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icarusbuck · 4 years ago

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15. not interested, thank you

FOX! 911 | alcohol

∞

Buck leaned over the table. He tipped his head this way and that, trying to math out which direction his ball would go. Then he aimed down the long line of his pool cue, drew it back, and took his shot.

The balls clicked together and he resisted the urge to clench his fist when he sunk his fifth in a row.

Eddie huffed from the other side, where he stood leaning on a cue of his own. "Are you a closet pool shark?"

"Just sober," Buck said, a flush rising under the scrutiny. He called, "Eight ball, side pocket," and the game ended a few seconds later when the eight ball went into the side pocket.

"Shark," Eddie said again, but there was no malice in it. He knocked his arm into Buck's and they left to re-rack their equipment, offering the table to the next pair. They took up positions at the nearly empty bar instead. It was slow, given that it was a Wednesday night.

A comfortable quiet descended on them. Eddie's attention was drawn to the baseball game on a screen at the end of the bar, and Buck was content just to sit with him and zone out.

The bartender stopped in front of him a few minutes later to leave a pint of beer in front of him.

"Oh, sorry," Buck said, startled back to the present before his mind truly had a chance to wander. "I didn't order this." He slid the glass back towards her.

"I know, honey. They did," she said, and pointed off towards a booth in the corner.

Buck turned on his stool and saw the two women. One had warm, dark eyes that reminded Buck of someone, her thick curly hair drawn back into a half clip. The other was strawberry blonde and her pale skin was dotted with freckles. Once upon a time, he might have taken the drink and had a merry time with them.

He picked up his water and gestured with it in a kind of salute, and slid the beer over to Eddie to replace his empty glass.

"Sucker," Eddie laughed, taking the beer immediately.

"Hey, someone had to be the designated driver," Buck said, shrugging. He spun further on his stool and leaned his elbows back on the bar, swiveling from side to side.

Eddie raised an eyebrow and moved his eyes up Buck's torso now that he'd practically put it on display.

Buck looked sideways at him and smirked, tossing him a wink.

From his new position, he could see Chim and Hen arguing at one of the dart boards. Hen had a piece of chalk in her hand and kept underlining something he couldn't quite make out at that distance. He smiled at their antics, but his attention shifted when a familiar scent filled his nose. It was warm and spicy, and it suited the wearer perfectly.

Eddie shifted toward him, putting his hand on Buck's hip for balance. He leaned in close and teased, "Now you're just showing off."

Buck considered the accusation. Having Eddie so close sent a thrill down his spine that made it impossible to think. He turned his head until his cheek brushed against Eddie's, until Eddie's lips no longer touched his ear. They grazed stubbornly over Buck's skin, almost like it was on purpose, and he was suddenly very aware of his heart in his throat.

His pulse picked up speed. He angled his head back just until he could look into Eddie's eyes. The deep, dark brown always held his attention for just a moment too long; it reminded him of the rich color that soil took on when it was fertilized and ready for planting. Eyes that made Buck want to plant something in them, but more than that, he wanted to see that something grow.

Eddie smiled crookedly at him. He was on the cusp of tipsy and drunk and it showed in his loose movements.

"You're drunk," Buck accused softly, but his face was on fire and all he wanted was for Eddie to just keep touching him. He was afraid of saying something like that out loud, so he didn't say anything more.

"Yeah, a little," Eddie said, laughing quietly as he pulled away. Buck mourned the loss and took in a breath that lacked anything more than the smell of the bar. He felt a different kind of buzz just being close to Eddie. Desire and longing swirled in his stomach as Eddie turned his stool around and leaned back on the bar, mimicking Buck's position. They surveyed the room, but the silence felt different this time. Charged.

Eddie knocked his knee into Buck's a few minutes later to get his attention. He redirected it to the two women from before as they approached.

Buck cleared his throat and sat up a little straighter. He set his glass down within reach and turned toward them expectantly.

"Hey," said the strawberry blonde. "I'm Bella, this is Andra."

Buck smiled at both of them. "Buck, Eddie," he said, hooking his thumb over his shoulder to indicate.

The women both laughed like he'd made a joke. Bella put her hand on his shoulder and looked to her companion.

Andra leaned on Bella; she was tall, possibly taller than Buck. When she spoke it was like velvet, deep and sultry. "We were kind of hoping for just you," she said, her dark eyes sparkling mischievously. Her voice reminded him of Abby, he realized a few seconds later.

"Oh, that's very kind of you," he managed, looking between them. He suddenly felt a little like the main course. "I'm not really looking for anything right now," he added, trying to let them down gently.

"Not even a good time?" Bella moved her hand down his arm, making no attempt at subtlety as she felt him up.

Buck shook his head and gently took her wrist to remove her hand. It would have to be the straightforward approach. "Sorry. Not interested, thank you."

Andra shrugged like it was nothing. Her dark eyes slid over his shoulder, giving Eddie a rather obvious appraisal. "What about you?"

He looked over his shoulder just in time to catch the scowl disappearing from Eddie's face. Eddie simply shook his head, his bottom lip captured between his teeth.

The two left them without any further comment, and Buck slumped against the bar with a sigh.

"You want to get some air?"

"Yeah," Eddie grunted.

They slid off their stools and left their drinks behind, winding their way through the mostly empty bar. Once outside, Buck drifted over to his Jeep and leaned against it. The air was cool and crisp with the promise of fall. He silently wished he'd brought a jacket as he shivered.

Eddie paced slowly in front of him, weaving his way along the painted lines of the parking lot in a mockery of a field sobriety test. He said nothing, but Buck could feel him winding up like a puffer fish. It would only take one good poke to set him off, and Buck really didn't want that to happen in the bar or on the way home. He took a deep breath.

"Who pissed in your beer?"

Eddie stopped walking and turned, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. "When's the last time you hooked up with someone?" He asked. Trust Eddie to get right to the point.

Buck frowned at him, caught off guard by the question. "Uh, I don't know. A while. Why?"

Eddie jerked his head toward the bar. "You get hit on like that a lot?"

"I guess," Buck said slowly, after thinking about it for a second.

"And you always say no?"

Buck narrowed his eyes. His stomach wound tighter and tighter at the line of questioning. He looked away, rubbing his fingertips over his mouth. "I always say no," he confirmed.

Eddie was silent at that. Buck looked back at him, ready for a challenge.

"What?"

"Nothing," Eddie muttered, turning away. "I want to go home, will you see if the others are ready?"

"Fine," Buck sighed, rolling his eyes. He pushed away from the Jeep and wondered if Eddie was watching him while he walked back through the front doors. He refused to look back, in any case.

Hen and Chimney were both more than happy to leave. Chim had chalk hand prints covering his dark denim jacket. Hen paid their tab, and soon they were all on their way.

Eddie was waiting by the passenger door of the car when they emerged. Buck unlocked it from across the parking lot and he climbed in.

"What's his problem?" Hen grumbled, leaning into Buck's side as they walked.

"No idea," Buck said, wrapping an arm around her to support her.

He loaded up his cargo and set off once everyone was buckled. Chimney was his first stop, followed by Hen, and finally he angled the Jeep for Eddie's house. It was dark and quiet inside when he arrived, which shouldn't have been a surprise; it was well past Christopher's bedtime, and Carla was probably already asleep in the guest bedroom.

Buck pulled up to the curb and put the car in park. A full minute passed in silence. Eddie didn't move, just sat there staring out the windshield into the dark night beyond.

His breaths came a little faster and he turned his head sharply to look at Buck. He looked away again.

"Are you alright?" Buck frowned, unbuckling his seat belt. He reached for Eddie uncertainly.

"Yeah," Eddie said. "No. Yeah." He looked at Buck again, the turmoil clear on his face. His hand shot out with surprising accuracy to take a fistful of Buck's shirt, and he yanked to bring them closer, his eyes closing.

Buck grunted from the physical effort of resisting. Now that they were alone and it was quiet, he could smell the beer on his breath. It wouldn't have mattered as much if they were both drinking. Hell, maybe it would have been better, but he couldn't shake the feeling that this was all just Eddie being drunk and impulsive. He pulled back slightly, and Eddie finished the job with a light push. They slumped into opposite sides of the car.

"Eddie," Buck said, barely managing to find his voice.

"Nevermind," Eddie grunted. He pulled the handle and shoved at the door. His feet hit the ground faster than he expected and he stumbled.

Buck could feel the panic rising in his chest. If he left, would Eddie even remember what almost happened? He couldn't take the chance. He didn't want to take the chance. He flung himself at his door and fell out in his hurry. He caught up to Eddie in the yard and reached for his wrist.

"Eddie, wait," Buck said, suddenly desperate.

"What?" Eddie ground out, spinning on his heel and almost losing his balance. He weaved back to center and focused entirely on Buck.

Buck wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all. "You're drunk, Eddie. How am I supposed to sit there and just let you kiss me when you're drunk?"

Eddie held up a finger. "Not drunk. Tipsy." To his credit, he managed not to slur his words, but it didn't help the situation any.

"How is that any better?" Buck demanded, slapping at his hand to get it out of his face. He stared at Eddie and wanted answers to all the questions swirling in his head.

Eddie made a noise of frustration, something between a grunt and a groan. He held his hands up in front of him. "We've been dancing around this thing for months, Buck. Why not now? Why can't it be now?"

"Because," Buck started, afraid to continue. He opened his mouth and held back.

He held back.

He held it all back, until he just couldn't anymore, and the words spilled out of him. Eddie had that effect on him, like a gravitational pull he just couldn't resist.

"Because it can't start like this. I don't want you to have to look your son in the eye and tell him you did it because you were drunk." The words came out in a rush, and he was almost relieved to have said them except for the look on Eddie's face.

He reared back like Buck had slapped him, but Buck couldn't stop himself now. He rushed the distance between them and took Eddie's face in his hands to keep him from looking away.

"When I kiss you, I don't want you to be so drunk you can't feel it." Buck spoke the words slowly, despite how fast his heart raced for having said them.

"I can feel it," Eddie mumbled weakly. He bit his lip and grabbed onto Buck's shirt, eyes wide and staring.

Buck took his hands away slowly. He was surprised to find himself out of breath, and he had to admit that it was tempting. He wanted it too - this thing, as Eddie had called it. He just didn't want it like this, not a drunken impulse that Eddie might regret come morning.

He gently pried Eddie's hands off his shirt and squeezed them. "When I kiss you, it won't be because someone else hit on me and you got jealous." Then he forced himself to let go, to turn around.

It took all of his willpower to just get in the damn Jeep and start it.

#fictober20 #buddie #911 on fox #evan buckley #eddie diaz #usermone

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rankakiu · 6 years ago

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Thoughts of the Droid: Alita Battle Angel (2019)

Hello, people of Tumblr! How life treats you? As always, I hope very well. Finally, I had the opportunity to see the movie I most expected from this 2019: Alita Battle Angel

It is another Hollywood effort to adapt a Japanese franchise, being the turn of the series "Hyper Future Vision GUNNM" by the author Yukito Kishiro, which has become over time a reference and classic of the genre of science fiction and Cyberpunk, at the same time having gained the status of cult work. And this time, Hollywood, with the help of James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez have brought us their live-action version, which has given to talk in the middle of the cinema and among fans of anime/manga.

WARNING: NOT SPOILER-FREE. Read at your own risk

Entering already in the review, what did I think about the movie? Short answer: Entertaining, but could give a little more of itself. Now let's analyze the movie in more detail.

Characters: In my opinion, the strongest point of the movie. The interpretations of the actors could not be more accurate and you can see the effort they have put into playing their respective roles. I particularly emphasize the actress Rosa Salazar in her role as Alita and Christoph Waltz as Dr. Dyson Ido. Salazar has done an impeccable job and I, as a spectator, felt that I saw Alita in all her personality and glory. A kind and innocent girl who discovers and marvels at a world that is unknown to her. In this part, they knew how to perfectly balance her surprise and innocence, without Alita looking ignorant or silly. We also have her other side represented perfectly: a lethal soldier who possesses the soul of an entire warrior, with touches of arrogance, whose combat techniques make her a formidable adversary. And whose memories are unlocked little by little making use of their main weapon: the martial art of the Panzer Kunst.

Christoph Waltz, on the other hand, makes a very solid interpretation of Daisuke Ido ... sorry, Dyson Ido, a father figure for Alita. In fact, that aspect pleased me a lot about the movie, which at all times shows an authentic relationship between father and daughter that gets stronger as the story progresses. We see a Dyson Ido, who despite not agreeing with Alita in some circumstances, supports his adopted daughter unconditionally.

I also highlight the actors Keean Johnson and Ed Skrein in their roles of Hugo and Zapan, respectively. They also show that they studied their characters and represented them quite well. We have a Hugo here, who, like his previous incarnations, has the dream of going to Zalem in search of a better life. On behalf of Ed Skrein, he gives us an arrogant and vengeful Zapan, ready to defeat and humiliate Alita.

In general, the rest of the cast works pretty well inside the movie. (By the way, very good detail of those involved in keeping the surprise of Edward Norton as Desty Nova, since seeing him there in the film was a real surprise, and a nice to finish XD).

History: Ironically, this was the weakest point I found in this movie. At first, the story progresses well, but after a few minutes, the story feels rushed, presenting a huge number of characters in a very short period of time, apart from that they explain their characteristics, instead of showing them in the scene on the big screen.

However, I firmly believe that what it plays against was that they tried to make a perfect amalgamation between the first three volumes of the Japanese comic and the two existing OVA’s of the franchise. I recognize that there are scenes of this style that really work, but a good part of them feels that they pass too quickly and does not allow a real conflict between the characters to be generated. In addition, I also believe that Cameron and Rodriguez did such a good job of pleasing the fans, that they almost completely forgot to include more people, that their adaptation was more universal for the entire audience. I understand that in a movie the time is quite limited, but they could make an effort to deliver a more cohesive story. By the way, the violence in the film, although very reduced and soft compared to the original material, is appreciated to see it.

Something that seemed unjustifiable to me in the movie was that they removed all the history of Hugo's past, is essential to understanding his motivations. They kept his dream of wanting to go to Zalem, but you never understand why he wants to go to Zalem. Of course, long before the premiere, I read the volumes of the original Japanese comic, so, even when they missed that part, I understood the reason for Hugo's dream. But someone who approaches the franchise for the first time with this movie will never understand why. Also, you have the scene where Hugo climbs up one of the cables that hold the floating city of Zalem. In the Japanese comic and OVA, you understand that he climbs as a last and desperate alternative to fulfill his dream of belonging to that city. On the other hand, the movie goes up because the hunter-warriors know that he is still alive. Partly it is justified, but it feels forced and taken out of nothing.

As I said above, the story feels rushed and this is more noticeable in the inclusion of Motorball sports scenes, which I would have preferred to have been in the final part of the film and the other two rooms focusing on Alita in her role as hunter-warrior. We have another case, where the final confrontation between Alita and Zapan is hurried and one can barely enjoy the scenes. Almost has no impact on the viewer and to top it off, the change of heart of Chiren, now determined to help Alita feels too forced. It also happens in the case when Zapan loses his face at the hands of Alita, where the scene does not have enough impact to astonish the spectator.

But what intrigues me the most is: how in the end, Alita stays as a Motorball player if practically scenes ago she made rebellious acts against the Factory? Practically entering, dismantling machines, destroying facilities and killing a person (Vector) is enough to put a price on the head of our protagonist. And yet, there you see her at the end very removed from grief and the Factory does not put any reward for her.

But not everything is bad. In favor of the film, I will say that the inclusion of Hugo at the beginning of the story was a success since it allows the romance between Alita and Hugo to unfold naturally. You also feel that in truth chemistry between the actors, which makes their romance more tender and therefore more credible. I highlight two scenes in particular: the first where Hugo teaches Alita to play Motorball and the second where he gives her chocolate to taste for the first time. In the first, they spend more time together and therefore you can feel that their romance is born little by little. It is in the second scene where you see more the innocence of Alita that causes you to die (not literally XD) of tenderness, without forgetting that also this scene has its comic touches well achieved.

