#like dude if I wanted other people coming along I would’ve said so

[ishizizzle]

when my boyfriend tries to make something just for us into a group activity

[starsomens]

Mother

I would like to request for a Noah x reader where they’re both friends who are pining for each other.

At one point they were talking about Noah’s hand tattoos and one thing led to another, they both realised the size difference between their hands and they both went 👀👀👀👀😳😳😳😳

MY CHILD!

"Honestly, I really want the next album to progress but I'm really glad the meeting was canceled this morning" Nick sighs as he leans back in his chair. They were currently visiting LA again after traveling. You had asked Noah if he was free to catch up for an hour or two like you all used to before their recent tour.

You had Known Nick for basically you're entire life and you were then introduced to Noah around your teen years. Of course you stuck around for their success, new members and their latest hit album and tour. You had even went on the first half of their tour with them.

“ oh yeah, did I tell you that Y/N is coming to visit after so long?” he informed his friend. “ she should be here pretty soon actually.”

“ oh, so are you gonna finally make your move?” Nicks Eyebrows danced at him,

“ come on, it’s just a meet up. We’re just gonna catch up.” Noah couldn’t help but play with his hands at his friend poking fun at him. Truth was you and him kind of had a little thing going on. A lot of people thought that you would’ve ended up together, but no one ever made a move. There were times where one of you was going to confess to the other, but chickened out last minute. Eventually, you both had kind of ignored it, and just kept being friends.

Oh, and he thought you would’ve felt too overwhelmed with his lifestyle and everything that was going on. You wouldn’t want to settle for someone who is always traveling doing work and writing, and thought it would scare you away. You were one of the most beautiful girls ever eyes and he thought You guys were dying to be with you and you would not settle for him.

You thought that you weren’t enough Noah was an uprising artist, along with the rest of the band, and you thought you were gonna just weigh them down. It didn’t help that Noah was very handsome and it honestly intimidated you into feeling as if you were not pretty enough for him.

Everyone else around you thought you would’ve made a great couple. They found both funny and annoying how long it’s taking you both to realize that you have feelings for one another.

“ I’m telling you you guys guys are running in circles. She clearly likes you and you definitely like her just make your move.”

“ we’ve been over this. I’ve already said it if it-“

“-was meant to happen you wouldn’t feel a certain way when you try to talk to her. I know you say that every time how about you just make a move I promise you dude it is going to work.”

Just before Noah could answer his doorbell ring

“ speaking of the devil herself, there she” side, feeling more anxious than he was before, since the conversation was brought up

“ make your move. This might be your last chance.” And Nick hung up the call, and Noah was face with his fears on his own. He feels his ears, lungs as he pushes himself from his desk and goes to answer the door.

Why am I nervous? She’s just a friend…. It’s not like she would want to be more than that….. even if I wanted it to be

He thought himself as he started to unlock the door. They did you who he would consider one of his best friends but also his secret love. He just wish that he could tell you that.

“ long time no see” you smile up at him just like you used to. How he missed that smile. The way your eyes would slightly squint and how your smile can brighten up any dark day. Oh, how he wished you were his so he could hold you and kiss you and stare at you all day long. Was that weird for him to think about?

“ the same to you look at you really covered in tattoos now” he teased you only seeing about three of them on your arm

“ says the one covered from neck to toe and tattoos all you’re missing or some face tattoos and you’d be complete “ you both give a giggle before he steps aside, and let you .

He watched you as you walked in. The way your hair gently flowed in the wind. Your hips swing with each step that you took.. and that ass . Noah was an extremely respectful person, especially towards women, but he couldn’t deny that you had a great ass on you, and it was one of the features that he really liked on you physically

“ so anything new going on? Aside from resting, of course.” You asked as you popped down on the sofa, making yourself at home as you would usually do

“ oh you know just working on the new album, all that junk. But we got the day off today, so just another day for me to center myself” he sat down close to you

"That sounds really productive and honestly relaxing” you kick your shoes off and fold them underneath your weight

“But tell me about you, you’re the one who’s been traveling and gotten some new ink” he said looking to your new inked skin. Out of all of the friends you were the only odd one out with no tattoos. You had finally gotten one with Nick, and once you left you had gotten one from each state you visited.

“Well, New York was obviously amazing and fluent a great artist for this one,” you pointed to the one on your shoulder “then after went to Virginia, visited some old friends of course and got this one. And finally stopped at Vegas and got this lil cutie” you pointed to a delicate design that wrapped around your wrist and went just about half way into the back of your hand.

Without thinking twice, Noah takes your hands in his and observes the tattoos. Face. You could feel your palms starting to sweat and your heart rate begin to race. You really hope you couldn’t feel how sweaty your hands were getting. You really hope you couldn’t hear how heavy you were breathing all the sudden. You had tried to convince yourself that those feelings were simply just teenage hormones, but now that you say here, again, with him in his living room. Your hands in his as he looked over your tattoos you had realize that those feelings truly did not go away…. However, you didn’t want them to go away either. Something with you hoping he would also reciprocate those feelings.

Then looked up from being much closer to your face than he had thought he was, and he giggled. He struggled to make eye contact with you know that if he did, he would say he’d regret. So, instead, he simply sat there in silence, while you looked at each other.

“They’re um….really pretty..” he said staring at your orbs. Mentally he meant your eyes, but verbally he said. “The tattoos…you found some great artists huh?”

Damn it! That was your chance! Artist? Come on!

“Y-yeah they were great, but compared to yours these are nothing” you blush trying to change the focus of the conversation

"which one is your favorite?" he asks

"I mean it would be hard to chose there are so many..." you chuckle trying not to sound nervous

"well take your pick" he said displaying his arms. You instantly look to his arm covered in a beautiful scarlet from wrist to shoulder. It was your honest favorite. You take his hand in yours as your other hand glides up his arm and trace along the beautiful design. You thought it was one of his best pieces

"this one.." you said softly. You hadn't even noticed he was now holding your hand in his. Your eyes fall down to them as you notice the size difference between you and him. How his hand encaged yours in warmth and comfort. Both your hands lining up finger by finger in front of your faces as your fingers slowly come to intertwine together. His hand lacing with yours nearly perfectly, like a missing puzzle piece finally put together.

"Y/N..." he called you and you finally snap out of your mind. Realizing the position you were in

"O-Oh Noah I'm sorry I didn't mean to do th-"

"I really like you." he blurts out

"....."

"I think..I've alwasy thought of what an amazing, smart and funny girl…I uh…lost my chance when you left to travel but I want…to want know..if you would- if you! If you feel the same way?” He asked cautiously

“…” you remain silent making Josh very nervous

“…if you don’t that totally fi-“ the poor boy was then shut up by your lips on his. It was 100%, defiantly a yes from you. His hand lets go of your as his arms wrap around your waist and brings you closer to him. You both pull back slowly and rest your foreheads on each others

“…well that took long enough” you giggle whisper

“Yeah…just pissed I didn’t do it sooner” he sighs as he rests you in his lap, feeling at home and comfortable with your weight in him

“Well we’re where now,” you smile “and you can make it up to me of course”

“And how’s that?”

“With some more kisses Mr,Sebastian”

「✨Taglist✨」 @lilhobgobbler @cncohshit @vir-tual @tdopomymind @concretenoah @misspygmypie @fvckmeorchokeme @lust-for-sacher @thescarlettvvitch @cind6547 @itsmrsfuentes @purple-lili @lma1986 @daylightlvrs @darling-arwen-rose

[themiimagebehindfire]

I completely agree that Jaiden is a much healthier couple than TomJake. I think even the diehard shippers can admit that. (Im not, but personally I’d prefer TomJake over half of the canon Total Drama pairings, but that’s a me thing and that in no way means they weren’t problematic)

Totally get the hate. Totally get the comparison. Totally get the take. I mostly agree with the take. Totally get all the bullet points made to prove this claim.

EXCEPT FOR ONE.

Comparing “You are everything I ever wanted” to “Your eyes are pretty”

This is a comparison to prove “This good/this bad”. And on paper with no context, yeah this sounds like a no brainer. “You are everything I ever wanted” is by far a superior line.

What I don’t agree with is “Your eyes are pretty” being meaningless.

If James and Aiden were the ones associated with it, then yes. It’s meaningless.

But here’s my argument:

DIFFERENT CHARACTERS. DIFFERENT CONTEXT. DIFFERENT VALUE.

James was someone who was so internet-fame hungry at the start of the season that everything he did became a scheme. That’s what started his association with Aiden. But through character development and getting to know Aiden as a person, he grows to actually like Aiden and value him more than his followers. And he realizes what he actually wanted in his life all along.

That’s why “You are everything I ever wanted” works for these characters and this context.

“Your eyes are pretty” would not work for the Jaiden context. Because nothing about either character finds value in something like that.

So that’s the same thing for Tom and Jake, right?

Well… not really.

Tom is a character who is introduced as a masked figure. Someone hiding himself. Someone who, as we learn later in the season, is heavily insecure about himself both in and out. Out for the most part when it comes to the first season. Due to his past torture and past failures, he’s considered himself worthless and hideous and there was no way anyone could ever care about him besides “Alliance”.

So for Jake to genuinely, wholeheartedly, compliment something about him, with no sarcasm to be detected, it not only flusters Tom but also going forward, allows Tom to attempt opening up more.

It also is part of why Tom even decides to ditch the mask later and show Jake his face.

You could make the argument “It’s not what’s outside, it’s what’s inside that counts”, and yes, for certain people that is true and you should value your partner for their heart. Always.

But for SOME OTHER PEOPLE, this phrase could come across as very insulting and hurtful. To some, this would imply that the reason the outside shouldn’t count is because the outside is ugly. That’s just confirmation that you are hideous and undesirable and all your insecurities are correct.

Yeah some would make the claim that “deformity is beautiful and they have absolutely no insecurities about it whatsoever”, but if they had a chance to remove that deformity to look beautiful, they’d take it. (It’s like that South Park special said. But in that is was about obesity instead of deformity. So not entirely the same thing.)

For some people, an appearance is something that’s tied to their self worth and they don’t want to be considered a beast who couldn’t be loved at first sight.

Obviously Jake loves Tom as a person. What did he have to go off of appearance wise at the start? Dude was fully covered except for his eyes. (Pretty sure he even says in a greeting that he fell for Tom because he was a kind and wonderful person towards him)

That’s why “Your eyes are pretty” means a lot in their character context.

For Tom to reveal his true self to someone, and for that someone, with no hesitation, genuinely say what they see looks good, meant the WORLD to him.

He could’ve just slapped the mask back on after that scene and no one else would’ve seen, but it’s because of Jake’s words that he’s not taking shame anymore. At least not enough to make him keep wearing the mask.

(Compare this to the beta where Jake is an awful human being and is revolted by the face reveal and- yeah thank god they changed it and the remake is canon and not that. Good lord is that disgusting.)

And it’s not like this is the only line Tom and Jake have where they’ve expressed care for each other. There’s other lines. They have other exchanges in the show outside of that.

Oh, AND another reason why this comparison doesn’t work? The Jaiden line was in the season finale after a season of development building up to that. The TomJake line is in an earlier episode where most of their development had yet to happen. These are different story points. It’s like comparing the resolution scene to a rising action scene.

If you swap the lines with context, neither really work because they’re applying to different characters. Swap the lines and apply them to the swapped characters, and the line is that much cheaper and serves no value.

Does “you are everything I ever wanted” work for TomJake? In my opinion, not really. Yeah Tom had his job and he cared about the job, but he wasn’t such an arrogant ass about it and considered that job his whole personality. And Jake is someone who craves love (because he barely received it from his family), but that’s expanded more than just a romantic interest. Miriam is a character after all. Ashley is a character after all. Connor, Ally, you get it. He can’t really say Tom is everything he ever wanted when he has surrogate family and friends he also wants in his life.

So yeah. Different characters. Different context. Different value.

Jaiden is healthier. Absolutely.

This is just the one bullet point I didn’t agree with.

[bangtanmix73]

Being best friends with Paul Lahote

Warnings: Gn!human!reader, platonic, swearing, dog jokes, slight mention of sex (not with reader), Rachel (Paul’s actual imprint), might make one for each of the pack members, I have more for a whole part 2

Chaos duo.

He’d take you cliff diving, even if you’re scared of heights. If you refuse to, he pick you up and jump with you.

You poke fun at other pack members together.

You jokingly insult each other, none being taken to heart. Of course, if you have boundaries, he wouldn’t cross them. He can be a dick, but he’s respectful <3.

Just randomly texts you “you wanna go raid Jacob’s kitchen?”

You’re friends with Rachel. She was iffy about you at first, but once she realized you and Paul have the ‘everyone thinks you’re a couple, but you’re not’ friendship with no romantic feelings on either sides, she warmed up to you.

Dog jokes.

“You should phase so I can play tug of war with you” “ok, first of all, fuck you..” “or maybe fetch”

Rachel definitely calls you when she doesn’t know what to do with him

He’d talk about his ‘fun nights’ with Rachel and you’d just sit there like “this is the same guy I made slime with 15 minutes ago.”

Coming up with weird nicknames for each other, mainly insulting.

“Wolf boy”, “ratatouille built bitch”, “dense prick”, “bland pork chops”, “godless thot”.

Absolutely goes to a random fast food restaurant at 2am with you.

Can be protective of you if you’re into guys, only because he knows how they think and how the world is :/.

He’s fine with you dating, he’s not your dad, but if they’re toxic? Hell no, he ain’t tolerating it. Break up now.

Don’t even think about going near the Cullens. He doesn’t 1. Want you to get hurt, turned, or killed. 2. He doesn’t want to lose his best friend to one of them.

If you ever go missing, it’s probably his fault. He drags you out of bed at 8am, into the woods, just for his entertainment.

“If I got a cat, would it piss you off?”

When it snows, he drags you out early in the morning with the pack. You go on a drive, not just any drive…someone drives, someone holds the rope, at the end of rope is a sled, and someone’s on that sled.

One word: wrestling.

Now he’s not very rough with you like he is with the others, but that’s only because of his super strength.

Having deep conversation late at night then laughing at whatever was said and making jokes.

If you’re upset, he’s not very good at comfort, but he’s good at listening. Sometimes you’d have to remind him to listen and not go beat someone’s ass.

If you have your period, again he’s not good at comfort, but he’ll buy sweets and drinks at the first sign. He’d throw them like grenades then duck and hide. It’s entertaining to watch really.

Since he imprinted on Rachel, the three of you have spent a lot of time together. Which means, (if you have your period), yours and hers are in sync.

You and Rachel are the only people he’s actually scared of. 

One time you fell while climbing a tree, he won’t admit it, but he was worried about you.

You were doing something you parents told you not to do once and he threatened to snitch on you. It didn’t work well for him, you took off your shoe, throw it at him, he fell and you dragged him outside and left him there.

You get along well with the pack. You’re not fond of Bella because she hit Paul. You can’t lie, you probably would’ve punched her if you were there.

You think Jacob’s fun when he doesn’t go on and on about Bella.

When Paul has time off from patrol, he’d take Rachel and you on dinner dates.

Always together. People ask where’s the other when they’re not there.

“The coffee shop guy asked me where the ‘ripped gang dude’ was because ‘I’m always with you.”

Rachel’s Halloween idea was her as Lilo, you as stitch, and, for her entertainment, Paul as the big sister, Nani.

If you’re shorter than him, he makes fun of you for it all the time.

“Aww does Y/n need help down?” “Hey Rachel, I hope you didn’t want Paul alive.”

Probably has copies of your baby photos for blackmail.

In marko polo, you yell “Paulo” instead of polo.

Two hot best friends

[queenofbaws]

ah, and once more, it's wednesday my dudes!

a slightly different update from me this week - things have been slow in terms of words being put to paper lately, and this will probably be the case for a little while. i'm gonna be trying to get a chapter of something out in the near future (probably like wringing blood, but don't quote me on that), then ya gurl may or may not be taking a slightly more official break from the internet to deal with some stuff here at home ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

such is life. ANYWAY, for this reason, i'm offering a few snippets/sneak peeks of multiple projects this week, just to show y'all what's bubbling away on the backburner. if you're interested in seeing any of that, click the readmore! either way, hope you're all having wonderful weeks so far, and taking care of yourselves as best you can <3

like wringing blood from a stone

There were a million things he could say to that, maybe even a million and one. What he settled on, however, was probably the lesser of all those evils. “You kidnapped my counselors.” Travis’s whole face puckered at that, letting him know in no uncertain terms the lesser of those evils had still been pretty fucking evil, in fact. “What did you want me to do, Chris?! Huh? Huh?! You bit one of them! They both saw—” “Oh for Chrissake, quit fucking whispering, wouldya?” Obviously he’d been expecting something else—an actual fight, maybe—and so Chris took Travis’s surprised spluttering as an opportunity to dig his own heels in. “If you’re gonna bitch me out, at least do it with your big-kid voice.” A vein ticked furiously in Travis’s neck, making it look like something was itching to burst its way out of him. He narrowed his eyes to slits, then leaned in until the two of them were nearly nose to nose. He could smell the blood beginning to clot where Jack had split his eyebrow, the ointment he’d smeared over it before covering it with a bandage. “You and I both know,” he began again, still fucking whispering, “That anyone could be listening outside. I don’t—” Before he could finish that thought, Chris threw his arms up into the air, shouting at the very top of his own voice, “I DON’T CARE! I do not fucking care, Travis! I couldn’t care less if you paid me to! Know what?” He cupped his hands to his mouth then, tipping his head back as he did so, and, tapping even deeper into his (presumably very bruised) diaphragm, hollered, “I HOPE YOU’RE ALL LISTENING! I HOPE EVERYONE IN THE GODDAMN COUNTY CAN HEAR ME LOUD AND FUCKING CLEAR!” If Travis’s face went any redder, it probably would’ve started looking purple. It was Chris’s turn to narrow his eyes; instead of glowering like an asshole, though, he flashed him a grin, sarcastic and savage and sharp enough to nearly slice through his tongue. “Big-kid voices, Travvy. Why the hell not, right?”

of mummy men & bathtub soup

“My oh-so-charming brother is just running his oh-so-charming mouth,” Julia said sharply, calling the Smith brothers’ chit-chat to a screeching halt. “Here’s what I think actually happened: Conrad made up a story in his head, decided it was funny, and now he’s done so many mental gymnastics convincing himself it’s true that he believes it too.” Her head swiveled on her neck, only adding to her overall mean girl vibe. “That’s something Connie likes to do, you see, mix up details from stupid made-up bullshit and real life, then decide it’s all real.” Oh. Oh! If she thought he was gonna be easy pickings just because he’d brought a date along tonight, she had another thing coming! Hell, she hadn’t been paying attention to his whole deal! Jules was the one who got embarrassed by this shit when other people were watching—Conrad reveled in it. So he did the one thing he knew would get her goat (the only move a self-respecting sibling could take in a situation such as this): He brought up the bathtub. “If this is about human soup guy, you’re actually calling Dad a liar and not me, sooo…nice try, but my feelings remain totally unhurt.” Then, he waited for what he knew would come next. He held Julia’s gaze. He took a drink. It was Daniel, God bless him, who finally bit. “…human…soup…guy?”

the tale(s) of the champion

“All right. If you are so…determined to have me discuss Hawke, then fine. I will discuss Hawke.” He leaned forward over his desk, a gesture, she thought, meant less to evoke authority than to simply steady himself as he braced against the unpleasant tide of memory. His eyes found hers for only a moment, but that moment was all it took for her to understand perhaps ‘unpleasant’ was too delicate a word to describe a return to Kirkwall. ‘Agonizing,’ maybe. ‘Wretched.’ “Cassandra and I are of a mind on one thing, at the very least—Varric is a liar. However. I would be remiss if I didn’t draw your attention to the one thing, the only thing, I’ve heard him say about our shared time in Kirkwall that at least approaches the truth.” She couldn’t help but notice that Cullen spoke the city’s name in much the same way Hawke had spoken Elthina’s: as though it tasted bitter on his tongue. “Namely, if, for whatever reason, you wanted to find Hawke,” he continued, speaking with a terrible evenness that smacked of everything but calm, “All you had to do was follow the blood. “What blood? Whose blood? Some might argue that since Hawke killed so often, so indiscriminately, that it wouldn’t matter—couldn’t matter—which blood trail you picked. Oh, I’ve heard the jokes. I’ve heard them all. How it must’ve sometimes seemed Kirkwall was populated solely by nameless, faceless throngs of gangs and ruffians that she cut through at nightfall, slashing and hacking her way towards the betterment of the city. How Varric had to keep a running tally of all the vendettas held against her, lest she forget which seedy element might be coming after her next for putting an end to their leader. Hilarious. Truly.” Had Cullen not been wearing his gloves, the Inquisitor had the singular sense she’d be watching his knuckles turn white as bone; the way he’d taken to gripping the edges of his desk, she was a bit shocked that nothing had given way. Yet.

A MYSTERY CREEPS PROJECT OOOOOOOOOOH!!!

"Which is why, boys and ghouls, we’re gonna be packing our bags and taking a roadtrip this weekend.” Which was…also what Ashley was afraid he was going to say. Her shoulders slumped, and she felt Chris turn to her as he noticed, but Josh kept going, as he was wont to do. “Turns out ‘ghost shit’ was a gross understatement. You lovely ladies aren’t going to believe what a little snooping dug up about this place…” “It’s pretty messed up,” Chris nodded. “But pretty messed up in a way that I gotta admit sounds like it’s gonna make a juicy episode or two.” “Or five. So c’mon, hop to. We got a business dinner to catch—on me, obvs—and details to hammer out. You’re not ready for the shit that went down over there. Hope you’re ready to start trending in the true-crime feeds though, because I know I am!” Dropping the book back on the table, Josh hopped to his feet and playfully tweaked Sam’s ear before starting back for the microfiche where he’d left all his stuff. “Hey Edgar,” he said as he passed him by, “level with me here. Have you been a ghost this whole time? Is that why you know all this crap? When we get in the elevator and leave this floor, do you just poof off into the ether and cease existing until we come back?” In a voice so flat, so disaffected, so wistful, that Ashley very nearly forgot about the pang of fear that had seized her at the sight of those five Death cards staring her straight in the face, Edgar sighed, “Don’t I wish.”

[sl-newsie]

Spelled (Carlos de Vil x Sanderson Daughter) Ch. 21: Gone For Good?

I hardly sleep all night. Just tossing and turning, wondering where I’m going to be this time tomorrow. I hate waiting. After 3 hours of in-and-out sleep I finally decide to throw in the towel and start packing what little possession I have. In a steamer trunk I pack my cauldron, alchemy tools, potion ingredients, some clothes, and a few memorabilia. As if I’d want to remember anything. When the sun begins to rise I’ve already removed all traces of any magic from my dorm and have transported my luggage off to the woods. Just in case. I do, however, keep a vial of firecracker draught and a few other items for precaution. I also tell Binx and Twilight to wait in the woods, despite both cats putting up a hissy fit in rebuttal.

At first I tried to sneak out to get to the VK dorms, but the hallway was bustling with girls scrambling to and fro trying to do their hair, makeup, and touch up their dresses. Now I’m waiting in the shadows of the trees outside Carlos and Jay’s dorm, watching in fury and disgust as the goody-goodies start making their way to the cars waiting to take them to the church for coronation. I see Mal go off to join Ben at the royal carriage, while Evie, Jay, and Carlos make their way over to where I’m hiding.

“Magica?”

“Here!” I hiss. Carlos gets closer and I see he’s holding Dude, who’s dressed in a mini bow tie! “You even dressed Dude up in a tie! Aww!” My heart melts as I kneel down to pet the precious mutt.  

“Is that a spellbook?” Evie asks when she sees mom’s book in my lap.

I nod. “It was my mom’s. Well, technically my Aunt Winnie’s, but mom gave it to me as a birthday gift before my father took me from the Isle. Don’t worry, I only practice the lighter dark magic. No more black flame candles or turning people into cats.”

