulders carried all that you had for the perceived future until you could wrangle up some more scraps of rations from orphaned establishments on the road.

You weren't going back to the base. You refuse.

Onwards you marched. According to the directions Casey had given you it was just a little further until you reached a small opening that you would need to crawl through to get to the connecting manhole that would lead you straight out of the safe haven of the sewers and into the fry-pan of NYC city boundries. The teen even went as far as described an outpost just a couple miles Northwest towards New Jersey. Having scrambliled together a poorly drawn map of the terrain to gift you on your journey.

You and Casey both knew of the dangers there were trying to escape this place. Mutant or not. Though it didn't mean it was going to stop them from at least trying to free you from your gilded cage.

You had thanked the boy who had felt like a kid brother during your encampment at the base. Both shedding a tear for one another as you departed ways. Wishing the other luck as the world slowly continues to crumble around them. Unsure of the others fate.

The flashback helped to revitalize your will, spurring the need to flee as your pace began to pick up. Heart beat and foot falls mirroring another.

You didn't know how much longer you had before he caught up with you....

Speaking of the Devil.

A random splash not too far off sent you rocketing forward. Feet pounded through the stream of water lapping at your ankles. Unrelenting like the hunter that was behind you.

You didn't even want to look back. You feared if you did your knees would buckle at the very sight of his domineering form lunging for you.

Tokyo Drifting the corner, you spun to the left, a skirt of water splashing your legs once again, in further indirect efforts of creating a swimming pool in your boots.

He was fucking with you. You could tell.

If Leo was really being serious he would've captured you in his hold the moment he originally found you. Most likely had woken up due to the lack of your warm presence next to him in the cot you shared.

If you knew the red eared slider, which you felt at this point you did.

You knew he had been on your tail since the minute you left. Stepping foot outside the main body of the base.

°°°°°°°°°°°

"(Y/n)....? Honey...." Leo groaned half awake. It was the middle of the night and his body had suddenly woken him from the bliss of his dreams.

Tired olive hands searched the sheets for your figure...only to find the lack of it.

Dark eyes flew open.

You. Weren't. Here.

Out of the bed he sprung, eyes stabbed through the dark. Only to find the lack of you and your belongings that had been here when the two of you had gone to bed.

His mind flew into chaos at the realization however, unlike his adolescent self he was able to control his panic. He calmed his ragging breath remembering his father's sage advice to not let his feelings get the better of him. That it was unbecoming for a ninja and a leader.

Honestly Leo should've seen it coming.

He wasn't any genuis-boy Donnie by any means but, didn't mean Leo was a fool.

He had saw the signs for a while now.

Eagerly you'd volunteer for any job if it meant being at odd schedules with him. It didn't matter if it was patrol or scavenging, if it got you away from him, even for a little while, you did it.

When approached about it, you simply claimed that you wanted to be useful for The Resistance. Reassuring Leo that your desire for work came from your feelings of being needed rather than the lumbering turtle's overbearing presence being the cause behind your disappearing acts.

Leo being ever so observant would notice how your close comrades and Casey Jr. would also actively participate in these same runs with you.

Everytime.

Tigers gnawed at his stomach lining and baboons pounded in his chest when he thought about what they could be discussing. What they could be doing.

In the beginning you and Leo had been soooo close.

Since teenagers. He had known you even before you knew him.

He had saved you.

Him.

He was seventeen and feeling free. The Krrang hadn't attacked yet, he still had his arm, and Ralph wasn't dead.

You had been just another girl he came upon on a nightly patrol.

Beforehand he and Raph had gotten into another disagreement. Something stupid about him not being a team player and not listening to his comrades.

Whatever. Leo didn't care.

Leo was his own one-man show— he liked to believe. Although when the going got tough, he knew he had his brothers to fall back on. They relied on one another even if they didn't like to admit it all the time. They were children after all.

Squeaky sneakers and labored breaths filled the illuminated basketball court. Within the fenced primiters was a single girl shooting hoops. And not too badly for the self-proclaimed professional's standards if he did say so himself.

She kept herself grounded but, still agile. Launching the basketball from all the points lines, even the ones that have long since been faded by eroding weather and age. (h/l) (h/c) hair pulled back into a high poney tail that whipped around with her movements.

She was like a basketball ballerina dancing a Lebron James Swan Lake. It was ethereal.

Time passed like rain droplets down car windows. Before he knew it the similarly aged female was packing up getting ready to go. Obvious signs being the (2f/c)towel around her neck and the (f/c) sports jacket she threw on over her fitted tank top.

Alas Leo didn't have the right mojo to go pursue her. Nor the right disguise.

For the next few weeks(at least how long he felt it had been emotionally. He wasn't keeping track.) Leo would return to that same basketball court, eager to see the basketball ballerina again.

Sometimes she was there, sometimes not. When she was it typically was late, at least for human standards. And always alone. Leo felt for her but, didn't particularly mind since that meant there was no one to disturb the skilled performance.

The (y/c) haired girl would show up. Shoot some hoops for a while before walking away into the night.

Her (e/c) eyes always looked absent when she shot her baskets. Emotions didn't voice themselves on her neutral complexion. The only real thing that was direct about her was that she was focused with the task at hand. Which was shooting hoops.

Leo wasn't a hundred percent sure what led her to the rundown court almost every night but, he was grateful for the occurrence.

Until one night he wasn't.

Like the last few nights, the red eared slider teen came to the court to spectate his favorite four pointer dancer. Only to find a lack of her usual performance. Instead sat the empty eroding court.

It was two in the morning and his brothers would start wondering where he is soon.(Not that they weren't already curious where their blue bandana brother was going.) A light sprinkle had started to pick up overhead that pushed the olive turtle to call it night.

Standing up from the ledge the turtle was about to leap from his position but, only froze upon hearing laughter. Down below underneath the iridescent fluorescent lamps was you.

The obvious lack of your usual athletic attire suggested you weren't here to play basketball. Instead of a tank top with a pair of shorts; dark jeans hugged your hips complimented by a (2f/c) Lou Jitsu t-shirt and (f/c) sport jacket.

With said jacket you shielded yourself from the drizzle. The lighting made you look like you were glowing, the uncharacteristic smile on your face added to the image.

What broke the breath-taking view was by whom he assumed were your friends. The two of them ran after you into the court with their own grins plastered on their complexions.

The scene of the trio caused the red eared slider's stomach to bumble with jealousy. He wanted to be down there with you. The sound of your guys' conjoined laughter would make together would simply be the best. Leo didn't have a doubt about it.

If only.

For the next two hours the three humans ran through the city streets. Asphalt turned into water slides as they slid and skid. None of them aware of the mutant turtle following them from the rooftops.

By four, the other two humans who he learned names were Jonathan and Melissa(I know so unique) departed for the night.

(Y/n), as he overheard from your comrades, left to go your own way home.

Leo knew he shouldn't continue being out this late by himself. Especially without telling his brothers where. But, Leo couldn't pass up the chance to see where you lived.

By the time you got back to your apartment complex it was pushing five in the morning. Leo could make out from his spot hidden in the fire escape that you were an only child.

Apparent by the lack of anything in the unit. The only things that pointed towards any form of life were the pictures that hung on the plain beige walls.

Inside the cramped dingy apartment you procured yourself some top ramen before sitting on the old futon in the main room to watch some TV. Switching to a channel that played older movies.

Zapped onto the screen was an old Lou Jitsu film. The sight of the movie excited the red eared slider, hopeful thoughts of having similar interests made the monkey in his rib cage pound harder.

Before Leo knew it you were passed out with the remote in hand with the sun peeking out over the Manhattan bay.

Giving one last look towards you before retreating back into the sewers.

The following weeks passed by and Leo grew to like you more. Even if it's from a distance. Always excited when you appear whether it's on the court or in his dreams.

His heart was always so elated when he watched you perform. And the one time he's late of course some dumb delinquents want to mess up his usual date.

Upon arrival he could tell something was wrong right away. Your (f/c) bag sat on alone on the bench left halfway unzipped and abandoned. The ball you brought with you every time you came to the court was flattened and punctured.

Something was very wrong.

"Back off Creeps!"

It was your voice.

Leo not giving a moment's thought to the possibility of being seen by the public eye. Leapt from his perch down to the court.

Hidden off in the alleyway was you and a pair of petty thieves. One a mutant rooster the other just a normal ass-hat both dressed in stereotypical black attire.