It is also fair to mention that the scene of Hugo's death is very emotional and finally we see how Alita is affected by that event. We see her mourn, her sadness, anguish, and despair to witness the death of the man she loved. As a spectator, it moved me a lot.

On the other hand, the justification of Dr. Ido to be a Hunter-Warrior is perfectly raised, since the loss of his biological daughter affected him so much that he decided to make his own justice. In general, it is a very valid reason and the proposal of the film goes further, by presenting an Ido, who after achieving his revenge, did not leave him satisfied, but even worsened his feeling of emptiness. It is quite similar to what the Japanese comic raises originally where Daisuke Ido, to prove the experience of killing, could not leave that profession, being a declared murderer. Something similar also happens with the end of this movie. I will also mention that here it makes more sense that Ido and Chiren have been a couple and their subsequent separation is equally well justified. Here Ido, with Alita, has again the opportunity to return to be a father, and the viewer sympathizes with Ido in that aspect. In general, the scenes that narrate the good doctor Ido's past are brilliantly realized.

If I had to highlight a scene that combines the Japanese comic and the OVA and if it works to perfection, without a doubt it would be the scene of the Bar Kansas and the subsequent fight between Alita and Grewishka. Interestingly, here if you feel a perfect amalgam between both formats and brought to life for the big screen. We have Alita who goes to the Bar Kansas for two reasons: one, seek to prove herself as a warrior hunter, and two get help to stop the evil Grewishka. It turns out to be an impeccable scene, where in spite of giving some events in a different way, it also preserves the essence of both previously mentioned formats (especially the japanese comic). It is here that the arrogant, but charismatic part of Alita is observed, humiliating the other hunter-warriors by telling them the painful truth, accompanied by a beating of epic proportions. On the other hand the sequence of the fight in the bar is very well achieved, reminding us of the fights that occur in the bars of our world XD.

The fight between Alita and Grewishka is the best achieved, having a great intensity in action. It is here where they also took many scenes from the Japanese comic and knew how to transfer them to the film. Here we see an Alita whose inner warrior reappears with more strength than ever, and despite the difference of powers and abilities, she knew how to stand up to her opponent, even when, in a peak scene, her Doll Body is destroyed, Alita never surrendered in the fight. Fortunately she was saved by the help of Hugo, Dr. Ido and the hunter-warrior McTeague. Particularly the scene where Dr. Ido carries the battered body of Alita is moving to see, as one as a spectator feels the affection and paternal care that Ido shows at that time with his adopted daughter, in addition to recalling a classic scene of the Japanese comic . Certainly a maximum point is reached when Dr. Ido rebuilds Alita with the Berserker Body, where he understands and accepts the warrior soul that is inside Alita.

To finish this point, I will say that the scene that I liked the most was precisely the one at the end, where Alita unsheathes her Damascus Blade and points to the sky. We also see Edward Norton in his role as Desty Nova, accepting the challenge of his enemy, a sublimely performed scene, where Alita accepts herself as a warrior, promising the destruction of Nova with a will of steel. Extra points for the design of Nova, where it really looks like its Japanese comic counterpart, without looking like a bad cosplay. In general, Nova's dialogues, along with his brief appearance, left me asking for more of this iconic character.

Visuals and special effects: Simply great. In truth here I recognize the effort they made to present the world of Alita. We see the floating city Zalem in all its corruptive glory, and the Iron City, with its people living as pleasantly as possible, but also presenting their constant problems to survive in an environment too hostile, full of poverty and murder.

The strongest point is the design of Alita and her cybernetic bodies. I still remember the controversy (which fortunately did not happen to major) that generated the fact that Rosa Salazar made her interpretation with the Capture Performance technique and above all, the decision to make the eyes of Alita enormous. To the relief of the majority, that was only a minor detail, since, in the final product, Alita looks pretty good. In all the scenes It looks totally beautiful, besides that, in spite of being a Cyborg, its movements are quite natural and fluid, like those of any other human. The designs of the cyborg bodies are really beautiful, in addition to offering some contrast to differentiate them. We have the Doll Body, whose design is simple, but close up it has ornaments that make it feel empty, in addition to its color palette is warm, ideal to represent the innocence and kindness of Alita. On the other side, we have the Berserker Body, whose design is more elaborate, but not saturated. And their colors are quite indicated to represent their warrior side.

Action: There is not much I can say, except that it is really very good and very well done. It's a frenetic action, but you can clearly see the fast movements of the characters. Once again I highlight Alita, whose movements are not only fluid, but also note that these movements, when attacking, dodging, pirouetting in the air, kicking and punching, you notice a huge physical force in her attacks and above all, her movements are more by instinct, as would be expected of her character, who instinctively recalls her training in the Panzer Kunst. The Motorball scenes are fast, you feel the intensity of the sport and in general, it feels like in its counterpart of the Japanese comic: a sport full of adrenaline and without mercy. The action does not disappoint.

In conclusion, Alita Battle Angel is a decent and acceptable film and adaptation. It is entertaining to watch and one can get to enjoy the experience. However, one also feels that the film had more potential, which unfortunately did not come to fruition at all. This film would recommend it more to Die-Hard fans of Alita or as a way to have a good time to get rid of boredom. For my part, I will say that this movie has become a guilty pleasure. No doubt I would see it again, but with certain reservations. For now, I give this movie 2.5 out of 5 Damascus Blades.

I'll finish my review by saying this: In part, I'm glad to see Hollywood keep trying to make adaptations of foreign franchises. As far as I can see, this industry is taking more seriously to rely on the source material and represent it in the best way they can, in addition to dealing with more some respect to the franchises. In fact, they still have a way to go, but I feel that they have already taken the right path. It is only a matter of time before they finally deliver an adaptation that is universally acclaimed. I count that it will be like this in the future.

Greetings

Rankakiu

Edit: I added my thoughts on two more scenes of the movie. So, I feel that my review is at last complete.

#hyper future vision gunnm #alitabattleangel #alita battle angel #live action #rosa salazar #keean johnson #christoph waltz #ed skrein #movie #adaptation #review #opinion #thoughts #thoughts of the droid #rankakiu

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notstars-doors · 6 years ago

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Honey

~~~~

“So.”

Wally raises an eyebrow. “So?”

“On a scale of ‘I’m faking my own death’ to ‘oh my god marry me tomorrow’, how would you rate this first date?”

Wally barks out a laugh, moving to lean on one side so he can face him properly, a hand reaching out automatically to rest on Dick’s knee. “Let’s just say you shouldn’t be surprised if I’m booking a chapel in the morning.”

Dick laughs with him, his own hand moving to take Wally’s and resting them both in his lap. “Really? That good?”

“Best I’ve had in a long time.”

Dick’s expression softens. He bites down on his lower lip, glancing down at their joined hands before looking back up at Wally through those damn long lashes. The way Dick’s watching him makes Wally feel like the moonlight might be doing good things for him as well.

“Me too.”

~~~~

Dick and Wally's first official date. And everything that comes after.

read it on ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/14942807/chapters/34622600

A warning: There are very VERY slight mentions of abuse in the second chapter. They are only slightly implied, and it's easy to skip over, but they're there. So if that bothers you, please be careful and enjoy the rest of the chapter if you decide to read <3

Ch 1: Promises

“You totally cheated.”

“I totally won.”

“You cheated, I win by default.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, my side of the screen clearly said ‘Winner!’ when I was looking at it.”

“You bent your spine in ways that no human being ever should, I say that’s cheating.”

“It’s a natural talent!”

“There was nothing natural about that, Dick, you were folded over like a fuckin’ bobby pin.”

Dick rolls his eyes, flicking a spoonful of ice cream at Wally in retaliation. He obviously wasn’t trying, since it misses him by at least three inches. Still, Wally pouts at the waste of perfectly good ice cream, taking a moment to stare at the sad splatter on the pavement in mourning.

“It’s not like you’re not allowed to use your hands in DDR. Besides, you have superspeed, I needed some way to keep up.”

Wally’s hand flies to his chest in offense. “You think I’d use my powers to win at Dance Dance Revolution? You think I would disrespect the game like that?”

“Well you did, so yes I do.”

“Then you clearly don’t know me as well you think, Boy Blunder.”

Dick smacks his shoulder at the nickname, but Wally just laughs and curls his arm around the back of Dick’s neck, pulling him close. He slots perfectly against Wally’s side, chuckling softly as he wraps his own arm around Wally’s waist. Neither of them had ever seemed to notice how well they fit together until now.

They’re walking down the Happy Harbour boardwalk, away from the arcade that had been the main attraction of their very first official date. They’d decided that any kind of special ‘romance’ on their first date would be weird, so they kept it simple and just went out for burgers and funnel cake. Then they just did what they always did in Happy Harbour: tried to kick each other’s virtual butt at every game in the arcade.

Of course, that led to a few very competitive rounds of DDR that ended with Dick as the victor. Wally will never admit it (his pride would never let him) but he knows his loss had nothing to do with Dick’s flexibility. He’ll never admit that he’d spent half of every routine tripping over his own feet, unable to keep his eyes from drifting to his very distracting boyfriend.

Wally’s still getting used to this new attraction to Dick. He’s always known that his friend is good-looking. You can’t look at Richard Grayson and lie to yourself like that. But Wally had never been attracted to Dick until now. Until one kiss had shattered every intention Wally had ever had about just being friends with Dick Grayson.

Dick lifts his last spoonful of ice cream to Wally’s lips (and if that’s not love, Wally doesn’t know what is), before pulling away to toss his cup into a nearby garbage. He hops onto the concrete seawall along the edge of the pier, balanced easily on the balls of his feet as he watches the waves ebb and flow along the shore beneath them. Wally just leans his elbows on the wall beside him, gazing up at his boyfriend in what he can only describe as awe.

Dick is beautiful. His dark skin is glowing in the moonlight, his even darker hair drifting lazily around his face from the light breeze. Those lovely pouty lips are tilted up into a half-smile, long lashes fluttering closed over gorgeous blue eyes. His features are relaxed, soft. Happy. Everything about him is confident. Easygoing. But still solid and dependable and strong.

Wally has never felt like more of an idiot, wondering how he could have ever been so blind.

Like he can feel Wally’s gaze on him, Dick turns to him and smiles, then drops down to sit down on top of the embankment next to him. His legs dangle on either side of the wall, feet kicking back and forth. It’s adorable, really, and Wally can’t help but grin at him like a lovesick moron.

“So.”

Wally raises an eyebrow. “So?”

“On a scale of ‘I’m faking my own death’ to ‘oh my god marry me tomorrow’, how would you rate this first date?”

Dick laughs with him, his own hand moving to take Wally’s and resting them both in his lap. “Really? That good?”

“Best I’ve had in a long time.”

“Me too.”

Wally doesn’t even hesitate, shifting closer to his boyfriend and slipping one hand up his thigh all the way to his waist. Dick lets go of Wally’s other hand, letting it reach up to slip into his hair as his own fingers tangle in Wally’s t-shirt. They’re kissing, not for the first time tonight, and it just keeps getting better since the first time their lips met.

Dick swings a leg back over the wall so both are dangling on one side, pulling Wally closer to slip between them. Wally’s arms are moving instinctively to wrap around Dick’s waist, hands flat against his lower back and holding him securely against his chest. His lips are still sweet and sticky from the ice cream (mint chocolate), and he’s letting out the softest sigh of delight as Wally’s tongue slips into his mouth. Now Dick’s hands are in his hair, nails scratching at his scalp, and Wally’s suddenly very aware of the fact that they’re essentially making out in a very, very, public place.

And he so doesn’t care because Dick is locking his legs around his waist and pulling him flush against him and doing that thing with his tongue that makes Wally weak in the knees. It’s all he can do to stay upright, his head’s spinning with desire, and he’s not even sure which way is upright anymore, but he trusts Dick to keep him there.

Suddenly they’re breaking apart with a gasp, because apparently they still haven’t learned how to breathe when they do this, and now Dick is gazing at him with those half-lidded eyes again and – jesus how did he get so whipped so fast?

Dick drops his forehead onto Wally’s shoulder, letting out a strained chuckle as they both try to catch their breath. “We’ve… gotta stop doing that… in public.”

Wally just rests his cheek against the side of Dick’s head, a giddy smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. “It’s only happened, like, three times.”

“This time not included.”

“Okay, four times in total.”

“Wally, we started dating last week. This is getting ridiculous.”

He just laughs, squeezing his arms tighter around Dick’s waist. “I can’t help it when you look at me like that!”

Dick raises his head, his expression one of mild curiosity. “Like what?”

“You know what.”

“No, I-“

Wally does his best impression of Dick’s ‘seductive’ face, tilting his head down and looking up at him through his lashes, biting down maybe a little too enthusiastically on his lower lip. If the change in Dick’s expression is anything to go by, he’s doing a pretty good job.

“…yeah, okay…”

His play-acting cracks almost immediately, his lips splitting into a grin as he lets out a sharp laugh. “See? You really can’t blame me when you do that.”

“There’s no blame, it’s not like I’m just a bystander here.” Dick smirks, arms shifting back so he can rest his hands on Wally’s shoulders. “We’ve just got to get a little self-control.”

Wally just pulls him into a tight hug, burying his face in Dick’s shoulder. “I know… I just like you, okay?”

He can feel Dick smiling against the side of his neck, can practically sense him rolling his eyes. “Yeah, yeah… I like you too, you dork.”

They pull apart after a few moments, Wally stepping back to stand up straight. Dick untangles his legs from behind Wally, letting the speedster stretch out a little. Can’t stand still for too long; it’s just not in his nature.

Dick swivels on the spot to dangle his legs over the opposite side of the railing, turning his back to Wally as he stares out at the ocean. It’s a gorgeous sight to see, Dick’s silhouette against the blue-black waves and starry sky, and Wally wishes he could imprint the image in his mind forever.

God, he’s such a sap.

Wally moves forward to wrap his arms around Dick’s waist from behind, his chin coming to rest on his shoulder. Dick’s hands settle over his forearms, a contented sigh leaving him as he settles back against Wally’s chest.

“Hey, I’ve got a question for you.”

Wally tilts his head to the side, just enough to he can see Dick’s face out of the corner of his eye. “Shoot.”

“…How were you okay with this so quickly?”

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

Dick shrugs, the movement jostling Wally’s head for a second, which makes Dick snort out a short laugh.

“I dunno… You’ve never been interested in guys before – that I know of – and if you were, as your best bi friend, I’m offended I didn’t know about it.” He gives a pointed look with that statement, and Wally just smiles in response, shaking his head. “You just… I dunno, after the other night you just… jumped head first into this… not that I’m complaining, I just… I’m surprised, is all.”

Wally purses his lips, staying quiet in thought. He’s not entirely sure how to answer that question.

“I… don’t know.” He answers honestly, and now it’s his turn to shrug. “I mean, it’s not like I was ever repulsed by the idea of being with a guy. There just weren’t any guys that ever, I dunno, caught my eye? So, I didn’t think about it.”

“So, what changed?”

Wally smiles. “You kissed me.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“And until that point, you had no idea that I liked you? Or that you might like me?”

“Nope.” He shakes his head. “I mean, you’re my best friend. I didn’t think I was supposed to look at you like that.”

Dick bites his lip and Wally wonders how he never noticed how often he does that. “I guess I’m still a little… I’m just trying to understand how you came to terms with this so quickly.”

“I really don’t know, dude.” Wally shrugs again. “I think… I think it’s because it’s you.”

Dick blinks, staring out at the waves for a moment before turning his head slightly to glance at Wally. “What do you mean?”