Jay frowns. “Black flame candles?”

“Long story.”

“So are you ready to go?” Evie asks with a bright smile.

I smile sadly and shake my head. “I wish I could be there with you guys, but I’m not sure how to tag along without getting banished to the Isle for good.”

Carlos scratches Dude’s ears and thinks for a minute. “I might have an idea…”

After quickly transporting to the woods and digging out my invisible cloak, I slip it on and step out in the open in front of the VKs.

Jay keeps feeling around with a lost look on his face. “Trixie? Sanderson? Are you there?”

“Magica…?”

“Boo!” I poke Evie’s shoulder.

“Ah! Magica, is that a-?”

I flip the head up and nearly send Jay tripping backwards over a root. “Yup! An invisibility cloak! Enchanted it myself!”

“Just wait ‘til Mal sees! Or won’t see,” Jay smirks.

“You could’ve told me she was coming with us!” Evie pokes Carlos’ shoulder. “Then I would’ve made her a proper coronation gown! Not this typical dress!”

Using the cloak, I follow the VKs to the cars and try to situate a way for me to sneak in to sit with them without looking suspicious. I also notice Remus is the driver.

“Hey, guys. All ready to go? Um… why the big gap?” He points at the empty spot (me) next to Carlos and Jay.

“Uh… Jay might be getting a cold so we’re giving him some space,” Evie says with a sweet smile as Carlos sets Dude on his lap.

Remus smirks. “Sure.” He starts the limo up and begins driving out of the school grounds. “So what’d you guys think of Magica’s disappearing act? I heard it was pretty sick. Gotta say, though. I’m gonna miss her.”

Huh?

We all exchange confused looks (or try to, considering no one can lock eyes with me).

“You… liked her? Don’t you think she’s evil? She is a witch after all.”

“Just because she’s a witch doesn’t mean she’s wicked. I should know. My mom’s a witch.”

We all gasp. “What?!”

Remus chuckles. “Yeah, dad made a deal with a woman he found crying in the Enchanted Forest. She said that people would mock and laugh at her just for being a witch and he felt sorry for her. Dad said that if she could guess his name then he’d give her fame and fortune, but if she couldn’t then she'd have to marry him. Unfortunately mom has a terrible memory and couldn’t remember, but after a few months they fell in love and mom was happy to marry him. So you see, not all witches are evil. They’re just misunderstood.”

“Aw,” I smile. But then I remember I’m supposed to not be here and now I fear I’ve given myself away. Um.. maybe not?

“Hiya Sanderson!” Remus calls from the front. “Want a pink lollipop?”

All the VKs start talking over each other to find excuses but I give in and let down my hood.

“Hey, Remus. You won’t tell anyone, will you?”

He shakes his head. “Nah. I know you wouldn’t really do anything bad, and from what I’ve heard it wasn’t your fault. People here can be… difficult. I understand.”

“You do?”

“You forget, I’m not exactly the son of a good guy. But FG didn’t have second thoughts when she hired me as a school chauffeur. It’s like dad always says: a name doesn’t define you, only your deeds can.’”

“Um, how can anyone not remember your dad’s name? It’s, like, the most backwards name ever created!” Jay laughs.

Remus just snickers and doesn’t look up from the road. “Ok. What’s his name?”

Jay goes to answer, but shuts his mouth and scratches his head. “Huh. Jeez, why can’t I remember? It’s on the tip of my tongue!”

Our driver’s trying not to laugh. “Once you’ve heard it once, you can’t remember! That’s how dad gets his kicks. Oh, we’re here.”

Remus pulls the limo up to the church and on que I slip my hood back on. Outside there are many other students heading inside, while reporters and tv crews set up to broadcast the coronation. Broadcast the coronation?!

“Uh, guys? This is being televised! If you’re going to make a scene then I suggest go loud and proud, because every kingdom around the world is going to see it!”

“You’ve got this, Magica Sanderson. Good luck!” Remus calls..

After we slide out, Carlos and Evie take my hands and Jay hugs me from behind.

“Don’t worry. We’re with you, trixie.”

Their friendly gestures make me feel warm inside and for a moment I feel like a normal girl, but then I remember-

“Thank you so much. But it’s kinda going to look suspicious with you guys hugging air.”

“Oh. Right.”

The three VKs make their way up the church stairs while I trial closely behind, almost bumping into at least 6 other students. Using my new empathy bond, I can tell Carlos is just as anxious as I am. The church itself is decorated beautifully, with blue and gold banners displaying Ben’s upcoming celebration. They look almost familiar- no. He didn’t… Ben used my decor ideas! I guess he really does respect me as a royal advisor. But he’s not the only one who’s doubted me, and seeing all the others around me brings me back to reality. Jane, Lonnie, Tiffany, Fiona, Audrey. They will not get off as easily.

Our seats, or at least the VKs’ seats, are located at the top of the venue above the wand. Since I myself don’t have a seat, I’m forced to keep to the shadows in the corner. Dude keeps licking my cloak and edging me to come sit with him and the others but Carlos beckons him away.

“Sorry, Dude. I know, I know, I don’t want to leave her either.” Carlos gives me one last smile before going to sit next to Jay and Evie.

Down below, the final guests are arriving and clearing the isle to make way for Ben. Gorgeous gowns and suits in all designs and colors… With my simple purple corset dress I feel underdressed. They’re all chatting and buzzing about like scatterbrained chickens. Mal, wearing a gorgeous purple gown courtesy of Evie, takes her place at the bottom of the pedestal steps while Ben’s parents are standing at the top next to Fairy Godmother. That’s why Mal wanted to spell Ben, for a prime position to seal the wand. I keep looking around for a good exit in case things turn south but only find nearby windows. I could summon a broom and fly out, but that would mean leaving the others behind. So I guess this means do or die. Get the wand and release the villains, or fail and get locked up.

The music starts and the grand doors open, revealing Ben in a new blue suit. He looks nervous but also confident, and I really wish I could have wished him good luck today. But he wouldn’t accept a friendly magic gesture, not anymore. Besides Ben doesn’t look like he needs a confidence spell anyway. 

When Ben walks up the steps and reaches Fairy Godmother, she removes her wand from its glass case and places the royal crown on his head. I’m supposed to be there too, to take my vows as Royal Advisor. But life’s proven that despite my efforts the only one I should advise is myself. She initiates the ceremony and Ben begins to take his vows. Meanwhile I keep looking at Mal and wondering when she’s going to make her move. Is she having second thoughts-?

“Then it is my honor, and my joy, to bless our new king-”

Out of nowhere, someone yanks the Headmistress’ wand out of her hand. But Mal hasn’t moved a muscle. Instead it’s-

“Jane?” I whisper. It is Jane! What in the name of Auradon is she doing? She’s never taken a magic class, let alone handled a wand. She could get hurt!

Fairy Godmother starts trying to reason with her. “Child! What are you doing?”

“If you won’t make me beautiful, then I’ll just do it myself!” Jane yells with fearful eyes.

I can tell she doesn’t know what she’s doing, and I’m proven further when a jet of magic blasts through the window towards- Oh God. The Isle!

“Bibbidi… bobbidi… boo!” 

Jane’s attempts only keep sending out white sparks and are brought to an end when Mal wrestleed the wand out of Jane’s hands. I can tell this might be her moment, and I think Ben does too.

“Mal… hand over the wand,” Ben approaches the purple-haired VK calmly.

Mal just shakes her head and points the wand up at him. “Stand back, Ben.” He ignores this and keeps going forward. “I said stand back!”

From my post, I see Evie and Jay get up and hurry past me down the stairs towards Mal. Carlos comes over and starts looking around.

“Magica? Where are you?”

I lift my hood up. “Here.”

He puts a hand on my cheek. “This is it. At least, I think it is. Do you want to come with us?”

Um. Do I? Should I give up all hope of ever being a good witch? I mean, father will be very disappointed… And I’ll never be able to see Ben again. But then again… These VKs have helped show me that the world isn’t all black and white. Maybe I could make a life for myself on the villain side. And if it means having a life with Carlos, it will all be worth it.

I’ve made my decision.

I remove my cloak, tuck it under my arm, and take Carlos’ hand. “I’d love to. Hope you guys don’t mind a Sanderson witch tagging along.”

Carlos smiles and kisses my cheek, and I can feel his spirits lifting. “Come on. Let’s go find the others.”

We race down the stairs and find Mal and Ben at a standstill, with Evie and Ben standing behind Mal. I also see Mal’s now wearing Ben’s ring. When Ben sees Carlos and me join them, his sad face becomes even more distraught.

“Magica? Sparks? What are you doing?”

I stand my ground. “Living my own life, Brother Ben. Not the life everyone expects me to.”

“I told you so!” Audrey huffs from the sidelines. “She’s with them! She’s a wicked witch-”

I snap my fingers and the pink princess’ mouth is sealed shut. “Just shut up, you drama queen bitch!”

“Mal, do you really want to do this?” Ben pleads. “I understand you’re doing this to please your parents, but is it what you want? Is being evil what makes you happy? And Magica-” He looks at me, and in his eyes I’m reminded of the charming boy I met so many years ago. “I know you, Sparks. This isn’t what you want-”

“How would you know what I want, Ben?" I sneer. "All you’ve done is use me for my magic, just like everyone else. Making me your ‘advisor’ just to drain all my ideas and push me away because you’re ‘busy with royal duties.’ Not once, in the entire time I’ve been at Auradon Prep, have you ever wanted to hang out like the old days. You say people change? Well, you’re right Brother Ben. You’ve definitely changed.” I smirk. “And so have I.”

“She’s right, Ben!” Mal glares at the new king, her face showing a complex conflict of emotions. “We’re not like the goody-goodies here, no matter what. Even though I- I… I think I want to be good.”

“You are good!” Ben reaches for her again. 

“How do you know that?!” She screams.

Ben frowns, but then looks up with a hopeful glint in his eyes. “Because I’m following my heart.”

Oh. Here we go. Mal has a change of heart. Well sorry, dearie. But I’m not. 

I redon my invisible cloak and the crowd gasps.

“Black magic!” Rosaline shrieks. 

While Ben and the VKs have their little friendship moment, I take my leave and start making my way down the aisle towards the door. I have not come this far just to give in and let them break me down again-

“I haven’t forgotten about you, Sparks.” Ben says behind me.

I don’t turn back. Ignore him. Ignore him!

“I know you’re there, Magica. Please?”

Ignore him, it’s a trap! He’s just going to lock you up! But I don’t know that. After all, he did help me settle in here. I just wanted to make friends! Everyone hates you now. That’s true.

I flip my hood off and turn to face my old friend.

“I really want to choose good, Ben,” I whisper, a tear running down my cheek showing just how much emotion is boiling inside me. “I- I can be good, I swear-”

“You are, Sparks. You’ve always been a good witch. You’re not a villain, and I know that Magica Sanderson would never want to hurt anyone.”

“Please, Magica?” Carlos joins us, with Dude trailing at his feet. “We want to be good too. Me, Jay, all of us. We’ve made good lives here and wouldn’t want it any different. I want you to be a part of this too, because I love you.”

By now I’ve shed my cloak and the force of fighting back tears of sadness and anger is causing sparks to shoot off my hands. Even when I think my mind is made up I just break down again.

“But- but look at me! I’m a mess, I- I’m dangerous.”

“No you’re not,” Carlos says softly. “You’re passionate. You wouldn’t be this upset if you didn’t want to do the right thing. Please, Magica. Stay the nice, caring, good witch you really are.”

At first my instinct wants me to think he’s tricking me, manipulating me. However when I feel my empathy bond tug at my chest, I know deep down that Carlos really wants me to stay good. I am good.

My pink sparks diminish and I reach out to take Carlos’ hand. “I want to stay good too, Freckles.”

Dude shows his happiness by hopping up and down, licking my wrist. We both smile at the loving mutt and start walking back to the other VKs, with Ben following behind.

“You’re in love with Carlos? Since when have you started keeping secrets from me, Sparks?” Ben teases.

I flick a spark at him and smirk. “Since you didn’t spill any goods about you and Mal, King Lovey-Dovey.”

“It wasn’t me, it was the love spell! Or at least until our date, that is. The Enchanted Lake washed it off when I went swimming.”

I frown. “You got Mal to go swimming?”

He chuckles. “Well, actually I went swimming while she just watched.”

“Wow. I actually feel sorry for Mal. Oh, before I forget-” I turn back to face the door and flick my hands up, sending out some sparks.

“What was that for?” Ben asks.

“Resealing the barrier that Jane opened. I just hope I’m not too late and someone gets out. Also I myself had a love spell incident too.”

Carlos tense up next to me and I see he’s trying so hard not to smile.

Ben scrunches his face. “You too? But how- oh!” The light clicks. “The cookie! Gosh Sparks, if I hadn’t-!”

“Shush! The past is passed. Just go to Mal before you both fall over love-struck!” I give him a playful nudge towards his smiling girlfriend, who’s now given FG her wand back.

“So, just to be clear,” Carlos says when we’ve reached the other VKs. “We don’t have to be worried about how mad our parents are going to be?”

Oh. Right. Evil plot, steal the wand.

“Your parents can’t reach you here. I promise,” Ben assures as he takes hold of Mal’s hand.

“And if they could, I would protect you,” I state confidently.

“Really?” Evie smiles and tugs us all in for a group hug.

I nod. “Of course. I will always protect my friends, or any soul what need help. All ye need do is ask.”

I look up to see Headmistress FG and Ben’s parents smiling down at me with proud looks. The other students at Auradon prep might not trust me anymore, but I’ve got my best friend back. Having Ben and the VKs around is all I could ever want.

“Look!” Tiffany points to a window.

Dude starts to growl and I turn my head to see the cause of his new behavior. Just then a black figure covered in green smoke crashes through and lands near us. A loud, awful cackled rings throughout the church and when the smoke clears we find it to be the voice of-

I gasp.

Maleficent! The dragon queen herself! Pointed horns, wearing a flowy black dress and wielding a glowing scepter. That scepter’s got black magic dripping all over it!

“I’m baaaack!” She announces cheerfully, though no one is clapping.

Mal rolls her eyes. “Go away, mother.”

But Maleficent just laughs and starts waltzing around, giving the onlookers a vicious smile. Few try to challenge her gaze while most just cower in fear, Chad and Audrey being the most noticeable. 

“Magica, quick!” Carlos takes my cloak and drapes it over me and.

“Carlos? What the-?” I try taking it off but he stops me and ushers me and Dude behind a nearby column.

“I won’t let her hurt you! Just keep low.”

I don’t want to, but I know Carlos will keep trying to protect me if I come out. And I can’t risk his life. When Maleficent gets tired of playing nice with Mal she stomps her scepter into the ground, sending a blast of magic that forces the VKs to the ground. Something in me snaps when I feel the fear rushing from Carlos and I know I have to help.

“No!” I run out from behind the column and stand in front of my friends.

Maleficent seems puzzled by my non-Auradon appearance, taking in my strange dress and pink hair. But after a moment her eyes light up and she gets a wide grin on her face.

“Ah! The little Sanderson witch! I’ve heard rumors about you! How your dear father rescued you from your proper home, that you were taken away to be taught to be a good little witch! I also know that your dim-wit mother won’t stop talking about you!”

My face falters. Mom? She… “She talks about me?”

The dragon queen tilts her head back and laughs. “Silly little girl! Of course she does! She’s the one that agreed to let your father take you away. Your hot-tempered aunt wasn’t too pleased.” She scoffs. “Of course she wasn’t. When is she ever in a good mood? But then again I can’t blame her. You’re a very powerful asset to them.”

I’m curious but don’t let my guard down. “Why?”

Maleficent cackles. “Poor, ignorant child. A new witch can strengthen their coven, and be used to trick the sickly good people of Auradon! Take Mal, for instance.” She goes to approach Mal, but Mal seems reluctant and holds the wand up higher. Her mom gives her a warning look but proceeds. “My daughter, almost as cunning as I was at her age. She still needs a little more practice, but look how well she’s done! Mal was able to take the all-powerful Fairy Godmother’s wand right out from under her nose! Speaking of which-” She looks at Mal again with a fiery enthusiasm and holds out her hand. “Wand me. Chop chop!”

“Mom, please! I don’t want to do this-” 

“Of course you do. Now-”

Fairy Godmother begins to wave her wand. “Bibbidi, bobbidi-!”

“Boo!” Maleficent mocks and bangs her scepter on the ground again.

Another magic blast shoots out across the crowd just as Ben goes to tackle the dark queen. Everyone freezes except me and the VKs.

“Psych!” Maleficent snickers and starts saundering up the steps to poke fun at the royal family and swipes Fairy Godmother’s wand.

Carlos takes my hand and pulls me next to him. “I thought I told you to stay low.”

I shake my head and give a small smile. “And let you have all the fun?”

“Now now, where shall we start? I know! Let’s start by getting rid of this!” She flicks the wand at Mal and Ben’s ring slips off and flies over to slide onto the wand. “Perfect fit!” After getting a closer look at the ring, Maleficent looks back and forth between Mal and frozen Ben. “Falling in love is weak, and ridiculous.” She emphasizes by tipping his crown sideways and pushing his face around.

“Don’t you dare touch him!” I rage.

 “Shut it, sweetie. You’re lucky you’ve got magic to spare otherwise you’d be in the same boat. Love is pathetic, Mal. It’s not what you want!”

“You don’t know what I want!” Mal’s trying to hold back tears. “Mom, have you ever asked what I want? I’m not you!”

“Obviously,” Maleficent brags. “I’ve had years and years of practice of being evil. You’ll get there!”

“No, I won’t!” Mal fights back. “Because love is not weak!”

I walk up to stand beside her. “Love is forgiving, and comforting!”

Maleficent cackles. “Oh, that’s precious coming from Sarah’s daughter! Your mother doesn’t even know the definition of love! She just uses men to her advantage, as all sirens should! And from what I see, you’ve done pretty good yourself by bagging this one!” She points cheekily at Carlos.

“No!” Carlos shouts before I can overthink her words. “Magica never spelled me to love her!”

“And now I command wand to my hand!” Mal yells and the wand flies across the room to Mal’s awaiting hand, her face showing disbelief and excitement. “It worked!”

“Frankly, this is tedious and very immature. Now give me that wand!” Mal’s mother shrieks at her. Dude runs out from his hiding spot and jumps up into the dark queen’s arms. “Oh! Gog breath! Get it off!” She throws him to the ground and gets into a  ready stance. “You will pay.” Maleficent's eyes start to glow green as she rises into the air. “You will all pay!”

Maleficent disappears behind a curtain of smoke, and out comes a giant purple dragon with glowing eyes. She looks at the closest victim, Jay, and begins to swipe her talons at him.

“Jay, run! Jay! Everyone get behind me!” I scream over the dragon’s deafening roar.

Jay weaves in and out of the columns and barely escapes Maleficent’s fire blast. Once we’ve all gathered into a tight group my eyes start to glow and I hold my arms out. 

“Praesidium! Praesidio nobis! Protegat nos cara Domine!” I chant as pink flames erupt from my hands and spread around us to form a barrier.

“What’s that?” Carlos shouts.

“Protection spell, but I can’t hold it too long.”

“Mirror mirror, shine a bright light!” Evie holds her hand mirror up to blind Maleficent as she dives for another attack.

“Here! Use this!” I quickly hand Mal a vial from my dress pocket.

“What is it?”

“Firecracker draught! It won’t do too much damage, just enough to cause a distraction-”

Just then the dragon snaps her tail at us, sending me flying into a wall while the others duck for cover. I feel my head start to spin, and I try to get back up but start feeling dizzy.

“Magica! Are you ok?” Carlos shouts as he runs over and takes my hand. “Are you hurt?”

I shake my head. “No… Just bruised. But I’m no good to you anymore. You guys have to fight on without me.”

“Here.” Carlos helps prop me against the wall and gives me a quick kiss. “Stay here. Just stay awake and I’ll be back once we’ve won.”

I smirk. “I’ll be waiting, Freckles. Now go be a hero.”

He smiles and goes off to help the others, leaving me to hear bits and pieces of the fight and slowly drift off to sleep…

[another-dr-another]

play clue!! tbh ive never played but it seems way more fun than twister -iris

Maeda, narrating - Yeah… how do you even win at Twister, again?

Maeda - I… think I’ve played Clue before, but it’s been a long while- I would’ve been fairly young, like…

Maeda - Maybe a pre-teen? At the oldest?

Maeda - But, y’know- Clue’s a lot more engaging, so…

~*~

Ōtori - Does anyone want to keep playing Clue?

Hatano - Yeah, I wanna play.

Hatano - Kobashikawa, I’ll uh… un-banish? Un-banish you, if you want to come be on my team and give me the answer.

Kobashikawa - I’m forming a new life for myself, over here, playing Twister.

Hatano - Fine! Have it your way then…

Tsurugi - …Tomori?

Tomori - Hm?

Tsurugi - …I’m so sorry. I have to abandon you-

Tomori - NO Tsurugi don’t you dare!

Tsurugi - I’ll be back! I’ll play Twister with you laaaater…

Tomori - Stop trying to trick me into believing you!

Tsurugi - At least let me hit three strikes! I’ve only lied and said I’ll play Twister twice now… I promise it’s an accident!

Tomori - You’re evil and cruel and I don’t need you.

Tomori - Okay, Maki, Kobashikawa- actually, Maki, are you playing?

Maki - Uh- yeah, I’ll play with you. Prolly hard to play Twister with just two people-

Maki - Is anyone else playing?

Maeda - …I’m so sorry, Tomori, I want to go play Clue-

Tomori - It’s okay, we can’t all be as cool as me, and have such amazing taste…

Maeda - I’ll play later!

Tomori - That’s what they all say!

Tomori - …I’m just teasing, of course~

Hatano - That’s four for Clue… Ira, you playing?

Iranami - …

Iranami - Actually, I want to go play Twister-

Iranami - Uh, clown… flexible, y’know?

Tomori - …Iranami, would you be interested in cheer?

Tomori - …If we get out of here, would we still go to Hopes Peak?

Kobashikawa - …I think that depends on exactly what happened in the first place…

Tomori - Mmm… well, if we do, you should join cheer with me, Iranami- if you’re interested!

Tomori - But I think you’d be good at it.

Iranami - Oh…

Tomori - You, uh… enjoy acrobatics right? That’s kinda in that niche…

//Maeda has drifted over to the other side of the room, and is working on getting the game set up.

Ōtori - …Y’know, having the table here doesn’t really help when there’s still no place to sit.

Tsurugi - Oh, give it a sec…

Tsurugi - Tomori, help me move the couch real quick?

Tomori - Oh, sure… which one?

Tsurugi - Uh…

//He points to the couch Maeda was sitting at.

Tsurugi - That one? Should be easier to maneuver.

Tomori - Yeah, sounds good!

//The two make quick work of moving the couch- Maki starts to move the Twister mat, which they were laying out, with Iranami rushing to help her. Kobashikawa grabs the box, and together, the three clear a path for the couch to travel along. Maeda does his best to stay out of the way-

Maeda - Ah!

//But bumps into Uehara, and almost knocks them both over.

Uehara - Gh!

//Uehara grabs Maeda- he’s thrown a bit off balance, but between the two of them, they manage to keep their balance, and eventually right themselves.

Maeda - I am- I am so sorry…

Uehara - It- It’s fine…

//He winces briefly, and shudders. Uehara takes a moment to shake the incident off, and smiles at Maeda.

Uehara - Seriously, dude. It’s kinda a crowded space, it can be difficult to keep track of everything-

Uehara - I was actually about to turn around, and I think I would’ve cuffed you right in the head if you hadn’t… forcibly alerted me to your presence-

Uehara - Hey, lucky, right?

Maeda - …Funny.

//Uehara laughs weakly.

Tsurugi - …So, the couch is-

Uehara - OH Jesus, Tsurugi. Fucking- startled me, damn.

Tsurugi - …On edge?

Uehara - …A bit, yeah…

Tsurugi - Hm… gonna play Clue, or Twister? Or something else?