"Shadap! If you'd just given us yer stupid wallet and phone from the start then we would've been gone already!" The rooster barked. His beak set in a displeased frown that matched his human accomplice's equally displeased sner.

Both were armed.

The human with a baseball bat, and the rooster with a small pocket knife.

Observing the scene, Leo quickly determined this would be a rather easy take down as long as he did it right.

"Stop the stallin' and give us yer cash!"

The rooster's feathers acting like fingers reached out for you. Instantly the rooster's right wing received a sudden shave.

"WTF!?" The avian mutant screeched using his left wing to clutch his clipped one to his chest.

Quick to defend from the unforeseen attack the human whipped around to swing his bat; .... only to find an empty space.

"What in the name of..."

"Aaghkk!" Straight in the face you had punched the rooster.

Leo swore his chest grew warmer at the action.

While Leo was temporarily distracted by your fists of fury, the ass-hat had swung at the olive-green turtle. Quickly the red eared slider dodged the attack to only return with his own. Easily slicing the bat into small unusable chunks.

Whilst Leo dealt with the ass-hat you fought the retaliating mutant chicken.

It was a somewhat fair fight considering the difference in DNA and physical capabilities.

You would've won too, had you not underestimated how strong a mutant chicken's punches were.

Next thing you knew you were K.O.ed. Your (H/c) head in a tizzy from bouncing your brain around in your cranium.

The blue bandana wearing turtle was not pleased by this.

The rooster gulped at the obvious displeasure emanating off the red eared slider. Not even having a chance to escape Leo swiftly knocked the chicken out before tying him up with his accomplice.

"Oh (Y/n).... I'm sorry I was late for the performance.." Leo apologized under his tired breath. Adoration gleamed in dark pools as he stared down at the object that plauged his dreams for last month.

Even with three digits per hand the sturdy turtle held you against his plastron securely as he returned you to your apartment.

The cold air whipped around the two of you as he sprinted across rooftops of Manhattan.

He was the happiest turtle alive having you in his arms. He never wanted to let you go.

But he did.

And how Leo missed you so dearly for the years that followed.

Not until he was pushing forty did he find you again.

New recruits weren't too much of an uncommon occurrence. However as leader it was his job to familiarize himself with his team to the best of his ability.

And when it came time to welcome in the greenhorns, there you were.

Despite the years that have added on your complexion you were still that beautiful basketball ballerina he found all those years ago.

His heart swelled.

Leo did his best to protect you better this time.

Even if, it meant keeping you here with him against your wishes.

Very quickly it was known amongst The Resistance how much you meant to the Commander.

Within six months he had you transferred under his supervision despite your skills aligning with General April's or even General Donnie's precincts.

It didn't matter.

Leo wanted you. And that was that.

There was no room to argue when it came to the leader's order.

Within the year, you were sharing quarters with the adult red eared slider and in the following months, his cot.

The few freedoms you found away from Leo were doing patrols or hanging with deceased General Cassandra's son.

Even then the interactions were limited.

It's hard to say no when the world around you is dying and you have no other choice in survival.

Which brings us back to the current present.

Racing like a bat out of hell you fleed your pursuer who was hot on your trail.

The basketball bunny runing from the hunter with a shell.

Oh God please! Please let me make this!

It was right in front of you.

Approximately two turns up ahead laid a small tunnel. It was a tight squeeze even for your stature but, if you could crawl far enough into there before Leo reached you. You'd make it.

You threw yourself into the stone wall. The rough texture scraped your palms but you didn't care. You kept running.

"(Y/n) please come back!" Leo hollered.

His voice was not far behind. He had to be literally on your tail.

This would be a miracle if you made this.

"(Y/n) wait! You can't leave!" Anger could be heard in his deep voice. The same tone he used when displeased with your behavior when socializing amongst your fellow comrades.

There it was!

Right there!

Not even thinking about it—

You dove for the small tunnel. Knees instantly bowed to the floor as you began crawling into the opening. The hole was disgusting but, you didn't mind that as you shuffled your body forwards.

" NO! " Leo growled.

A yelp escaped your throat. Clawing hands clasping around your ankle before attempting pull you back. Despite scraping at the edges of the rusted entrance. All it took was a single tug from the adult red eared slider to dragged you out of the small hideaway. Sadness and anger quick to take over his desperate senses.

"Why!? Why did you try to leave me!?" The mutant demanded.

You didn't know what to do. You were frozen. He caught you. You didn't plan for this. You hadn't really thought—

You really had hoped—

"(Y/n)! Answer me!"

"Is everything I do for you and your kind not enough? Why can't I have you?" Leo cried.

His aged but charming features stared you down with so much hurt. He loves you so much. Too much. So why would you go?

"I've always been there for you (Y/n)... my basketball ballerina...don't I...deserve you?" Leo reasoned. His voice displayed the hurt he felt as he reasoned with you.

Well more like manipulated.

"I love you so much.... I just can't lose you again."

Muscular arms pressed you against his plastron. Underneath it you could hear the bird fluttering in his ribs.

Your mind was running a mile a minute, terrified, flustered, unsure what comes next.

" I love you (y/n)...". Was the last thing your brain registered before feeling a pinch to the bundle of nerves in your neck. Falling limp like a ragdoll in the Commander's arms.

Releasing a sigh the tired adult red eared slider held you in the one-sided embrace for just a little longer. Relishing in the warmth from your body that wasn't accompanied by the small trembles from you.

The hug didn't last long before the mutant readjusted his hold on you so that you laid in his arms. Leo didn't mind doing this every once in awhile when the anniversary of your arrival came up. As long as you don't do it again for another year.

He would have to disperse that support group of yours....

Once back in the safe confinements of Resistance HQ; Leo made a B-line to your guys shared room. There he stripped you of your drenched coat and boots before tucking you back into the shared bed. In your spot next to him.

The blue bandana wearing turtle let out a tired yawn as he closed the door before crawling inside the sheets to lay besides you.

Leo was aware he was being selfish but, he just couldn't live without you. Not again. And certainly not in this cruel world that just wants to take away everything he holds dear.

Dark pools stared down at your resting face. His prosthetic hand lovingly caressed the soft skin of your face. Soothing both you and himself in the process.

Slipping away into the land of rest. Even while dreaming the Resistance Commander held on dearly to you.

Not allowing you the same chance to escape his embrace twice.

¶¶ Creator's Notes¶¶

Thank you for reading!

If you liked this part please enjoy part 2!

[cillians-sweetheart]

𝓟𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓬𝓾𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 ☣︎ Chapter 29

Description: Johnathan Crane x Patient Reader. An 18 year old girl suffers from a mental disorder that Dr Crane takes an interest in, but It isn't just the disorder that catches his eye. Their love becomes so strong it drives her dangerously mad... more mad then she or him could ever imagine. 

ROMANCE + HORROR + SMUT STORY

No Batman and not everything about crane that's mentioned is correct to the actual character in DC.

TW: Violence, Sexual Content, Alcohol/Drug Use, Gore, Mental Illness, Parental Issues, Smut, Murder, Extreme Kinks (dom/crane, blood, choking, hair pulling, spanking, age gap, toys, dub-con and daddy kink) and Mention of Abuse, Assault and SA.

Not all warnings shown will be used in this exact chapter! Bold warnings are some to be expected throughout the chapter below!

I cuddled into Johnathan while his shirt was still unbuttoned and I was in my gown. I touch up and down his chest and stomach while I rested my head on his shoulder. I felt his love radiating through his skin, even when he didn't say it. I could always feel it.

"Have you ever thought of using condoms?" I asked tilting my face up to his. "So you don't have to worry about you know... pulling out?"

"No. I'm not using a condom."

"Why? Wouldn't it be easier for you?" I tickled the light hair on his chest.

"No. It's not sex if you're not skin to skin. I want to feel you."

I blushed and tilted my face back down.

Johnathan began to button his shirt back up. He grabbed his glasses from the nightstand and put them on. As he stood up he adjusted his pants and began to walk off. I stayed sat on the bed in my little gown as I watched him walk away from me. As he reached the door I stopped him.

"Johnathan?"

