#like I know why she won’t sleep with my grandpa (he snores) but girl there’s a whole other bedroom….

[rigginsstreet]

My grandma sleeping on the couch continues to be THE most inconvenient thing in the whole world

[antman-56]

Best Gift Ever

***Patch***

It was quiet at the Xiao Long residence.

Too quiet.

Taiyang got up out of bed and began to descend to the living room.

As he entered the the living room nothing seem out of place but a single light in the kitchen. 

Tai (internal) : I swear if that drunk bird left a mess...

When he approached the kitchen he could hear silent snoring. He smiled when he saw the source.

It was his two lovely daughters, covered in flour and stains over their faces and clothes.

In front of them was a stack of pancakes, 12 pieces of Bacon, eggs, toast, syrup, orange juice, and, to top it all of, a card with a stick family.

Tai picked up the card and smiled at the cover.

“My DadE”

It had a stick figure with muscles, his armband, and blonde hair.

When he opened it his heat melted.

Their he was holding his two smaller stick figures, one with a red hood and another with long blonde hair. They were surrounded by flowers and a big sun was behind them.

Tai (internal) : Gods Summer, if you could see our girls. 

He couldn’t stop smiling. They went all out for him on fathers day.

It wasn’t until he turned to the stove that he felt true horror.

Flour was everywhere, dishes, pots, and pans were overflowing the sink, oranges skins were scattered, and eggs were broken from the fridge to the stove, and the bread was all over the place.

He chuckled after his initial shock. At least they had the thought, and that counted to him.

He went back to the girls and picked them up. They needed to be in their beds after all.

When he put them back he made sure to give them a kiss on their heads and reached for Ruby’s plushie Beowolf and made sure she hugged it.

When he got back to the kitchen he was shocked when he starred at the now half empty plates.

Tai : You asshole. They made that for me.

Qrow (mouth full) : Hey for both of us. 

He raises a card with the cover saying “BEsteStes Unkle”

He smirked. And reached for the last piece of bacon.

***Menagerie***

Ghira woke up to the smell of fish.

He was purring uncontrollably. He could smell his favorite seasoning being added and it made him double his efforts to be decent.

When Ghira made it to the kitchen he was greeted by his two favorite girls making his favorite breakfast. 

Blake : Daddy!!!

Blake ran up and hugged her father’s leg and Kali followed her and gave him a kiss.

Kali : Sit at the table. Me and Blake were up bright and early to make you your breakfast. Blake, honey, this part is dangerous why don’t you give daddy your gifts.

Blake ran away to fetch her gifts.

Ghira : She made something?

Kali : Two things. She stayed up all night to finish them. When I found her she was sleeping with her hands covered in clay. I woke her up to help me make breakfast and to take a bath. 

Just as she finished, Blake came back and eagerly held out her gifts. Ghira reached out to grab them and her. One was a card and the other was a clay mold that resembled a trophy.

Note : To tHe BeSt dAd EVeR!!!

Ghira opened up the note and the inside showed a number of Faunus stick figures and Human stick figures holding hands under a rainbow.  

Blake (points at mold) : And that is your trophy.

The trophy was as big as Blake’s arm and it had the White Fang symbol on the front.

Blake : Do you love it???!!!

Ghira gave Blake a kiss on the head.

Ghira : I love it sweety.

He held her in for a tight hug and Kali came back with three plates filled with a freshly cooked fish.

Kali (kisses Ghira forehead) : And I love you too. Now lets dig in. And then you can open up my present.

***Arc Household***

The Arc Household was a total war zone. Each Arc was trying to one up the other as Joshua Arc and his wife Joan Arc were sitting on the couch aka the middle of it.

“DAD I’M MAKING BREAKFAST!!!”

“ I’M MAKING LUNCH!!!”

“I’M POLISHING CROCEA MORS!!!”

“NO I AM!!!”

“NO ME!!!”

The screaming was coming from everywhere but one voice was silent.

Joshua : STOP!!!

Silence.

Joshua : Where is your brother?

Every girl looked at each other hoping for an answer and yet received none.

Everyone dropped what they were doing and began to search for Jaune and were starting to panic.

Joshua grabbed Crocea Mors and ran to the woods. Yelling to stay in the house and go into the basement.

After 30 minutes of running around the perimeter and finding no leads on where Jaune went. Their was only one place left to look and nobody really went to, not anymore,  the family cemetery.

When he got their he noticed the majority of the graves have been cleaned and he soon heard a small voice.

??? : You think he’ll love this grandpa?

What Joshua could hear was his only son talking to and scrubbing his deceased grandfather’s tomb. Trefor Arc.  

He could see that his was the last grave that wasn’t clean and Jaune was currently cleaning it and was either talking to the tomb or himself.

Jaune : Because I don’t think dad loves me.

Joshua felt his heart take a heavy hit. 

Jaune : I don’t know how to fight, how to hunt, school’s hard and I get bullied by everyone. Dad says toughen up but I can’t. People saw that I was a mistake. That I was lucky mom convinced dad not to throw me to the Grimm. (croaks) I know what your going to say, (imitates) “Boy you are an Arc never a mistake. We are warriors in our own right and that will never change.” (stops cleaning and start crying)  It’s like every step I take is another mistake to him? No matter what I do in the end I’m not a warrior. Maybe they are right. Maybe I-

Jaune didn’t notice it until it hit him. His father was embracing him hug.

Joshua : Jaune you are not a mistake. You never were or will be. 

Jaune was to shocked to take in what his father was saying to him he was more on wondering how he found him.

Joshua : I say that because I want you to be ready. The world is a cruel place and it won’t care if your warrior or not. I say those things because I want you to grow to be better than me. Because the day will come when you will have to protect your mother and sisters when I can’t.

Jaune cried into his fathers arms and Joshua hugged him tighter.

Joshua : I will always be proud of you. No matter what.

They couldn’t see it, but every Arc starred out the living father and son bonding moment. Only one thing came to their mind.

He was worthy. 

***Schnee Residence***

Weiss was in her room practicing her upcoming concert. Her throat was getting sore but this needed to be nothing but perfect. She was the heiress after all. 

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Weiss : Come in.

Klien : Miss Schnee. I have the tea and cake for you requested.

Weiss : Thank you Klien.

Klien (bowing) : It was my pleasure, young heiress. Now if you’ll excuse me-

Weiss : Klien wait.

Klien stood still as Weiss walked up ti him with her hands behind her back. When she was right in front of him she handed him a folded paper.

Klien took it and opened it up. It was difficult to hold the tears in his eyes.

Klien (croaking) : Thank you Miss Schnee.

Weiss : Just don’t tell my father.

Klien : Yes, Miss Schnee.

Weiss : Is it the best gift ever?

Klien (smiling and visible holding back tears) : Yes, Miss Schnee.

Weiss gave Klien a hug and that broke the dam. Klien wept and hugged her back.

The note held 10,000 lien that Weiss was able to get through her fathers safe, he had a lot of lein in, and a note that said, “My Hero” with a drawing of Klien wearing a cape. 

This truly was the best gift he ever received. 

[inupibaldspot]

Saviour : Chapter 20

Emilia sighed as she approached Garp. It had been a week since they left Fuusha village,Goa Kingdom. And when they finally did reach marine headquarters after they reached the first half of Grand Line, Emilia learned that she could not enter the marine until she was 13 years old.

Emilia,who was 10 years old gave a look of disappointment towards Garp and it seemed even the old man didn't know that there was such a rule. Apparently people could join the marine at any age if they were in the four blues but then if they were going to be a marine in the Grand Line, a minimum age of 13 necessary with no exceptions.

Garp did ask "Do you want to go back home?" when he heard the rule but then Emilia refused. She decided that it was better if she stayed in the Grand Line and improve herself in many field such as strength, navigation and medicine. Garp happily accepted that decision, without asking Sengoku ,the Fleet Admiral of course.He would probably shout at Garp while the latter won't care and start digging his finger deep into his nose.

"Garp-san." Emilia said making Garp look at her with a frown.

"Call me Grandpa."

Complete ignoring the request she continued, "Can you introduce me to the navigator? I would like to learn from him."

The old man stared at the girl with a questioning face. "Are you that knowledge starved?" Garp asked folding his arms on his chest with a huff.

"Should I do something else then?" Emilia asked with a smile on her face. The smile dropped a few seconds later and then she sighed.

Garp flinched a bit. It seems that the girl was still quite angry at him and honestly it was down right depressing. It made the old man sad. "As long as you're not doing any action in the ship, anything is fine."

With that he looked over to his left and called over a tall man with a hat,who was in a marine uniform. And when the man reached Garp,he saluted. The old man laughed a bit and pointed at the other guy with his thumb.

"This is Bogard. Just ask him anything you need." With that Garp made a swift turn and walked away. Emilia sweat dropped as she watched Garp, noticing how smoothly the old man dumped his duty on his right hand man and ran away.

Emilia then turned her head and looked at Bogard,bowing a bit as she introduced herself. "My name is Ainsworth Emilia. I'll be in you care from now on." However the man didn't say anything and just stared at the girl,making Emilia sweat nervously. And after minutes which seemed like eternity the man nodded.

Emilia later asked Bogard to help her in training (which made Garp sulk since she didn't ask the Vice-Admiral instead) but she still didn't get a navigator and doctor to teach her.

Turns out on contrary to Bogard's cold and quiet appearance he helped Emilia a lot. He would help her train her swords and sometimes Garp also helped her in her 'training' which mostly ended with her having various bruises.

Bogard also introduced her to the ship's navigator named Zack, who was quite quite but really knowledge guy. He had dark hair accompanied with dark eyes with glasses, a stereotypical must have item for smart characters. He would teach her every details needed in determining the weather like the wind,the direction of clouds and even the directions fishes were heading.

Emilia could say she liked the guy.He was always friendly towards her, a bit clumsy and weak but he was a nice person.She could draw out that conclusion without a doubt.

....

It was again one of those mundane days of patrol. Garp was no where to be found probably sleeping somewhere- and the responsibility of running the ship was taken by Bogard.

Emilia followed Zack quietly and he started to explain about the weather as she nodded,taking in those information like a sponge.

"A pirate ship has been spotted at the east!" A marine shouted. "Its headed straight for us!"

Before any marines could do much preparation the enemy had already started to shoot out of their cannons making the marine ship shake.

The enemy ship had come much closer where even the pirates now started to jump in the marine ship causing havoc inside.

"Emilia-chan, head inside and hide!" Zack said and rushed ahead.

Nodding the girl ran towards one of the doors which led inside and only when she did step inside she realized it was Garp's room. A book shelf on one of the sides with various documents and a picture on its opposite containing a picture of five people. Garp in the center with Luffy in front and next to him was Emilia and finally Ace and Sabo on both ends.She would have taken time to observe the picture if it weren't for the enemy attack.

Emilia took one step forward when she realized she wasn't alone. A body laid on the floor behind the table.She rushed forward and gasped as it was Garp on the floor.

Did the enemy already come and knocked down Garp-san?-

However she trail of thoughts where cut of when she heard a loud snore coming from the old man making her eyebrows twitch with disbelief. How is the man not awake from the noise? The whole family were so similar remembering how Ace would suddenly fall asleep even when a tiger would attack them.

"Garp-San...Garp-san" she poked at him as she sat down next to him. The bubble coming from his snot blasted making the old man stir and slowly open his eyes.

"Huh? Brat? What are you doing here"

Emilia's eyebrows knitted and pointed towards the door. "Pirates are attacking the ship, Garp-San..."

"HUH?!" The old man exclaimed and quickly stood up. "WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP SOONER!?" With that the Vice-admiral went and punched the door and went outside.

Emily sweat dropped at his action. Why didn't he use the door like a normal person and not break it to go outside... If she was going to stay with Garp, she hard to get used to this.

I wonder what Ace and Luffy are doing? Emilia thought as she sat down. Suddenly a body came flying inside the room from the hole Garp had previously made.

"Damn those marines..." a man,Emilia think is a pirate, cursed rubbing his head while he stood up. Turning his head he saw a small child sitting down .

Frown turning into an evil smile, The man stood up and walked towards Emilia stretching his hands out attempting to grab onto her. "Lucky! This child can be my shield! Hahaha".

When the hand was a few inches away from Emilia, the girl activated her armament haki making her hand turn into a dark color, and grabs onto the man's hand.

"Huh?! What's with this brat?!" The man shouted.

"Unlucky for you , I'm not really an easy target.." Emilia with an emotional face pulled the man towards her and punched him across the face making him fly off through the same hole he came from.

"GAH! Emilia!" A shout was heard making Emilia flinch. "You aren't allowed to fight!" Zack came in the room. Noticing the girl's unapologetic expression the man just sighed.

"What happened to the pirates?" Emilia asked walking towards the man.

"Vice-admiral Garp destroyed them. I came to check up on you but the you..." The man sighed as he brought his hands up towards Emilia's head.

Emilia closed her eyes and prepared to be hit on her head but the hand simply sat on her head. She opened her eyes and looked at the man with a confused stare as he simply smiled at her gently. The hand slowly rubbing her head. "Turns out you didn't need my help at all haha."

The confused expression on her face slowly turned into a smile.

.....

"Ughh! I don't want to do this!" Garp complained as he walked off the ship, followed by Bogard and tiny Emilia.

They were currently in the marine headquarters and to say Emilia was taken aback would be an understatement because this place was huge! The island had a large field, the Japanese styled building on a huge concrete foundation with the marine symbol in the middle, which were probably the offices surrounded by residential area for marines  and four tall peaks at the edge of the island.

"It is a must for you to send the documents regarding your recent works including documents regarding the recent bold pirate attack." Bogard said. It was quite unusual for pirates to come and attack marines after all. Perhaps they didn't know who they were dealing with.

"Sengoku's just going to complain about how I destroyed the ship and how he won't be giving me my pay." The man continued to complain but never the less walked towards  the main office.