Uehara - You’re playing Clue, yeah?

//Tsurugi nods- Maeda glances away, at the game preparations. 

Uehara - Okay… can I just watch you play?

Tsurugi - Yeah, of course!

//Ōtori has the board set up, and is watching Hatano as she shuffles the cards- after a moment, she passes them to him, and watches very intensely as he selects a culprit, weapon, and room, and places them in the envelope, ensuring he doesn’t sneak a look. 

Tsurugi - …You prolly didn’t expect me to say no- if anyone says it’s unfair, I’ll… I’ll bite them. Okay?

Uehara, softly - Sounds great. 

Tsurugi, smiling - Great.

//Content with Ōtori’s honesty, Hatano goes to start grabbing notebooks, just to pause, and glance over at Maeda, Uehara, and Tsurugi.

Hatano - …Maeda, Ōtori, Tsurugi, me…

Hatano - Are you playing, Uehara?

Uehara - Nah, just gonna watch.

Hatano - Okay, we have space for two more players, then…

Hatano - …

Hatano, cringing - …

Hatano - Taira, Higa, do you two want to play?

Taira - …Better than Twister- sure, I’ll play again..

//Higa glances at the group playing Twister- specifically, he seems to be thinking abt Maki, and Kobashikawa. He looks back at the current Clue crew, noting Hatano’s strained expression… and Tsurugi, curiously watching him.

Higa - …

Higa, quietly - Yeah, I’ll play. 

Hatano - Okay, cool…

Ōtori - …I’m not really using this chair- does someone want it? I’ll just ask you all to move my piece for me.

Taira - …Yeah, sure. Thank you, Ōtori.

//Taira moves the chair over to be next to Hatano’s seat, with a bit of difficult maneuvering. Ōtori remains on the Billiards table, while Maeda sits on the couch, now positioned on the opposite side of the table as Hatano and Taira. Tsurugi sits on the other end of the couch, and despite there being room left on the couch, Uehara positions himself on the couch’s arm, shifting around periodically to try and make his long limbs cooperate with him. 

//There aren’t any spots remaining. Higa shifts awkwardly.

Maeda - …

Maeda - Uh, let me-

//Maeda starts to shift over, making room for Higa to sit-

Higa - For me? It’s fine, I can make do.

Tsurugi - …

Tsurugi - You see the projector? It’s resting on a little stool thing, go steal that.

Higa - …I-

Tsurugi - Death to the projector! Steal it’s stool! Thievery! Crime! Liberation!

Tsurugi - It is an unnecessary resource which it is keeping for itself despite the fact it can’t use it!

//Tsurugi shifts onto his knees, and sits up- he looks at Higa eagerly. Higa, a bit thrown by Tsurugi’s enthusiasm begins walking, trying to comply, and get him to relax, but-

Tsurugi - It obtained said resource through no effort of its own, and now, despite someone needing it, it’s refusing to contribute to the well being of the community! 

//Higa shuffles past the Twister group- those who aren’t preoccupied with trying to keep their balance glance at him, trying to work out what’s happening. Higa’s presence alerts them to the fact that the Clue crew’s noise has largely ceased, and gets them to start listening to Tsurugi. Higa flushes, and, finally reaching the projector, begins carefully moving it off the stool.

Tsurugi - It’s sacrificing others for no end but to fuel its greed! 

Tsurugi - You have no reason to deny yourself resources! Activism for your own comfort helps others receive resources they need for their health and safety!

//Higa has returned, with the stool, which he places on the end of the table opposite to Ōtori, near the drink cooler.

Tsurugi - …

Tsurugi, quietly - Yayyy…

Maki - …Strong conclusion.

Tsurugi - I didn’t have time to write an essay advocating against capitalism…

Uehara - …

Tsurugi - Don’t-

Uehara - I feel like you have an oral history of capitalism memorized…

Tsurugi - I do not!

Tsurugi - …

Tsurugi - We don’t- let’s not talk about this anymore. We don’t need to discuss this.

Tsurugi - Let’s play!

Taira - Did we already draw cards?

Ōtori - There’s cards in the envelope, but- well, obviously, they haven’t been distributed.

Taira - Okay- are we going to pass the cards around, like last time?

Ōtori - Yeah, sounds good…

Ōtori - Tsurugi, Maeda, just take one of the cards once it comes to you, and keep passing the stack around.

Taira - It’s easier than having one person try to deal them, since we’re spread so far apart.

//Hatano starts passing out notepads. She flings one across the table- it skids, and lands by Maeda, who grabs it. She tosses two in Tsurugi’s general direction-

Hatano - Pass one to Ōtori?

Uehara - On it…

//Uehara grabs one from Tsurugi, and grabs Ōtori’s attention- Uehara gestures as though he’s going to throw it, and Ōtori nods, stretching out his hands. Uehara tosses the notepad, and Ōtori fails to catch it.

Ōtori - …

//Ōtori gets down from the billiards table to grab his notepad. Meanwhile, Hatano has passed a notepad to Taira, and stretches across the table to pass one to Higa, who leans over to grab it.

Higa - …Thanks.

Hatano - !

//The cards have been passed around the table a few times by now- Tsurugi has set a stack of cards aside for Ōtori, adding one to both Ōtori’s pile, and his own, whenever he got the cards. Maeda receives the deck once more, and takes a card, then slides the remaining two cards over to Tsurugi.

Tsurugi - Hey, Ōtori, don’t sit down yet.

//Tsurugi places one card in his own deck, then sets the final one down with Ōtori’s cards, and pushes them in Ōtori’s direction.

~*~

//The group plays for a while, throwing out assorted suggestions- Taira falsely accuses Miss Scarlett of using the rope in the Dining Room, and loses the round. Uehara keeps shifting around- hanging upside down from the arm of the sofa at one point, with Tsurugi using the chance to lean against Ueharas legs. This was followed by Uehara sitting up, and sliding into place next to Tsurugi. Currently, he’s draped himself over the back of the sofa, maneuvering so his feet are by Maeda’s head, and has been idly pestering Tsurugi while he watches.

Hatano - …

Hatano - Uehara, you better not be helping Tsurugi…

Uehara - …Hatano, I don’t know shit…

Hatano - Two brains is better than one!

Uehara - I promise you, there’s nothing in my brain. Entirely empty.

Uehara - Besides, I’ve like… hardly said anything.

//Higa takes his turn, and moves his piece into the hall.

Higa - I suggest Miss Scarlet, with the revolver, in the hall.

//Maeda checks his cards- he has Mrs. White, the candlestick, and the study. He shakes his head- he has nothing to disprove Higa’s suggestion. Tsurugi checks his card- he comes up with nothing as well, and turns to Ōtori.

Ōtori - …Miss Scarlet, the revolver, the hall?

Higa - Yeah.

Ōtori - …Here.

//Ōtori leans forward, holding a card out face down- Tsurugi grabs it, and without checking, passes it down the table towards Higa.

Higa - …Damn. Okay, got it.

//He passes the card back.

Tsurugi - …

Tsurugi - We always wind up paired together, Uehara… remember the scavenger hunt we did on the second floor?

Uehara - Mhm… you were very unhelpful then.

Tsurugi - Unhelpful to you! The others would’ve been at a major disadvantage if I had done anything else. 

//Maeda rolls the dice- he gets a three, one higher than he needs to reach the room he’s aiming for. 

Uehara - …See, Tsurugi agrees… I really haven’t been thinking much during this situation…

Uehara -  I’m not going to make my few struggling braincells try to piece together a puzzle game that Tsurugi can win on his own.

Hatano - Those are fighting words!

Maeda - Uh… I suggest that Reverend Green committed the crime in the Library, with the lead pipe.

//Maeda turns to his left- where Tsurugi is seated. He glances at his cards, then at Maeda…

Maeda - …C’mon…

//…And gently shakes his head “no”- leaning over to show Maeda the lead pipe card.

Maeda - Oh damn it…

Tsurugi - …

//Tsurugi pauses for a moment, scanning over his notebook.

Tsurugi - My turn, yeah?

Taira - Mhm…

Tsurugi - ‘Kay, uh…

Tsurugi - I’d like to-

//Uehara snorts-

Uehara - Very polite murder accusation.

//Tsurugi frowns, and reaches back to smack gently at him, without turning to look. He manages to bat at Uehara’s thigh, which is enough to satisfy him.

Tsurugi - Okay…

Tsurugi - I accuse Colonel Mustard of committing the murder with the revolver, in the lounge.

Taira - !...

//Tsurugi places his cards face down on the table, and reaches for the envelope, quickly grabbing and evaluating its contents.

Tsurugi - …

//He slams them on the table- revealing Colonel Mustard, the revolver, and the lounge.

Tsurugi - SHSL Cop, at your damn service!

Ōtori - …

Ōtori - I hate going to Hopes Peak Academy.

//Ōtori shoves his notebook at Tsurugi, and points- Tsurugi reads what he has written, and starts to laugh.

Maeda - …Huh?

Ōtori - I just needed the room! That’s all I was missing, was the damn room!

Hatano - …

//Hatano places her head in her hands. 

Ōtori - Seriously, walk me through your logic- what was that!

Tsurugi - Lucky guess, mostly-

Tsurugi - I narrowed it down to Colonel Mustard, and the revolver, but I didn’t really know the room.

Tsurugi - I figured that anyone who arranged their cards ordered them in order of suspect, weapon, then room-

Tsurugi - Going right to left, the way you read.

Tsurugi - So, that means the card they placed furthest to the left would be a room card, if they had one.

Tsurugi - It’s uh… far from foolproof, I completely doubt that everyone arranged their cards,

Tsurugi - And even then, they could use a different method, or simply not have a room card.

Tsurugi - But, I kinda just got bored, so I made my best guess, alongside the notes I took, 

Tsurugi - And figured that both my notes, and the card thing pointed to the lounge being most likely.

Ōtori - …

Ōtori - Did you accidentally win the game trying to go play Twister?

Tsurugi - Yeah!

Ōtori - …

Ōtori - Okay.

Ōtori - So, I’m taking this as a win for myself, because Tsurugi’s reasons are bull, and I deserve it.

//Hatano sighs, and stands up, glancing over to the other end of the room.

Hatano - Does anyone want to come play Clue? We’re kicking Tsurugi out.

Kobashikawa - This is like a reverse championship…

Kobashikawa - If you win, you aren’t allowed to go further and prove your skills.

Hatano - This is weeding out insane people with unfair advantages!

//Maeda turns away from the Clue table- Tsurugi has left, and is now watching the on-going round of Twister. Kobashikawa and Iranami are still on the mat, with Tomori sitting on the floor, watching, as Maki spins for a body part to move, and the color it needs to go to.

Maki - Left foot green.

//Kobashikawa winces, and shifts to move accordingly. Iranami pauses for a moment, calculating, before following suit.

Maki - Right hand yellow.

//Kobashikawa and Iranami move in sync, but while Iranami pulls it off successfully- Kobashikawa slips up on Iranami’s left leg, and topples.

Kobashikawa - …

//Kobashikawa lays flat on his back for a moment, a bit stiff- before dramatically collapsing, throwing an arm over his eyes in faux agony.

Iranami - …Heheh…

//Kobashikawa sits up as Iranami moves off the map- his eyes brighten when he sees Maeda, and he smiles, while gently waving.

Tomori - …Tsurugi…?

Tsurugi - Yeah!

Tomori - Oh hooray!

Maki - …I take it you’re playing now?

Tomori - That’s exactly what we said, word-for-word…

Maki - …

Tomori - Okay.

//She stands up, and claps her hands together.

Tomori - Who wants to play Twister!

Tomori - Everyone? Everyone wants to play Twister?

Maeda - I’ll play, Tomori-

Maeda, teasing - If you’ll take me back, that is?

Tomori - Oh my god. I should’ve brought a pen so I could put “Welcome Home Cheaters” on the tarp we brought up for the projector.

Tomori - Okay. There’s me, Maeda, Tsurugi… Iranami, Maki, Kobashikawa, are you still playing?

//Maki glances away.

Maki - …Actually, I think I want to play Clue…

Tomori - …

Tomori - That’s okay! You’re allowed to, because you didn’t abandon me.

Tomori, nodding - You’ve done your time, thank you fo-

//She cuts herself off, realizing she maybe shouldn’t make a military joke.

Ōtori - …Hatano, want to play Clue again?

Hatano - Oh, hell yeah. Maki, c’mere-

Hatano - Are you good at Clue?

Maki - …I’m decent?

Hatano - Okay, so you’re not insanely good at guessing. We’re evenly matched then.

Hatano - This is good. I can win this. 

//Maeda turns, looking to see what everyone’s up to. He spots Kobashikawa, over in the corner with the games- when Kobashikawa realizes Maeda’s seen him, he appears surprised, and begins wildly flailing his hand.

Maeda - …Kobashikawa, what’s up?

//Kobashikawa pauses for a moment, then grabs two boxes, and holds them up- Trouble, and Sorry. He shakes one, then the other, and gives Maeda an imploring look.

Maeda - …

Maeda - Okay, let’s try this again. 

//Kobashikawa takes a moment to think… then hangs his head down in defeat, and starts rapidly shaking the boxes- more so to gain attention than to communicate anything.

Ōtori - Oh, uh…

//He cranes his neck to try and look at Kobashikawa.

Kobashikawa - What’s the difference between these?

Maeda - …

Maeda - I don’t… know…

Tomori - Uh…

Tomori - They both have the same objective, same set-up…

Tomori - But Sorry uses cards, and has some special functions- sometimes you have to move backwards, or trade places with someone else,

Tomori - And Trouble uses dice- Sorry is more strategy, Trouble is more chance. 

Kobashikawa - Oh… thanks!

Uehara - …Just… encyclopedic knowledge of games?

Tomori - Really used to traveling with a group just like this- people about my age, and about this many of them.

Tomori - Board games become essential- a lot of these you can play online, so you can even play while you’re on the road, 

Tomori - And even if you’re sitting all apart from each other, because it’s not like you can sit in a circle on a bus, you can still play.

Tsurugi - …

Tsurugi - Of course, this is not true of Twister.

Tomori - …Tsurugi, I love Twister so much. This- it pains me…

Tsurugi - I know, I know, I’ll play with you…

//Kobashikawa glances over at Ōtori…

Maeda - …Oh?

//…Who seems to be almost pointedly ignoring Kobashikawa. Kobashikawa frowns, and almost seems to glare for a moment, before turning back to the games.

Maeda - …Huh…

//Kobashikawa sets down Trouble, then turns to look at Maeda hopefully, gently shaking the Sorry box.

Tsurugi - Maeda! 

//Maeda, a bit startled, jumps, and looks at Tsurugi, who’s sitting on the Twister mat.

Tsurugi - Are you going to come play?

Maeda - …Uh…

//Maeda feels a gentle push on his shoulder- Kobashikawa has stood up, and is tilting his head at Tsurugi and Tomori, looking at Maeda encouragingly.

Maeda - …You sure?

//Kobashikawa nods, then walks past Maeda, smiling. He goes back over to the Clue table, grabbing the stool Higa was sitting on earlier, and begins carrying it back over to the large couch. While he’s watching, Maeda notices-

Uehara - …Do you guys want another player?

Hatano - Aren’t you bad at Clue?

Uehara - Jeez, ouch… it’s about card distribution- genuinely, do you want me in, so the cards are divided up better?

Hatano - I mean yeah, sure, if you think you’ll enjoy yourself.

//Uehara nods, and sits down on the smaller couch, where Tsurugi used to sit- Maki has taken Maeda’s spot, and is quietly fiddling with the notepad he was using. 

//Maeda gets jumpscared once more- someone wraps themselves around his arm…

Tsurugi - …You okay?

//Tsurugi has his arms loosely wrapped around Maeda’s left arm, and is looking at him, obviously concerned.

Maeda - Yeah, I’m good- why wouldn’t I be?

Tsurugi - …Hm-hm…

Maeda - …I tend to be a bit quiet in group settings- that’s all.

Tsurugi - Okayyy~...

Tsurugi - Please come play Twister now. Tomori isn’t allowed to be sad, because then I’m sad, and then everything will be on fire. 

Tsurugi - And that would be very sad.

Maeda - Mhm, can’t have that happening.

//The students break off into their own separate activities- those playing Clue have set up their game, and Tomori is still living her Twister dreams, but…

Maeda - …Are Kobashikawa and Ōtori fighting?

Maeda - Eitherway, I hope someone goes to play with hi-

//Kobashikawa has been sitting on the large couch, stool in front of him, and had set out his selection of board game- right as Maeda starts to hope someone will appear, Higa sits down next to Kobashikawa. 

Kobashikawa - …

Higa - …Could I play?

Kobashikawa - …

//Kobashikawa is visibly judging Higa. Higa seems to be aware of this- and Kobashikawa knows that he’s aware. Kobashikawa slowly nods.

Iranami - …I want to play too.

//Iranami sits on the floor across from Kobashikawa and Higa. Kobashikawa grabs a red piece, a yellow, a green, and a blue, and holds them out to Iranami.

Iranami - …?

//Kobashikawa uses his other hand to spin the board around so different corners are in front of Iranami, pausing for a moment on each color.

Iranami - Oh!

Iranami - Red, please.

//Kobashikawa nods, and shifts the board so red is closest to Iranami, and passes her her pieces.

Taira - …Maeda.

Maeda - !!!

Maeda - H-Hey, Taira. What’s up?

Taira - Go play Twister-

Taira - I’m spinning, I want to see you compete against Tomori and Tsurugi.

Taira - They’re both like… gymnasts, for lack of a better term. I think it’ll be funny.

Maeda - …Y’know, I could’ve been an elite gymnast, if I wanted to.

Taira - Yeah, but you aren’t. Go play.

Maeda - …Everyone is always being so mean to me over getting distracted.

Maeda - It’s very hard to be prone to confusion in this economy. In this environment. 

Maeda - Hell.

//The kids are now well into their games- Kobashikawa, Iranami, and Higa have started a second round of their game- the first one going unusually well for a interaction involving Higa. Those playing Twister have made it through a few rounds, and are still enjoying themselves, though-

Maeda - …I should have been a gymnast.

Maeda - I should have gotten into gymnastics, or yoga, or fucking- anything, something to increase my flexibility.

Maeda - Oh my god. Ohhh my god…

//Despite the tests of physical prowess, all playing Twister are enjoying themselves. But with every success there must be a downfall, and it appears this classes Clue curse has struck again.

Ōtori - Okay… I’m going to accuse Reverend Green, with the dagger, in the kitchen.

Ōtori - …

Ōtori, miserable - Fuck…

Hatano - Hah!

Hatano - You accused Reverend Green of using the dagger in the kitchen, yeah?

Ōtori - …I will neither confirm nor deny that.

Hatano - …Maybe I should have been listening better…

Uehara - …Wait, fuck…

Uehara - …My brain is broken. 

Uehara - Genuinely, I can’t feel it at this point-

Uehara - I- I’m just going to make an accusation, 

Uehara - If I’m right, I’m not saying shit, same response as if I’m wrong.

Maki - So, you’re effectively quitting, just, rather than outright quit, 

Maki - You’re trying to lose, and will play it as a failure even if you win.

Uehara - Yeah… God, please yes, I just want to be done with this…

//Uehara rolls- 

Uehara - …God fuck damn it.

//And evidently, doesn’t roll high enough to move into a room, and make an accusation.

Maeda - …I’m out.

//Maeda drops to the floor, unable to contort any longer.

Tomori - Boo!

//The sole player left on the mat, Tomori sighs, and stands from her twisted pose.

Tomori - How dare you respect your physical limits…

Tomori - Are you done playing, or just taking a round off?

Maeda - …Round off, but like…a long round off.

Tsurugi - Rouund off…

Tsurugi - ! 

Tsurugi - Oh, hey.

//Tsurugi rises from his spot on the couch, and, with no one currently using the Twister mat, he folds it in half length-wise to give himself some room.

Tsurugi, in English - Round off.

//Checking quickly to be sure he won’t hit anything, Tsurugi launches into a Roundoff, stumbling a bit when he lands.

Tsurugi - …What’s that called in Japanese again?

Tomori, distracted - …

Tsurugi - …Iranami, hey.

//Iranami looks up from her game, a bit startled.

Tsurugi - What’s the name of this move?

//He performs a second Roundoff, Iranami watching to see what the fuck he’s on about now.

Iranami - …?

Kobashikawa - Backtrack, when did this become relevant?

Tsurugi - …Okay, so, Maeda said he’s taking a “round off” from Twister, because he’s only small and there’s so much he can do,

Tsurugi - But, like, Tomori asked him if he was done playing, or just taking a round off, which prompted Maeda to reply he was taking a round off-

Tsurugi - As I just mentioned two seconds ago, and round off kept being said, so I thought

Tsurugi - “Hm, round off! What a funny term.” And then I started to translate it into other languages, because it’s good practice.

Tsurugi - So the English term for “Round off” is the name of that move.

Tsurugi - And then I thought “Wait, what’s that called in… any other language?” because I learned how to do that from English-speakers, so I learned it as a roundoff.

Tsurugi - And I tried to ask Tomori-

Tomori, looking up - Huh?

Tsurugi - …But she’s a bit late to the party right now-

Tsurugi - Oh, and that’s the second Roundoff I’ve done, which isn’t relevant, but I wanted to share,

Tsurugi - And now I want to play Twister again, so…

Tomori - Give me a second to finish stretching, I’ll play!

Tsurugi - Cool.

Tsurugi - The end! You’re all up to speed now.

//Maeda looks over at the Clue table just in time to see…

Uehara - …

//Uehara opens the envelope containing the answers to the game- he surveys the cards, then nods, places them back in the envelope, and leaves the table.

Hatano - …You’re seriously not going to say anything?

Uehara - I don’t think I can even remember who I accused. 

Uehara - Anyways, bye, see you suckers-

Uehara - Fucking… ciao, buona sera…

Uehara - Have fun, enjoy yourselves, I don’t know why I thought this was a good idea for me.

Hatano - ‘Kay… Just you and me, Maki.

Maki - …Hm.

Hatano - …What does “Hm” mean? What’s that supposed to mean!

//Maki reaches for the dice.

Hatano - Hey!

Maeda - …I wonder if Hatano’s… competitive spirit might cause issues for Maki.

//By now, Uehara has made his way to the Sorry/Twister area, and is trying to find something new to do.

Uehara - …It’s Sorry, right?

Tsurugi - Oh, Ue, come play Twister with us!

Uehara - …Do you seriously think that’s a good plan? These damn boots-

Tsurugi, interrupting - Yes.

Uehara - …

Tsurugi - …It’s a good plan, Uehara.

Uehara - …These damn boots are such a bitch to be in close quarters with, we both know I’m going to end up whacking someone in the head…

Tsurugi - …

Tsurugi, insistently - Good plan!

Tsurugi - Unless you don’t want to play, in which case it’s an evil plan.

Uehara - I’ll play later, promise… Just want to watch the game for a bit.

Tsurugi - Okay, cool!

Kobashikawa - …Uehara, do you want to sub in for me?

Uehara - Oh! I mean, sure, I don’t mind… 

Uehara - I’ve played Sorry before, I should be able to make it work…

Tomori - Gonna play more Twister?

//Kobashikawa nods- and glances at Maeda.

Maeda - …?

Maeda - Oh?

//Maeda gets up from the floor.

Maeda - I’ll play this round, I’ve had enough of a break. 

Tsurugi - Oh, lemme spin then, I haven’t gotten to yet.

Tsurugi - Taira, are you in for this round?

//Tomori and Taira had started conversing- they both look at the group, and rejoin the conversation.

Taira - Yeah, I’ll play- there’s no fun on the sidelines.

Tomori - …Everyone loves Twister.

Tsurugi - Almost as much as we love you, Zuna.

Tomori - …

Tomori, pleading - “Zuna”?

Tsurugi - Go play! Everyone keeps getting distracted, and we never play.