"What" He turned around as he was about to grab the door handle. His hands quickly tucked into his slacks pockets. I reached my arms out wanting him to take me with him. Being with him and him only for all this time I've grown a separation anxiety each time I was away from him. Johnathan sighed deeply as he untucked his hands from his pants and came around to the side of the bed I was on. I was expecting him to pull me up to my feet but he swooped in under my arms and lifted me off the bed. He carried me in his strong arms like I was a child from the bedroom to his office. I felt like such a princess in his arms. I got a fatherly nostalgia from it, even though my father wasn't extremely present. To sum it up he chose his other family over me, his step kids and his wife.

Johnathan sat at his desk with me in his lap. I held onto him and laid my head onto his chest while I watched him shuffle through papers. He continued searching for something in multiple stacks of paper while I sat comfortably on him. By now he was used to me joining him while he worked. I could feel his heart beat increase as he ripped open envelopes and scanned quickly over papers. I tried to read what was on them but the words were either written in cursive or the words were too big for me to even pronounce.

"Ugh... I need to go check the mail" He lifted me off him and stood from his chair.

"Can I do it?" I asked smiling softy. "Where is it?"

"No. I'll do it. It's down in the lobby I'll be back."

"Can I do it, please?" I asked with puppy dog eyes, thinking that would work.

He sighed. "I'll go with you."

"I wanna do it by myself"

"Why so you can run away?" His tone becomes more resentful.

"No I just want something to do... you know... gain some independence."

"You don't need independence."

"Please" I beg stepping closer to him. "Please daddy... I wanna see the building a bit. I'll be okay don't worry."

"You have 5 minutes, slot 36. If you run or leave I will be called." He takes the keys from his desk and hands them to me. I smile and head towards the door. "And put some pants on." He smacks my bare ass as I walk behind him. I giggle and go to find myself some little shorts. As I was about to leave Johnathan stopped me at the elevator. He adjusts the little bow in my hair, then his hands sliding down my face. "Straight there and back. Got it?"

"Mhm" I nodded.

"Be good." He unlocks the door for me as I go down into the lobby.

Johnathan stood back at the apartment by the door consistently checking his watch. He didn't move from the door. His leg shook slightly and his arms were crossed. He grew paranoid, biting at his lip. Thats when he realized he's made a mistake.

I grinned cheerfully walking through the halls looking for the room where the mail would be kept. The halls of the apartment were long and filled and with expensive carpets. Many smaller apartments were on each floor like a hotel, but Johnathan's was as big as all of them combined. It gave me a sense of pride knowing my husband had the biggest, most expensive one here.

"Ooh" I say finding the mailboxes at the end of the hall. There were many little compartments in the wall with labeled numbers. I looked down at all the slots before I found 36. I took the key I had clenched in my hand and attempted to fit it into the hole put it wouldn't go in. I kept pushing and pushing but It was like it was stuck.

"Hey, cute bow"

I jumped and spun around seeing a tall, blonde haired boy who looked to be my age. He had a devious smirk on his face while his 3 other friends stood behind him. From the outside they looked as if they were apart of a Frat. Basic college boys.

"Oh.. thanks. My husb-"

"What's a girl like you doing in a place like this? Wearing those tiny... little shorts" I was interrupted. Him and his friends all laughed at me. I ignored it as Johnathan would want me to do and continued to try and open the mailbox. The key finally slipped in and I was able to open it. I turned back around opening the box. "Hey I'm trying to talk to you" He said again as I felt him step closer. I didn't look but took the letter that was in the box and slammed it shut. When I went to lock it the key got stuck again. I struggled hurriedly to pull it out. "Need some help baby doll? Here let me help you" His hand went to grab onto my waist, but one of his friends caught him off guard.

"Yo what the fuck!" One of the boys laughed pointing to the end of the hallway. They all turned their heads, including me. "Jesus what the fuck is that! Look!" The boy laughed historically. "He's coming guys, watch out!"

I turned and saw the scarecrow. He wasn't so happy the boys were laughing at him. It reminded him of his childhood.

I took the chance when the boys were distracted to rip the key out and sneak past them but I was caught. "Where do you think you're going, I was talking to you!" He snarled grabbing onto my arm. As he was about to turn his head to his friends a large kitchen knife was pierced through his ear. I jumped at the suddenness of it. Blood oozed from both ears as the handle of the knife stuck out of one side of his head.

I giggled seeing how cute Johnathan looked with his mask, and the way he was protecting me.

The other boys all yelled and began to run, but Johnathan was quick enough to pull a gun from his inner blazer pocket, shooting each one in the head as they ran. 3 loud shots with 3 exploding brains. Perfect aim.

The boy next to me fell to the floor. The handle of the knife snuck deep into his ear with a squelch as he landed right on it. My eyes went from him up to Johnathan who stood in front of me breathily heavily with anger. His blue eyes radiating fury through the little holes. I walked closer and lifted my hands to the rough mask.

Both of our heads turned to a woman at the end of the hall screaming in terror as she saw the 4 dead boys scattered in the hall. I grinned at her with a friendly expression as I took the gun from Johnathan's blazer and shot her in the head. I've never shot anyone before, it was interesting.

I looked back up to Johnathan seeing his eyes had lightened a bit. I put the gun back into his pocket and brought my hands back up to his covered face. "I love when you wear your mask it's so cute" I admired him while touching the scratchy fabric.

"Cute?" He questioned.

"Yeah" I smiled. "You should wear it more often... maybe during a more personal manner." I winked.

I heard him chuckle under his mask as he took my hand. The scarecrow held my hand as we walked down the hall together. Bloody footprints trailed throughout the hall, following us. The carpet below us was soaked in mushy brains and stuck to the button of our shoes. But I didn't care about that. I just cared about my beautiful husband who treated me like a princess while he held my hand, leading me through the beautiful mess.

[anothersoulless]

Seven Minutes in Hell {Breakup! Eustass Kid X Reader}

You have been treated badly one too many times. It's time to leave your Boyfriend behind

Shit hasn't been well, this song slaps and let's get this shit show started!

Ofc kinda angsty(not really though?, but on god Reader deserves freedom (Dw, my pookie will get another actual One shot soon lmao, hopefully as tasteful as the song but lbfr i'll probabky flump it again)

Anywho, let's get it started

Admittedly, your relationship with Kid was everything but healthy. He was loud and didn't really care about if you had to stand up in the morning, police called to your place more than once for loud screaming and arguments. There were his guy friends, his crew, that were obviously higher on his priority list than you — far higher. The amount of times he nearly went to jail for them, you'd thought Kid would have learned his lesson, but alas he never did. And you? Well, you seemed to only be there for one thing — stress relief. If that meant fucking you and screaming at you, something even throwing random stuff at you he found in the house, well, that was for him to decide on the whim.

If at least the sex was good, but even that was all about him. It was like the world revolved around him and only him and everyone had to do what he wanted. Well, too bad for him, you had enough. Years of misery finally snapping to a close, you decided he wasn't worth your time anymore. You were done with being treated like an old-timey housewife of the Middle Ages. You had packed your things while he was out with his friends again, ready to leave. There was no way in hell however you would want to miss his face when you confronted him, oh how you imagined he'd look. Would he be upset, would he scream at you again, only proving your point?

You put your last bag in your best friend's trunk, she had been kind enough to lend you a hand in her endeavor. If it went how she wanted to, you probably wouldn't even have started this relationship, but now she just sat ready to drive, the box of glitter she brought still sitting on the back seat as she gave you a last encouraging nod to take it. You didn't and went back inside, letting her know it could get late — she waited, of course. And you went back inside.

Kid was expecting food on the stove when he came back home, he didn't even notice your shoes missing on the shoe rack out front when he unlocked the apartment, but he did notice one thing — all that decor he had absolutely despised missing. He even smiled triumphantly before he realised the missing smell of fresh food. Kicking off his boots haphazardly, he stopped into the kitchen and saw you on your phone, sitting on a chair at the table. "Yo, what's with food?" "I won't make you food anymore."

There was a silence, a calm before the storm. You put your phone in your back pocket before he could fly off the handle, just in time. "What the fuck?! You're not even gonna make me food now, what are you even worth?!" You let him have his little temper tantrum, before you sighed. "We're done, Kid. I'm worth far more than you, and by all means... I really hope you never get another partner in your life, my god" He seethed, his face contorting in anger, but he didn't say anything, couldn't say anything, words missing on his tongue and voice dying in his throat. "Oh, and uh, I'm moving out. Like today." You shrugged.