Bogard stopped outside of the entrance of the building and saluted and then turned towards Emilia. "I will train you while we wait for Vice-admiral." With that he started walking towards the field with Emilia following him closely.

...

Akainu walked towards Sengoku's office with a marine following him. The marine continued to read the details of the documents which contained the places he patrolled, pirates he captured or any big news happening in this vast world.

As the man continues to walk two figures captured his attention making him stop in his tracks. A rather tall man,who he saw with Garp, was there in the vast field training a small child.

The small girl had quite fast reflexes and a speed to cooperate with it but what really caught his eyes were that the girl's hands and legs were completely dark. That tiny child can use haki?

"Who is that child?" Akainu asked.

The man who was busy reading the documents stopped and looked at where his Admiral was looking. "Ah...I assuming that girl is vice admiral Garp's grand daughter. Apparently she is training under his care until she reaches 13 years of age and then later join the marine herself." The man explained, abit confused as to why his scary Admiral was paying such attention to the girl.

"What's her name?"

The man was even more surprised but nevertheless he replied "I apologize but that's all I know about her,sir."

Akainu then faced forward and continued to walk. "See what her name is and when she does turn 13 make sure she joins my team."

[migila]

NicoSashaWeek, day 6!

Theme of day 6: Family Life

Day 6: Family Life

“Could you two knock it off?” Nikolo asked, his eyes landing on two of Sasha’s siblings who were arguing at the kitchen table “I’m actually trying to get something done here!”

“So, you usually don’t?” the girl asked, and the boy laughed in his expense. Nikolo’s eyebrow switched, part of him regretting that he and Sasha had decided to invite her family over. He never had trouble with her parents, but the four rascals in the family, especially these two, tended to seriously get on his nerves.

“That’s it” he said “Out of my kitchen, both of you. Now”

“Make us” the kids chorused, sticking out their tongues.

“If you insist” Nikolo said, marching over to the surprised kids and picking the boy up “Hey!”

He ignored the kid’s protests, carrying him to the living room where the rest of the family, including his wife, was at. They looked at him as he approached, laughing when he dumbed the kid on the couch “One down, one to go.”

He went to the kitchen again, soon coming back with the other kid and dropping her on the couch as well. Then, he stomped off and slammed the door behind him. Sasha was sure that if it had a lock, he’d use it.

“Well I suppose he’s at least more comfortable with us now than he used to be since he does stuff like this” Sasha’s father laughed. The woman couldn’t help but agree, laughing along with the rest of the family.

“But you’d think he could take a joke by now” the girl said, tightening her ponytail “After all, he did marry Sasha of all people.”

“You making fun of me, kiddo?” Sasha asked and her adopted sister just grinned. Sasha grinned back before taking the girl in to a head lock and ruffling her hair, saying: “And now you’ll say sorry.”

“Hey! Watch out for the hair!” Sasha’s victim protested, getting the family to laugh.

“That didn’t sound like sorry to me!”

“Ow” the girl complained “Okay okay, sorry!”

Sasha let go instantly, a grin on her face. Sitting one the couch, Kaya raised an eyebrow, asking: “Is that what you do to Mr. Nikolo too if he doesn’t obey?”

This time Sasha cast a glare at Kaya, who just smiled back cheekily.

“Nikolo told me that Sasha threatens to raid the pantry every time she doesn’t get her way” Mr. Blouse commented, making Sasha’s jaw drop as she moved her disbelieving gaze on the man “He told on me!?”

“My dear, did you not know that men gossip among each other a lot?” her mother asked, getting her husband to look at her with a slight frown on his face “Isn’t that what women do?”

“In this family, it is clearly the men who do so” Lisa Blouse said with a shrug “You’ve always been so chatty.”

The kids and Sasha laughed at the face Mr. Blouse made.

“I wonder if Nikolo needs any help” he said. Sasha snorted.

“Nice try dad, but you’re not running away” she said, heading to the door “I’ll go check on him.”

In truth, Sasha was slightly worried. She’d been glad when the kids stayed in the kitchen with Nikolo, but then he’d carried them out and ended up alone… while he clearly got more used to her family as time passed, he seemed to still feel uncomfortable around them and Sasha feared that he felt like he didn’t belong there with them. Hand drifting to her stomach, she told herself that she couldn’t let it continue, not anymore.

“Nikolo?” she called out as she opened the kitchen door.

“Yeah?” he asked, looking up from his cooking as she entered. Thankfully, he didn’t look or sound upset in any way. Closing the door behind her, Sasha asked: “Do you still feel uncomfortable around my family?”

Nikolo stiffened, but soon sighed, letting his shoulders fall.

“Yeah…” he admitted “Don’t get me wrong, they’re wonderful people, but just… not the type of people I’m used to.”

“Do you miss your own family?”

“You are my family”

“You know what I meant” Sasha said with a pout, not liking how her husband was clearly trying to dodge the question. Sighing once more, Nikolo admitted: “Yeah, I do…”

“Sorry for making you part with them”

“What?” Nikolo asked, quickly denying it “You didn’t do anything of the sort; they told me to choose between you and them!”

“But it’s my fault you chose me” Sasha said, making Nikolo roll his eyes before he pinched her cheek “Don’t think too highly of yourself; I actually do have a free will of my own.”

“Really?” Sasha asked with over faked surprise. Nikolo’s answer to that was to pinch her other cheek as well, pulling them “It wahwa joke!”

Nikolo released her and Sasha rubbed her cheeks, pouting. Her husband laughed.

“You should join us”

“I have to finish the dinner” Nikolo denied. Sasha opened her mouth to suggest that she’d take over, but Nikolo knew her well enough by now to know that that’s what she had in mind and said: “No offence, but the recipe is too complicated for you. It has to be me.”

Sasha pouted, but didn’t argue. Not listening to him and messing up his what would have been delicious cooking once had been enough for her.

“…We’re still gonna tell them tonight, right?” Sasha asked after a moment of hesitation.

“Of course,” Nikolo said without missing a beat “…Unless you want to wait after all, that is.”

Sasha shook her head; she wanted to tell them today.

“I’m going back to the others, but I’ll leave the door open” Sasha said “And don’t even think I’ll let you be the one to do the cleanup; you need to talk to them, too!”

“But you can’t overexert yourself” Nikolo pointed out, making Sasha huff “Like I would do so by simply cleaning the kitchen!”

Nikolo stared at her, and after a while Sasha got uncomfortable, giving in “…We can always make the kids do it.”

“I suppose that’d work” Nikolo admitted “Now go back so that I can finish this.”

“Am I in the way?”

“Always” Nikolo deadpanned, kissing Sasha’s red cheek “This won’t take long anymore.”

--------

Dinner time. The family was enjoying Nikolo’s cooking, not that he had expected any different result. If there was something, he was confident about, it was his cooking skills. Still, everyone was almost done eating, and they’d decided to make the big revelation between dinner and the dessert. Nikolo was nervous about telling them, which was ridiculous. He and Sasha were already married adults and her family had accepted him; there was no reason why they would think this to be negative news in any way.

Glancing at Sasha, Nikolo noticed that she wasn’t as lively as usually. She was nervous too.

“Well, I suppose it’s natural” he thought, taking Sasha’s hand under the table and squeezing it. She looked at him before smiling. It was time.

“Mom, dad” Sasha paused “You rascals too, there’s something we want to tell you.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised; you don’t normally insist that we all come when you invite us for a dinner” her father said “What is it that you want to tell us?”

Too late to back down, but it’s not like they had a reason to. Still, Sasha couldn’t help but feel nervous. As if reading her mind, Nikolo squeezed her hand.

“Mom, dad, I’m pregnant” she told them, plain and simple. It was better not to beat around the bush. There was a moment of silence, with Kaya being the first one to break it as she said to the other kids: “See? I told you sis wasn’t getting fat!”

“Wha-!?” Sasha let out, blushing. She gave a glare to Nikolo as he muttered: “Well, that wouldn’t be surprising, either.”

The others laughed.

“Congratulations Honey” Sasha’s mother said “Congratulations to both of you.”

“I’m going to be a grandpa…” Sasha’s father muttered before breaking in to a grin “And to think that only five years ago I kept worrying that my daughter would never settle down, never showing any interest in building a family…”

“Dad!” Sasha protested. She had never had any idea that her father had worried about something like that “Geez…”

“I don’t think she would’ve ever gotten married without Mr. Nikolo” Sasha turned her attention to the ponytailed girl “It’s a miracle she found a man who can handle her antics.”

Sasha’s protests drowned under her family’s laughter. Huffing, she said: “Well, maybe it’ll be you who’ll end up as an old maid…”

“Too early to predict that” her mother said “Now Honey, aren’t you going to finish your food? Are you feeling ill?”

“Hm?” Sasha glanced at her plate, realizing that she was the only one who still had something left. First time for everything, she supposed “Nah, I was just distracted. This won’t take long!”

Knowing that it was true since it was his wife talking, Nikolo stood up and said: “I’ll get the dessert ready.”

That went well; they had been nervous for nothing.

--------

That night they both lay awake in the bed; Nikolo could tell his wife was not sleeping since he didn’t hear any snoring.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked her quietly.

Sasha turned to face him, a small smile playing on her lips.

“No” she said “I have a lot in my mind, I guess.”

“Everything went so well, though” Nikolo said, a little surprised that Sasha was having trouble sleeping now that the stressful revelation was finally out. Not that he was one to talk “Your parents are great.”

“Yeah” Sasha said with a sigh “That’s the problem here…”

“Huh?”

“Can we really match up to their level?” Sasha asked “Can we really raise our child properly? I’m not stupid; I know I’m not patient like my mother or reasonable like my father… what if something goes horribly wrong?”

Nikolo hadn’t thought of that at all, but now that he did, he figured that he had more reason to worry than Sasha did. While her parents were great, his… well, not so much. They were stuck up, appearances over everything -kind of people. Nikolo himself had made a point of being different from them since his rebellious teenage years and, after meeting Sasha, it had become genuine desire to be a better person. But what if he’d unconsciously become just the kind of parent his own ones were?

Noticing that Nikolo had gotten lost in his thoughts, Sasha frowned.

“Did I make you worry?” she asked, already knowing the answer. Nikolo jolted, about to deny it, but stopped when he saw the look on his wife’s face. It’d be too late to fool her “Yeah…”

“And this is exactly what I meant” Sasha said, burying her face in her pillow “What if I worry our child by saying wrong things? What if it ends up hating me!?”

“That’s…” Nikolo didn’t continue; he didn’t know what to say. How could he ease her worries when he wasn’t any calmer than she was? “We’ll figure things out as they come.”

“That’s your answer?”

“I’m just as clueless as you are” Nikolo admitted honestly “I’m sure it’ll be fine; your family will help us if we need it. There’s Connie and Jean, too.”

“Jean?” Sasha asked, making Nikolo laugh “Okay, maybe just Connie, at least when the child is still little.”

“You didn’t mention Mikasa” Sasha pointed out, but Nikolo just huffed at that “No, she creeps me out. But if our child ever needs a bodyguard, I know exactly who to contact.”

Sasha laughed at that, and Nikolo followed soon after.

They may have no idea what they were doing, but they’d figure things out.

Snuggling closer to her husband, Sasha was sure they would, for together they could do anything.

Absolutely anything.

[shinidamachu]

Window - Part II

Summary: so for te first day of @inukag-week I wrote a follow up to Window on InuYasha’s perspective. I did my best to give you backstory so you can read it even if you missed the first part. Also, I dedicate this to the amazing @dyaz-stories. Prompt: opposites.

Word Count: 2089  Genre: angst but like chill  Fandom: InuYasha  Pairing: Inukag  Format: oneshot  AO3 Link: 🌹  Fanfic.Net Link: 🌹

InuYasha struggled to sleep as the war between his pride and the yearn for seeing her took place inside of him. The half demon had seen it happen times enough to know exactly how it would go.

He would end up at her window the same way he had done every single time before.

It had begun — just like everything else about them, it seemed — unpretentiously and unexpectedly that grew into something as natural as the tides: he couldn’t explain how or why, but it existed and there was no restraining it.

All InuYasha knew when he went after her that first night was that Kagome used to spend damn too much time on the other side of the well for his liking and he had developed the frustrating tendency of getting apprehensive whenever she wasn’t around.

An impulsive act was all it took for him to caught himself petrified outside her window, too late then to turn back, too late at night to demand that she went back with him. Although the half demon had no idea of what to do at the time, he knew what he wanted, and it was nothing more than to be with her.

To this day, InuYasha couldn’t tell how he had conjured the courage to ask her to stay, but it was a good thing he did, for she had allowed him to and he had been showing up at her window ever since.

It was a relieving feeling, knowing she was safe and sound under his protection even if her era had proven itself to be relatively safer than his own and the girl had toughen up as time went by. He just couldn’t help it, mostly because the brutal truth was that he missed her. Completely and truthfully missed her.

Maybe she knew it. Maybe that was the reason why she never questioned him about it, but has always left the window wide open afterwards. Maybe she missed him too. The thought alone could still make something deep inside his stomach melt in the most delightful way.

There was something endearing about sharing this secret — and her bed, for that matter — with Kagome. Not that InuYasha had a problem with sleeping on the floor, but the girl made such a big deal out of it that he finally gave in and in spite of his initial embarrassment, he certainly wasn’t going to complain about it.

The whole thing went without saying. She left, he followed. Simple as that. And InuYasha enjoyed simple, he could do simple. But simple never lasts. Of all people, he should be the one with this lesson engraved deep inside his head.

Now “complicated” didn’t even begin to cover it and his frustration increased with every breath he took. In any other day, at this very moment, they would be together and he could actually sleep instead of just closing his eyes and pretending to.

His friends didn’t seem to be striving against the same problem — as their slow, deep breaths made abundantly clear, they had long ago fallen asleep. Good. InuYasha knew pretty well the reason of his insomnia was five hundred years away and he could easily spend the rest of his bad mood without anybody reminding him that, thank you very much.