Tsurugi - …Except for me, I never get distracted or go off topic. Go play.

~*~

//Once more, Maeda plays Twister with the others- well into the game, Maeda feels something bump against him.

Maeda - …

//Bump.

Maeda - …I mean it is-

//Bump.

Maeda - …It is pretty close quarte-

//Bump, bump, bump.

Maeda - Okay, who the fuck-

//Maeda whips his head around trying to see why he keeps getting bumped. After a moment’s pause, his thigh is nudged once more- it’s Kobashikawa, periodically pushing his knee against Maeda.

Maeda - ?

//Kobashikawa seems to sense that he’s finally caught Maeda’s attention, and turns his head to try and look at Maeda. It’s a bit difficult with their positioning, but he manages to smile at Maeda before Tsurugi calls out another move for the game.

Maeda - …He isn’t…

Maeda - …Huh. Okay, yeah…-

Maeda - Bit… curious about the timing of this, but it’s not like I haven’t interacted like this with Kobashikawa before.

Maeda - Maybe he’s just focusing more on me because he isn’t preoccupied.

Maeda - …Hm.

//Time goes by, with the class rotating through their games. Uehara and Kobashikawa trade off as they please, a trend that takes off amongst the class- eventually, all who aren’t playing Clue have participated in the round of Sorry, with Maeda completely losing track of who’s playing for which team. This comes to hit Twister as well, with people joining in as they please, the spinner being passed to whoever isn’t actively doing something. Maeda is currently playing Sorry, and trying to get the last card he needs in order to secure the win for blue. As he waits for his turn, he watches the Twister mat, just in time to see Tomori “accidentally” nudge Tsurugi off balance. 

Tsurugi - Tomori!

Tomori, laughing - What?

Tsurugi - You-

//He splutters for a moment, before stopping, and narrowing his eyes at her.

Tsurugi - Y’know what? Nothing. Nothing, Tomori. 

Tsurugi - You have such pretty hair… it’s normal for friends to mess with each other’s hair, right?

//He goes over to her, and starts taking her hair out of the bun she tied it into.

Tomori - Tsurugi, no-

Tsurugi - …This is fine boundary-wise, yeah? 

Tomori - Yeah, go ahead, but I feel-

Tsurugi, overlapping - Oh, go ahead? Go ahead you say?-

Tomori - -That you have some… unkind intentions-

Tsurugi - -Well, who am I to ignore such blatant permission!

//He starts messing with her hair- actively attempting to get it into her face, grabbing a lock and brushing the end of it against her, causing her to laugh while trying to twist away.

Tomori - This isn’t allowed! This is sabotage, it isn’t fair!

//She goes to try and bat at him, but-

Tsurugi - You lose! No taking a hand off the mat unless you’re moving to a new spot!

Tsurugi - You lost all on your own, of your own accord! Consequences for your actions!

//Tsurugi collapses onto the floor, wheezing, with Tomori following suit, half on top of Tsurugi as she laughs, and continues gently whacking him, hair still tangled around her face.

Tomori - No! You jerk, I was being harassed!

Tsurugi - I don’t know what you want me to do about that, Tomori-

Tsurugi - Maybe consider taking that up with the cops? I am sooo sure they will help you.

//Time ticks by.

Maki - …

Maki - …Oh, no fucking way…

Hatano - H-Huh? What does that mean, c’mon!

Maki - …

//She silently rolls the dice, and advances her token.

Hatano - Hey, Maki, lemme in on this, what’s up?

Maki - …Play your turn so I can roll again, Hatano.

Hatano, nervously playing` - Haha… Maki, hey, you can’t be serious…

//Maki grabs the dice, rolls once again, and moves her token.

Hatano - …I… don’t think I want to play.

//Maki reaches for the dice.

Maki - Forfeiting your turn?

Hatano - …Oh, gimme the dice… whatever you think you’ve got going on, it’s totally bullshit!

//The two play for a moment more.

Maki - …

Maki - Yeah- I’m accusing Mrs. White of committing the murder in the study, with the candlestick.

Hatano - …That’s… that’s what Uehara did earlier…

//Maki grabs the envelope and checks it.

Maki - …He was fucking right.

Hatano - …No way…

Hatano, loudly - Uehara!

//Uehara looks up, craning his neck to try and see Hatano from his place on the Twister mat. 

Uehara - Yeah?

Hatano - You accused Mrs. White, with candlestick and the study, yeah?

Uehara - …

Uehara - …Fuck, man, I really don’t know…

Uehara - Yeah? I think so…

Hatano - So you- on your speculative guess, you got it right, therefore winning, 

Uehara - I mean, yeah, but it’s whatever. I don’t really care about it…

//Tsurugi and Uehara are the only two on the mat at the moment. They go back to quietly chatting, both still tuned in to their surroundings, but ignoring them to interact with each other.

Hatano - Whatever. I totally win…

Maki - What?! Hatano, I still beat you!

Hatano - Hm, nope. Games rigged, everyone else is disqualified, I win by default.

Maki - …Hatano, you seem insecure.

Hatano - …What the hell does that mean!?

Maki - You’re just… such a sore loser…

//Maeda zeroes in on the conversation, watching Hatano grow more and more upset as Maki continues.

Maki - I get wanting to win, but you seem to be getting genuinely upset over it all. 

Hatano - I- You’re taking it all too seriously, I was only joking!

//Maeda glances over at Uehara- Uehara isn’t the source of the problem here, but given his role this round, and the fact he was just involved in the conversation, Maeda is curious about Uehara’s reaction.

Maeda - …Ah…

//Uehara is completely distracted- Maeda looks over just in time to see Tsurugi whisper something to Uehara, prompting Uehara to grin.

Maeda - …Just… completely oblivious-

Maeda - Which! Good for him, all things considered. He’s got his priorities in line.

Maeda - …

Maeda - Hey, wait… is he…-

Maeda - Are they…?

//Maeda slowly turns his head, keeping his gaze on Uehara until he can’t anymore, finally looking back to Maki and Hatano.

Maki - …Okay Hatano, whatever.

//Maki decides to leave the situation, simply walking away from the table as Hatano stares at her. Ōtori remains awkwardly seated on the pool table, unsure of what to do as Hatano begins to slowly collect the game pieces.

Maeda - …Yikes…

//Ōtori slowly slides down from the table, and begins helping to clean up-

Hatano, quietly - …Seriously, what is with her?!

//Ōtori begins to quietly talk with Hatano- but they’re speaking too low for Maeda to make out any specifics.

Maeda - …I hope that doesn’t…

Maeda - Become anything. It’s their problem, I’m not going to get involved…

Maeda - But damn. Hopefully that’s the end of that.

Maki - …Still playing Twister?

//Maki has crossed over to where the rest of the class has been hanging out- Maeda had stopped playing for awhile having won the last round, but technically, is currently on a team with Tomori. Higa, Kobashikawa, and Taira are all playing as well, each playing for their own color individually. Tomori looks up from where she was attempting to plot out her turn.

Tomori - Technically?

Tomori - Uh…

Tomori - …Iranami, when’s the last time you… actually spun the board?

//Iranami was meant to be spinning for Tsurugi and Uehara while they played, but she seems to be fixated on messing with the board, picking at the spinner.

Tomori - …Uh, I don’t- I don’t think anyone’s really playing now.

//Iranami finally processes what was said to her.

Iranami - Ah! I- I’m so sorry, I… I got distracted, uhm…

//She looks to the Twister mat, as does Maeda. Uehara is lying on his stomach, in-between the class, and Tsurugi, who’s lying on his side, facing Uehara. 

Tomori - I don’t think anyone’s really playing anymore, it’s all alright.

Tomori - …Want to play with me again, Maki?

Maki - …Maybe later.

Maki - Do you guys want to watch a movie?

//Tomori was half-lying on the couch, her propped up on an elbow to be able to see the board. Maki’s words send her flying up, now sitting up straight.

Tomori - Oh my god, the projector. I forgot all about it…

Tomori, loudly - Hey, guys?

Tomori - Are you all ready to put a movie on?

Kobashikawa - …Ahh, is anyone hungry enough to want to go down to the kitchen?

//No one speaks up.

Tomori - Do you want to head down there, Kobashikawa? I’ll go with you, if you want.

Kobashikawa - No, I’m fine- Just figured I’d say something, give everyone an opening to say they were hungry…

Kobashikawa - And kinda remind people to eat, I guess.

Tomori - Cool…

Tomori - Uh, we still have drinks and some snacks, right?

Uehara - Mhm… they’re, uh…

Uehara - Oh, by the movies, and the projector.

Tomori - Okay, great!

Tomori - Uh…

//She gets up from the couch.

Tomori - Let’s move the sofa back over, so people can sit there and see the movie…

Tomori - We should probably move the table, then, so we can get things arranged- 

Tomori - At least, for now, we can put it back later so people can set things there…

Tomori - …

Tsurugi - …Tomori, help me up…

Tomori - Oh!

//She moves over to Tsurugi and pulls him up.

Tsurugi - Thank youuu…

Tsurugi - Let’s slide the smaller couch over here, then move the larger couch to the right, and once that’s done, move the smaller couch over more.

Tsurugi - Once we’ve got the couches vaguely in position, whoever isn’t working on the couches can start working things out with the projector.

Tsurugi - Just, start with the couches.

Uehara - …Which means the mat needs to be put away, because the small couch needs to move over this area.

Tsurugi - Mhm.

Uehara - …

Uehara, groaning - Fuck…

Tomori - ?

Uehara - I just don’t want to move, that’s all… 

Uehara - Ugh. 

//Uehara slowly gets up, and once possible, begins folding up the Twister mat. The rest of the class starts helping out as well- Maki and Tsurugi go to move the couch that was being used for Clue, and as soon as everyone’s off of the larger couch, Kobashikawa tries to move it. He has little success, and after a moment, both Higa and Tomori are assisting with sliding it over. Taira takes the Clue box from Hatano, thus clearing one of the two tables, and goes to put the box away with the other games. Ōtori and Iranami begin looking at the projector, trying to work out how exactly it functions. Maeda is… currently doing nothing.

~*~

Maeda, narrating - It is… so fucking crowded in here.

Maeda - Like, everyone moving around really draws attention to the fact this is a cramped space.

Maeda - …

Maeda - We… never would have made it to this room with more than eleven people, would we?

Maeda - …

Maeda - That’s… rough to think about.

Maeda - …Uh, not really helpful for my mental health, though.

Maeda - What should I do?

Maeda - I should probably grab a drink at some point, but I don’t need one right this second,

Maeda - I could go and see what’s going on with the projector, maybe? Might be able to help out there…

[Get something to Drink]

{Mess with the Projector}

[childofaura]

Which 3H units do you wish have more alts? For me it’s:

Claude because poor dude doesn’t have a lot compared to Edelgard or Dimitri. I feel like Claude would fit well in a Christmas banner or even in the next desert banner. (azu-taro can return to draw another Claude alt or maybe even have Kaoru Hagiya to draw a Claude alt)

I wouldn’t mind another Hilda alt so as long as it makes sense. Actually, put her in a Duo Hero with her big bro Holst lmao.

Marianne because she is a geniune sweetheart. (I kinda feel that the artist behind Resplendent Julia would’ve drew Marianne very well)

Lysithea because I wouldn’t mind having another Lysithea alt. (I kinda want to see Lysithea being drawn by either Miwabe Sakura or even Kofuzi Konzon)

I would’ve said Leonie but she needs her base form in FEH and the same goes for Ignatz, Raphael and Lorenz.

Seteth and Flayn because dear god were we cheated out of the 1st Summer banner!! I wouldn’t mind seeing Flayn frolicking in a very cute summer dress and seeing Seteth showing of his muscular body. (I’ll let the Shamir and Catherine Summer Duo Hero slide, becuz the girlfriends deserve a summer vacation)

Claude honestly deserves an alt on a banner WITHOUT Dimitri and Edelgard, and I’m saying this as a Dimitri fan. The other too are WAY too overhyped on the banners and poor Claude gets the short end of the stick 95% of the time.

There’s a couple of units I feel definitely need alts, some who aren’t even in the game:

Alois would be great having an alt along the lines of Dozla, where he’s helping people or children.

Manuela ALWAYS can have another alt.

Dedue is in desperate need of an alt. How come him and Hubert have none while Hilda gets THREE?! Oh wait, I know the answer: Boobs. THAT’S why.

Balthus. PLEASE IS, REMEMBER YOUR FEMALE FANBASE. EVEN IF YOU COVER HIM UP I DON’T CARE, I WANT HIM FOR *HIM*!!!

I’m not super crazy about him but Hanneman would be pretty fun.

Jeralt. PLEASE give us a Jeralt alt.

Arval, give my best friend an alt!!!

Shezs, either one. But maybe not too soon since we already had the summer alts.

And regarding your picks, YES Seteth and Flayn need a Duo unit! And Marianne I would be totally ok with her having an alt. You’re right about the others who need their base unit in the game, but I wouldn’t mind them having alts again too.

[a-chaotically-small-lunta]

Impulsive defense

This is a short-ish story of Blair, a young child who David took in as his own. After receiving a note from Micheal, David made his way to the city.

Warning: mentions of abuse, drugs, alcohol, blood, death, and fights.

The city was loud, cars rumbling around and people always having someplace to be. David had a love hate relationship with cities. On one hand it was where he was raised and provided so many resources to borrowers that no one would miss. Not to mention people who see borrowers in the city think they’re just large rats. On the other hand though, the city was dangerous. Too many people not watching where the go or what they do, all the cars and vehicles, not to mention the rats…both human and animal.

David eyed the alleyway waiting for the group of drunk men to leave. He was planning on visiting his friend, Micheal. Micheal was a borrower David had met while traveling around the city looking for anything useful and to spot any safe places for other borrowers. They met after David entered the human’s home and noticed the walls weren’t just filled with the usually dust and scraps, but rather were clean, had tools, places to rest, and many other signs that there was a borrower living here. David was invited to stay with Micheal and his wife Yael. They all bonded quickly, David was even invited to meet the birth of their child, Blair.

Once the drunk men had left, David quickly made his way across the alley and behind the large dumpster. Scanning the wall he found the small broken brick. He moved the small piece, exposing the inside of the walls. Quickly he ducked in and moved the piece back in place.

As David walked along he thought about why he was invited. Micheal said his wife had passed away, and that he just needed a friend for comfort. David understood all to well the feeling of losing a loved one, so when he received the message, he quickly made his way to the city off in the distance with the help of Laura who offered to take him after he told everyone about the note. A storm was going to pass by and she was willing to get a hotel for the night.

Eventually he found the small wooden door and knocked. Rustling could be heard from the other side until the door swung open revealing Micheal. He looked terrible, sickly even. His usual bright brown eyes were darkened and his dirty blond hair was a mess, with parts sticking up at odd angles from unknown substances. David didn’t want to know or even ask.

“Oooohhhh David! What are you doing her bro??” Micheal said leaning against the doorframe and slurring his words.

“Uhh ya sent me a letter talking about Yael, I thought I’d come by and ya know support ya.”

Micheal paused and stared off for a few seconds, “oooooohhhhh Right.” His voice sounded harsh before quickly changing back, “well come innnn….”

David, a bit confused, walked in while watching as Micheal flopped back onto the puff balls of a couch. Looking around he noticed that the house was a mess, tools and items scattered across the floor. A few pieces of furniture were flipped over and broken. The place didn’t used to look like this, it was a nice house and now everything was destroyed and gross. David noticed a dresser made of a matchbox and other materials was pushed in front of one of the doors that lined the wall.

“Uhhhh kinda let ya-self go huh?” David said glancing around trying not to stare at the globs of mold and food in the corner of the room and the ceiling.

“Brooooooo….yea maybe. Yael has been gone for awhile.”

“Yeah…when did she die?”

“Like a few months ago”

“Ohhh, and ya only told me now? I mean that’s fine and I’ll be here for ya but I would’ve been here earlier to help ya out and stuff”

“Nah nah it’s fine, soooo fine….”

“Okay…so you okay?”

“yeeeeee dude I’m TotAlly fIiinnnee. Happier toooooo wooooooo”

David paused a bit confused, perhaps he’s just drunk right now, his mind is lost a bit, “Mmh…where’s Blair by the way? How did they take it?”

“Who? Oh!!! Yeah he’s fine…but he uh is grounded right now”

“Oh…why?”

“Mmmmh lil dude almost got us caught the other night, so he has to be grounded…dude you want something to drink?”

“Uh no thanks…”

“Nahhhhhh bro lemme get ya something”

“Micheal” David said in a stern voice, “are ya okay? Ya seem out of it”

Micheal froze and stared at David, his eyes seemed to never focus fully on David.

“Yea..yea…I’m fine just…need a pep up or something…” Micheal got up and walked over, “stay here, make yourself comfy I’m gonna grab some stuff…it’ll be a sec…good stuffs in the storage heh” as Micheal clumsily walked away David looked around the torn up house. What happened here…it’s a mess. He seems way out of it…like he’s been drinking but where’d he get the alcohol? Jeez I didn’t think he’d let himself go so fast. Only a month and it looks like he’s been out of it for months. His muscles and body are thinner too…man what did you do.

David sat and thought as Micheal walked away, the second the door clicked behind Micheal a small knock was heard. David whipped his head towards the knock, which seemed to come from the blocked door. Another knock was heard and a soft muffled cry came from the other side.

David quickly walked over and shoved the dresser out of the way, unblocking the door. He pulled the door open and in front of him was Blair but the poor kid looked terrible. Blair had brown eyes and dark brown hair but usually the kid seemed so bright. On David’s other visits the kid would happily bounce around and looked full of life. Happily talking about adventures and asking David about any cool new stories. The Blair in front of him looked drained. Their hair was matted, they look like they haven’t had sleep in days. Their skin looked sickly and they were covered in bruises.

“Blair? What happened to ya kid?”

Blair stood and glance at the door Micheal had left through before looking back at David, who had crouched down to be even with the kid.

“Da-d…”

David froze in shock, “what do ya mean?” Blair froze as if terrified to say anything, “it’s alright, ya can tell me. Ya can tell me anything okay?”

Blair took a shaky breath and looked at David, tears threatening to fall out of their little sad eyes.

“He..for a-awhile he’s be-been finding stuff…st-stuff that ma-m-makes hi-m act weird… he start hitting m-me…and m-mommy… mommy tried to d-defend me whe-when he got tha-that way…he said if we let you kn-know that he’d h-hurt us…hu-hurt us worse…dad…he…he hurt mommy too much…sh-she stopped moving…I…I” tear spilled out of the kids eyes as he cried out, “I WANT MY MOMMY!!!”

David was shocked when the kid ran and wrapped their arms around him. He gently wrapped his arms around the kid. “Hey it’s okay…I’m here. I’ll protect ya…I have so many questions but I’ll ask ya later..” He held onto the sobbing child, how long has this been happening? Years??? Why did Blair tell him now? Were they desperate? What made them break out of their father’s forceful grasp?

“Let’s get ya ou-“ David paused as he felt the child grip onto him tighter as the door clicked, revealing Micheal

“What did you say” Micheal’s voice was stern, serious. In his hand was a homemade glass bottle…it was filled with a clear liquid that had a thin layer of powder on the top. David didn’t know everything about alcohol or drugs, but he knew enough that mixing them was not good.

“WHAT DID YOU TELL HIM?!?!” Micheal shouted at Blair, stepping forward. David quickly moved the kid behind him.

“Enough! Back off Micheal! You’re not okay, whatever you’re doing is not okay. You need help. I’ll help you but I can’t let you near them.” David stood firm as Micheal glared at him.

“YOU DON’T KNOW SHIT! IM THAT BASTARDS DAD! I DECIDE WHEN TO PUNISH THEM! And it needs punished.” Micheal started to step forward and David slowly backed away. The small child whimpered gripping onto David.

Micheal smashed the bottle, flinging glass and alcohol everywhere. “BACK OFF DAVID…Don’t make me hurt you too. Back off and listen to me. Unless you wanna get hurt too”

He shock his head, David wasn’t gonna leave the kid alone. He wasn’t gonna hand them over to them. He felt torn, his friend was lost…he wanted to help him…but he needed to get Blair out of here. When he didn’t move, Micheal started to run towards him.

David froze, everything felt in slow-mo. Micheal running towards him, the child screaming. But David’s mind was racing.

No no no. I can’t.

*Step*

“Don’t try anything fucking insect”

*Step*

no no…don’t hurt them please…they were just protecting him.

*Step*

Can’t let him hurt them. Won’t let them hurt them.

*Step*

Images flashed in David’s mind. Seeing his friend in a drunken rage, and seeing that drunken bastard’s fist dripping with blood.

The second his friend was readying to strike a punch with the bottle, David drove a fist right in Micheal’s face.

Micheal stuttered and looked back, astonished at what happened.

“Get to the door Blair. Don’t look back.” David whispered. Blair quickly ran to the door and Micheal tried to chase him only to get punched in the stomach by David.

“No no, ya ain’t going anywhere. Ya staying here to sober up…get help.”

Micheal slashed the bottle cutting David’s face. David tripped Micheal and grabbed his blue knife, holding it in defense. He’d worry about any cuts and bruises later. His body was shaking.

Micheal glared before chuckling, “oh using your mommy’s knife??? Mmmmmmh???? Are you scared David? Of me? All drunk like this? Remind you of something?”

David glared and tightened his grip, “Ain’t gonna let a drunk fucker ruin another child’s life. Don’t care if you’re their dad, don’t care now.”

“Ohhhhh David, what are you talking about? I’m fixing it.”

David quickly wielded his knife to block the lunging bottle.

“You aren’t like this? What happened?”

David pushed forward, staggering Micheal a bit.

“What do you mean? I’ve always been like this! I’m just a good actor. Ever since that kid came into my life, shits always been about it. Never on me.”

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was the man he knew just a facade? Something to make life seem normal? Why would he do that?

“Micheal we can work this out, we can find you help”

“I DONT NEED HELP!!!” Micheal lunged and tackled David to the ground. Trying to stab his face with the bottle. David was quick and blocked the bottle, earning a long cut on his arm. They stared into each other’s eyes.

“I just need you to join your parents. Ironic that’ll you’ll die the same way the did…just at a smaller scale.”

Why would he say that? WHY WOULD HE

David lost it, he threw Micheal off him and slashed the knife at him. Aiming for his chest. David slashed and slashed in blind fury, he thought he was seeing red before, but now it was brighter. He didn’t care anymore. He was on edge when he first saw him and every second this Bastard talked pushed him closer and closer. He finally snapped. Telling Micheal about his past was something he thought would strengthen their bond, show his trust. And he used it against him.

The two men wrestled around knocking things around and off places. Smacking each other’s heads into furniture and walls breaking most of them. David punched and slashed, eventually shattering the bottle with the knife with a well placed stab. With his weapon gone Micheal became more furious and tried scratching and biting David, but David quickly dodged and using his knife as a shield blocked most attacks. Sometime during the fight he pulled out the other knife and duel wielded them against his former friend. He pushed Micheal around until he managed to stab one of his knives into Micheals hand against the floor, causing a scream of agony to fill the air. David held Micheal down and with a knife to Micheal’s throat leaned down and whispered “I’d kill ya, it’d be like putting down a sick animal. But I’ll give ya a chance to fix yourself. Doesn’t matter if ya do though. Ya ain’t ever gonna see me or Blair again. So stay down, or I’ll keep ya down forever. You know it’s not my first time killing someone. Don’t make me add to my count.” David hissed out the last part before, slowly backing off the exhausted man. He yanked his bloodied knife out of Micheal’s hand and shoved his foot onto his chest. Glaring down for a second before walking to the door.

Micheal didn’t stand back up, and laid on the ground breathing as David walked out the entrance. He looked over and saw Blair against the wall, covering their ears and curled up.

“It’s over kid…let’s get out of here.” David said, extending a hand to the kid.

“Di-did you k-k-kill him?” Poor kid looked worried over their father. It made sense, though. They did love their father and just wanted the best for him, even though his father didn’t love him back.

