#like how normal has one less than usual (he took off scary’s)

[silverlistenstothings]

Anchor of Anger

[nrdmssgs]

Sharing one bed with your friend from 141

Masterlist Little oneshots. Sharing a bed, because there is only one left free.

TW: Please note, that in every situation, a reader is an old friend of one of the four and there is a bit of sympathy beyond friendship between them!! So I wasn't trying to make TF 141 a bunch of awkward scary guys, that hug you without any reason and consent!! Don't worry, none of them would ever harm you, guys!!!

Simon Ghost Riley

"I warn you, I'm used to sleeping alone, so I may hog the blankets. If it happens so - don't hesitate to wake me up, ok?"

Ghost glares at you and chuckles briefly. "I get to sleep in a normal bed only once every few months. Don't think you can steal anything from me."

You sigh and turn away: well, at least you warned him. He may be some kind of super-soldier, but he is yet to discover, how fury an inveterate solo-sleeper can be. "Nighty." But he doesn't answer you - must have fallen asleep immediately.

You wake up in a tight, warm cocoon of blankets: obviously yours and his. But when you try to move - it appears harder than it seemed at first. Something, or rather someone, presses all these blankets down to you. So you turn your head only to meet Simons menacing, unblinking gaze.

"You saw nothing." His hand guides you by your chin to lay back down on a pillow, facing away from him. Then he goes back to wrapping you in a tight embrace. "I got cold, and you refused to give my blanket back."

Captain John Price

"Lemme know if it gets too warm. I got feedback about being a human furnace for a couple of times." Despite the fact, that he just laid down beside you - Johns voice is already sleepy.

"I believe, you have to hug another person to get such a comment." You answer and laugh at Johns immediate 'oh, shi... sorry' and a friendly pat on your back, covered with blanket.

"Sleep well," wishes you Price. And that was... exactly, what you planned, if the man hadn't start snoring in ten minutes.

At first, you tried to be gentle, touching lightly his shoulder to make him go quiet. But when he woke you up for the fifth time in a row - you punched him so hard - you must have left a bruise on his back. But John Price could sleep on a military base. He could sleep in a flying helli between the missions, being surrounded by shouting soldiers. Even your punches feel like a tender caresses in comparison to the chaos, in which he sometimes has to fall asleep.

He wakes up only when you almost throw him off the bed. "John! You snore like a freakin bear!" You are out of energy and already consider going to sleep on a floor in another room, only to get away from this nightmare.

He blinks a couple of times, obviously not waking up fully, then scoops you up, nuzzles your neck and whispers in a sleepy ruffle voice "M`sorry, love. You should let me know right away, if I wake you up again."

Perfect: now he's mistaken you for someone in his sleep! Well, at least, he really stays quiet, as he is hugging you. So you decide to let him do it, as long as it grants you sound sleep.

On the next morning, Price inspects his back in the mirror, when you walk past him. "Never considered enlisting in the military? I could use a furious little beast like you..."

Johnny Soap Mactavish

"Soap, for f sake, you are a grown man, what are you doing?" You grunt, as yet another decorative pillow hits your back.

"Building a wall, lass. Otherwise, you'll end up on my side of bed as usual!" He isn't even thinking of stopping, so the next pillow hits your head.

"Johnny, Hadrians Wall took less time to be built up! And I repeat for the hundredth time: I don't have a single idea, how does it happen, but I swear, it's not me! I don't tend to move in my sleep. When I'm alone - I always wake up in the exact same pose, I've fallen asleep!" You try to grab a pillow to throw it away, but he doesn't let you.

"Well, then it's my natural charm, that just drawn you to my side every time." Soap finally places the last pillow up on his 'wall' between yours and his sides of the bed.

You wake up in the same place you've fallen asleep. Only this time you are buried under the remains of Johnnys 'masterpiece' from yesterday. Grunting, you try to get out from under a pile of pillows, but you feel Johnny's whole body pressing against you from behind with a displeased rumbling. And only then it hits you.

You turn to him and whisper in his sleeping face. "It was you all this time. You grabbed me and pulled to your side of the bed, you sneaky bastard..." Johnny mumbles something incoherent in his sleep and only presses you closer to him.

Kyle Gaz Garrick

"Ok, good night." Kyle turns the light down and goes silent.

You lie awake for some time, listening to the sounds outside the window, but gradually you fall asleep. However, very soon, you startle and open your eyes: there is someone in the room, you two are no more alone. You hear the wooden floor crackling closer. Someone's shadow falls on the wall. You are frightened, but you lie quietly, blaming it all on your imagination. And then you feel the mattress sag under someone's weight at your feet.

At that moment you understand, you had enough and in one swift motion dart to Kyle, ending up on top of him. It wakes him up and for a few moments, he looks confused as his eyes adjust to the darkness. But when he understands, it's you, he relaxes. "Ahem, hi?"

"There is someone in this bed. Someone besides us!" You whisper, shifting your weight to the side, so that Kyle is left to defend you from the mysterious threat.

He turns the bedside lamp on and starts laughing almost immediately. Your friends dog, that apparently freaked you out so badly, now curled up all cozy on your side of the bed.

"Hi buddy! You were feeling lonely, so you came to us, yeah?" Kyle scratches the dog behind the ear, and it happily beats the blanket with its tail. You breathe a sigh of relief, a little embarrassed at being so scared. However, you don't give Kyle a chance to start joking about this and push him closer to the center of the bed, settling in where he just slept.

"Okay, congratulations, now that buddy is your problem. I'm going to sleep!" You try to ignore Kyle's soft laugh.

"You're going to fall out of bed at night and scare the poor dog." He pulls you closer to him. "That's better. Sleep. And I'll protect you from this 'dire wolf'."

[dittanyinbloom]

Study Habits

A continuation of Note Taking.

Ominis Gaunt x fem!MC, no specific house, 2.5k, fluff, Sorry to put Sebastian through this. Suppose he has you all to blame for wanting a part two.

.🪶📜🪶

To say your head was in the clouds would be a giant understatement.

Class was a complete blur after that. Ominis had kept to himself and fallen asleep as though nothing had gone on. You remained alert, not able to shake the phantom feeling of a hand squeezing above your knee. Four digits digging into your flesh, almost possessively while his thumb swiped back and forth. How he managed to be demanding while remaining breathtakingly gentle, you would never know. The things it made you feel were obscene, and in public no less!

You’d followed him like a puppy after class, though, that was no different than other days. This time you noticed your attentiveness, neediness, but despite how embarrassed and overwhelmed you felt, you couldn’t help but follow at his heels until you were forced to part ways for your last classes.

“Sebastian is going to want to see those notes in the library later,” he called over his shoulder on his way to Arithmacy.

You weren’t planning on showing. How could you, knowing what you know now? Spending the evening hiding under your covers wouldn’t be so bad. Or perhaps you could sneak out to the Forbidden Forest again and take out some of your nerves on an unsuspecting acromantula.

But by the end of your last class, you were entertaining the idea of going to the library. If you showed up late enough, Ominis would have given up and left for the Slytherin common room long before your arrival. Sebastian alone was something you could handle, and then he could report back to Ominis about how completely normal you seemed, how unbothered you were, aloof, nonchalant! All of the totally calm and not at all flustered words.

While your mind was planning the excuse for your fashionably late show, your muscles were working on instinct and memory. Just as you were coming to, you had already begun your ascent up the staircase to the second floor of the library. Classes had just ended, meaning you had gone straight there. You stopped with three steps left to go, realizing your mistake. In your defense, your mind was still a foggy mess. All the scenarios you had been playing out to prepare yourself were displayed through a gray haze of confusion. And if you dwelled on it too much, your train of thought fell off its tracks and started replaying that damned moment in class.

“What do you think you are doing, Mrs. Gaunt?”

Oh, why did he have to say it in that reprimanding tone? The one he always had whenever Sebastian, and by proxy, you were getting into things you were not supposed to. The way his voice echoed in the Undercroft when he got angry always made your knees feel weak. You were known for being quick to agree with him, too. Sebastian teased you for it relentlessly.

“If he told you to jump, you’d ask how high.”

“Shut it, Sallow.”

“You got here fast!” Sebastian commented when he finally looked up from his book. He was reading, of course, and like always it wasn’t something in the Hogwarts curriculum. Books seemed to be his escape from the scary thoughts swirling around in his head. You couldn’t judge. It was a much safer option compared to how you intended to battle a swarm of spiders to rid yourself of inappropriate thoughts.

Seeing Sebastian alone was usually a red flag for disastrous outcomes, but today you welcomed his solitude and took a seat across from him at the table he claimed nearly every day. Maybe you could leave before Ominis showed. Your plan to avoid him was still full steam ahead, it seemed.

“Yes, just wanted to drop off the notes for you. I have to meet with. .,” Quick! Think of something! “-Professor Fig!”

“Uncovering more of that ancient magic mystery?” Sebastian presumed.

“Precisely.” You took out your roll of parchment and handed it over. Today, you had been far too embarrassed to make any unnecessary doodles, so you had no qualms about Sebastian just copying the work himself.

“I can’t wait to hear about it. Much more exciting than History of-,” Sebastian cut out the moment he unrolled the parchment.

Amidst all the urgency of planning your timely escape, you forgot about the exact reason you wanted to leave. Ominis’s hand on your thigh, insistent that you cross out your last name and correct yourself. And you had done it too, almost as obedient as one would be under the imperius curse. Then, you had spent the rest of the period wishing you hadn’t listened so quickly, because as soon as your name was crossed out and his written diligently in its place, his hand was gone from your thigh. Every second of the last two hours you spent fighting the urge to replay the moment in your head. It had been futile, of course. Ancient Runes was terribly boring in comparison to your imagination. You craved to experience that feeling again, how his skin over his knuckles went taunt while grabbing you, how the fabric around your thigh bunched as he swiped his thumb, how your heart threatened to leap out of your chest.

“MC Gaunt? Surely my best friends wouldn’t have run off and gotten married without me.” Sebastian raised an eyebrow. The corner of his mouth twitched in an attempt to refrain from smirking, but you could see the gleam in his eyes. Mischief was brewing.

In a flurry, you took the parchment back from the boy and began to roll it up, insisting, “You didn’t see that.”

“What are you going to do? Obliviate me? What’s done is done. At least let me copy down the notes. Don’t worry, I’ll write my own name on mine.”

“Sebastian. .,” you hoped the use of his first name and the desperate look in your eyes would make him at the very least pity you. It backfired pathetically. Knowing how embarrassed you were only seemed to add fuel to his flame, and Sebastian was always itching to burn things.

“Is this why you were being odd the other day and reading them out?”

“I-“

“Are all of your history notes like this?”

No, most of them were worse. A thousand times worse. You would melt into a puddle if he saw some of the things you wrote.

“No! Now, if you want to borrow them, you’ll let this go.”

Sebastian crossed his fingers over his chest, promising, “Don’t worry, this stays between us. Anyway, it’s been a while since you’ve been in my debt.”

“Good, now, if you’ll excuse me, Natty is waiting-“

“Thought it was Fig?” Sebastian snorted. “You really ought to study the art of deception. Dunno how you managed all the loyalist and ashwinder nonsense this far without it.”

“Think you are deceptive enough for the three of us, Sebastian,” Ominis declared as he finished the spiral staircase. “Sorry that I’m late. What have I missed?”

“Just Ranrok and Rookwood talk. The usual,” Sebastian said smoothly, shrugging for good measure before sending you a wink.

“Well then, I am not sorry,” Ominis corrected as he took a seat and then patted the chair beside him. “Have a seat, and let’s get started. I hear this goblin rebellion in particular has innovative war tactics.”

You fell into the chair beside him, avoiding the amused look on Sebastian’s face. “I already gave Sallow my notes to copy, but that Transfiguration essay is due tomorrow. Mine could use another read-through.”

“Thought you had to go meet up with, who was it. . Garreth?” He might be keeping your secret, but Sebastian could still have a bit of fun.

Ominis’s nose scrunched in disgust. “What are you meeting Weasley for?”

“I’m not.”

“Good. He is only trouble, and you get into enough of that without him singeing off your eyebrows.”

Jumping at every opportunity to heighten the insanity of this conversation, Sebastian chimed in, “How do you know he hasn’t already singed one off? MC is looking quite ridiculous as of late.”

Ominis frowned and reached out for you. The back of his fingers lightly grazed your warm cheeks before he found confidence in his placement and held the side of your face. His thumb swiped over one of your eyebrows before moving his fingers along the other to find them both intact. “Merlin, Sebastian. Don’t lie to me like that. I had half a mind to hunt Weasley down and hex him to next week.”

“What can I say?” Sebastian leaned back in his chair to stretch. “I’m a world-class jester.”

“Class isn’t a word I would use to describe you,” you quipped.

“Funny coming from somebody who is no-showing Weasley right now.”

“Enough, both of you.” Ominis put his hand on your thigh as if it was a warning. “Less bantering and more studying. I would like to pass at least a few O.W.L.s.”

What surprised you even more than the warm hand enveloping your thigh was the awkward cough across from you. The table may have been blocking his view, but Sebastian could follow the line of sight and make an educated guess on where Ominis had placed his hand. Suddenly his freckled cheeks were turning a deep shade of pink, matching exactly how you felt.

Lucky for both of your sakes, Ominis retracted his hand to open up his textbook, seemingly not picking up on his best friend's discomfort. He quickly got lost in his essay with a soft frown forming before admitting, “I hate Transfiguration. Do you know what Professor Weasley said the other day about my teacup? That I have to envision it. Merlin, felt like an eternity of silence before she realized her mistake. Then afterward she said I don’t have to practice it if I write two extra inches. Basically, I’m being punished for her inability to think before she speaks.”

“That’s awful. She’s given me four extra inches and three detentions for no good reason,” Sebastian whined.

“You transfigured Leander into a bird,” Ominis deadpanned.

“Yeah? And? He deserved it. Weasley only punished me because she favors the Gryffindors.”

“Leander shit on my desk,” you recalled, “It was disgusting. I think the detentions are well deserved.”

“I’m not the one who shit in your desk.”

“No, but you’re the one who turned him into a bird.”

“Surprised you even noticed the bird in the first place with all your tedious note taking.”

You couldn’t stop yourself from muttering under your breath, “Bastard.”

Ominis raised his eyebrows. You and Sebastian were often bickering, but you rarely ever used such a malicious tone. “I don’t have to separate you two, do I?”

“You might need to if your wife keeps trying to set me on fire with her eyes.”

Oh, how you wanted to tear him to shreds. In fact, your body twitched, reaching for your wand. Ominis felt you jerk beside him and skillfully grabbed your forearm just in time. His voice was tender, but he was still chastising you, “Come now, you know we don’t hex outside of the Undercroft. Besides, it’s just Sebastian. He merely enjoys riling people up. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

“Fine,” you agreed bitterly and set your wand on the table with a loud click, making sure to have it point toward Sebastian so he knew he was on thin fucking ice.

You had expected Ominis to release you after agreeing to his terms, but his hold lingered. The pads of his fingers shifted until they found the pulse in your wrist. Knowing your heart rate must seem alarmingly high to him only made you more nervous. Then his hand trailed up to your hand. Fingers lacing with your own.

“You stopped breathing. Are you okay?” There was a genuine look of concern across his features. It reminded you of how he doted over you in the Scriptorum. You felt awful for making him worry, but your mouth couldn’t exactly form words at the moment. He squeezed your hand gently, offering comfort.

“Merlin, Ominis, she looks like she’s about to keel over. Maybe try asking a girl before you hold her hand,” Sebastian chastised.

“Oh,” his defeated tone as he released you made you swoon. He hadn’t wanted to let go. “I’m sorry. How rude of me.”

“Nearly killed her,” Sebastian said with a chuckle.

“It’s okay!” You insisted.

Ominis frowned. “I just thought since. . . Sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“It’s okay, really. There’s no need to ask. Don’t listen to Sebastian.”

The culprit snorted across the table, mumbling to himself, “Yeah, do go around taking my word for it, I’m just the one being forced to witness you having a stroke.”

Your wand snatched your wand from the table. “Shut it, Sallow.”

“You’d risk detention with Scribner for me?” His heart flew over his chest. “Mrs. Gaunt, I’m flattered.”

Ominis sighed heavily, now understanding the true root of the tension between you and Sebastian. “So, you know about how she’s taken my name.”

Your mouth fell open in shock at how casually Ominis stated such a thing. He had made it sound as though you were officially married. Taken his name, Merlin. Sebastian grinned maniacally and leaned forward with his elbows on the table as if ready to hear the latest Hogwarts gossip.

“Oh, you already know about her notes? Intriguing. How long have you known?”

Now it was Ominis’s turn to turn pink as he admitted, “A couple of months, I suppose.”

You covered your face with your hands, mumbling into them, “Sallow, you promised you wouldn’t tell.”

“I didn’t tell! Ominis brought it up.”

“After you called me Mrs. Gaunt!”

“Is that not the name you go by? Because your history notes say otherwise.”

“There is no need to be embarrassed by it,” Ominis promised, holding his palm upright for you to take.

Which you did, greedily and without coaxing. This second time around you were prepared for the sensation and were able to keep a level head. Well, perhaps level wasn’t the right word since you were shaking to the point of vibration. This time, you wanted to prove that you were okay with his touches. You planned on swiping your thumb across the back of his hand or you humming in content when you squeezed him.

Ominis did not let you get that far. As soon as your fingers interlocked with his, he was pulling your hand to his lips and leaving just a feather of a kiss against you.

“And that’s my cue.” Sebastian’s chair ground against the poor flooring with fever as he stood, collecting his things. “You two have managed to soil my favorite spot in the library. Cheers.”

“Am I not allowed to cherish my wife in public?” Ominis questioned with a devilish smile. Your stomach was doing flips.

“Just snog in the privacy of the Undercroft like normal human beings, and for the love of Merlin, send me an owl first so I know not to be there.”

a link to the final part

[artisticxlly]

The people need to be fed, so here are some Hiruhoshi headcanons!!

Disclaimer: Some of these contain dark themes (I mean this is partly about Sachirou) and/or suggestive content :>

Watching them pine for each other was painful for everyone involved but them! They liked each other for ages before getting together (Thank you Tenny for inspiring this one).

Kourai was the one who confessed, and one half of me believes that it was an angry, fed-up confession (If you've seen my Hiruhoshi comic you know). Sachirou was beyond shocked that Kourai liked him back (low-self esteem will do that to you).

Kourai has great hand strength and is amazing at massages. Since Sachirou has a really bad posture and gets great back pain - sometimes even migraines from it - Kourai will force him to lie down for a bit every once in a while so he can work out the knots from his back. Sachirou has a high pain tolerance so he manages, but any normal mortal being would succumb to Kourai's violent backrubs. /nsrs

Both their families approve their relationship pretty quickly. Sachirou was a little nervous but Asa ended up welcoming him so openly that that quickly faded. He found it cute how much Kourai took after Asa. Fukurou was probably the most 'teasing' one out of both family's, since he already knew Kourai and thought it was funny to fluster him.

Despite possible expectations, both of them are rather fond of kids and are pretty good at taking care of them. They've babysat their siblings' children at gatherings.

It is very much recommended that you don't piss either of them off. They can get very protective when it comes to their partners/family in general and are not afraid to rock your shit.

Sachirou has a picture of Kourai getting tackled by a dog as his phone background. Kourai had picked him up from work and Sachirou wanted to show him a dog that 'looked like him' (it didn't really but he needed an excuse), a Japanese Spitz. The dog promptly got too excited to be pet and jumped onto Kourai, knocking him over.

Kourai has a picture of Sachirou laughing with Asa as his phone background. They were looking at Kourai's baby pictures at a family gathering and Sachirou got a kick out of it.

Their bickering is kind of scary for people who don't know them well. Not because their fights are intense, but because they both throw quite dark and personal jabs at each other. They both know they're joking and think it's funny, outsiders don't.

Similarly, Sachirou has thick skin when it comes to Kourai (inspired by the panel of him being unphased as Kourai just tells him to quit). Suicide jokes are not off the table and are actually the thing that help Sachirou feel less awkward about communicating Kourai when he's not doing well.

Despite their height difference, it's usually Sachirou who is getting cradled by Kourai when they sleep/cuddle. Sometimes it's the other way, but Kourai likes holding Sachirou more than he likes being held by him.

Both of them get really warm when they sleep and it gets hellish in the summer. Both of them usually just wear boxers and a shirt/tanktop to bed, sometimes no shirt at all.

Kourai either tops or is a power bottom I don't make the rules (/lh)

Kourai's physical strength is a big plus in Sachirou's book (a little manhandling won't hurt anyone ☝️). Sachirou likes tracing Kourai's back muscles when they're being lazy/relaxing.

On the topic of Kourai's strength, he's able to carry Sachirou for a pretty impressive amount of time and has carried him to bed/the couch before when he fell asleep at his desk.

They definitely get a dog at some point in time, maybe after Kourai retires so they can take proper care of it. Sachirou is very happy about it to say the least

They have some rough patches. This happens when they're long-distance/don't see each other for long periods of time but also sometimes when they're back together in the same apartment. Sachirou gets a lot worse before he gets better, I'd think (vet school is hell). Ultimately, it makes them stronger, but it costs them scar issue and a lot of tears.

In the beginning of the relationship: Kourai does borrow Sachirou's clothes, but veeery rarely, as a little treat (he likes being a tease, let him be). Sachirou doesn't really admit it out loud but he likes seeing Kourai in them (he's flustered to high hell).

Later on in the relationship: Sachirou is holding onto the last of his clothes still in his closet, as Kourai claims ownership of most of them. They bicker about it:

Sachirou: Can you give me some of my clothes back, please? I can't go get groceries without a hoodie. Kourai: Tough luck, I'm wearing your hoodie right now. Get more uncomfortable clothes if you don't want me wearing them.

Kourai returns the clothes as soon as they stop smelling like Sachirou. He makes up an excuse for why ("I felt like being nice today") but that's his actual reason.