Their earlier speech about how he should go to Kagome and make things right between them had actually annoyed him into doing the opposite. Of course they would take her side, they always do — which is mildly irritating, to say the least, but the hanyou was used to it by now.

Unwilling to stay at Kaede’s hut any longer, InuYasha decided to go for a walk, hoping to clear his mind somehow. The hanyou got out to the clouded night, not caring slightly for the drizzle that welcomed him. Before realizing it, he was walking the path that would take him to Kagome and sooner than the expected, there he was at her window again, just like he knew he would.

Now the half demon wished he hadn’t come, because for the first time in what seemed to be forever, the window was closed. The rain on her side of the well had been falling for a long while, InuYasha could tell as he let it soak him head to toe, watching the water bath the glassy surface that viewed to her room.

Maybe it’s because of the rain, a little, pathetic voice in his head tried to argue and it almost made him suppress a scornful laugh — the half demon thought he had sealed away that side of him long ago. Hope was a treacherous thing to have.

Still, he tried to open the window, fiding then that it was locked. The ghost of something highly unpleasant formed in his throat and he unsuccessfully tried to swallow it. So Kagome didn’t want him to come. Fine.

From outside he spotted the miko lying on the bed, but the rain prevented him from knowing either she was awake or not. Intending to enter, check on her and leave before she even suspected he went there, InuYasha tried his best to unlock the damn thing without breaking it into pieces, which he was very tempted to do.

“Fuck!” He let out through clenched teeth when it became obvious the gentle approach wasn’t working.

The hanyou was about to give up when the delicate silhouette of the girl slowly walked towards him, stopping only when they were face to face. For an excruciating moment, InuYasha thought that would be all, but as it turned out, Kagome always had a way of surprising him. The sound of a click made itself heard above the incessant rain, her eyes never leaving his while she lifted the structure open.

Silently, the black haired girl turned away. InuYasha sneaked inside, the warmth and familiar smell of the place involving him right away.

“So…” InuYasha began, whilst Kagome headed to the bed. She had been crying and he took no pride on how obvious it was to him after having seen it so many times — and even less pride on being the reason behind her tears. “You lock the window, now?” The half demon regretted the accusing tone as soon as the words came out of his mouth.

InuYasha turned back to close it himself, muffling the rain and the world outside. She sat on the bed, eyes on her lap as he followed.

“I didn’t think you would come.”

“Well, I’m here, aren’t I?” It was a good thing they used to keep their voices down when in her room because he would be shouting his exasperation otherwise. Although InuYasha doubted it was necessary this time. He could hear her grandpa’s thunderous snoring and Sota entertained with that strange box of his. Her mother wasn’t home.

“You don’t have to be if you don’t want to.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kagome looked him straight in the eyes this time, no space for ambiguities.

“You know what it means.” And as a matter of fact, he did.

“I went to see her and we talked, so what? It ain’t like we get all over each other the way you and that pathetic excuse of wolf do.” Kagome stood up and he involuntarily took a step back.

“That’s totally different.” The very idea she actually believed that was hilarious and outrageous at the same time.

“How, exactly?” But he knew the difference, at least for him. It was different because Kagome didn’t have to smell someone else’s scent on him for hours until it would fade away. It was different because she didn’t have to sit and watch as someone else promised to give him everything she couldn’t.

“I’m not in love with Koga, for starts.” Despite the relief her statement gave him, InuYasha shook his head.

“It’s not like that.” It felt like it didn’t matter how hard InuYasha tried to do the right thing by Kikyo and Kagome, he just kept failing both of them and he knew it.

“Oh, please! You kissed her once. I was there.”

“That was before-” Before I realized how madly in love I am with you. The unsaid words lingered there, an invisible barrier between them that he knew he shouldn’t cross.

“I don’t care when it was! This isn’t about Kikyo and it isn’t about Koga, either. It’s about you lying to me.”

“I only lied because I knew you would make a big deal out of it. You always do.”

“I wouldn’t make a big deal out of it if you didn’t give me reasons to.” She stared at him with defiance, their heavy breaths filling the air before they become too aware of their noses almost touching. Kagome was the first to look away. “I’m tired of having the same fight over and over again and I’m sick of feeling the way I do whenever there’s shinidamachu around. So if you want to go, just go. I won’t ask you to stay.”

“And what if I want to stay?” Kagome blinked slowly, arms crossing and lips slightly trembling.

“Then don’t lie to me again. And stop dripping on my floor.” Convinced they were going to be alright, InuYasha paced to the bathroom as silent as possible, barely able to hide his smile.

Once there, he stripped off the suikan — there wasn’t much he could do for the soaked piece, anyway — and with the aid of a fluffy fabric, started to dry himself.

InuYasha was remarkably familiar with good part of her modern utensils by now, specially the ones that composed her scent. The first aid kit, the strange bottles he still hadn’t figured out what were for, the red little stick that makes her lips smell like strawberry and leaves him dying to steal a taste.

Everything about it, just like in her bedroom, was so impossibly Kagome it was both intoxicating and a constant reminder he was the only thing there that didn’t fit.

When he came back, the lights were off and she was already under the covers. InuYasha closed the door and stood there, uncertain of what to do next. He still owed her an apology.

“Are you dry yet?” She sounded sleepy by the minute, so he opted for skipping the question.

“I’m sorry, Kagome.”

“It’s okay.”

“No, I mean it. I will never lie to you again, I swear.”

Kagome moved the blanket away to reveal what has been implicitly established as his side of the bed, a peace offer that he gladly took. Sometimes, when the moon abandoned him to his own fortune, it was the only way he would allow himself to rest and on the nights he was really lucky, she would call his name on her sleep. Whenever he laid there beside her, it didn’t feel unfitting at all. It felt like belonging.

There was one thing missing, though, and he waited for it.

“Still mad at me, aren’t ya?”

As if she could read his mind, Kagome sighed before curling up with him, head nestling against his chest — right over his heart — and InuYasha hoped one day she discovered every erratic beat was just for her.

“I’m always mad at you.”

“I ain’t fightin’ you on that.”

He felt more than saw her smile — which only caused his own — and as InuYasha relished on the feeling of having her so close, time passed by unnoticed until Kagome spoke again.

“InuYasha?”

“Yeah?”

“Why do we keep making this so much harder than it needs to be?”

InuYasha contemplated the question for a while. Ultimately, he narrowed it down to one logical conclusion.

“It wouldn’t be us otherwise.”

“I guess you’re right.” Was the last thing she said before drifting to sleep.

As much as he wanted to pretend the whole universe came down to those four walls, InuYasha wasn’t naive. He knew she deserved better than anything he could possibly offer her, that they belonged to different worlds, that departure was inevitable. And he knew the day would come when she wouldn’t open the window anymore.

“But until then…” His eyes closed and he let himself sink into her hair, lips brushing against the black strands, her sweet scent inviting him to relax toward the peaceful torpor of slumber and not for the first time when holding Kagome in the darkness of her room, InuYasha wished for the sun to forget to raise.

A/N: @dyaz-stories now I don’t know if this is what you pictured when you said yo wanted to read a follow up from InuYasha’s point of view but if it isn’t I promise to make it up to you sometime. That being said, I really hope you like it. Je t'aime.

Funny thing: Come In With The Rain started playing while I was writing this piece and now I’ve declared it the soundtrack of this little story until Taylor Nation sues me.

[swanqueeneverafter]

What Dreams May Come, Pt.21

The Land Without Magic. Group Home For Children. Minnesota 1991. (A young Emma is sitting on her bed staring at a flyer for a talent show. Grabbing a tape recorder and microphone, Emma begins to hum a tune when an older girl enters her room.) Older Girl: (Picking up the flyer:) "What's this?" Emma: "It's none of your business." Older Girl: "What, think you're gonna be the next Madonna?" Emma: "What do you know? Maybe people actually want to hear me sing." Older Girl: "Who? As soon as you get up on that stage and look out at the audience, you'll realize the truth, Emma. You're just like the rest of us. All alone." (The Older Girl leaves the room, slamming the door behind her. Staring down at the flyer once more, Emma screws it up and throws it in the trash.) Henry's Dreamscape. (Having departed the pirate ship, Henry is already on the path to a new adventure.) Richard: "Oh, I do not feel good about this." Henry: "Please try and keep it together. We're almost there." Richard: "Almost there? You've been saying that for days. Listen, I'm tired. I miss Gareth. Those pirates smelled horrible." Hook: "Hey." Richard: "Present company accepted." (Together they enter a cave.) Henry: “This is it. Just ahead. The cave of the Golden Dragon.” Hook: “By the size of those claw marks, I'd say it's well-fed on heroes. You sure you want to do this?” Henry: “Are you kidding? I've wanted to do this since I was ten years old. You ready?” Richard: “Actually, Henry, I think I’m going to stay out here, look after our bags.” Hook: “After all the fuss you made about being left behind?” Richard: “That’s because I thought you’d abandon me and never come back. If I’d known you were really serious about taking on a dragon then-” Henry: “All right, stay here. Just be quiet.” Richard: (Relieved:) “Good luck.”

Henry: “I don't need luck. Slaying dragons is what my family does best. Now come on. We're so close, I can hear it breathing. (Henry draws his sword and Hook follows him. Deeper inside the cave, Henry manages to find the source of the breathing, or snoring as it turns out. A man, surrounded by gold and other riches, sleeps soundly against a wooden chest. Nudging the sleeping man awake:) Hey. Hey. Who are you?” Drunken Man: “Whoa. Watch where you poke that. I'm trying to take a bit of a nap.” Hook: “Here? You mad? Where's the bloody dragon?” Drunken Man: (Laughs:) “Are you serious? You think I'd be here if there was a dragon? The dragon migrated weeks ago. Left his treasures behind - gold, silver, wine. I didn't even know dragons like wine. Want some?” Henry: “That's not yours. It belongs to the villages that dragon plundered, so you are leaving, right now.” Drunken Man: (To Hook:) “Bossy one, ain’t he? All right.” (The man leaves.) Hook: “Why the glum face, lad? Dragon's gone. It is a good thing.” Henry: (Sheathing his sword:) “Not for me. My mom and grandpa both slayed a dragon with this sword.” Hook: “Aye, one of those dragons was the mother of my child. Something you might like to consider next time you get a thirst for adventure.” Henry: (His face falls:) “I’m sorry, Hook. I wasn’t thinking.” Hook: “No, I know. You saw a chance to be the hero and you took it. It’s all right. There will be other days, other ways.” Henry: “No, you’re right. It's not just about a dragon, I'm in love with Ella. What do I have to offer her? My grandparents are Snow White and Prince Charming. My parents are the Savior and the Queen and I'm still just... I'm just Henry. I came here to find my story, and I refuse to believe that I'm just a character in someone else's. (Picks up a ring from a pile of jewels:) You know, my grandparents had a magic ring that helped them find each other, and I don't need that. But if I'm going to propose to Ella, I need to have a ring with a great story behind it, my story.” (He throws the ring down.) Hook: “Is that really what you came here for? A ring to put on Ella's hand? Henry, you know that none of this is really-” Henry: “I know. Believe me I know. But why let that stop me from having it all, right?” (Hook and Henry share a knowing smile.) Hook: “Fair enough. If you want to quest after a ring, talk to the expert. (Holding up his hand:) On each of these rings hangs a fantastic tale, and it just so happens, I know where you can find one of your own.” The Charmings' Dreamscape. Enchanted Forest. Past. (Snow White comes bursting through the bed chamber door, Prince Charming following behind her.) Prince Charming: "Snow! Snow, it's going to be okay.” Snow White: “No, Charming, it's not! You heard Rumple. (Taking off her cloak:) There is nothing we can do to stop the Evil Queen.” Prince Charming: “I promise you, we will find a way to protect our daughter. But right now, she needs something more important. She needs her mother to rest.” Snow White: “All right. I just need some air.”

Balcony. (Snow White, coming back to herself, looks up at the skies.) Snow White: “Sometimes I wish things had gone differently back then. I wish we had what we needed to help keep Emma with us. That we had found another way to stop the Dark Curse.” Storybrooke. Storybrooke General Hospital. Present. (Regina and Emma enter the maternity ward to find no one at the reception desk. Walking down the hallway, they see no sign of anybody.) Regina: (Pushing open a door that's been left ajar:) "Dr. Whale? Where are you?" (Further down the hall, Emma enters another room where the lights are flickering.) Emma: “Dr. Whale? (She walks around the room, then sees Whale's severed arm laying on the operating table. She gasps, steps back and bumps into a hanging light behind her:) Oh. (She moves the operating table and sees Dr. Whale injured on the ground:) Whale. Whale. What happened? Who did this?” Dr. Whale: (Groaning as Regina joins them:) “It was him.” Emma: “Who?” Dr. Whale: (To Regina:) “Daniel.” Regina: (Shocked:) “He's here?” Dr. Whale: “Yes. I- I went to see Xanax. I brought him back in my dream, and now he’s here. But... he's not Daniel.” Regina: “What?” Dr. Whale: “He's... he's a monster.”

Henry's Dreamscape. Kingdom of Valencia. (Peasants and courtiers are gathered as Queen Madelena and Gareth enter the throne room.) Herald: “Hear ye! Hear ye! Presenting the queen and the guy that was with the queen when she killed the other guy who was kind of the king!” Gareth: (To Madelena:) “Maybe later we can discuss my title.” Queen Madelena: (To the room at large:) “And what trifling business is before the court today?” Peasant 1: (Walking forward, bows:) “My queen, my guy who was with the queen when she...” Queen Madelena: (Taking her seat:) “Get on with it.” Peasant 1: “A chicken laid an egg on the border between our two properties. We didn't know what to do, so we just let it sit there.” Peasant 2: “But then this chicken hatched from that egg, and... and now we don't know who the new chicken, um, belongs to.” Queen Madelena: “Is this for real? Is this really happening?” Gareth: “I got this. I think what we need to consider here is what came first. We have a chicken, and there was an egg. But then before that, there was another chicken.” Queen Madelena: “Kill the chicken. I'll eat it for dinner. Next!” Gareth: “Look, I don't mean to complain. I just... don't know what my role is, and that's weird. It's a bit rough not having a role.” Queen Madelena: “You have a role, Gareth.” Gareth: “I do?” Queen Madelena: “Go kill the chicken.”