“Nah kid, just knocked some sense into him. He’ll be okay, but for now I’m gonna watch over ya until he’s better alright?”

The kid looked down almost sad but relieved about the news. The kid nodded and grabbed David’s hand.

“Alright, let’s go then. I got a friend who brought me here, and she’ll bring us back to my home okay?” They nodded and David paused, “just so ya know…they’re a bean,” he watched the kid stiffen in fear, “but don’t worry, she won’t hurt ya. I trust her fully. She’s a good one, promise” the kid loosened a bit but still seemed on edge.

David guided the kid back towards the alley and walked through the walls of each building until they came across the hotel. He was grateful that Laura had offered to bring him to the city due to the bad weather. Flying a bird in a storm is never the best idea, and David only did that if there was no other options and he needed to leave. David watched the kid, noticing the kid eyed some of his cuts. Oh yeah…wounds…forgot about those..whatever.

Eventually the pair made it into the hotel walls. Heading up, David looked into each room trying to find Laura. He knew the floor she was on but had forgotten which room. Soon he found her room by peeking in and seeing her laying upside down on her bed. Her long curled brown hair a frazzled mess as she had a bored look on her face. Her rectangle glasses were on the verge of falling off but she didn’t seem to care.

Carefully David stepped out of the wall, holding onto Blair and giving them a gentle rub reminding them that everything was okay.

Once near the human David shouted, “Hey Laura! I’m back!”

Laura was startled and instantly slide off the bed, hitting her head on the floor. She glance over and smiled, “ow, you’re back that was quick, so ho-“ she froze spotting the child, “did you kidnap another kid?”

“First off, I’ve never kidnapped a kid. I tend to find them alone or abandoned, secondly…yes in a way but it’s fine…I’ll explain everything later.”

Laura made an annoyed face before awkwardly pushing herself off the ground and back onto the bed. She swung her legs around and got out of the bed before she lowered herself onto her stomach in front of the pair, “alright well you better explain, but for now.. Hello there, I’m Laura. You must be Blair, David’s talked about you and how you’re so brave and have this call to adventure.”

Blair stood behind David, clearly terrified of the bean, but as she softly spoke he slowly poked his head around and started to get closer.

“Don’t worry I won’t hurt you. Even though I’m a bit of a clumsy mess,” she chuckled, “hey you look hungry,” and with a glance towards David, “and like you’ve been through hell. Want something to eat? I got snacks and stuff”

The kid shyly nodded and with that Laura pushed herself up to a sitting position before extending her hand onto the ground, “go ahead and climb on. I’ll set you two on the bed and grab the snacks okay?”

With a small nudge of encouragement from David the pair of borrowers climbed onto her hand. Once they were secure and settled, Laura slowly lifted them up and onto the couch, not once standing. They both walked off with Blair still holding onto David, Laura stood up and walked over to a bag that had been thrown into the corner of the room. She returned with a small water bottle and two clear bags, one filled with snacks like pretzels, chocolates, nuts and the other with bandages and creams.

She set the items down and opened the bag of snack and water, setting them both down in front of the pair, “go ahead and get what you want, just don’t eat too fast” she smiled and watched as the kid cautiously approached the bag. Reaching in they grabbed a few things and snacked on them. Sitting next to the bottle watching the bean.

David walked closer to her grabbing some bandages to treat his wounds, “so you’ll tell me what happened?” She asked.

“I’ll give ya a summary, Dad’s a drunken addict who abuses the kid so I fucked him up a bit”

“Oh…oh, you okay?”

David paused as glance at Laura who was giving him a concerned look, “I’ll be fine…”

“Talk to me if you aren’t okay?”

“I will.”

“You’re lying but okay.”

David glared at Laura who only smirked, “what it’s true,” she said defensively, “you usually don’t like talking about stuff like that and that’s okay. I’ll be there when you want to.”

“Yeah yeah, I’m just worried about the kid is all.”

They both looked over as the kid was enjoying themselves with the snacks.

“It’ll be okay, we’ll figure it all out tomorrow. It’s late and you guys look like you need some sleep”

David simply nodded as he worked on bandaging himself up.

Eventually Laura laid onto the bed next to the pair yawning, “alright it’s probably best we get some shut eye, so…”

Laura squeaked as she felt a hug around her finger, which was causally laying on the bed near the borrowers. She glanced down at her hand to see the tiny child holding onto her.

“Thank you for the snacks”

Laura smiled, “it’s no problem. Here may I try something?”

The child nodded, and Laura gently scooped the child up and moved herself to laying on her back. She placed the child right on top of her heart as she laid back against the pillows and pulled the blankets back over her lower body.

“You okay there or do you want to sleep on the other pillow with David?”

David who had already laid on the other pillow looked over to see the scene. He shook his head. Laura knew that her heart beat was soothing to kids, hell David knew it was soothing, he just didn’t like being held for so long. Made him feel powerless.

The kid listened to her gentle heartbeat and shook their head, “this is nice” they snuggled up and Laura gently placed the thinner sheet over their body as a blanket. It didn’t take long for the kid to knock out.

“I’m surprised they took to ya so quickly” David said

“Well you showed them I was trustworthy so I guess it was easy to build trust up with them. Poor kid though…with everything that happened…”

“Yea…” David glanced away

“Don’t worry we’ll talk about it later.”

“We’ll have to ask the kid for more details. I don’t know much. Hell I don’t know who or how that letter was sent. Ugh I’m so confused and frustrated!” David pouted angrily.

“Hey calm down, you have your reasons for what you did. Just rest for now okay?”

David sighed and nodded. With a smile Laura took off her glasses and laid down to fall asleep, one hand carefully over the sleeping child. David however wouldn’t fall asleep, he stayed alert watching the shadows and walls for a few hours. Making sure Micheal wouldn’t come out of them. Eventually David passed out, he’d have to deal with this tomorrow morning sometime but that’s for later. The kid was safe now and that’s all that mattered right now.

[sunast0es]

My first ever fan fic ever (be nice guys), also sorta itto angst kinda 

ITTO, THOMA, MENTIONS OF THE KAMISATOS

Around 2k words

The nice inazuman waves.. clashing and whatever other fancy words people use to describe water I guess. Dude all I know is this stuff's making me totally thirsty. This stupid rock I'm sitting on is starting to REALLY hurt my backside. I mean alright it was completely genius of me to come sit at the side of inazuma city.. RIGHT ABOVE the best nest of onikabuto I have ever discovered in my life! But y'know.. life without the gang tailing me around is totally boring. Without them backing me up this is totally making for a super lonely Christmas. I'm starting to think that giving them a vacation to go do whatever they like wherever they wanna was a bad idea.. Pssh hah who am I kidding I'm the Numero Uno man! I don't need anyone else around me to keep me company! All I need are my two feet and my own heartbeat to chug me along.. that's what granny always said anyways.

Ah granny… I sure hope she's doing well. I remember when I was a kid and she'd always take me to the furthest reach of ritou. Haha she'd always convince me that I could see the distant business of Liyue.. I always wanted to go there after that. It was her biggest dream after all. Traveling in and out of inazuma was a treasure only people with family or a real fat bank account could afford.. unfortunately for granny she didn't really have either of those. Man y'know.. I wonder if that's why she took me in in the first place? Even though I'm a big scary Oni to the rest of the world.. she was the one who saw the humanity in me. The person that despite all our differences.. heck I'm a big tall strong male oni, she's a frail tiny human woman.. even so after all that she still found connection and took me in. I don't think I'll ever repay her even after all this time. SHEESH god haha what's the time? I've just been looking out into these big dumb waves all the time, god what am I even reminiscing for? The last thing I need to remember is back then. Back when I had no one.. AHEM anyways!! What am I even talking about! I totally have someone by me right now, duh, Ushi is right here! And I've got me, myself and I and I don't need anyone else…. Oh shoot is that Thoma I see over there?

"HEY BIG GUY! WHATCHA DOING THOMATO!?" I just had to go over and say hey, it's not all the time you see your best bro wondering the streets.

"Ah hey Itto! Haha.. not much, just doing my local errand boy tasks for my lord as per the usual. Not that I'm complaining!" He said this like he had something else on his mind. People don't usually think I pick up on this kinda stuff but when my bros down I can feel it in their aura. Maybe it's best if I don't talk about it though.. poor Thoma, guys probably got some sorta big dark secret or something.. probably wouldn't wanna share it with me anyways.

"Anything I could help you with? Not- not saying you look like troubled or anything I'm just y'know big and strong and can help out.. plus I'm not like doing anything right now anyways!" Shit.. totally let that one slip ya big dunce..

"Uh well it's only simple groceries.. I suppose I could use some help! If you wouldn't mind carrying that crate of carrots I've got over there it would be great!" Phew.. he didn't pick up on it. Maybe he's not actually down after all! Haha oh that would be so great, who did I think I am.. I'm no therapist! Thomas probably doing awesome living up in the kamisato estate surrounded by the people he cares about 24/7 not having a care in the world. Heh what was I even worrying about anywho?

"Yep yep on it!.. so we carrying these all the way back to the kamisato estate?" Not a hard task by any means for the one and oni.. but Thomas a super small guy so I'm kinda worried for him if he thinks he can lug allll THIS back to the estate by himself.

"Haha yep.. that's the plan! I don't really have any other way. If you didn't come along honestly I probably would've had to make multiple trips. I don't really like asking for help much.. well, aside from you of course." Awwww he totally 100% cares about our best friendship too.. god I love this guy!

"Well I'm sure someone woulda probably come and help you out along the way anywho.. psssh nothin special about your best bro coming and picking up a few things for you."

"I mean I guess so.. but if someone were to offer I probably would've declined anyway.."

"But why? Free help is free help dude! You help people all the time, hell it's literally your job!"

"Well y'know.. I hate putting a burden onto others. Oftentimes people only ask for help because they pity you.. that or they want an excuse to get near Ayaka haha…" this guy definitely thinks WAAYYY too much about how others view him.

"Dude. You definitely think WAY too much about how others view you."

"Haha.. think so?" He said this with a slight uncertainty in his voice.. like he knew I was right but didn't know he was making that too obvious for himself. That or he was just having trouble picking up the boxes as we started heading towards the estate.

"Nah dude totally, you completely let others define you and you undermine all of your accomplishments. Like– you literally help people for a living and everyone around inazuma knows who you are and they all love you! I'm sure if people were asking to help it would just be because they actually care and not because of any of the weird reasons you convinced yourself of."

"Maybe you're right.. still it's hard to let others do a task I know I'm capable of doing on my own."

"Even when the task will take you the whole day to do if it was just yourself?? Dude that sounds like textbook self sabotage to me."

"But still.. if its a task I know I can do on my own I just figure everyone's better off if I just do it by myself. Anyways talking about this is useless.. you're literally helping me out as we speak haha."

"Faair.. but you're the one who said I was an exception?"

"Well that's because you're you itto! You never judge anyone too deeply and you never assume things before you're told. You're just a great pal at heart.. plus I knew I wouldn't mind talking to you while I make my way back up!" He's right, I am a great pal. I knew he cared about our friendship!

"Awwww shucks Thoma.. y'know I never mind helping out, hell if the gang was here this would go so much faster!"

".. where are the gang right now anyways? This is one of the rare times I see you walking around without Shinobu tailing you around like she's your guard dog haha.."

"Oh well I gave em all a decently good pay and sent em all off around Teyvat to go do whatever they wanted for a Christmas vacation! They've all been working so hard all year and I just can't wait to hear what they all did when they get back."

"What about yourself? You didn't bother to go with them? I figured you'd be all for going with someone for a nice vacation to Mondstatd or something."

"Well y'know.. dishing out cash to the whole gang, mainly money I had saved doing odd jobs around here and there. I was a few pennies loose of maybe taking a trip out to Liyue.. buttttt I just decided to kick back and stay here instead. Nothing wrong with a good ol' stay home vaycay right??"

"Haha you aren't wrong there. Still, you gave everyone else all the money you had worked for? Did you even at least save a little for yourself?'

"Well yeah duh of course I did! How else would I have enough to eat and stuff silly!"

"Well I'm just making sure.. knowing your generosity you would've just given them everything and shrugged ground zero off like it was nothing. I know you, Itto."

"Well I mean even if I DID, there's nothing a few rounds of onikabuto fighting won't fix, especially if I bet against my best bro Ayato haha!" When the haha left my mouth after I mentioned Ayato, I could sense that Thomas mood dropped a bit. He was trying his best to hide it and all, but I could still tell. Maybe this was the thing that was bugging him.

"Haha that's true.. my lord has more money than sense sometimes. It feels like he just throws money at you to get you away haha." His sentence trailed off.. in a way where I'm not sure if that last part was about Ayato getting ME away or him away.

"True that! He's such a busy guy I'm lucky I even get a chance to bug fight with him! But y'know since you live with him and all I'm sure you guys always talk, wouldn't know what that's like."

"Well it's not always fun and games up there.. Waka has his whole family's legacy on his shoulders and has ever since the age of 17. Not only that but he has to make sure our reputation looks good on top of keeping Ayaka safe. All that pressure can get to someone after a little bit."

"You telling me he snaps at you or something??"

"Well nono, you're putting words in my mouth! It's nothing like that!"

"Dude I dunno you seem to be making pretty big excuses for the guy. He didn't send you out on this impossible task just to get away from you or something, did he?"

"Well… before I was ordered to get groceries…." He stopped looking ahead and faced towards the ground. Something super serious must've happened.

"No.. it wasn't really anything. Don't worry Itto!" I know that's a load of bullshit.

"I mean if you say so.." I stopped for some reason. Like something in my mind was like making me stop in my tracks, I looked him dead in the eyes.. I have no idea why.

"But if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here, alright?" Something granny used to tell me all the time.. it always made me feel an emotion that I can't explain. I said it in a tone that sorta felt like I was being possessed by her.

"Understood…. I know I can always count on you Itto..!" He said it with a matching sincere tone.. he really does care about our friendship after all.

"Oh whelp would you look at that! You see the estate in the distance Itto?" I didn't even realize we made it I was so focused on the conversation.. but yeah it looks like we did make it all the way up to the estate somehow!

"Ah yeah there it is! Home sweet home right?"

"Home sweet home indeed.. thank you so much for helping me carry all this back Itto, I really appreciate our little chat!"

"Daww, no problem Thoma! Homies do what homies outta do!"

But then, there he was standing outside the estate with an aura only final bosses have.

[geminiamethyst]

Skyline Gang: Trial of Darkness. Chapter 2

Chapter 1: click HERE

chapter 3: click HERE

The Skyline was a place of mystery and magic. It just had this ability to bring people together. The nearby residents always seemed to come flooding here almost everyday and tourists come and go just as easily. The only thing that stayed after the park had closed was the Skyline Gang. Dude, Sprout, Mimi, Pip, Candi, Bud and Rainbow the dog lived at the Skyline permanently. At least that’s how it had been since they came to this world and saved it. At first they were confined to the Pavilion by Dawn, someone that practiced in dark magic and killed the previous Skyline Gang. After playing and winning her game, they were able to break everyone free from the darkness. Since then, they had taken residence in the house that was left for them.

It had been about two months since they arrived. And things were on the up and up. After a few weeks, everyone in the Gang had settled into their own routines. Wake up, tend to a couple of things in the morning, greet the staff and assign duties, open the gates, greet the guests, put on some shows, close the park and rest. It was hard at the start, not being used to needing this kind of stamina to work. They got used to it, and started to wake up less tired and sore. Everything started to get a rhythm.

The locals were welcoming enough too. The staff started to like the new Skyline Gang more and even started to offer tips to help things run better. The guests were mostly the same. Everyone pretty much recognised the regulars by face and name at this point. The kids especially were great to get along with. Some of them only met the previous Skyline Gang a few times and didn’t get to know them that well. Others missed the previous Skyline Gang but warmed up to the new Gang after a short while. Even most of the parents said that it was nice to have a younger Skyline Gang as it made the kids connect with them easier.

However, there were still a few people that weren’t on board with this new Skyline Gang. They would always say things like “the old Gang was better” and “why should teenagers do the job of a group of adults”. It was always insulting and sometimes it was worse than that. There was even one point where a nasty letter was sent to the house itself. Thankfully, only Dude read it before anyone else did. Some of what was written was truly disturbing. He mentioned it to Bud, and both agreed to have it filed away for evidence in case the same thing happened again. So far nothing happened.

But talk about showing some form of gratitude…

It didn’t matter right now. Everything was running smoothly and the disruption of complaints were minor for the time being.

“I need to sleep! I’m dying!” Sprout complained, flopping onto the sofa in the den. He fell back on it so hard that he bounced a little from the impact. Everyone else was in the den as well. Bud was tinkering with a small robot that needed maintenance. Mimi was gossiping to Pip on the other sofa. Candi was in the kitchen and Rainbow was laying down on a large cushion, feeling just as lazy as Sprout at that moment.

“What are you talking about, Sprout?” Dude chided, hands on his hips. “I would’ve thought that you had a good sleep last night.”

“You don’t know that.” Sprout countered.

“Sprout, I had to literally drag you out of bed this morning because you didn’t want to wake up.” Dude smiled smugly, recalling how the morning went.

“It takes a lot of mental energy to come up with my genius jokes!” Sprout moaned dramatically. Dude rolled his eyes affectionately at this. He can’t exactly blame Sprout for wanting to stay in bed, even he had to admit that he found the beds comfy. They were just as comfortable as their old rooms were back in the Pavilion. Then again, the rooms were just a copy of what they had before. The only difference was that there wasn’t a private bathroom attached to them. The house wasn’t big enough for that. They weren’t soundproof either so everyone needed to be aware of any loud noises they might accidentally make.  Only one bedroom was barren. A bedroom that had a grey door. Other than a bed, wardrobe and desk, it was blank and empty. The Gang collectively decided to turn it into an extra storage space, but hadn’t gone through with it yet.

“Here you two! Something to help make you both feel refreshed!” Candi announced as she came out of the kitchen. In her hands was a try with five glasses of lemonade. Each glass was colour matched to coordinate with each member of the Gang.

“That’s sweet of you, Candi. Thank you.” Dude smiled gratefully as he took his glass. Sprout scrambled to cartoonishly sit up, eager to take his own glass.

“That’s Candi for you. No matter what, she’s always sweet.” He grinned before taking a sip of the soft drink. “It’s quite literally in her name!” Candi grinned at the comment, and she started to pass around the lemonade to everyone else. She had a spring in her step, which made everyone wonder how the glasses stayed on the tray. As she passed lemonade to Pip and Mimi, Sprout continued speaking: “Hey, imagine if we had an opposite of Candi. Now that would be bonkers!”

“You mean…you don’t want me around anymore?” Candi whimpered, shaking a little. She didn’t like to think about it, but she did have slight abandonment issues. She had a bad revaluation of someone who she thought was a friend, really wasn’t. She trusted the Gang. They were true friends to her. She just didn’t want to be alone again in a tragic way. So to suddenly hear something like that was quite shocking to her. Sprout immediately looked ashamed of himself. Another thought that he probably should’ve kept to himself. Especially since he and the others knew about what happened to Candi before she arrived to the Skyline.

“No, Candi. Don’t be silly.” Mimi immediately stepped in. She put down her drink, standing up. She carefully took the tray from Candi, also placing it down. She consolingly placed her hands on Candi’s shoulders. “You’re always going to be part of this Gang.”

“I think what we’re saying is what if we had a friend that was the opposite of you.” Bus keenly added, fetching the red cup that he had received yet. “Not to replace you, just a new member of the Skyline Gang.”

“That’s good. I was a little worried.” Candi sighed in relief, hand over her heart. Her worries melted into a curious smile. “But it would be nice to have a new friend too!”

Silence washed over the room. It was awkward and unsettling. Candi’s words were meant to be innocent, but it somewhat had a small negative effect. Having a new friend, a new member to the Skyline Gang, did sound intriguing and a nice change. However, that would only bring a small problem. No one in this house chose to be in the Gang. They weren’t even from this strange world. If they wanted a new member, how would they do it?! The Skyline Gang leader before Dude did it. It was his last action before he was killed. The only problem was that no matter who they asked about it, the answer was always the same. Nobody knew how it was done. And maybe that was for the best. No one could misuse that power. Especially given how disrespectful most of the public was when this new Skyline Gang just showed up out of nowhere. It wasn’t like anyone had left instructions anyway. No one would’ve had the time, given how swift Dawn made her work complete.

“Whose turn is it to cook tonight?” Pip suddenly asked, wanting to divert all attention from this silence.

“I believe it’s Dude’s.” Mimi grinned. Dude grinned back, thankful to be distracted like this.

“Bud, what do you prefer tonight?” He asked. Since Bud was on the spectrum, his taste preferences were different to everyone else’s. It would mean that if the genius wanted something different, Dude would have to cook two meals. He didn’t mind that, it just meant extra work.

“I’ll make it easier for you.” Bud concluded, taking a sip from his lemonade. “The lasagna you make is good for both myself and the others.”

“Coming right up!” Dude cheered, immediately taking off into the kitchen. This was relatively normal for the Gang now. They made their own routines and preferences to that routine. Sharing and swapping responsibilities was part of that routine. No one ever had any complaints about it. Things were running smoothly. Why should the peace be disturbed?

[heavenlymemoir]

Delsin Memories

I remember going for the Hero route. Even though I still had some tendencies, I wanted to bring positive light to what being a conduit was, and how helpful it can be.

I still spray painted. I stopped vandalizing stuff after all of that calmed down and blew over though. I made some really amazing artwork and actually started selling them to raise some money to start housing and making a safe environment for other Conduits to stay in without worry.

Reggie and Betty helped raise awareness in the local area, and even made a little campaign to talk about the abilities of Conduits and why they shouldn’t be feared. It made me smile a lot; to think that I grew up so much on my journey. I went from being a cocky son of a bitch to being someone who just wanted to help others and make the world safer and better for people like me.

But sometimes it made me a little sad. After getting to know Fetch and Eugene, and especially how their own parents treated them, it made me sad and upset. Because I knew for a fact there were other kids, other teens and adults, out there who went through the same shit. Who are scared, alone, and barely fending for their life. I knew that it wasn’t just the Seattle area that got a booming influx of Conduits. So I started making a name for myself and went to different states looking for others to help.

Reggie never died. During the fight with Augustine, I got hit instead because I pushed him out of the way. Fetch and Eugene had come just in time to fend Augustine off while Reg helped me get loose.

The final fight with Augustine didn’t really happen the way the game portrayed it. It was directly after Augustine hit me.

I do remember that Augustine had said something like, “No! You shouldn’t have been the one that got hit! This isn’t right, what’s going on?!” And amidst her panic, that’s when Fetch and Eugene came in and saved the day. Fetch had dazed her with some kind of neon flash-bangs and Eugene had created some Angels that had tied her hands and feet, and she fell over and started flopping like a fish.

Along with Fetch and Eugene, I had met other conduits. I had met the girl who received the paper power, after Celia had given her powers up willingly after Augustine abused her.

I had met a woman who had the ability to control glass, a young girl who had cryokinesis, an older man who had mind control, and two teenage fraternal twins whom the girl had terrakinesis and the boy had the ability to use and manipulate air, aerokinesis I think?

I only had the powers from the game; smoke, neon, video, and concrete. I knew I was a Prime, and that I could copy the other’s if I wanted, but I never did. Although looking back on it, freezing shit and learning to actually fly would’ve been so cool.

I never ‘took’ anyone else’s power. I was extra careful with how I touched others just in case shit went wrong. I never quite understood what initiates the “sponging” as I’d like to call it. I always made sure to announce my ability to new Conduits I met, just to make them aware.

I don’t think I was interested in anyone, really. I knew Fetch liked me, and Eugene liked her. We were all just, like, really cool and best buddies. We spent a lot of time together and helped Eugene learn to get over his social anxiety and socialize more.

We all did platonically like. Cuddle and hold hands and things. I mean, we were best buds so what’s wrong with that?