Sachirou wears sweaters and hoodies almost religiously so seeing Sachirou wear nothing/a tight shirt gives Kourai heart palpitations (in a gay way ofc).

Kourai actually has a pretty shitty immune system. When he gets a cold he recovers quickly but Sachirou uses the opportunity to spoil Kourai as well for once. Kourai can get flustered when being pampered which makes it all the more worth it.

Sachirou can grow a beard/stubble. Kourai will make him shave it (Either he can't handle it for gay reasons or doesn't like the feeling when kissing (he might eventually grow fond of it).

Out of the two, Kourai is definitely the better cook. Sachirou made it a habit during vet school to not eat properly either, so Kourai ended up feeding him proper food for a few weeks until he recovered enough energy to try doing it himself.

Sachirou has a caffeine addiction for a hot minute, he cannot function without it during vet school and the habit of drinking one every morning never really leaves. Kourai doesn't really like the taste and it leads to Sachirou giving him kisses just after drinking some to giggle at Kourai's disgruntled face.

Sachirou started smoking too at some point, Kourai helped him quit, maybe? (moreso forced him but yeah /nsrs) Or they got to an agreement of him limiting himself to a certain amount if he couldn't quit.

Kourai is kind of a lightweight (there's only so much alcohol tolerance you can build and he's still mass-wise on the small side) and he gets really giggly and sappy when drunk. Sachirou isn't one to attend parties but he has picked Kourai up more often than not to get him home safely. Kourai ended up clinging to him and showering him in kisses.

They both actually need glasses post-timeskip, Kourai just wears contact lenses usually (If his eyes get too irritated while wearing them he has backup glasses, they have a thick, translucent frame!).

Inspired by my unusual talents post, they verbal stim at each other when bored.

Kourai has bitten Sachirou just out of affection before (in the bedroom biting is a very common thing. Both like claiming 'ownership' in that way).

Both of them read sometimes when they have free time and nothing else to do (which is pretty rare before Kourai retires).

Sachirou has a scary high pain tolerance. He doesn't even flinch disinfecting scratches and bites from his work (or cuts, too). In comparison, Kourai also has a rather high tolerance and doesn't necessarily make a fuss when hurt, though he definitely curses a ton when something hurts. This includes damning the hell out of their furniture when he bumps into it.

They still visit their 'spot' well into adulthood, separately and together. Kourai found Sachirou there after what was most likely their worst argument ever.

Based on something I draw in my art frequently: They have a friendship/bond bracelet. It was originally a joke, they saw them for cheap in some trinket shop and got them while still in high school. Both of them ended up much more attached to them than intended and kept them.

[yenonnoff]

TEACH ME HOW TO LOVE! 25. fame is not for the weak

today, you weren’t “rising actress y/n l/n.” you were just a normal, law-abiding citizen spending the weekend watching oikawa tooru’s new film. that sentence alone should’ve been the first red flag that the trip would turn disastrous. the next was your co-star’s quote-unquote disguise. you cared less about the former: if you didn’t watch daybreak today, you’d be bombarded with spoilers from your friends later on. the latter, however, was inexcusable. 

“you’re ridiculous,” you said, eyeing the blond actor up and down. “you don’t blend in, atsumu, you blend out.” 

“glad you’re enjoying the view. it didn’t take me long to pull this together.” 

it was true: the outfit was completely minimal. it barely required any thought, yet, it still looked perfectly coordinated and eye-catching. that was just atsumu’s irking influence on things—but that was exactly the problem. you’ve seen him in casual clothing before but it was even more salient today. compared to the people walking in and out of the movie theater, atsumu stood out like a sore thumb. it made you realize he was born to be on stage. 

“your good looks are betraying you,” you sighed, eyes surveying the area hurriedly. the two of you had made sure to arrive an hour early for precautions, of course. still, with the small crowds coming and leaving, it made the two of you even more vulnerable and undeniably conspicuous. you tugged on atsumu’s sleeves, lowering him closer to the theater’s large indoor planters. you made a face, “what about our plans of not drawing attention to ourselves?” 

you couldn’t see the teasing smile behind his white mask, but you had caught the twinkling amusement in his eyes. he wore a basic hoodie with his usual denim cap concealing his blond hair. (though, you made him remove his hood since someone was bound to mistake him for a creep or member of the paparazzi. you realized later that it was intentional, he just wanted to see your flustered expression). 

atsumu leaned forward to say, “don’t worry. if someone recognizes us, just act clueless.” 

“that doesn’t sound like a good plan.” 

“i know,” he agreed. “i’ve never been caught before so i don’t think about backup plans too much.” 

you were about to retaliate, call him ridiculous once more, but he stopped you before you could. grabbing your shoulders, he ushered you towards the dozy security guard at the end of the corner. atsumu chuckled, “let’s stop gawking and actually get in before your worst nightmare comes true.” 

yeah, this was not the plan you had in mind. 

you took your seats in the center all the way in the back row. it was for precautions, but at least you could see the whole screen. strangely enough, atsumu had let you take the middle armrest. he also humored you by answering all your spontaneous questions to pass the time. 

the first topic was about your fellow co-stars. 

“jolie… is loud. she’s too friendly for her own good, but she’s a hard worker; she rarely slacks off too. you should see her at parties though, she’s scary.” when he realized everything he said was mostly positive, atsumu crossed his arms to think. “don’t be fooled, she also has a really clumsy and high-maintenance side to her.” 

“who? jolie?” you stifled a surprised laugh. you always saw her as incredibly charming and supportive so this was news to you. 

“yeah, she always loses her phone. it’s a bigger hassle when she comes to you asking where it is. honestly, this girl thinks you’re the one to blame for her phone being lost.” 

atsumu went on to recall other things too: “we met when i was acting during university. can you believe she’s a year older than me? we’ve been friends for a while so she was there when i broke up with emma.” 

it was the slight grimace that made you change the subject. he seemed glad when you asked about semi. “he’s completely stoic and too professional. he reminds me of you in a way, but he does have his moments.” 

he continued promptly. “this is my first time working with sugawara. though, i heard he’s pretty popular in the industry, both on and off-screen. for akane, i met her in some minor roles. she likes to ask me for tips and tricks sometimes.” 

you listened and hummed while he spoke. you understood what was so enthralling about atsumu now. his good looks draw you in, sure—but it was the way he spoke so naturally and full of confidence that made you stay. he made you want to hear more: about himself and his casual attitude on things. 

when atsumu finished speaking, there was still enough time to buy snacks before the theater got crowded for daybreak. he took the liberty to do so, sneaking back in before people started to swarm. they didn’t seem to notice the two of you all the way in the back. the middle rows were usually more favored anyway. then, the lights dimmed further and the room was consumed with darkness. 

there were perks to being friends with thrill seekers. it meant you were immune to most things: horror movies being one of them. 

everyone in the group had their own signature hangouts. you guys liked to rotate between each other’s preferences, it only seemed fair that way (this was only true during high school, however. during university and nowadays, you simply decided on things that worked with everyone’s schedules).

kuroo liked study dates and movie theaters the most. he’d always drag everyone to watch the latest movies, usually either horror or action. due to that, you’ve built an immunity to jump scares and supernaturals; it would take a lot to frighten you. 

while you weren’t screaming or gripping the edge of your seat like others in the theater, you still enjoyed the movie nonetheless. oikawa’s flawless acting had completely occupied your attention, and on more than one occasion, you were watching with your jaw hung open. he was a man of many achievements, worthy of every praise for his charms and incredible acting skills. he was your inspiration, and you hoped fervently to be on the same stage as him one day. 

before the ending credits could even roll, you and atsumu had already snuck out. it took you a while to steady yourself. the bright lights from outside the theater room had mercilessly attacked you when you stepped out, and you felt dizzy from staring at such a massive screen for so long. 

atsumu saved you the cruel embarrassment, excusing himself to the restroom. you teased him before he went: “what—were you scared of the movie?” 

“if i was, i wouldn’t be going to the restroom alone.” 

“i’m sorry, i don’t think i can accompany you,” you said sincerely. 

atsumu scoffed, not knowing whether to be vexed at the sheer genuineness in your voice or the embarrassment he was feeling. he grumbled, “i wasn’t going to ask you to!” then he stormed off with his hands shoved in his hoodie pocket. 

while he did his business, you ventured to the merchandise area of the movie theater. surprisingly, you spotted merch for vengeance, your previous film, in the corner. shirts in various colors; tote bags; and small prints decorated the shelves from top to bottom. the bags were nearly sold out, it made you feel grateful that people still poured so much love into the film. besides you was a large poster hung from the ceiling. there was a close-up shot of you and your other co-stars. the editing was immaculate, they even made kuroo look g—

“y/n l/n?” 

the unfamiliar voice that spoke your name made you freeze in place. in front of you was a girl you’ve never seen before. you staggered slightly, realization hitting you at full speed. this was a fan. her oikawa shirt, oikawa lanyard, oikawa pins, oikawa— they all gave her away instantly. your first thought was wow, too taken-aback by the girl’s clear devotion. your next thought was run, get away from the corner that would soon reveal your identity. 

the fan didn’t waste a breath. she pointed to the large poster next to you, the one you’d been admiring. “look! that’s you right? you worked with tooru on vengeance!” she nearly squealed his first name. 

you coughed to get her attention. her assumption was unbelievable, really. even if you were y/n l/n, your face was heavily concealed with a mask and cap. “what are you talking about? you’ve got the wrong person, my name is—�� 

“everyone, come! i think i found y/n l/n!” she turned to face you again, her eyes widened in excitement. “hey, can i get your autograph? how about a picture?” 

you nearly facepalmed yourself. daybreak had just ended, all these people rushing into the merchandise store came from the same theater room as you. fuck. 

you should’ve realized sooner that you were in the heart of tokyo, where the chances of running into a celebrity was augmented by at least 70%. of course there would be radical fans everywhere you went. diehard oikawa fans were possibly the worst of them all, this fan especially. 

you were about to gently coax her that this was a misunderstanding when a large hoard of people started crowding towards your tiny corner. being suffocated by hardcore fans was not on your bucket list—seeing people get shoved and nearly trampled on wasn’t there either! 

people pushed; they ran; they shouted. phones were shoved in your face, adrenaline rushed through your veins, and you had to yell over the mass to stop them from forcing their way towards you. 

pandemonium struck the movie theater. 

the dozy security guard from earlier bolted towards the herd in a hurry. clearly he’d finally snapped out of his drowsy state and commanded the crowd to disperse. then, a hand slid around your wrist and pulled you away from the mob. your breath hitched in your throat as the tall figure hurried you into a sprint out the building. you heard the roaring yelling resume when they realized you weren’t there anymore. 

this was definitely not conspicuous at all. you were pretty sure your cover was blown… your blond co-star’s as well. 

you raced with your heartbeat thundering against your rib cage. the two of you ran until you stopped by a short alleyway next to the street. you were furious at yourself for ruining your plans of being discreet, but for also destroying the pleasant movie trip for the both of you. 

“atsumu, i’m sorry. that wasn’t supposed to happen.” 

he didn’t answer you, his breathing still heavy. one of his hands remained enclosed around yours, the other went up to soothe the back of your head. you heard him say, “are you alright? first time that’s happened?” 

you nodded to both questions. you were just flustered and shaken up by the whole ordeal. even if it wasn’t what atsumu meant by his second question, you understood what it conveyed about your reality as an actress. you were too naive and inexperienced. if the security guard hadn't come, someone would’ve been injured and you were to blame for not handling the situation properly. it was something you should’ve known as a public figure. diehard fans already lack respect and morality; the chances of them learning how to be decent human beings were obscenely low. it seems you’re the only one who can take control of these situations, even if it’s not your fault—even if you dislike it. 

you felt atsumu take both of your hands in his. they were warm and full of comfort, they held yours gently with so much care that you could melt. 

“don’t blame yourself, y/n. it’s never your fault, that should’ve never happened.” atsumu’s tone was full of frustration—not at you, but rather at himself. 

you didn't have the energy to fight back. it was obvious: if you hadn’t gone into the merchandise area, you would’ve never been recognized. you walked into the lion’s den all by yourself; it was a situation you had complete control over. 

minutes passed and atsumu ended his call with the taxi driver. he wanted to see you off at your condo, and you didn’t refuse. the damage has already been done. sure, this could land you in more trouble but you couldn’t help it. you were human. you were selfish. you wanted to stay with atsumu for a little longer, just a couple moments more. 

you let out a low chuckle. “are you going to continue holding my hands, atsumu?” you brought them up in front of you. “both of them?” 

his face finally softened. “maybe i’ll let go of one. just one though, the other is needed to open the door.” 

the small moment was cut short by the arrival of the taxi. still, it was more than enough to console your dispirited heart. 

as always, atsumu remained true to his words: your hands found each other again in the silent taxi, warm and heartbreakingly soothing. 

“you’re not allowed to blame yourself, atsumu.” 

your co-star exhaled a heavy breath. “isn’t that what i should be telling you?” 

“i’m fully aware of what happened. it was my fault i was in that situation—don’t try and deny it, atsumu. i’ll take responsibility for whatever happens tomorrow.” 

“you’re too professional, y’know that?” he asked and you nodded vehemently. “i’d like to talk to y/n, the one that likes roller coasters and lives off of coffee, not the y/n that’s a prim workaholic. can you ring her up for me?” 

you huffed, squeezing his hand. you were currently standing in front of your condo still holding your stubborn co-star’s hand. perhaps you were both stubborn—too focused on different priorities to understand one another. “i’m being serious. i enjoyed today. thank you for letting me watch daybreak before getting every detail spoiled.” 

atsumu was about to counter, but you beat him to it. “don’t say that today was a mistake! i knew the consequences but i still went… if you’re going to blame yourself, you might as well blame me too for agreeing to go.” 

“hey, you can’t do that to me. now i’m backed into a corner,” he frowned beneath his mask. “then promise me you won’t beat yourself over this. if things get out of hand tomorrow in the media, you’ll let me help you. please rely on me too, y/n.” 

“i promise. i’m an adult too, atsumu.” 

“yes,” he breathed, slow and firm. “you’re so incredibly strong you put all the other adults to shame.” 

you could crumble at the underlying softness in his voice. you could crumble from how clearly upset he was at everything that’s transpired. “then i should probably head inside. thanks for walking me all the way up here, you’ll be sneaky when you leave, right?” 

the sound of his laughter eased your mind, and you let go of his hand. the two of you shared a moment of sweetened silence before he watched you disappear behind your door. you both knew then that it’ll be a while before you would spend time with one another again. 

atsumu lowered his head and removed his denim cap. with a rough hand, he raked it through his messy hair and sighed. he desperately needed something to clear his mind, perhaps a nap that would last at least three hours. the blond turned away from the closed door to do just that. he was going to go home, shower, eat, and doze until the next day. 

“atsumu miya?” 

the tall blond whispered a curse in his mind before spotting a black haired lady in front of him. he looked left and right, behind and in front. he pointed a confused finger at himself. “me?” 

the pretty lady with the distinctive mole near her lips laughed softly. “yes, you. i saw you in front of y/n’s door. were you two hanging out earlier?” 

atsumu’s face bloomed in realization. she was undeniably familiar, and he was sure he’d seen her somewhere before. that’s right, she was a model in the same agency as emma. what a small world. 

atsumu rubbed the back of his neck, only saying, “yeah.” how long was she there for? how much did she see? god, did she see them holding hands? atsumu grumbled under his breath, heat rising unexpectedly to his cheeks. it was just one after another, the two of you needed a break.

“actually, i wanted to talk to you for a moment if that’s alright with you.” 

he tilted his head in curiosity. she said it would only be a moment and that where they were standing would suffice. however, her expression was inexplicably serious. he braced himself for her few words. 

“i know that you and y/n have spent a lot of time together, but i want to know how you feel towards her. with your current situation, y/n could be affected negatively if people found out.” 

it was a sensible question but one that was hard to answer. atsumu wondered how close the two of them were; it was understandable why she would be concerned about her friend’s career and his intentions. and he fully understood what she’d meant by “current situation.” he was completely aware. even if he hated it, emma’s foolish shenanigans and her crazy fans were targeted at him and only him. you shouldn’t be dragged into it. 

“she brings me comfort in a way. there’s not many people that i feel comfortable around, so I’m grateful towards her. i’ll take responsibility for anything that happens; it’s my fault anyway since i was the one that wanted to hang out. don’t worry, we probably won’t be spending time together again any time soon.” 

his words hinted at two meanings. first, filming that summer was the number one priority. second, atsumu would do anything to protect your career and peace of mind. 

the pleasant lady in front of atsumu nodded. her eyes were clear of any doubt, shining instead with gratitude. “thank you for your time. i hope you have a safe trip back.” 

“thank you,” the blond replied, walking towards the elevator at the end of the hall. 

atsumu didn’t have the words to sum up today’s events. however, everything had unfolded in front of him and he was face-to-face with a realization. a cruel one that he needed to accept. it wasn’t the right time for the two of you. no matter how much atsumu might want it, he couldn’t deny that now wasn’t the time. it might never be the time, but that was something he needed to realize. 

the world was heartlessly cruel.

masterlist ⌒☆ previous ⌒☆ next

fun facts:

if it were anyone else, atsumu would've definitely hogged the middle armrest all to himself. he would do it with the popcorn and snacks too. the bucket stays with him! he finds it too troublesome to reach over and grab it.

it's why he doesn't like going to the movie theaters (mentioned in chapter 19) since he only ever goes with either osamu or rin. it always ends in an argument and the other people there hate them all.

jolie is the type to look for her phone while on call with someone.

whenever she does lose it during filming, she always goes to semi because she knows he'll (begrudgingly) look for it with her.

can you tell i have the biggest, fattest crush on shimizu. i wanted to go full rampant on describing how pretty she is but i had to control myself!

i felt very bad writing this chapter. no matter how careful you may try to be, people make mistakes and they always blame themselves for it. there are external factors that you can't control; it's just the harsh reality of things.

TEACH ME HOW TO LOVE! ｡ｏ♡ an atsumu miya smau

synopsis: when y/n l/n, a rising actress, decides to star in a romance film that could make or break her career, she’s unable to showcase her skills, revealing her inexperience within the romance department instead. worst of all, atsumu miya, her co-star and the main lead’s love interest, seems to hate her guts! with absolutely, unbearably zero chemistry between the two, an idea was proposed: spend time with one another in the upcoming weeks. will y/n be able to ignore her professionalism and listen to her heart? and will she, a clueless romantic, be able to pick up on the signs her co-star is sending her?

a/n: i think this ch was a little heavier than i intended it to be but it was also a lot easier to write than i thought. yay! drama! haha! i'm always learning how to be more impactful and purposeful with my writing. words don't always come as easily as i would like them to be but this ch was a step in the right direction! i hope that was how it felt to you guys as well!

taglist is open! dm or ask to be a part of it! (those bolded were unable to be tagged)

@kqbukimono @empathum @clyver @chosoluv @oceansfloor @sunarots @marga-j @rukia-uchiha-98 @wyrcan @thechaosoflonging @rintarousgirl @ast4rg1rl @seiamor @saiewithakatana @usermins @literally-a-ferret @terrarain @iuspired @haruskatana @wolffmaiden @ris-krispie @vellichxrr6782 @animenaces-world @reignsaway @emii4evr @writing-for-the-hell-of-it @yuminako @tojirin @v3nusplanetofluv @vyvixen @secondary-character-25 @tenjikusstuff4 @444choso @mylahrins @deimmortales99 @hisfuture @staywhelmed8801 @dl-yum @nessaasstuff @milesmoralesluvs @101tsumu @ryeyeyer @cherrypieyourface @azharyy @mimi3lover @stayyyyyyyyyyyy21 @dazball

[voidpacifist]

you can be afraid

word count: less than 1,000 || pairing: steddie || content warnings: nightmares/panic attacks (very brief)

note: I haven't done a oneshot in a long time and I can never seem to do a normal list of headcanons without it being almost novella length or something (wish I was exaggerating lmao). hope you guys enjoy this one!

•

The room is balmy, drenched in moonlight through the window on an August night. Eddie’s fingering through a book on story structure, at a particularly boring chapter, when it happens. At first, it’s just small noises, little grunts that don’t mean much of anything. But then one of them is punctuated with a sharp inhale, with a whimper, and that’s how Eddie knows Steve is having a nightmare again.

Their relationship is anything but conventional — they met on a blind date eleven months ago, decided they weren’t ready for anything serious, then met again just days later at a costume party. It should have been the end of things, if either of them were more cowardly people. Luckily for the two of them, neither of them are cowardly. Not in the face of anything, be it medical bills, or how they look in public, or who their circles of friends are, or the number of times they’ve argued in a month.

Needless to say, almost a year of close proximity to a person is a recipe for being well acquainted with their quirks, including the kind of quirks that are more hindrances than anything. Steve, his rough-exterior, never-needs-help, scary-seeming boyfriend who wears metal in his face and casually has a baseball bat covered in steel nails hiding in their coat closet, has never been an easy sleeper. It took him a long time to warm up to the idea of staying the night together, afraid he’d fling Eddie off the bed in the middle of a terror, mortified at the idea of him not being able to get back in on his own while Steve’s busy fighting off things conjured by his own brain. It took him a long time, but soon a week of trial with little error turned into a permanent nightly residence in a shared bed. His wheelchair is close by if he needs to escape a mess of wild limbs.

Eddie knows what kind of nightmare this is. Steve usually has two kinds — the ones where he can see, and the ones where he’s in the thick of the fight that rendered him sightless. This is the first kind, the kind where faces come to him in flashes, like phantom memories. It’s been three years, almost four if Eddie remembers correctly, since Steve has seen anything clearly at all.

He gasps awake, then is immediately dry heaving over the side of the bed. It’s disorienting for him, having memories distorted by reality in such a visceral, jarring way. Eddie sets his book aside carefully as he moves closer behind Steve on the bed.