Wally just smiles wider, leaning close to press a soft peck to the edge of Dick’s jaw. “It just made sense, all of a sudden. Like I was blind and stupid until that happened, and I realized… This just made sense.” He squeezes tighter around Dick’s waist at the word ‘this’, referring to their new relationship.

“…yeah?”

“Yeah… I mean, why wouldn’t it? You’re my best friend. I trust you more than anyone in the world. And we were already disgustingly affectionate.” He teases, blowing a raspberry against the side of Dick’s neck to prove his point, which earns him a gentle smack on the shoulder. “It just… I dunno… All of a sudden everything just fit into place, like this was just always where we were meant to end up.”

“You’re a sap.”

“Yeah.”

“Hey Walls?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

Wally smiles. “I love you too, Dick.”

“No, I…” Dick sighs, and Wally feels him just deflate against his chest. “I… actually mean that…”

He pauses, blinking a few times to take that it. “What…?”

“I don’t know if… I don’t know if you caught that, the other morning.” Dick mumbles, fiddling with the edge of his shirt. “I… don’t mean it in a ‘you’re my best friend and I love you ‘cause you’re my best friend’ kind of way… I mean it like… like I love you…”

Wally doesn’t know how to respond, so he doesn’t. He had caught that the other morning, but he didn’t know how to bring it up, so he didn’t. And now he’s not sure how to approach this.

“I have for a while… Y’know, the whole three years thing…” Dick lets go of his t-shirt to instead lay his hands gently over Wally’s, which are still resting comfortably on his stomach. “But I don’t want you to feel obligated to, I dunno, say it back or anything. I just didn’t… I didn’t want to lie to you.”

Wally takes in a deep breath, then lets it out in a big sigh. He can feel Dick tensing up in his arms, so he buries his face against the other man’s neck to try and diffuse some of that anxiety. “Dick…”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t-“

“Babe, shut up.”

Dick clamps his lips together. That tension is still there, but it seems to be anticipation more than anything else.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for.” Wally starts, once again squeezing his arms tightly around Dick’s waist. “I don’t want to say something I don’t mean – yet – but… I do love you. And I really, really like you. As in I’m very, very attracted to you. And that’s a really weird combination of things to feel, because it should feel like I’m in love with you, and it almost does but…” Wally sighs. “I just don’t want to rush this.”

Wally can feel the smirk toying at Dick’s lips, the tension in his shoulders starting to release.

“You? Not rush? Since when?”

He rolls his eyes in fond annoyance. “Since I realized that I’m into my best friend and I don’t want to fuck it up.”

Dick turns in his arms to face him, a hand coming up to hold Wally’s cheek gently. “You’re not going to fuck anything up, Walls. We’re gonna be fine.”

“How do you know?”

Dick smiles at him, and Wally’s heart starts to ache at the love in his eyes.

“We made a promise. And I know for a fact that you’ve never broken a promise.”

“Yeah, well… there’s a first time for everything.”

His brows knot together in distaste, and he’s rapping his fingers against Wally’s cheek chidingly. “Don’t.”

“You never know, Dick-”

“Wally, leave the cynicism to me. It’s not a good look on you.”

Wally can’t keep his lips from turning up into smile. “This, coming from a literal ray of sunshine?”

Dick rolls his eyes, then lifts his other hand to cup Wally’s face and pull him in for a tender kiss. It’s soft, barely a touch of the lips. Reminiscent of their first kiss.

It’s strange to think that was only a week ago.

They’re pulling apart, and Dick’s leaning forward to press their foreheads together. Dick’s thumb is stroking lightly over Wally’s cheekbone, who starts to run his hands gently up and down Dick’s spine. It’s comfortable and easy, and Wally’s so grateful that they figured this out because, if they hadn’t, he would have never known how much he needed it.

“Walls,” Dick starts, waiting for Wally to meet his eyes, which he eventually does. “You trust me, don’t you?”

“More than anything.”

“Then trust me when I say, we’re going to be fine.”

Wally’s heart is thudding in his chest and he’d be surprised if Dick couldn’t feel the heavy pulse through every fiber of his being.

“Promise?”

Dick kisses him again, fingers slipping into soft ginger hair as he pulls Wally flush against his chest. The kiss is passionate, but gentle, and Wally’s going weak in the knees again despite their mouths staying closed.

He doesn’t need to hear an answer, but Dick breaks the kiss just enough to speak.

“Promise.”

They just stay like that for a while. Dick has one leg hiked up on the edge of the wall, his torso twisting so he can hold Wally close. Wally’s just leaning against the wall with both arms wrapped tightly around Dick’s middle.

Wally would be content to stay that way forever; together in silence, with the salty sea breeze drifting around them, waves crashing against the shore in time to their heartbeat. But he knows it has to end at some point.

They’d zeta’d over, meeting there from their own respective cities. They’d thought it would be easier, meeting at the Cave. That had ended up being a bit of a mistake, as M’gann had wanted to make their date a double one the second she discovered that they’d started going out. Luckily, Connor had become remarkably receptive since his early days, and had successfully derailed that idea before either of them had needed to ask.

Wally decided later that night that he owed Connor – big time.

Soon enough, they’re pulling apart, looking around them to realize that Happy Harbour is going to sleep, and deciding to follow suit. As they leave the pier, hand in hand, Dick makes to start walking towards the Cave. Wally stops, though, pulling his boyfriend to a halt as he does.

Dick turns to face him, cocking an eyebrow. “What?”

“You seriously want to go back in there and get interrogated?”

“Interrogated?”

Wally gives him a pointed look. “I bet you fifty bucks that M’gann told Artemis the second we left tonight, and they’re all waiting for us up there. If Artemis is, she might actually kill me for not telling her. And then you’d have a very dead boyfriend on your hands.”

Dick laughs, stepping closer to Wally again. “Alright, I see your point. You got a better idea?”

Wally smiles. “As a matter of fact, I do.”

They start walking away from the mountain, but not back towards town either. Wally’s leading them into one of the secluded little forests that separates the two, and while Dick is following him without question, his expression clearly shows his suspicion.

A few meters into the trees, it’s Dick’s turn to pull Wally to a halt. “Okay, what are we doing?”

Wally glances around them, making sure they’re alone, then pulls a pair of red goggles out of his back pocket, a cheeky grin on his face.

Dick blinks. “What…?”

“I figured I could run you home tonight. Y’know, walk you to the front door and stuff. That’s proper first date protocol with girls, didn’t think it should be any different because you’re a guy.”

Dick stares at him for a second, his expression indecipherable, until he’s trying to smother a smile with the back of his hand.

“You’re such a dork.”

Wally’s grin just gets wider. “Yeah, but I’m your dork.”

Dick shakes his head, unable to hide his smile. “You really are.”

Wally settles the goggles on top of his head, pushing his shaggy bangs up in the process. “So, piggyback or princess style?”

All he gets in response is a loud scoff before his boyfriend is jumping on his back and twining both arms and legs around him tightly. He stumbles a little in surprise, but he rights himself as his hands come up to grip the back of Dick’s thighs.

“Fuck, would you-! Dude, you’re not 13 anymore, you’re gonna break my back one of these days.”

“I will if you keep asking redundant questions.”

“Jerk.”

“Dork.”

“You already used that one.”

“Fine.” Dick tucks his head into the side of Wally’s neck, preparing for the gale force winds that come as soon as Wally starts to run. “Let’s get out of here, Speedy.”

“Hey-!”

“C’mon Flash Kid, do your thing.”

Wally pouts, but when Dick presses a, he hopes apologetic, kiss to his cheek, his pride shrinks down just a fraction.

Fine. Dick wants him to run?

