#like i know the labels are because of position on the color wheel but in my brain its the Feel

[skunkes]

silly little scribble-that-could've-been-a-text-post

whenever i open my organized paint containers there will always be at least one Warm in the Cools and vice versa

[tranquilpetrichor]

twister

synopsis: what begins as a lighthearted game of twister leads to you finally admitting your feelings for your dance friend.

cast: chen kuanjui x gn!reader ft friend!ricky

genre: fluff

wc: 2k (2025)

warnings: descriptions of physical affection, there may be grammatical errors

a/n: please freaking save me i don't need more boys planet trainees wrecking my life.. anyways if the links to this on my masterlist are weird please let me know, i’m on vacation right now and can’t really do much stuff on my laptop.

taglist: @restlessmaknae

you place the box labeled twister on the floor and open it, your friend kuanjui beside you. he takes the mat and carefully lays it out. you get the spinner and fiddle with it for fun.

kuanjui's set out the mat and is stretching on it—a familiar sight to you over your years of friendship. while you used to gasp whenever you saw him casually go into the middle splits or do a backbend, it no longer fazed you. he simply had no bones.

staring at the mat with colored dots on it gives you nostalgia. "oh my god, i haven't played this in a while," you say, groaning. "please go easy on me."

he only laughs at you. "we're literally both dancers. if anything, i should make it really hard for you!"

you sigh, knowing that he’s almost never lost a game like this. "ugh no. if you're gonna be that way, you should buy me food after we play."

it’s a joke, but you wouldn’t mind food. and eating with him.

he points over in the distance to a guy (aka another idiot friend of yours) listening to music with airpods in. "ha, why don't you ask ricky then? he's the rich one, after all. oh, and speaking of which, we need someone to spin."

you glance over again. “i'll get him."

he smiles knowingly. “you mean you’ll go annoy him, right?”

“yep!”

since ricky’s facing away from the two of you, it's easy to sneak up on him and you make your way closer, finally closing in on his shoulders. after you tap him with your hands, he groans.

“what the hell? not this again.”

you start laughing, amused by ricky’s annoyance.

"dude, you've been on your phone enough. you wanna spin the wheel for me and kuan jui while we play twister?"

you can't miss the undeniable smirk that appears on ricky's face.

"alright, it's not like i have anything better to do," he begins to whisper, "except help two soon-to-be lovebirds out."

"hey! it's not like that," you hiss.

he only shrugs in response. "if you say so."

the two of you walk back, and you try to remain composed. “we have our spinner,” you say, gesturing to a still-smirking ricky.

"dude, quit it with that look," you mutter to ricky, and he just laughs at you.

kuanjui claps, a smile on his face. “let’s start! prepare to lose," he says with a glare that you know isn't malicious at all. you could even say it's adorable, although that's not something you should admit aloud.

you both go on opposite sides on the mat, and ricky spins the wheel.

"right hand on blue."

the two of you move accordingly. even with simple movements like this, kuanjui is graceful.

“right foot on red.”

it's easy so far, but in a few minutes, you know you're sure to struggle. sure enough, you do end up in a precarious position which could only be described as being a human pretzel. he’s reaching over you, like a cat taking a stretch.

"please do not crush my back," you say with a groan. "i don't know if i can handle that."

he protests. "i'm not going to crush your back! i am perfectly capable of holding myself up. if you fall, it's your fault."

"what? i won't fall..."

ricky interrupts. "good one, y/n. a little late on that.”

you glare at him as best as you possibly can from your position. "shut it."

kuanjui is clearly confused. "huh? is something wrong?”

you try to laugh it off. "never mind. he’s just being annoying again.”

there’s no time for him to question you, because ricky keeps talking. “alright, let’s continue! left foot on yellow!”

at this point, you understand why you wouldn't play this game with anyone you don't trust. there's no way you could do this with anyone else without feeling incredibly awkward.

"are you gonna give up?" kuanjui asks, and although you aren't looking at him in an attempt to focus on not trembling, you imagine a satisfied grin on his face.

you barely register ricky’s next command.

“right hand on green!”

no, now is not the time to get embarrassed. you absolutely knew what you were getting into, playing this damn game of all things. your heart definitely wasn’t racing. not at all.

you readjust your hand slightly. “nope. never.”

right about now, he’s probably pouting. “please? if you give up, i’ll buy you strawberry ice cream…”

hm, would you really choose food over your pride?