I honestly think I might have been bisexual. I don’t quite remember a lot yet but I do remember having feelings for a dude when I attended high school.

After Augustine was detained and sent to prison for her crimes, I went back to Betty and the tribe. I explained everything. What happened when I touched Hank, why it happened, and why Augustine was after me.

I remember expressing such sorrow and guilt that Augustine had attacked them. That’s why I felt the need to go after her; to reverse what I inevitably caused. They all, thankfully, understood and didn’t hold any grudges. I vividly remember Betty hugging me, saying that I was Akomish, and Akomish always protect their own.

[uwusenpaiuwu]

Sleepovers At The Baji Household feat. A Fed-Up Chifuyu

Summary: Chifuyu just wants to sleep, man, but Baji wants to be a jealous crackhead at 2 AM.

Pairing: Sano Manjiro | Mikey x Male Reader

Note(s): I had a little free time and wrote this. So, please enjoy! ALSO, to the anon that sent me a request a few days ago, I saw it and have it filed on my to-do list!!! I will definitely get to it as soon as I get a break in my schedule :)

"Chifuyu, ya wanna see some real discrimination?"

No. No, Chifuyu does not want to see what Baji means by 'real discrimination.'

Does he tell him that, though?

Yes, actually, because it's 2 in the fucking morning and, as much as he respects the other boy, he wouldn't put it past himself to smother him with a pillow after having his dream of cuddling with a sea of puppies suddenly destroyed.

Unfortunately for his sanity, Baji either doesn't hear him or, more likely than not, doesn't give a fuck, because he's already flopping onto his belly and whipping out his phone to do God knows what.

The dial tone that sounds from the speaker a few seconds later makes Chifuyu cringe, especially since it's only ever been a calm silence fit for a good night's sleep prior to Baji bulldozing through it with his absurd question. (At the very least, he's thankful that the latter has half a mind to keep the brightness on the lowest setting, otherwise, Chifuyu would have had to fight.)

On the far end of the row of carefully-laid futons, you shift in your sleep, eyebrows furrowing together at the noise. Rotating onto your side, you unconsciously reach for Baji, and just when he thinks you're being cute and trying to cuddle him, you smack him in the head.

Baji doesn't flinch, instead, takes his pillow and shoves it in your grasp to keep your unconscious self occupied, so that he can focus on getting through to the person who reuses to pick up (understandably so).

Releasing a frustrated groan after being redirected to voice mail for the fifth time, he dials the number again, muttering an impatient, "Pick up already."

Chifuyu feels sorry for the poor soul on the other end. He would've blocked someone following the first call, because again, it's-

The blond has to squint his eyes up at the digital clock on Baji's nightstand, which confirms that it's already 2:22 A.M, further solidifying the fact that he shouldn't be awake right now. And this also applies to the ever persistent first division captain, who insists on bothering who Chifuyu soon discovers is Mikey from the contact ID that flashes across the screen.

Why Baji is so keen on bothering him is a question he doesn't have the mental capacity to ponder over. The most energy he'll expend is to listen in when the call miraculously connects.

"What...?" comes a muffled voice from the receiver, tone laced in an irked grogginess birthed from a slumber rudely interrupted.

There's an absurdly loud, almost angry, roar of Mikey's name, one that has Chifuyu curling in on himself in a futile attempt to escape a sound that should be illegal at this hour.

But you know what else should be illegal?

The fucking whiplash Chifuyu gets when Baji's deep voice takes an abrupt 180°, switching from its normal gruffness to a squeaky, ear-piercing shrill as he screams, "I love you, love you, love you! Do you love me, too, Mikey-kyun~♡?!"

The room is dead silent.

Not a word. Not a murmur. Not a breath.

Just pure, unadulterated silence as both Chifuyu and Mikey process the words that hang in the air, permeating it with a goosebumps-inducing eeriness from having heard such a...a girly, overtly cutesy screech from Baji.

Then-

"What the fuck? He hung on me!"

Chifuyu opens his mouth, thinks better of reacting to the cursed scene he had the misfortune of bearing witness to, and promptly closes it.

Other people may have sleep paralysis demons.

But Chifuyu?

Chifuyu has Baji.

With both hands partially raised in prayer, he begs for the shenanigans to be over and done with.

They are not.

While his eyes remain closed in a last ditch effort to convince himself that it's all a bad dream, he hears a lot of grumbling happening on your side of the room, courtesy of Baji, who's scrambling around in search of...something. One quick peek reveals him fiddling with a phone - yours, to be exact, as evidenced by the distinctive phone charm of your favorite anime character hanging from it.

"(Y/n), wake up for a second," he hears him whisper. It takes a bit of prompting, until he's able to successfully rouse you enough from sleep to elicit any kind of response, which is, essentially, nothing short of an incoherent, slurred mess. Although, Chifuyu is pretty damn certain he heard you call Baji a 'dickhead' for the trouble.

Unperturbed, he continues shaking your limp form, coaxing you into wakefulness with, "Repeat what I tell you, and I'll let you go back to asleep. Deal?"

You squint your eyes at him, only able to make out a vague outline of his visage in the lightless room. "Promise?"

"Cross my heart, hope to die," he automatically responds with the same phrase he's become accustomed to saying whenever you two made a promise, something done purely out of habit, formed when the two of you were just kids and he wanted to get you to do something absolutely ridiculous either for him or with him. And just 'cause he knows you're more susceptible to complying if he does it, he also interlocks his pinky with yours.

"...Fine."

The approval is his cue to proceed, and it's as he's putting the phone on speaker that he turns back to a regretfully wide awake Chifuyu, mouthing a wordless, 'Watch.'

The phone rings, loud and clear, precisely once and only once.

"(Y/n), what's wrong?" It's important to note that even though Mikey still sounds tired as hell, his tone is much lighter, much happier really, than when it was Baji, which is an offense in itself to the said teen that's off to the side, attentively listening to the conversation unfold.

Then, it strikes Chifuyu, what Baji is trying to do, and fuck does it give him an instant headache.

Meanwhile, your mouth morphs into the dopiest of smiles with the pleasant surprise of hearing your boyfriend's voice, chest instantly overtaken by a warm fuzziness that never fails to make an appearance whenever he's involved. Sappy, you know, but it's true!

A light but firm nudge to your shoulder reminds you of your mission. It's too bad that, teetering along the edge of sleep as you are, the words Baji whispers are barely repeated correctly.

The initial phrase from before, the one Baji greeted Mikey with, is shortened to a simple, "You wuv I...?"

But, without missing a beat, you receive Mikey's confident reply of, "Mhm... I wuv you a lot."

There's a sleepy giggle then - a fucking giggle - before your voices drop to sweet whispers that the third and fourth wheels can't fully comprehend from where they are.

"Where the fuck was my 'I wuv you,' huh?!" Baji whisper-shouts, considerate of your conversation even when ranting and raving. "Shit, I would've taken a simple 'I love you,' too! I've known that bastard way longer than (Y/n), and this is what I get?!"

Okay. Toman's president answers his boyfriend's late night calls faster than he does anyone else's and openly expresses his love for him. So what? Chifuyu wouldn't exactly call it 'discrimination,' per se. 'Favoritism,' maybe if you wanna stretch it, but using as strong a word as discrimination, especially taking into account you two are dating; it's normal? Nah.

"You wanna say 'bye' to them? Mm. Baji and Chifuyu." A pause. "Fuyu, Mikey says 'bye.'"

"Bye, Mikey-kun."

The other person in the room waits, and waits, and waits, and when it's clear that there is no intention to address his presence whatsoever, Baji turns to Chifuyu with an almost scandalized expression, making wild gesticulations with his hands, clearly distressed. "See?!"

Blank blue eyes stare back at him, unblinking. Honestly, it's a common occurrence - Baji spiraling in a nonsensical rage - so it's easy for Chifuyu to block out the muted, jealousy-driven temper tantrum as he takes his pillow in both hands, raises it as high as he can, and-

Sigh.

-lets it flop right back onto his face.

He can't suffocate Baji. Shouldn't. Wouldn't. Couldn't. After all, they're best buds, meaning he has an obligation to put up with shit like this once in a while. (Plus, he'd probably get his ass kicked before he succeeds anyway. Totally not worth the beating.)

"Did you hear? Mikey said he wuvs me," he hears you drawl dreamily as soon as you hang up, sounding very close to clocking back out for the night.

"Yeah, yeah. Cute shit. Happy for ya, dude," Baji huffs. Thankfully, he sounds like he's in a similar state to yours, if the yawn that follows his sarcastic comment is anything to go by.

"...He soooo ignored you."

That warrants a punishing punch to the arm, dulled only slightly by the combination of the thick quilt you're swaddled in and the raven-haired boy's fatigue.

"I'll fucking throw you out right now, (Y/n). Don't test me."

"You won't."

"I will."

"Won't."

"Will."

The conversation gradually dies down shortly after, the exhaustion that took its sweet time getting to both of you having reached its peak with the help of the childish bickering. It takes 10 minutes, maybe 15, before two sets of light snores fill the room.

Finally.

Let it be known that there is a lesson to be learned from tonight's events. Really, there is. Y'know, something along the lines of 'Don't agree to a sleepover with Baji, if you plan on actually sleeping,' or whatever.