“I’m gonna rub your back now, honey,” he says, keeping his voice soft in a way he reserves specifically for his boyfriend. “You have to try breathing now.”

Steve careens back up into a sitting position, his eyes darting wildly about the room, seeking a light source but not landing on anything. It’s heartbreaking, the way they never still, the way they’re always searching, searching, searching. As though even if Steve has accepted for a long time now that he’ll be blind for the rest of his life, his body hasn’t followed suit. It still remembers too much of the way it used to be. Searching, searching, searching.

“That’s it, sweet thing. You’ve almost got it.”

Steve’s breathing is like a whistle inwards, taking huge gulps of air and expelling them with a tremble. His hands grip the blanket with such force that his knuckles are white, that his arms are shaking. Eddie doesn’t remove his hand from Steve’s back, still rubbing in light circles, clockwise and counterclockwise and in other vaguely round shapes. Eventually, his breathing slows, quiets down to the point where Eddie thinks he’s managed to calm himself down.

He turns his face to Eddie’s direction, and Eddie knows Steve is seeing a vague, dark splotch where his silhouette is against the nightstand lamp. His other hand takes the hand Steve has offered, a plea to be grounded. “I’ve never seen you,” Steve cries weakly, and Eddie can feel something in him splinter.

“It’s overrated,” he says before he can even think about it, in a shoddy attempt to add something lighter to the darkness their bedroom has suddenly taken on. The laugh it pulls out of Steve is dry, humorless.

“I just…” he sighs. “I’m forgetting people’s faces and it scares me.”

God, it would scare Eddie, too. He can’t imagine not being able to picture Robin’s face. Nancy and Jonathan’s faces. Wayne’s face. He squeezes Steve’s hand once, a sign between them that means he’s been heard.

“You can be afraid, Stevie.” He swallows, ruminates over his next choice of words for a moment before deciding fuck it and blundering through it. They’ve never really talked about this before — not in this context, not with this much post-nightmare tension still clinging to the air, or maybe that’s just the heat spike of late summer. Whatever. “But you don’t have to be afraid alone. Feel it, feel all of it. Fuck, honey, just never…if you forget anything at all, just don’t forget we’re with you, okay? I’m with you.”

Steve reaches for his face with a muscle memory so impressive, Eddie’s tempted to praise him for it. He doesn’t have time before their lips are mashed together in an ugly, wet kiss. When they pull away, Steve’s wiping streams of tears from his cheeks. “Thank you,” he says, voice less fragile than it was before. He sighs, deep and hewn with exhaustion. “I’ll try to hang onto that. The…not alone part.”

Just like that, Eddie doesn’t think he can splinter at all. “Love you, honey.” He plants a kiss on Steve’s forehead, quick like a punctuation mark, enough to seal it like a promise.

“Love you too, Eds.”

He thinks, watching Steve fully drift off, that perhaps he’s bored enough with his book, eyes drooping just enough that perhaps he’ll fall asleep easily this time. It works better than expected — he stops knowing anything except his and Steve’s breathing as he wraps an arm around him from behind, as his head hits the pillow and the warm light of the room fades into an inkstain behind his eyelids.

The room is balmy, and no nightmares come back to take them.

[nacrenecitygardening]

Late afternoon, in downtown Castelia

// This post was made in collaboration with the wonderful @aerial-aceing-it! Also this is a long one, so bear with me

The streets of Castelia City were mercifully less crowded than they usually were. Despite this, a considerable number of people still hurriedly passed by the bakery window. Marvin watched from his table as business continued as usual. He took a moment to look over his shoulder at the door as the bell chimed, but the person who walked in wasn’t who he was waiting for. He drummed his fingers against the wood and huffed in amusement as Liechi chased them around. 

The people carried on, but after some time, the jingling bell announced someone more familiar. Briefly scanning the room, a smile crept onto her face as she spotted him and made her way over to the table. 

“Hello!” Sasha said, giving a small wave to him, “It’s nice to see you.”

She slipped the backpack she was carrying off her shoulders as she sat in the chair across from him. Marvin grinned and gently corralled Liechi to his side of the table, making room for Sasha.

“Long time no see! How’s it going? I hope getting here wasn’t too much of an issue.”

She laughed a bit as she wiggled a finger at Liechi, “What a cute little thing.” 

Liechi immediately zeroed in on Sasha’s finger and attempted to peck it. Before she could, Marvin gently scooped her into his hands and held her to his chest. She stopped wriggling once Marvin began to pat her head. 

She looked back up at him as she seemed to remember she had to respond, “Oh, yeah, it wasn’t too terrible. Though the train was a bit delayed, which was a bit annoying.”

“The subway is never not busy. Between normal transit and the battle carriages, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it not packed full of people,” He shrugged, “Glad you made it though!”

Her hand came to her mouth as she laughed a bit, “I’d be sincerely concerned if I somehow didn’t, for the state of the transport network.” 

Marvin snorted, “Oh god, I didn’t mean for that to sound ominous! I’d hope the subway doesn’t just lose people randomly like some sock in the dryer.”

“You never truly know, really.” A cheeky grin pressed on her face. “Some say if you hear the conductor’s voice announce a stop that isn’t there, you’ll disappear and never return.” 

“That sounds like a really bad.. What are those things called, the scary internet stories?” He snapped his fingers together a few times, brow furrowing, “Creepy.. Creepy something?”

“Cory says they’re called ‘creepypastas.’ What children these days are into baffles me, but I’ll support them.” 

Marvin smacked the table, “Yes! Creepypastas! Those things! God, yeah, I have no idea what folks are up to online outside of our sphere. But hey if they’re having fun I won’t complain.”

Sasha nodded, “I don’t think there’s any harm in it. Though-” she took on a mocking tone, “- Back in my day, all we had was throwing rocks at the pavement!”

Marvin gave her an incredulous look, “Sounds festive.”

“Festive?” She said with a bemused laugh, but then glanced over at the counter. “Oh, right, would you like to get something before we leave?” 

“Oh, no, I’m all set. Liechi has been eyeing people’s croissants but those aren’t good for her, are they buddy?” Marvin failed to answer Sasha’s question, instead giving his partner pokemon a little tap on the beak. Liechi nipped at him, still grumpy that she couldn’t have a pastry. 

Wiggling her finger at the little Pidove again, though at a distance, she giggled, “She’s a silly little one, isn’t she? And alright, I think I’ll grab something myself though.” 

Marvin rolled his eyes, “That’s the understatement of the century. Remind me to tell you about her hoard.”

As she got to her feet, she raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh, is she one of those little thieves? I would expect nothing different, Pi is the same way,” she said, amusement in her voice.

“She’s stolen at least five watches. I don’t know where she gets these things and it’s not like she’d tell me if she could.” 

“My goodness, you really have a little kleptomaniac on your hands, don’t you?” She slipped the bag back on her shoulders. 

Marvin sighed and stood up, grabbing his crutches as he did, “You don’t know the half of it.”

Sasha reached out a hand towards Liechi, unsure if the little thing would let them pet her. The Pidove narrowed her eyes and attempted to bite her. When Sasha didn’t flinch, Liechi begrudgingly let herself be pet.

With a smile, Sasha scratched her head and under her chin. “You’re such a little criminal.”

Liechi cooed, but refused further comment. 

With Sasha briefly stopping at the counter, they made their way out onto the busy Castelia streets. The swaths of people had not let up from earlier, but thankfully it wouldn’t be an impossible task to navigate. 

“Hold on a moment, please.” 

Sasha paused just outside the bakery, slipped the pair of cookies she bought to her other hand, and partially unzipped the backpack, pulling out the old, scuffed up pokeball. She released Acorn onto the sidewalk, who looked up at her and chirped with annoyance. 

They pawed at her until she picked them up, where they hopped onto her shoulders in their rightful place. 

“Yes yes, I know, my apologies, but it was much too busy for you.” she said, scratching behind their ear. Sweet little thing, couldn’t handle trains, yet still complained about it. Because of course they did. 

Marvin made a cooing noise when Acorn was unleashed into the world. He hadn’t realized he was doing so until halfway through, in which he skillfully attempted to hide it under a cough. He shuffled awkwardly in place, not really knowing why he did that. Marvin made a confused expression at his own actions, shrugged, and turned back to Sasha.

“Ready to rock ‘n roll?”

Looking up at him, she started laughing, “What? Is it such a terrible thing to find something cute? Oh how terribly embarrassing, truly.” 

Acorn tilted their head, yapping at him. Sasha scratched under their chin, and put the pokeball back in the bag, zipping it up again. He certainly proved himself to be a peculiar soul, if an earnest one. 

Marvin averted his gaze to the pavement, a bit embarrassed. He used the tip of his crutch to kick a pebble into the street, “No, no, I.. Don’t know why I did that..?”

“Oh, well, alright.” Her smile fell a bit, unsure of what to say, “It isn’t bad, though.” 

“I know, I know, just… Pretend it didn’t happen, yeah?”

Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked at him, fiddling with the back strap, but if that’s what he wanted. “..Alright then. Uh- let’s get going, shall we?” 

Marvin nodded, “Really, it was nothing. But yeah, let’s rock ‘n roll for real this time.”

She laughed, “Yeah, let’s.” 

The two joined the hustle and bustle of the city streets, merging into the crowd. Their actual destination wasn’t far from the bakery, so it didn’t take long for them to arrive at the Castelia City Public Library. 

The building was an impressive relic from the earlier days of Castelia. Its impressive brickwork and columned entrance stuck out between the towering glass skyscrapers native to the city. The interior was no less beautiful with well preserved wooden flooring, arched ceilings, and two stories filled with shelves upon shelves of books. There were computers and quiet study areas available to the public and quite a few were occupied. 

Sasha had walked ahead of him, and stopped to glance back, “This is one of my favourite places in this city. It always has a charm to it.”

“It really is something, huh? When I was in college I used to come here all the time to study. It’s the best.”

Marvin turned towards Sasha and grinned, “Wanna grab a spot we can meet back at after we’re done ransacking the shelves?”

“Certainly! I believe I’ll mostly be at the computers, though, so it won’t exactly be hard to find me again hahah.” 

Marvin nodded, “I’m gonna go find that book you recommended and maybe try and scope some other ones out. I’ll catch you soon!”

Setting her backpack down at a table in front of one of the library computers, she waved him off. “I believe it’s in the classics section!”

“Thanks!” Marvin called back, beginning to walk towards the shelves. That earned him a stern look from the librarian which he immediately apologized for. He quickly scuttled off into the stacks. 

Sasha watched him disappear into the aisles, before sighing and turning to the computer. Acorn hopped off her shoulders and curled up on the tabletop, wide tail flicking idly. Right. Time to get to business. After opening to the right page, she pulled her laptop and the printed out papers from her backpack, and began the search.

Meanwhile in the classic’s section, Marvin was trying not to sneeze. He’d been reprimanded once already and it wouldn’t happen again if he could help it. Unfortunately the universe was plotting against him and deigned that the shelves hadn’t received a good dusting in a while. What was that one saying? If you sneeze with your mouth closed your eyes would pop out of your head? He vaguely recalled his Mother saying that to him once as a child and it freaked him out enough that he never tested the theory. It was at times like these that Marvin debated whether testing these kinds of hypotheses was worth the potential fallout.

He decided to play it safe and sneezed as quietly as he could into his arm. Liechi gave him a weird look from where she had perched on his shoulder. Marvin rolled his eyes. Getting judged by a pigeon who regularly committed larceny. Go figure. 

Eventually Marvin found what he was looking for and exited the classics section with his find. Sasha had recommended that he read Twin Spirals by S. G. Dewott, an adaptation of the classic dragon mythos. It was a sturdily bound book with a simple design on the cover. A spiral, embossed in gold on black leather, with the title and credit displayed much the same. Marvin placed the volume into the book bag he brought (he learned the hard way that trying to carry books and use his crutches at the same time was incredibly inconvenient) and took a moment to decide where to go next.

It really didn’t take much deliberation on his end. He was a sucker for shitty romance novels, and he hadn’t gotten many chances to peruse the genre much since arriving. But there was no time like the present. Liechi, thankfully, did not offer any further judgment as he turned towards the romance section of the shelves. 

When Marvin returned to where Sasha was seated, his bag hung heavily on his shoulder. He’d made out like a bandit. He’d found some books with absolutely abysmal abstracts and he was so excited to dive in. But he’d have to let the anticipation simmer for a bit, he wanted to read Twin Spirals first. 

Marvin plopped down in the chair next to Sasha. Liechi fluttered off of his shoulder and onto the desk, hopping over to Acorn. Marvin kept an eye on her and propped his head up on his arm.

“So, how goes it? You look pretty focused. You good there?”

She was sat leaning towards the screen, a thumbnail in her mouth while she was scrolling the archive page. Twenty-eleven.. Twenty-twelve.. There. 

When Marvin spoke she startled like broken from a trance “Oh, hello! Uh, yeah, it’s alright, just uh, occupied thoughts.” It looked like she hadn’t even noticed him sit down. 

Marvin raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment. He knew how tunnel visioned he could get when he was looking for something, so it didn’t raise any alarms. He shrugged.

“Hey, fair enough. What are you lookin’ for anyhow? Anything good?”

Humming slightly, she glanced back at the screen, a dozen headlines from the Castelia Beacon issue archive. “..Simply looking for something I might’ve missed. Uhm, I’m not entirely sure how terribly entertaining it would be to you, though.” She cracked a smile. 

Marvin smiled, “Dude, I’m all ears. Hit me. I’m curious to know what’s got you so wrapped up.”

She shrugged, scrolling away from where she was looking with her other hand. “It’s really not too very interesting, not really, but, uhm-” He didn’t need to know. “-There are some rather funny headlines in here, it’s quite a shame they’re not on the website.” 

Ok, well, that was vague. Marvin pursed his lips. She was clearly invested in whatever she was doing, so he doubted that whatever she was spending so much time looking for was uninteresting. But it was clear that whatever she was tiptoeing around wasn’t something she wanted to discuss further. So he nodded, and didn’t press her further. But he did take a cursory glance at the papers strewn about beside her. They were printed out articles with headlines describing criminal activity and police records between the years 2012 and 2015. He wasn’t able to make out anything more than that. 

Marvin quietly glanced at Sasha, a pit forming in his stomach. He couldn’t draw any obvious conclusions here, but something definitely felt.. Off. But whatever she was looking for, it wasn’t his business to pry. Marvin shifted nervously in his seat, turning his gaze away from Sasha and instead to Acorn and Liechi. 

Acorn perked up when Liechi approached, eyes narrowed in suspicion. The Pidove slowly hopped in a circle around the Leafeon, her head tilting this way and that. It almost looked like she was sizing Acorn up. Which wouldn’t be out of character for her. They sniffed at her, tilting their head in the way they did to focus their good ear on her. They seemed distrusting. 

Rightfully so, as Liechi took the first opportunity she got to nip lightly at Acorn’s tail. 

They snapped back at her with a yap, but Liechi quickly fluttered out of reach. A successful hit and run. Another win for Queen Liechi. 

The leafeon hissed at her, ears flicked back. Liechi tittered, a wing held to her beak as if she were laughing. She certainly had a flair for the dramatics. Acorn stood up, fur bristling in annoyance, and swatted at the Pidove with their paw. But Liechi once again out maneuvered Acorn, staying just out of reach. 

Oh dear. Their tail lashed from side to side, and Liechi was not immune. Liechi darted back, nipping again at Acorn’s tail. They jumped back with a yelp. When their ears flicked back at her and they started charging what was clearly razor leaf, was when Sasha jumped in. 

“No no no no! We are not doing this today!” She grabbed Acorn and pulled them back towards her. 

Marvin had been keeping an eye on the pair as well. As soon as Liechi started causing too much trouble, he swooped in and scooped the Pidove up into his arms. 

“Liechi!” He scolded, “What is your damage? Come on, man, we’ve been over this!”

Liechi made a warbling noise, almost as if she was grumbling to herself. Marvin immediately took note and let out an admonished gasp, “Do not talk back to me, young lady! Apologize to Acorn right this instant!”

Marvin held Liechi firmly out towards Acorn, “Well?”

Liechi, clearly not regretting a single thing she’s ever done in her life, peeped at Acorn. 

Marvin nodded, taking that as an acceptable apology for her crimes. It wasn’t, of course, but Marvin didn’t speak Pidove, and thus was none the wiser. 

Acorn looked back at the Pidove from where they were snuggled against Sasha’s shirt, narrowed their eyes at her, and huffed. Sasha ran her hand through their fur, holding them close with the steady one. Her eyes were apologetic when she met Marvin’s. 

“Apologies, they’ve been a bit high strung today, I don’t think they quite enjoyed being cooped up all morning.”

Marvin shook his head, “No, no, don’t apologize. Someone here was the obvious instigator and should know better than that,” Marvin looked down sternly at Liechi, who was not listening whatsoever. 

It got a bit of a laugh out of her, “I don’t think she’s listening to you.”

“She never listens,” Marvin sighed, “Only time she pays attention to what I say is if I have a treat to give her or if we’re going on a walk. Sometimes I wonder who’s training who.”

Sasha giggled, “It’s always like that, isn’t it?” Looking down at Acorn, she scratched behind their ear. “Isn’t that right, you sweet little menace?”

When the little thing murred and buried their face back in her shirt, she took to a bit more seriousness. “Of course, though, they certainly don’t enjoy being nipped in the tail of all places. I can understand why they got so upset about it.” 

Acorn swept their tail around themself, it would be difficult to ignore the tear in it. 

Marvin frowned, “Oh, poor thing. I don’t blame them at all.”

“I’m sorry Liechi is such a bully,” He said, towards Acorn this time. 

Their head was tipped back, almost upside down, to look at him, it was rather adorable. Acorn chirped in response, but whether or not they understood the words was anyone’s guess, though they hopefully got the sentiment. 

Marvin smiled softly at the Leafeon and leaned back in his chair. He held Liechi close to his chest again so that she wouldn’t cause any more trouble. Pidove prison. 

Taking to idly stroking their fur, Sasha sat up straight again, glancing at him. Maybe it was about time to change the conversation. “So, uh, I presume you found the book I recommended?”

Marvin perked up, “I did! It wasn’t hard to find, so I wasn’t in the classics for that long, thankfully. It was dusty as all hell in there- The book is pretty big, I wasn’t expecting that. It’s definitely exciting though!”

“It’s certainly a lengthy title, but it’s an enrapturing one. I own a copy, and I’ve reread it quite a few times.”

“Damn, must be pretty good then!”

Nodding, she smiled. Thank goodness. “It’s a rather unique take on the story, goodness I would say more if I didn’t wish to not spoil it for you. I hope you’ll enjoy it.” 

She fidgeted with Acorn’s collar, but cracked a laugh after a moment. “This is not exactly related, but I remembered, and I have to ask- What in the world were you doing the other day?” 

Marvin’s expression immediately soured, “Ok, look, I was bored, alright?”

“And that landed you in the sewers, quite how exactly?”

“I made a joke about it and decided to go through with it. And then I got attacked by a Rat King. Shit happens.” 

Her eyes went wide. “Pardon, a what?” 

Marvin stiffened and began to backtrack, “Uh, a Rattata King. Sorry, uh.. It’s.. Ok, it’s when a bunch of Rattata get their tails all tangled together? But this one was.. I didn’t get too good of a look but it kinda was more of a mass of them moving as one.”

He frowned, “I don’t know. It came at me and the next thing I knew I was in Relic Passage. Maybe I was seeing shit. Sewer fumes.”

She’d stopped petting Acorn and covered her mouth with her hand. “That sounds.. Incredibly horrifying. Goodness, I’m glad you’re alright at the very least.” 

Marvin shrugged, “Eh. I’ve had worse.”

“..That doesn’t exactly reassure me, in any meaningful way.” She glanced down at Acorn as if the little thing could understand the mixed emotions in her mind, then back at him. “You are quite the character, Marvin Bird.” 

A wry smile crossed his face, “Oh, you have no idea.”

She gave a bemused laugh, not quite sure what else to say. “You know, you have quite the spirit, you could probably do quite well somewhere if you wished to.”

A hand came up to attempt to hide her snicker, success of which was debatable, “And it may be a better use of all that energy than running into sewers or eating house plants.” 

He rolled his eyes, “Never again.”

“I would hope,” she said, amusement in her voice. “Have you considered going back to college at any point? I can presumably guess why you haven’t, but regardless.”

Marvin slumped in his chair and groaned, “Oh god, I don’t know! I’ve been debating it but I’m not even sure what I’d go for! I was already iffy about my major..”

“Well, what is it that you enjoy, in terms of topics?”

He shrugged helplessly, “I don’t know! I don’t really do much…?”

Humming lightly, she rested her arm on the table. “Surely there’s something. Is there anything in particular you’re passionate about? Enjoy learning? Anything of that sort?”

He thought for a moment, a finger tapping against his chin. After a moment he deflated, “I… I got nothing.”

A pang of sympathy pulled on her chest, she hummed again, chewing on her lip. There had to be something that could be done. 

With a snap of her fingers, she spoke up again, “You know, I’m not exactly an export, I never went to college, I simply didn’t have the time. But. my cousin- do you remember Caleb?- works at the university in Nimbasa, they know a lot more about this than I do. Maybe they could be of help.”

“You think? I mean- I wouldn’t be opposed for academia round two.”

“Of course! They’d probably be glad to help.” Leaning forward, she took out a piece of scrap paper and quickly jotted down their contact, sliding it over to him. “If you’d want to, here’s their number.”

Marvin took it from her with a smile, “Yeah, I’ll give them a ring at some point!”

“Wonderful!”  Hopefully it would prove useful to him. 

Before he pocketed it, he had to rescue the slip of paper from Liechi as she seemed intent on claiming it as a new toy. Thankfully he was able to save it from being shredded. 

Sasha giggled watching him wrangle with the small dear attempting to steal the paper like so many other things, but something pulled away her attention. Her phone was ringing. 

Well, what a coincidence. “Hold on a moment, please, it’s Caleb.”