Meanwhile, Elsewhere In Henry's Dreamscape... (With Hook leading them, Henry and Richard travel many miles on foot.) Richard: "I am so sick of traveling.” Crossing A River. Richard: “Hey, can you get cancer from walking? Because I really feel like my feet are getting cancer.” Crossing A Field. Richard: (Echoing:) “So bored!” Through The Woods. Richard: (Groans:) “Oh, perfect. (Sticking his foot out:) My boot broke.” Henry: “Ugh. Fine. Fine. (Throws his bags down:) You win. We'll camp here tonight. You happy? But tomorrow, we're gonna fix your boot, I'm gonna get you to your kingdom, drop you off, go have a real adventure with Hook, and then I can go and rescue Ella.” Richard: “All you care about is saving your precious Ella. You don't care about me. Nobody does. (Pointing:) Except for Gareth. Gareth cared. (Sitting on a rock:) I miss Gareth.” (Hook and Henry share exasperated looks.) Hook: “I’ll, er... go fetch the firewood.” (He leaves.) Henry: (To the heavens:) “I'm trying, Ella. I'll get to you, my love. I promise.” Storybrooke. Storybrooke General Hospital. (Dr. Whale is lying in a bed, sleeping. Regina and Emma are watching him when Lily enters.) Lily: “What's going on? I just got a call that Dr. Whale was attacked.” Regina: “You'll have to ask his doctors.” Lily: “No. I am asking you.” Regina: “We came here for our check up with him and discovered he was hurt. (Lily gives her a look of disbelief:) It's the truth.” Lily: “What else? What happened, who attacked him?” Regina: “Someone from my past. I believe he's come back. Daniel. His name is Daniel.” Emma: (At Lily’s look:) “The man Regina was supposed to marry. Back in the Enchanted Forest.” Lily: “Wait, the guy Snow told the secret about? And because she did... (To Regina:) Your fiancé died?” Regina: “Yes. He did.” Lily: “Well, then how could he be back?” Regina: “Whale. He entered his own dreamscape. He believed he could bring Daniel back from the grave, and... I don't know how... but he has.” Lily: “Dreamscapes. Again? Is this really a thing now?” Emma: “He’s an echo. He’s not real.” Lily: “The damage he did looks pretty damn real to me.” Regina: "We need to go. I have to help Daniel.” Lily: “No. Where is he? Look what he did. He's dangerous.” Regina: “Not to me. He won't hurt anyone else, Lily, I promise.” Lily: “You know I can't take that chance. You have two choices, Regina... tell me where he is, or jail.” Emma: “Hey, back off! We don’t know where he is all right? Now go do your job and ask around. Someone must’ve seen something.” (Giving them both a dirty look, Lily heads into Whale’s room and starts to ask his nurse for details.) Emma: “All right, that won’t buy us long. If you know where he is, we have to go now.” Regina: “I think it... it could be like when David awoke from his coma. Daniel might be following his final thoughts to where he last met me... the stables.” Emma: (Nods:) “Let’s go.”

[just-jordie-things]

Confinement Syndrome - Stiles Stilinski

word count: 2817 warnings: swearing, panic attacks request: 40 with Stiles 😍 this is so something he would call Lydia about prompt #40 - “Hey, you okay? Whats going on?” “She won’t stop crying, and I don’t know what to do!”

The Dread Doctors have proven to be a real pain in the ass, as Stiles had so lightly put it during the pack meeting at Scott’s house.

“It’s… it’s like you can’t even breathe” Malia was explaining her own experience with them, though it wasn’t like it was a real sunny moment she was sharing.  “I felt so powerless, I couldn’t do a damn thing to help Tracy and I… well I never want to feel like that again”

(y/n’s) mind wandered to what it must feel like, to be a strong werecoyote and to suddenly have that completely shredded from you.  Malia always did her best to help, and her assets as a coyote were what she relied on to do that.  (y/n) was only human, so she knew all to well the fragility of her life, not to mention her bones.  But right now that was the last thing she wanted to be thinking about.

“Really?” Kira chriped in.  “I’ve felt the complete opposite… as if I’m learning control for the first time and that I’ve been completely taken over by the kitsune itself.  Like we aren’t one anymore, like we’re both fighting for control” She said.  (y/n) shuddered, turning away to hide the fact.  Stiles, who stood next to her, looked over to her, his expression silently asking if she was okay.

‘Don’t worry about it’ She mouthed back, so the werewolves couldn’t listen in.  He faced his attention back to Kira as she continued to speak, but his hand reached for (y/n’s) hidden behind him.  Her fingers linking between his with ease.

As Scott began to talk about his asthma attack in the elevator just days ago, Stiles’ hand squeezed onto hers.  She thanked him silently.

Since (y/n) had moved to Beacon Hills last year, her and Stiles had been close friends.  They hadn’t even crossed paths until her name wound up on the Deadpool, and him and Scott had found her fighting for her life against Garrett and his twisted girlfriend.  While (y/n) turned out to only be human, she had a family history of banshees, so she carried the gene.

“Any ideas? I’ll take anything at this point” Scott sighed, slumping down at the kitchen table.  (y/n) felt bad for him in this moment, the alpha always tried to protect the entirety of Beacon Hills, and right now he was clearly feeling beat.

“The frequency” (y/n) said quietly, earning a very puzzled look from Scott.  “It’s how they run… how they’re able to do the things they do with the electrical currents, like in Eichen” She explained.  “I don’t know what they are, or how that works, but I think it’s how they communicate, how the overpower things”

“Yeah” Lydia nodded her head, understanding what she was saying.  “If we can throw that off, we could maybe take that away from them” She thought allowed.

“Like kicking them when they’re down?” Malia asked, and the girls nodded back at her.

“That makes sense” Scott finally got it.  “How do we throw off their frequency though?”

“Easy, overload it” Lydia said,

“Sound waves” (y/n) snapped her fingers, pointing to the banshee.  “We use audio files of you…”

“… and then surround them with it…” Lydia finished (y/n’s) thought.  “That could work!”

“You think?” The human girl smiled, glad that she’d helped with the plan.

“Lydia, Malia, you get the recordings” Scott said.

“Why me?” Malia whined.

“You’re the only one who can tolerate it” He answered, and she wanted to argue further, but it made too much sense.  “Kira and I will figure out how to find them, I’ll call Liam tonight and ask him to come searching with us” Scott said, thinking through each aspect of the plan.  “(y/n) and Stiles, you figure out how we switch up the frequency”

The two looked at each other, (y/n) pulling her hand out of Stiles’ as she smiled at him awkwardly.

“We’ll meet back here tomorrow, shoot for noon?”

Everyone nodded collectively in agreement.

“You want to get going then? Maybe we can get to a bookstore or something  for research?” Stiles offered as the two headed for the door.

“What’re you eighty? Why can’t we just google?” (y/n) responded.  Stiles shrugged his shoulders.

“Yeah we could just go back to my place” He suggested.  “You could stay the night, i-if you wanted.  Then we could just meet up with the pack together and-”

“That sounds fine” She said, ending his rambling as they got into the jeep.  “But could we stop at my house then to pick up some things?”

“Yeah-yeah of course” Stiles stammered out in response.

The trip to (y/n’s) didn’t last more than five minutes, filling her backpack with the necessities.  Clothes to sleep in, and change into for tomorrow.  Toothbrush, deodorant, phone charger.  That was about it.

“So I was thinking we start with getting all the research printed then going through it and trying to track down where we can get the kind of speakers that can carry the intensity of a banshee scream” (y/n) was explaining her ideas to Stiles as soon as they walked into his bedroom.

“Sounds good”

“Also, we’ll look super prepared when we go to Scott’s” She added with a sheepish grin.  Stiles chuckled at that.

“Good.  Go A team!” Stiles said, holding his hand up for her to high five, but she shook her head.

“We aren’t celebrating over this” She said, stifling her giggles as she pushed past him to get to his computer.

“Fine.  But we’re still A team” Stiles said, sprawling onto his bed to do his own research through his phone.

It must’ve been an hour of mumbles between the two, printing off sheet after sheet of papers that (y/n) felt would be necessary, until something in particular caught her eye.

“Hey… Stiles…” She called for him softly, unable to tear her eyes away from the laptop screen.

“Yeah?” He got up to walk over to her.

“There is a book” She told him, pointing to the screen.  “On the Dread Doctors, by…” Her eyes scanned over the page.  “T.R McCammon”

Stiles’ eyes squinted as he read over the page she’d pulled up.  “Is it… reliable?”

“Only one way to find out, yeah?”

“You mean you want to go buy this?” He asked incredulously.  “Didn’t I say we need to go to a bookstore?”

“Don’t be such a grandpa” She mumbled, the back of her hand slapping his arm.  “I’ll print the pdf” She giggled at Stiles’ inability to process modern technology.  She was already printing out a copy.  “I could probably finish this tonight”

“Are you serious?” Stiles asked, looking over at all the sheets currently being stacked on his printer’s tray.  “You’re paying me for that ink” He grumbled.

“Okay” She shrugged.

“I was kidding.  And there’s no way you’re reading that all tonight” He said, wandering over the the sheets and flipping through them curiously.  “They’re double sided!”

“I’m aware, Stiles.  I’m saving paper” She rolled her eyes.  The boy threw his hands in the air.

“(y/n/n), it’s already ten o’clock, you’re not going through the whole thing tonight.  You’ll be up till the morning”

“I’m okay with that” She shrugged.

“(y/n)-”

“People are getting hurt, Stiles” She said seriously, looking away from the computer and back up at him now.  “I can handle staying up past my bedtime” She said, then got up from the chair to go collect her twenty-some pages.  Stiles sighed, knowing he wouldn’t be able to talk her out of it.

(y/n) took her spot on the bed, getting comfortable with a pen in one hand for notes and a highlighter between her lips just in case.

“Are you gonna sit with me and keep me company?” She asked Stiles after a few minutes of being by herself.

Stiles had just been standing there, trying not to stare at her, but it was getting kind of hard nowadays.  The boy nodded, propping himself up next to her on the mattress.

“You just want me here to ask me questions on big words” He said with a goofy grin that earned him a smile.

“Maybe” She responded softly.

And she did ask hima  few things, as well as run a few ideas by him as she scribbled down notes and highlighted certain areas.  She was taking it very seriously, each page taking her longer to read through than the last.  Until eventually it didn’t matter that Stiles kept his eyes trained on her breathtaking features, because she was so captured by the words.

Stiles fell asleep by midnight, and she wasn’t even half way through it by that point.  Not that (y/n) minded, his head had fallen onto her shoulder and his soft snores were something that made her chest flutter with adoration.

But that was when things got difficult.

The reading was getting intense, and the further she went, the easier the picture in her mind became, until it was so realistic that she just couldn’t stop.  Because she was certain that at any moment the Doctors were going to come to get her, after her own mutated genes.  The image was crystal clear.  (y/n) was practically trapped by the book.

She didn’t even know she was shaking until Stiles began to stir and woke up because of it.

“(y/n)?” He mumbled, clearly confused.  “How long was I- O my God you’re crying” He sat up straight as soon as he’d noticed, but she didn’t say or do anything, just kept on reading as she trembled and tears fell down her cheeks.  “(y/n), hey, seriously stop reading now”

She barely even showed a sign of life if it weren’t for her tears.

“I’m serious (y/n), stop reading”

A small gasp escaped her lips, but it was only as a result of her crying.  Stiles began to shake her shoulders, snapping his fingers in front of her face, anything to direct her attention elsewhere, but it wasn’t working.

Finally, he gave up and called the one person he figured would be good with this sort of thing.  They picked up after a couple rings, sounding only slightly annoyed from being called at one in the morning.

“Hey, you okay?” Lydia’s voice asked, wondering why the hell Stiles would be calling at this hour.  “What’s going on?”

“It’s (y/n)” He answered quickly, sounding panicked.  “She won’t stop crying, and I don’t know what to do!”

“Oh my God… what’d you do to the poor girl?” The banshee sighed.

“Nothing! She was just reading this book thing about the Dread Doctors and just- I don’t really know I fell asleep-”

“Typical of you to leave all the work to her”

“Not now” He muttered.  “But she’s shaking and crying and it’s like, it’s like she’s in a trance and I don’t know how to help her just tell me how to help her”

“Well maybe start by taking away the book” Lydia stated calmly.  Stiles did so, reaching out and practically ripping the pages from her hands.  The girl’s eyes looked up to his, still wet with tears and there were trails on her cheeks.  Her breathing quickened, but she still didn’t say anything.

“Okay I think that worked” Stiles near whispered into the phone.

“Good, now… maybe treat it like a panic attack?”

“How the hell do I do that?” The boy whisper screamed.

“I don’t know! You’ve had them before, you figure it out!” Lydia replied defensively.

“Fine, I’ll figure it out on my own” Stiles answered, before hanging up on her and tossing her phone to the side.  “(y/n), hey, can you hear me?”

He got onto the bed in front of her, sitting on his knees as she stared at him.  Her head shakily nodded.

“I-” She took in a sharp breath.  “I feel like I-I can see them” Her voice came out in whimpers and Stiles’ heart broke right into two.

“There’s nothing here, it’s just me” He assured her, reaching his hands out to set on her shoulders.

“But I-I just f-feel them, like they’re everywhere” The tear flow continued on and Stiles was about ready to burn that pdf printout.