Then he’ll run.

~~~~

Ch. 2: Expectations

The only warning Dick gets is his grip on his thighs getting just a little bit tighter before Wally takes off.

The world slows down around him. The lights of Happy Harbour shine brighter, leaves still in the air as they fall around him. Dick’s laughter morphs into something deep and comical as he engages the Speedforce, but Wally finds that he still loves the sound even when it’s warped like that.

Getting to Gotham doesn’t take long at all, and before he realizes it, Wally’s skidding to a stop on the gravel drive in front of Wayne Manor. Dick’s still clinging to his back, his mind catching up to the fact that they’ve stopped moving. He lifts his head and peeks over Wally’s shoulder at the imposing building before them.

“…do I have to?”

Wally laughs, dropping his hold on Dick’s thighs and letting him slip off his back to stand beside him. “I think you do.”

“Bruce probably isn’t home yet, I might actually miss out on the lecture tonight.” Dick sighs, ruffling his windswept hair into something more manageable.

“Yeah, I never asked, how did you get out of going on patrol?” Wally reaches out to flatten Dick’s collar back down, straightening his open button-down.

“I didn’t.”

Wally cocks an eyebrow, giving his boyfriend a wary look. “…what do you mean?”

Dick shrugs. “I mean I didn’t get out of it. I just didn’t go.”

“What do you-? Wait, you just skipped out on patrol?”

“Yeah.”

“Dude!”

“What?!”

Wally throws his hands in the air in disbelief, then brings them down to cover his face. “Oh my god, if Bats finds out that you skipped patrol to go on a date with me? He already hates me! Artemis is gonna have competition for rights to my head on a platter.”

Dick just rolls his eyes. “You’re being dramatic. Batman doesn’t kill.”

“Oh, that’s reassuring. He’ll just beat the living shit out of me, that’s so much better. Oh-! And don’t forget Alfred! I don’t think he follows your no-killing rule, if that rifle of his means anything.”

“Wally.”

“They’re gonna tag team it: Batman breaks me, then lets Alfred finish the job.”

“Wally…”

“He’d look the other way for his butler, I know it-”

“Wally!”

“What?!”

Dick has his arms crossed, an annoyed, if not slightly amused, look on his face. “Are you gonna walk me to the door, or what?”

Wally drops his arms with a defeated sigh, letting them hang at his sides. “I suppose I should, so we can say our final goodbyes…”

“Oh my god, and they call me the drama queen.”

Dick starts walking towards the manor. It’s not a short walk, as they’d come to a stop just before the front gates. Wally jogs after him, reaching out to take Dick’s hand, interlocking their fingers. They’re walking in silence for a few minutes before Dick decides to speak.

“He doesn’t hate you, y’know.”

“Who?”

“Bruce. He doesn’t hate you.”

Wally lets out a quiet scoff. “Sure.”

Dick shakes his head. “He doesn’t. He’s just… protective.”

“Yeah, I know that much.”

“Wally.”

“Dick, you know he’s never liked me. Even when we were just best friends, he’s always had something against me.”

“No, he doesn’t!” Dick grips his forearm with the hand that isn’t held in his own. “He does like you-“

“No, he doesn’t. It’s okay. It’s never bothered me much before, but…” Wally sighs, squeezing Dick’s hand. “Dick, we’re dating now… He’s the dad. I’m officially at the top of his list.”

Dick stops, pulling Wally to a standstill with him. “He doesn’t have a list.”

“He does now, and I’m on it.”

“Wally.” Dick’s voice is stern, the look in his eyes verging on angry. “Stop it.”

“What?”

“He’s my dad.”

“I know-“

“No, you don’t.” Dick snaps, and they both recoil slightly at his tone. “You just… you don’t.”

Wally bites his lip, remorse filling his chest. He hadn’t mean for this. “Dick, I’m-”

Dick’s let go of his hand now, folding his arms across his chest instead. “He’s my dad. And you’re my boyfriend. My best friend. Do you have any idea how much it kills me that you guys don’t get along?”

“Dick…”

“I know it’s not all your fault, it’s a weird mutual thing with you guys… but it’s not like you really try, Walls…”

There’s a weird silence between them now. Dick’s standing there, arms crossed and watching his boyfriend like a hawk. Wally has his hands shoved deep in his pockets, having the decency to look ashamed but not looking Dick in the eye.

He hadn’t meant for the night to end like this. He was supposed to walk Dick to the front door, sweep him off his feet in a passionate kiss and end the night with them both starry eyed and longing. But he’d decided to be an idiot. And now Dick is upset and at least a little angry and Wally wants to fix it so badly, but he’s not sure he’s allowed to talk just yet.

“Dick…”

He doesn’t respond. The only indication Wally gets that Dick is even listening is that he stops staring at him, his gaze flicking to the ground instead.

“I’m… I’m sorry.” Wally starts, stepping a little closer to his boyfriend. He takes it as a good sign that Dick doesn’t move away. “I know Bruce means a lot to you, I didn’t… I don’t want you to be hurting because of this.”

Dick sighs, dropping his arms to his sides. “Then just… just try to get along.”

“Dick, it’s not that I don’t want to get along with Bruce.”

“Then why can’t you?”

“It’s… hard.” Wally reaches out to him, his hands running down Dick’s arms to take both hands in his. He pauses, not sure how to explain his strained relationship with Dick’s father. “I know Bruce is a good man. He’s an incredible hero. But… Dick, he hasn’t always been the best dad to you.”

“That’s not-”

“Please… let me finish.” Wally squeezes his hands, waiting patiently until Dick nods for him to continue. “I’m not saying he’s a terrible dad. I know he tries. But… We both love you, a lot, and… sometimes that means we have to butt heads a little.”

“A lot…”

“Dick, I respect Bruce. I really do. But I don’t always agree with how he treats you.”

“He just has high expectations.”

“And he never tells you when you exceed them, or even meet them at all. You do it, constantly, but I don’t think you’ve ever told me a time that he’s actually praised you.”

Dick presses his lips together firmly, choosing not to fight back this time. He knows its true, Wally can tell. He just doesn’t want to voice it.

“Babe…” Wally lets go of one hand, so he can raise his own to tuck a stray lock of dark hair behind Dick’s ear. Dick lets out a sigh, leaning into Wally’s palm as it comes to rest on his cheek. “The only reason that Bruce and I are ever at odds is because we both care about you. Bruce doesn’t like to be challenged, but I have to challenge him sometimes, for your sake. You deserve so much more than what he gives you.”

“He’s given me everything, Wally.” Dick voice has been wavering ever since Wally started talking, but that sentence is firm in it’s resolution.

“I know that. And I know you think you owe him, but he’s your dad. You should never have to owe your dad anything.” He looks away, swallowing the lump in his throat. “…You know how long it took me to figure that out…”

Dick’s eyes widen just a fraction, his lips parting in a silent gasp of realization. “Oh… Wally…”

Wally’s squeezing his eyes shut in frustration, hating that he’s having to bring that up in order to explain himself. But he’s grateful that Dick already… knows. So he doesn’t have to give it any further thought.

“I can’t just… stand by…”

“I know, babe…”

“It’s just…” Wally puts his face in his hands, his fingers sliding up into his hair and pulling at it in exasperation. “I know that he makes you feel second-best and it’s such bullshit because you’re so much better than he’ll ever be, and he knows that – I know he does – he just never tells you and it’s so-”

Dick doesn’t let him finish.

His arms flying around his neck and pulling him down to meet him halfway, Dick kisses Wally with such fervor that it makes his head spin. Wally doesn’t resist in the slightest, responding with as much enthusiasm as he can muster. His own arms wind around Dick’s waist, like they always seem to when this happens, and he’s practically lifting the guy off the ground. Dick doesn’t complain, almost climbing up his torso to wrap his legs around Wally’s waist. They’re plastered so tightly to each other that Wally thinks they might fuse together, and Dick’s arms are trying to hold him even closer. They’re scrambling for more contact and Wally’s finding it hard to keep his footing, but he doesn’t think he’d mind hitting the ground if Dick came down with him.

They’re both so drunk on emotion at this point that neither of them care that this is happening in front of the manor, where any one of Dick’s family members could see them.

Fuck it. If this is how they find out, so be it.

Finally, either because they still haven’t learned to breathe when they do this, or they just don’t care anymore, they break apart gasping for air. Not far, Dick’s mouth barely leaving Wally’s as they lean their foreheads together, but just enough to catch their breath.

All the weird tension between them is gone, both understanding the other person without needing another word. Wally’s always loved that about them. He might not have that weird Bat-telepathy thing, but dammit if he doesn’t know Dick Grayson.

And Dick Grayson knows him.

How they’d lasted seven whole years without this, he’ll never know.

Dick pulls him close again, but this time it’s a hug. It’s tight and desperate but it’s everything he needs right now and Wally’s just burying his face in Dick’s hair because it’s the first thing that comes to mind.

“I’m so sorry…” Dick’s mumbling into his shoulder, and Wally’s holding him closer.

“Me too…”

“Can we stop being dumb now…?”

“Definitely.”

Dick pulls back to look at him, blue eyes flicking back and forth between Wally’s in the close proximity. His fingers are stroking through his hair, and it’s sending shivers down Wally’s spine.

“I love you, Wally West.”

Wally opens his mouth to respond, but Dick just shakes his head.

“No, don’t. I don’t need to hear it back, yet. I just wanted to tell you…” Dick takes a deep breath. “I’m so stupidly in love with you.”

Wally can’t help the giddy smile that takes over his face. Dick’s laughing sheepishly and it’s the second best thing Wally’s ever heard.

“I’m… I just…” Wally’s stumbling over his words, trying to articulate how he feels, but it’s impossible to do with words.

So he just kisses him again, because if he can’t tell Dick how he feels, then he can show him.

Dick’s hands tighten their grip in his hair as their lips meet. Wally tries to put as much emotion into the kiss as he can, his fingers digging into Dick’s thighs as he tries to pull him closer. Dick just about melts against him, and Wally figures that he’s getting the message.

Dick’s the one who breaks the kiss, his breath coming out in a shaky giggle as Wally chases his lips for more.

“Wally…”

“Hm?” Wally’s pressing kisses to his nose, his jaw, his forehead. Anywhere he can get to without letting Dick get any farther away.

“I don’t want you to go…”

He pauses, his lips pressed just under Dick’s jawline. “Okay…”

“I don’t… I don’t even want go in there myself…”

Wally pulls back just a bit to look him in the eyes. “Okay… What do you want to do?”

“Can we…” Dick takes a breath, trying to glance away from Wally’s gaze, but Wally’s too close and his eyes are too intensely curious to leave for long. “Can we just… go back to your place?”

“If… that’s what you want?”

“I just don’t really want to be here… not right now.”

Wally swallows the lump in his throat, this one here for an entirely different reason than the last. “Okay.”

Dick leans his forehead down to Wally’s shoulder again. The speedster pulls his goggles out from his back pocket again and settling them over his eyes. He doesn’t bother holding Dick’s weight up as he does so, the guy is clingy enough to do it himself.

“You comfy like this?”

Dick nods, pressing a kiss to the side of Wally’s neck. Wally winds his arms around Dick’s back again, holding him protectively against his chest.

“Ready?”

Another nod.

Wally doesn’t hesitate, taking off towards Palo Alto. He doesn’t even have to think about the direction – he knows this route like the back of his hand, he’s run it so many times. He’s tearing down highways and dirt roads, but his heart’s not racing from the adrenaline.

He’s not sure why this time feels different. Why bringing Dick back to his place this time is… different. The guy had spent three nights at his apartment last week, and that hadn’t been weird. Not that it’s weird this time. It’s not weird, it’s just… different.

Great job with the words there, Wall-man. Real articulate.

Wally shakes his head, trying to focus on the run and pushing himself a little faster. The sooner they get there, the sooner the world becomes distracting and loud again. The sooner Dick can talk and laugh and smile and make him feel a little less… weird.

Not soon enough, Wally’s skidding to a halt in the alley across from his apartment, and Dick is dropping to the ground from his place in Wally’s arms. They make their way inside, hand-in-hand, but silent. The world is distracting and loud but Dick’s not talking or laughing yet, so Wally’s heart is still pounding and his blood is rushing in his ears and – and he freaking out as they enter his bedroom and he’s not really sure why.

Like he can sense the panic in Wally’s chest, Dick closes the door behind them and immediately closes the distance between them, bringing his hand to either side of Wally’s face. He just looks at him, though, and Wally’s not sure why he wasn’t expecting that.

“Walls… You okay?”

“Mhm.”

“You sure…?”

“Yep.”

Dick frowns. “Wally I’m not… you know this isn’t… I’m not expecting anything, you know that, right?”

Suddenly all of the anxiety in Wally’s chest disappears, and he feels like such an idiot for not realizing what the hell that was all about. “Yeah… of course…”

He’s also feeling like a complete and total moron for even thinking that in the first place, subconsciously or not.

“I just wanted to be with you. Is that still okay?”

Wally flops down to sit on the edge of the bed, bringing Dick closer to stand between his knees. “Yes. Of course it is. I’m sorry, I don’t know why I…”

He cards his fingers through Wally’s hair, a soft smile on his lips. “It’s okay. I just… I want you to know that I know you don’t want to rush this.”

Dick’s looking at him with such gentle attention and love and concern that Wally feels like his chest is going to explode, so he grabs his boyfriend around the middle and tosses him on the bed next him. Dick squawks at the sudden movement but doesn’t fight it, landing in a flustered heap on the comforter as Wally lays down on his side next to him.

“Well.” He huffs, blowing a few strands of hair out of his face. “You’re definitely feeling better.”

Wally grins. “Yeah. Thanks to you.”

Dick rolls over to face him, placing a hand on his chest. “We’re all good?”

Wally can’t tell if he’s asking about the most recent thing, or the rest of their weird night, but he nods anyway. Because it really doesn’t matter. He’s feeling much better about everything.

“Hey Dick?”

“Yeah?”

Wally places his hand over Dick’s, moving it to rest over his heart. “I think… I think I am falling in love with you.”

Dick blinks, then bites his lip, definitely trying to hold back a smile. He shifts a little closer to Wally, interlocking their fingers against his chest.

“Okay… Tell me when you get there?”

Wally grins, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips. He pulls back just enough to speak, their lips still brushing as he does.

“You’ll be the first to know.”

#birdflash #dickwally #young justice #yj #dick grayson #wally west #nightwing #kid flash #batman #batfam #long post #my fic #my writing #fic #ao3 #fluff #angst #fluff and angst #fanfic #cute

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cleverbroadwayurl · 7 years ago

Text

“100% THE GAME LOSERS”

A/N: Okay so I normally don’t write things, but I got super inspired by @robot-anon‘s 1000 Follower Contest! I saw the quote “If you take one more photo I swear I’ll--” and immediately thought of Life is Strange!! Now, this post does contain spoilers because there isn’t really a way to avoid them when writing about the plot, but I did the best I could! I also tried to stay gender neutral, so my apologies if the piece becomes more feminine at times. Please take the trigger warnings seriously!

TRIGGER WARNINGS: mentions of rape, mentions of drug use, mentions of non-consensual actions, Life is Strange spoilers, swearing, mentions of domestic abuse, and mentions of sexual assault in general.

You knocked on Jeremy’s door with your right hand just as the sun was setting in New Jersey. Your left hand kept a tight grasp around a small rectangular case as you slightly smiled to yourself. There was a chill in the air, but the weather in New Jersey wasn’t anything new, even though you had just moved across the country a year ago. The golden hour had just begun, the sunlight giving everything a heavenly glow. Time to show Jeremy what he’s missing out on.

Mr. Heere opened the door, and surprisingly, he looked more…put together than usual (as in, he was actually wearing pants). He smiled a warm smile that matched the golden sunlight that was cast on the Heere’s front porch while opening the front door a little wider so you could come into the house. “Hi (Y/N),” he said, the large smile remaining static, “Jeremy and Michael are downstairs in the basement.”

You stepped into the house, while thanking Mr. Heere before practically hurling yourself down the stairs and into the basement.

Apocalypse of the Damned flashed on the TV, and you lunged towards the two boys who were silent in concentration. Trying not to disturb them any more than you already had, you carefully managed to sit between the two, half of your body on Michael’s bean bag, and the other half on Jeremy’s.

The three of you sat in comfortable silence as Jeremy and Michael attempted to get past Level 10 (they had beaten level 9 right after the SQUIP incident, the SQUIP-cident if you will, and just before they met you).

“GAME OVER” flashed on the screen in big red letters as both boys sighed. “DAMN IT” Michael yelled as he tossed the controller to the side. You let out a small chuckle as the two boys mourned their loss. Again.

“Hey (Y/N),” Jeremy greeted after a moment. You weren’t offended that they hadn’t greeted you when you got there. This was typical for Game Night, and you knew how hard they had worked on Level 10. Why they still couldn’t beat it was beyond you.

“Hey Jeremy,” you greeted before smirking at Michael. “Hi Michael, looking peachy as usual.”

He rolled his eyes playfully before sending you a smirk back. “Aww thanks, (Y/N). You know we were aiming to lose, that’s just how we play.”

“Surprisingly, that makes a lot of sense. I mean when the three of us play Mario Kart, that seems to be the common goal between the two of you,” you sassed back.

“HEY!” They shouted as they sat up. You could hardly contain the laughter from creeping out as the two pretended that they were extremely offended.

It wasn’t that they were bad, it’s just that you had experience. You had been playing with your brother since you were two, and he had taught you every trick in the book. You knew the tracks by heart on most systems, and could play almost any cup with your eyes closed. Of course, Jeremy and Michael put up a good fight, but you still ended up on top.

“Whatcha got there?” Jeremy asked, pulling you out of your thoughts.

“It was my turn to pick the game for Game Night. So I picked my favorite one,” you gave a small, but extremely genuine smile.

“Which one?”

“Life is Strange.”

“Wait…isn’t that single player?” Michael asked, his eyebrows furrowing. You nodded in response before showing the game in all of its glory.

“And haven’t you played it like 5 times?”