Marvin gave her a thumbs up and sat back in his chair. He occupied himself with patting Liechi, who cooed softly at the attention.

“Did you find anything?”

Turning back to the computer, Sasha scrolled back to where she’d been reading prior, and quickly snapped a picture of it. “I certainly did.” 

Her voice had dropped to a very different, more serious sort of tone. Whatever else was said on the other end was lost, but after a bit more discussion, she hung up and began gathering her things. Alright. 

Acorn didn’t seem too pleased when they were roused to get up, but let out a long yawn and clambered to lay around her neck regardless. 

She turned to him, apologetic, “My apologies, I have to go, It was lovely seeing you again, though! I hope we can meet up again soon.”  

Marvin blinked, a little startled at the sudden change in her demeanor. He frowned, “Is.. Is everything alright?”

Slipping on her bag with one hand, she raised the other in reassurance, “Yeah, it’s alright, we simply have something that needs attending to.”

He pursed his lips but didn’t press her further, “Oh, alright. It was good to see you too, I’ll tell you how I think about the book when I’m finished, yeah?”

“That would be lovely, I hope you enjoy it!” She gave a quick smile. It seemed genuinely cheery enough. “I’ll see you later, yeah?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you later..” 

Turning to leave, she doubled back and shut off the computer, but before she did, Marvin was able to catch a short glimpse of the article. Before the screen turned black, his eyes caught on one sentence in particular. 

“-despite efforts by authorities, no further information could be gained from Sasha Ellis’ questionings.”

But as if in a blink, she was out of sight and out the door, a certain hurried pace in her step. And he was left alone at the table. Stunned and more than confused, Marvin sat staring at the empty computer screen, suddenly left with more questions than answers. 

What the hell was that all about..?

He exchanged a look with Liechi who didn’t understand a goddamned thing, but wanted to be included anyway. He sighed and patted his shoulder and Liechi fluttered up to perch there. He gathered his belongings and made his way out of the library. 

The whole walk home his mind was turning over the interactions he’d had with Sasha. The intense focus on what she was researching, the avoidance when he questioned her, the phone call, that article… What was going on with her? He chewed his lip. Whatever it was, the police had been involved at some point.  

He just hoped she wasn’t the one they were looking for. 

[brett-is-afraid]

Ot3 asks (Chuckle Polycast)

Credit to hitchell-mope for making the ask post

Who takes charge in bed?

All of them can, depending on the day. They really all go back and forth on who is in control. Ted ends up falling into that role most the time because it's just easiest for them.

Who gets taken care of in bed?

Schlatt more often is the one that's focused on. He subs more often than not. (Sidenote: Ted's a big fan of pillows princesses.)

Who would choose to do it in a car? Who would choose a plane? Who prefers the bed?

Ted and Charlie tend to be less into doing stuff where they could reasonably get caught. They don't mind doing stuff in cars, but they'd need convincing to mess around on a plane. Schlatt is for sure more willing to fuck on a plane and actually enjoys car sex. The only issue they run into is height wise. None of them are particularly small guys, so it takes a lot of maneuvering and cramping.

Do clothes get swapped after? If so is it intentional or accidental?

They all definitely steal each other's clothes. There are a lot of clothes that they don't even know who originally had it because it's just such a communal item at that point. Most the time, it's intentional. But sometimes, they just genuinely can't keep track of whose clothes are whose.

Were the dynamics easy to fall into?

It was very easy to fall into, for the most part. Their relationship is pretty much the same as their friendship, just with a romantic and sexual aspect added. They aren't really any different than they were before in daily life.

Who’s most likely to send videos and pictures of themselves to the other two?

Sex-wise? Schlatt, 100%. Just any kind of picture? Surprisingly, Ted. He takes a lot of photos of himself in daily life and always sends them to his partners. Charlie takes a ton of photos and sends them too, but they're always of things he's working on or cool (or funny) stuff he found.

Who encourages the other two to get out of their comfort zone?

All of them do it in a different way. Charlie drags them along to try things that they never would've even considered. Ted is reassuring when the others are nervous to do something, pushing them to try even if it's a little scary. Schlatt's the type to convince them to do things that are genuinely scary. (Shooting guns, playing with tanks, etc.)

Who’s really into flirting with the others in public?

Schlatt is the one to flirt the most, though he usually does it in his joking way to avoid anyone actually catching on. Charlie and Ted do it as well sometimes, but not as often.

Has the formation of the ot3 unlocked the risk taker in them?

It has. They all encourage each other to do things they wouldn't normally do. Schlatt has encouraged them all to take more risks when it comes to food, trying new and more interesting things.

Who brings new ideas to the bedroom?

All of them do in their own ways. Ted tends to look at different articles and find genuine tips or new things to try. He'll bring them up to the others whenever he finds something interesting. Charlie finds them as fun facts and it leads to them trying it. Schlatt just has the most ideas and brings them up to try.

Who made the first move?

Charlie or Ted did, for sure. But out of frustration more than wanting to actually confess. If it's Charlie, he gets annoyed that none of them have realized their feelings for each other yet and is annoyed by how long he's had to wait. If it's Ted, he's just frustrated with having to keep his feelings inside. All he wants to do is confess and get it off his chest.

Has the novelty worn off at all?

No, it's still just as good as it was. To them, it wasn't ever about novelty. Starting a relationship just took their dynamic to the next level and made them enjoy it even more.

[sahara-solaris-solace]

Headcanons Regarding Gremmy Thoumeaux

- OOH, this guy is much more cocky than Bambietta! He may even imagine things for fun, turning the other Sternritters into objects, particularly who pissed him off, despite Jugram’s incessant warning.

- Most Sternritters avoided him like a plague.

- He can get along with As- Nodt as both share interesting views about danger.

- He can also get along with Giselle and Nianzol well. I always see him and them crack some brief jokes and greetings.

- Always imagine a fancy looking themed furniture every time Jugram held a meeting.

- Jugram is basically his personal nanny that always nagged him to retain boundaries and to be less scary.

- He is actually one of the Quincy who naturally got the power from the Soul King, so he is considered as a veteran.

- The only reason he is not with the Elite Guard yet because he had to undergo a therapy to control his lust from toying with his surroundings.

- I always headcanon him to survive the ordeal that instead of settle things with Kenpanchi, Jugram and Askin break the battle scene to fetch him off for an important meeting.

- You know why, because the smug boy got promoted into the Schutzstaffel ( Elite Imperial Guards)

- Though most of those veterans remained wary of him.

- He is actually a prodigy and he knows it.

(NSFW If he has a girlfriend)

- Every Sternritter will be shocked if he ever has a girlfriend. I mean, who can put up with his shit longer than their own sanity???

- He likes it if his girlfriend is tall, slender and has slightly sexy curves to appease him.

- Prefers if the woman is both timid but stern. Not a doormat type.

- If his girlfriend is a Sternritter, it is usually a fatal attraction from the start.

- Remember the last scene where Gremmy wanted to become stronger and imagine himself having muscles? Well the smug boy know how to turn on his woman.

- Will imagine his woman to cross dress for him. His favorite is the nurse and kimono costume.

- His girlfriend may have indifferent look on his normal form but will turn into a shy mess when he imagined himself slightly taller with muscles.

- To avoid hurting her, he often ask her to ride him so he can focus his mind on something else.

- He assures her to take things slowly and gripped his palms around her hips.

- He may be a smug asshole but he is still a sweetheart.

- During her first time, he actually took control and accidentally hurt her. It was one of the first time his woman saw how he had a mental breakdown and apologized. She ended up hugging him from behind.

- She spent a week in his room while he nursed her to full health.

- One time Bambietta accidentally walked in his room by mistake. Karma. For how Bambietta treated the ‘hunks’, she was turned into a walking firework for 6 hours straight until she apologized to both of them.

- He may be cocky but he is deathly. If anyone saw his lady naked, he will make sure they will live to regret it. The only reason he did not kill those people because killing is a treason against his Majesty wish.

[consouling]

The contemplating of how Universal Mediocrity affects the heroes and villains is fun and all, but I'm thinking about how it affects the common folk.

I'm imagining that it's like the Narrative Potential (NP) concept from writing-prompts. Where some people have more NP than others, and those people live their life like the protagonist of a fictional world and have wacky and traumatic adventures. While everyone else lives less than interesting lives.

Now everyone is below average and mediocre.

You know that phrase, 'If everyone is special, then no one is special?' Well, the DC universe has become the antithesis to that.

"If everyone is mediocre, then no one is."

And I imagine it goes something like this.

No one knows what happened.

The heroes. The villains. Some of the most rich and famous people in the world. They're dropping like flys.

The police have finally been doing their jobs.

Bruce Wayne and Oliver Queen have been arrested for child endangerment. No one can tell if it was before or after people found out they were Batman and Green Arrow. It was so obvious.

Lex Luther and a whole bunch of other rich assholes have been arrested as well. Money can't save someone that blatantly evil.

Superman, Flash, Captain Marvel, and all other super powered heroes have dropped off the face of the earth, and no one knows where they went or how to find them.

Not that it matters because all their villains have become less... scary? Competent? I don't know, but they are such a less threat that they keep getting arrested by normal cops. Some of them even disappeared all together.

It also seems that no one's gadgets are working anymore. The normal guns are fine, unfortunately, but the super fancy freeze rays and such are all jamming? That's what it looks like, at least. It's confusing the villains as well.

People stopped getting assassinated.

Anyway, villains are disappearing quickly. Yay. But so are heroes. Some were arrested, and some just vanished as I've said. The Teen Titans were officially disbanded after....

Why were they even a team anyway? Their name is literally the TEEN Titians. Gosh.

No one talks about what happened to Wonder Women.

...

Enough about heroes and stuff.

My name is Julius, but my friends call me Juls.

I was, unfortunately, taking a long look in the mirror this morning and didn't like what I saw more than usual.

But it wasn't my face this time. Or my weight or my big feet.

It was my clothes.

Why were they so... bland?

Just plain coloured shirts and long pants. I can't even tell what materials they're made of.

I was going shopping today so I guess I'll get more variety? I guess? What would I even get? What do I want to look like.

What do I... want.

I'm out the door before I can finish my own question. It feels as if I should've been staring at myself a little longer. Linger on what to wear a little longer.

I walk through the streets of good old Gotham. Nothing happens on the way.

It's at a store called 'Dangerfield' where I find the answer to my questions.

A hat.

A mom hat.

One that looks like it belongs on the beach, in the sand. I pick it up, securing the thing of the top of my head. I look into the nearby mirror, tilting the hat up to reveal my full face and the mediocrity my friends call bangs.

It's a creamy pale colour with a black band and bow at its trim.

I like it. I need more.

Searching the store, I find gartars, punk boots, bright pink skin tight tops... maybe this is the wrong store.

Paying for my hat, I walk store to store looking for things to match it. In Gotham, walking around aimlessly always gets you in trouble, but...

Nothing happens.

I noticed a store called 'Tree of Life' and took a peak.

While standing there I bump into the worst person you ever could when in Gotham.

Tim Drake.

He looks good as always. Black hair, cool demeaner, that weird outfit combo of a dark hoodie over a white button-up only he could pull off. There's a pimple on his bottom lip. Weird. How old was he again?

The thing was, when Tim Drake was in the vicinity, something always happened. Always.

I mutter an apology before quickly turning into the store.

We both walk in.

Fuck!

I worried all of five seconds when something caught my eye.

A white, flowy shirt with long sleeves that gets wider at the ends gets plucked from its hanger as I run over to the changing rooms.

Oh. My. God.

I don't even need new pants or shoes with this shirt. In fact, anything fancier on the bottom would look a bit much.

I excitedly check the price tag, and my jaw hits the floor.

"BITCH!"

Storming out of the changing room and back to the shirts' original place; someone appears in front of him.

"Hey, I could buy that for you."

Tim Mother Fucking Drake

"Really?!" The hope spills out of my mouth completely on accident.

"Sure, why not."

He started to talk about how it would look on me on our way to the counter. It was so utterly normal that I forgot I was talking to the know walking disaster that is Tim Drake.

He pays for the shirt as I gingerly wait behind him.

"Right, introductions, my name's Julius, but you can call me Juls."

I ask why he was here, and he goes on to explain that it's his boyfriend, Bernard's, birthday soon, and he's picking out a present.

He asks me the same question and...

"I just... thought... better? Of myself. Like everyday, day by day, I get more... vain. And today I just realised I absolutely hated the clothes I had. So I'm getting more."

"You got more vain day by day?"

"Yep, I think it started when the Justice League... you know..."

Tim's brows scrunched in thought.

Was he always this expressive? I see him everywhere on TV and such, but he was never this animated. Always with a fake plastered smile while in fancy events or a neutral resting face even when with friends and especially out in public.

I tell him that I want to put my new shirt on immediately, and he asks if it's alright with me if he comes shopping with me.

I say it's alright, of course. After buying this shirt for me, he could do whatever. After finishing changing into the shirt while also putting on my new hat, I find Tim out waiting to go. I expected something to happen while we were here.

Nothing did happen.

While on our way to an accessory store, we ran into someone familiar yet not. To me at least.

They were Goth... I think. I've never been too good at labels. But I've never seen a Goth out and about before. Which is weird because this is Gotham.

Weirder still is that I know this new Goth and this Goth knows me.

"Juls?"

"..." I squint at the black eye shadow and deep eye liner. "...Mia?"

"Took you long enough."

"What are you wearing?!"

"What are /you/ wearing?"

... damn... she got me there.

"I just... like it?"

"Same"

We stared at each other for a few seconds before snickering and laughing subdued, but still out loud.

Mia then goes on an entire rant about all our other friends going out and doing the same as us. Trying things on, building a character, a style, a personality.

Mia tells of Alex the wine aunt, Kiara in kids clothes, Eden the model and Wes in skater cloths instead of his usual basketball uniform. Jay's still in his old clothes, though.

No one knows why they're doing this, just that they didn't like themselves and decided to do something about it.

"You look like a mom."

"You look like you died 40 years ago."

"I take that as a compliment. Thank y-holy shit is that Tim Drake?"

"He's been there the whole time."

"Sup."

After Mia's internal screaming, she had to run off for her ordered coffee before it got cold, immediately regretting buying it instead of getting to chat with Tim

"You were great company Tim, but I think I should get home."

"Yeah, thanks for hanging around."

We exchnged numbers, but before any other movement, a scream rang out.

"Oi! My bag!"

A man ran out from an ally way before being immediately knocked down and on the ground struggling to get up.

My knuckle started to throb as I realised what I did. I guess today, my fight or flight chose violence.

While stunned, I see Tim restrain the man before going to return the bag.

I go to thank him, then head home as soon as possible. It's getting dark, and you don't want to know what happens in Gotham at night. But on the walk home, expect that robbery, nothing happened

I looked in the mirror and saw someone I liked a little more than I did before.

___________________

Tim didn't know what to do.

Everything is changing for the better, and yet it's worse.

Bruce and Jason are in jail. Damian is in juvenile detention. The Kent's confined themselves to the farm after their powers disappeared. Most of the super powered heroes have just stopped heroing altogether. Some are... cyborg, beast boy, blue beetal, so many of them are...

All because of... his mistake to his new brother. Old brother now. Danny's gone forever. We almost ended him. And his daughter.

...

He went out in civilian clothes today just to see what it was like to try to live normally. He got his boyfriend to drive him there. Plus, it's almost Bernard's birthday soon.

...it went better than expected.

He met a new friend. Julius.

He said he was changing, and so were his friends. Tim didn't notice it. That the people, the regular people, were so... bland, common. They had no individuality. But now they do.

He expected something to happen when in the store but nothing happened.

When walking with Julius to another shop, talking with his friend, nothing happened.

A robber appeared. There has been a stark less of those. Tim didn't even have to do anything. All he did was restain and return a bag.

When waving goodbye, Tim also decided to walk home instead of calling for Alfred.

Nothing happened.

In a couple hours, Tim is back at the manor, unlocking it himself instead of any friendly face opening it for him. Right. Almost everyone is out. No one could pick him up even if he asked. Because Alfred is also dead.

Tim slumps down on the dusty carpet floor and cries.

Nothing happened.

 Tim was really starting to get worried about his new brother.

Danny moved into Wayne Manor after his parents were arrested.  Jack and Maddie Fenton opened  a portal to the infinite realms with no way of stopping any of the world-ending threats. They let the ghosts wreak havoc and never once closed the portal. 

Danny had gotten some sort of connection to an ancient being. The Justice League Later found out that the ancient being was using the connection to gain a way to stay on Earth. They were able to sever the connection but Danny is not getting any better.

Since the attacks in Amity Park started Danny has been getting sicker and sicker. He got paler and started to bruise more easily. But after they severed the connection he seemed to no longer have energy.

Even now that they have gotten him away from amity park, nothing seems to be helping. It's been 3 months with no sign of getting better. they're on their last straw and they finally decided to get a magic user to try and help. unfortunately The person who knows the most is Constantine.

Constantine walked into the room with Bruce. Danny had no idea that they were connected to the Justice League and they were hoping to keep it that way. They don't want to stress him, especially with how sick he is.  Constantine and Bruce stopped in front of Danny.

 Bruce tried to use a gentle tone and said “ danny I know you're having a lot of trouble so I called in someone to help “

Danny had  an apprehensive look.

 “Kid, I just need your hand,” Constantine said as he reached out a hand. ”I'm not going to do any creepy shit, I'm just trying to make you better”

Danny reluctantly placed his hand onto constantines. it was a few minutes before Constantine Swar under his breath.

"What is it” Bruce demanded.

”the little ghosty left a parting gift”

“that's not an explanation” 

“the kids got a  neverborn”

 “What's neverborn?” Tim asked, interrupting their conversation.

 “The closest equivalent I can make is that technically Phantom got the kid knocked Up”

[the-firebird69]

This is another son of mine and his head is proportionate to a size a little small but it's not that smaller than it would be maybe about 3 in it's kind of smaller but his physique is what I'm usually like no but that's what I'm supposed to be like and I slim down and it hurts a little like it does now I don't want to be that big all the time it's kind of scary to people and if I wear clothing that's loose I look like some sort of balloon. Seriously that's what I think I look like in the future I'm hearing from others. And some people here telling me I look like that other guy trimmed down hulk and Mac is one of them and will and Bill say he looks like you but huge so it's like 8 foot and they say that they thought it looks lanky but no I get like this and I'll tell you what I'm going to show you what people are saying my sizes there's a whole bunch of geneticists arguing over it and my people are saying that I'm pretty huge and her too and she says a lot of people are big not that big he's mostly at the high level area there's also on that height others are foot tall a foot shorter our children are almost the same size

Zues Hera

This is me what I'm in my Juggernaut format it's pretty much what I look like and he's a little bit chunkier and wider and it's ridiculous I don't know why it's so big it says it too I should be big there and a huge here anybody have any furniture I have to move still says those jokes and he sounds normal it's really bizarre. But he's huge okay and this is me and I'm jugging that format and it's just a statue of me but someone saw it in the future and sent it back if all these sightings in the same where his kids cuz I see how big he is and what he looks like and it looks like a terror like a machine he says just you and flesh and I don't need all the crap can you guys are doing something with it and stuff they go off and they feel better in their nastily arrogant they come back and say do you want to fight and he says things like why where is it I said no me well who you're fighting and they say I want to fight you I said you know it's illegal to say that to someone he says I didn't know that he goes off and someone calls the cops and that would be made father comes back and says I made a deal with someone to fight you out back I said I made a deal with someone to arrest you out back shall we go out back it says yeah so go back and the cops are rest the guy it says you won't fight us who you said I kill you with one punch without trying so what's the point I don't want to go to jail and the cops say it should be the least 11 and then a lethal weapon and they say that sometimes and say every human being can do it at we are 6 ft and I took karate and I seen it and he could kill easily with that punch it was so loud you would not believe it how and it's going late into the night after class pow pow pow pow a hundred times and it's just the hardest rocks cuz the bone hearts and the cows he must have been killing people and it wasn't random facts come Randall text come so he says all this stuff it's Randall text Cobb and we know what it means but for real this is stuff that's happening and he's not just saying it but we're seeing it and the police arrest him and they book him and try them and try and call him as a witness to try and arrest him. And they know his bullet resistant and he has some sort of glasses and there was no they're like sunglasses and he wears them all the time protect his eyes from people they're trying to spit in them all the time. Says he's used to it so I'm trying to horrify me cuz I know but I'm just a good idea for the glasses not to ask Shaq and get some from Shaquille O'Neal I mean Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and he says that's great it's a good idea though he has that stuff. The other ones that are less Goofy don't cover the whole thing but it works and so that would be great it's a good idea to wear them for even you I wear them all the time you have to shut your mouth a lot cuz I watch out with me my sweet goes up into my eye I see them do it like a hundred times cuz people are more us that was shack this is granddaddy and he's huge he's he's a good 11 or 12 foot with fully grown and his big too he's like the trim down hulk when he's in shape and when he's not he's still very big and he's a first generation that's why he's got a bunch of that on top of being manipulated and my name is

Hulk World She Hulk World Mark ruffalo has a name and it's Hulk origins because he didn't start it he was the first not us no but he started it here so it's Hulk origins Earth and that's true and he knows it and he likes it and he knows why it's really a status symbol for those who know and Max like him and Bob birdies Bob Marshall all the people that are big shots and people like Thanos and trash is famous to them and we thank you but what intro so what's next and no he wasn't there you can poop it was important

[akicult]

an anon asked for relationship hcs, so here you go <3

random levi headcanons

ft: levi ackerman, hange zoë

cw: fluff, levi’s smitten hehe, brief mentions of alcohol, hange being levi’s bsf, idk

—

- he’s always cold. everytime you lean into him to cuddle, you always shiver because of how cold he is.

- he’s protective over you. very. he doesn’t want to lose you, and often he fears one day he could.

- he’s not a social media fan, but he made accounts just to follow you and like your posts. you’re literally his only follower. he doesn’t even have a proper username or profile picture.