“Nothing is here” Stiles whispered.  “I need you to breathe”

“I can’t I-”

“(y/n)” Stiles spoke sternly.  “Breathe, in and out”

“Stiles I can’t-” She panted again, shutting her eyes in an effort to at least stop the crying.  “I can’t do this I- I can’t help them not like this-”

“Don’t think about that right now” He said softly, realizing his hands had been caressing over her arms involuntarily to try to soothe her.  He wasn’t all too sure if it was working, but he didn’t stop.  “Think about something else”

“How am I-”

“Just try” He pleaded.  “Try for me, find something else to focus on”

(y/n’s) eyes opened, red and sad and flickering between his.

“It-it’s n-not working” She sniffled, voice hiccuping.

Stiles gaze wandered from her tear filled (y/e/c) eyes down to her trembling pink lips.  Quickly snapping his line of sight back to his eyes, he wondered if his last ditch effort idea was even a good one.  But we know what they say about desperate times.

His hands released her arms to gently cup her face, and without a second thought he tugged the girl closer to him, slanting his lips over hers.  (y/n) squeaked with surprise, but didn’t try to push him away whatsoever, so it must’ve worked on some level.  He let his thumbs swipe tenderly over her cheeks to get rid of the wetness.  After he felt her let out a soft and steady sigh through her nose, he pulled away from her, removing his hands from her face and looking at her worriedly.

“How’d you know that’d work?” She whispered, no longer sounding panicked, but he could tell that she was still scared on some level.

“I… didn’t” He responded, chuckling nervously and rubbing the back of his neck.  “Sorry”

“It’s okay” She responded maybe too quickly.  “Thank you, I mean” (y/n) spoke almost under her breath, even though he was sitting just inches in front of her.  “That was… um… terrifying”

“I’m just glad it’s over.  It was terrifying to watch” He said, getting up off the bed, and placing the stack of papers she’d been going through clear on the other side of the room on his desk.  “We’ll worry about that all tomorrow, you need sleep” He told her.  (y/n) nodded in agreement.

If she was being honest with herself, she could still feel his velvety chapped lips on hers.

Stiles began to head for the door, shutting off the lights, and (y/n) stiffened instantaneously.

“Wait- Stiles” She called, sitting up straighter on his bed.  He turned back to her, silently asking what she needed.  “Can you… will you stay up here? Tonight?” She spoke slowly.  “Not on the couch?”

He smiled gently at her, closing the door and heading back to the bed.

“Thanks” (y/n) mumbled as they laid down across from one another, her eyes staring at him with a soft sort of intensity.

“Mhm o’course” He mumbled sleepily, pulling the covers over the both of them.  His eyes were shut as his head hit the pillow, but (y/n) was still looking at him.

“Stiles?” She murmured, like a frightened child.

“Mm?” He hummed, his eyes flickering open to see her unsurely watching him.

“Can I come closer?” His lips tugged gently, and without a word he opened his arms up for her.

She’d spent the night in the same bed with the boy before, many times actually.  After Lydia’s parties, late night pack meetings like to night, for movie marathons.  She’d grown accustomed to having him sleeping by her side, but cuddling was a new concept.

Without hesitation, she moved forward and tucked herself underneath his strong arm, pressing her hands to his check and her face against his collarbone.  Stiles held onto her securely, just enough to remind of her safety, but she could still breathe in his sweet scent of cologne.

“Thank you” She whispered.  He rubbed her back gently in response.

“Mhm” He hummed again.  “Get some sleep”

“Goodnight” She yawned, eyes fluttering shut as she pursed her nose into the crook of his neck.  “I love you” She purred without much of  thought of all, meanwhile making Stiles’ heart nearly burst out of his chest.

“Love you too pretty girl” Stiles said carefully.  He could feel her lips pulling into a small smile against his skin, but no more words were shared between the two.

But more words than those they’d let so tiredly slip out were needed.

prompt list

taglist: @the-crime-fighting-spider @socially-awkward-nerd  @all-alone-he-turns-to-stone @lovelynerdytraveler @writings-and-stuff @black-tights-black-heart @catcrown21 @anabundanceoftrash @dylxnob

xoxo ~ jordie

[bullet-proofgirlscouts]

JiminXReader - In One Week, Part - 12 (Final)

Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6; Part 7; Part 8; Part 9; Part 10; Part 11;

The taxi trip back home was painful. Jimin cradled her body towards, providing her as much warmth as he could. He grimaced as how cold she was, he could feel her frozen skin through the thickness of the jacket.

Thankfully, she was ok. He had rushed her out of the university, taking a small detour to the locker room to fetch a jacket which he draped over her and closed tightly, and took her to the hospital to make sure the wound on her head wasn't serious, and to treat it if it was. One of the doctors did a quick check up, taking up only five minutes of their time before telling him that it was nothing to worry about and that it would heal itself in time. Jimin sighed in relief at the news, worried that she might need stitches. As soon as that was done, he rushed her out again, taking her to his place, refusing to leave her alone.

As soon as they got in, Jimin quickly made his way to the bathroom, drawing her a hot bath. She took around twenty minutes to bathe and walk back out the to living room, wearing Jimin’s white t-shirt, a black hoodie and a pair of sweatpants. A towel was on top of her head as she continued to dry her hair, before she let it fall across her shoulders. She thanked him for the bath, before she immediately collapsed on the giant sofa in the room.

Jimin however couldn’t stay still. He paced around the room, rage filling his heart.

“Ok. Who did this to you?” he asked, sternly, “Tell me.”

The girl shook her head. She was still refusing to tell him.

“So, its someone I know.” Jimin deduced, “Is that why you’re not telling me? Because it’s not a stranger, but a friend?”

She didn’t reply, simply looking away from him and down onto her lap.

Jimin groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair.

‘Calm down, calm down.’ He thought, repeating it in his head, ‘Getting angry is not going to get you anywhere.’

“Look,” he said, getting down onto his knees in front of her. He placed his arms on the sofa on either side of her legs, caging her. He tilted his head to look up and met her eyes.

“I just want you to be ok.” He said softly, “that’s my priority.”

She smiled. Her hand came out to stroke his hair softly. Jimin closed his eyes at the touch, it was peaceful.

“I’ve never seen you that mad,” she said, “It was a bit scary.”

Jimin chuckled, “Yeah, I’ve heard that before. Jungkook jokes that there should be a world-wide shutdown on the days I get angry so that the public doesn’t get hurt.”

She started to laugh but then immediately stopped, wincing as her hand went up to her forehead.

“Ow.” She muttered, “I felt a bit dizzy.”

Jimins expression fell. He could feel the anger and sadness coming back to him over seeing her like this. She must have noticed it, and let out a long sigh.

“Alright, I’ll tell you who it was, but on one condition.”

“What is it?”

“You have to promise me that you won’t blame yourself.”

“What?”

“You can't blame yourself. Remember that none of this is your fault. Promise me.”

“But-”

“Promise me and I’ll tell you.” She said firmly.

“…Alright,” Jimin said, “I promise.”

She stuck out her pinky finger and Jimin smiled at how cute he found it. Wrapping his pinky around hers, he solidified the promise.

“So?” he asked, staring up at her.

“Well, this person had your phone and they sent me a text in your name, asking me to go to the music room.”

“My phone? Who-”

The girl stayed silent for a second, watching as the realisation washed over him, his eyebrows raised and eyes wide.

“It was Jihyo?”

She simply nodded, her expression sad, observing him.

“Jimin-” she started to say, but he immediately cut her off.

“I can't believe her!” Jimin yelled, shooting up to his feet, pacing around again.

She visibly flinched at his loud and angry tone, a look of worry now etched on her face as she just watched him. Running both hands through his hair in frustration, Jimin grit his teeth tightly to hold in the array of curses he desperately wanted to scream out.

“Why?” he screamed out instead, “why would she do that?”

Again, she kept silent.

“Is it…” he said, forgetting his promise, “Is it because of me?”

“Jimin, no.” she finally said, “It’s not-”

“She’s been bullying you because you’re close to me. Is that why?”

No reply. That basically answered his question.

“Oh no…” he said, his anger fading only to be replaced by bone crushing guilt. He walked towards the sofa and knelled in front of her again. He leaned forward, placing his forehead on her thighs, feeling his throat close up.

“I'm sorry.” He said, not knowing what else to do, “I should have picked you up from class. I should have been with you. This all is my fault. I'm so sorry.”

“Jimin.” She said firmly, her hands caressing his hair, “you promised me.”

“I wouldn't have if i knew this was what happened.”

“The only way it's your fault is if you told her to do this. Which...I hope you didn't do.”

Jimin shot up, still on his knees, “Of course not!” He said, appalled at the idea.

She grinned at him, pinching a cheek, “So, it isn't your fault.”

“Can i apologies one more time?”

She sighed loudly, “Last time. Then no more.”

Jimin nodded, standing up. Holding her hands tightly, he looked her in the eyes and said a firm “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.” she replied, equally strong.

They stayed in silence for a few seconds before Jimin asked, “Shall I make dinner now?”

She shook her head in response, “If you don't mind, I would just like to sleep.”

“You sure?”

She nodded.

“Ok,” Jimin said, “You can sleep in my room, just give me a minute to tidy up- and you’re already sleeping.”

You grinned up at him as she lied down on the sofa, getting comfortable.

Jimin smiled down at her, fondly, “Alright, i wont waste my breath convincing you to sleep in my room,” she nodded, “I’ll get you a pillow and a blanket. You should probably let your parents know you’re staying over.”

“Right.” she said, “almost forgot about that.” she struggled a bit as she pulled her phone out. Jimin left for his room, giving her some privacy.

He quickly grabbed his fluffiest pillow, his softest blanket and his favorite stuffed toy (it was this adorable dog character called Chimmy. It was yellow and white with floppy black ears and a tiny tongue sticking out. For some reason, Jimin could always relate to the guy) and walked back to the living room.

“Hey,” she said as he walked towards her, “My parents say thanks.”

“No problem.” Jimin said, with a smile. He tucked the pillow under her head, handing her the stuffed toy (“Aww Chimmy”) and draped the blanket over her.  She smiled at how efficient he was being, snuggling into the soft blanket.

“Thank you.” she said.

“You’re welcome,” he replied, brushing her hair out of her forehead, “I’m going to make some dinner for myself, i’ll be quiet. You go ahead and sleep.”

Jimin took a step away from the couch towards the kitchen, before a tug on his sleeve stopped him. He looked down and saw her grasping onto his shirt, her face a bit flushed.

“Can...Can you stay?” she asked, softly, “Just until I fall asleep?”

Jimin hesitated for a few seconds too long before she started to panic and backpedal, afraid she made him uncomfortable, “I mean,” she said, “Unless that’s something you don’t want to.”

“No, it’s ok. I don’t mind.”

“You sure? I wouldn’t ask this, but I’ve sort of gotten used to someone being with me when I’m…going through some stuff. It's usually Grandpa, or Yoongi, or Tae, or Namjoon or Jin!”

“It’s fine!” Jimin said quickly, squashing down a hint of jealousy he would deny was there, He sat down on the floor, his back leaning against the sofa. He could just turn his head and see her face, all squished against the pillow. She smiled at him, wrapping the blanket tighter around herself. She closed her eyes, sighing in comfort as sleep was slowly starting to take over her. After ten minutes, she was fast asleep. Jimin chuckled, standing up slowly. He looked down at her, cooing silently at how adorable she looked.

He was going to take a picture.

No, wait. He thought, that’s weird. And creepy. Don’t be creepy Jimin.

As he was thinking that, he swiftly brought his phone out and snapped a quick pic.

He gazed at the picture as he walked towards the kitchen. He had to be quiet, and so he decided to make simple ramen. Five minutes later, he was sitting by the dining table, quietly slurping his noodles. Finishing his dinner, he tossed the bowl in the sink. He sent his dad a quick text, informing him that a friend was staying over and he shouldn’t be surprised if he comes home to see a random stranger on the couch, to which his father sent an affirmative, informing him that he’s staying over at the hospital for the night and would be back tomorrow morning.

Jimin sighed, tired, not knowing what to do. Usually, he would use this time to study and get some work done, but everything he needed to do was completed. He could listen to music, or read a book but none of that seemed appealing right now. He decided to sleep instead, maybe wake up early next morning, see if he could drop his friend home.

Speaking of which, he walked to the sofa to check up on her, make sure she seemed comfortable. She was completely knocked out, softly snoring, hugging the Chimmy toy.

Jimin smiled, about to leave for his own room before he noticed the towel that was still draped on her neck. A cold, wet towel. That couldn't be good for her health.

He squatted down, slowly grabbing one end of it and started to pull as gently as possible, not to wake her up. It was almost free, but the movement made her stir, causing her body to shift from her back to her side, trapping the towel even tighter underneath her. Jimin sighed softly, pausing for a second before he tried to pull the towel away. However, his hand was quite close to her face and the warmth must have comforted her, and before he knew it, she had grabbed his hand in her sleep, cuddling it to her cheek tightly.

Jimin blushed beet red, surprised. She looked so adorable Jimin might die with all the swooning he was doing in his head. Unfortunately, his thighs were starting to ache and he needed to get up. He pulled his arm away, but that only made her hold it tighter. He tried again but he was on the verge of waking her up, which he didn't want to do.

“Oh, what the hell.” he muttered, before carefully climbing onto the sofa. The couch was large enough for the both of them, as he lightly adjusted her backwards to give himself some space to lie down. His left hand still under her cheek, the towel removed, he got comfortable, lying down, facing her, careful to keep a bit of distance between them. He gazed at her as she slept, feeling her breath on his cheek.

He had so much to think about. With everything that was going on, his number one priority was to make sure she was ok, he didn't even have time to process what he found out.