“Try 8 times, Heere,” you shot back, proud of yourself for logging over 150 hours into this somewhat obscure game.

“Okay…so why are we playing it tonight? It breaks not just one, but two of our Game Night rules. It’s single player and you’ve played it before. 8 times apparently,” Jeremy said, looking at you with confusion.

“Because you guys need to play it. It’s a part of me. I love this game so damn much, and I’ve devoted my only free time since Spring 2016 to this game. I mean, it’s a godsend. This game helps me relax, and sometimes it helps me sleep. So, if you want to get to know me better, which I know both of you do, we are going to sit here and play this game until we’re finished. No excuses, no buts, no shit talking from the peanut gallery. IE: you two.”

“Alright then, no sleeping buddy,” Michael teased, poking at your side. “It’s your game. You gotta stay up and play it with us.”

You giggled at Michael’s usual antics before quickly noticing that he was actually right. You weren’t lying: this game helped you relax and sleep when life was hitting you hardest. But you had committed to it. There is no way that Michael and Jeremy would be able to finish this game on their own in one night. Between the fetch quests and memory quizzes, it would take these boys over 20 hours to complete it. And the bottle collecting for Chloe Price in Episode 2 was a two-hour task on its own if you weren’t an experienced player. They definitely needed you awake.

“I promise to try my best,” you stated, confidently.

“Okay, so how is this going to work?” Jeremy asked, eyeing the controller. It was obvious that he wanted to be the person controlling Max, but Life is Strange is a choice-based game. It requires the most observant player, the most patient people, and most importantly, the ones who can keep a cool head when things get crazy. Michael and Jeremy did not seem to meet all of the requirements. Not yet, at least.

They were absolutely experienced in video games, but the two had never played something that required so much thought. Sure, the decisions get harder, but decisions are not levels. This was not the average mainstream retro game like Apocalypse of the Damned. No, this required thought, and someone who knew that they were doing.

“You guys will make the decisions. I have no input unless you two are truly conflicted on something. I will hit whatever button you guys tell me to. There is no timer for making the choices, and no quick time, so we don’t have to worry about how long each debate about decisions will take. I know where everything is for the fetch quests, and I wanted to 100% the game on your guys’ first play through. Some of the achievements are super hard to get. Plus, how sick would those bragging rights be?”

“There are achievements?” Jeremy asked, sounding skeptical.

“How does that work?” Michael followed up.

“There are optional photos you can take in every episode. Those count as trophies, or achievements,” you explained, already standing up to insert the game into Jeremy’s PS4.

“Sounds like you’ve thought about this,” Michael noted, eyeing up the game’s case.

You stood in front of the TV for a second, thinking about everything you would need. You had the game, the seating arrangement, how the game was to be played; what else did you need? Michael probably needs another slushie, and maybe all three of you need snacks?

“Hey Michael?”

“Yeah?”

“This game takes 10 hours to complete. You might want a slushie to help you get through it.”

“And maybe some snacks if we’re in for the long haul?” Jeremy quickly added on.

“Anything else you want before Servant Michael goes to 7/11?”

“It was just a suggestion,” you reminded as Michael grabbed his keys.

“Nah, I’m not mad at you. Jeremy, however, owes me one big favor when I get back because he didn’t offer to tag along and help with both the choosing and carrying of the snacks.”

“Dude, I don’t want to leave her here alone with my dad. That’s...more than embarrassing.”

“Fair point. I’ll be back soon, you two.”

You waved Michael goodbye as he climbed up the stairs and out of the house. You decided to be a little sneaky and wait until Michael was gone before sitting yourself down in his usual spot.

You and Jeremy made small talk in the basement as you waited for Michael to get back. The 7/11 was only a 4-minute drive, and you were sure that he’d be back shortly.

Talking with Jeremy was always a little bit interesting. Sometimes he was awkward, or sometimes things were stuttered out, or sometimes he was embarrassed because he accidentally overshared, but overall, Jeremy was a pretty good conversationalist once he got comfortable. Which was nice, honestly. Because you often tend to be okay at making typical and cliché small talk (you and the SQUIP Squad have talked about the weather a lot) for the first part of the conversation, but run out of things to say. However, whenever you and Jeremy talked, it was easy. If you ran out of things to say, Jeremy would become comfortable enough to come up with something relating to whatever you were talking about. It was a nice balance between the two of you.

“I have a question for you,” Jeremy started, looking at the game’s case.

“What’s up, Jer?”

“Why do you love this game so much?” He asked innocently.

Your mind went blank for a second. “Feminism,” you spat out quickly. Your gaze shifted towards your lap as soon as the word exited your lips. Sure, it was feminism. But it was also so much more. It was everything to you, the first “real” game you’d ever played. It was your outlet for any stress, it was a way to be undetected; it was an escape.

“Are you sure that that’s the only reason why you like it?” Jeremy asked, trying to meet your eyes. He knew that whenever you did this, you weren’t telling the whole truth. This was a way for you to dodge questions because it would force you to go deeper into your personal life. He knew you weren’t really a sharer, but also knew that you’d spent so many hours not only playing this game, but researching the science of it, researching strategy to get new outcomes, and, of course, waiting for the sequel. There was definitely more you loved about this game than ‘feminism’.

You opened your mouth to answer his question (actually, you were probably going to make a self-depreciating joke, which was also a defense mechanism), but Michael waltzed back into the room, cherry slushie in hand. He had a bag of snacks in his other hand, claiming that there was no Game Night complete without eating your weight in junk food.

He reached into the bag, and pulled out some ice cream. He handed the frozen treat to you as Jeremy grabbed the controller and booted up the game. Slowly but surely, Michael had dispersed the snacks in front of all 3 of you. As you opened up your ice cream, and Michael handed you a spoon, you decided that now was probably a good time to talk about some themes in this game.

“Alright guys, listen up.”

The two boys looked at you sharply as the game continued to load onto the screen. You noticed that your voice had gotten a lot quieter than it was when you thanked Michael for the ice cream and spoon.

“This game deals with some…sensitive issues. I know that sometimes you guys get upset when people are mistreated, so if either of you need to take a break to cool off a little bit, let the group know.”

“We can handle it, (Y/N),” Michael smiled, mimicking Superman’s pose before kicking you out of his bean bag. You gently moved over to the spot you’d had before as the game’s main menu appeared.

A sense of calm washed over you. The title music was the number one thing that kept you sane and happy. It stopped anxiety attacks, any bouts of paranoia, and could destress you in 10 minutes. The whoosh of the ocean and wind reminded you of the few peaceful times that you had had in your hometown.

“We get it, (Y/N). You’re from Seattle.”

“We get it, Michael. You can’t tell the difference between Seattle and Oregon: where this game actually takes place.”

Michael rolled his eyes playfully as you selected “New Game”. You had to admit, it was funny to watch the two boys jump at the initial thunder clap that began the game. You smiled, happy tears in your eyes, so happy to be playing your favorite game with some amazing people.

And with that, the game play started. You quickly blinked back your tears, and returned to your normal state. Episode 1 was rather easy. It was an introductory to the characters and the game mechanic. You had to admit, there were some moments that you’d cherish forever.

Some examples include: when Nathan shoots Chloe in the bathroom, both boys screamed out the first time it happened. It wasn’t even like a manly scream. Michael’s voice cracked and Jeremy’s was so high in his falsetto, you swore only animals could hear it. When the boys made the choice to stay hidden in Chloe’s closet and Chloe’s step-douche hits her because she was smoking weed, Michael did indeed get a little pissy. His exact words were “That guy is a fucking dick who would marry him?”

As the game went on, you noticed that Michael had a soft spot for Kate Marsh. Kate Marsh also happens to be your favorite character, so you and Michael happily agreed to help her in any way you two could. Jeremy started to get fed up because “why do we have to stop and clean her whiteboard again?”

By the end of Episode 2, Jeremy was eating his words. As soon as Max got on the roof and said the infamous: “I can’t rewind!!”, Jeremy’s eyes got wide. Fortunately, they managed to save Kate. Both of them just sat there after the episode ended, taking deep breaths. You had to keep reassuring them that yes, they did save Kate (Michael almost cried when you told him that there was a large chance that you would not be able to save her, so imagine his relief).

The two had also said yes to the date with Warren, so it was a pretty good playthrough so far.

After Jeremy and Michael had calmed down, they both decided it was best for them to keep going. Their interest in the game spiked, and they both slowly began to realize what they were missing out on. You, however, got a little bit more worried. Before you hit “Continue”, you set the controller down and took a breath.

“It only gets worse from here. I am warning you now. Those episodes were tame. The next ones are…much darker. Literally and figuratively.”

They both shuddered at your words before Jeremy bravely said that he would like to continue.

By the end of Episode 3, they had blamed Nathan, sided with Chloe and Joyce, survived the initial confrontation with Frank (they laughed when Frank said “THOSE WERE MY BEANS”), and had managed to not fuck up too badly. Plus, you had gotten them all of the optional photos so far. Not a bad playthrough at all.

But then came Episode 4. Episode 4 was the most unsettling chapter of the game. You knew this. The boys you were playing with? Did not.

However, you began the episode and kept going. When Max had to go into Nathan’s room, you tensed. How could you not; his room is creepy. Of course, you found the photo of Chloe, and the broken lamp. That was a given. But when Max commented “I hope all of those models were consenting,” Michael almost lost it, and Jeremy seemed to shake with anger.

“(Y/N), he did it, I know he did it, Jesus Christ Nathan I will personally pummel you to the ground pal,” Michael rambled.

Although his threats were funny, this was nothing compared to Episode 5. You kind of dreaded it. If they were mad at characters now, they were going to be furious by the end of the game.

The three of you kept going, and Jeremy was getting a little annoyed at how out of your way you had to go to get some of the optional photos. But when you mentioned that he’d be 100%-ing the game first try, he’d shut up really quick.

You made it to the barn. You stopped just outside of it (taking a photo, much to Jeremy’s dismay), before setting the controller down the second time. The two boys looked at you, curious as to why you weren’t going in. Taking a breath, you started to formulate what you should say in order to make this half confession to go as easy as possible for you. You didn’t want to freak out so bad that you had to turn off the game like you’d done in the past.

The basement was dark. And you were about the enter the Dark Room.

“Okay…uhm…guys? Listen to me very carefully. When I’m searching for something weird in this barn, the controller will vibrate ever so slowly. I will jump every time it does. I know what’s in there, and it’s…disturbing to say the least. So, if I do jump, there is no need to worry. It’s just me being a little anxious.”

Their expressions went from confused to concerned. They each put a hand on your shoulder, grounding you in the moment.

Finally, you’d made it to Episode 5, sans sleeping. It was a miracle to be honest. You made it through the barn, and guess what? Jeremy and Michael cried when you found out what happened to Rachel Amber. Sure, it was sad, but after playing it 8 times, you get desensitized, you know?

The end of Episode 4 was what really got these boys angry, though. When Max was given the injection, Michael screeched out “NATHAN YOU FUCKING PRESCOTT!!” while Jeremy gasped. And when the figure in the dark was shown, there was a mixture of “FUCK”s that were spewed into the room.

“WHAT THE FUCK”

“HOW THE FUCK”

“WAIT”

“FUCKIN NO THIS ISN’T REAL”

“OH MY FUCKING GOD”

“HOW”

“THAT SICK MOTHERFUCKER”

“WHO DRUGS GIRLS AND THEN TAKES PHOTOS OF THEM WHAT THE FUCK”

“TORTURES HIS FUCKIN MODELS WHO DOES THAT”

By the end of it, Michael went to go smoke some weed and Jeremy had his head in his hands. You sat silently, letting the title music take your worries away.

“(Y/N)?”

“Yes Jer?”

“You were right. It’s very feminist.”

You sighed at him as he stared at the ground in confusion. “Glad you think so,” you said after a beat. You waited another second before saying “It gets worse.”

“How does it get fucking worse?”

You sat for a minute before explaining that if he wants to know, he needs to get Michael. And you could’ve sworn you had never seen Jeremy move so fast in his life.

And there you sat. Shocking that this game was relaxing, wasn’t it? Well, to you it was. The light colors, the calming music, basically everything except the subject matter made you a happy person. You wondered if Michael and/or Jeremy would question you about why this is your favorite game (Jeremy would want you to go more in depth, you were sure of it). And you were sure that they’d ask you how you were able to sleep after playing such a game. You had to form sentences in your mind. This couldn’t be about self-depreciating jokes. This had to be real. If you were going to open up to them, you needed to be yourself and use the actual terminology, not some half assed whole lie.

Jeremy showed up with Michael moments later, and he was not as high as you would actually think. You looked at him, kind of surprised in all honesty. He noticed you staring at him, and then said “I wanted to make good decisions in this game. We almost lost Kate. I don’t want to lose someone else.”

You nodded before hitting the “Continue” button.

During the nightmare portion, you collapsed into yourself as each level got darker and darker. Michael was extremely fixated on the game, while Jeremy noticed and wrapped an arm around you. Every time you’d slightly flinch, he’d give you a reassuring squeeze into him.

The stealth was coming up. It was your least favorite part of the game and by far the scariest. It was honestly nightmare inducing all by itself. As soon as you heard the villain’s “Don’t try to hide Max! Get over here! Let me capture you!” You jumped and gave a small yelp. You quickly tried to steady your breathing and get ready to stealth your way past all of the terrible people in the game.

As soon as you jumped, Jeremy’s arm fell off of you, and after you’d landed, he placed his hand on your shoulder. Michael quickly did the same, understanding that yes, the two of them were scared shitless, but imagine how you were feeling. You were the one playing. And you were the only one who could complete the game in its entirety.

“You can do this. You’ve done it 8 times. You are safe. You are here with me and Michael.” Jeremy soothed as you stepped out from behind the white wall.

Expertly navigating through the maze, both boys remained silent. It was like they were playing Apocalypse of the Damned again. Whenever you were caught, your breath would hitch, and you would tense up. But being brave is rewinding and trying it again. So, that’s what you did.

The objective was to get to the lighthouse. Both Jeremy and Michael were extremely disturbed by this creepy maze, and they honestly just wanted it to be over. They both tensed up every time a flashlight would flash across the screen. You could feel it on your shoulders.

After collecting one of the optional photos in the stealth, Jeremy breathed a slight sigh of relief. “That’s the last one, right?” He asked, hoping that you’d say yes.

You remained silent, eyes on the screen as you got to the last section. Michael and Jeremy were cheering. You were so close to being done with this hellish landscape!!

Then you heard Max comment “Oh shit! Bottle collecting? Are you cereal?” You looped around, expertly avoiding each person with a flashlight.

“YOU’RE SO CLOSE TO THE LIGHTHOUSE JUST GO TO THE LIGHTHOUSE WHAT ARE YOU DOING” both boys started shouting.

“100% THE GAME LOSERS” you screeched back. You had managed to get all the bottles, with no worries.

Well, except one. You had one bottle to go, and from behind, you heard the most disturbing line of them all: “Max, Rachel not only gave great headshots. She gave great head. Especially after I dug her up to be with her one final time. Why are you looking at me like that?”

That was the one line you had never heard the main villain say. It was the one that you hoped you’d never hear. It was the one that made you cringe, flinch, and then nearly throw the controller.

Jeremy nearly threw up. Michael nearly threw up. What kind of sick game was this?! Jeremy was done with you getting these optional photos. He was done with Nathan, Frank, the whole evil gang really. He wanted that 100%, but to be honest, he wanted you to be okay more. Jeremy hated the fact that he had to witness you being absolutely terrified and jumped at every little interaction. Sure, he knew you loved this game, but something told him you had never heard that person say that specific line before. The game had gone too far. He knew you needed to be calm again. And he knew that nothing was going to do that besides making it to the lighthouse.

“(Y/N), you don’t need to 100% the game for us!” Jeremy shouted angerly, without meaning to.

“I promised, Jeremy!” You shot back.

“If you take one more optional photo I swear to god I’ll—” The game’s animation for the optional photo went off, and Max stepped into the space by the lighthouse. You took a breath before smirking at Jeremy.

“Congrats you two, you’re about to 100% Life is Strange.”

As soon as Max sat on the bench, the three of you sighed in relief. The worst was over. Michael gave your shoulder one final squeeze before removing his hand, as Jeremy wrapped his arm around you, and giving you the sweetest side hug he could.

When the game finally ended, the three of you flopped down onto the bean bags.

“Holy fuck, (Y/N). That’s your favorite game? I thought it was going to be tame, not whatever the fuck that was. I feel like I just smoked a bunch of weed and then ran around for 2 hours. I’m drained.” Michael rambled.

You gave him a small smile, telling him the same thing you told Jeremy: “It’s a feminist game. You know I like it when feminine issues are addressed in major masses of media and they’re widely accepted.”

Michael nodded in agreement, knowing that yes, you did like it when mass media produced things with actual feminine issues.