- for some reason, i don’t know why, but i feel like levi would love blueberries. like, he’s just always eating them.

- if you call him, he’s immediately answering the phone. longest it ever took was three rings.

- never, ever drinks. except for one time and he got super drunk after only having a couple drinks. such a lightweight.

- if you thought levi sober was clingy, oh boy. he literally couldn’t let go of your hand.

- he’s not super affectionate, though. you’re usually the one to kiss him first. but if you havent kissed him in a while he’ll slowly grow more upset & impatient.

- however, he will compliment you. even if he’s a little shy about it.

- “you look really nice.” basically translates to “you are absolutely gorgeous i can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you” in less words.

- you know what he really means.

- you always say i love you, in which he usually responds with a hum and a nod or a quiet “me too.”he just doesn’t usually express how much he loves you in so many words.

- how he does express his i love you’s;

- he makes you dinner every night. he’s a really good cook.

- always waits for you to finish showering before he flushes the toilet <3

- does your laundry & always makes the bed when you wake up.

- buys your favorite foods from the grocery store without even double checking.

- stays quiet if you end up taking all of the sheets when sleeping. it’s fine, he can use a pillowcase.

- listens to you rant even if your story is confusing and all over the place.

- let’s you watch whatever you want on tv, even if he finds it boring and asinine.

- he’s very gentle when he’s with you. he feels that if he’s too rough, he might end up hurting you. which is the last thing he’d ever want to do.

- loves giving you massages. if you look like you’re even in mild pain, he’ll always ask if he can rub your shoulders or something.

- not big on physical contact, but there’s nothing he loves more than your hugs. especially when you just come up to him and hug him.

- he loves that you already know how he’s feeling. the slightest change in his body language and you just know something’s off. even if he isn’t trying to send that message. the fact that you just know makes him happy.

- you like messing with him sometimes. like, if you’re just texting each other something so casual, even boring, you’ll just send him a nude mid conversation.

- he’ll just stare blankly at his phone for a second thinking about why tf u did that. then he’ll probably heart the photo & continue the conversation as normal.

- he would totally have a folder of your nudes tho if he knew how to do that LMFAOO

- the only time he ever uses his phone honestly to just interact with you. that’s it. his call list just consists of you, you, you, hange, you, you.

- hange calls to annoy him obviously.

- speaking of which, hange absolutely adores you. every single time they call levi, they’re going to ask to say hi to you at some point.

- hange always asked for your help in experiments.

- levi doesn’t like being controlling, but he hates when you help hange. he’s always anxious something is going to go wrong, but he’ll never tell you that.

- he has complained to hange about it though.

- “moblit is your assistant, why can’t he help you?”

- he made hange promise they would never put you in real danger. he’s scary when he’s serious, obviously hange said yes.

- better kiss him goodbye before you leave, or else he’s going to be a nervous wreck until you get home.

—

[meowzfordayz]

Hi 🥺 I would like to request some fluff headcanons with Giyu/Sanemi, based on the very first time you show each other your vulnerabilities. You may interpret this any way you want, it could be a conversation, physical touch, letting go of a hard facade (hello Sanemi), I would just be very happy to read your interpretation of this! Thank you 💙

Tyvm for your request! ☺️ I appreciate knowing I could interpret it any way I wanted, bc it def took a while for inspo to strike regardless. 😅 Hope you're having a wonderful weekend: may your Sunday be sunny and spectacular. ☀️💖

Author’s Note: what is ~hcs other than an informally written one shot ????? 🤪

firsts - rendered speechless

Shinazugawa Sanemi x Reader, Tomioka Giyuu x Reader

Word Count: ~2,100

CW: explicit language, mild sexual content, traumatic references

~faqs, image~

W/ you, Sanemi talks a lot

Like, actual, proper talking

Not just being pissy lol

Asking how you slept, complimenting your occasional smile, venting about what’s annoying him atm

There’re very few ppl he feels safe being… normal (??) w/

Bc actual, proper talking can be ~hard 😵

So even tho some of the things he rambles about may seem mundane

They’re his subtle way of revealing his comfortability, his trust, in you

In fact, the more mundane, the more intimate ??

He prob despises small talk

So like: if he mentions the weather, then you know he’s ✨smitten✨

Bc w/ you, nothing feels like small talk

W/ you, he believes you’re genuinely intrigued, fascinated, enthralled

Believes you care about knowing him

Him in general, and him in the moment — in every moment

—Do you know how heartbreaking it is to open up to someone who doesn’t give a fuck ??

—Personal anecdote: an ex of mine admitted that they weren’t usually interested in what I had to say so they’d tune me out, and then I dated them for another ~yr lmao

—Live and learn

Investing in someone, in a romantic relationship, doesn’t just mean investing in them

It also means letting someone invest in you

The more you give, the deeper they can affect you

The more you give, the less you have to hide behind

And Sanemi is hyper aware of this

As are you !!

—I don’t exactly imagine a romantic relationship w/ Sanemi being slow burn

—But it’s not a whirlwind either

—The slowest part is trudging through the (mutual) friendzone

—Him friendzoning you bc: better to be the one friendzoning than the one friendzoned, right ??

—And you friendzoning him bc: you assume he’s off limits romantically (his glaring doesn’t scream LOVE ME right off the bat, yanno?), so why trouble yourself w/ that inevitable heartache ??

—Dw, obvi y’all figure it out ~eventually 🙃

Which def leads to you talking less

Not bc you’re passive!

And not bc he talks over you !!

You just absolutely treasure the closeness nurtured w/ every word he utters

Sure, easy silences are considered a hallmark of a mature, developed relationship

Which is true w/ Sanemi as well

BUT, what’s also true is the difficulty vulnerability he typically has w/ expressing himself

Not just romantic, cheesy expression altho that shit’s SCARY

But literally like, what he ate for lunch and that he misses you

Or what he wants to do after sparring bathe together bc y’all are sweaty af and he just wants to cherish you and your body

Or what he needs from you when he wakes up, phantom pain shackled to his skin, glistening scars its keeper contrary to intuition: touch them, trace them — remind him of his wholeness even as you grieve his loss

So you talk less, bc you want more

More, more, and more of Sanemi

As much as he’s willing to give

Is how much you’re willing, happy, grateful to love

“I should go.”

Everything is seeped in grey

Not the pastel grey of Sanemi’s laughter

Or the warm grey of his desire

Or even the neutral grey of his exhaustion

This grey is

Calculated

Painted over a razor thin sheen of crimson

An unforgiving, flickering that you’d almost forgotten

That you’d hoped you’d never see

Again

“I…” he shakes his head, softly

Too softly

“I knew I’d hurt you.”

“Nemi, what is-”

“Listen to your heart, and tell me it’s okay,” he’s frowning, despondent moonlight faintly illuminating the curve of his bare chest, “Lie to me.”

You blink sleepily, your jaw propped up on your palm, “Can we talk about this after we’ve gone back to sleep? And slept? It’s the middle of-”

“I know it’s the middle of the night,” he snaps, “Which is why I should go,” he gestures roughly at your face, “You’re crying.”

“Sanemi,” you’re firmer now, kakebuton rustling as you move to mirror his upright position, “Of course I’m crying,” he flinches, unrecognizable shame stuttering his breath, “When you cry,” you reach out, fingertips resting on his clammy shoulder, relief spreading through to your elbow, your collarbone, your sternum when he doesn’t shrug you off, “I cry with you.”

“I’m not crying.”

You’d giggle if you weren’t so exasperated — so desperate to adjust his perception

He’s just so stubborn and clueless and battered and I’m so in love with you it’s ridiculous

“Let me look out for you, just as you look out for me,” you murmur, rubbing feather light circles along his throat, feeling as he swallows thickly

Let me love you, just as you love me

“How many nights have I woken you?” he’s unnervingly calm, “How many nights have I been a mess?” he snorts, “Most of them? All of them? You share a bed with a broken stranger. A patchwork of not good enough. You cry for someone false. For someone who doesn’t exist. Who only exists in the fleeting seclusion of us. But us can’t exist out there,” he grasps your thigh, squeezing reassuringly even as he wrings his own heart, “We can’t exist here either.”

“To love is a choice, Sanemi,” he grunts at your statement, “Are you taking that choice from me?”

His grip on your thigh tightens, harsh denial of your question in his gut

“Maybe love itself isn’t always born from conscious will, but to keep loving? To keep tending, to keep trying? How could you ever be a broken stranger to me? I know how to find your favorite constellation, can prepare your tea perfectly, have a mental map of your ticklish spots, and you talk with me. I know the three shadows that haunt your eyes, and how to dissipate them; that you stare into puddles because you think they’re shiny and pretty; that you fold a paper crane every year, scared it’ll be your last. I listen to you. Why should you go when I want you to stay? When you want to stay? I’m not hurting because of you — I’m hurting with you. We can exist. We do exist. We exist and we care and talk and listen and hurt and love. Yesterday, I woke up and I chose you. This morning, I woke up and I chose you. And when I wake up tomorrow, I’m certain I’ll choose you. How can something so consistent, so intentful, so solid be false?”

A long second, minute — minutes, pass

You’re patient

Listening

Interpreting tender promises in the quiet

I don’t know

Sanemi’s spine gradually relaxes, eyes losing their erratic glimmer as he melts into your steadiness

I don’t know

Your body following his as he settles beneath the kakebuton, curling familiarly around his weary form as he presses his toes tentatively to your shins

I don’t know

His hand waiting for yours as you sling a secure arm over his side, his fingers loosely interlocking with yours as soon as they nudge against each other

I don’t want to go

The cadence of your pulse guiding him

My beacon he kisses your knuckles My Polaris

I think part of the reason Giyuu’s less talkative is bc it’s much easier to be articulate in one’s head than out loud

~Totally relatable 😝

Pair that w/ social—general—anxiety, and it’s even more understandable why someone (Giyuu) might be less talkative

But that obvi doesn’t make them (Giyuu) any less fascinating 👀

Ever crushed on someone from so far of a distance that you wonder if you’re imagining them?

And then they pop up at your local supermarket or something and you realize all over again that

They exist

They’re breathtaking

They don’t know you exist (at least, they don’t make a habit of greeting your existence)

Yeah

That’s you w/ Giyuu

Your admiration isn’t completely unwarranted or unreasonable 😅

As a fellow Hashira, you’ve absolutely earned your place, your right to stare at him during Hashira meetings

And, as a fellow Hashira, you carry the weight of those before you

Every night, you count them on your fingers, quickly segueing into the fog of your memories

Because you don’t have enough fingers for all the faces—for all the beginnings without middles, ending too abruptly—you swore to remember

A process, a ritual, an oath: your feeble, desperate grasp on your humanity

That takes most—all—of the night

Every. Night.

“[y/n]-san.”

Tomioka-san ??

“[y/n]-san,” he repeats, “Can you hear me? Are you that tired?”

“Tired?” you mean to retort sharply, but you mumble instead

“Are you sleeping?” he asks

You swoon at his sternness

Internally, ofc 😌

“I think this is the first time you’ve willingly talked with me,” you grin lopsidedly

He has the grace to look away, his visible ear tinged red at the truth of your quip

“I’m sorry for that,” he’s unexpectedly soft, fingers clenching and unclenching nervously, “[y/n]-san, are you sleeping?”

“Not currently,” you shrug, rolling your eyes amusedly

—When I tell you Giyuu is flabbergasted rn… like, how tf is he supposed to maintain a convo w/ you when you’re just shitposting every sentence ?? This is why Giyuu’s less talkative 😂

—It’s not entirely your fault tho !! You haven’t slept properly in like, ~months ☹️

“Okay, currently you’re awake,” his tone swells with irritation, “But in general. Are you okay? Because you…” he hesitates, belatedly realizing his next remark’ll reveal more than he intended, “You looked ready to pass out during the meeting.”

You blink at him, the significance of his observation fluttering past your sleep deprived guard—unnoticed—as his question Are you okay? sinks slowly, gradually, eventually to the bottom of your haze

“I’m not okay,” you nod obliviously, “Too busy counting.”

Shit

You’re exhausted, but

Shitshitshit

Please don’t-

“Counting?” you’ve—unfortunately—piqued his interest They’re not okay?

“Yeah, 1, 2, 3, 4,” you drawl, almost playful

Thing is, Giyuu knows that trick

Knows every damn trick in the book

how to handle shit on your own 101

how to push others away because you can handle shit on your own 202

how to make others believe you aren’t pushing them away—they just prefer solitude—so you don’t have to acknowledge how poorly you’re “handling” shit on your own 303

And he also knows

You can’t unread a book

Can’t unsew the threads of arriving too late, being too weak, surviving you and only you without accidentally tearing a necessary stitch

Can’t unmuddle the mud without sacrificing its thickness, its heft, its muddiness

There’s a fine line between nurturing new roots, and losing the very plant itself

So he doesn’t push you

Doesn’t force himself into your state of mind

Doesn’t fake nonchalance or concern

“Tomioka-san.”

You grimace at the way his name floats needily off your tongue, a whimper jammed in your constricting throat

He’s awestruck

He’s touching you

Barely

The quietest graze of heat

Prior to his contact, you would’ve bet against him having gentle, careful skin

And you would've lost

—You expect him to be… cooler, glass, the void connecting the stars

But warmth—his warmth—smoothes the numb tiredness beneath your eyes

The boldness of his gesture negated by the kind tentativeness, innocent curiosity, familiar worry in his searching gaze

“Breathe, [y/n]-san.”

You choke out a messy, endeared laugh at the irony of his steady reassurance

Am I really a Hashira? Breathe? I should breathe?

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” you mutter

He pauses, confusion flitting across his expression at the sudden tautness in your eyes, “I do.”

“Okay…” you raise an eyebrow, certain that you’re pulling away from his caress, “So go.”

In actuality, you’re caught in his openness, savoring the closeness of his heart

He doesn’t move

The lightness of his thumb still pressing faintly, tenderly, into plush of your cheekbone

Oh?

Does that… am I… is this…

“If I’m allowed to stay,” he murmurs, “Then I’ll listen.”

What. What does that. Huh?

He traces the hollows of your sleepless nights, sees himself in their swollen fatigue, knows without doubt, reluctance, fear that you’re racing

Racing toward a bitterness that stabs at the backs of his knees

A bitterness that doesn’t deserve you

A bitterness that, he decides in a split second, he’ll do ~anything to prevent from overtaking you

“I used to count too,” he confesses

Hoping, hoping, hoping

That he’s using the right key

[ellana-ravenwood]

“You’re not my real mom !” - Batkids x Fem!Reader (Batmom)

Synopsis : A story about those few dreaded words : “You’re not my real mom”, said by the batkids, to you, in a the heat of a moment. And the aftermath of it all... 

This has been in my draft for ages. I hope you like it :) : 

my masterlists : @ella-ravenwood-archives

__________________________________________________

DICK 

It happened so fast. In a quick moment of anger. 

A flash, a bang, words said too quickly to truly realize their meaning. 

Dick was frustrated because he felt you didn’t understand him, his point of view. And you were trying to explain to him that it was not okay to...

You know what ? 

You couldn’t even remember what he did. As if whatever it was, it was all wiped out of your memory when he pronounced those bone chilling words. 

You only remembered you were “scolding” him, just like parents do when their child did something he wasn’t supposed to. You rarely told Dick off, even when he would burst into fits of anger. 

You always told him : “When you came into my life, you changed everything. And I love all of you little bird. Not just when you’re joking around and smiling. But also when you get angry, and lash out. You are my son, I love all of you.” 

And you meant it. Often, you or Bruce would take the brunt of his anger, without batting an eye. After all, that child went through a lot. It was totally normal for him to lash out at times. 

He saw his parents died right in front of him. It wasn’t a trauma that would be solved that fast (Bruce was proof of it). “The magic of love” couldn't simply cure someone who was so deeply hurt. Although it helped, over time. 

Yes. Time. 

It would take time, and support, for Dick to heal. And you were here for it. Here for him. 

But there were times, you had to say something. 

Usually, it was when he was being too reckless. 

Your son could be overzealous, and go too far. And you were so worried about his safety and wellbeing...Very rarely, you’d have to “scold” him. 

And you couldn’t even remember what you were lecturing him about that evening (even if you had an idea it was about being a little more careful). All you remembered was...

“You’re not even my real mom ! You can’t tell me anything !” 

And him turning away from you, crossing his arms and refusing to look your way. Which was good anyway, because you were an instant mess. 

“Ok”, you managed to say, wondering how the hell you were able to get the words out. And then you left. Feeling the tears welling up in your eyes. And your heart slowly breaking. 

Bruce found you two later, both clearly feeling down... 

Dick stayed quiet the entire time they were on patrol, and Bruce instantly knew something was wrong. He wasn’t there during your fight, and he only arrived when you were already gone, surprised that you went to bed so early in the night, and didn’t stay with your son downstairs until it was time for patrol... 

The man didn’t push the boy, waiting for him to open up if he wanted to. And as usual, Dick did finally speak up. In a weak voice, as they were surveying the city from a rooftop, he said :

“I told her she wasn’t my real mom...” 

“Ah.” 

Bruce felt the urge to go back home and console you, knowing that you were certainly a mess, right now. But he had to take care of his boy, too. 

And oh, oh Dick looked so crestfallen and sad as the meaning of his words slowly etched into his mind. 

“I told her she wasn’t-she wasn’t-but she is I just-I-I don’t know why I said that-I...” 

The little one was on the verge of tears, and Bruce understood why. 

He probably understood more than anyone else. 

He told Alfred “You’re not my dad !” more than once, and remembered how even the stoic butler looked, whenever he said it. 

He remembered the hurt in his eyes, the resignation too. The “very well sir”, said in a neutral manner, but the stiff way he’d left the room. 

It took Bruce a while, to finally realize that Alfred WAS his father. That he raised him, most definitely. And was always there for him during the hard times. 

That he even helped and supported him, when he came back after disappearing for years, saying : “I’m going to dress up as a bat and wipe crimes from Gotham”. ...How many parents would be that understanding, eh ? 

Alfred knew Bruce. And always tried to do his best for him. So whenever Bruce would yell at him that he “wasn’t his father”, it hurt. 

Bruce knew it. He noticed how Alfred’s entire demeanor would change. He’d see a light go out in his eyes. 

“Very well, sir.”, a small bow, and the stiffness of his body as he left...

And Bruce remembered. 

The guilt and the pain he felt himself, as he regretted ever saying those words. As he knew they were going to hurt, which is why he said them in the first place.

It wasn’t that he wanted to hurt his adopted father, oh no. It was that sometimes he just...He just felt so angry ! Like everything was unfair ! And he missed his parents so much ! 

It was a force stronger than him, he wanted Alfred to leave him alone, and pushed him away...”You’re not my dad !”. So yes. Bruce understood little Dickie. He understood you, too. He knew how you must’ve felt, he saw it enough happening to Alfred. 

Once you’d get home, he would take care of you. But right now, he had to care for his son. 

Right here, on one of Gotham’s rooftop, the scary and mighty Batman slowly kneeled down, and took his boy in his arms, holding him tightly. 

Dick didn’t need more to throw his arms around his father’s shoulders, and hold him strongly too, with all his nine years old strength, sobbing slowly. 

Bruce drew soothing circles on his back, and whispered : 

“It’s ok, it’s going to be ok. It’s ok. Calm down, things are going to be ok.” 

Your husband lost count of the time passing. Were they there, holding each others while Dick was sobbing uncontrollably, for ten minutes, or for ten hours ? He didn’t know. And he didn’t budge.  

His son needed him. Just like once, he needed Alfred... 

Dick fell asleep in his arms, and that night, Bruce came home early. 

Not like he was going to stay out anyway, knowing you were probably devastated, all alone in your room... 

************

Dick fell into a deep sleep, and didn’t budge one bit even as Bruce came down the building, rode home, and put him into bed. 

Bruce’s guess was that all the pent up feelings truly exhausted him. Also, he knew that crying could be tiring. And freeing, in a way. 

Putting the boy’s blanket all the way up to his chin, Bruce laid a kiss on his forehead and then rushed to your shared bedroom... 

You had cried too, but you were not asleep. 

Your eyes were puffy and red, and your cheeks marked with your tears. You seemed surprised, when he came in, and looked at the clock. 

It was only midnight ? 

“Hello, my love.” 

He sat down next to you, and from the way he ran his fingers through your hair, and caressed your cheek, wiping the salty tears from it...You knew he knew.

He knew how devastated you felt. How those simple words that would mean nothing for many, truly wounded you. 

He knew how much you loved that boy, how as soon as your eyes laid on his little face that terrible night he lost his parents, you felt like he was going to be your son one day. 

He knew how much you’d sacrifice for that kid’s happiness, how far you’d go to keep him safe...And so, how hurtful him telling you you weren’t his real mother must’ve felt.  

There was no need for words. 

He knew what to do. He laid next to you, and you just cuddled up to him, letting him wrap you up in his warm embrace. 

He drew those same soothing circles on your back than he did on Dick’s. And whispered : 

“He didn’t mean it. He truly didn’t. He loves you, you know. I love you too.” 

You fell asleep to his words of love and reassurance, finally letting go after hours of not being able to sleep, reenacting the terrible scene in your head over and over again, making yourself feel worst each times. 

************

You woke up around 4 am, with Bruce’s arms wrapped around you.  

He was asleep and escaping his grasp (without Alfred’s help) took you a little bit..but you managed to leave without waking him up. 

He did groan a little at the loss of your warmth, and grabbed your pillow to hold it against his chest. Which was extremely cute, and oh how glad you were to be the only one to see this side of him. 

You went down to the kitchen and... 

Dick was coming from the other door, opposite to the one you took.

The kitchen had three access. Two doors facing each others, and one on the third wall. The door you took was because you got a little lost and did a detour through the drawing room. Dick, however, came from the door you should’ve come from too, which was the one you accessed from the West Wing third corridors, which was directly under your bedroom, and Dick’s. 

The boy probably stood up a little after you, and while you got lost in your own home (again), he took the normal way and...