She was the creator of his favorite podcast, the woman he claimed to have fallen for, the talented person who managed to create something he cherished so deeply. She knew that too...she knew that he was pining for this person but it was her all along, but she didn't say anything. Jimin couldn't imagine what that felt like, to be in her shoes and be turned down in favor of a person who was still her. He couldn't understand why she didn't just tell him…

He felt awful. If only he realized his feelings for her sooner, she wouldn't have felt the need to hide things from him. If only he didn't gush non stop about how amazing the maker of the podcast is (granted, he's not wrong. If anything, this just makes him love her even more than before) she wouldn't have felt pressured or scared to reveal it to him.

This sweet, kind, funny, considerate human being, who put his feelings before her own, who cares so much for so many people, whose passionate and loyal and strong. She was amazing in so many ways, beautiful in so many ways, brilliant in so many ways, and he was so-

“Jimin?” she muttered softly, opening her eyes slowly as she got adjusted to the light, a bit groggy from waking up.

“I’m in love with you.” Jimin said.

A deafening silence wafted over them, her eyes widened at what he said, now fully awake.

“You-” she stuttered, “You what?”

“...I love you.” Jimin confessed again.

Her mouth opened and closed a few times, no words leaving it, before she finally said, “You heard me sing, didn't you?”

He wasn't going to lie to her, “I did.”

“So you know who i am?”

“...I do.”

She let out a loud, painful sigh, “Jimin, i’m sorry, but you’re saying this because i’m-”

“I’m not.” Jimin said, cutting her off, “I promise you.”

She still didn't look convinced. If anything, she looked more distant than ever. Jimin had to convince her he was serious about this.

“Hey, remember last week when I came by your place?” she nodded, “I told you I was worried about you,” he continued, “which I was, but I was really there to tell you how I felt about you. The only reason I didn't was because you were going through so much stuff, I just wanted to be there for you.” She smiled at that, “Also, Yoongi threatened me and told me not to.”

“Yoongi did what now?”

“He had your best interest in mind.” Jimin said, dismissing it, “I was miserable for that one week and it made me realise how much you meant to me, my mood was awful, nothing would cheer me up, and that was before I found out about your podcast.”

She sighed, giving him a look of fondness which made his heart soar, feeling triumphant.

His left palm was still cupping her cheek, he could feel the heat radiating from it. He swiped his thumb across it gently, enjoying the soft feeling.

“I know its a bit confusing, with me...rejecting you two weeks ago for...well, you.” he said, “but give me a chance and i will prove how head over heels i am for you. You’re perfect to me, i’ve never gotten along so well with anybody, and it excites me to no end to think of a future with you.” she hesitated for a second, still processing all the information he gave her.

“Just let me love you.” he said, firmly.

She grinned, letting out a chuckle.

“Ok.”

Jimin grinned back, his heart feeling like it was going to burst. A warmth spread from his chest, all the way up to his face and he never wanted this feeling to end.  

Before he knew it, he was cupping her face with both hands and leaning forward. She closed her eyes, face red, a smile on her face.

And he kissed her. Her lips were soft and sweet, just like her.

The kiss was intimate yet new, amazing yet awkward, nervous yet amazing, was way too short yet felt like forever. It was perfect.

They parted, their hearts beating heavily.