All the tension in him seemed to snap at once, as he lunged forwards, grabbing you by your throat and pushing you against the wall. His metal fingers pressing down hard, actually restricting your airway. "You fucking bitch have the audacity to come in here, live here for years, be absolutely useless to me, then up and leave? No, no, you don't get to do that!" "Well, I was good enough to make you food. And to get you off, apparently. Also, you hurt me in any way, I won't hesitate to call the police, I only need to press one button right now." He huffed, he really seemed like a bull trapped in a ring with gladiators, just that this was no real fight. "Don't fucking pretend like you didn't like this shit, wasn't that part of the reason you even came here in the first place?"

"It was, at the start" You smiled. "You just kind of… Put me through hell, not gonna lie. Like, you've gotten so bad in bed, it's actively hell. Like I'm just there, and honestly, no. Not even a thank you, no — just no." His hands clenched into fists, and for a second you thought you had crossed the line, as he raised his hand, before he turned, smashing the table with his prosthetic. "Get out you fucking whore! Get out, or I swear I'll rip your fucking throat out!" You didn't need to get asked twice, running to your friends' car, who looked at you worriedly, but you smiled as you hoped into the passenger seat. "Drive, Drive!" And without a word, she started the car as you began laughing. Finally, you were free again.

[femwrldsstuff]

A greaser as a secret "friend"

Johnny was walking home after being out. He was kicking a rock while he was walking and his hands were in his pocket. It was a cold autumn night..around 8pm or so. Johnny heard a noise behind him and he stopped walking, quickly turning around and gripping the switchblade in his pocket, but he relaxed when he noticed the noise was just from YN, dropping their book. He quickly went over and picked it up for her.

YN looked at him,smiling kindly as always.

Oh that damn smile. Johnny thought....

YN was a soc,a girl he met at the cinema a few months ago.

Since then they hung around almost every week,of course in secret.

If someone knew a Greaser was seeing a soc,they would freak out....his gang would be quite disappointed in him and so would YN's rich friends (and mostly her family) be.

Johnny smiled back, seeming happy to see her. He handed YN her book and then quickly looked around, seeming to try to hide something. But no one was out there, he was just being careful. “Hey.” He muttered.

YN sighed awkwardly,i really liked him. "Hey,are you ashamed of me?"

"Is that why you never even look at me when you are with your "gang"?" She muttered.

YN was a soc,greasers did not trust her,that's why she thought he was 'ignoring' her,because maybe he didnt want his gang to know he had some kind of friendship with a rich kid.

“No, no I'm not.” Johnny rushed to comfort YN, a bit guilty that she thought he wasn't liking her. She was someone important to him and he couldn't let her believe he didn't like her. "I'm sorry I don't talk to you when others are around. That's just how it is, they can't know about us. If they knew they would hate me."

"Yeah but,I made really big steps....my friends saw me with you!"

"They judged me for being "friends" with a greaser but still,I stayed." YN sighed. "I think you should maybe try,maybe I could introduce myself?"

“I don't know if they could handle it, they have their beliefs and I just…” Johnny realized he was getting a bit flustered. He loved YN, this was so new to him, he never had something this serious. But he knew he wanted to make it work. “Let me just....ugh i dont know!” He was confused and annoyed,why should he even be scared to tell his friends?

Shouldn't they just be happy for him?!

She sighed. "Alright,fine....I'll do it myself!" YN said and without hesitating,she turned around and walked away.

Leaving Johnny speechless.

The next day YN was walking by the cinema,where all the greasers where that day.

YN was walking with her soc friends,wearing fancy clothes and quite expensive.

When they walked past them she smiled at Johnny,turning back to look at him one last time as she walked away.

YN did it on purpose,she wanted that the other greasers saw that, and they clearly did as they all looked at Johnny.

Every greaser looked at Johnny, "You know her?" Dallas asked,quite irritated.

Johnny looked up at him "No...." he lied,clearly really bad.

Every greaser faked an understanding look but they did not believe him,not for a second.

The same night YN and her friends entered the same diner the greasers where in,she quickly saw them but only really focused on Johnny.

Johnny could see YN and her friends as they walked into the diner and he could feel his friends tense up at the sight of them. For a moment he felt like maybe he was doing the wrong thing, but as he looked over at YN and she smiled at him and gave him a small wave, he felt his doubts vanish. That smile always melted away any negativity he felt.

But still,his friends looked like they were about to kill or something.

YN walked up to them and smiled,they all glared at her but still they had to be careful "Im sorry to disturb but I need to borrow Johnny for a few minutes." She joked and giggled,taking Johnny's hand and making him follow her to the bathroom.

Johnny went with her willingly, knowing that they needed to have a private discussion. All his friends were staring at him, giving him looks like he was going to be in HUGE trouble. As soon as they were in the bathroom, he looked at her, waiting for her to explain what she needed to talk about.

As soon as they were alone,YN kissed him.

Johnny was shocked at first but kissed her back.

The taste of cigarettes was strong as YN kissed him but she didn't mind,she thought it was kinda hot.

She loved how Johnny smelled like cigarettes and cologne.

Soon,she pulled away "Omg they looked like thay were about to kill you...." YN chuckled.

........

After that evening,Johnny had the courage to tell the greasers about his secret "friend" that was actually his girlfriend.

They surely weren't happy at first but when they finally talked to her propely....they kinda started liking her.

YN was sure allowed now to hangout with Johnny without someone getting mad. (Or atleast on Johnny's side,YN's family still didnt know anything.)

........

Months passed now and the greasers were now totally comfortable around her,trusting her.

Dallas would always tease Johnny about how clingy he was acting towards YN but Johnny would just ignore him.

After all,all that counted was that he was happy.

Hope y'all liked my first fanfic♡

Ps.love ya!

[palettepainter]

Food for thought 35

Riley is definitely the type of kid who, growing up, would do an impressive amount of chores for pocket money and then spend all of it in one go on a bunch of sugary stuff.

I want to make this into a short story but one time, when Riley went out and brought bags full of sweets after school, she made herself a sugary sundae concoction of all the stuff she'd brought and some thinks already at home (included but not limited to: ice cream, custard, sprinkles, chocolate mousse, fruit loops cereal and whip cream). Hoshi and his sister were round at the time and he stared in abject horror at her ''creation'', I don't have a scene in mind but here's how I imagined the scenario goes:

Riley: Hm, I see you're so impressed you are speechless~

Hoshi:...Speechless yes, but impressed is not the word I'd use

Riley: (pouts) Rude. I was planning to share this with you but I don't think I will now. I think I'll just have it all to myself

Hoshi: You can NOT eat that Riley! Not all at once!

Riley: (smirks) Sounds like a dare

Hoshi: (worried) I PROMISE I am NOT daring you to eat this! You're absolutely going to make yourself sick!

Riley: (fishing for a spoon from the drawer) The words of a coward my dear beloved cousin~ As my dad always says: (mocks her best Powerloader impression) A creator must take great risks for the betterment of science

Hoshi: Uncle Higari has NEVER said that!

Riley: Well he WILL start saying it after today (offers Hoshi several comforting pats to his shoulder) Don't you worry your little ninety degree composed head about a thing Hoshi, your cousin Riley knows what she's doing!~

Hoshi: (frowning) I'm two months older then you...(shrugs) But fine, it's your stomach that'll suffer

Riley: Relaaax~ I made sure to balance out the levels of sugar with equal amounts of healthy stuff. I cut up some banana and threw that in, problem solved!

Hoshi: But...fruits have natural sug-...(sighs) Nevermind

No less then thirty minutes later when Hoshi and his little sister are watching TV does Hoshi hear Riley groaning from her bedroom, so with a roll of his eyes he goes to investigate and finds Riley curled up on the floor clutching her stomach. Her miss-matched pudding creation isn't even half finished and sits abandoned on her desk. At the time of this all happening Cementoss, Higari and Powerloader are attending an afterschool UA meeting, so Hoshi leaves to go and call them for help (I also like to think that while Hoshi does that his little sister helps herself to Riley's leftover pudding creation, totally ignoring Riley in the process), and then the following phone call goes something like this

Ecto: (hums when he feels his phone vibrating, temporarily stepping outside the meeting to take the call) Hello?

Hoshi: Hi Uncle

Ecto: Oh, Hoshi. I didn't expect you to call (casts a look back to the meeting door) I'm in a meeting at the moment, is everything alright??

Hoshi: Uhm...not really

Ecto: (blinks)...You're going to need to be a bit more specific. What's not okay?