Boom. Here you both were, arriving in the kitchen at the same time. 

There was a small silence. Awkward. And...

Your heart tightened. 

Dick was sort of cowering backward in fear. Fear of what ? 

Oh. But of course. 

“He didn’t mean it.” 

Bruce whispered to you many times, before you fell asleep. And the way Dick looked at you, worry in his eyes...He was thinking you were mad at him. And the regret in his pupils was as obvious as that fact. 

“Ice cream ?” 

You ask him. His eyes widen a bit, and you can almost see the gears in his brain trying to piece everything together. You’re...not mad at him ? 

Of course you’re not. You felt sad, and lost, and hurt, yes. But never did you feel any hint of anger. Of course not. 

You take out his favorite flavor from the freezer, and settle a bowl in front of one of the high stool around the counter. 

At that time, Dick was so tiny. A very short little bean. And he’d stay small for a long time, only having a sudden spurt when he was around fifteen. 

He climbed onto the stool, and watched you as you gave him some ice cream and a spoon, and then sat down next to him to eat some as well. 

The silent was slowly turning less awkward. 

Slowly, and unsurely, Dick picked his spoon up and looked at you. And completely missed his mouth, the ice cream spreading on his cheek instead. 

You turn around to look at him, ice cream on his cheek, and he’s clearly embarrassed, as a tint of color slowly rises on his face. 

You don’t really know why, but something snaps in you and you start laughing. And laughing. And laughing. 

Because honestly, the kid missing his mouth as he picked his spoon up full of ice cream, is kinda funny right ? And also, all the tension and stress you felt suddenly broke with this simple, silly thing. 

Unsure at first, Dick just looked at you. But your laughter quickly spread to him, and soon enough, you both were bursting out in laughter. 

Anyone not knowing what happened, would probably think you were both crazy, laughing that hard for no apparent reasons. 

Instinctually, you ruffle his hair and Dick gasps. You really weren’t mad at him ?!

You realized what you did, and slowly, both your laughter subsided. There was a small silence as Dick stared at you, and you stared back, and then : 

“I’m-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean it !” 

He says in a small voice, and he can’t add anything else as you just pick him up and hold him tight against your heart, and you say : 

“I know.” 

And it’s all he needs to realize you’re not really mad at him, and although he messed up and hurt you, right now, you were both on the path of recovery... 

Next morning, Bruce woke up alone in bed, which greatly distressed him as usual (he often woke up first). But a gut feeling was telling him that...

He found you asleep with Dick in his bed, holding him tightly. 

************

After that event, you sat down with him, so you could have a serious talk about the underlining issue this raised. Talk about something important. 

“Little bird, you know I love you, right ?” 

He nods, but still cannot speak quite yet, doesn’t have the energy to. 

“I want you to understand something. Something vital. Are you listening ?” 

He nods again, his eyes fixed on you. And he’s listening, oh he definitely is. 

“It’s ok to be angry. It’s ok to lash out. It’s ok to not be alright. It’s ok to make mistakes.” 

He nods, a little slower than before, and you can see his eyes slowly becoming wetter and wetter. 

“It’s ok. It really is. I’m here. And I love you. Even when you don’t want me around. Even when you push me away. I’m here. And I always will be. Ok ?” 

He nods one last time, unable to hold his tears, and then his little arms latch around you, and he refuses to let go for well over an hour...

Oh. Sweet, sweet boy. 

Your son. 

************

Even now, at age twenty seven, Dick still often think about this day. And the regrets are as burning as they were back then. 

He often thought about it. 

Whenever you did something for him, went out of your way to make him happy, or were just there for him, always...

He’d have a flashback of this day, and feel nothing but regret and anger at his younger self. 

And then you’d read him like an open book. Know exactly what he was thinking, and would slowly shake your head, and say : “I know I often said that, but I will say it till the day I die if I need to :  when you came into my life, you changed everything. And I love all of you little bird. Not just when you’re joking around and smiling. But also when you get angry, and lash out. You are my son. I love all of you. Even when you’re a little bit of a jerk.” and you’d wink at him, making him chuckle and feel a surge of affection toward you. 

Kind of like the ones you’d feel sometimes. A sudden urge to hug your family, to tell them what they mean to you. Both you and Dick understood since a long time that with the life you all lead, you never knew what could happen, and should never waste a “I love you” if you felt like saying it. 

Well, the apple never fall far from the tree ? 

Yes. Because you were his mom. And nothing would ever change his mind on that. Ever. 

JASON 

"Well Jason, you did it you idiot !” 

He says to himself in the mirror, and oh he could’ve punch himself if it was possible. He took his desk chair, and threw it across his bedroom, letting out a scream of frustration. 

He went to his desk, and threw everything that was on it on the floor. He then went to his book shelves and...

There. Your book. The one you wrote for him. 

Jason fell to his knee, holding his head in his hands, crying softly. 

Yes. Yes he did it...He ruined this one chance life gave him to have parents. 

He hurt one of the person that meant the most to him, one of the person he loved the most...His mom. You. 

Because you were his mom, no matter what he told you, in that moment of anger as you scolded him after he did something dangerous during one of his patrol. 

He hadn’t been allowed to go out for long, by then. And Bruce had already scolded him before for the very same thing, so when you did it too, he had enough and...it happened before he could think about it. 

He was angry, about the lack of trust and about the sermons, and his brain tried to hurt without even thinking about it. Triggered by years of living in the streets, where he had to think quick and act right away, and then suffer the consequences. If he wasn’t fast enough, it could be the end of him... 

A gut reaction triggered by years of being all on his own, having to fend for himself. His brain went into overdrive, “hurt” is what it set into motion. 

“You’re not my mom !” 

And that was it...

As he saw your face fell, and his father’s face turn angry, he knew. He knew he messed up. He messed everything up, as usual !

“Jason !” 

Bruce called, but Jason wasn’t about to stop. He ran out of the cave, right to his bedroom. Oh, oh but if only he stayed a little longer. He’d realize that his father wasn’t angry, just hurt as well. 

Hurt to see the woman he loved being hurt. 

Not angry. Ah but being in pain could sometimes look like you are mad ? And Bruce hadn't been able to hide his frown as he heard Jason’s words... 

“Let him be, Bruce.” 

You say in a weak voice. You knew Jason, you knew sometimes he needed to cool down on his own. That he could be impulsive, but always came around. 

Ah. But that time, he needed everything but to be alone. 

Because, as he thought he ruined his one chance at having a real family, he thought... 

“Better to leave before they throw me away !” 

He knew he could never bear to face you and Bruce, as you’d certainly tell him you were “un-adopting” him. Jason saw it happened before. Someone thinking their adopted kid was “too much”, and sending them back. 

It was awful, of course. But it happened. For real. And Jason knew that life could really suck...But her couldn’t bear to face you as you’d send him away. 

Worst, what if you just send Alfred and that was it ?

No. Jason would leave before you could do that. He couldn’t bear it. He couldn’t. 

Filling his backpack with some clothes, and snacks, he opened his window and slid down the gutter all the way to the ground, and then ran away into the night. Tears trailing down behind him, as he left behind the one place in which he ever felt safe, warm, and loved. 

In the meantime, you and Bruce were unaware of that, and slowly falling asleep in each others’ arms... As usual, Bruce was there for you. 

************

“Jason ? I thought I wouldn’t see you anymore after you got adopted by dem fancy fellas. Are you here to get some work ?” 

“No.” 

“Really, why did you come then ?” 

“I didn’t, I’m just passing by.” 

“Nah, don’t believe it. Once a bad boy, always a bad boy !” 

“TAKE IT BACK !” 

As he ran away, Jason went back to a place he thought he never would need to. A few intricate alleys, in the Bowery, under the main city. 

The Bowery, a filthy underground neighborhood, hell on Earth for many. Although things did improve when Batman started his work a few years back. 

“Wow there tiger, relax.” 

Jason came in this specific area for only one thing. Retrieve a few items he left behind, thinking he would never need it again because he was leaving behind this life. 

He had a hideout, not far. In which he hid some materials to survive in the streets. He thought he probably had to go back to stealing cars’ tires...Although maybe he should change it. Thinking of what happened last time he did this hurt his heart. 

He knew that next time he’d get caught stealing tires, the person wouldn’t end up adopting him...Anyway, he didn’t want any other parents but you and Bruce. 

And he messed that up so bad, by being so mean to you ! 

“Listen, it’s not because you got all fancy schmancy that you can talk to me like that. Remember who’s boss in this part of town.” 

Batman did a lot of good to the city, but also, by getting rid of some big players in the “crime business”, he allowed small time thugs to climb up the ladders...It felt, at times, like there always was someone to replace whoever Bruce just put behind bars... 

The man who was talking to Jason, used to be a small time criminal. Turned boss, when the Batman kept arresting all the people above him. Jason used to “work” for him, bringing him watches or jewelry that he’d exchange against cash. 

Damn. He never thought he’d ever see him again... Oh and he definitely didn’t think this through. 

As the new boss, who’s name was Johnny Clancy, told him that he’d forever be a “bad boy”, Jason saw red and...getting mad at a crime boss was a bad idea. 

Before he could even think about an escape plan, Jason was surrounded by dangerous armed men. 

“How dare you talk to me like that ? Mmm. The Waynes adopted you right ? Mmm. They’re loaded. Probably would pay a fortune to get you back uh ? And to think they’re gonna give me a lot of cash to get a little runaway brat back haha. Because that’s what you did right ? You ran away ? As you always did before mm ? You know, I observed you Jason Todd. I saw you run away from anyone getting close. I saw you.” 

Jason’s heart didn’t need anyone to push and squiggle the knife he felt in around some more. He had just lost his family. Did he need more reminder that he always fucked up ?! 

“They won’t give you any money, they don’t want me anymore...” 

But Johnny didn’t believe him, of course. He told two of his thugs to grab the boy, but Jason, by instinct, dropped them to the floor with a few well placed kicks and punches. 

And that was enough to unleash Johnny Clancy’s wrath.

See, he was a new boss. He had to assert dominance. And an eight years old kid making a fool of him and his gang ? That wouldn’t go. 

So what if he had to off a child ? Anything to keep climbing up, and leave the Bowery’s slums. 

************

“Have you seen Jason ?” 

Bruce asks you, a few hours after your fight with him. 

“What ? No, I thought he was with you ?”

“No, he skipped his training and I thought he might be with you, apologizing for what he said yesterday ? You know, sounds like something he would do.” 

“I haven’t seen him since, you know. I thought he was avoiding me...” 

“He would never.” 

“Bruce...” 

“He would never, my love. I know what he said hurt you, but I’m sure he’s regretting it right now. You should go see him, he’s probably sulking in his bedroom. I wouldn’t be surprised if you meet him up the stairs as he comes down to say sorry.” 

“Bruce...” 

Your husband comes to you, and takes your hands in his. 

“You know him. He’s impulsive, and a little abrasive sometimes. But he’s a sweet child. And he regrets his bursts, you know it. Tonight was just tough, we both scolded him, he’s not used to it.” 

“You’re right.” 

“Of course I am, I’m-”

“I swear to God if you say “I’m Batman” I’m going to smack you.” 

Bruce smiles softly at you, glad he managed to at least made the tension go away a little. He pecks your lips quickly, and watches you as you leave to go to your son’s bedroom. 

He was about to go down the Batcave, when you came back, panicked : 

“He’s gone ! Jason’s gone !” 

Ah. Bruce knew that placing a tracker in his children’s molars was a good idea. 

************

“HOW HARD IS IT TO CATCH A FUCKING KID ?!” 

Jason runs as fast as he can, without looking back. He managed to break the line of thugs coming at him, and escape in-between to of them who didn’t pull their guns out quite yet. 

They were shooting at him. With no hesitation. 

Johnny was set on proving he was an unscrupulous boss. To earn everyone’s respect. So what if he had to shoot a kid ? It’d send everyone a message. He’d back off from nothing ! 

Jason turned in an alley and...Damn it ! He must’ve taken a wrong turn at some point, it had been a while, since he roamed the Bowery’s alleyways...

He was faced by a wall, stuck. And they quickly caught up to him. 

“Wooouh, you’re fast kid. And you’re sneaky. Too bad you’re such a brat, I bet you could be a nice addition to our-”

Johnny Clancy never finished his sentence. In fact, he never could properly speak after that night. After getting his jaw broken into a thousand pieces by the Batman’s fist. 

Bruce had come down from nowhere, with...you in his arms ?! 

This was the first time Jason saw you wear the costume he saw a few times in the Batcave. He thought you wore it only to go to the JLA’s watchtower, to hide your identity. Not that you could actually...fight ?! 

And wow, you definitely could hold your own ! You made a few disarming pass, taking the guns away from all the men before they could even react, and letting Bruce finish them off with well placed kicks and punches. 

Oh and that night, the Batman unleashed his rage and unforgiveness full force. How dare they touch his son ?! 

You didn’t have anything to envy from your husband either, however, as you worked through Johnny’s gang rather fast too. 

That night, the both of you exterminated (figure of speech, of course, neither of you ever killed, that was the one big rule...but there were never a rule against breaking a few bones) Johnny Clancy’s gang, who dared to even think of hurting your precious son. 

Jason, holding his backpack tight against him, couldn’t believe his eyes. You two came to save him ? But...why ? 

He messed up. You’d surely not want him around anymore ! 

Once Bruce dropped the last man, you rushed to Jason and before he could utter a sound, took him in your arms. 

“Oh my god, I’m so glad you’re safe baby, I’m so glad you’re...” 

Your voice broke at the end, and you chocked, the emotions too strong and squeezing your throat. 

Jason didn’t understand. And through his surprise, he managed to say : 

“I thought-I thought you’d never want to see me again, and that you wouldn’t want to be my mom anymore.” 

You hold him even tighter, as you feel Bruce get down on his knee and bring the both of you in his arms. 

“Oh sweety, never. Never.” 

You say, not letting go. 

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry...” 

Your son manage to choke out, before sobbing profusely and holding on to you and Bruce. 

“I’m just glad you’re safe...it’s ok, it’s ok it’s already forgotten...” 

And it was. As soon as you saw that Jason-That your SON, was missing, you forgot he ever told you “you’re not my mom”. You forgot and it truly didn’t matter anymore, as all you cared about was to find him, and make sure he was safe. 

“Jason, oh my little Jason, I’m so glad you’re safe...”

Wether it is a conscious things or not, he returns your embrace fiercely, holding tightly as he looks up at you. It almost feels like he wants to make sure you really are there. And won’t go anywhere. Like everyone else did in his life. 

Jason was tired of losing those close to him. Those he cared about. Sometimes, he’d push them away, by fear of getting attached again just for life to rip them away from him. So he held onto you, as you held him back. 

Tightly against your heart. 

“Mom...” 

This was the day Jason Todd realized something very important : He wasn’t alone anymore. He had parents who loved him, and he loved them back. 

So much. 

And they’d never let him go. Never. 

************

Years later, this love he had for you and Bruce, turned out to be the very reason he became “Red Hood”. 

From that day he told you : “you’re not my real mom !”, he felt like he belonged. Like finally, the people he loved loved him back. Like he was cherished. And then Bruce didn’t avenge him. He let Joker get away. And you let him do it. You, the people he trusted and loved most in the world, betrayed him...

He felt like he wasn’t worth it. He wasn’t worth Bruce breaking his one rule to avenge him. He wasn’t worth it...He didn’t matter enough. 

Jason felt so angry. For years. He wanted to hurt you, to hurt Bruce. To show you what it felt like. What HE felt like. 

But Jason has always been a strong one. You knew it. You told him enough times : “you’re a fighter, my Jason. You went through so much, and always came out of it. You lost a lot on the way my little one, but you never give up. You never give up...” 

You never give up. 

Love. 

It’s what drove him to become the Red Hood. It’s what drove him over the edge. What gave him so much pain. 

Rather, the feeling of not being loved. The thought all you and Bruce said to him, about how much you cared and loved him, was a lie. 

Yes. The thought that you lied about loving him, is what broke him. What made him find every way possible to truly, truly hurt you two.

You never give up. 

He was so angry. But he never could quite give up on his family...that’s why he didn’t stay with the Al’ghuls. That why they didn’t keep him. 

He could never forget you and Bruce. Move on. 

He could never. 

Jason was a strong lad. Strong enough to see past his hate and need of revenge. His pain. His deep trauma. 

It took a while. But the change came from him. He’s the one that gave you another chance. And it allowed him to realize...nothing was a lie.

And you got your son back.

Because you showed him. You showed him nothing was a lie.

When his dad never gave up on him even as he killed more and more people, and even as Jason saw him completely erase people who used to be close from him as soon as they killed once. When you refused to let him go. When Bruce kept going back, even as he knew Jason would fight him and try to hurt him. When you pleaded with him, even when you knew his answer would be the same... 

Jason never gave up. 

But you didn’t either. 

“You’re not my mom”, are words he never meant. Not even once. Not even when he was the “old” Red Hood, the one that killed mercilessly any criminals, and that was trying to be exactly what Batman wasn’t. 

“You’re not my mom”, even at his worst, at a time he suffered greatly, Jason never meant it. He never did. 

And ultimately, it’s this filial love, and the love you and Bruce had for him, that brought him back out of the dark pit the Joker pushed him in...

TIM 

Tim knew that his overly pragmatic mind sometimes could make him sound tactless. That he had trouble, sometimes, expressing himself properly. 

He knew that what he said, although it could be the factual truth, could be perceived as not being very nice... 

He knew, yet sometimes, he couldn’t help himself. 

“But you’re not my mom.” 

He told you that day, as you asked when was the “mother/child day” at school. 

Tim’s school had a day each year, during which every mother would come and do different activities with their kids. You did it with Dick and Jason, and it was always great fun, and amazing bonding time. 

By then, Tim had been with you and Bruce for over a year now. And he did, see you as his mom. However, he was a little too set, at the time, on rules and specifics. In the “mother/child day” rulebook, it “specifically” said that the actual child’s mother had to come, not the nanny or anyone else. 

In Tim’s mind, although he did see you as his mom, he thought the school wouldn’t. For him, the way the rules were written, were clearly stating his birth mother had to come. And the official adoption papers were not processed yet. Those took quite a while. 

He had been living with you for over a year. He called you and Bruce “mom and dad”. He truly considered you two his parents. But the official papers were not done quite yet. So to him, in the eye of the law (be it a silly school rule), you weren’t his mom quite yet. 

So when he said : “but you’re not my mom”, that’s what he meant. Of course, you misunderstood...

How could you guess that Tim was thinking that only his “birth mother” could take him, because officially right now he didn’t have a mom, just “guardians”...

His mother was dead. Has been dead for a while, now. And even if she wasn’t, Tim knew she’d never come at this event...She wasn’t the caring type of mother. Not like you. Which is why it really bummed him out that those rules were so clearly stated like that !

What Tim misunderstood, is that this specific rule had been added to the rulebook because many family would send their nanny, or a big sister, instead of the mom. Because Tim was of course in Gotham’s Academy, full of rich families, in which the moms were very busy...

Which is why such a day existed. Some kids spend quality times with their mom only on this school day. Nowadays, everyone made an effort to come (the fact you appeared, the famed (Y/N) Wayne, a few years back, with Dick, and it made all the papers’ headlines, might’ve influenced others to participate too).

To tell the truth, Tim was very disappointed that you couldn’t go with him, and was considering asking the principle of the school to do an exception to the rule and allow you to go with him.  

He was already fomenting a plan in his head to convince the headmaster to let you come as his mom, and as usual when he was planning things out, he completely disconnected from reality. 

And therefor, didn’t see how your face “closed”, and your eyes turned sad. The boy was typing away on his computer, as if nothing had just happened, as if you didn’t feel your world crumble as he flat out told you you weren’t his mom...

Of course, it was all a misunderstanding. He meant it as “officially”. Not about his actual feelings. 

For some reason, the way he said it so nonchalantly hurts you more than when Dick and Jason yelled at you that you “weren't their mom”. Because at least, in your eldests’ cases, you knew it was in the heat of the moment. 

That it was because they felt frustrated and sad. 

But Tim just told you : “But you’re not my mom.” matter of factly, and moved on. And it hurt. 

It hurt so much, because that boy...You loved that boy, of course. And considered him your son for sure. Part of your heart, now. Part of your family. And he felt so far, right now...so far... 

You left the room and he didn’t even notice. 

Did he really not see you as his mom ? Was he just calling you “mom” to imitate his brothers ? ...You didn’t know, but it hurt. 

It hurt so much. 

************

You found Bruce in his office, doing some paperworks for Wayne Inc. When he saw your face, he immediately smiled, your presence lighting his whole world...But then he saw your expression, and he frowned. 

“What happened ?” 

************

“Mom ? MooOOooom ?” 

Tim had been looking for you for the past hour, but wasn’t able to find you. You weren't in all your favorite places ! Did you leave the Manor without telling him ? It was unlike you. 

Finally, he found you. You were in a room that was rarely used, but which was conveniently close to Bruce’s office, and had a couch. 

Laying on top of your husband, you were fast asleep as Bruce was going through his paperworks, letting you holding onto his waist as he kept working. 

When he saw the boy come in the room, he smiled at him. And it was hard, not to smile at Tim, seeing his own big wide smile. 

Tim was missing a few teeth, that fell not long ago, and it was absolutely the cutest, when he smiled widely. He looked so happy, eyes sparkly and genuine smile. It felt wrong to Bruce, to think that this sweet boy didn’t see you as his mom...

Maybe it was all a misunderstanding ? Wouldn’t be the first time. Although, Bruce knew how sometimes Tim could be brutally honest, and say the facts in a matter of factly way that could be very harsh on the uninitiated. 

Your son was holding a cardboard sheet almost as big as him, and looked very excited about something. He slowly approached you two, and said, whispering, yet the excitement was clear in his voice : 

“Has she been asleep for long, dad ?!” 