Until she pulled him forward to kiss him. Again and again and again.

~~~

Love.

It’s a strange feeling, something i haven't felt in a long long time.

It’s a good feeling, amazing, even.

J, stop giving me that look, i’m trying to document this. You know what? Why don't you keep watch while i finish this? Because you’re distracting me. Great, thanks.

Anyways, as i was saying, love is a great feeling. I’ve been told my entire life, that the fondness within me is what makes me weak, what will get me killed, it’s what i've been trained to not feel for years. Now, i finally understand why. It makes you feel...important. Like you’re worth something to someone, that you’re not alone, that there is something worth fighting for. If you’re in love with something or someone, means you have that thing to lose, it becomes your weakness, it stops you from putting your life on the line, like the millions of soldiers out there do. If you love something, you want to go back to it, which, in their eyes, is a bad thing. They need people who are willing to die on the field, or on a mission, wherever, whenever. You can't do that if you have a loved one waiting for you to come back home.

Love..is a lot of work. It requires time, sacrifices, patience, so much patience.

What? Stop eavesdropping, J! This is why i said i have to be patient with you! No, i’m not taking it back! You have your own complaints about me, well, get your own tape recorder buddy!

What was i saying? Ugh, i can't recall. J has a dangerous talent of distracting me, not sure if that's a good thing or bad.  

Who am i kidding, I love that about him. I love that he can make me forget about the various, awful things happening, he keeps me away from the demons in my head, he keeps me sane and happy. If it wasn't for him, i would definitely be dead by now.

No, i did not compliment you J, i was just saying how i keep you around because you’re pretty! ...Of course i’m joking! It’s called sarcasm. No, it’s not something you can eat, i’ll explain it later.

Love is a very annoying thing. The amount of effort you have to put into it makes me wonder if it's worth it at all. Turns out, it is, it always is. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

What now J? I...I love you too.

You know what, i think i’m done for now, i’ll come give you company. I’ll just continue this some other time.

And it’s done! In One Week is concluded. I will be posting a bonus story in a day or two, an epilogue of sorts to wrap up all the loose threads. For now, I thank everyone who took the time to read this long ass fanfic, I hope you’ve enjoyed it. 

[justanoutlawfic]

I Knew I Loved You: The Lost Get Found!Future Fic

Because I keep getting worried reviews about the fate of Swanfire in this verse, I wrote a little future ficlet that shows that a happy ending is in store...it’ll just take some time to get there. This is mostly just Daddy/Grandpa Charming, along with some Swan Believer and Swanfire for good measure.

Also on AO3/FF

There's just no rhyme or reason only this sense of completion and in your eyes I see the missing pieces I'm searching for I think I found my way home-Savage Garden

David heard Neal’s bedroom door slam shut and he let out a long sigh, running his fingers through his hair. Emma had been rebellious, but her little brother was definitely giving her a run for her money. He had been sneaking out more and hanging out with a rough crowd, which meant parties almost every weekend. Mary had taken a girls weekend with Belle and Mal, so he was left alone to handle the most recent infraction. It was after midnight and he just wanted to go to bed, deal with a grumpy Neal come morning.

 Before he could head for the stairs, there was a knock on the door. Tilting his head, he walked over to the door. Who could possibly be coming over so late?

 He opened the door and found his 8-year-old grandson on the other side. “Henry?” It took him a moment to notice the duffel bag slung over his shoulder. “What’s going on, bud? What are you doing here so late?”

“Can I live with you now?”

 David did a double take, unsure of what was going on. Sure, Henry disagreed with his parents from time to time, but there was no doubt that he loved them. Henry didn’t have many memories of living in the Nolan household before Emma and Bae finally decided to live together when he was 2, yet he knew he had a room there. Normally, though, he’d come over during daylight…and with Emma’s permission. Something told him that his daughter and son-in-law had no clue about his sudden appearance.

 “Come inside, bud.” He put a hand on his back and lead him inside. “Do your parents know you’re here?”

Henry shook his head. “They’re sleeping.”

“This wasn’t smart. When they wake up and you’re not home, they’ll be worried sick.”

“They won’t care. They’re getting a new baby.”

 That got David to pale. Emma and Bae had both talked about adoption for a while. Both of them had been and wanted to give back in some way. The situation had fallen awkwardly in their laps. The birth mother was a friend of Regina’s, she was young and knew her baby deserved more. Emma and Baelfire had several meetings with this young woman and she had selected them to adopt her daughter when she was born in a few months time. They had been waiting to tell Henry, just until the time was right. Apparently that moment came without them realizing it.

 “I heard them talking,” Henry continued. “Mom said she didn’t want to tell me.”

David sighed. He knew Emma most likely didn’t mean it that way. “Henry, your mom didn’t mean it like that. She and your father have been waiting for the right time to tell you for a reason.”

“What could that possibly be?”

He was a straight shooter, just like his mother. “There are lots of them. You know, we didn’t tell your mom that we were thinking about adopting Neal right away. We wanted to make sure there were no complications that could lead to her getting heartbroken.”

 Henry scoffed and kicked the floor. David studied his face, he could tell there was more to it than that.

 “And you know when we did adopt Neal, it didn’t change how much we loved your mom, not one bit.”

Henry folded his arms over his chest. “Things could be different.”

“I don’t think it will be. Henry, your parents love you more than anything in this world. A new baby won’t change that.”

“It might.”

He knelt in front of him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Do you love one of your parents more than the other?”

Henry’s mouth dropped open. “Of course not! That’s crazy.”

David chuckled. “What about me and Grams? Do you think we love Neal more than Emma?”

“Nuh uh. You love them both to the moon and back. Same with Nana and Papa with Gideon and Dad.”

“So why would this baby and you be any different with your parents?”

 Henry didn’t say anything. David knew it was a hard adjustment. Emma had worried that they wouldn’t have time for her anymore after they adopted Neal and had rebelled for a long time. It was going to take Henry some time to realize that his baby sister wasn’t going to change anything. Plus, he needed to talk to Emma.

“Alright, why don’t you go to your room here? You can stay here for the night and I’ll call your mom, so she doesn’t have a heart attack.”

“Okay…thanks, Gramps.”

“Anytime.”

 He watched Henry head up the stairs. Letting out a sigh, David grabbed his cellphone and clicked 2 on his speed dial. He hoped his daughter was still soundly asleep so she wouldn’t be panicking…

Unfortunately, David’s wish didn’t come true. Emma had woken up to use the bathroom and had a weird feeling come over her. Her mom would probably call it maternal instinct. Heading down the hall, she went into Henry’s room. It appeared that he was balled up, sleeping soundly. He had inherited that from his father. Emma was all over the place in her sleep, snoring loud enough to keep the house awake. She carefully walked over to the bed and pulled back the blankets, but her son wasn’t there.

 Her heart began racing a mile a minute. Where was her son? She had tucked him in hours ago! The story they were reading (okay, Henry was reading it to her, because he insisted upon it), was still on the nightstand. She raced back down the hall to the master bedroom and practically pushed Baelfire out of bed.

 “Bae! Wake up! Henry’s gone!”

Baelfire’s eyes flickered open. “What?”

“Henry. Gone. Bed…empty,” she managed to get out.

He slowly sat up, looking around as if their son would just appear. “Okay, calm down.”

“Calm down? How the hell am I supposed to calm down? What if Milah came by…or Ed…”

“Emma.” Bae got out of bed and put his hands on her shoulders. “Milah and Ed can’t hurt our family anymore, you know this.”

“But…”

“Look at me, deep breaths.”

 Emma shut her eyes and breathed in, before letting it out slowly. She repeated the actin a few times before opening her eyes once again to find Bae’s comforting face looking at her.

 “Better?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m sure Henry is fine. Maybe he just went to the park to play with some friends or something.”

“He’s only 8? Kids do that?”

“I did when I was his age, probably gave Papa a heart attack or two.”

Emma nodded. “Okay. Let’s just go get…”

 Her phone began to ring and she saw the caller ID was her father. She racked her mind to remember the schedule. No, Leroy was on duty that night. It wouldn’t be him calling to report he found Henry’s body. Sliding the green arrow across the screen, she cradled the phone between her ear and shoulder.

“Dad?”

“Hey Em, it’s me. I have something that belongs to you.”

Emma felt like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. “4 feet tall and is about to be grounded for the rest of his life?”

David laughed. “That’d be the one. He walked over here, he knows about the baby.”

She bit her lip. “And?”

“And he’s having the reaction I think most kids would. You need to talk to him. I sent him to bed, but you should stop by in the morning.”

“I will. Thanks, Dad.”

“Anytime.”

 Emma hung up her phone and collapsed back on the bed. Bae sat beside her, carding his fingers through her hair.

 “He’s at your parents’?”

“Yup.”

“Why’d he go there?”

“He overheard us talking about the baby.”

“Oh.”

“Please don’t say I told you so.”

“I won’t. But now you know why I wanted to tell him.”

She sighed. “I know, I know. I just was worried. I mean, she could still back out at any minute.”

“True, but she probably won’t. We’re going to be adding another member to the family soon, Em. Keyword being family. Henry needs to feel secure.”

“I wouldn’t want anything else. I’ll go over there in the morning and talk to him, bring him home.”

“Good.” Bae moved so he was laying beside her and wrapped his arms tightly around her. “Just try to get some sleep. He’s safe, he’s with your dad.”

 Emma nodded and shut her eyes, but she couldn’t fall asleep. She knew her husband didn’t either. There was no way they could when their son was so upset and far away from them. She waited until 6 AM and got untangled from Baelfire’s arms, throwing on a sweatshirt over her pajamas and heading down the stairs. She walked across the street to her parents’ house, using her key to get inside. She found her father cooking some pancakes at the stove.

 “You’re up early,” she commented.

David smiled. “I knew you’d be over here early. Couldn’t sleep?”

“How could I when my son was away from me?”

“Welcome to parenthood.” David slid a mug of coffee over to her.

“Thanks,” she mumbled, taking a sip. “How am I going to do this? How do you assure a child that you’re not going to give up on them?”

“I don’t know, what proved it to us with you?”

Emma thought about it for a minute. “You had to tell me about a million times. Though, I didn’t truly believe it until Mom told me that I could test you as much as I wanted, but you weren’t going anywhere.”

David laughed at the memory of Emma giving her phone to Lily so they’d think she was at the Rabbit Hole. “I’m glad we can laugh about it now.”

“Yeah. When will I laugh about today?”

“Another 10 years, probably.” He sat next to her at the island. “You’re a good mom, Em.”

“Am I?”

“Yes. Every kid has these doubts, it doesn’t mean you failed.”

“We should’ve told him sooner.”

“You didn’t want to get his hopes up, adoption is complicated. You of all people know this.”

“Still…I don’t want him to think he’s being replaced.”

“Just talk to him. I told him the same thing I told you, I think he just needs to hear it from his mom.”

Emma nodded. “Thanks, Dad.”

“What are dads for?”

“Being annoyingly right it seems.” A small smile played on her lips and he laughed. “Can I do the secret ingredient?” 30-years-old and it was still her favorite thing.

 David smiled and lead her over to the bowl. Outside him, only three other people knew the ingredient: Emma, Neal and Henry. She tossed in just the right amount of nutmeg. By the time the pancakes were ready, Henry came down the stairs. He paused when he saw his mom. She walked straight over to him and hugged him as tight as possible. He hugged her back tighter, burying his head in her shoulder.

“If you ever scare me like that again, I’m locking you in your room for life,” she said.

“I’m sorry, Mommy,” he mumbled.

Emma pulled away, cupping his cheeks. “We need to talk, kid.” She glanced over at her dad. “We’ll be outside.”

 David nodded and she lead him out to the porch, the two sitting down on the swing. She caused it to start rocking gently, looking down at him. She could remember back to when she still lived with her parents. Henry would wake up at the crack of dawn, screaming loudly. The one thing to settle him down was her feeding him on the swing as they watched the sunrise together. It was one of those mornings that she saw the house across the street was for sale. She couldn’t believe that had been 6 years prior. He had grown up so fast, she just wanted it to slow down.

 “So, you know about your baby sister,” Emma said. Henry nodded. “Kid, we were going to tell you. In fact, your father did.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I wanted to make sure that things were actually official. Adoption can be complicated, this one wasn’t like mine. Her biological mother is choosing to give her up, to give her a better chance. But she can change her mind.” She sighed. “But I still should’ve told you. Kid, we’re not adopting this baby to replace you.”

“You may not think you are, but you might be.”

Emma tilted her head back. This kid was too much like her. “Did I ever tell you that your uncle was jealous of you?”

Henry looked bewildered by this fact. “Uncle Neal?”

“Yup. We’re very close and since I’m so much older than him, he didn’t know how to take it. He didn’t understand that I could have enough love in my heart for you both.”

“But you did.”

“You’re right, I did. Just like I do with you and your new baby sister.”

“You haven’t even met her yet.”

Emma smiled, looking back down at him. “Well, I knew I loved you from the very moment that I knew you were coming.”

“You did?”

“Yup. I knew that you were mine and nothing would change that. I was young and scared, I didn’t know what would happen. But I did know one thing: I loved you, I loved you so much. You were my baby boy. No matter what happened, that wouldn’t change it. Nothing ever could.”

 Henry chewed on his lip and she pulled him closer to her.

 “I know it’ll take time,” she continued. “It did with me when your grandparents adopted Neal. But just know, your dad and I love you so much. We’d never love anything more than we love you. We just have enough room in our hearts to love you and Maggie the same.”

Henry nodded, a small smile going on his face. Then he paused, realizing something. “Maggie?”

“Right…you wanna know a secret?” Henry nodded. “We’re naming the baby after Grams and Nana, Margaret Belle, but we’re going to call her Maggie. You can’t tell them, though. It’s a surprise.”

Henry grinned. “Our secret surprise?”

Emma nodded with a smile. “Sure, kid.”

 She wrapped an arm around him, hugging him tightly before pressing a kiss to her head.

 “I love you, Henry,” she whispered.

“I love you too, Mommy.” He paused. “Can Daddy come over to have pancakes with us?”

Emma nodded. “I’ll text him.”

 Pulling out her phone, she managed to text her husband with one hand as they went back in the house, her arm around Henry. When her son saw Neal, he raced over to him, ready to tell him all about his baby sister. Emma looked over at her father, knowing he had helped break the ice. Smiling, she mouthed, “Thanks.” David grinned in return and mouthed back “Anytime.”

[starrfait]

Dig: Chapter 5/?

Relationship: Bughead Summary: Betty Cooper attempts to put her life back together after moving out of Riverdale. Easier said than done.

Rating: M

Warnings: Mentions of self-harm, eventual smut Past Chapters: 1 2 3 4 Read on AO3

It was a particularly chilly night. A brisk wind blew, rustling the trees. Betty stood in the parking lot of her apartment complex, leaning against the rental car. She had to dip into the monthly allowance her parents gave her, but it was all worth it.

She was overwhelmed with a need to make things right, to help Jughead in any way she could. Not to mention that they’d also be getting a few days away from all the monotony.

Jughead made his way across the parking lot. He held a small duffel bag in one hand, Hot Dog’s leash in the other. “Are we even allowed to have pets in the car?”

“Absolutely not.” She replied, opening the door to the backseat. “But what they don’t know won’t hurt them.”

Hot Dog jumped inside and settled down on the towel Betty had placed on the seat. Jughead patted his head before closing the door.

Once inside, Betty turned to Jughead. “Do you have everything?”

He offered her a smirk. “I’m pretty low-maintenance, in case you haven’t noticed.”

With an eyeroll and a laugh, Betty pulled out of the parking lot and made her way onto the highway. The duo stayed silent, listening to the sound of the radio playing softly. Jughead’s eyes stayed glued to his phone, reading what looked like an news article.

“You’re gonna get carsick, Jug.” Betty said, placing a hand on his knee. The boy jolted slightly at her touch and set his phone on the dashboard.

“Sorry. I’m just anxious, I guess.” He twirled a piece of hair that was falling into his eyes. “I haven’t seen them in years. Couldn’t afford it.”

Betty nodded, a sad smile on her lips. She couldn’t help a slight pang of guilt at the thought that she was being nosey once again. Damn her and her stubborn blood.

“Listen, Jug. If I’m overstepping or anything…” Her voice trailed off a bit. “I mean, I’ll drive you there. If you want to meet them alone I completely understand. It’s not really my pla-”

“I want you to be there.” He cut her off. “If you’re okay with that.” Jughead looked her in the eye, his cheeks tinged with red. She was convinced that those eyes could make her do anything.

“Of course.” Betty said with a soft smile. “I’d love to meet your family.” She took his hand in hers. Jughead seemed to hesitate for a moment before threading his fingers between hers.

“This means so much to me, Betty. Thank you.” She shook her head, turning her attention back to the road. There was no need for thanks. Rolling down the window slightly, she took her hair out of it’s ponytail. The night air felt unbelievably refreshing.

Jughead spoke up. “As a kid, I always looked forward to visiting my grandparents every summer.” He smoked fondly, as if he was reliving each memory in his head. “Actually, my grandma is a big reason why I got into films. She has this room in the basement with a home theater. Movies as far as the eyes can see. I always spent the day with my grandpa, out fishing. But as soon as we finished dinner, I’d go straight to the movie room.”

Betty shot him a glance, smiling. It was refreshing to see such a genuine smile on his face. “That explains a lot.”

“She showed me the classics: Casablanca, Gone with the End, Singing in the Rain…you name it.” He continued, as if lost in his thoughts. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen them. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen them since before my parents separated.”

He said it so casually that it took Betty by surprise. She looked over at the boy. The smile had fallen from his face, his eyes cast downward. He was clearly holding a lot more pain than he showed to the outside world. Beneath his sarcastic facade lay a lot of pain and anger.

They sat in silence for several minutes, until Betty spotted a fast food joint on the side of the road. She pulled into the parking lot and took off her seatbelt. “Do you want me to get you anything, Jug? My treat.”

His eyes visibly lit up. “Can you get me a cheeseburger and fries? With a large cola?”

“Sure thing.”

When Betty returned, food in hand, Jughead seemed to be in higher spirits. He accepted the takeout bag with a smile. “Thanks, this is awesome. I haven’t had a burger is ages.”

They continued their drive, sharing some light conversation between bites of their food. It didn’t take them long to scarf their meals down. Betty sweared there was something that made road trip takeout taste ten tines better than usual.

She was about to say as much, but was interrupted by the sound of snoring. Jughead’s head was lolling the the side, a content smile on his lips. His hands laid on his now full stomach. So this was what people meant when they said “food coma”.

She rolled the window up and let him him enjoy his rest. Ignoring the heaviness of her own eyelids, Betty stepped on the gas.

——-

Jughead opened his eyes, squinting as he was met with an image of a bright white void. There were absolutely no features to speak of. Everything was silent.

He suddenly felt hands touching him. They caressed his face gently. Opening his eyes, Jughead attempted to see the owner of the appendages, but it was to no avail. The white was so intense that it nearly blinded him.

The hands began to grab at his shirt, slowly peeling it from his body. He shivered as they continued, stripping him until there was nothing left.

Millions of new sensations bombarded him at once. It was as if he was being pushed over the edge, in ecstasy, and in pain all at the same time. His body tensed, as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.

Jughead opened his mouth in a silent scream, only to choke. His eyes shot open. An underwater expanse spread out before him. Panic quickly set in as water rushed into his lungs.