Alas, Chifuyu's consciousness fades before he realizes what it is.

~~~

"Mikey, be honest. Who do you love more? Me or-?"

"(Y/n)."

"But-"

(Y/n)."

"I-"

"(Y/n)."

Baji is only momentarily discouraged, sharp eyes glaring at the blond that lays his head on your lap after hi-fiving you. He didn't want to do this, but he's left with no choice.

"(Y/n) or Babu?"

From the way Mikey stiffens up, refusing to look at either him or you in the eyes, Baji knows he has him right where he wants him, has him torn between a cute face or a sweet ride.

"Oi! Don't pretend to be asleep! Answer the damn question! OI!"

(After hours of serious contemplation - even though you told him it doesn't particularly matter - it's revealed that, of course, Mikey loves you more. Babu just happens to trail behind as a very close second.)

[delicrieux]

☆ﾐ 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚢 “𝚘𝚑”

PART 13: ...O-OH?

it’s the night of the big stream. y/n uncovers a strange, albeit deep, bond with charlie. corpse interrupts her garden date with sykkuno quite unceremoniously. tensions are high as ever; proximity chat reveals internal monologues and stray thoughts. y/n’s “batshit insane” energy affects everyone. this is, quite literally, the best game of among us bretman has ever played.

─── corpse husband x reader, sykkuno x reader (if you squint, it’s very one sided)  ─── soc. media + written fiction! ─── word count: 6.1k oops ─── ❥ reqs: sum people requested some interaction w bretman + jealous corpse + flirty sykkuno

author’s note: guys....GUYS WE’RE ON THE 3RD “OH” hope ur excited cus i am!!! this was rly fun to write, but then again, everything is better than writing an essay lmao! this is extremely chaotic and a bit seggsy but like a minuscule bit u wont even notice it i swear xx there’s not much social media in this one, mostly written lol. as always lmk wat u think n thank u for all ur kind words n sooo manyyyy ideassss!!! love u lots

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It’s happening, you think, picking the discreet, angelic white color for your astronaut - with a halo and all, truly, you are a seraph that stepped through the gates of heaven and descended onto earth to grace these morals with your presence...quite literally, you’re not only donning white in game, but also in real life, cute as a button or more like as a bunny. Cat girls are overrated - cat boys, on the other hand, you’ll ardently defend till your last breath - but bunny girls...Safe to say, your chat had been going feral. Your endless ego is fed well. You even swore on your heart that no devilish trickery would follow in this game - you had left your snake ways behind you.

No one believed you. The Roaches know you too fucking well.

The influx of new subs, however, do not. Look at this cute girl! She wouldn’t hurt a fly! You chuckle at the compliments. At the exact same moment, Rae pipes up on the discord call, “Y/n is leering and cackling evilly. No one trust her.”

Demon woman herself must be watching your stream before starting her own. You pout, all adorable and innocent, but your eyes gleam slyly. Truly, a mastermind of manipulation! Look at you go! The chat is swooning. The viewer number steadily climbs past 16K and you hum happily, welcoming all that decided to join your little clan, “Don’t listen to Rae. Wifey is mad because I said I’m not bringing her back a souvenir. Well guess what, bitch, I’m the gift.”

Your perfect image does not quite align with your tone, nor the affectionate nickname you call your roommate (bitch, not wifey). The new viewers are none the wiser though, just like your new stream mates.

There is laughter from people you don’t quite know. The lobby is almost full, but not everyone has trickled in yet.

“Filing divorce papers right now.” Rae mumbles, but you hear the smile in her voice. It makes you crack a grin, too. 

More hello’s and shy introductions to the people in the lobby. Sykkuno’s green astronaut pops in with a upbeat, “Hey, everyone! Hi, Y/n!” as his character circles around yours. A collective awww echoes in your stream chat as you, quite breathless at the wholesomeness, reply with a “Hi! Hi hi!” as well.

Corpse is next to join, mysteriously ominous. The discord call is pure chaos, everyone screaming over the other variations of his name while stressing different syllables. Silent as a grave, he just stands there, his black astronaut seemingly eyeing everyone in the lobby. 

Alas, when the noise dies down, he utters, “Whaddup, baby.” and it’s pandemonium all over again. You are screeching/laughing along with the rest. His astronaut swiftly glides to Sykkuno, still circling around you, “Hey, Sykkuno.” He says. The latter abruptly stops. The game hasn’t even started, and already - betrayal! Sykkuno starts circling around Corpse now, leaving you in the dust.

“Hey, dude!”

“Yo,” You interrupt, “I’m like here too, yeah?”

“Fight, fight, fight!” Pokimane jeers. You can’t see her, but you’re certain she’s pumping her fists in the air. 

“Let’s leave the bloodshed for the game, yeah?” Dream offers past her laugh ridden urging.

“No, fuck that, let’s start this shit right now,” Charlie declares - his monotone is strangely pleasant to the ear, and you lean back in your chair with a thoughtful hum. Something about his energy just clicks with yours instantly, but perhaps you’re judging too quickly- “Got my fucking knife ready to slit some throats. You can all pretend you aren’t ready to kill on sight, but that’s not me. I’ll teabag your dead fucking body.”

-yeah, no, your initial estimate had been correct! What a pleasant surprise, you feel like you and he will get along beautifully. 

“Way to be subtle, Charles.” Rae snorts.

“Subtle doesn’t make an interesting game, Rae,” He’s quick to bite back, “and if I’m Impostor, you bet your fucking ass I’m going after you first.”

“Noooooo!” She shrieks, rushing to your astronaut, which is still just standing there, abandoned, like the equivalent of that one emoji, “Y/n, protect me.”

“Of course, baby.” You purr. 

There’s mumbling in the discord call, though it’s barely audible. Corpse seems to be repeating the word to himself: Baby...Baby?...Baby...

“You’re gonna stab me in the back the first chance you get, won’t you?” She questions, already painfully aware of the answer.

“You know it!”

“Finally, someone that’s not fucking cowering in their boots and flaunting their real nature.” Charlie says, “Y/n, form a Big Dick Alliance with me.”

“Oh for sure, man.” You agree immediately, trailing to his in game figure, “Let’s show these virgins how it’s done.”

“This is going to be a mess, isn’t it?” Sean’s voice rings with a cheerful laugh, making you flustered. Yes, you’re actually playing with THE JacksepticeyeTM. You still haven’t fully wrapped your head around that part, “I’m very excited to see where this will go.”

“Nowhere good.” You say with unparalleled sincerity - every word you speak to him, the icon, the legend, the one of the few youtubers you actually actively follow, must be genuine. You doubt you can lie to him. He’s too good of a person. You admire him too much. Stuck between wanting to be a shady bitch and an absolute saint, you refrain from addressing him more - you are simply not worthy.

its the y/n trying to act like a normal person in front of jack for me

ikr she looks ready to join the monastery

each day we stray closer to gods light???

Your viewers are snide as always. Gosh, you love them.

The last player pops in, fashionably late, “Hey, y’all.”

“Hey, Bretman!” The call choruses somewhat harmoniously.

“Hi, daddy.” He’s speaking to Corpse now, a smile in his voice - you can hear it even past the static of his atrocious mic. Your eyes widen, eyebrows shooting up. Your friends are cackling, but confusion refrains you from doing the same - were you not the only one Corpse offered, seemingly so long ago!, to be his sugar baby? 

One betrayal after the other. You’re glad for the Big Dick Alliance. The name has a nice right to it, too. 

Corpse laughs, “...Hey, Bretman. How are you today?”

Damn, two sentences for him, but not even a word spoken to you!? You’re already scripting a very melodramatic paragraph you will text him after the stream. With poorly masked discontent, you mutter, “Wow, thanks for such a warm welcome, Corpse, my day’s going great, yeah, loving the company.”

“Now now miss girl,” Bretman chimes, “we can’t be all daddy’s favorite.”

“Careful,” Charlie drones, “I think you just got yourself onto Y/n’s shit list.”

“Right next to Corpse Husband and Valkyrae.” You agree, “Sykkuno!” You suddenly call him.

“Uhm-Uh-Yes?” Is his nervous reply.

“You’re safe.” You state coldly, “For now.”

“You are not going after Sykkuno on my watch.” It must be a belated holiday miracle because Corpse finally decides to address you. His words seem to awake something in him, “Hey-Hey-Hey-” He swiftly glides to you, standing right next to your minute virtuous angel, “When are you coming back to Cali?”

corpse stop acting weird challenge

literally omg lmao

he does bring up a good point y/n y u not in cali yet?!

^pack it up corpse simp he disrespected the queen when he didnt say hi

“Back off, buddy,” Charlie interjects, “this spot is for Big Dick Alliance members only.”

“I’m never returning.” You inform him, your voice cold like the Arctic snow, and the look in your eyes is no kinder. You feel like you’re having a stare down through screen. 

Silence stretches. Is this an intimidation tactic? Because if it is, it’s a paltry one. Your conviction to be petty is stronger than any vulnerability you might feel.

“Then I have nothing to say to you.” He admits and fucks right off with that. Fine, go join Sykkuno and Rae in their little corner of betrayal! Friendship ended with Corpse, now Charlie is your best friend.

“Okay, guys, guys, guys-” Toast, noting this is going to spiral any minute now, tries to catch their attention, “Let’s start?!”

You look into your camera, and the roaches know what you’re thinking. You’re twins like that, communicating telepathically. You are taking back your tender promise of not being a conniving bastard. It’s fucking on. You will destroy everyone in your path, starting with the guy you have a stupid crush on - maybe?! Feelings are confusing, you’d rather just not think point blank period.

With no objections from the cast, the counter ticks away seconds and, for the first round, you’re stuck as CREW MATE.

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Charlie is a gift. Truly, you had not expected such a sudden, wonderful relationship to bloom. How have you not known of him sooner?! It’s a crime that you hadn’t spoken to him earlier. You are a 100% certain if you had found him before you started streaming, he would’ve been a big inspiration. 

The two of you do your silly little tasks and curse like sailors, commenting about this and that thanks to proximity chat. You wouldn’t have been able to stand the claustrophobic silence if it was just a normal Among Us game - to think, missing out on all his foully worded quips! It almost springs a tear into your eye. He’s just as unhinged as you.

worried about this dynamic 

its a trainwreck lol i love it plz collab more plz

Caught in a headed discussion in Electrical - TikTok trends, or audios specifically - you defend the app the best you can. Charlie thinks it’s super cringe, and you insist it’s part of the charm as you connect wires.

“I mean, have...-do you know that one audio, the one that goes, like,” You’re spilling your words, heated, frustrated that he’s so dismissive of the app that literally saved 2020, “it goes like, uhm,” You clear your throat, prep your voice - even take a sip of your favorite drink. Drawing the syllables, you try your best to make it drop an octave - it must sound like you’re doing an atrociously bad and nauseatingly scratchy Corpse impression with an extra dramatic flair, “My assssssss, your cockkk, you do the mathhh.”

“Did-Did I just-” You freeze hearing Corpse’s voice, finally done with your task. Charlie is muffling his laughter behind his palm; Corpse’s astronaut stands in the doorway, “What the fuck did I just walk into?” He seems genuinely confused, though a strangely winded. You’re mortified. Your shoulders are shaking. You look at the stream chat but it’s going too fast for you to follow. Manic laughter bubbles in your chest and you squeeze your eyes shut, mouth split into a toothy grin, lowering your head and trying to hide the blush dusting your cheeks.

“Hey? Guys? What the fuck are you talking about?” He questions again.

“Honestly?” Charlie chimes, “No fucking clue. TikTok, I think. Ask Y/n.”

You can’t reply. You’re crying. You cover your face with your palms, muttering a soft oh my god before bursting into a full blow laugh, throwing your head back, the motion accidentally knocking your headphones off.

“Y/n.” Corpse calls you, “Fuck was that?”

You’re howling. Your stomach hurts. There are literal tears in your eyes. You think Charlie might be laughing too, but you can’t really tell over your loud screeching. Hastily fixing your headphones, you wipe away the tears stuck to your lower lashes, heaving, “S-Sorry, I-” You stutter, breaking into another fit of giggles. Corpse patiently waits you to calm down. Catching your breath, you start again with a sniffle, “TikTok, yeah.” You idly fix your hair, trying to bite down a smile, “It’s an audio.”

“What- What kind of videos are you watching?”

“The good kind.” Your reply is instant, merciless, “Also, why are you here? We’re having a BDA meeting, you know.”

“I-I...” He trails off, “I...I heard people talking and...I just came here to check it out, but...I’m regretting it.” There’s a lilt in his voice, and you know he doesn���t regret jack shit. You bet he’s smiling. You wish you could see it.

“Bitch, then leave!” You huff. You aren’t sure what is with him today, and you don’t want to stick around and find out - his playfulness makes your stomach flip at the most inappropriate times! Like when you’re trying to sound threatening. You must retreat posthaste, “No, wait, I’ll do it for you.” You say, brushing past his character. Charlie follows after you.

“Dude, you’re so fucking lucky neither of us are the Impostor because you’d be deader than I’ve been feeling since I was 10.” Your favorite companion comments. Charlie is truly a modern wordsmith. You’re pretty sure you adore him, because you’re nodding your head, so quick to agree with him that even you’re surprised. 

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

A meeting is called. You spare a glance at your fallen crew mates. They will be missed. Sean most of all, God, why does heaven always take the good ones?! The game feels emptier without him, even if you really only passed him once on your trek to Cafeteria with Charlie.

You may or may not have been avoiding him, afraid you’d accidentally say something horrible and he would hate you. It’s a silly fear, though a deep one. And with Charlie keeping you company, you had not uttered a single objectively  good, or even coherent, sentence. Your parents can’t watch this stream once it’s uploaded onto your Youtube channel. They know you’re barely keeping it together in most of your videos, but here, now? Yeah, no. Charlie is already hard to listen to on his own for sensitive viewers, and hearing you agree with literally everything he says with your own chaotic ideas? Your dad would stumble into an early grave.

Mom probably wouldn’t mind too much, but you’d have to explain your relationship status again. She is under the assumption that everyone you collab with is your significant other. You’d say it began with Sykkuno, though the exclamation of “Finally! My daughter isn’t pathetically single! We need to celebrate.” had started with Rae. Truly, a scandal.

Speaking of which, Sykkuno is gone, too, but you had time to mourn him already. You found his body roughly ten minutes ago; so torn with the fresh agony of heartbreak, you could not do anything else but cry. It was Charlie, bless his heart, that reported it.

“Someone killed Jack,” You say, voice dripping with venom, “court is now in session. I’m ready to vote the fucker out.”

People speak all at once. Toast roars over them, “ORDER! ODER IN COURT!” as he slams his hand onto his desk repeatedly. That seems to work, though briefly.

“I think it’s Y/n.” Corpse says. You stare at him, hand gripping your heart, mouth falling open in surprise.

flame him

corpse boutta be a corpse fr

beat his ass queen!!!!!

“Pardon my french,” You grumble, “but nani the fuck?!”

“It’s definitely Y/n, I found her and Charlie conspiring in Electrical. Surrealist experience of my fucking life, but it’s definitely her.”

“Dude, we’ve been over this,” Charlie sighs, shushing Rae who was about to comment something - knowing your luck, it was probably in favor of the man throwing you under the bus, “we would’ve snapped your fucking neck the moment you walked in. But we didn’t.”

“Yeah, we didn’t.” Corpse notes, “I said nothing about you, I’m just saying it’s definitely her. She probably didn’t kill in front of you because of your stupid alliance-”

“Someone sounds salty because he wasn’t invited.” Pokimane snickers.

“-or possibly she did tell you and you won’t betray her for the exact same reason.”

“That’s some big brain logic you pulled there, genius,” Charlie says, absolutely unimpressed, “sure you didn’t have an aneurysm trying to connect all of that together?”

“Well,” Rae pipes up, “Y/n and Charlie did say they will kill right before the game started. If you ask me, it’s not unbelievable. And Sykkuno was sorta on the shit list.”

“I’m writing down your name twice, Rachell.” You spit.

“Not helping your case at all, Y/n...” Dream worries, “And Rae makes a good point. Charlie and you have professed desire for murder. I’m just saying! It’s a bit suspicious, you know?”

The next words to leave Corpse’s lips sound incredibly smug, “See?” He drawls.  The pressure is getting to you - you don’t understand where this beguiling talent of his to convince literally everyone comes from, but it doesn’t inspire any confidence. Your fist suddenly feels incredibly lonely, so useless - oh, how you long to swing at him, “It’s definitely Y/n.”

“I dunno...” Toast mumbles.

“It’s Y/n.”

“Corpse-” You try, but he's ignoring you - shocker, as if he hadn’t been doing that from the very start of this stupid game - and chanting your name like it’s a fucking mantra or something, a smile in his voice, knowing, relishing in the fact that he’s grating on your nerves, “FIRST OF ALL,” You scream into the mic, successfully cutting him off; catching your breath, you exhale, and continue, calmly, lowly,  “get my pretty name out of your mouth.” 

There’s a pause full of tense silence. 

Then, there’s a sound, seemingly stuck in the back of his throat, “...O-Oh...?”

“Second of all,” You continue, words like honey dipped in arsenic, “This is the clearest smear campaign I have ever witnessed. By how hard you’re trying to frame me for fuck knows what reason, I’m led to believe it’s you that killed them. You’re the Impostor.”

“Corpse wouldn’t kill Sykkuno, though.” Rae comments, skeptical.

“Then the other Impostor did it.” You counter.

“Maybe you’re both Impostors.” Pokimane chirps.

“Y/n would never betray the Big Dick Alliance like that.” Charlie states.

You grin, “Charlie, I literally love you.” 

“Wait hold up now,” Corpse seems to get his bearings together, “what’s this about love I’m hearing?”

“I have none for you, dick.” You snap, flipping him off. Your chat cheers. While he can’t see it, you hope he senses it through the screen, “I officially hate you.”

“No, wait-”

“Boo, Corpse, you suck.” Toast laughs.

“Y/n, please-”

“Let’s all vote for Corpse Husband, okay?” You say it like it’s his full official name with an encouraging smile and multiple soft nods. Sykkuno can’t be here to nod, so you’ll do it for him. You eye the rapidly decreasing timer before clicking on Corpse’s figure and voting for him. The VOTED icon instantly pops up beside your adorable astronaut.

“Baby, I-” It slips past his lips so easily, as if he’s not even thinking about it, like it’s only natural to call you that and a spike of anxiety shoots up, making you glare. It’s only halfhearted. You try your best to ignore the rapid and uncoordinated pulses of your heart. Replace unwanted feelings with anger and hate - works like a charm, every time.

“You are not allowed to call me that.” You hiss. The chat spams snake emojis. 

“Wait-” Bretman chimes, “Hold up, y’all, slow down a minute. Why does Corpse never call me baby?”

“Yeah!” Pokimane agrees, “I want to be baby, too!”

Pokimane may not have been called baby, but you just single-handedly decided her nickname for her - Target 4. Welcome to the shit list, she is officially your public enemy number 1. You aren’t sure why the thought of Corpse ever referring to anyone else as baby makes you sick to your stomach (you actually do know why, but brain no think at the moment), but you wish this whole conversation never happened. You don’t like it.

20 seconds left. More VOTED icons appear by your friends. Corpse is the last one to cast his ballot at, you assume, you, as the rest wait for his quick explanation before everyone (or not) returns to the game, “...Because she’s my baby.”

Goodbye. Life had been sweet, and there was sorrow, though the amount of embarrassment you feel now is worse than when the internet found your cringe worthy high school pictures on your mom’s Facebook. It’s a mixture of dread and excitement - the pleasure of being noticed, cherished even, though anxious from vulnerability. Someone is screaming a very prolonged “WHAAAAT?!”, or maybe multiple people are, you aren’t sure, your ears start to hurt from the loud, conflicting cacophony of voices as you stare blankly at the screen. You received two votes, just like Corpse, Charlie got one, the rest skipped. With no one flung out, you all find yourself back in Cafeteria again.

Baby. My baby? My baby. My baby. The sentence is playing ping-pong in your mind, reverberating louder each time. You’re actually speechless for the first time in your life; your chest hurts, your heart beating so fast your hands start shaking. Had he meant it? Or was this a some joke? Was he trying to get a rise out of you again? You might just go insane from so many questions. My baby. Holy shit, this is a heart attack, this is what a heart attack feels like, dear God, you figured you at least had ten years before you get one!

  ✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

First round ends with IMPOSTORS raining victorious. Your sixth sense had been working wonders since, true to you previous estimate, it had been Corpse. His companion was Pokimane. For absolutely no reason what’s so ever, you change her name once more from Target 4 to Target 1. Normally, you’re all for girls supporting girls. Men don’t deserve anything, really, but now you’re so flustered and still reeling from what you are 80% sure was cardiac arrest that you genuinely don’t care about your established morals.

Round two starts without much deliberation. You get CREW MATE again; the game must sense your growing bloodlust, making sure that once you do get IMPOSTOR, you will not hold back. True power is granted to those who are ready and strong enough to wield it. You wait for your moment with bated breath.

Charlie is taken from you too early. The two of you were once again caught in a discussion - God knows about what, Minecraft, hentai, oh! your server! - as you tried to card swipe for the umpteenth time. The lights blew out and you just knew one of you was getting murdered there and then. Charlie’s voice abruptly cut off, and you think a part of you died with him.

It’s a cold meeting; with your new best friend being the first to go, everyone decides to skip. You proclaim you seek vengeance. When the meeting comes to an end, Sykkuno is the first to offer his condolences.

“I’m sorry, Y/n.” He says, and while he’s not in Brooklyn, you somehow feel him patting your back. You feign a sniffle.

“There’s nothing to apologize for...” You murmur sadly, “Unless...” Your voice turns sharp as the knife that was surely twisted into Charlie’s back, “It was you?”

“NO!” He exclaims, “I would never-you gotta believe me! I would never kill him. I know he’s important to you. I wouldn’t do that, I swear.”

“He was like a brother to me.” You admit, solemn, “Charlie, if you’re haunting me right now, know I will avenge you. I will not let this go.”

Sykkuno hums, circling around you, “Hey, I have a task in Greenhouse. Would you, uh--Would like to, uhm, join me?” Despite the shaky start, he finishes on a firm, pleasant note. He’s trying to cheer you up. Having lost your closest friend, he’s offering you his company. You accept with a soft smile and a cute “Yes, please!” and he releases an airy little laugh. The two of you make your way to your favorite place in map MIRA.

It’s difficult to stay sad for long when Sykkuno’s so sweet; the atmosphere of the Greenhouse is strangely calming; your problems seem to be left behind the shut doors. If you tried hard enough, you could imagine being in an actual Greenhouse - the warm, damp air clinging to your skin, the unmistakable smell of earth and vegetation, the pleasant silence broken only by yours and his hushed voices and clumsy footsteps.

The two of you are talking. Mainly about your choice of attire. Cat first, Sykkuno ponders aloud, doing his task as you watch the plants grow, now bunny, what’s next? You affirm that you will most likely dress up in cow-print next, or as an adorable sheep. He laughs, admitting you’ll look good in anything before he trails off. His awkwardness is really endearing. 

“Or!” You chirp happily, content with being locked away with him for the whole game. The idea must be playing in his mind, too, because he seems in no rush to leave, “I could, like, dress as someone from My Hero Academia. I watched the stream you did with Stella, the one where she made you look like Todoroki. It was really cute. You were really cute.”

“Oh, uhm-well, uh, thank you, thanks, I, uhm-” He clears his throat, and despite his stutter, you hear the smile in his voice, “I-I think you’d look better, though. Not as Todoroki. Or, probably as Todoroki, too. But, uhm, what character are you thinking about?”

“Maybe Momo?”

“Momo!” He yeps, “Momo is good. Yeah, she’s great. You’ll-uhm-you’ll look amazing. Really. Momo is awesome. Very pretty. Just like you.”

You are blushing. A stupid, toothy grin makes your cheeks hurt. Your eyes flicker to the chat, but again, it’s going wild. Giggling, you thank him for his sweet words, so giddy it’s honestly embarrassing. Why can’t you stop smiling? This is incriminating. You hide your lips behind your palm.

“...What’s this?” Corpse question. You had failed to note his sudden appearance, too busy gushing. “Am I interrupting?”

“Hey, Corpse!” Sykkuno greets. For someone so awkward and shy, he sure is good at hiding it when he wants to. Perhaps it’s all an act and you had been deviously tricked! Probably not, but you can’t help but narrow your eyes suspiciously, finally able to calm down. You definitely underestimated him, you just haven’t figured out how yet, “Not really! Y/n was sad Charlie died so I took her here.”

“You interrupted our date, dipshit.” You deadpan. 

“...Fuck you say?” Corpse dares, his voice low and somewhat menacing - for someone who exclusively portrays his emotions through only his voice, he’s incredibly hard to read. This is payback. Your love for wreaking havoc resurfaces suddenly. Serves him right for pulling all this ignoring shit at the start. Maybe you’ll make him say oh again.

Your sly smirk is promptly wiped. Fuck. He said oh, he literally said oh out loud. The Teruhashi fangirl in you is screaming. You had been so caught up in defending yourself you didn’t even register it at first. Alarmed, you look at the camera, then at the chat. First oh, then my baby. There’s no way he had been teasing you, and this proves it. Holy shit. You mouth the words “HE SAID OH!” for your audience only.

now she notices

snail pace baby we’ve been loosing our shit for the past hour 

corpse x y/n saikik au enemies to lovers 500k words slow burn im here for it

opening wattpad rn^

Your heart races in your chest - it might be considered an Olympic medalist at this point; flustered yet again, you wish you could cave into yourself. You should’ve brought your bright blue wig with you to Brooklyn. Turns out it would have been perfect for this stream. Yes, yes thinking about unnecessary details always works in distracting you from the butterflies throwing a fucking rave in your stomach. 

“I guess it is a date!” Sykkuno admits, “Kinda after a funeral, but still.”

Corpse hums. You’re still too stunned to say anything. The black astronaut with adorable cat ears approaches Sykkuno. 

“It’s not.” He states. Your mouth falls open in shock as your date, your companion, the Shoto to your Momo is murdered in cold blood right in front of you. His lifeless body, cut in half, lays on the tiles by the growing flowers, right beside you, “You didn’t see shit.”

“...I didn’t see shit.” Is all you can utter, breathless and terrified.

“Thaaaat’s fucking right, baby.” Corpse coos, “Now I’m gonna report it, and I’ll say we found Sykkuno together. Better stick close to me after the meeting, got it?”

If Sykkuno is Shoto, then Corpse is definitely Dabi. 

why is that kinda hot tho omg

didn’t know i needed dom corpse since now but i do

y/n looks like shes boutta throw up lmao 

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

You follow him around like a lost puppy - because what else is left for you to do!? You’re helpless in this situation. He’s got you in the palm of his hand, successfully eliminating everyone you had previously interacted with. First it was Charlie, then Sykkuno, even Sean, who said hello in passing, was shot instantly. Real Sangwoo behavior. You almost want to scream warnings at everyone to not approach you. You cannot mourn another lost crew mate, you don’t think your conscience can take it. But words fail to form. You’re too weak. You fake cry to your audience. They’re quick to remind you to stop acting like a little bitch.

“Mean.” Is all you say, eyeing the comments.

“Hm?”

“Was talking to the roaches.”

“What are they saying?”

“That I should betray you.”

“...Better not.”

A shiver shoots up your spine and you half believe he will bust down your door and drag you into his basement for real. A nervous laugh slips past your lips, “I won’t, I won’t.” You reassure him, “Don’t worry, I’m sticking with you. I haven’t seen shit.”

“I like that you listen to me. You always this agreeable?”

“You’re kinda not giving me a choice right now.” You grumble, vending yourself a drink while he looms behind you, protecting you. From who?! Himself?!

“Oh my fucking God, finally,” Bretman exclaims, “girl, I’ve been running around the whole map trynna find someone, is everyone like, dead?”

You’re scared to reply. Corpse does it for you, “Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, maybe? Not sure. Where have you been?”

“Oh you know,” Bretman grins, “doing tasks, talking shit, the usual. You two are not, like, Impostors right?”

You shoot a look at Corpse, but he obviously can’t see it. Biting your lip, you murmur, “Nope.”

“Just your regular crew mates doing regular crew mate things.” Corpse says, no, purrs. Because that’s not suspicious at all. You’d recommend Bretman to run, and not only because that sounded shady as fuck. But he seems to enjoy danger, or he just doesn’t care.

“Hmmmm, crew mates, sure. Miss girl Y/n,” He’s addressing you now; you smile anxiously, “How come every time I see you, you’re with a different man?! Like damn, leave some for the rest of us, for real!”

You like Bretman. You like his high-pitched whine and drawl. You would like him even more if not for the complex situation at hand. You fear for his life. Chewing at your bottom lip, you snicker, “Sorry, Bret. I can leave you Corpse if you want?”

He laughs, “Girl, I’d say yes so fucking quick, but I know he wouldn’t want that. Normally I wouldn’t care, but y’all are such a cute couple it’s making me not want to be a shady motherfucking bitch. Changing my ways, embracing the lord. Love it.”

 Corpse doesn’t correct him that you are, in fact, not dating. His lack of reaction unnerves you slightly. Does he...? No! No think! Only exist! You catch that train of thought and steer it away from forbidden territory. Looks like it’s up to you to clear the air, and that is exactly what you do after trying to swallow down the lump in your throat, “Uh, we’re not together, actually. We’re just really good friends.”

“Bitch, then move over,” Bretman says snappily,”go like, back to your other boyfriends. Or find another one. I think I saw Dream near Navigation.”

“Near Navigation, huh?” Corpse hums thoughtfully. It’s a subtle warning, but you catch it. Yeah, even if you try running, Dream’s going to join your other ‘boyfriends’ in the afterlife. Granted, killing someone by just talking with them is kind of cool. Or maybe Stockholm Syndrome is finally kicking in, “Bret, the thing is, Y/n’s scared of dying, so she asked me to stay with her.”

It’s disturbing how good at lying he is. It is also really really attractive, as bizarre as that is.

y/n stop being in a toxic relationship with corpse challenge

making fanart of this omg her face

its the blushing for me girl get your head outta the gutter!

^she cant, it lives there

“Baby, you’re gonna fucking die if you stick with her,” Bretman points out, “have you noticed the mortality rate of her partners? Rest in peace, daddy.”

“He’s right, you know.” You mutter, dramatically looking to the side, “I’m no good, Corpse.”

“Not leaving you, end of discussion. Bretman, join us?” Corpse offers, catching you by surprise. He might still be lying, though. Creating a false sense of security before eliminating Bretman. Probably would laugh while doing it, too. Wow, he truly is evil.

Turns out he doesn’t have to do any of that, because when Dream strolls into Cafeteria, he kills Bretman instead. The two Impostors are finally revealed. You promised not to snitch on Corpse, but you didn’t say shit about not exposing Dream. You press the REPORT button and say just that: “Dream just murdered Bret right in front of me and Corpse.”

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

The last meeting is called. Dream had been voted out with the help of Corpse, and now only you, he, and Rae remain.

“Baby, you know what to do.”

The VOTED icon pops up beside Corpse’s astronaut. Rae wheezes, “No! Y/n, it’s not me, you gotta believe me, I swear it’s not me!”

“...I really don’t know,” You murmur, “I’ve been with Corpse a lot, and...Rae, I’m not sure...”

“Please! I swear it on my Kagayama cardboard cut out, I’m not the Impostor, please! You know me, I’d never lie to you like this.”

“She’s definitely lying.” Corpse says, sounding pleased.

“Don’t listen to him! Remember, during the first round, when he tried to convince us that you were the Impostor? He’s doing the same shit to me!”

“I also remember you agreeing with him.” You remind her.

“I was stupid! Small dumb brain moment! He was using us to win! He’s using you right now!” She votes, “Please, Y/n, make the right choice.”

You’re silent for a moment.

“I’m gonna...I’m gonna vote for who I think it is.” You lastly say.

A slow, lazy grin makes it’s way onto your lips, eyes gleaming mischievously. You had not forgotten your promise to your brother from another mother, you had not forgotten the pride of the BDA, you had not forgotten your beautiful friendship. Two miniature astronauts pop up by Corpse’s at the exact moment Rae screeches “YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!”