He called Bruce dad. Without an hesitation. And it felt so genuine. Like he was relishing in the word rolling off of his tongue. And it was often the case, with Tim. His parents, when they were still alive, never really noticed his presence... 

And sometimes, it could be even worst to have parents who acted as if you didn’t exist, than caring parents who passed away. Bruce realized this. 

“No, she just closed her eyes.” 

Bruce answers, looking at you. And oh he couldn’t possibly know how soft his expressions as as he gazed at your sleeping face. 

“Oh...” 

Tim was clearly disappointed. His shoulders fell down, and he looked on the floor, looking defeated.

“What is it, champ ?” 

“Well, I wanted her to-Oh ! Mom !” 

The rumbling of your husband’s chest as he spoke is what woke you up. Not the actual sound of their voices, just that low vibrations reverberating in his chest. 

You opened one eye, then the second, and was greeted by your youngest son’s face being very close to you. As Tim saw you were waking up, he kneeled down next to the couch, settling his piece of cardboard next to him, and approached you very closely. 

His smile and sweet expression filled your vision. And you felt even more hurt, as you saw him so happy to see you, to know he didn’t really think you were his mom. 

It was clear he cared for you. And loved you, and being with you. But to him...You weren’t his mom. And that was so painful. 

“I got a plan mom, I got a plan !” 

A...Plan ? For what ? You don’t even have time to ask him, and, still a little hazy as you just woke up from a short nap (that you took after crying exhausted you), you raise a little from your husband. 

You exchange a curious look with him, as you see Tim spring to his feet and get a hold of the piece of cardboard that is almost as tall and large as him. 

He turns it around and...

Your heart drops. 

It’s a lot of very detailed drawings, maps and words about...about...

“This is how we’re going to convince the headmaster of my school that you’re really my mom, even if officially you’re not yet !! I thought we could start with logic first, and then go down the path of pathos if he really doesn’t change his mind !” 

What ? Your brain is trying really hard to comprehend what’s happening, although it is starting to put two and two together. 

“The rules say that the mom HAS to be the one who comes, and the way they wrote it suggest that they wouldn’t accept someone who isn’t yet official. But I think we could convince that, in our heart, we’re already an official family, right ?!” 

Tim looks at you, and then at his dad, a little worry in his eyes (what if for them, he wasn’t their son yet because the paperworks weren’t finished and officials quite yet ?!?!). Bruce cannot help but smile, and nods, feeling his heart melt (a rare occurrence). 

And you. You have exactly the reaction he expected you’d have. You sit up, put the cardboard aside, and drag your son into a tight hug that makes him giggle and exclaim : 

“Hahaha mom wait I can’t breaaaathe !! Mom !!” 

But he hugs you back, knowing that this means yes, you do consider him your son already, paperworks or not, and you will probably follow his plan to convince the school to-

“Mom ? Why are you crying ? Mom ?” 

You can’t explain it to him. You feel silly, but also so emotional and touched. You thought he didn’t think of you as his mom. But he did. Oh he did, and was actually worried about technicalities of rules and...So sweet. That boy is so sweet. 

Carefully, Tim dries your tears, and look curiously at his dad, his eyes clearly asking : “Did I do something wrong ?”

You’re still unable to speak, as you hold onto him, and Bruce ruffles his son’s hair saying : 

“She’s just too happy, champ. She’s just too happy.” 

CASSANDRA

"You, not my mom !” 

She screamed. You never heard Cass raised her voice before. And yet, here, she screamed at you. And then closed her bedroom door right on your nose. 

And you felt it in your heart. That specific pain that you wished you’d never feel again. That kind of hurt you wished you’d never feel ever again. 

It happened just liked it did with Dick and Jason. You were “lecturing” her about putting herself in needless danger, and she felt frustrated at the fact you “didn’t trust her”. 

It wasn’t true of course. You did trust her. And you knew she could hold her own. Didn’t mean you wouldn’t worry, and scold her if she really scared you... 

It was pure instinct. You couldn’t stop yourself from telling them off when you felt they went too far. You did it with Bruce too. 

Once, he threw himself in the way of a bullet to save you, and once he recovered enough...Oh you were so mad at him. 

It’s not that you wanted to take that bullet, of course. You knew it was also instinct that made him move to save you. But in truth, you would rather take a thousand bullet than lose any of them. Bruce, or your children. 

And sometimes, it was hard for them to understand this. To get why you were so worried, when you accepted fully their night activities. 

Why you monitored the batcomputer, if it was to scold them when they put themselves in danger ? 

Ah but they didn’t understand that you only got “mad” when they put themselves in NEEDLESS danger. Pushing themselves too far that one night, being careless with something, ignoring their own safety to finish a task... 

You couldn’t help but be afraid. And your fear turned into you scolding them. And sometimes, on each sides, things boiled and...

“You, not my mom !” 

The meaning was clear. As Cass slammed her door right in your face, you knew not to push it further, not to tell her anything more. 

Maybe you should’ve ? Should’ve open her door, and continue lecturing her so she’d understand her life was valuable ? 

Cass put herself in danger more than any other member of your family, because she was raised as a weapon and thought of herself as an “expendable”. You weren’t mad at her for this, of course not (but oh, David Cain probably should never cross your path, it wasn’t pretty, when you were truly angry). 

You were just worried. And unfortunately, being a parent was complicated and sometimes, your worry turned a little overbearing for your kids. 

This was a mistake every normal caring parents made. Wanting what was best for their children, sometimes not realizing they’re going too far. And you ? Your family wasn’t normal. 

Your children were vigilantes. Your worries were tuned up to the max.  

Being a parent was hard. And sometimes, both you and your kids were frustrated. It happened. In any family. 

It was resolved rather fast, most of the time. A little conversation, understanding and indulgence, and boom. Sorted. 

However, there were times when things would go a little too far. Wether because one of you was tired, or didn’t feel well etc etc...

Tonight, was such a time. 

“You, not my mom !” 

Cass didn’t even register what she said. She was just mad and frustrated, and said the first thing that came into her mind. Her hand slammed the door shut before she could even think about it. 

And here you were. In the corridor. In front of your daughter’s door. 

Hurt. And feeling as devastated as you did when her brothers told you the same thing. You would think, after a few times of this happening, it’d be easier, right ? Well. No. It wasn’t. It really wasn’t. 

As usual in those instances, you went to seek comfort in the arms of your husband. 

************

Cassandra didn’t feel ok. 

In fact, she felt absolutely terrible. 

She couldn’t even remember the last time she felt that bad. 

When she went to look for you and apologize for her behavior, she found you in her dad’s arms, crying, and it made her run away...

She couldn’t face you, knowing she truly hurt you like that. 

The worst thing is, she knew she would hurt you by saying those words. Yet she still did it. It was as if she couldn’t control herself. It was like an ugly force took over her, and made her say those words. 

But she knew. She knew she’s the one who ultimately decided to say them. She’s the one that pronounced them. Under the anger. 

Anger. 

The ugly force. 

She turned around in her bed, holding onto the plush toy you gave her shortly after her arrival. You said “every child should have one” and that this one made you think of her. 

It was a fox with bright colors. And it still smelled like you. 

She was about to fall asleep, when she heard a knock on her door. 

“Can we come in ?” 

It was her older brothers. 

Dick, Jason and Tim. 

It was rare, to have them all in the same place nowadays, what with how busy they all were. Dick with Bludhäven, Jason with the gods only knew what really (the gods, and you and Bruce...but sshhh, that’s a secret), and Tim with college applications. 

So Cass immediately understood that they heard about the fight she had with their mom. 

And she felt a rush of shame come over her. She felt sad too, because maybe they’d be mad at her ?

Cassandra didn’t think she could bear to break your heart, and have her precious brothers mad at her all in the same day. 

She almost told them to leave. But she didn’t have the strength. 

They surrounded her, and their presence was so...soothing. 

And then they spoke. They each told her the story of the time they told their mom those few dreaded words. 

“You’re not my real mom !” 

They told her how awful they felt, and how they knew they hurt their mom. They told her that...well, they did have the best mom ever. 

You never held any grudge. Ever. Especially not against your own family. 

You never even mentioned again the fact they told you this awful thing, you never even mentioned once this, under any circumstances. 

Her brothers stayed with her for hours, talking about their feelings on the matter. Telling her it happened. That everyone wasn’t always on their best behavior...

It was hard, for Cass, to not be “good”. She did so many awful things when her biological father raised her to be a weapon, she felt like she had to catch up so much on those years of “badness”. 

She often felt like she was evil, and could never caught up to everything. Like she was doomed, and could never become good. 

On that, Jason told her she was wrong. That everyone could change, and no one was born truly evil. Environment, and the way you’re raised, matter. And what she did...wasn’t her fault. She was forced to. If she really enjoyed doing this she’d never become a Batgirl. She would never be part of this family. 

She often felt like she was a bad daughter. 

On that, Dick told her she was wrong. He too, felt like a bad son, when he “replaced” his parents with you and Bruce. He too, felt like a bad son when he would get so mad while you would do anything to make him happy. He too, felt like a bad son...on so many occasions. But he grew. And thanks to you mainly, he realized he was just human. Mistakes are human. And it’s not being a bad son, to sometimes feel so hurt that you lash out. That your trauma are so strong, things sometimes are tough. 

She often felt like she couldn’t fit in, and would never fit in. 

On that, Tim told her she was wrong. Him too, felt too different. He already had parents, they were alive, he just wanted to help, he didn’t have any friends...But in this family. In this family, everyone fitted in. Because you made it so. Bruce made it saw. You both accepted any flaws, and differences your kids might have. You loved them unconditionally, they all knew that by now. 

And Cass...Cass didn’t want to hurt you. 

They knew that, too.

It was an accident. In the heat of the moment. She didn’t mean it. Of course, you are her mom. Of course...

It felt good, to have her brothers there for her, when you couldn’t be. 

************

Later that night, after her brothers left, Cass slowly exits her room and take the known way to yours and Bruce’s. 

You are both there, and she knows her dad stayed because you felt bad. He always stayed with you, when you were feeling down. And vice versa.

Cass always told herself that, later, if she ever found a significant other, she’d want her and them to have the same kind of relationships than you. You and Bruce set up a rather high standard for whoever would come into her life. 

But that was another story. For now, she was opening the door slowly, scared of waking you up. But you were awake. 

Bruce was asleep, deeply. As usual when he felt your warmth against him. But you were not. Cass could see you slowly and absentmindedly caress your husband’s hair. It was soothing to both of you. His silky smooth dark hair were soft in between your fingers, and helped you get your mind off of the pain and focus on the sensation, while for him...Well, it put him asleep, when you did that. 

The door creaked a little, and you abruptly turned your head towards it, ready to fight and...You instantly recognize your daughter, even in the dark of the room. 

She doesn’t need to talk. You manage to roll over Bruce, who then by instinct roll too, and therefor you create a little spot for your daughter to climb in bed with you. 

You turn around in Bruce’s arms, and slowly wrap them around your middle, instead of your shoulders. You turn towards Cass, your back against Bruce’s chest, and tap the small spot you managed to create next to you. 

Cass understands, and climbs in, facing you. She lays her head on her arms, as you do the same. And then she mouthes : 

“Sorry mom...” 

And that’s all you needed. You gesture for your daughter to cuddle up close, and she does. By instinct, Bruce lets go one arm off of you, and grabs his kid to bring her closer. He is still asleep, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone that his subconscious holds onto the two most important women in his life like so. 

And there she is. Cass feels safe. And warm. And she hears your heart beat softly. And she knows it partly beats for her. 

And partly for Bruce. And partly for Dick. And partly for Jason. And Tim. And Damian. And Duke. And Alfred. 

It beats for your family. 

For her family.

Family. 

She has a family. 

And you are her mom. 

Her biological father never hugged her, never told her everything was going to be alright, never... 

Cass never felt safe and warm. 

Like she did, right now, held by both you and Bruce. 

“Family...”

She whispers, as she slowly falls asleep. And you’re the only mom she ever wants to have. You are, her real mom. Always have been, always will be. 

DAMIAN 

Damian didn’t really think this was a big deal, at first. 

Just like his father, he often made the mistake to think that people around him will simply understand his true meaning. 

When he told you : “You’re not even my real mom !”, he obviously didn’t mean it. He was angry because you told him he couldn’t go out on patrol for a few days, as he was grounded for skipping school and going to work on cases instead. 

“But school is boring, I already know everything ??” 

“It’s the principle of it, Damian. You can’t just do what you want whenever you want, this is not how it works. I don’t feel like we’re extremely strict parents, so when you betray our trusts like that, it has consequences.”

Bruce kept out of the argument, ready to jump in however if you needed him to affirm  that yes, actions have consequences and although you two are pretty lax with your son on many fronts, he still has to listen. You and Bruce made clear rules when you first adopted Dick, because you realized your lifestyle was anything but normal, but it didn’t mean your children could just do anything they wanted. 

Neither of you wanted them to turn into privileged little brats. Or to think they were above everything. And you were right, by skipping school so much, and lying about it, Damian did betray your trust. 

Understanding actions had consequences was a big step that took a while, with Damian. Unfortunately, he grew up in an environment that indeed taught him he could do whatever he wanted, no matter if he hurt people on the way... 

Unlearning all this, was tough. And you understood that. Which is why you let things go a lot, with him, and only slowly told him about things. Gradually teaching him about your values and principles. 

However sometimes, like in this case, you needed to be firm and strict, because otherwise he’d just keep doing it knowing it had no bad consequences, and you didn’t want him to simply not go to school anymore...School was important for his social development, you realized it as he made friends and...

And simply, an eleven years old kid couldn’t just roam around all day as he saw fit. That’s it. And so here you were, trying to explain this to him. And that’s when he said it. 

He scrunched up his nose like he always did when he was angry, and then, turning his head away from you, throwing his Robin boots at the back of the cave. 

“You can’t tell me what to do, you’re not even my real mom !” 

And then he bolted out of the Batcave, leaving you behind, with a broken heart and feeling guilty...What if he hates you, because you were too harsh on him ? 

Bruce, that night, did not go out on patrol either, and stayed with you. Of course, he did. 

************

The fact he still listened to you and didn’t go out, made him thought you knew he was just angry and didn’t mean a word of it. 

To him, it was so obvious he thought of you as his mom, and that he said this just because he wanted to have the last word, that he honestly didn’t think much of it. 

Sure he was frustrated and angry, just like any kid was when their parents said : “no” to them. But he didn't mean it... 

He didn’t really see you of the entire day. Finally, he decided to go see his father to ask him what was up. 

“Father ?”

“Yes ?”

“Is-is mom ok ?”

“Well, what do you think ?” 

“She doesn’t seem ok.” 

“Do you know why ?” 

“Did you do something to upset her ?” 

Normally, Bruce would feel vex at this statement. What, did he really do things to upset you that often ? Yes and now. Sometimes,  he would get on your nerve, and vice versa. It happened, in relationships.

But it was never anything major. Not anymore at least. Because now, when he had his “dark days” and could be a total jerk, you knew how to handle him. You knew not to take his bullshit. 

Yes. Normally, Bruce would pout like a child, at the fact his son thought that his mom was feeling down because of him. But not today. No. 

Because he knew that what made you sad, was something important.

Unfortunately, Damian inherited from him his bad habit of thinking others will understand his meaning. 

Like, when he tried to push you away at first so you wouldn't get involved in his crazy life, what he really wanted was for you to get closer...Or when he told you that he was fine at times, all he wanted was for you to hold him and take care of him etc etc...The first time he told you “I love you”, wasn’t with words, but by not going on patrol one night, to stay with you. And he thought you’d immediately understand that he truly loved you...Truth was, it wasn’t as obvious to you (or anyone really) than it was for him. 

And Damian had the same problem. Doing things that he thought would obviously tell his meaning, his real feelings, when really...No one but him would get it. 

Although you became quite good at deciphering your husband’s true intentions, you could still misinterpret things sometimes. 

And yesterday night, when you grounded your son and tried to teach him a life lesson...You definitely didn’t see that he didn’t mean what he said and just wanted the last word. For you, he was seriously meaning it. And that’s why you were avoiding him a little, because it was too hard to...to... 

Damian’s words truly hurt you. You often were scared he could never see you as his mom (even if he did call you mom now and clearly cared for you) because of how he grew up. You’d never give up on him, of course, but it didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt when he pushed you away or pretended to not care... 

Damian thought it was obvious, that his actions actually reflected how much you meant to him. That without you, he’d be lost and honestly wouldn’t want to live in a world where you weren’t. 

But it wasn’t obvious. 

Bruce sighed, and then smiled : 

“Since when is she acting odd ?” 

“This morning. She didn’t kiss me goodbye when she went to work !”

It felt like such a serious issue to your boy, in that instant, that Bruce wished you were there to see his reaction. You’d instantly know he didn’t mean it, when he said you weren’t his mom... 

But you couldn’t quite face him. You didn’t really avoid him or try to hurt him by not saying goodbye. Of course not, you were an adult, and you definitely knew that doing to others what was done to you is pointless, and mean. And why hurt someone the same way they hurt you ? You’re no better than them uh... 

“Can you think of anything that might’ve upset her ?” 

“I spilled my milk a little, but cleaned it after. I didn’t let Alfred do it like last time. I woke up a minute late, too. Jason hasn’t called in two days, but he was there yesterday afternoon. Dick said she messed up her pumpkin soup but he was just joking and she knows. Tim fell asleep at the breakfast table. You clinging to her this morning apparently made her late, I heard Alfred say it. Um...Cass um...Cass didn’t do anything bad really...None of those things sound like it would upset her though ! She really looked sad this morning, not like herself at all !” 

Bruce couldn’t help but smile. It was pretty cute, how Damian often acted as if he didn’t care about anything, yet no details would ever go past him. Especially not when it came to his family. He always noticed, when one of them felt down in any way, and tried to help (in his own way). 

Hell, he probably woke Tim up and told him to sleep more and take care of himself. Called Jason and told him to call his mom. Scolded Dick to not make this kind of jokes again. 

This was just the Damian that was privy only to them. A sweet child, who unfortunately often had trouble expressing his true feelings. 

Just like his father. 

Damian would often brag about his siblings, and how awesome they were, to his friends (notably to Jon, who didn’t have any siblings). But he’d never tell them right in front of their face. 

Bruce tried to help Damian see what was wrong, and said : 

“What about last night ?” 

“Ugh ? What about last n-OH !” 

Damian replayed the events in his head, and remembered his anger and frustration. But most importantly...What he told his mom. 

“I have to find mom ! Where is she ?!” 

Damian looked absolutely panicked, which was quite unlike him. Bruce answered : 

“She’s at work, she had a meeting with her editor. She should be back soon, though.” 

And on that note, Damian ran out to do god knew what, as Bruce shook his head and...Well, he just knew things would turn out alright. 

************

Alfred almost fainted, when he saw Damian tear off his beautiful flowers from his garden. He almost ran out, and had a very “get off my lawn !” moment...up until he realized that the boy was probably doing this for a reason. 

Oh. Oh his poor lilies.  

Hopefully, this really was for a good reason. A very good one. One so good, that it would stop him from strangling his grandkid, hopefully...

************

When you came home, Damian was waiting for you at the front door. He had a bunch of lilies in his hands (that you were pretty sure were from Alfred’s precious garden) and he looked absolutely frantic. 

He ran to you, almost threw the flowers in your arms, and yelled : 

“I’M SORRY I DIDN’T MEAN IT !! YOU ARE MY REAL MOM ! I WAS JUST ANGRY ! I’M SORRY !!” 

You were a little confused as to why he was yelling, but before you could continue he took a drawing out of his pocket and added : 

“THIS IS A DRAWING OF YOU ! I MADE IT FOR YOU !! YOU ARE MY MOM ! YOU REALLY ARE ! PLEASE FORGIVE ME !! I’M SORRY !! DO NOT BE MAD AT ME !!” 

Still confused as to why he was screaming, you bend down to look at him eye level, settled the flowers on the floor, and said : 

“It’s ok Damian. It’s ok. We all get frustrated sometimes...I won’t lie and say it didn’t hurt, but it’s ok. It happens.” 

Damian’s face showed great relief, and he leaped into your arms, yelling : 

“I LOVE YOU !!” 

You winced as he screamed in your ear, and said : 

“Why are you yelling, little one ?” 

Damian took a step back from you and said : 

“BECAUSE I HAVE TROUBLE EXPRESSING MYSELF AND JASON TOLD ME THAT SAYING THINGS IN AN AGGRESSIVE WAY MIGHT HELP !! AND HE’S RIGHT !! I LOVE YOU !!”

Damian told you he loved you before, in certain moments. When he got really hurt, when you were really hurt, if he felt really sad...It was always a moment full of emotions. And it was still rather hard for him to say the words. 

It didn’t really surprise you that Jason would have such a technique. Yelling his feelings. Yep. Sounds like him alright. And it did seem like it worked for his little brother too. 

Only you and your close family would know, because you were the only ones to truly know him, but those two were more similar than others would think. And it wasn’t because they already killed before. Oh no. On the contrary. 

“I love you too, my little one...” 

You say, as he goes back for another hug, clearly relieved you’re not mad at him. From this day on, he swore to himself that he would really try to tell others’ what he truly felt, even if it meant yelling it at them. Because other wise...otherwise it’d create this sort of terrible situations, in which his mom thought he didn’t think of her as his mom ! 

He couldn’t have it, anymore. Many “I LOVE YOU !!” were heard in the Manor, from that point on. 

DUKE 

“You know you can tell me anything, right ?” 

Duke doesn’t know why this time, this made him snap. 

Today was the anniversary of when his parents got “jokerize”, it had been two years already...And not one step closer to cure them ! He was so frustrated, sad, and lost. And you noticed. 

Duke tend to try to keep things inside. Not that he didn’t want to bother anyone, more like he just thought he HAD to handle things himself. Like it would make him stronger, and therefor, he could protect those he cares about. 

He could protect them, unlike when he could do nothing but watch as his parents fell into madness...He couldn’t bear the thought of this happening to you, Bruce, or any member of this family ! Not again. 