“Anyways,” you continued, “thank you for being here with me, you guys. It means a lot. That nightmare…it…uhh…isn’t easily handled that often. I didn’t expect that one character to say that specific line. And most of the time I have to turn off the game after the barn.”

“We’re here for you, okay?” Jeremy noted, leaning forward ever so slightly.

“Yeah, I mean, we both support you and care about your decisions and well-being.” Michael added sleepily.

“I should probably get going. It’s 2 AM, and I kinda told my mom I’d be home by 3,” you said before packing your things up.

“You can’t walk home alone!” Jeremy protested, and Michael suddenly snapped awake.

“You could die!” Michael added.

“Someone could drug you!”

“Or you could be stabbed!”

“Guys!” you interjected, “I’ll be fine. I have pepper spray, remember? Plus, I can just like call my brother or something.”

You grabbed your game from the PS4 and put it safely back into its case. Jeremy and Michael looked at you with wide eyes. The three of you had just played a game where teenage girls are drugged, sexually assaulted, and photographed. No way were they letting you go out of their sight for over a week.

“If anything, I’ll drive you home,” Michael offered.

“It’s fine—” you yawned halfway through your sentence before giggling at yourself, “I knew Life is Strange made me sleepy.”

“Why don’t you just stay the night?” Jeremy asked you.

“You don’t mind?” You asked the lanky boy cautiously.

“Not at all.”

“Let me ask my mom.”

Your mom wasn’t usually so quick to approve of these things, but it was worth a shot to ask. You could tell her you were tired, and were completely safe in the Heere household. Maybe she’d allow it. So, you sent her a text.

She replied instantly, saying as long as you didn’t overstay your welcome, it was fine if you stayed over. She knew you were safe with Jeremy and Michael; she knew who they were, and knew that they wouldn’t try anything with her child.

“My mom said I could stay!”

The two teens whooped sleepily (and were very relieved that you wouldn’t have to walk outside alone) as you made your way back to the bean bags. You took your usual spot, right in the middle of the two boys, happy that you could stay.

“What do you want to do now?” Michael asked. “It’s our first sleepover together.”

“Well we already did what I wanted to do. Unless both of you would like to wait for the prequel to come out with me,” you chuckled.

“Let’s watch a movie,” Jeremy suggested, knowing that all three of you would be asleep within the first hour.

“Which one?” You asked.

“Let’s watch something happier. I need it after that emotional rollercoaster (Y/N) here,” Michael gestured towards you, “calls a game.”

“How about The Road to El Dorado?” Jeremy asked, flipping through Netflix.

“Sure,” you responded, knowing that Michael was already half asleep.

As the movie went on, you could feel your eyes get droopy. You did your best not to lean on Jeremy, but all hopes were lost. You shut your eyes, and welcomed sleep as if it were your best friend.

Jeremy’s eyes remained focused on the movie. He knew that there was so much more you had to tell him. He knew that Life is Strange is not your favorite game just because of the issues it covers. He knew that your trust was earned, and tonight was a very clear sign that he and Michael were two people that you were comfortable enough to show what you were passionate about. And while you knew about his secrets and past, he understood whenever you’d divert the conversation elsewhere when someone asked about your past or your interests. He understood the silences you gave, and sometimes even the self-depreciating jokes. He wanted to do so much for you, but had no idea where to start. And that was okay. He knew that was okay.

When Jeremy noticed that you were asleep, his face turned a dark red. He had heard all about the studies where people who could sleep around their friends, family, or significant others generally trusted them and had good relationship with one another (of course you told him about this study, and you being asleep further proved his point that him and Michael had gained your trust). He knew you were no different. You were strong, resilient, but tonight showed a side of pure joy and vulnerability. He hadn’t missed the tears forming in your eyes when the game started. He could tell they were tears of joy. He was honored that he got to help you through Max’s nightmare and the barn (even though you’d done it before). And he was honored to have you fall asleep on him.

In a sudden burst of tired confidence, Jeremy wrapped his arm around you before drifting off to sleep as well; the smile on his face only growing larger.

#Be More Chill #BMC #Jeremy Heere #Jeremy Heere x Reader #Michael Mell #Michael Mell x Reader #Robo Writing Entry #This clocks in at 5k words

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imagine-loki · 7 years ago

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Dangerous Love

TITLE: Dangerous Love CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 43 AUTHOR: Pretty Dead Girl ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine that, when Loki comes to the tower, you fall in love with him even though you know you shouldn’t. Knowing that you are absolutely terrible at hiding your crush, you avoid him to not get into trouble. Everyone at the tower keeps away from him, but none avoid him as much as you do, and he gets curious. That’s how he finds out your little secret and he will no longer let you ignore him just like that. RATING: M Summary: Tony takes care of business and discovers shocking news while Thor and Astrid take on Loki in an attempt to stop him from ending the world, and a surprise visitor shows up to help Loki. Thor and Astrid went in search of Loki while Natasha, Clint, Wanda, Steve, and Bucky retreated back to Stark Tower. Tony, Vision, and Bruce, the three Avengers who were not wanted criminals, volunteered to stay and deal with the authorities. They didn’t usually stick around for this, but the battle against Eirik and his demons left Central Park littered with bodies, and without SHIELD, someone had to stay behind and explain why.

Another reason they remained behind- if not the most important reason- was to take care of Ragni’s body. She was to be taken care of first by the coroner, above all others. Tony would make sure of that. Sitting next to Ragni, Tony was grateful Vision and Bruce stayed off to the side and gave him a moment to grieve, alone.

The aching pressure in Tony’s chest was a constant reminder of how incredibly guilty he felt, unable to recall ever feeling this bad, and doing his best not to think about Loki or the fact that he was out there all alone while he slowly lost his mind with grief in the process. God, how could he be so fucking stupid? Unable to hold it in for a moment longer, Tony allowed himself to break down. He rocked back and forth, still wearing his helmet to hide the tears that he knew were coming, and started to sob. He grieved for both Ragni, the friend he’d already lost and Loki, the friend he was currently losing.

His sobs were just beginning to die down when F.R.I.D.A.Y. spoke up, “Sir, agent Barton is on the line. Would you like me to connect the call?” He started to say no, momentarily embarrassed for crying, then decided against it.

“Yeah,” Tony croaked, no longer caring that Barton would see his red-rimmed eyes once the call connected. He was, at least Tony assumed, currently dealing with his own grief. Mourning not only the loss of a friend but a woman he once loved- a woman he probably still held love for.

A moment later, Barton appeared on the screen. Judging by his long face, his lament was obvious. Wiping the tears from his own red-rimmed eyes, he drew a shuddered breath. “Hey, Tony,” he said quietly, voice wavering as he spoke.

Tony cleared his throat and gave him a small smile, “Hey there, Legolas. What’s up?“

“I called to let you know that Natasha managed to get in contact with Maria Hill and she’s sending a team via Quinjet.”

SHIELD coming to the rescue after being all but eliminated- Tony had a theory that SHIELD evolved from cockroaches; you couldn’t kill them no matter how hard you tried -should have surprised him; it didn’t. Not even a little bit.

“Natasha briefed Hill and her team about what went down earlier and while they shouldn’t have any questions, expect them. They will, without a shadow of a doubt, ask about Nick. SHIELD- what’s left of them anyway -is having a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that he willingly joined forces with HYDRA-demons and left us with no other choice than to eliminate him.” At that, Tony furrowed a brow. “We decided to omit the part where Loki murdered Fury in cold blood. So instead, we told Hill that he was killed during the battle. You never know how SHIELD is going to react. While there’s a chance they will say nothing since Fury was technically a HYDRA-demon or whatever, there is also a good chance that they will do something. Claim that since he was in our custody they could have brought him in and ‘cured’ him. But we also would have had to have known SHIELD was still around. Still, I figure better safe than sorry.”

“Good idea.” The last thing they needed to do was give SHIELD a reason to go after Loki. Especially now. Now really wasn’t the best time for that.

Tony had just finished explaining- the Fury, Loki story change -situation to Bruce and Vision when SHIELD arrived. There were at least twelve agents that Tony could see, none that he recognized, scattered all over the park like roaches. He refused to stray too far from Ragni’s body- there was no telling what SHIELD would do with it -and veered away any agents who stepped too close. He figured the coroner would have been here by now, assuming they didn’t need a reasonable time frame to work with since what they were picking up wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Still, the thought pissed him off. He decided if they hadn’t shown up within the next twenty minutes he would take her himself.

Five minutes later, Tony saw a ghost.

“You’re dead,” he stuttered, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes (he’d finally managed to remove his helmet) blinking several times before he decided that either A. he was dreaming or B. he had somehow died and not realized it.

“Am I?” The man known as Phil Coulson replied and quirked an eyebrow in Tony’s direction.

“You were dead. They said you were dead.” Tony stopped himself before he blurted, Loki killed you!

“Huh, guess it didn’t take,” he shrugged indifferently and then smiled. “It’s nice to see you, Tony.”

Well shit! Tony mused to himself. Coulson really was here. Standing in front of him. Alive and, well… Alive. Thank God. He thought he was going crazy there for a minute and he really didn’t want to see another shrink.

“Yeah, you too, dude. Wow. I can’t believe you’re really here. Wait, why didn’t I know that you were alive before now? Does anyone else know? Clint? Natasha? Steve?”

“Not yet, but I plan on revealing myself to them very soon. I’ve been kinda sorta undercover for the past two and a half years. Knowing I’m alive is… Well, it’s a need to know basis,” he explained.

“Sounds, uh, cool.”

“Mhm,” Coulson hummed and pulled out his cell phone, but Tony knew better - that it wasn’t any ordinary cell phone. Not when it came to Phil Coulson and SHIELD. “Now, tell me,” he spoke, gravely, “Exactly, what happened here?”

****

Who knew that New York’s Central Park had its very own satanic temple? It was no wonder Eirik and his demons gathered there. Loki knew the place would still be crawling with mortals and decided to continue his plans the following night. When the time came the park was exactly as needed; empty.

He didn’t even notice that he stopped to stare at the ground until he realized the spot he was subconsciously looking at. Ignoring the stabbing pain in his chest he continued through the park until he reached the center, the satanic temple lying below. He had every intention of bringing the temple to the surface, where he planned to use the earth’s energy to trigger Ragnarok, beginning with Midgard. Once he was finished, he would travel back to Asgard and fulfill the promise he’d made to Odin.

Closing his eyes, he held out both hands and focused his energy, and within moments the ground beneath him started to shake as the temple rose to the earth’s surface. The main spire of the temple bore the effigy of the demon herself, Lexiyah; the demon of destruction and death. Once above ground, Loki relaxed and then focused once more. The air crackled around him as he poured the earth’s energy into the temple that would eventually trigger a catastrophic event. He truly believed it was better this way, for all of them. There would be no more pain, no more suffering, only peace.

“Loki, stop!” A familiar voice came from behind him and Loki rolled his eyes.

Dammit, Thor. Not now!

“Loki, no!” Another voice, one he recognized to be Astrid.

Dammit to hell!

He really didn’t have time to end the world and deal with them. Why couldn’t Thor and Astrid just leave him alone? - leave him be, and just let him do what needed to be done.

***

Loki ignored his pleas, leaving Thor with no choice but to use Mjolnir, and chucked the hammer at his brother. He, of course, made sure the hit wasn’t fatal or really even enough to hurt him, he simply knocked Loki off balance just enough for him to lose his focus. When he regained his footing, Loki glared daggers at Thor before sending a blast of energy in his direction, hitting him, and knocking him back several feet where he landed not so gracefully on his ass.

“Dammit, Loki! That actually hurt!” Thor hissed through gritted teeth, slowly working his way back on his feet. “Loki, you need to stop this madness!”

“Do I? Do I!” He yelled, hitting Thor with another blast of powerful (and very painful) magic, knocking him back to the ground.

“Stop, Loki! You’re hurting him,” Astrid screamed and stepped between them. “Please, you need to stop. This isn’t the way!”

“How would you know!” Loki roared and then hit her with the same blast he hit Thor with.

“Shit! Fuck, that smarts!” She cried, staring at Loki with pleading eyes. “Please, please, Loki. Just stop.”

“I can’t, don’t you see? It’s better this way.”

****

“Please, you must send me back now! I’m the only one who can stop this!” She shouted. “You must send me back!”

“It can be done, but understand, that if you choose to leave you can never return, your fate will lie elsewhere.” A large, dark-skinned man with yellow eyes explained.

“I understand,” she nodded.

"Knowing this, have you reached a decision?”

“I have.” Frigga stood and approached the guardian. “I choose to go back. My son, my Loki needs me, as does the fate of the nine realms.

"Then by the order of the guardians, Frigga Odinson, you are hereby exiled from Valhalla.”

***

Thor and Astrid were on the ground and barely conscious. He couldn’t remember Loki’s magic blasts ever hitting this hard, but considering his new found power, courtesy of Odin and the hidden vault filled with dangerous books of magic (Yes, he knew about that, having arrived on Asgard an hour too late) Loki’s magic was a lot more powerful, but also a lot more unpredictable.

It also occurred to him that Loki may have never actually tried to hurt him before using magic. At least, not until now. But what made the situation worse was that he was hurting Astrid too; his best friend, without a single regard for her welfare. Little by little Loki’s humanity slipped away. If they kept this up Thor was sure the magic would kill both Astrid and himself. It would take a while, but Loki would inevitably kill them if he continued down this road.

“Loki…” Thor tried again, unable to form the words he wanted. “…Stop.”

“I will, brother,” Loki told him. “But only if you stop trying to stop me.”

“You know that I cannot do that.”

“Then I cannot stop. Not until you’re dead.” Hitting Thor with another blast Loki rendered him unconscious.

“Loki, think about what you’re doing!” Astrid attempted to reason. “You can’t kill your brother and you can’t end the world!” She met his eyes and her bottom lip quivered. “You can’t kill me.”

“I can,” he said simply. “And I will, whether it be now or during Ragnarok, you will perish. Now choose.” Loki demanded. “You die now or later, which is it?”

“I won’t let you do this,” she choked, shaking her head. “I won’t.”

“Then you die now,” he declared. “But because you are my friend, I’ll make sure you don’t feel a thing.”

Snapping his fingers, he placed Astrid in a deep sleep and readied himself creating a larger, more powerful, ball of energy that he planned to use to finish them off. Then suddenly, he heard another familiar voice calling out to him. It didn’t take long for him to realize that the voice he was hearing was a voice he shouldn’t have been able to hear. Because the voice was coming from someone who was dead.

Frigga was dead.

“Loki.”

But she wasn’t dead. She was here, now, standing in front of him. Was he seriously hallucinating now? He had to be.

“Loki, my son.” Frigga gave a small smile. “I need you to come back to me.”

“Come back, what do you mean?” He asked skeptically.

“Your humanity slips away, I sense it. You must fight to get it back.”

“I don’t want it back,” he growled. “It makes the pain easier to handle if I seal it away.”

“Loki-”

“You aren’t real, you can’t be! Frigga… my mother is dead.”

“I was dead and now I am not, but I’m real Loki. I’m right here.”

“But how?”

“That isn’t important right now,” she told him. “What’s important is that you stop this. Do you truly wish to destroy a world that your mother resides on? Would it be so easy for you to kill me?”

“What, no!” Loki stressed. “I would never harm you, you know that!”

“Yes, I do know that,” Frigga said softly and took a few steps toward her youngest son.

“…You’re really here?” He asked so softly, so pitifully, it broke Frigga’s heart. He still wasn’t sure if she was truly here.

“Yes, Loki. I’m really here.”

Releasing the magical energy, Loki let it fall into nothing and stood as still as a statue (probably with his mouth gaped open) as Frigga approached him.

This couldn’t be real; it had to be a dream.

…His mother was dead.

“Mother?”

The word comes out broken as it finally hits him, losing what little composure he had left. Sobbing, Loki falls to his knees and Frigga knelt down beside him, taking him into her arms much like she did when he was a small child and embraced him. And he lets her. He lets her hold him as if he were a child, enjoying the comfort and presence of his mother; something that he’d missed very much.

“Everything is so screwed up,” Loki choked. “I lost… I lost her and I don’t know what to do.”

“Don’t worry my sweet boy, mother’s here now,” she assured him, running her fingers through his hair. “You mustn’t go through with what you’re trying to do, Loki. I know that you’re hurting and I know you long for death. I know exactly what you’ve lost and for that I’m sorry, but please, Ragni wouldn’t want you to do this.”

“You knew Ragni?”

“I knew of her. I watched you Loki and that girl loved you, I could see that clearly. She wouldn’t want this and deep down you know it too. If not for me, do it for her - promise me you won’t do this, that you’ll stop and come back to me. If you let me I can help you.”

After several minutes of silence, Loki reluctantly agreed, “Alright.”

“You can try but I swear mother if I cannot find something to numb the pain - stop this constant ache in my chest - and soon, I won’t last much longer and it won’t matter how badly I want to live because the grief will kill me. I can already feel it.”

****

“How long is he going to be gone?”

If Tony wasn’t depressed before he sure as hell was depressed now.