He began to struggle, attempting to rise to the surface. The water now burned in his lungs, as if he had inhaled molten lava.

A pair of arms wrapped around his waist. He quickly turned around, once again trying to see who they belonged to. His eyes widened.

Betty stood naked before him, a peaceful smile on her face. Her golden hair was fanned out, floating languidly with the current. Jughead had stopped struggling against his inevitable drowning. The burning had subsided. The girl pulled him close, their lips meeting. He closed his eyes as she breathed into him.

“Jughead!”

Before he knew it, he was being shook awake. He inhaled sharply as breathing came natural to him once more. Betty was leaning over him, her brow knit with worry. Her eyes looked incredibly tired.

“Thank god. You were having a coughing fit in your sleep. Are you okay?” She let out a sigh of relief, rubbing his shoulder gently.

Jughead wiped his eyes, sitting up straight. They were parked on the side of the road. The sky was painted in pastel hues of twilight. He could hear Hot Dog snoring from the back seat.

“I’m fine, Betty. Thanks for waking me up.” He looked at her briefly before shifting his eyes, remembering the image he had seen in his dream. Surprisingly, he hadn’t woken up in a cold sweat like he usually did. “Where are we?”

She shifted back into her seat, turning the engine on. “You’ll be pleased to know that we’re almost there, Juggie.” Betty smiled at him as they got back onto the road.

He didn’t think he had slept that long. It must have been a good six or seven hours since he fell asleep. “Shit, Betts…aren’t you tired? Let’s take a break.”

Betty shook her head, eyes focused on the road. “We’ll be there in another thirty minutes or so.” She glanced at the car radio’s clock. “It’ll still be early when we get there. We can take a rest until the day officially starts.”

Nodding, Jughead gazed out the window. He took in the scenery, painted by the the colors of the dawn. The closer they got to the city, the more his heart ached. Sweet childhood memories were rushing back. The smell of the air in the summer, the feel of the grass beneath his bare feet, the smell of one of his grandma’s homemade apple pies.

The sun had just barely risen when they arrived in town, searching for a place to park for a few hours. Eventually, they settled upon a 24-hour diner’s parking lot, opted for a spot at the very back.

The duo situated themselves in the back of the car. The seats had been laid flat, and Hot Dog repositioned himself to the back corner before falling asleep once more. Jughead laid on is back, using his duffel bag as a pillow.

It would be just his luck that he couldn’t catch a few more hours of sleep when he actually laid down. He cracked an eye open, looking over at Betty. She returned the gaze.

“You can’t sleep either, huh? How are you feeling?” He could hear the tiredness in her voice.

“Honestly…I’m kinda terrified. Showing up unannounced and all.” Jughead admitted. He had no idea how his mother would react.

Betty moved closer to him, reaching her hand out to caress his cheek. Her fingers ran over the constellation of freckles she found there. “You’ve got this, Juggie! I’ll be right by your side.” She smirked. “And trust me, I know how to deal with crazy mothers.”

Jughead leaned into the touch of her hand, recalling his dream from earlier. He looked into her eyes, beautiful emerald pools that he could get lost in if he wasn’t careful. “Betty…”

“Yeah?”

He brought his hands up to cup her face before closing the distance between them. The kiss started off gentle, Betty’s lips soft and sweet against his. The flowery smell of her shampoo filled his nostrils.

Betty soon wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He could feel her soft breasts pressing against him. It was enough to drive Jughead crazy.

The kiss grew more desperate as he slid his tongue against hers, feeling her breath hitch in her throat. His heart hammered in his chest. She returned his kisses, open-mouthed and needy.

Pulling away for air, Jughead breathed heavily, his cheeks burning up. Betty looked up at him with half-lidded eyes, her lips swollen from his kisses. What was left of her pink lipstick was now smudged across her mouth. His head spun at the sight.

“Well, I was not expecting that.” Betty said between labored breaths.

Jughead smirked before moving in for another

[pviane]

The Payload - Mercy76 week - Day 3 Family

Here is yet another rushed piece for the week. 

It tells the story of a very happy event... 

I hope it will make you happy too!

Mercy was always the one who had to deliver the payload. No one was there to do the job for her so she usually sucked it up and got the job done. This time was no different.

Panting and pushing as hard as she could she was doing her best. Giving up to the pain and fatigue of her effort, she let out a loud scream.

“Come on Angela, you got this!”

Soldier: 76 was right at her side, holding her hand to make her feel his support. In front of her spread legs, an obstetrician was ready for the payload. Other than then her, there was no other person to help the deliverance.

“Come on Mrs. Morrison! Deep breaths! This baby will come out today!” the woman in scrubs told Angela.

Mercy could barely hear her reassuring words. Her waters broke that morning and since then the contractions started and it was a continuous journey down a path of pain.

“AAARGH!” she cried as her body was in flames “WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG! JAAACK!”

Jack tighten his old on her hand, answering to her call.

“I’m here Angel. You know, back with Jack Jr you…”

Mercy looked at him, her hand grasped his as his pain turned to rage

“I SWEAR IF YOU SAY ‘YOU HAD HIM DELIVERED ALREADY’ I’M GONNA KILL YOU!”

Jack did not react; the sight of his angel turning into a devil petrified him for a second.

Good news came from the other and as the obstetrician announced the arrival of their baby.

“I see the head! One last push, dear!”

Angela collected all her strength for the final effort. Containing her screams, she pushed the baby down, bit by bit. After a couple of minutes, Jack could hear wailing coming from behind the sheet that covered the space between his wife’s legs.

“Congratulation, Mrs. Morrison! It’s a girl!”

The obstetrician and the nurses proceeded to cut the umbilical cord, clamping the stub, and then showed the baby to an exhaust but ecstatic Angela and to a proud Jack. The baby girl was wet of body fluids and screamed her confusion to the world.

“Jennifer…” Angela called to her.

As if she understood her mother was calling her, the baby stopped crying and looked at Mercy with her deep blue eyes. Angela smiled at her first daughter, and then looked at Jack. Her eyes told him all the things her voice could not: pride, happiness, exhaustion, and love. The nurse proceeded to the cleaning station where they removed the blood from the baby, weighted and measured her, and administrated the first medicines and vitamins to the newborn. After that, as standard procedure, they assigned her a colored bracelet, with will match the ones that her parents will wear. Finally, they wrapped the little thing in a blanket and returned to Angela.

Mercy took her baby into her hands and immediately put Jennifer near her chest, allowing the little girl to come into skin contact with her. Angela was now more relaxed and could have a better look at her daughter. Jack was right beside his girls.

“Look Angel, she is just like you!” he commented, pointing at her face and her single curl of blonde hair.

“She is not all me, Jack!” Angela responded looking up at him, “She has your eyes!”

Upon closer examination, Jack noticed that Jennifer’s eyes were indeed darker than Mercy’s and more closely resembling his. Her gaze was similar to his too, as she stared at him with a surprising determination. It almost looked like she was challenging him.

“You are right!” he said

The little girl grabbed Angela’s finger, squeezing it between her little stubby fingers

“Oh my… She has your strength too!” Angela giggled.

Jack stared at both daughter and mother with pride, while Angela looked right at her daughter.

“Jennifer” she called at her “It’s time to meet your dad!”

Mercy extended the little bundle of joy to Jack, who collected it from her arms and firmly held it against his body, to keep her warm and safe. He felt a great joy in holding his infant daughter in his arms. IT was the most beautiful thing he ever saw. Sure, he had felt that before, with Jack Jr, but this time it was different. He had a daughter now, a beautiful little angel…

“Ouch!” he exclaimed as baby Jennifer grasped his finger with her little hand. Angela was not joking about her strength! Angela let out a giggle. It was cute too see her husband and daughter getting to know each other for the first time.

Jack returned the baby to Angela as a nurse approached.

“As soon as your wife has expelled the placenta, we’ll be moving her to her room!” the nurse reported

Angela looked at Jack.

“I got this, it won’t be long now! You go get him!”

Jack nodded, understanding perfectly whom she was speaking about: Jennifer’s big brother, Jack Jr.

 Jack and Angela left their firstborn outside with Ana and Reinhardt, had volunteered to babysit little Jack for the duration of the childbirth. The old German gave up to to the fatigue and fell asleep on the couch. Jack Jr joined him quickly, and now he was sleeping barefoot right next to him, despite the old man’s loud snoring. Ana walked impatiently back and forth, excited more than worried, for the impending birth. As Morrison entered the Waiting room, she immediately turned to him

“How are they?” she asked

“Mom and daughter are fine. Jennifer cannot wait to meet her brother!”

Ana looked back at the two sleepy heads on the couch.

“He is there with Reinhardt. The wait was too long for both of them!”

Jack smiled and walked past her to go wake his son. Kissing the blond kid on the forehead, he called him.

“Wakey wakey time, Junior. It’s time!”

The two year old boy slowly opened his eyes and looked at his father

“Uh?” he replied yawning “Daddy?”

“It’s me! Come! There is someone you need to meet!” Jack told him, helping him to sit up and put his shoes back on. In the meantime tried to wake up Reinhardt with a kiss as well but, as this had no effect, she resorted to a knock on the head. The old giant man moaned as he awoken.

“Ze kiss was enough, Ana!” he lamented

“It is best to be sure, Reinhardt. The child has born, by the way!”

Reinhardt looked at the boy getting ready to go

“Look like you are going to meet your sister, little Jack!”

The boy looked at the old man and gave him a wide nod in response. After his father tied his shoes, he jumped down from the sofa and took his father’s hand. Then they proceeded to his mother’s room.

Ana and Reinhardt remained behind, beaming at the thought of the oncoming family reunion.

 When the two Jacks arrived in Angela’s room, she was getting some rest in her hospital bed. Right next to it stood a cradle for the newborn. Jack Jr immediately rejoiced by the sight of his mother

“MOMMY!” he screamed running towards her and jumping on her bed. Standing up, she met him with open arms.

“Hey! How is my little soldier? Have you been a good boy with grandpa Rein and nana Ana?”

Jack Jr looked up at Mercy

“Yes! But I slept and daddy had to wake me up…” he responded with a guilty pout on his face

“Oh, is quite all right. Your sister took her sweet time!” Jack chuckled

“OH! OH! Where is she?” Jack asked, hearing his father mentioning his new sibling.

“She is there dear!” Angela answered pointing at the cradle nearby.

Jack Jr tuned his attention to it immediately and closed in, trying to get a peek over the edge, but he was too short for it. His father approached him from behind and picked him up.

From the arms of his father, Jack Jr could now see his little sister. She was sleeping between two soft pillows and was now wearing a pink one-piece baby suit. Little Jack was magnetized by the little girl and could not avert his sight form her

“Jack, meet your sister Jennifer!” His father proudly announced

The little boy was still unresponsive as he was completely absorbed in contemplation of Jennifer. He kept staring at her as his father kneeled down to allow a closer look on her. Jack Jr rested his chin on the edge of the cradle, still looking at the baby.

“So, what do you say champ?” Jack Sr asked his son. The latter stood silent for some more, than looked back at his father, then his mother.

“I LOVE HER!” he proclaimed in excitement.  

Jennifer waved her arms a little, and then opened her eyes. Her sight ended up on her brother’s face right next to her. Then her expression changed and to both her parents she seemed to smile at Jack Jr.

Angela and Jack’s own smiles widened even more as their happiness could not be greater.

They could not ask for a better son not imagine a more beautiful daughter.

Never before, they felt part of something this beautiful.

They were family.

[fandom-in-reverse]

Young Heroes | Doc Ock/Avengers AU

CHAPTER THREE Tony walked into the lab with a tablet in his hand. He scrolled through some blueprints of things he wanted to spruce things up. He stopped in front of one of the computer's, swiping on his tablet for a few more seconds before he turned to the computer screen. Tony tapped the computer, turning and changing through blueprints, changing minor details of some. He glanced around the room, found a chair, and pulled it in front of the computer. He went from one electronic to the other, getting lost in thought. Tony has now been working at S.H.I.E.L.D for a couple years now, and those years have flown. Everything was a blur, yet he remembered everything that happened. It was weird feeling; wasn't everything weird? Everything that has happened and everything will happen in the future was strange. Tony knew nothing was going to get easier, but a little bit of pressure couldn't hurt anything, right? Hell, Tony thought, they have a genius on deck -who wouldn't want that? That should take a bit of the weight off S.H.I.E.L.D's shoulders for when it comes to technology. They have are getting one-up's on everything, and, after a while, all their equipment should be the most advanced until Tony could think of ways to upgrade those. It was a continuous cycle of bettering everything. Pressure turns carbon into diamonds after all. There was a soft knock on the door, and a "May I come in?" Tony scrunched his eyebrows and turned on his heel. No one asked to come in -they just strolled in with no second thoughts. "Jarvis -hand!" Tony stuck out his right hand and one part of his Iron Man suit shot itself onto it. He aimed the palm of his hand at the man standing at the door. The man at the door raised his hands in the air in defense. "What the hell are you doing here?" Tony asked, laying down his tablet as he stood up. "What-" "Unlike your name, you were supposed to have drowned. Answer the damn question." "Stark." Director Fury comes to beside the man. As the man lowered his hands, Tony refused to lower his. Fury crosses his arms behind him. "In case you didn't know, you recently started working here too." "Started working here too? Don't tell me he's working here too." The beam on the robotic hand started to glow brighter as Tony asked. "I'll give you all the details, Stark when we have Captain Rogers here with us in a few hours as well. For right now-" "Right now, he needs to get put in the barracks. Or do we just let anyone join S.H.I.E.L.D at this point?" Tony stopped Fury mid-sentence. "The last time I checked, bad guys were the ones you guys fought against. Now, you just hire them at the spur of the moment." "Dr. Octavius has been through reform and rehab, and has been helping us in his spare time-" "He tried to blow up half of New York!" "I'm right here, ya know?" Otto raised a finger, attracting the attention of the two men. "Oh, no, I see you." Tony waves his hand at him. Otto let out a small sigh as he continued. "I would be lying if I, uh, didn't agree with the both of you, but in all regards, I don't expect for you to... trust me completely yet." He shrugged his shoulders and stuffed his hands into the pocket of his dark sweatshirt. His collection of sweatshirts has grown steadily over the last few years, mainly for the fact that they could, if not fully, conceal the mechanical arms on his back. Fury looked back to Tony. "Now, Stark, if you'd please." His voice grew louder at the last word to emphasize the order. Tony knew what he was talking about, and though he resented the idea of letting the elephant in the room roam free, he commanded Jarvis to connect the arm of the suit back with the rest. He rolled his eyes as soon as Fury turned his back. Otto stood there awkwardly at the door frame before he took a step in. "Just so you know," Tony started, taking his tablet back into his hand and sitting back down in the seat. "There's, like, hundreds of S.H.I.E.L.D agents on board." He could feel his grip on his tablet tighten a bit. "You try anything someone will catch it." "Don't worry," Otto nodded. "I promise I won't." He added, raising his hands in defense. Tony didn't trust Octavius, to say the least -after seven years, the man tried to blow up half of New York City for Christ's sake! Tony remembered the day that happened, most if not all of his electronics were on the fritz due to the magnetic field. It took him weeks to get things straightened out. And to make matters even worse -if there was even such a thing as fate- the man was supposed to be dead at the bottom of the bay. Pressure was also a bad thing: too much and it could kill. ========== Grandpa Torbert traveled to the school student parking lot, following the tow truck. The mechanic hooked up the 95' red Chevy car I had, and when asked by my grandparent, checked what was wrong with it and why it wouldn't start. "They took the oil cap off and disconnected the battery. Other than that, the car's perfect, sir." The mechanic commented. "I could hook the battery up; you'll need a new cap, though." "She could've taken care of that herself if she would've checked under the hood!" Grandpa stated, throwing his hands in the air. With a couple snaps of the wires, the mechanic hopped off the back of his truck to get into the driver's seat. He opened the door, then asked Grandpa: "You following me?" "Yeah." Grandpa waved at the mechanic. He got into Grandma's car, a silver 90's Mercedes, to follow the tow truck from the school to the house. The two came back to the house and Grandpa told Grandma and I what we needed. I took it upon myself to search for the requested part online. I had to go to the Chevy site; upon further searching, the part was coming from California. It was my only option. The part would be at the house sometime in two weeks, though I doubted it very greatly. I scratched my head as I looked at the checkout screen. Two weeks... I could walk to school, sure, and honestly, that looked better. I didn't care about the weather then because I would have endured that instead of going on the bus or risking taking Grandma's car. I sauntered down to the living room, carrying my laptop in my arms. I see Grandpa sitting in one armchair, feet up and hands behind his head to the right of entering the living room, and Grandma sitting in another on the other side of him. There was a couch to the left with a television set placed in front of it all. Right now, Law and Order was on. I sat on one end of the couch as the show played on. I exited off the car site and started to go through other websites lazily. "If you want to change the channel, Lily-" Grandma started, but Grandpa stopped her. "They're getting to the good part!" He pointed at the screen and put on a sleepy smile, a sure sign that he was bound to go to sleep. Grandma took the remote from the arm of Grandpa's chair, giving it a nimble toss. I threw my hands over my laptop screen, catching the remote with a little fumble. The two of us share a giggle at this acrobatic exchange. When I'm around my grandparents on days like this, I forget my worries for a while. Everything seems fine like the storm has lifted, if you want to use that metaphor. They don't want to hurt me nor do they want to see me break down just to laugh at me like a sideshow oddity. High school students were liked that -Mean Girls comes to mind. Those girls that liked to torture me (I wouldn't exactly use the word torture; if you were harassed for an extended amount of time, it would certainly feel like it) and one of the things that got a run for their money was seeing the bruises up and down my arms. I learned quickly to wear sweatshirts and long-sleeve shirts, even in the dead of heat. Anything to keep my dignity. I turn the guide on and scroll; I see Downtown Abbey is on. I liked it for the first few episodes, but it was something about it that had detoured me from it. As I scroll down some more, one show -Being Human- caught my attention. I clicked on it considering its description. The main synopsis of the show is this: a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost are living together, and try to act normal... With respects to the show, this is actually is quite hilarious. I lay the remote on the arm of the couch and position myself on the couch with my legs on the cushions and laptop, well, in my lap. I lay my head on the back cushion, cocking my glasses my the slightest of fractions but paying no mind. I listen to the television as I scrounge the internet for whatever reason. Just scrolling and feeling the keys tap beneath my fingers is relaxing enough for me. After a few minutes, I hear my grandfather start to snore lightly. My grandmother tapped my shoulder gingerly and pointed to him, rolling her eyes in the process. I restrain as much laughter as I can as she goes to the study. The study was used for Grandma and her paintings. She would go there in some of her spare time, and add to the forest landscape she had dreamed of: a line of trees that circle around a lake, with a setting sun overhead. It was her hobby because cooking that is. Several of her paintings hung throughout the house: small canvas paintings of the city, some a bit larger of pictures about the the family -there's one picture hanging beside the bed in her and Grandpa's room of my father as a child.