Hoshi: (nervously) Sooo just curious, but would eating an elaborate combination of uh...maybe several types of sweet things combined into one in one sitting count as a bit excessive?

Ecto:....(squints) Excessively excessive

Hoshi: (turns to look to Riley) In that case I think you or Uncle Higari need to come home..

Riley: (still clutching her stomach) UUUUGGGGGGHHHHH-

Ectoplasm left the meeting early and came home to one concerned teenager, one teenager curled on the floor groaning, and a toddler grabbing fistfuls of melted ice cream from a bowl. After Hoshi and his sister went back home Ectoplasm probably gave Riley a talking to, but he ends up not being able to stay mad

Riley: (now standing, but still clutching her stomach) Erugh... Everything hurts

Ecto: (arms crossed) You're old enough to know the consequences of your actions, Hoshi tried to warn you. Now you're going to have to deal with an upset stomach until you're better

Riley: Does this mean you won't rub my head till I feel better?..

Ecto: (scowling)....

Higari came home shortly after to find Ectoplasm on the sofa with a book, Riley under a blanket besides him with her head resting on his leg as he rubbed her forehead (this entire situation would repeat itself no less then a month later when Riley made her next sugary concoction-)

[lilyevanstan1325]

❤️ Built For This World ❤️

Chapter 3

I look around trying not to lose my mind.

Behind me I can hear the quiet patter of a horse, its low whinnies are the only thing keeping me company.

They won't kill me.

Right?

Oh shit.

Ok ok, I have to stay calm, I can't lose my mind right now.

Breathe Summer, breathe.

Despite the darkness, interrupted by only a few rays of moonlight passing through the old wooden planks of the ceiling, if I concentrated I could try to understand how the hell to escape from this place.

Would it be such a bad idea after all?

I almost miss the woods full of biters.

I sigh shaking my head.

Bullshit.

I'm just panicking and this isn't going to help.

I'm safe now.

I'll be fine here and Daryl won't let anything happen to me.

Daryl.

Another big sigh leaves my lips.

I'll be honest, when he puts a gun to my head I felt betrayed.

It was an unexpected gesture but after the initial shock I think I can understand his motivations.

He doesn't know who I am and the people he cares about live here.

From what I understand and from what little I was able to see there are women here and perhaps even children.

It is more than normal to want to protect them from the new intruder, even if the new intruder is a girl on the edge of death.

A pang runs through my shoulders.

Damn Shane.

That's the name of the man with the crazy look who tied me up as if I were a serial killer.

Without even realizing it, I relive in my mind the meeting with these people on the top of the hill.

As soon as the three men reached us, the one with the shaved head was the first to start yelling at Daryl.

"Are you crazy?What the hell is going through your head?And who the hell is this kid?” he shouted, looking down at me and waving the gun in my direction.

I found myself staring into two black pools full of hate and…madness?

For the first time since I set foot out of that damned woods full of biters, I was truly scared.

I felt a drop of cold sweat run down my spine and with eyes wide open and full of panic I did the only thing I thought was safe at that moment.

I turned my head in the direction of the archer, looking for help, finding his blue eyes already fixed on me.

I know it was an irrational thought.

Asking for help from the man who points a gun at your head is certainly not a smart move but at that moment my every action was the result of my instinct.

I remember moving a little more towards him, sliding my knees on the hard ground scratching my knees, bringing me closer to the archer's legs.

The tip of my left shoulder grazed his knee.

Without hesitation Daryl moved from my side and positioned himself in front of me, interposing himself between me and that dickhead who, waiting for an answer, was looking at me as if he was ready to rip my heart out of my chest.

With bare hands.

Everything about him screamed danger.

There is definitely something wrong with him.

At that moment, however, I couldn't do anything other than look at Daryl.

From my perspective I could only see his boots but better than the eyes of that raging madman.

Now he was my only chance of salvation.

Daryl for his part seemed calm.

Relaxed.

Even too much.

Looking up I saw him take a pack of cigarettes out of the pocket of his jeans and very calmly, as if at that moment we didn't have the end of the world on our heels ready to bite us in the ass, he took a cigarette, lit it and took a long, deep drag.

Spirals of white smoke dispersed freely into the sky.

For a moment he turned his head, glancing over his shoulder, right at my figure kneeling on the ground.

“I found her in the woods.I couldn't leave her"

A clear sentence.

Short and concise.

But also a big lie.

He could have left me to die, he didn't have to take me with him and jeopardize the safety of their safe place.

Another spiral of smoke rose above his head.

From my position I could hear the crackle of tobacco consumed by the flame.

Daryl's attention was totally focused on the man in uniform.

Another useful detail for me.

He's the leader here, I thought.

I remember observing his figure, half hidden by the man in front of me, for endless minutes.

I could hear the gears turning at lightning speed in his head as he pondered what to do with me.

After another deep exchange of glances between Daryl and the cop, the latter moved to the side, kneeling in front of me and bringing his eyes up to mine, studying me for a few more seconds, as if I were a fucking animal in the zoo.

I had some difficulty keeping myself from snorting and rolling my eyes.

All that was left was for him to throw peanuts at me.

The cop ran his hand over his face, rubbing his tired and exhausted features and then finally I heard his voice for the first time.

“I'm Rick Grimes.Who are you?"

“I'm Summer Davis” I stammered uncertainly, using my mother's last name as information.

I had already abandoned my father's surname a long time ago, no longer using it helped me overcome his betrayal.

I saw him nod just once as if he was satisfied with my answer.

"You are alone?Do you have people looking for you?”

Now to anyone this might seem like a simple question.

But not for me.

Not for me.

Was I alone?Yes.

Was someone looking for me? Probably.

Would I have told him?Hell no.

Looking at the men in front of me I knew immediately that I didn't care what they did with me in the end.

The only thing that mattered was that I would never allow their path to intertwine with that of him and his men.

After all, they seemed really good people.

Except for crazy eyes, he's definitely a disturbed son of a bitch.

So I did the thing that came most naturally to me.

Lie.

After all, I had been lying to him for months now.

I also became quite good at it.

I cleared my thirsty throat and I straightened my back.

The first rule for lying is to show confidence when speaking and look your interlocutor straight in the eyes.

“Yes, I'm alone, I don't have a group or a family.I was just trying to get to Atlanta”

Rick's blue eyes suddenly clouded with sadness.

I remember looking at him with curiosity.

Why that reaction?

“Atlanta is overrun.Nothing exists in that city anymore” Rick replied softly, responding to my questioning look.

“Oh…” was all I could mutter.

The memory flies from my mind.

Atlanta is overrun.

I cannot believe it.

I left Washington and arrived here with the illusion of being able to find something but instead?

In the end I almost lost my life to find myself tied to a pole in a stable.

I move my aching shoulders again and a hiss slips between my parted lips.

Why did Shane have to tighten the rope so much?

Where the hell did he think I would go?

After Rick's little interrogation I was left alone, but kept in sight by all four men, while they conversed among themselves.

About what?

Well I found out soon after.

Rick and Shane left without even looking back, the two were too busy arguing heatedly with each other.

And I'm sure that the topic of their heated discussion was me.

Great.

Antagonizing someone like Shane is never a good thing.

Glenn and Daryl instead escorted me into this stable, leaving me here and telling me to wait.

After a few moments Shane arrived with his damn rope.

Prick.

The stable door creaks open, taking me by surprise and tearing me away from my mental ruminations.

In front of it was a man watching me.

I try to understand who it is but then the timid sound of his voice takes away any doubts.

“Hey”

“Hi Gleen” I smile.

“I'm still here” I add with an ironic laugh.

Where the hell could I have gone anyway?

Slowly he approaches me.

His footsteps echo lightly around us.

I watch him carefully while in the dim light he sits on an old chair in front of me.

In his hand he holds a glass of water which he places near his feet.

“I'm sorry about that” he murmurs ashamedly in a low voice as if it were his fault, while with a wave of his hand he points to the rope that keeps my hands tied behind my back.

I shrug, feigning indifference, trying to hide the grimace of pain caused by my aching shoulders.

“Shane is an idiot.I tried to tell him it wasn't necessary but…you saw him…he can be a real hothead” he admits defeated, taking the baseball cap off his head and fiddling with it.

I smile at his sweetness.

Glenn is a really good guy.

“Don't mind” I try to reassure him.

His gaze wanders for a few seconds and then stops on me.