He couldn’t bear it...

“You’re not even my mom ! Stop acting like you are !” 

Are the words he heard himself scream at you as you asked him if everything was ok, and if he needed to talk. As you were caring, once again, and he just couldn’t...he couldn’t stand it ! Not today.

Not today. 

He immediately saw on your face the way you shut down, and took one step behind. The way your face “closed”, and as you said : “I understand.” and left the room, your body stiff and your face inexpressive (which was very unlike you), Duke felt it. 

The guilt. 

Right away.

When those dreaded words were said by all your other kids, they were young. They were all under the age of ten, and the immediate consequences of their actions didn’t truly registered. 

But Duke. 

Duke was almost eighteen. And he knew. He knew he hurt you. 

He felt the need to run after you and apologized, but there was something stopping him. 

After all, it was true right, you weren’t his mom ! His mom was still alive, and she could be cured one day ! HE ALREADY HAVE A MOM ! 

So what if you always cooked him his favorite meal, or knew exactly what his favorite food was ? So what if you would go out of your way to grab his favorite burger from his favorite joints when you knew he felt down ? 

So what, if you were always there when he was sad ? Cheering him up with comfort food, kind words, and just your presence ? 

So what if you knew exactly what would make him feel better, which movie to put on to put a smile on his face ? 

So what, if you spend entire night right by his bedside when he got really hurt, or when he was sick ? 

So what if you’d listen to him at any time of the day or night, and always took time to give him your thoughts on the matter, and truly, truly listen to what he was saying instead of waiting for your turn to speak ? 

So what if you’d make him laugh, smile, feel loved, even as he felt so alone and isolated, especially after he discovered his powers ? 

So what if you never made him feel like he was different because of it ? 

So what if you opened your house’s door without a second thought for this unknown teenager who was also a meta ?!

So what...so what...so what if you obviously cared a lot, and if you...if you... 

He already had a mom. And she might get better one day. 

He couldn’t have two moms. 

...

...

Right ? 

What would happen when his parents would be cured ? Forget all his feelings for the Waynes ? So it’d be easier to pretend he wasn’t part of the family, right ? 

It would be easier. 

Yes. 

But it was too late. 

It was too late... 

He ran after you. Caught up with you in the corridor. Tears in his eyes, he said : 

“I’m sorry, please don’t go...”

And fell into your arms. Almost eighteen years old, yes, but still needed the support of a mother. Of his mother. 

And you were there. You’d always be there, no matter what happened in the future. And he needed you, especially in that moment of frustration, where he really missed his parents, and was starting to lose hope to ever find a cure... 

And you were there.

Who ever made a rule that you could have only one mom anyway, right ?

BRUCE 

They did tell him “you’re not my dad !” too. And for him, it was as terrible as for you. If not worst, on certain aspect. Especially since he had a hard times truly expressing his feelings more often than not. 

He knows how devastating it can feel. He knows it even more, because not only did he feel it as they told him “you’re not my dad !”, but he also felt it as he told Alfred “you’re not my dad !”. He knew the feelings from both sides. 

It enhanced everything. 

Of course, in general, Bruce always felt things more than anyone else around him. He was born like that. Hypersensitive. That’s why he worked so much on hiding his true feelings, and appearing detached and cold. 

It’s much easier, than to always being overemotional. Of course, it didn’t mean he felt nothing. On the contrary, he felt everything. He was just better, nowadays, at pretending he was okay. At pretending he didn’t care. 

Ah. But you existed. 

You. 

The only person that could always see through his bullshit, and know when he was lying and fake smiling. 

Between the two of you, there has always been something. Even before you were together. It was an irrational and irresistible attraction. 

An unbreakable bond. Always supporting each others. 

You have no idea how you’d live without him. And he couldn’t even fathom a world without you. It’s a world he wouldn’t like very much...  

Even during the worst times, and oh you went through a lot together, you knew at least...at least you’d have warm arms to fall asleep in. At least, you’d have each others. 

Bruce had known pain so strong he sometimes wished death would just take him away. And then you came in. Ready to put up with his shit, and to not give up on him even when he gave you every reason to. 

And oh, oh he gave you back everything times a thousand. You knew he’d never let you fall. Not alone. 

Whenever something hurtful as your children telling you two you weren’t their real parents happened...It’s when you truly realized how vital you were to each others. 

When you fell, Bruce was there to catch you. 

When he fell, you were there to catch him. 

Better to fall together, than to stand alone. 

__________________________________________________

And here we are :). I hope you liked it ? Don’t hesitate to leave a little feedback and reblog if you want to ^^. I’m a little afraid I disappointed y’all for some reasons haha. I couldn’t explain. Self-confidence crisis hahaha. I finished writing that late, and exhausted after a hard week, maybe it plays into account ? Anyway, I really do hope you enjoyed your time reading this :). And thanks for reading, of course ^^. 

[adoringhaikyuu]

when you hang out with their best friend/teammate without them | 2

characters: suna, akaashi, tsukishima

request: can we get the when you hang out with their best friend/teammate without them for suna akaashi and tsuki?

warnings: nothing, just some kissing and a few possessive boys

notes: ahh my first request!! i’m happy that i wrote something that someone wanted more of haha <3

part one | part two

akaashi:

akaashi likes to have his shit together and he often overthinks things

which is why after concluding that if he finished all his work in one go he’d have more time to hangout with you, he decided to do exactly that

you offered to stay with him while he worked but he knew that you’d end up distracting him (not in a bad way or anything) and that he most likely wouldn’t finish his work on time

so you were temporarily banned from his place until he was done

but you were bored and pouty so you complained to bokuto, knowing he would understand your over-exaggerated reaction

he texted you immediately ‘whaaattt ?? i’m coming over right now!!!’

he showed up ten minutes later to your house, snacks in hand, ready to keep you company and playfully complain about your boyfriend and his best friend 

he insisted on sending him snaps of the two of you pouting at the camera, ‘how could you abandon this cute face, akaashi???’

his arm was wrapped around you and his face was smushed against yours but honestly he didn’t mean to make akaashi jealous, he was just being himself, completely playful and dramatic 

akaashi wasn’t planning on opening the messages since bokuto was always spamming him but when he took a five minute break, he opened them just in case they were important today 

when he saw his best friend practically cuddling you, his brows furrowed and a scowl made it’s way onto his face

since you and bokuto weren’t exactly expecting a response from akaashi, you went on to do other things, showing each other tik toks, and just chatting while you waited for him to finish up. 

it was about ten minutes later that you both heard the doorbell ring. you and bokuto both turned to each other, confused.

“did you order food?” you asked.

“no, i was gonna ask if you did? cause i’m starving––”

“well then who’s that...” you muttered to yourself as you got up to answer the door, bokuto cowering behind you, mumbling about if it was a murderer, phone in hand, ready to call the cops. you can imagine your surprise when you opened the door to find your boyfriend standing there, a scary serious look on his face. 

you blinked in shock, but before you could say anything, bokuto stepped in front of you. “hey hey hey! took you long enough buddy! i was keeping y/n company while you banned her from your house. how could you do that by the way––ow!”

your eyes widened as akaashi smacked bokuto’s head. “shut up bokuto. you can go now.”

bokuto pouted dramatically, “aw what?? we were about to order food,” he turned back to you. “right y/n?” 

suddenly the boy was yanked back and out of the house, a yelp jumping from his throat abruptly and akaashi was standing next to you. “you have food at your own house, why don’t you go there.” he shut the door without another word and turned to face you, ignoring the whining on the other side of the door. 

“what––what are you doing here?” you looked up at him, confused and slightly in awe as he placed his hands on your cheeks and tilted your head to look up at him, his thumbs rubbing your skin gently. 

“wanted to be with you.” he gave you a small smile but you responded with an adorable confused pout.

“but what about your work––”

“i’ll just do it tomorrow, it is saturday after all.” 

“hey when i said that you still insisted on working.” you pursed your lips and narrowed your eyes curiously. “was it because bokuto was here?” 

he looked away, “i have no idea what you’re talking about.”

you laughed. “you know you’re a terrible liar when it comes to me.” 

he slid his hands down to your arms and placed them around his neck before gripping your waist under your shirt. you gasped softly at the feeling of his fingertips against your skin and he smirked down at you. he leaned in until his lips were grazing yours. “again, i have no idea what you’re talking about.” 

before you could even think of a response, his hands were pulling you flush against him and his lips were on yours, taking your breath away. you moaned into the kiss and he groaned, his fingertips digging into your skin as he slid his tongue into your mouth expertly.

just as you got lost in his touch, you heard a small voice from outside. “so are you guys gonna let me back in?”

suna:

so suna is a lazy boy, we know that

and he likes to nap a lot

sometimes he’s just so tired that he forgets to text you before he naps

and today you’re supposed to hang out with him but around 3pm he stopped answering, so you knew he was taking his usual afternoon nap and if you went by his place, he wouldn’t be able to answer the door

so you decided to go out and get some snacks on the way to his house, planning to take your sweet time and let your boy rest

by coincidence, you ran into atsumu at the shop and he insisted on staying with you... and eating some of suna’s snacks 

it’s about a little while later that you make your way over to suna’s place, texting him to make sure he’s awake

when suna opened his door, the subtle smile dropped from his face when he realized you’re not alone. he raised a brow and looked over to his friend, “i don’t remember inviting you.” 

you pursed your lips, scolding your boyfriend’s bluntness. “suna–”

atsumu shrugged, a grin on his face. “i was keeping your girl company and thought i’d be a gentleman and walk her over here.” 

suna raked his eyes over atsumu lazily, clearly unamused. “yeah thanks. you can go now.” 

the blonde pouted dramatically. “oh what? come on, you’re not gonna invite me in?” he put his arm around you and gave you puppy dog eyes. “come on y/n, convince him for me?” 

you managed to turn for a split second to realize how close he had gotten to you before you were pulled out of his arms and into the warmth of the house. you blinked and suddenly you were under suna’s arm, facing a wide-eyed atsumu. 

next thing you know, the door was shutting in his face. you turned to suna and he simply shrugged and took the bag from your hands. “you brought snacks,” he smirked. “you’re the best.” he put it down on the table and tilted his head as he looked down at you curiously, trying to seem nonchalant, but his narrowed eyes gave him away. “why were you with him?” 

you tried to hide your smirk as you answered him. “went to get you some snacks while you were asleep and ran into him at the shop.”

his eyes reduced down to slits as he watched the playful look in your eyes. “why?” you smiled. “were you jealous?” 

he walked over to you slowly and slid his hand up to your neck, gripping it softly but firmly as he tilted your head up towards him. he made a show of trailing his eyes down from yours to your lips and keeping them there, making your breath hitch in anticipation. 

“less talking, more moaning.” he pressed his lips against yours possessively and had you melting and giving in immediately. whatever he wants, he gets. you knew that better than anyone.

tsukishima:

if you don’t believe that tsuki is a dry texter or that he would leave your ass on delivered for several days––i have some news for you

so let’s say it’s a saturday afternoon and while normally you hang out with tsuki basically every weekend, you also know that he was in a pissy mood earlier so you let him cool off

you text him after a little while, asking if you could come over in the middle of your usual tik tok spam and he opens the text, only to leave you on read (only seeing the tik toks, not the actual message)

you just brush it off, thinking he’s still in a mood and decide to find someone else to hangout with

that person just so happens to be tadashi

you two had gotten closer ever since you started dating tsuki so it wasn’t out of the ordinary for you to spend time together

it’s just that normally it would you, tadashi and tsuki

so you can imagine your boyfriend’s surprise when he opens snap to see you and his best friend smiling on your story

he frowns but tries not to let it get to him (spoiler, he fails)

when an hour has passed by and you still haven’t texted him or anything he gives in and messages you first, a blunt ‘when are you coming.’ 

you take that as a sign that he finally wants you to come over and since you and tadashi were ready to wrap things up, you make your way over to your boyfriend’s house

almost as soon as you knock on the door, it’s pulled open and you look up to see tsuki looking down at you, his brow raised. it’s silent for a few seconds and you tilt your head in confusion, why did he look annoyed?

before you could say anything he spoke up, “tadashi’s not with you anymore?”

you shook your head. “no––oh i’m sorry should i have invited him?”

he scoffed only confusing you further and without another word, he took your hand and pulled you into the house. still silent, he took your jacket for you and put your shoes away as well. you smiled up at him when he stood up straight and you could see the slight blush he was trying to hide.  

he walked ahead to sit on his couch and you followed, choosing to sit with a little space between the two of you, since he hadn’t seemed to cool off completely yet and you knew how much he valued personal space. little did you know, you were only making things worse. 

he stared at you, brows furrowed and you stared back, eyes curiously wide. “why are you all the way over there?” 

you smiled and got up to sit in his lap, feeling satisfied as he opened his arms up for you to get settled. you kissed his cheek and looked at him. “i know i saw you yesterday, but i missed you today, you know?” 

he rolled his eyes, “yeah sure.” 

“don’t roll your eyes at me,” you laughed. “you’re the one who didn’t wanna hang out with me.” 

he paused. “what are you talking about?”

“i asked you if i could come over and you left me on read.” you played with his hair mindlessly as you spoke. “but it’s okay, i know you get cranky sometimes.” you smiled fondly but he was serious as ever.

“i didn’t leave you on read?”

“yeah you did.” you tilted your head. “i thought you did it on purpose.” he frowned and you took your phone and scrolled through your conversation, before showing him the text you’d sent hours before. he read over the text and blinked a few times before looking away. he tightened his hold around you slightly. 

“i’m sorry... i didn’t see.” 

you put your hand on his cheek and made him look up at you. “aw baby is that why you’ve been so moody since i got here? you thought i didn’t wanna spend time with you?” 

he swallowed as he looked into your eyes, the vulnerability he was trying to hide in his gaze telling you everything you needed to know. “tsuki, you know i always wanna be with you.” you smiled and pressed your lips against his for a gentle kiss which he clearly appreciated. his hand gripped your thigh firmly as his other arm pulled you closer to him to prolong the kiss. 

when you pulled away, he looked up at you. “do you think...you could stay over tonight?”

he tried to keep a nonchalant and unbothered exterior but once you agreed and gave him that precious smile, he couldn’t stop the small smile that spread on his face, even if he tried. 

[totiredtowrite]

Wolf In Sheeps Clothing

Warnings - Cursing because angry boy, reader being a cold mf, reader's clothes are described (but kind of vaguely so dw)

Note: I feel like I can hear the gif for some reason :D? Kind of self indulgent so reader is shorter than kyotani. Poor mad dog, always being put in his place by pretty boys. I'll have you know that I consult the wiki everytime I write something for character details by the way. (bragging shamelessly). Reader is also a second year and the student council president because this is fiction and I'm not sure if you have to be a third year hehe

this turned out longer than I thought it would, really popped off with this one

Male Reader

Kyotani Kentarou has a new enemy.

Whether or not you knew he though of you as an enemy didn't matter to him.

Suprisingly, it doesn't happen as often as some might think. His awful attitude and uncooperative nature ensures that he makes more enemies than friends, but most people are too afraid to approach him in order to become one of the two.

His new enemy?

You. (L/n) (y/n), Student Council President.

Kyotani never really though much of you. Not when you campaigned for the spot, (despite being in the second year), and not when you got the position. He's seen you, sure, you made that whole speech when you got the part and you oversaw detention sometimes.

Kyotani, (surprisingly), didn't get detention much. On the one time you oversaw the detention class when he was supposed to be there, he decided not to go.

So, overall, he hardly saw you at all. You were nothing but a passing thought in his mind when he heard people talking about you. He never expected to talk to you, much less consider you his worst enemy.

~~~

It really was a normal day for Kyotani. He woke up, took a shower, ate on his way to school, and slipped into class with his usual "fuck with me and you die" look on.

Practice was cancelled that day as the coach was out sick, so he didn't really have anything to do. Everything was all normal for him, right up until the end of the day. Kyotani was stalking through the hallways, the other second years moving out of his way and giving hushed whispers to their friends as they got ready to leave.

He was used to that, and even liked the feeling it gave him, knowing that these people were actually afraid of him. He was close to his locker when it happened.

He ran right into you, almost knocking you back. He glowered down at you, an angry spark in his eye that would have any other student running far away. You however, just stepped back to be clear of his general bubble, and looked up at him with a frown.

Truth be told, he had never really seen you up close. True he'd overheard some of his classmates talking about how 'intimidating' and 'handsome' you were, but Kentarou didn't expect to actually feel it coming off of you. He didn't expect to point out how attractive you were right off the bat.

The hard glisten in your eye faded as you scanned his face. You know this guy. Your expression changed from 'stone cold dictator' to 'unbothered student council president.'

Somehow feeling the tension, most of the students cleared out before either of you said a word.

"Kyotani Kentarou," you said, "Number 16 on our schools volleyball team. Infamous for your out of control aggression and prowess in your sport." You smirked at him quickly, straightening your blazer and standing up straight.

"The hell," he lifted his head to look down his nose at you, "why do you know me?"

You shrug. "I keep tabs on all the students I think are troublesome. Or interesting." He watched as you casually turned to your bag and pulled out a large binder. "You're on the first page, marked in red." you had a somewhat mocking tone in your voice, that coy smirk returning.

Kyotani growled, the noise sounding surprisingly like an animal. You were much more cocky up close. Cocky and aggravating. He moved closer to you so that your chests were almost touching while you put the binder away, and looked straight down at your face. "I can be much more troublesome," he said lowly.

You barked out a laugh. "Careful there Mad Dog." You advanced, causing Kyotani to step back. "Or I might just think you're threatening me," you continued to move forward. Kyotani took more steps back. The only way he could describe the feeling was like he was being herded like a sheep.

Another animalistic growl left his throat when his back hit the lockers. By now everyone had left, leaving just the two of you. "You aren't leaving a very good first impression on your president," you say dangerously, almost mocking your own title.

"Why do I need to leave a good impression on you," he muttered out. You didn't say anything and instead lifted your arm above his shoulder to slam it by his head. He recognized this feeling. Yet somehow, it felt all different.

Not once had the rumors spoken about the affect you had on people. You scanned his face again, those intimidating (e/c) eyes holding him steady in place. His breath hitched in his throat softly when you pulled your hand back to straighten his tie. "You don't," you said referring to his earlier question, eyes focused on his tie. "And you haven't."

You pulled away from him and stepped back, patting him on the shoulder before turning on your heel to head towards the doors. You turned your head just as you were about to leave, the blue grey light from the cloudy sky making you seem more threatening. "Take care, Mad Dog." You left the school building, leaving Kentarou breathing heavily and on guard at the lockers.

~~~

He really didn't expect that from you.

He had had a similar feeling, when Yahaba threw him into a wall and scolded him during the spring preliminary game against Karasuno. Similar, but not quite the same. It felt like you had him trapped. He still had your words replaying on repeat in his mind.

Those rumors he heard about you didn't do you any justice. He never heard anything about how easily you could make people feel... things. For once, he felt like he was the one being hunted. And oh boy did he not like that. All those times he'd seen you, he thought you looked like a regular goody two shoes who would report even the smallest wrongdoing to the teachers. He didn't expect a calculated, threatening boy who had a binder of 'troublemakers' and a heavy presence.

He didn't sleep more than 2 hours that night.

Maybe it was your eyes that were etched into his mind. Maybe it was your smooth voice, that look that made it seem like there was so much more under your surface.

So naturally he came to the conclusion that you were his rival.

He managed to avoid you all till the end of the week, Sunday rolling around like a saving grace. He didn't see you once for the rest of the week, but it still felt like you were watching him with those calculated eyes of yours. His shoulder still felt all weird and tingly from where you had touched him.

The weekend felt like an asylum to him, a feeling of safety and control returning to him when his older sister sent him out to go pick up some things from the store.

Kyotani had decided to cut through the park on his way back, but now he was quickly regretting his decision. It's not like he was afraid of you, he just thought that avoiding you would be the best option.

The last place he expected you to be was sitting in the park, staring out at the little man-made pond with a few birds at your feet. You had an overcoat on to compensate for the slightly chilly weather, a sweater visible underneath it. Your shoes were tapping the ground rhythmically.

You looked much less intimidating out of uniform. You had a neutral, content look on your face, cheek squished against your palm with your elbow resting on your knee. It was almost cute, he thought, if that was the right word for it.

"Are you just going to stand there forever," you turned your face towards him and regarded him with lidded eyes. "You can sit down you know."

He jumped, standing still for a second before slowly moving towards you. His guard up like a wall as memories of your last interaction replayed through his mind. His breath quickened ever so slightly, and his ears turned pink.

He slid into place on the bench next to you. You turned towards him again and smiled. He went bright red.

It was an actual smile. Not that cocky smirk, but a soft clad cute smile. You focused your attention back on to the pond.

"You live around here," Kyotani inquired gruffly.

You nodded. "I don't go out much. Usually cooped up in my room working on god knows what." You leaned back, draping your arms gracefully across the back of the bench. "Sorry about our little encounter, by the way. I must have come off way scary, right?" You gave him that soft smile again.

He looked away and hid his cheeks with his hand. "Like I'd be afraid of you," he muttered.

You hummed softly. A thought struck him. He regained his composure before speaking again. "You must have known that I live around here, right?"

You nodded wordlessly. "It was in your file."

Kyotani decided not to comment on how creepy that was, and instead muttered out a small "oh."

Neither of you said a word for a few moments.

"We really got off on the wrong foot, huh?" You turned your whole body towards him, watching his movements like a cat.

He just grunted.

You laughed a little bit, and extended your hand. "Why don't we start over. I'm (l/n) (y/n)."

Kyotani eyed your hand suspiciously before taking it. The tingly feeling returned, but this time it felt stronger as both your hands were bare. Your slightly smaller hand gripped his firmly, the slight size difference making Kyotani blush a bit.

You really weren't what he thought, were you? Even so, you were still his enemy. His cute, scary, calculated, calm enemy.

He doesn't even know what hit him.