“aw damn, that’s tempting. but no. also, i’m sure you would do that for me anyways.”

his lack of a comeback tells you all you need to know.

“i feel like a third wheel,” you think you hear ricky mutter, before his speaking volume returns to normal. “alright, left hand on yellow!“

you strain to reach your hand behind you, but manage to get it on a circle. kuanjui’s face is now visible, and the two of you laugh at the absurdity of this whole game.

“i wonder how long we’ve been here,” you say.

ricky checks the time on his phone. “12 minutes, honestly that’s kinda impressive. but can someone please win already?"

“ah, now my wrist hurts. actually everything hurts,” kuanjui whines.

you smile. “you're such a big baby, despite being older than me by a few months.”

he hits you softly. “am not.”

a response leaves your mouth before you can tell your brain to stop saying whatever the hell it wants to. “you are, so stop being so cute.”

he scrunches his face in confusion, but then smiles slightly. "you think i’m what now?"

ah, shit. i definitely said too much.

well, might as well own what you had said. “cute, did you not hear me the first time?”

a slight blush appears on his face. “well, uh—“

ricky yells exasperatedly, “left foot on red!”

kuanjui moves first, slipping his foot behind your back. you try to find a red circle, but it’s a rather inconvenient move.

now you’re pretty much in the splits with your hands spread semi-far apart, and while it’s not the worst position to possibly be in, you’re kinda sore and can’t wait to rest.

“ah, is this what being a worm is like?” you joke.

“i don’t wanna be a worm, i wanna be something pretty,” kuanjui says.

you try to think of a suitable representative animal for him. “a butterfly is pretty.”

that seems to make him smile, and you feel like you've done your job for the day.

at some point, your strength gives out and you drop to the mat, beads of sweat cascading down your face. you're panting heavily.

kuanjui lifts himself out of the weird backbend position he's in with relative ease. how he's not too tired to do that, you're not sure.

"yes! i win!" he says with a fist pump.

you dramatically sigh, placing a hand on your chest. “i humbly accept this fatal defeat. you have kicked my ass once again.”

he giggles. "i'm sorry, i'll make it up somehow."

you pout. "that's what i get, for playing twister against one of the most flexible dancers in our academy."

you try to get up, but he motions for you to stay on the mat. "i'll get water for all of us, be right back. you need to rest!”

ricky puts the spinner down after kuan jui’s left. “please. just kiss. please! you two are so flirty that it’s gross.”

you laugh at his show of pleading. well, at least he was being honest. “i mean, i might confess to him today. i don’t want it to be grand or anything, i just want to say it. now’s as good a time as any, right?”

ricky gives you a genuine smile, probably the first of the day.

“well, good luck. if anyone should be his partner, it’s you.”

he pauses, seeming serious for once, before continuing. “it seems like you guys have a lot of fun around each other. i remember meeting you during dance practice and you were so strict, i didn't think you had an unserious bone in your body!"

kuanjui's walking back, so you try to wrap up the conversation. "gee thanks, i can be fun. but i think some people really bring out different sides of you."

he gives a grateful ricky some ice water, then sets down another cup beside you. "i cut a lemon slice and put it on the side of yours, if you don't mind."

you take it, grateful for the sweet gesture. "thanks, i mentioned that i like that, but only once.”

he smiles, and even that simple action seems ethereal. “i remembered anyways.”

ricky seems more than eager to excuse himself from the conversation, citing “video games” as the reason to leave.

“but you always say that though,” kuanjui retorts.

the younger boy shrugs. “and it’s always true.”

“i’ll see you guys later, you should enjoy yourselves!” he adds with a wink.

that damn guy. but you’re not gonna complain about getting alone time with kuanjui.

you spend about a minute quietly playing with his hair, which you’re both used to. although you do it often, you usually do it when something’s on your mind and you need to focus on something else.

kuanjui traces mindless circles on the mat before deciding to break the silence that has settled between you two. “hey, y/n?”

“yes?”

“did you really mean it when you said i was cute?”

you smile, a little embarrassed. but of course, no going back now. “of course, i wouldn’t lie.”

"i didn't think you would, but it was a little unexpected," he says, laughing. "since when did you ever call people cute?"

you take a sip of water, feeling suddenly as if there was something stuck in your throat. "well, i don't call people cute, unless they're you," you say with a small giggle, averting your gaze afterwards.

you're surprised you can even continue to speak.