They’d found Loki, but his mother had returned from the grave (holy shit, what’s with all the dead rising?!) deciding that it was best she take Loki away for a couple of months while she helped him manage (and hopefully) remedy his grief. Now he stood in the living room with a girl he didn’t know but didn’t care because his only concern was for Loki.

“Couple of months,” Astrid shrugged. “Three at the most. Frigga thinks a change of scenery might help instead of staying here where everything reminds him of her. I’m sure it’s hard either way.”

“I’m sure it is,” he nodded. “Wait, Ragni’s funeral is the day after tomorrow. Loki’s going to miss it?”

She nodded sadly. “Yeah. When he gets back we can show him her gravesite. Loki’s having a hard time focusing on anything other than not losing his mind and/or humanity right now.”

“I can’t even imagine what he’s going through.” Tony sighed and sat down on the couch.

“You couldn’t, it’s so much worse because of the bond,” she mumbled and joined Stark on the couch. “We have to do something. He can’t just stay this way. I have a lot of faith in Frigga, but even I don’t think she can work around this kind of magic.”

That was discouraging, if the Allmother couldn’t even save the day.

“So what do we do?” Tony asked.

“The only thing that we can do.” Astrid took a deep breath and stared Tony Stark directly in the eyes. “We’re going to bring Ragni back.”

Author notes: I am so sorry this took so damn long. I forgot how to write and I’ve also been dealing with personal problems. I’ll do my best and try not to take so long for the next update.

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hsj-scenarios · 7 years ago

Note

Hey could I request a scenario where Yamada (boyfriend) gets jealous of Chinen (childhood friend) and y/n being super close?? Like "my girl" by arioka and yamada!! Thanks ☺️☺️

Well, Nonnie-chan…this one broke my heart. Seriously, broke it! I hope you were looking for that kind of pain when you requested this lol this is pure angst lol SQUISHES to you my dear!

Title: My Girl x2Pairing/Relationship: Yamada Ryosuke x Reader, Chinen Yuri x ReaderRating: RWarnings: Violence, LanguageGenre: Angst/Hurt

Yuri’s heartpounded, shock causing his body to jump, nearly scared to death from thepounding on the front door, he scrambled up, walking quickly to the foyer,where he could now hear Ryosuke’s voice, rough and loud through the wallbetween them, “I’m going to kill you, you son of a bitch!”

Yuri jerkedthe door open, his eyes wide, “What the hell are you ta–”

Before hecould finish the sentence, Ryosuke had barreled into him, his shoulder slamminginto his stomach as he pushed him backward, the two of them moving across thesmall space in the entryway, hitting the table there, the contents scatteringacross the floor as they fell, a vase breaking, the shattering noise nothingcompared to the barrage of swear words emanating from Ryosuke’s lips.

“Iswear to God,” he growled, his fist flying up the moment he stood up,landing squarely against Yuri’s jaw, his head flying sideways from theunexpected blow, but before Ryosuke could hit him again, his leg flew up,twisting his torso so he could sideswipe Ryosuke’s head and shoulders, causinghim to lose his balance.

It was thesecond Yuri needed, pushing away from the wall so he wasn’t pinned there, hecircled around behind Ryosuke, jumping forward onto him, his arm coming aroundhis neck, jerking Ryosuke’s head straight up, his mouth against his ear,“What the fuck are you doing, Yamada?”

Ryosuke’shands came up, clawing at Yuri’s arm, his voice hoarse, “Let me go!”

“Notuntil you tell me what the fuck is happening here!”

“Youknow damn well what is happening here you fucking traitor!”

“I haveno idea what you are talking abou–”

Ryosuke’sfoot came down, the heel of his shoe hitting Yuri’s bare foot, causing him tocry out, his grip loosening, giving Ryosuke the advantage he needed. Ryosukeducked down, spinning around, his fist flying forward into Yuri’s stomach, theair being knocked out of him, as he stumbled backward, and for a moment Ryosukehesitated, because he had no idea what he was doing, not anymore–just filledwith raw, unfettered fury.

Yuri’s voicewas twisted, full of hurt as he spat the words at Ryosuke, “What the fuckis wrong with you?”

Shootingforward, his arm thrust outward, the heel of his hand slamming into Ryosuke’ssternum, causing him to gasp, his hands shooting up to clutch his throat,feeling like he couldn’t breathe. He lost his footing, hitting the wall behindhim, trying to steady himself, but Yuri didn’t pause, didn’t take the time toconsider what was happening, an overwhelming anger of his own running throughhim, and his fists shot out, one after another as he hit Ryosuke, the nose, thechin, the eye, nothing was left untouched, and then Ryosuke’s own fist flashedforward, hitting Yuri square in the nose, a stream of blood pouring out as hefell backward onto the floor.

Ryosuke wason top of him, and the next blow caused Yuri’s head to spin, yet despite thedizziness, he pushed himself, bucking up, getting his center under him, herolled them over, his legs pinning Ryosuke’s arms down. Gasping, blood drippingoff of his chin down onto Ryosuke’s white sweater, he leaned over him, realizingthat Ryosuke was bleeding as well, blood covering his cheek, his chin, histeeth tainted with blood as he spit out the words, “Where the fuck isshe!?”

“Whatthe fuck is wrong with you?” Yuri cried out, grabbing his sweater, pullinghim up as he landed another punch to his cheek for good measure, “What theFUCK, RYOSUKE!”

“Youstupid fuck!” Ryosuke hissed, going wild underneath him, but Yuri had theadvantage, making his weight solid to keep him pinned down, he refused to bemoved, “Get the fuck off me! I’m going to kill you! Tell me where the fuckshe is!”

Yuri’s fistshot forward, slamming into his nose again, “What are you fucking talkingabout!?”

Ryosukegroaned, his hands trying to move to protect his face, but he was immobilizedcompletely, his body bucking, trying to twist but Yuri was impossible to move.

“Getoff me! I’m not kidding! Get off of me you dumb fu–”

Yuri’s fistsnapped forward so fast Ryosuke didn’t even see it, just felt the burning,stinging sensation where he’d hit his jaw.

Ryosukescreamed, nearly hysterical, “GET THE FUCK OFF ME!”

He closedhis eyes, knowing another blow was coming, and was rewarded with another slamto the nose, he groaned, his entire body feeling numb, and then he didn’t knowwhat happened, but his voice was laced with pure, raw emotion, the words a merewhisper, “You did this. Where is she? I know you know! You did this.”

“Whatthe fuck did I do?” Yuri hissed.

“She’sgone.”

No.

“Please tellme you know where she is.”

Yuri froze,his heart completely dead in his chest as he tried to remember how tobreathe–it felt to him like all of the air in the universe had become thickand solid, he blinked, staring down a Ryosuke who finally opened his eyes, thepain there echoing through the space between them like a real, living thing,his voice broken when he whispered, “Sh-she’s gone, Yur.”

“No,”he shook his head, “No…”

Yuri shook hishead, scrambling off Ryosuke, crawling across the living room to the coffeetable, grabbing his phone, his heart clenching in his chest when he saw theicon lit up indicating that he had a voicemail, Ryosuke’s voice a plea,“Please, tell me you know where she is.”

Yuri lookedover at him, and whatever Ryosuke saw there in his eyes was enough to know thatYuri certainly did not know, not at all, Ryosuke’s head rolled over to theside, his voice wet with tears, “God…no…I thought you would know…Ithought you would…”

Yuri shookhis head, watching as Ryosuke’s face twisted in pain, gasping for air, he shookhis head, eyes unfocused as he clicked buttons on his phone, his hand shakingas he drew the phone up to his ear, glancing over to where Ryosuke was still lyingflat on the floor in the foyer, his arms stretched out like he couldn’t bear tomove.

The ringingin his ear repeated, and his eyes widened when Ryosuke’s hand lifted, moving ashe touched his phone, and when the third ring happened, a clicking sounding andthen the message ‘we’re sorry, this number is no longer in service’, the phonedropped to the carpet, his mouth open as he heard your voice from Ryosuke’sphone–playing the message on his speaker.

“Ididn’t want to tell you both like this, and I know it’s cowardly, I alreadyknow this is wrong, and maybe that’s okay…”

Please no.

“I leftfor a new job…maybe it’s a new life. I don’t know right now.”

Yuri fellforward, tears blurring his vision, as he crawled toward Ryosuke, needing to becloser to your voice, to be closer to you somehow.

“Inever meant for this to happen. I hope you two know that. I never meant to hurtyou, and I never meant to hurt myself…but that’s all that’s left inme–pain.”

Please, please…

“I loveyou both. It’s not fair. It’s not fair to you, but it’s also, it’s also notfair to me.”

Ryosuke’shand loosened, the phone falling to the ground beside him as his arm moved tocover his eyes, his body shaking as he sobbed, and Yuri was leaning over thephone, watching as a tear fell onto the screen, a picture of him, Ryosuke andyou the background he was staring at.

“Ican’t do this, I can’t pretend, and I can’t ask you two to pretend either. I amdoing the best thing for all of us.”

Your voicepaused, and your shuddering breath could be heard, voice weak when you spokeagain, “I know you won’t believe it, maybe not right now, but I hope oneday the two of you will realize why I am doing this…why it has to be thisway.”

“NO!!!!!”Yuri’s scream was violent, his body jerking upright, his hands flying to coverhis ears, like he couldn’t bear to hear another syllable of this message.

Ryosuke’sbody shook, whimpering at the pain he heard echoed in Yuri’s understanding ofwhat was happening, curling over on his side, shaking from the heartache thatwracked his body, the slow aura of loss that poured out into the room.

“I loveyou, Ryosuke.”

Ryosukecried out, a mournful sound, crying harder, his hand shooting out to grab thephone, trying to stop it, hitting the ground around it, his sight obscured bythe tears, unable to find it–“I love you, Yuri.”

Yuri’s handshit the floor, unable to hold himself up, his forehead pressing down to theground as he wept, your voice still floating in the air around him.

“I willalways love you both–” Ryouske shook his head, his heart feeling like itwas being shredded in his chest as he heard the tears in your voice, clearthrough the phone message, “…but I can’t be the reason the two of youlose each other.”

You sobbed,the tears undoubtedly flowing at this point, “I can’t keep losing myself.I am going to find who I am, without you–and now it will be up to the two ofyou to find out who you are–w-without me.”

“Please,please, God, please, no…no…”Yuri sobbed, his hands behind his head, his fingers pulling his hair.

“Youhave been my best friends,” your voice was low and mourning, but a levelof whimsy was laced through it, “You are still my best friends. There’snot a memory I have that the two of you aren’t a part of.”

You laughed,a sad laugh but a laugh none the less, “We were the best, the three of us,and you two–you were the best, you arethe best. I’m not destroying the two of you–I’m not letting that happen.”

You took adeep breath, “I can’t. I won’t destroy you. I realized I was dependent onboth of you, and I know it was my fault this happened. I pretended to notknow–but inside, I knew what was happening, and I should have stopped it,should have done something to stop it…”

You criedquietly, your voice soft when you spoke again, “I’m so sorry. I’m so verysorry.”

Ryosukegroaned, his hand stilling on the floor, fingers clenching, knuckles white, hisbody shaking with emotions, as he wept.

“Ididn’t want to lose you, either of you–I let this go on too long. It wasselfish, but now I understand what I have to do, and it’s…it’s done.”

You took adeep breath, your voice resolute, “I’m already gone. I didn’t trust anyoneto keep it a secret, so my family doesn’t even know where I am, and I won’ttell them for a while, I know how persuasive you two can be. There’s a safetydeposit box, it has the info in it, in case of an emergency, but otherwise, I’mnot willing to be found. Not yet.

“Please,”Yuri’s voice was a plea, a last request, “Please, Yama-chan, stop it, turnit off,” Yuri murmured, his hand reaching out to grab Ryosuke’s wrist,squeezing it like a lifeline, “I can’t…I can’t…”

“I’mdoing this because I love you both, I do, you know that I do, I love you both,with all of my heart and sou–”

Ryosukefinally managed to grab the phone, and with all the pent-up energy he had left,his body bolted upright, his arm jerking forward as the phone flew across theroom, hitting the wall and shattering, nothing but blessed silence left, apartfrom the sounds of their combined grief and heartache.

“Y-Yuri,”Ryosuke’s voice broke, rolling onto his side, blinking as he tried to make hiseyes focus, one eye feeling like it was swelling shut, “Yur, I-I’msorry.”

“Shutup,” Yuri hissed, his head rolling over to the side to stare at Ryosuke,“Just shut up, I beat the hell out of you, and I’m not remotelysorry.”

Yuri smileddespite himself which made Ryosuke laugh lightly, then groaned when it made hisentire face hurt, reaching up to touch his mouth where his lip was split,drawing back his hand to look at the blood, “That’s fair. I wasn’t apologizingfor that…I just meant…for her…for not stepping back.”

“I’llkick your ass again,” Yuri glared at him, “Shut up. Just shut up thatkind of talk, I didn’t need you to fucking step back.”

Ryosukeblinked at him, “First of all, I kicked your ass,” Yuri scoffed, raising his eyebrows as Rysoukecontinued, “Second, I don’t mean it the way you’re taking it. I mean…Iwrestled with the feeling a lot…to give her space, to let her have room todecide between us, but…I couldn’t just let go enough…not until it was toolate I think…”

“Iknow,” Yuri murmured, shrugging, “I knew…I pushed too. I wasn’tgoing to let you have her without a fight. I wasn’t letting her goeither.”

Yuri staredat him, and Ryosuke closed his eyes, knowing that his soul was bare before hisfriend, that he could see too much, and Yuri’s voice spoke, shaking with feeling,“I…Ryo, I really did love her…”

Ryosukewhimpered when he clenched his eyes shut, the pain radiating across his head,like spike shooting through his skull, shaking his head.

“Ithink…” Yuri’s breath huffed out as he clenched his fists, “I thinkthough…that I loved her the wrong way.”

Ryosuke’seyes popped open, confusion marring his features, “What?”

“I…Isaw what was happening with you two, you know? For a real long time, I did…Iwasn’t stupid, but I was jealous, because you two kinda drifted away into yourown space and I felt like I was just a third wheel.”

He huffed,growling quietly, “I felt left out…I just…I did, and I didn’t thinkthings through.”

Yuri rolledover onto his side, drawing his arm up under his head, frowning as he spoke,not liking the admission, the information he was sharing, but feeling like it wasright to share these truths with Ryosuke. No matter what they had allowedbetween them, he was still his best friend, and honesty was the very foundationof their relationship, he took a shuddering breath, wiping the blood from hismouth, “I was jealous, and I thought about it and I thought that I likedher, she was beautiful, smart, thoughtful, kind, generous, funny, I mean whatwas not to like…so I wrapped mymind around the idea that if you thought you could have her then whycouldn’t…in fact, why shouldn’t I?”

“Thatseemed fair to me,” he continued, his eyes moving past Ryosuke’s, findingthe expression there too painful for him to stay connected, “At the time,I thought that seemed fair, and I thought…I would make some effort. I wouldtest the water, see what she felt, what she gave back to me. I wasn’t expectingto really care as much as I did, or for her to become confused by myinterest.”

He took adeep breath, “I initiated it as a challenge to you, as a protest to both of you for leaving me behind, and Iknow…I should have backed off, once I realized that I was hurting her. I sawit, but my pride wouldn’t let me leave. I didn’t want to let her go, I lovedher. I really did. It was a little bit selfish though. Hell, maybe it was a lotselfish. I get it, but the bottom line is it was definitely not the way youwere with her. I see that now.”

“Don’tdo that,” Ryosuke spoke to him, his voice firm and solid with an undefinableemotion, his eyes holding his gaze firmly, “Don’t rewrite history likethat, Yuri. I know how you felt about her. You don’t need to minimize it, and Ialso know…whether I like it or not, I know how she felt about you.”

Yuri’s eyeswidened at this admission, “Wh-wh…how?”

“Shetold me,” Ryosuke spoke the words in a way that felt like he was drawing aknife across his own chest, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment, and thenwhen they opened they held pain that Yuri had never seen before, Ryosuke’svoice shaking as he spoke, “I had been having some strong feelings for awhile…suspicions, my gut was telling me there was something going on. Inoticed texts and things that weren’t like normal…and…I confrontedher.”

“Wh-whendid…when?” Yuri was flabbergasted, caught completely off guard by thisadmission, as he’d thought there was no way that Ryosuke knew anything aboutthe situation between you and him.

“Threeweeks ago,” Ryosuke admitted, his eyes studying Yuri for his response,then shaking his head, rolling over onto his side to face him finally, “Iconfronted her with a message she’d sent you that I saw on her phone. Sheadmitted that the two of you were growing close…she admitted to me that shecared about you…”

Ryosuke’smouth opened and closed, his expression twisted as if he were choking on thewords he was trying to say, “How much she loved you.”

The wordshung in the air for a moment before Ryosuke took another deep breath, “Shetold me she was confused by how deeply she cared for you, how quickly she hadfallen in love with you–but she didn’t try to downplay it.”

Yuri watchedas a tear rolled down his cheek, dropping slowly to the floor, and his heartached…Ryosuke had known for weeks but had never let on, never said a word, hetook a breath, but Ryosuke’s eyes darted to his, “Don’t say anything,just…listen…”

Yuri nodded,and Ryosuke took a moment to gather himself, “If she…” he gulped,forcing the words out, “Yur, if she didn’t downplay how much she loved youto me, and she didn’t, she didn’tminimize it or downplay it, trust me, there’s no reason for me to mislead youat this point–then, well, then I’m sure as hell not going to let you downplayit either, it steals something from her.”

“You…”Yuri tried to understand, tried to comprehend, shaking his head, “Youknew, but you didn’t say anything to me? How?”

“Iloved her, she asked me not to, she told me that she knew it was wrong, howthings were and that she was going to sort it out,” he grimaced, rollinghis head across his arm as another tear fell, “I trusted her to do theright thing.”

“Youtrusted her…” Yuri whispered the words, trying to make sense of it,“…you thought she would do…”

“Notthis,” Ryosuke laughed bitterly, rolling over onto his back and Yuristudied his profile, another tear sliding down his face into his hair,“This…wasn’t even on my radar.”

“What did you think?” Yuri whispered,unsure if it was a fair question or not.

Ryosuke’shead turned to look at him, his eyes clear and open with honesty, “Thatshe’d pick you.”

He took ashuddering breath, “I told her to go to you, that she had to know, sheneeded to know if you were the one, that I didn’t want to be her backup, aconsolation prize, I wanted her to know,to be sure–so I told her to go to you, to take the time she needed to find outthe truth, and then to tell me what she discovered. Either way…I’d…well…”

He frowned,his eyes skimming over to Yuri, who was staring wide eyed at him, “I’d domy best to accept whatever she decided…”