“I brought you some water and these” he says, taking what appear to be crackers from his pocket.

Food and water.

I think I could cry with gratitude.

I try to settle myself more comfortably even though the hard wooden floor beneath me is leaving indelible marks in my battered flesh.

I straighten my back grunting and cross my legs waiting to receive my dinner.

Glenn gets up from his chair with a little huff and after lighting a small oil lamp hanging right above my head he sits on the floor right in front of me, also with his legs crossed.

I blink several times trying to get my weak eyes used to the dim yellowish light.

The smell of the oil burning in the lamp fills my nostrils.

Glenn grabs the glass and brings it to my lips.

I drink enthusiastically without ever taking my eyes off the boy in front of me.

He seems really happy to be helping another human being.

After drinking half a glass I move my lips away, better to go slowly and avoid throwing up on the poor Glenn.

“Thank you” I whisper while the boy fiddles with the plastic of the cracker packet and after a few moments he brings one to my mouth.

I gladly accept and starting to chew slowly in ecstasy.

It's just a stupid cracker but...damn, it tastes like heaven.

"Are you crying?" he asks me hesitantly.

At first I don't understand what it means but then I realize that some big tears are slipping from my chin, wetting the once light fabric of my worn jeans.

“Sorry” I reply, accompanying my words and tears with a big hysterical laugh.

My reaction seems to scare the young man even more as he looks at me with his big dark eyes.

I shake my head and continue to smile, I smile so much that my cheeks hurt.

"Sorry.I assure you I haven't gone crazy but I haven't eaten in days.Can I have more?” I ask impatiently, looking at his hand which is still holding half a cracker.

Glenn seems to recover and giving me a wonderful smile he hands me the food.

Wrapped in a pleasant silence I eat my meal.

A meal that didn't last long but gave my hungry stomach some respite.

“You should be out there eating a hot meal with everyone else” Glenn murmurs dejectedly, looking at me sorrowfully.

“Nah” I reply with a smile after drinking the last drop of water.

“I'm not one of you”

My words seem to hit him and I see a flash of anger cross his naturally kind eyes.

“You are a human being.You are someone who seems to have been through a lot.You don't deserve this” his words are accompanied by his hands waving and pointing to the place around us.

I look around again, focusing my gaze on the open door of the stable.

From it I can glimpse the sky.

There isn't even a cloud and a blanket of shining stars covers it entirely.

I will never get used to the beauty of the starry sky.

Living my entire life in a city, the only opportunity I had to observe the stars was in the summer, when my parents and I went to spend the holidays at the seaside at my grandparents' house.

I remember that every night I spent whole hours lying on a blanket looking at the stars, drinking in their splendor.

I look back at Glenn and, gathering all the courage I have, I ask him the question that scares me the most.

“Glenn?”

The boy lifts his gaze from his hands to rest it on my face.

Gripped by anxiety I shift my gaze towards my boots unable to look at him.

Afraid of the response I might read on his face.

He certainly understood that there is something that disturbs me but he doesn't push me.

He waits patiently letting me take my time.

“Do you think…do you think they will kill me?”

"What?" he responds agitatedly choking on his own saliva.

“No, oh my God!No!Don't even think that”

“And why shouldn't I think that?” I quickly reply angrily.

“They tied me here, alone, in the dark”

I shudder.

The anger seems to evaporate instantly leaving only a lot of fear in me.

"I...I don't want to hurt you.Please, please Glenn convince them to let me go.I'll disappear.You will never see me again.I swear I won't tell anybody about you or this place.I just want to have a chance.I want to live”

I feel my chest tighten and my breathing becomes short.

I'm hyperventilating.

I feel the panic crawling in my stomach as it slowly rises, wrapping itself in my heart and clouding my mind.

I feel the walls closing around me, suffocating me.

Hot tears flow from my eyes.

“Please Glenn” I repeat letting my head fall forward.

Big sobs shake my chest.

I feel out of control.

So far I had managed to stay calm but interacting with this sweet good soul in front of me shattered my facade.

“Hey, hey Summer.Look at me!"

I feel his hands on my shoulders.

His strong and firm grip forces me to look up.

There is a strong determination in his eyes.

“No one will hurt you.Nobody.Rick would never allow it.I won't allow it” he smiles sweetly at me.

I feel my entire body shaking under his grip.

“You know, no one wants a bolt in his ass” he chuckles immediately afterwards.

The veiled allusion to the archer makes me blush for no reason.

The thought of Daryl being out there fighting to keep me alive makes my heart beat with an emotion other than fear.

Why would he do that?

Why expose himself so much for me?

I am nobody to these people.

And yet…and yet Daryl saved me in the woods first.

Glenn is here, kneeling in front of me, promising to help me.

Suddenly a loud commotion catches our attention causing our heads to snap towards the large stable door.

Outside I can clearly distinguish footsteps and frantic voices.

My body trembles without restraint now.

Even though the warm air of this summer night envelops us I feel a cold that grips my bones in a cruel grip.

Glenn's grip on my shoulders tightens, he looks worried too.

"It's madness.Madness!” a woman's voice shouts.

The footsteps are getting closer and closer.

"Wait!" another voice shouts.

This time I recognize who it belongs to.

Rick.

After a few moments some dark figures stand out against the entrance.

Here we are.

They came here for me.

Without thinking twice I curl into a ball pressing my body against Glenn's, burying my head in his chest.

His skin smells like laundry soap.

I can hear his heart beating furiously.

At first, perhaps due to the surprise at my gesture, his hands detach from my shoulders as if he had been burned but after a few moments, without any further hesitation, his arms tighten around my shoulders, engulfing me in his embrace, trying to give me the protection I seek.

I feel the muscles in my shoulders pulling and burning from the unnatural position I'm in but I don't care.

“What the hell is going on?”

It's the same woman speaking before but I'm afraid.

I can't move.

I don't have the strength to look, I don't want to see.

The agitated voices stop, in the air only the sound of my sobs suffocated by the cotton of Glenn's t-shirt.

“Summer?”

Daryl's voice makes me jump like someone just slapped me across the face.

His tone seems worried.

I don't have the courage to look at him.

I couldn't bear to see his eyes.

I couldn't bear to read his placid resignation for what is about to happen.

After endless moments of silence, some light footsteps approach me and a delicate hand like the wings of a butterfly rests on my head, making me tremble.

“It's okay honey.It's over”

That woman again.

I feel her hand move down my back, towards my tied hands.

I feel her fumbling with the rope, I feel a cold blade graze the tortured flesh of my wrists.

Another shiver shakes me violently.

“Don't worry” Glenn whispers without loosening the grip of his arms wrapped around my figure.

I trust him so I try to stay as still as possible.

“Carol”

“Shut up Shane!She's just a kid.You should be ashamed” the woman hisses in disgust.

Now the voice also has a name.

After a few moments my arms are free.

With aching muscles I move my arms forward and with my hands I cling even harder to Glenn, squeezing his shirt between my fingers and crying even harder.

I don't care that strangers are watching me, that they are judging me.

I do not care.

I'm tired and scared.

Carol's hands continue to caress my back as she softly whispers reassuring words in my ear.

Slowly, Glenn on my left and Carol on my right, support me, helping me to my feet.

I tighten my grip on the boy's t-shirt, burying my head further into his chest as he slides an arm around my waist.

Carol instead wraps her arm around my shoulders and the three of us walk towards the door.

Towards the public who witnessed and is witnessing my pathetic mental breakdown.

The few steps that separate me from the exit seem to expand, becoming miles in my head.

I feel like I'm walking my own personal green mile.

My walk of shame.

I feel tired, empty...as if panic has drained every crumb of who I am.

A few steps from the door Carol slows down until we are forced to stop.

“You should be ashamed.Everyone” she repeats.

“Especially you” she adds after a few seconds.

I risk a glance in the direction of her gaze.

And my eyes meet the archer's contrite ones.

I feel an uncontrollable blush color my cheeks, totally embarrassed I look down again.

Glenn tightens his grip on my body.

“Come on dear” Carol whispers in my ear again.

Now there is no longer any trace of anger in her voice but only an infinite sweetness.

We start walking again and as we finally get out into the open air I feel my heart getting lighter.

The grip that oppressed me until a few minutes ago seems to lighten with each step that takes me further and further away from that place.

"Where do we go?" I croak, sniffing at her and finally lifting my head from my refuge.

I straighten my back, popping several vertebrae.