“Fuck.” Is all Corpse says with a laugh.

The screen changes, informing of the first CREW MATE victory.

Your ears are assaulted with different voices as you appear in the lobby.

“Now that’s what I’m fucking talking about.” Charlie raves, “I swear to fucking God, Y/n, you even got me going for a second. Pulled some 1000 IQ shit right there. It was fucking amazing. Best back stabbing I’ve seen in a while, and I’ve seen a lot.”

“That was absolutely fantastic, Y/n.” Sean applauds, “I really thought you joined Corpse like some crew mate accomplice or something. Can’t believe you switched on him at the last second.”

“That’s my wifey!” Rae cheers, strolling to you, “Love you, mwah.”

“Hey, Corpse,” Charlie calls him, “How does it feel to be a fucking loser?”

“I’m surprisingly fine with it.”

yeah he would be lmao

mom is the best snake ever i love you sm y/n

rae and y/n’s friendship....the feeeeeels

As the rest sing your praises for another solid minute or two, the third round begins. CREW MATE again. Though, just because you’re stuck as an underpaid worker in a dying spaceship, it doesn’t mean you’re innocent. Your last round proved that quite well. You can’t help but silently snicker.

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

TAGLIST IS CLOSED!

tags (in italics is those i couldn’t tag! make sure all’s ok w your settings!) : @littlebabysandboxburritos - @fairywriter-oracle - @tsukishimawh0re - @ofstarsanddreams - @bbecc-a - @annshit - @leahh19 - @letsloveimagines - @bellomi-clarke - @wineandionysus - @guiltydols - @onephootinfrontoftheother - @liamakorn - @thirstyfangirl - @lilysdaydreams - @pan-ini - @mxqicshxp - @tanchosanke - @yoshinorecommends - @flightsandfantasy - @liljennyx3 - @bingusmode - @unknown-and-invisible - @sinister-sleep - @fivedicksinatrenchcoat - @mercury--moon - @peterparkerspjsuit - @unstableye - @simonsbluee - @shinyshimaagain - @ppopty - @siriuslystupid - @crapimahuman - @ofthedewthesunlight - @mythicalamphitrite - @artsyally - @corpsesimpp - @corpsewhitetee - @corpse-husbandsimp - @hyp-oh-critical - @roses-and-grasses - @rhyrhy462 - @sparklylandflaplawyer - @charbkgo - @airwaveee - @creativedogs - @kaitlyn2907 - @loxbbg - @afuckingunicornn - @fleurmoon - @yeolliedokai

more tags are in the comments bcs tumblr only allows me to tag 50 people max 💙

[drabbles-mc]

Double or Nothing

Horacio Carrillo x F!Reader

Request by Anon: would you pls consider jealous Horacio??

Warnings: language, alcohol, Carrillo being a jealous lil dude

Word Count: 4.5k

A/N: I think I have been staring at this for far too long and I’ve made myself start to dislike it.😅 However that being said, the thought of Carrillo being jealous pre-relationship because he likes you but is too much of a chicken to tell you but also hates the idea of anyone else having you?? That track slaps every time. Plus, you know I love to pepper in a little Javi for chaos purposes. 

Narcos Taglist: @thesandbeneathmytoes @garbinge @bruxasolta @winchestershiresauce @sizzlingcloudmentality @alm0501 @panagiasikelia​ @616wilsons​ @hauntedforsst​ @mirabee​ @buckybarneshairpullingkink​ (If you want to be added to the taglist, let me know!)

He could feel the tic in his jaw, the way his fingers involuntarily clenched into a fist at his side. His shoulders tensed and the more he tried to ignore the burning feeling growing in the back of his mind, the worse it became. And it only got worse when he thought about the fact that he had no right to feel how he was feeling, no right for him to have such a visceral reaction to the scene playing out in front of him.

You weren’t even doing anything wrong.

Before leaving work earlier that night, you’d mentioned to Carrillo in passing that a group of you from the embassy were all going out for drinks at a new bar that was only a few blocks away, a place that was supposed to have good drinks and a decent amount of space for a dancefloor. It was evident that he wasn’t super sold on the idea of spending extra time with a bunch of people from the embassy, but you told him that Javier was going to be there, along with Steve and Connie, and of course yourself.

You gave him a shrug, “Might be good for you to come out and have a little fun, hm?” you flashed him a smile before walking towards the door, “Think about it.”

The only reason he thought about it was because the smile you gave him nearly knocked the wind out of his lungs. The two of you had never really had a chance to talk to each other outside of work, the closest you’d gotten was when both of you stayed late and walked out to your cars at the same time. Even then, the conversations were short and he never pried about much, not wanting to say the wrong thing. He didn’t know what it was about you that made him so nervous, because he wasn’t one to second-guess himself. It wasn’t like you set out to make him nervous, either—you’d never been anything but kind, and professional. He didn’t know what it was.

Or, at least, that’s what he’d been able to tell himself until he walked into the bar and saw you talking and laughing with someone else. He didn’t have any room to lie to himself anymore, to plead ignorance about his own feelings.

He was about to turn around and walk right back out again. No one would’ve known that he even showed up in the first place, and he could just say that he hadn’t felt like going. And it’d have the added benefit of not putting him in the position of having to watch some other asshole from the embassy flirt with you.

He didn’t turn around quick enough, though, because Javier locked eyes with him before he could try to disappear back out the door. He waved his arm above his head, a smile on his face at the fact that Carrillo had actually showed up to something besides a raid or a mandatory meeting.

Swallowing his pride, Carrillo took a deep breath and made his way over to the end of the bar where everyone from the embassy was gathered. He managed to stay out of your line of sight, making a direct line over to Murphy and Peña. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to talk to you, but he hadn’t prepared himself for the onslaught of feelings he experienced when he saw you laughing and playfully bumping your shoulder against that of the man next to you.

Javier gave him a friendly pat on the back, “Guess I owe your girl there a round,” he shook his head with a laugh, “I bet her that there was no way you were gonna show up.”

Carrillo chuckled, trying not to stare at you, “You should be used to buying drinks for women at this point, Javier,” he paused, attempting to keep his expression and tone neutral as he asked, “New kid?” he nodded towards the man standing next to you.

Javier nodded before taking a sip of his whiskey, “Yea. He’s on the legal team with her—started a week or so ago I think. His name is…fuck. Steve, what’s his name?”

Steve shook his head, laughing at the fact that Javier seemed to have a conveniently selective memory when it came to whose names he remembered, “David.”

Carrillo clenched his jaw. Fuck David.

Javier nodded, “That’s right. Yea. They’re two peas in a goddamn pod now,” he chuckled.

Steve saw the look on Javier’s face and rolled his eyes, “Still bettin’ that she’s gonna say no when he asks her out.”

Now it was Javier’s turn to shake his head, “He’s never gonna actually do it. He’s not gonna risk getting rejected and having to sit at a goddamn desk next to her.”

Connie listened to the two of them bantering back and forth, listening as she silently shook her head. Steve saw the smirk curling at the edge of her lips, though, and immediately asked what her take was on the situation. Taking a long sip of her drink, she thought carefully about her answer, “It just seems like she’s having a pretty good time with him over there, that’s all. I wouldn’t count him out just yet.”

They were all laughing amongst themselves, but the entire exchange had Carrillo’s mind reeling. When he watched the way you laughed, the way you bit lightly on your bottom lip as you shook your head at whatever David was saying to you, he knew that Connie was right. You looked so happy. And as much as he wanted to go and break it all up, to go and say something, anything to you, he felt like he couldn’t will his feet to move.

You were torn away from your conversation by the sound of Javier calling your name. Raising your eyebrows, you replied, “Yea, Jav?”

He gestured to Carrillo, “You win, next round on me!”

You laughed but you couldn’t hide the excitement you felt when you saw Carrillo standing with them. Hopping down off your stool, you walked over to greet him. You couldn’t believe that you’d missed him coming in in the first place. You hoped that he hadn’t been there too long, since you had been the one who invited him. You almost hugged him, but stopped yourself, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. The Colonel had never given you an overly affectionate vibe, despite how nice he was during your interactions at work.

“I’m so glad you made it!”

The knot in his stomach loosened slightly when he took in the way you were smiling at him. Your face was flushed, maybe from the alcohol, maybe from the heat trapped inside the club, maybe both. Either way, you looked beautiful. A different kind of beautiful than how you looked when you were working.

“Heard you had a round of drinks riding on it,” his smile was small, but genuine.

You laughed, rolling your eyes, “That’s not why I’m glad. Oh, hang on, wait here,” you flitted back over to David, bringing him over to officially introduce the two of them, “David, this is who I was telling you about. This is Colonel Carrillo, hands-down the toughest man in Colombia,” your smile was impossible not to love.

David chuckled at your enthusiastic introduction of the man you’d mentioned to him a few times in passing, always with respect and admiration, “Nice to meet you,” he reached out to shake his hand.

Carrillo couldn’t hide the fact that he was sizing up the younger man standing in front of him. His grasp on David’s hand was firm, “Nice to meet you.”

If David felt anxious under the weight of the Colonel’s gaze, he didn’t show it in the slightest. You broke the staring contest that you hadn’t realized was happening by giving David a light squeeze on the arm, “Come on, you said you’d dance with me!”

It was evident that Carrillo wasn’t the only one who had showed up that night with the inability to say no to you. David let you pull him out towards the dancefloor, smiles on both of your faces, leaving Carrillo there absolutely dumbfounded. You made it look so easy.

“Be safe out there, kids!” Javi called after the two of you with a laugh. Turning back to Carrillo, Javi gave him a nod, “So, what was the magic pitch she gave you to get you out here?”

Steve laughed, “Maybe she’s just easier to say yes to, Javi, ever think of that?”

They all laughed before Steve and Connie made their way to the dancefloor as well, and Carrillo internally thanked Steve for saving him from having to come up with an answer to Javier’s question that wouldn’t expose the fact that the only reason he needed to say yes was just the thought of you even wanting him to be there. He tried to keep himself busy, ordering himself a drink in attempt not to stare at you. It was nearly impossible for him to not look at the two of you out on the dancefloor, and his blood boiled when he saw how close David had pulled you to him, how much you seemed to enjoy it.

His discontent was showing on his face clearer than he realized. Peña clapped him on the shoulder, “We’re off the clock, Carrillo. Lighten up a bit.” The Colonel nodded, but he wasn’t able to force the tension out of his body, and Javier picked up on that immediately. Arching one eyebrow, he asked, “What’s the problem?”

Carrillo shook his head, letting his gaze linger on you for just a moment too long, “Nothing.”

Javier followed where Carrillo had just been looking, and when the realization hit him, he couldn’t stop the surprise from showing in every feature of his face. He’d never seen the colonel express much interest in anyone in a romantic context, not even hearing him make a comment about a woman being attractive in passing. It was hard to picture the man being jealous, and yet, there he was. Javi nodded slowly, trying to figure out what to say.

“Drop it, Peña,” Carrillo spoke up before the other man could.

“She’s got no idea, you know.”

“Good,” he replied, his grip on the glass in his hand tightening.

He shook his head, “You won’t know unless you—”

“I said to drop it,” he took a sip of his drink, trying to distract himself and failing miserably.

It would’ve been different, maybe, if you didn’t look like you were having such a good time with someone else. Your smile brightened up the entire place as you swayed to the music, leaning into the man whose hands were situated so comfortably on your hips. Even though it twisted Carrillo up from the inside out, he wasn’t going to be the one to take that kind of enjoyment away from you.

“Ask her next time she comes back for a drink,” now that Javier knew, he was going to be like a dog with a bone.

“What?”

“When she comes back for a drink,” Javier nodded in your direction, “ask her to dance,” he saw Carrillo open his mouth to argue, “Or I can do it for you. And you don’t want that.”

Carrillo didn’t give any response other than another shake of his head. A smirk lingered on Javier’s face, and he should’ve known that that meant nothing but trouble for him. The two of them made conversation with a few of the others who had shown up for the night, and Carrillo forgot all about Javi’s persistence as he tried not to focus more attention on you than he already had.

A few songs later, you made your way back over to the bar to get another drink. David wasn’t far behind you, and Carrillo was shaking his head before he could even stop himself. He was snapped out of his thoughts by the feeling of Javi nudging him. He didn’t say anything, just looking back and forth expectantly between you and the colonel, making it clear that this was Carrillo’s last chance to do something on his own before Javi intervened.

Carrillo gave a dismissive shake of his head. Whether it was meant to call Javier on his bluff or not, it didn’t matter. Before Carrillo could get a word out to try and stop him, Javi was slipping through the clusters of people to land himself next to you at the bar. Carrillo watched intently, unable to move himself from his seat. It was like a trainwreck happening in front of him and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

You felt the arm drape around your shoulder, and when you turned and looked, you couldn’t hide the surprise on your face when you saw it was Javier. You laughed, leaning into him slightly as you asked, “Something I can help you with, Agent Peña?”

He chuckled, shaking his head, “Please don’t call me that when we’re off the clock,” when your laughter quieted, he continued, “Up for a double-or-nothing bet?”

You smiled, “Owing me one round of drinks wasn’t good enough for you? You wanna owe me two?”

“I think I’ve got you on this one, sweetheart.”

You laughed, “Let’s hear it, then.”

“Alright. Double or nothing, you can’t get Carrillo out onto the dancefloor tonight.”

Your eyes widened, jaw dropping slightly but not hating the prospect of the bet, “Do you always have so many bets involving Carrillo?”

His mouth twisted into a smug little smirk that you’d come to recognize so well, “Only with people who I think get just as much enjoyment out of it as I do.”

Your cheeks warmed at the comment, knowing that it was a joke but also a little bit of a call-out. Throwing back the rest of your drink, you gave him a nod, “Your tab is gonna be hurting at the end of the night tonight, Peña.”

You slipped out from underneath his arm and started to collapse the distance between you and Carrillo. Since your back was to him, you didn’t see the satisfied grin and nod that Javier sent the other man’s way, basking in the glory of the moment he had just constructed.

“Hey,” you leaned against the table next to Carrillo, whose expression you couldn’t quite figure out, “I have a question for you.”

He had an idea of where this was all going, but he couldn’t let you know what, “What’s that?”

“How would you feel about helping me win another bet against Peña?”

He let out a chuckle, one that could be disguised as amusement from your question, but it was actually him being slightly impressed by how Javier had decided to go about the entire thing. Trying to prevent himself from shooting Javi a look, he focused his eyes on you, not that it was too difficult for him to do, “What’s the bet?”

“He said that I wouldn’t be able to get you out onto the dancefloor before the night is over,” you chuckled as you leaned against his arm a little, “And I know you’re not the kind of man who backs down from a challenge.”

There was something about the way you were looking at him as you said that, that sent a jolt throughout his whole body. He tried to contain it, offering you a small smile, “I’m not, no,” he cast a glance over to the bar where he saw David standing, watching the two of you with interest clearly written all over his face, “He won’t be upset?” he nodded towards the man in question.

You looked where he was looking, laughter spilling out of you when you saw who he was talking about, “David? God, no,” you shook your head, “Trust me, he’s not going to have any problem finding another girl to occupy his time.”

Carrillo hated how much comfort he found in your immediate dismissal, like the idea of you and David together was outlandish. He had no right to feel a sense of victory in it, but he did.

You saw the gears turning in his mind, and you held out your hand for him to take, “C’mon, you’re already here, right?”

Not that he planned on saying no to you in the first place, but he was powerless to turn you down once you held your hand out. He chuckled as he set his glass down and slid his hand into yours, trying to memorize the way you sounded as you laughed and tugged him towards the dancefloor. If you wanted to think that it was all for a bet, he wasn’t going to try and convince you otherwise.

You’d never thought much about whether or not Carrillo was a good dancer. You never had a reason to until you were pulling him across the club. He hadn’t hesitated, though, which led you to believe that maybe he was good with more than just a gun.

The hesitancy and nerves that had plagued him for so long, lingering in every interaction that he had with you, all seemed to disappear. He really couldn’t afford to be afraid now. The second your hands came to rest on his shoulders, fingers lacing just barely on the back of his neck, the chance to be this close to you became much more important than any of the worries he’d ever had before. His arms looped around your waist, careful not to stray too low—after all, he was still a gentleman.

You’d been out dancing plenty of times, and had your fair share of dance partners in the process. However, there was something about the ease with which Carrillo maneuvered the two of you that wasn’t like anything you’d ever experienced before. It was like he didn’t even have to think about it. For a man who had always seemed so rigid at work, even a little uptight at times if you were being honest, he certainly didn’t carry it with him into the club that night. Apparently, in the time before you knew him, he’d had plenty of experience actually going out and having a good time.

He saw the smile on your face, the sparkle in your eyes, “What?”

You shook your head, cheeks warming as you tried to think of how you wanted to answer that question, “I just, I didn’t know,” it was hard to think about anything other than the feeling of his hands on your hips, “You never mentioned that you could dance.”

It was the first real laugh of his that you’d ever heard, a sound that was going to be burned into your memory banks going forward, “You never asked.”

You were about to come back with a witty response when he gave you a quick twirl, causing you to laugh, soaking up the moment as his hands sild right back down to your hips again once you were back close to him. Shaking your head, you asked, “Any other skills I should know about?”

You could see it in his eyes for a moment that he thought about saying something to answer your question, but instead he wrapped his arm a little tighter around you, pulling you so that your chest was flush against his. It wasn’t that you minded the gesture, but he’d never been that close with you before, and it caught you off-guard. You refocused on him, expecting to see him looking back at you, but instead his gaze fell behind you. Turning to look over your shoulder, you saw David, the look on his face clearly conveying that he was intrigued by the turn of events.

“Hey, I think I’m gonna head out,” he tried to focus on you, but he couldn’t help but to let his gaze flicker to Carrillo, who was all but boring holes into him with his eyes.

“Oh, okay!” you stepped out of Carrillo’s arms, and you were sure that you were imagining it, but it almost felt like he didn’t want to let you go. Wrapping David in a quick hug, you said goodbye, “Get home safe, alright? I’ll see you Monday.”

“See you Monday,” the smile faded just slightly when he looked to Carrillo, “Nice meeting you.”

Carrillo’s arm was already snaking around your waist again as he spoke, “You too.”

This time you really got to watch the two of them interact. The man who had been dancing with you was not the same man who was all but giving David a wordless ultimatum. You saw the tension in his jaw, the way he nodded slightly in dismissal of the young man in front of him. Carrillo’s eyes stayed on him until he reached the door of the club, and you truly couldn’t believe that you’d just watched all of that play out.

“Hey,” your voice, although not loud, still came in clear to him over the rest of the noise of the club, “you alright?”

His gaze snapped back to you, body easing slightly, “Of course.”

Arching one eyebrow, you placed one palm flat against his chest, “You sure?” you let out a quiet chuckle, “You’re watching him like he’s a suspect.” Being called out so directly by you made him loosen his hold on your waist a little, eyes dropping down to the floor for all of a moment, “Did I miss something?”

All the confidence he’d had swaying you to the music disappeared in a snap. “No,” he finally forced out an answer to your question.

“Hey,” you waited for him to look you in the eye, “You’re not a good liar, Horacio.”

It hit him that you’d never called him by his first name before. He wracked his mind trying to come up with a response, “It’s nothing.”

You laughed, stepping back from him a little bit to get a better look at him, “Nothing? Are you sure? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look at someone like that. What’d you think he was going to do, break up our dance?” you said it with a laugh but there was a beat of hesitation on his end and a smile instantly took over your features, “Did you?”

“It’s not…like that.”

You chuckled, not convinced, “Then what’s it like?”

He should’ve known better than to think this was going to go smoothly. He never should’ve come out for the night. His mind was already working overtime trying to plan an escape route. “I should,” his eyes darted towards the door, “I should go.”

The smile dropped from your face, and you reached forward and grabbed his hand before he could get too far from you, “Horacio, wait,” you pulled, more propelling yourself towards him than pulling him back towards you, “You…you can’t just leave. Come on, I, I was kidding.”

He saw the pleading look on your face, “I know you were.” He didn’t have the guts to say but I wasn’t, hoping that you would just know.

“Then don’t leave. Please. I…I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”

“Me either,” he didn’t know why that was so hard for him to admit to you.

Reassurance flooded through you at that, “Then stay. At least for one more song.”

You saw it in his eyes the moment he decided not to leave. Relaxing his shoulders, he let you draw him back towards the center of the dancefloor. He held you a little closer than he had before, and you didn’t comment on it, not minding it in the slightest.

One song easily turned into more than that, and before you knew it, the two of you found yourselves back at the bar ordering drinks again. You looked over at him, a smile on your face, “You know,” you chuckled, feeling a little braver than maybe you should’ve, “jealous is a different look on you.”

His eyes widened as he looked over at you, “What?”

You smiled, shaking your head, “It’s fine. I just, you know, I didn’t expect that. I didn’t see it coming.”

He wanted to argue, but the last of his resolve slipped away as he watched you sip so casually on your drink, “That obvious?”

“You looked like you were about to strangle the other half of my legal team,” you laughed, seeing the embarrassment creeping into his features, “All that from a guy who didn’t even want to come out tonight.”

He let out an embarrassed chuckle, “Sorry.”

“You’d only have to apologize if you actually strangled him,” you flashed him a smile before moving closer to him, your arm pressing against his, “I like you, you know,” never in a million years did you think you would ever be saying that to him, but nothing about the night felt real so what was the worst that could come of this?

He tilted his head, clearly surprised, “You do?”

You laughed, nodding, “Yea. That’s…that’s why I invited you out in the first place. Just, you know, wanted a reason to see you outside of work.”

“Oh,” he pondered over the statement.

“Yea,” your face felt hot all over again.

He stared down into the glass in his hands like it was going to give him the right thing to say next, “Could I take you to dinner?”

Your eyes widened, “Wh-uh, yea. Yes. That’d…yes. I’d like that.”

“Tomorrow?”

You laughed, nodding, “Tomorrow works.”

A smile was tugging at the edges of his mouth, and his voice had a softer tone than it had all night, or any other time you’d spoken to him, “Okay. Tomorrow.”

You could hardly bear the amount of butterflies in your stomach, “Tomorrow.

Carrillo looked over at you, a shy smile on his face despite everything that had just happened. His fingers drummed on the outside of his glass as he tried to figure out what he was supposed to say or do next. You, on the other hand, figured that there was no time like the present to just go for broke. Turning so that you were facing him directly, you leaned in and pressed your lips to his. You could feel the shocked response he gave you, but it only took him a second to catch up and lean into you. His lips tasted like whiskey and while you’d never been a fan, you were certain that there was nothing you loved more than that in that moment. Your hand gripped onto his bicep as his lips continued to move against yours, and for a moment you forgot you were at the bar in the middle of a crowded club.

Pulling away, you let out a breathless, slightly embarrassed laugh, “Sorry,” you shook your head, “I just, I didn’t want to wait until tomorrow.”

Carrillo had a bit of a dazed look on his face as he chuckled, “Don’t apologize.”

[raineydays411]

My fathers daughter

prologue

Tony Stark x daughter! reader

Summary: By all definitions you were a daddy’s girl. It’s been you and him since your mom left you both. But what happens when your both forced to face your past?

a/n: y’all know i can’t resist a good crossover

If there had to be a face for daddys girl, you’d be the poster child. 

Ever since you came into Tony’s life, you and him have been attached by the hip.

You were with him through everything.

When he became Iron Man, when he joined the avengers, and even during civil war. Even though it hurt you to see your family be torn apart, you could never betray your father. Then again, you have to admit that you were happy that the avengers compromised and were able to get back together. Earning you a new family member in Bucky. You were happy. Happy with the life you have with your dad and avengers. 

Which is why your mother suddenly reappearing and demanding to be in your life kinda of peeved you off. 

Let’s start from the beginning. 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It started off with a gala. 

Some bougie charity event that rich assholes attend to donate large sums of money, not out of kindness, but only to show just how rich they are. You hated these types of events.  You hated the fake smiles and false interest in your life. All they wanted was to get close to your dad. They even try to set you up with their snobby stuck up kids. You hated it. 

And here you were, trying to find a way to get out of this boring conversation with some snob from Beverly hills. You can see your dad laughing at you from across the room. 

“You know, you look a lot like Mrs. Wayne.” He suddenly says, looking at you.

“Who?” You ask, suddenly paying attention.

“Mrs. Wayne, you know, Bruce Wayne's wife.”

You know who Bruce Wayne was. Your dad absolutely detestes the man. He never really told you why. He just said to never trust a Wayne. You also know that he’s Batman and his army of children are/were Robin. It was pretty obvious and rather easy to figure out. Then again, you were able to hack into the Bat computers main systems. They really need to update their firewalls. 

“Um no I didn’t know that he had a wife to be honest.” You reply, not really interested.

“You can pass as her daughter you know? She is very beautiful. As are you.” He says in a flirty tone. 

You roll your eyes, seeing your father finishing up a conversation and make your move, but then you hear 

“Oh look, there's the Wayne family right there.” 

Causing the attention to turn to the main entrance. There you saw Bruce Wayne. Tall, handsome, and charismatic. He was smiling, waving at the host. Next to him, his oldest son Dick. Another very handsome man, Tall with blue eyes and raven hair. Sending charming smiles to the crowds of women. Then Tim Drake, too focused on his phone to pay attention to the crowds, and finally Damian Wayne. A small boy with a sharp scowl. To his left, you can barely make out the form of his wife and his daughter, Cassandra Cain. You can also see Stephanie Brown chatting excitedly to Mrs. Wayne, who you still couldn’t see.

“Jeez, they brought the whole cavalry.” You mutter, looking at the star struck boy you were talking to.

You roll your eyes. The way people worship this family is strange. They act as if they are royalty or gods. You look at your father, expecting him to be making a sarcastic face or something. But that’s not what you saw. No, you saw a look on his face that you haven’t seen on his face ever. That’s when you walked up to him.

“Daddy...are you okay?” You asked cautiously.  He turned to you, shocked.

“Y/n!” He practically shouts, “ I’m okay, are you okay? We can leave right now if you’re not okay?” 

You frown in confusion, “ Umm yeah, I’m fine...”

“Good, Good. We’re going to leave now, this gala kinda blows. DOn’t you think?”

You can see his eyes dart to the Waynes to you. He looks...panicked. It was weird to you. Usually he keeps his cool during events like these. 

“Um sure..I just need to go to the restroom first” You say, seeing him nod. You walk off, shaking off the concern you have for your father. As you push through the crowds, you can hear them whisper as you passed. Something about Mrs. Wayne. 

You shake your head, “Can’t they talk about anything else??” 

Then you finally find the bathroom. You walk in, expecting it to be empty, only to be faced with Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown. They were chatting near the sinks as you walking into the stall. After doing your business, you walked out to the sink, going to wash your hands, but you saw Stephanie freeze, then nudge Cassandra. They both stared at you as you washed your hands and went to dry them. You give them a side eye, wondering why they were staring at you so hard. 

“Um hi?” You say carefully, the jump not expecting you to speak.

“Oh! Hello Im Stephanie and this is Cass” Stephanie says with a smile. “ You’re Y/n Stark right?”

“Uh yeah...Its nice to meet you dudes” You say quickly, already ready to walk out the restroom. 

“I’m sorry for staring, it’s just that...you look a lot like her mother” She says gesturing to Cassandra. 

You chuckle, “ Uh yeah so I’ve heard...hey I gotta go...”

“Oh right! Sorry heh” Stephanie laughs nervously, “It was great to meet you”

“Yeah” You agree half heartedly, “ You too”

And with that you go to find your father. You pass by the Wayne sons, only to see them take a double take when you pass them. 

“God that family is weird.” You mumble seeing your father talking to Bruce and his wife. He looked distressed and angry. You speed up, wanting to make sure your father doesn’t punch Bruce Wayne the way he looks like he's going to.

“Hey dad...um I’m ready to go.” You says with your back turned on the Waynes.

“Y/n..” Your dad says panic exploding on his face, “ Y/n sweetheart um...”

“Yn?” You hear a woman whisper.  You turn to see Bruce Wayne and...your mother. 

You remember the day she left. It was a sunny day. The kind of days that usually are in good memories and have happy endings. She was supposed to take you to the park so you can meet your dad there. You hardly saw her over the years, just every three months when she would come to the then Stark Tower to visit. But that say...that day was different. She had gotten a call, from who you don’t know, nut it seemed important. Because she left at that very moment and never came back. She never reached out, never called, texted or anything. Just radio silence. Your dad was heart broken.  He had hoped that one day she would move in with you and him, and you could be a family. He loved her with his whole heart, but she just didn’t love you both enough to stay. He was a mess after she left, and you picked up the pieces.

You were nine.

If it wasn’t for Pepper stepping in after witnessing one of his breakdowns, you don’t know what would’ve happened.

You stare at the woman who left you, who broke your fathers heart. Who broke your heart.

“Ms. Wayne.” you say curtly, taking pleasure in the way her face fell, “ Mr. Wayne, it’s lovely to see you again. If you’ll excuse me and my father, it seems like he’s not feeling too well.”

You weren’t lying, Tony looked like he was about to puke. His face was pale and he was kinda sweaty. So you wrapped your arm around him and lead him to the entrance, starting to pull out your phone to call Happy.

“Y/n wait!” Your mother cried out, pulling her arm away from Bruce and placing a hand in your shoulder. You jerked your shoulder out of her grasp.

“ Y/n, I know you’re mad at me” she starts, cringing when she hears you scoff, “ But wait a second. Let me look at you...my petal you’re so big.”

You turn and glare at her, “ Don’t call me that.”

“Oh Y/n, please—“You cut her off again.

“Hey i’m just going along with what you want. This is what you wanted right? No contact with us?”

You can see a crowd start to form around you, and you see the scattered Wayne’s push through it. They look at each other in confusion trying to understand how you seem to know their mother.

“ Of course that’s not what I wanted, oh petal I meant to call I just...” She trailed off

“Couldn’t be bothered?” you say harshly, “ I couldn’t care less. Just leave us alone. That should be easy for you.”

You feel your dad tug on your hand, and you turn to him. Eyes softening when you see the expression on his face.

“ Happys here kiddo.” He says softly. You nod and start to walk away. And you hear your mother protest, but you cut her off with a venomous,

“It was nice seeing you again Mom.”

and then you were gone. This time, leaving your mother behind and her confused husband and children.