“Youtold her to come to me?” Yuri twirled the words around, trying to makesense of them, “You let her go–to come to me?”

“Yes,”he nodded, “I mean…she argued…she didn’t want to, not at first…andI…”

Ryosukeshook his head, his hand moving up to cover his eyes, groaning when he touchedthe tender skin of his face, regret clear in his words, “I basicallypushed her away, I made her go…told her she couldn’t stay there with me untilshe knew what you meant toher…”

“Th-thatday…she came to my house, she was crying…she…she was inconsolable,”Yuri’s brows drew down in confusion, realizing this had to be the same day thatRyosuke was referring to, “But…no…Ryo, why? You were the one whoknew…what were you trying to do, I mean–why!? Why? I don’t understand why you didn’t tell her no! You could havestopped her, she would have listened to you!”

Yuri didn’tmean for his words to come out so harsh, so demanding but he couldn’t controlthem, they just flew out and he drew back, thinking Ryosuke would be wellwithin his right to punch him forthright for such a petulant attitude after allof this.

“I loveher,” Ryosuke said the words very plainly, the emotion stripped from themsomehow and they felt like a slap to the face to Yuri–so cold, so detached,when he was furious that Ryosuke had just stepped back and let her walkaway–when she might still be here right now if he’d not been so stupid–sostupid and good for God’s sake.

“Youlove her still,” Yuri murmured, his eyes drifting back up to the light ashe rolled over onto his back.

“Youlove her still,” Ryosuke responded curtly.

“Notthat kind of love,” Yuri admitted, finding no reason to mince words atthis point, “Not like that–I am too selfish for that kind of love,there’s just…no way, I would have never let her go to you.”

“Shutup,” Ryosuke reached over, shoving Yuri’s shoulder.

“I’mnot kidding,” Yuri laughed lightly, “I would have told her that I’dnever talk to her again if she even remotely entertained the idea of‘discovering her feelings’ for you.”

He turnedhis head, looking at Ryosuke, his eyes shifting from the overhead light to lookat him, Yuri’s voice firm when he spoke, “I never deserved her, butyou…Yama-chan, you do deserve her. You love her better than I do…betterthan I ever have.”

“Wejust love her different, because we’re different people, that’s a–”

“No,”Yuri interrupted him, “No, Yama-chan, that’s not true–listen, I’m tellingyou, I love her, I do, I am not going to pretend I don’t but…I know it’s notlike the kind of love you have for her…I see that now…I–I wish I’d seen itsooner.”

“Itdoesn’t matter,” Ryosuke shook his head, his hand coming across the spaceto pat Yuri’s shoulder, “Listen, Yur, it just doesn’t matter–she’s notgone now because of what you or I felt…she’s gone because of what she felt.”

Yuri staredat him, his eyes stinging from not blinking and then he felt a tear slide downhis cheek, his body curling inward onto itself as he rolled onto his side,nodding as the weight of that admission settled on him. Neither of them had achoice, neither of them really had any say in this outcome–rather, you’ddecided for all three of you what would be–and more importantly, what wouldnot be.

That’s bullshit.

It was allYuri could think, and the more he thought the surer he was that the only reasonyou’d left was because he’d made you feel like he was going to lose his mind ifyou didn’t return his affection, if you didn’t love him back…the more hethought that you’d done a really horrible thing by leaving, not him, no, butleaving Ryosuke. He was furious with you at the moment, but realized he wasreally mad at himself…because he was the one who created all of the problems.No matter how many times he went over it, he realized that if he had notallowed his jealousy and hurt feelings to cloud things, everyone would be happy.

He would be,you would be, Ryosuke would be.

Neither ofthem kept track of the time, and Ryosuke stretched his mouth, groaning as theblood cracked that had dried, swiping his hand across his mouth to find a freshwave of blood, wondering what he was going to see when he looked into themirror, “God, did you have to punch me so many times?”

“Yes,”Yuri laughed lightly beside him, “Shut the hell up, I’m pretty sure youruptured my spleen or something.”

“Right,I’m sure,” Rysouke laughed despite himself, “I’m sorry for taking myfeelings out on you.”

“I’mnot,” Yuri mused, glancing over at Ryosuke who was wide-eyed,“Honestly, you deserved an ass kicking.”

“Whatthe fuck for?” Ryosuke spat out at him, his expression incredulous.

“Fortelling her to come to me, you dumb ass.”

“Youneed to let that shit go already,” Ryosuke rolled over, pushing up on hishands and knees, groaning at how much his face hurt in that position.

“I’mnever letting it go,” Yuri responded, trying to sit up but feelinglightheaded.

“Besides,you didn’t kick my ass, I kicked yours,”Ryosuke insisted, crawling over to the table to use it to support himself as hestood up, wobbling slightly.

“Whatever,”Yuri mumbled, looking up at Ryosuke who held his hand out, gesturing for him totake it so he could help him stand up.

Yuri nodded,grabbing his hand, glad for the help to get on his feet again. Before he couldthink, Ryosuke had pulled him into a hug, and Yuri didn’t even wonder about it,his arms moving to hug him back, his voice soft, “We’ll be okay…”

“We’llmake it through this,” Ryosuke responded, patting his back, and thenreleasing him.

“Afteryou’ve healed, we have work to do,” Yuri mused walking into his livingroom, gesturing for Ryosuke to follow him, entering the kitchen to get a bag ofcorn out of the freezer, wrapping it in a dishtowel, and handing it to Ryosuke,shaking his head and frowning as he looked at the bruising and swelling, “Putthat on your face! Damn! The agency is going to kill us for this!”

“Ithink you need to put one on your face, too,” Ryosuke pointed at Yuri’sface and he nodded, getting another bag of vegetables out and doing the same.

They leanedback on the counter beside each other, and Ryosuke glanced over at him,“What work do we have to do? We’re off until Thursday, aren’t we?”

Yuri nodded,taking a deep breath, “Not that kind of work…”

Ryosukeshook his head, confused.

“Weneed to figure out how to stage an emergency to get into that lock-box.”

Ryosuke knewhe’d had a few good blows to the head, but he was so confused by these words,before he could speak, Yuri sighed, “To get your girl, Yama-chan…we needto get the lock-box so we can find out where she is, so we can go get her.”

Ryosukestudied Yuri, debating on whether this was real or not, whether he would sowillingly give you up–and he knew, it wasn’t so much as him being willing, butmore that he was growing up, right there in front of him.

“I likethe sound of that,” Ryosuke said finally, “My girl.”

“Shewas always your girl,” Yuri admitted, nodding at Ryosuke, “Let’s gether back.”

Ryosukenodded, the idea taking root inside him, and a fighting spirit coming to lifeas he rolled the words over in his mind.

My girl.

#hey say jump #yamada ryosuke #chinen yuri #angst #my girl #drabble #drabbles #oneshot #prompt fill #Anonymous #Mod J #Sorry to bring the heartache!

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elizabethrobertajones · 8 years ago

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are you ever like, “I was only being flippant but now you’re disagreeing with me I’m going to defend this sandcastle with my life”? :P

sam-winchester-admiration-league replied to your post“Do you know if there is going to more of Castiels past and flashbacks...”

eh, 12x09 was actually about Sam and Dean. Mary and Cas just provided uber service.

Me, waving a plastic shovel from atop the battlements:

First of all -

The episode starts with Mary and Cas, apparently much more important to establish how they were doing because for some reason their emotional stake in the episode is probably going to mean something later

Sam and Dean are given literally nothing to do as their “here’s how you’ll spend this episode” before the title card. This scene is presented as an outside POV on the Winchester’s lives from the guy who runs the facility, being brought up to speed on their history in the horrifically biased way it looks to outside law enforcement agencies - we’re SO far from Sam and Dean’s perspective we’re looking at them from someone who doesn’t know why they’d desecrate graves, or if they’d be white supremacists or Muslim terrorists. This outside perspective on them in the prison continues with occasionally dropping back to see them with a little montage of them doing nothing. They’re viewed from above as if on CCTV in many shots, and from outside their doors, or talking about them in the room while they’re dead trying to figure out WTF just happened to them. This is the main POV the entire time they’re in prison despite some close ups on their time-passing activities.

the episode’s about what happens to their world when they’re not there - yes they sort of have their usual main character centre of the universe pull on the emotional stuff going on there, but the difference is that we’re seeing it from the eyes of characters who aren’t always the focus. It’s very clearly about giving another side, or exploring the effect of the main characters on the others. It’s important to remember Dabb co-wrote Weekend at Bobby’s - he knows what he’s doing when he writes an episode like this. It’s important to remember he likes writing episodes like this :P

Chow time!

We get scenes with Crowley deciding they’ll be fine while Cas suffers. We get scenes where Cas suffers alone. We get scenes where Mary suffers alone. We find out the hunting community is missing Sam and Dean’s presence and suffering “alone” until Mary steps in. We get Mary seeing the picture of herself and Dean, which now seems to be something that’s been naturally building since 8x14 when Dean put the picture there, and the culminations of lots of DEAN-centred uses of that picture for emotional whammy, now flipped around and given to us from Mary. Literally taking a Dean thing and handing it to her, both with her taking Dean’s call, taking his hunt, and taking his emotional moment with the Mary and Dean photo.

We get a scene of Mary and Cas suffering together but still also oh so alone.

At some point off-screen Sam and Dean break under torture and make the deal - we have no idea they’ve done this, now effectively removing them as reliable POV narrators for the entire rest of the episode until the final five minutes. We are only ever going to be in the position of cameras watching their action and not emotionally interacting with them because we don’t know what’s going on.

it’s worth mentioning that there’s a whole scene which was Mary and Cas while the Winchesters were dead, aka completely taken out of the narrative; even if we all know Sam n Dean won’t stay dead because that’s just obvious at this point, Cas and Mary at that point are our “last standing” characters, and we’re continuing to get a very detailed emotional arc about how they feel, how they’re coping, how they’re beginning to forge a friendship out of this loss, and generally just giving us buckets and buckets of completely pointless angst for a pair of Uber drivers. In a world without Sam and Dean, Mary is bravely soldiering on, Cas is crumbling. They’re brought to their lowest point.

Dean finally phones Cas and though the phonecall is from his POV in terms of where the camera is sitting, emotionally we know he’s absent because we don’t know about the deal he’s made, Sam points out we don’t know about the deal, the scene reminds us there’s something we don’t know that Sam and Dean do but Dean did not tell Cas.

Meanwhile, since Sam and Dean are having a mysterious but action-filled escape with no emotional hook except their escape (since they’re not allowed to have the conversation about the deal, we don’t know the deal, therefore any true emotional exploration of their escape is limited to comments about “midnight” which are only going to be any good on a second rewatch), because we’ve had at least 3-4 scenes of Cas openly, no-lies, just plain obviously missing Sam and Dean, the stress in that scene is that Cas has left his phone and isn’t answering but we want him to answer because he will discover his suffering is about to end.

It’s not delayed gratification on Dean hearing Cas’s voice aside from the obvious weeks in prison thing (we don’t know Dean knows he’s dying in a few hours and therefore how MUCH more it means to him - we’re a step removed from his perspective on this phonecall and it’s nice to see him really want to call Cas, but the scene doesn’t overtly set up a real emotional hook on HIS side apart from the very pedestrian “Dean is trying to call an uber” sort of feeling I guess you got there if you don’t care about Destiel so I’ll take yours as the casual viewer version of that scene (just as I suppose I casually-view some stuff that might mean the world to you) because the whole escape is deliberately avoiding giving ANY emotional stakes to Sam and Dean - they don’t talk, there’s no real emotional discussions about anything, they don’t even comment about how nice it is to breathe fresh air, let alone get teary about seeing each other OR Dean calling Cas for the first time in ages - it’s all to business) so the emotional side of that is CLEARLY all on Cas, who has been waiting and mourning and visibly emotionally deteriorating all episode specifically because of the helplessness and misery of having lost them...

Sam and Dean continue running through the woods living out an action movie again, still not telling us their emotional stakes. So they’re being the main characters in another genre and while we’re rooting for them, it’s a side-quest, a way to clear up a little loose end of how do they get to the road without being caught, and an excuse to play, really, but it has no emotional weighting on the episode. In fact, because Mr Ketch goes and kills everyone anyway, it makes their whole effort even more pointless once we have full hindsight, and we also know about the deal which removes their emotional stake in winning that fight even further. It turns out they had even bigger things on their mind and it was just some action filler before we get to the real story.

The end of the episode reminding us it was a framing device and Mick has been “telling” the story takes us a step even more removed once the episode is over and adds ANOTHER layer of Sam and Dean’s disconnect from the main story and POV. Like with Magda, they have no idea their efforts were for nothing but WE do. We as the viewer have a HUGE emotional advantage over Sam and Dean this season because of dramatic irony. It’s not like other times we get hints of what the villain is up to: they’re giving us plain and simple more information than Sam and Dean have, enough info that would DESTROY the current balance if they knew. So once again: by the end of the episode we are not WITH Sam and Dean on this side quest log cabin Home Alone thing at all. It was briefly for our entertainment, but we’re peering in on them with a huge disconnect in how we relate to them, because we are effectively stuck keeping a secret for Mick and Mr Ketch that we don’t even want to keep from Sam and Dean.

Meanwhile Mary is shown mirroring Dean’s behaviour in various dark times likes the end of the Mark of Cain arc when he was killing off vampires to blow off steam. There’s something grimly reminiscent about Mary’s walk, the staging of the scene, the carelessness about leaving the dead body there... It all screams of Dean in his giving up stage, which again is an actual emotional piece of storytelling about Mary, layering her into the pre-existing imagery, comparing her to other emotional arcs, and telling us in no words whatsoever how she’s doing. We don’t see her fighting the vampire - it’s not like Sam and Dean running around in the woods providing the action. The important part here is how she FEELS. The emotional part of the story is with her. Finally Cas phones her and they’re all on the same page that the story will once more be “about” Sam and Dean.

We still don’t know Sam and Dean have made a deal, or even that “midnight” is as urgent as it seems as it’s still being referenced in passing without the show playing up like, a countdown clock sound effect towards it or something.

Cas and Mary on the other hand, discuss the good old “Winchester bad decision phonebook”. Do we call the king of hell? or make a deal with the new devils on our turf? This is what we missed with Sam and Dean talking to Billie - that and the scene where Mary and Cas meet Mr Ketch and Mick. The part where the emotional and hazardous stakes of making these deals are clear. They’re incurring more debt to these suspicious assholes in the nice coats, and we can be worried about what they’re doing (MARY seems worries about what they’re doing at that point) and basically all the POV stuff that comes with making a deal that we don’t know for sure we’re waiting for with Sam and Dean except for the “of course something is coming because there’s no free lunch” feeling - which is all they’ll let us have. Certainly no crushing weight of knowing what’s coming at midnight which could have in an episode ABOUT Sam and Dean been used to play up all that tension for a long run in the woods, while we don’t see Cas and Mary at all all episode until the end when they’re sprung on them like a reward, after Sam and Dean have angsted this six ways to Sunday before having to face their consequences

Anyway finally they meet and hug and the emotional POV is with Cas, getting these hugs but then looking towards Mary, and now we’re really building on his sense of isolation even from the family group which has been around all season... We’re left with him feeling sad while watching them hug and his isolation is meant to be the take away from that scene, because we’re still building up the emotional stuff for the big reveal at the end

the car is quiet and we know there’s secrets yet to come. We don’t know what they are. We’re with Dean’s POV and he glances at Cas as the time comes. NOW it seems this might be about Sam and Dean.

The Uber driver gets out of the car when it stops, I guess because she wants to get moving again so she gets a good tip. Unfortunately there’s also a woman in the road and she might not get tipped if she runs her over.

The woman refuses to move out the road, and the uber driver is so overcome with emotion at not being able to finish driving her passengers home she attempts to commit suicide

the back up uber driver who came with her is so horrified by his co-worker’s loyalty to the job that he is inspired to also kill for the sake of getting their passengers home on time, and also to protect company resources by not letting the other driver kill herself

the passengers who made them drive down this sketchy road in the first place are basically passive horrified witnesses to the whole thing

the episode ends with the uber driver going to seek out a union or something to stop this shit happening again, ending the episode where it started as being all about her and her feelings.

second of all -

Mary Fucking Winchester is not an Uber Driver, she is a main character.

Castiel Fucking Winchester is a main character. Also probably not an uber driver although idk what he does between episodes sometimes so who knows.

#my stuff #12x09 #suicide mention cw #Angels are watching over you #wank for ts #long post for ts #how did you even find this :P #seriously i wasn't being rude to Sam and Dean - I love 'em #but the show is allowed to branch out and play with exploring stories where other characters are at the emotional core #was 12x10 also all about Sam and Dean? :P #also Uber supports trump so I hope Cas quits his job and goes to work for a rival service

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