I can finally give a face to that sweet voice.

Carol has short silvered hair and eyes as blue as the sea, full of sweetness and pain.

She reminds me a bit of my mother.

She smiles at me in a reassuring way, pointing with her hand to a point in front of us.

“Let's go somewhere safe and quiet, okay?Nothing will happen to you, I promise”

With my gaze I follow the direction of her hand and a few meters from us I see an RV.

I look at Glenn and he nods his head reassuringly, inviting me to continue.

Once we reach our destination, Glenn opens the door of the RV and Carol helps me up the steps.

“Now I'll help you get cleaned up.Glenn can you go get a real meal for our new guest?” Carol murmurs softly.

Glenn nods vigorously but before he can leave I quickly go down the steps I just climbed and standing on tiptoe I throw my arms around his neck.

Just like a little while ago in the stable, at first Glenn remains still and surprised by my gesture but then his arms tighten around my waist.

“Thanks Glenn.Thank you so much” I whisper with my cheek pressed against his.

“You have nothing to thank me for Summer”

I quickly break the hug and when we are eye to eye I meet his sweet smile.

Then he turns and digging his hands into the pockets of his jeans he walks away.

I watch him for another couple of seconds until my attention is drawn to a figure in the distance watching me intently.

Motionless in the dark of the night.

Daryl.

“Let's go” Carol whispers, drawing my attention and inviting me to enter the RV again.

Once back, Carol accompanies me to where there is a bed, then indicating it with a wave of her hand and another reassuring smile.

I sit down without saying a word as the woman walks away.

The bed under me is so soft that my brain does nothing but scream at me to lie down, to rest my tired and exhausted limbs but I can't.

I have to stay alert as long as possible.

I have to understand what's happening.

I have to understand what will happen to me.

I don't feel ready to let my guard down yet even if something tells me I can trust these people.

Or at least I can trust Carol.

And Glenn.

And then there would also be Daryl.

I think back to his eyes, in that stable.

I can't decipher his look.

The regret in his eyes, the way he whispered my name when he saw me trembling in Glenn's arms.

What does it mean?

My thoughts are interrupted by Carol's return, in her hands she has a basin full of water.

She sits next to me keeping a certain distance, I'm sure she does it to show me that she doesn't want to invade my space.

With slow and measured gestures she grabs a small towel and dips it in the water after which she begins to clean my face, my neck, my arms, being careful not to rub too much on the irritated skin of my wrists.

“I would like to apologize on behalf of everyone” she mutters after a while.

I look at her confused and remain silent.

She continues to clean me gently.

“You know, we've been through a lot lately, we've lost so many loved ones.We are all very stressed and suspicious”

Her voice cracks.

I am sure that among those people there is also someone very important to her.

And in fact her wet eyes immediately dispel all my doubts.

Carol clears her throat, I can tell from the tone of her voice that she is struggling to hold back tears.

“A few days ago, we encountered a horde of walkers”

Walkers?

Is that what these people call those fucking monsters human flesh eating?

“We hid but something went wrong…my daughter Sophia got scared, she ran away and we lost her.We've been looking for her ever since.This is why Daryl was in the woods when he found you”

The last words full of gratitude for the archer come out in a whisper.

“I'm sorry Carol.Really.I'm sure you'll find her again”

I try to smile reassuringly, placing my hand on hers.

I know my words mean nothing but how can I deny a little comfort to a broken hearted mother?

She smiles back at me, getting out of bed.

“I'll go get you some water” she whispers.

I'm sure she needs a minute alone to regain some composure, talking about her missing little girl must not have been easy for her.

I think about Daryl again and why he was in the woods.

Imagining him looking for that poor little girl confirms what I already thought.

Behind that tough mask there is a big and pure heart, the same heart that I saw in his eyes when he offered me that sip of water.

Before Carol can return there is a knock on the door of the RV.

Will definitely be Glenn with my meal.

I smile at the thought of seeing his friendly face again.

Carol opens the door, mutters something.

I see her nod her head at me.

After a few moments, a man I have never seen before enters.

He has a cloud of white hair and a kind look, he wears a pair of elegantly gray trousers and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows.

I immediately notice a stethoscope around his neck.

He approaches cautiously, smiling at me reassuringly.

A noise behind him distracts me and I just need to look up to understand what it is or rather who it is.

Behind the kind man is Daryl, his gaze wanders everywhere except on me, next to him Carol smiles at me.

“Nice to meet you, I am Hersel, the owner of this farm”

Hersel speaks confidently catching my attention as he extends his hand towards me.

“You must be Summer”

I nod accepting his handshake, his skin is soft and warm.

Daryl clears his throat.

“I thought about calling Hersel 'cause he's a doc.I thought ya needed one” he mutters under his breath, scratching the back of his neck.

Carol looks at him curiously, raising an eyebrow.

My gaze returns to Daryl's eyes.

My heart does a somersault.

He seems almost embarrassed.

My confused look softens.

His gesture is so kind.

“Technically I'm a vet but I guess we should be satisfied with this nowadays” the man in front of me chuckles.

“I'd like to make sure you're okay, I know they found you unconscious” he smiles at me and when he does so his eyes smile too.

“Thanks but I'm fine now” I try to reassure him but the tremor in my hands and especially in my voice don't seem to convince him.

Behind him, Daryl shifts his weight from one foot to the other, biting the side of his thumb.

Our eyes meet again but this time I can't look away.

His eyes are like deep blue pools that draw me in like a magnet.

Thank goodness he's the first to look away, allowing me to turn my attention back to the sweet doctor in front of me.

Hersel smiles again.

“I would feel more comfortable if I could visit you, I would just like to check your blood pressure and your pulse.Then I promise I'll leave” he chuckles.

“Ok” I whisper in response, sketching a shy smile.

I don't feel like telling him no.

After all, he is welcoming me into his house and it costs me nothing to indulge him.

With another big smile he invites me to lift my shirt.

I'm about to do so but suddenly I remember the archer's presence and I stop embarrassed.

I don't even have time to look up before I see him turn his back on me.

Nice of him to turn around so as not to embarrass me.

After making sure that everything was ok, Hersel recommended me to eat and rest and that he would check me again in the morning.

“Thanks Hersel, thanks for everything”

“You're welcome, Summer” he replies, walking away and leaving me, Carol and Daryl in an awkward silence.

What happens?

Why is it suddenly hot here?

Why does Daryl look at the floor of the RV with such interest while Carol giggles?

I reflexively look down and focus on my hands clasped in my lap.

The silence continues, charging me with a strange anxiety.

I should speak, say something.

I lick my dry, chapped lips but when I open my mouth nothing comes out.

Just a strangled sound.

A sob shakes me and then another one.

Great.

I can't seem able to keep my damn emotions to myself tonight.

“I'm sorry” I murmur between sobs, burying my face in my hands so as to avoid the pitying looks that Carol and Daryl are surely giving me.

I hear some footsteps, then someone sit next to me.

The mattress sinks under the weight of the latter.

“Ya safe now”

His voice immediately stops my tears.

I honestly didn't believe that he would actually come close to console me.

God, he'll think I'm pathetic.

Crying in Glenn or Carol's presence had definitely been easier and less embarrassing.

We both remain silent.

I can't even think of what I could say to him.

After a few minutes Daryl gets up and walks away.

His gesture makes me snap up.

Is he leaving?

But after a few moments I see him return with a steaming plate in his hands.

“Eat”

His is almost an order.

Without hesitation I obey by grabbing the plate he is handing me and he sits down next to me again, this time a little closer.

I grab what looks like a piece of meat between my fingers, hold it to my nose to smell it before taking a bite.

As soon as the meat comes into contact with my taste buds, an embarrassing moan escapes my control.

It's absolutely delicious.

I don't know if it's because I was literally starving but this meat is the best thing I've ever eaten.

Forgetting about the man next to me, and about my good manners, I begin to eat with more ardor, bringing larger and larger pieces of meat to my mouth.

Daryl doesn't say a word the entire time but I can clearly feel his eyes probing my face continuously.

“Mmmh” I murmur at the end of my hearty meal after licking my fingers.

I feel calmer now, more relaxed.

This meal gave me time to reflect and calm down.

So with a big smile on my face I turn to Daryl.

For a moment I remain silent.

I was smiling and he was serious, his lips were a hard, serious line.

"Thank you.It was truly delightful” I thank him trying to convey all my gratitude into my words.