"and, i wanted to ask you on a date. i mean, you don't have to! i've liked you for a while now, but i didn't want to make anything awkward… even though it probably seems awkward coming from me anyways.”

there’s a relief you feel after your confession and a sense of nervous anticipation. your hands need somewhere to be, so you reach for the cup.

kuanjui gasps and ruffles your hair affectionately. his eyes seem to sparkle.“oh, i’ve liked you too, and i’d love to go on a date. it’s just that i’m a little bit cowardly and probably wouldn’t have confessed first!”

“ha, believe me, i know.”

he seemed to have another moment of realization. “no wonder ricky seemed so annoyed! it’s like he was waiting for.. well, something.”

“watch what you say, he could come back any moment,” you whisper.

he goes along with your little joke and whispers back.

“what if i say he’s short and poor, old and ugly?”

“then he’ll definitely come back.”

the two of you burst into a fit of giggles. you take his hand, as if you need tangible proof that you’re here, experiencing this beautiful moment.

“do you mind if i kiss you on the cheek?”

jeez, why are you embarrassed? you’re usually physically affectionate with him anyways. still, it’s best to ask about things like kissing, you figure.

he shyly smiles. “go ahead.”

you give him a peck, which elicits more giggling from him, and there’s the lingering feeling of fluttering in your chest. he's definitely happy from the physical contact. as he lays down, he tugs your shirt, bringing you to the floor with him.

"i'm sleepy," he says through a yawn. "could you stay with me for a little?"

you're more than happy to oblige, and somehow, you end up with both of your arms wrapped around him, the twister mat still below you both.

as you settle into a comfortable position with kuanjui (perhaps the most comfortable you've been the whole day), you're thankful for playing that little game of twister, and for finally giving into your feelings.

[heterochromicnachos]

ANALYSIS! LEO EDITION!

WHAT ON EARTH IS LEO’S SEXUALITY?

(AND DONNIE’S!)

Leo has the general consensus of being Gay, and this is not without evidence. From his behavior to actual actions, there is genuine proof.

However, the thing that confuses me has to do with the scene in newsworthy.

You see, Leo is the only one with a negative reaction to Mikey’s act. Now, is this a character development thing? I doubt it.

Being attracted to men isn’t something that develops. It’s natural and is something you have from birth because your brain decides it likes another gender.

Is he over-reacting to be different? I don’t think so. Donnie and Raph are very supportive of this and Leo isn’t. Everyone in the room (except hypno) is aware this is an act and aren’t too worried about the innuendoes here. Leo knows Mikey is putting up an act to catch hypno off guard so they can stop him. Despite this, the others are still reacting positively to this (or negatively, in Leo’s case.)

A simple answer?

Leo may be aromantic. He may not be up for the kissing and the hugging, but I doubt he is also asexual.

The biggest “gay leo” fuel is the episode “The hidden city Job”.

Leo is seen to be very into guys in this episode, one of the biggest clues being a blink and you miss it scene towards the beginning.

People will most likely be focused in hueso here, as he is the one speaking and is the one with the most expressions and actions here. However, off to the left, leo can be seen staring at a large pirate yokai walking past.

Jaw dropped, eyes wide, and a very noticeable smile as he stares at the guy’s ass. Hell, the gif is labeled as “Leo checks out a guy” on the tmnt wiki.

Leo does indeed like men, he is indeed gay. However, he is not the cookie cutter gay we all make him out to be.

Leo, while a gay man (teenager), is not entirely interested in having a romantic relationship with anyone. It is much more likely he is based on sexual attraction and not romantic attraction. Especially given how he not so subtly stares at a buff yokai’ s butt.

He is entirely down for appreciating a man’s beauty, as also seen with don suave in this very same episode.

“Wow, you guys are handsome.”

Leo is very clearly attracted to don suave. While this may be because of his immaculate beauty so potent people can faint from him looking their way, he is also seen lavishing the guy in nuzzles later. Leo is 100% gay, he is just more sexually attracted than romantically. Now, is he fully aromantic?

This part can be entirely up to your interpretation, as we never see him interact with a possible partner like usagi. He very well be demiromantic, meaning he will develop romantic feelings only after he has a strong emotional connection with someone. It would explain why he is not excited about Mikey’s front in newsworthy, as there is no connection and he most likely just isn’t into it.