In response I get a grunt and a shrug.

I look back at my now empty plate and find myself once again surrounded by silence.

The smile on my lips is now the shadow of a memory.

Daryl jumps up making me jump.

What?

What happen?

I watch him as he nervously runs along the entire length of the RV a couple of times.

What have I done?

He seems to be upset because of me.

Did I say something I shouldn't?

I get up from the bed taking a couple of steps in his direction but suddenly the archer stops his walk and turns towards me.

I think he didn't expect to find me so close because he takes a sudden step back, hitting his hip on the corner of the small table to his right.

Another grunt, accompanied by a puff of air coming out of his nostrils.

“Daryl…”

“’M sorry” he suddenly grunts, making the words die in my throat.

I frown in confusion at his apology.

Why is he apologizing?

His eyes look in any direction except mine.

“Daryl?” I call him and his eyes focus on his boots.

I wait patiently for him to decide to look at me but when this doesn't happen I take another step in his direction and when I notice that he doesn't step back I take another step.

Now only a few inches separate us.

From here I can smell his skin.

Daryl smells like the woods, he smells like the woods where we met.

It is a strong, pungent but pleasant smell.

He smells like wood, musk and smoke.

An intoxicating smell that enters my head.

Very carefully I lift my arm and then place my hand on his bicep, squeezing it delicately.

As soon as my hand comes into contact with his warm skin a discharge seems to pass through my skin, my muscles, my bones.

Straight into my soul.

It's like I've been hit with a teaser.

Pure electricity.

His eyes dart first onto his arm where my hand is and then into my eyes.

And the emotion I read in it destabilizes me.

Panic.

This big, thick, muscular man with a menacing look is totally panicking just because I'm touching him.

His eyes are wide open.

I don't want to make him uncomfortable so I remove my hand from his body and take a step back.

“Why are you apologizing?” I ask in a small voice still shocked by the sensation I just felt.

Sensation that I can't explain and to which I don't even want to give a name.

His eyes are still fixed on me, a few locks shadowing them.

I have to use all my willpower not to bring my fingers to his face and move those locks away.

I dig my nails into my palms, the pain caused helps me concentrate.

When I think he won't answer me anymore I take another step back and turn my back on him and go back to sitting on the bed.

I rest my back against the wall of the RV, stretching my legs out in front of me, trying to relax my sore muscles.

The silence around me makes me understand that he left me alone.

Fantastic.

I close my eyes trying to understand what happened.

“I shouldn't have let Rick and Shane treat ya like that”

Jesus.

I jump, putting a hand to my chest to try to contain the pounding of my heart.

“Damn” I mutter through gritted teeth, my eyes wide with panic.

Daryl lifts one corner of his lips in what looks like the ghost of a smile although in the dim light of the RV it could also look like a grimace.

“'M sorry.I didn't mean to scare ya" Daryl apologizes, biting his lower lip slightly.

I shake my head as if telling him not to worry.

I cross my arms over my chest, softening my gaze at the image of a man so strong, with a dominant aura, so absolutely incapable of managing his own feelings.

“That's ok.It's not your fault.You…you have already done so much for me Daryl that a whole lifetime wouldn't be enough to thank you” I stammer.

His gaze wanders nervously from one point of the RV to another.

Ok.

Daryl isn't even comfortable with compliments.

I leave the bed again followed by the protest of my aching muscles and cautiously I approach him again but this time I remain at a safe distance.

I don't want to invade his personal space but I need to make him understand how grateful I am to him.

“If it wasn't for you I'd be walker food right now”

Daryl snorts in response.

“Yeah…sure” he grumbles without saying anything else.

I roll my eyes even though he can't see me.

This man can be truly unnerving.

His vocabulary is limited to snorts and grunts, what the hell!

In exasperation I watch him as he crosses his arms over his chest, his firm, toned muscles contracting elegantly, his tanned skin glistening under the moonlight streaming in through the windows.

In the silence peppered by our breaths I surrender to the thought that perhaps I will never be able to understand this man.

I'm too tired and anything he does or says only adds to my frustration so I do the only thing I think is wise at the moment.

I head towards the RV exit.

“Night Daryl” I murmur passing by him avoiding any visual or physical contact.

As soon as I find myself outside, I breathe deeply, raising my face towards the sky.

Above my head millions of beautiful stars shine set in a dark velvet blanket while the smell of grass tickles my nose.

Within a few moments I regain a bit of serenity...serenity which is interrupted after a few seconds by the door of the RV being slammed forcefully.

Daryl makes no sign of leaving, remaining behind me.

I slowly turn around determined to face him.

His eyes seem full of anger.

It's my fault?

Is all that anger for me?

Maybe my presence is causing trouble to him with his group.

With Shane.

“What's wrong with you?” I snort without being able to contain myself.

His mood swings make me dizzy.

First he seems worried about me.

He brings me food, calls a doctor and then…then he treats me like I'm a disease.

Like I'm one of those fucking biters.

I feel like I've reached the limit of my kindness for today.

Now that's enough.

I had a gun pointed in my face.

A crossbow.

I let myself be dragged.

Interrogated.

Tied up.

I let myself be treated like a criminal even though I didn't do anything.

Nothing.

The banks are breaking and the words are starting to flow like a raging river giving vent to all my frustration.

“Why do I get the impression that you're regretting having brought me to safety from that damned woods?Well know that if it bothers you it's not my problem, I wasn't the one who asked you!You could have just let me die and come back here to mind your own business on this nice farm safe from the walkers with your stupid water and your stupid food” I spit the words out angrily.

I feel the blood boiling in my veins.

Something in my words seems to set off an alarm in the archer's head.

He storms down the steps of the RV, getting dangerously close, his every step sounding like an imminent threat.

His massive body towers over me as his cruel gaze pins my feet to the ground.

He remains to observe me with a menacing expression for a few moments, his dilated nostrils quivering with anger.

If a look could kill right now I'd be six feet under.

“Is this what ya think?” he hisses.

His posture is rigid, his arms at his sides with fists clenched.

White knuckles seem to want to pop out of his skin.

Honestly?

Yes that's what I think.

I have the impression that once the adrenaline of the moment has passed he is realizing that perhaps it would have been better to let me die.

This thought hurts me.

And I don't understand why...

After all, who am I?

And in the end he could be right because even if I personally am not a danger, the people who are looking for me are.

My life is certainly not worth more than those of these people.

I would just like a moment's respite.

Nothing more.

“That's what I see” I murmur dejectedly.

My eyes fill with tears and I don't even try to hide them this time.

My heartbeat is deafening in my ears.

Daryl looks at me with even more disgust, clenching his fists even tighter as if he's holding himself back from hitting me.

Would he really be able to do that?

This Daryl scares me.

The archer takes a further step towards me invading my personal space.

“If ya looking for consolation sunshine ya have chosen the wrong man.Go cry to Glenn, it doesn't work with me” he taunts me viciously and then walks away without even sparing me a glance.

I turn to watch him as he walks away, stomping his boots angrily on the grass.

I'm totally shocked.

What the hell just happened?

He's the one who was acting strange to me.

He started.

I was kind, I tried to reason with him, I respected his space.

What did he give me in return?

Only silences.

Threats.

What the hell was I supposed to do?

I put my hands on my hips, huffing loudly.

My eyes are still on him as he walks away and enters a tent not far from the RV.

“Don't worry, you'll get used to him.He may seem grumpy but deep down he's a good guy”

I jump with fear.

God!

Tonight everyone is having fun testing the resistance of my heart.

Another scare like this and I don't know if I'll see the dawn rise tomorrow.

I spin around looking for the person who spoke but strangely I don't see anyone.

“Hey!I'm here”

The man chuckles and following the sound of his voice I look up.

On the roof of the RV there is a man, sitting in an old chair with a rifle in his lap.

He wears a bucket hat and has an unkempt beard.

How long has he been up there?

How much did he hear?

I look at him for a couple of seconds in total embarrassment.

Nothing happened between me and Daryl but the fact that this man may have misunderstood our attitude makes me blush to the tips of my hair.

Thank goodness it's dark and I don't think he can notice it from up there.

“Anyway, I'm Dale.If you're looking for Carol, she went that way” and with his finger he points to a small bonfire a few meters from me where Carol and other women are chatting.

“Thank you” I murmur under my breath, glancing one last time at Daryl's tent and then walking briskly towards Carol.

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