Now, for the other part of this analysis, what is Donnie’s sexuality?

He is clearly not aromantic, as he has a fat crush on atomic lass. (And that’s perfectly okay.)

Donnie is extremely eager to dance with his idol, even if it’s a stranger in a costume.

His line, as simple as it is, causes three women to faint. Despite the fandom consensus Leo is the one to get more bitches, Donnie clearly has a greater amount of rizz. Friendly reminder his line was meant for atomic lass and still made three women swoon.

Donnie is, if anything, only asexual. It also makes sense thematically with the twin thing he and Leo have going on.

They;re both flamboyant, dramatic, and extra. While donnie definitely has the theater kid energy, leo has a bit as well. The two of them both rely on their brothers for support, and are even right next to eachother on the color wheel. Donnie being asexual and leo being aromantic fits their dynamic, and I would not be surprised if it was the intent. There are not many scenes of donnie doing things that support his sexuality, which has lead to the conclusion of him being aroace or bi. We don’t have evidence for either, so it’s very likely he’s either bi pr straight. And that’s okay.

I can’t add anymore my iPad is screaming, I may add a part two. I dunno.

[trans-yllz]

the wheel of fortune: cycles, fate, the unexpected, fortune

chrysanthemums: death, immortality, good luck

cherry blossoms: the cycle of life and death

wei wuxian dies young to his grief and rage, mo xuanyu dies young to his grief and rage, wei wuxian is disgraced from the cultivation world and labeled a lunatic, mo xuanyu is disgraced from the cultivation world and labeled a lunatic, wei wuxian invents the sacrifice ritual, mo xuanyu uses the sacrifice ritual to bring wei wuxian back, if wei wuxian had never died mo xuanyu never would have sacrificed himself and if mo xuanyu had never died wei wuxian would never have lived again. of course they are the wheel of fortune. of course they are

wei wuxian and mo xuanyu are perfect for the wheel of fortune not only because of the role of their relationship in the story at large, no matter the adaptation, but their relationship in the actual structural plot of cql itself. cql is absolutely cyclical, we start and end with wei wuxian on a cliff, we know he dies before we even know who he is and when we learn who he is he dies, etc etc. the show opens to his death, and onto his resurrection via mo xuanyu, then into his life, and after his death, we are back into right after his resurrection via mo xuanyu. the resurrection is the point that resets the story each time

they are wrapped in a white cloth together to represent mourning - the fact that both of them and the cyclical relationship they have relies on each of their deaths. the cloth is stained with blood in the middle to represent the actual cycle of bloodshed and violence, but also simply because blood is red, an auspicious color in chinese culture. red symbolizes good fortune and celebration and power. because for as much as the death of mo xuanyu is a tragedy, the subsequent resurrection of wei wuxian is a gift. an important aspect of the meaning of the wheel of fortune card is the Fortune part. the card is a blessing, a sign of good things to come, just like wei wuxian's resurrection

the entire composition is supposed to be circular and cyclical, their positions, the flow of the cloth, the path of the blood, the positions of the flowers and talismans, the circular symbol on the floor. you could turn it in any direction and it would still make sense

I know that I drew it so that technically they do not have cuts on the same wrist, but the visual symbolism of the mirrored imagery was more important to me than complete accuracy

the talismans in this card are all ones seen during wei wuxian's resurrection scene

the symbol on the floor beneath them is my (vague) interpretation of the sacrifice ritual

I almost placed the mask in the middle of the page to further drive home the imagery of cycles in their relationship, but it ended up looking weird

the wheel of fortune is one of the most powerful cards in the deck, so of course one of the most powerful rituals in the show gets to feature on it

x. the wheel of fortune

id in alt / cql major arcana cards

[zooophagous]

Strauss stalked up the street. He was aware he must look rather mean and intense- the people on the street parted from him like the red sea. It didn't help that he was caked in mud and shoeless, having abandoned his ruined slippers. The fear he struck into the hearts of men was more of a hindrance than a benefit, because he actually did need to talk to someone, if only to ask a question.

He was in a hurry. He wouldn't have cloud cover forever, and if the sun came out before he made it back to his drain pipe sanctum... well, he'd be in even worse trouble than if he'd just starved. There was a young man on the street corner. He was tall and fit and had a confident air. He seemed the least likely to panic and run away. Strauss could only hope he were as brave as he looked.

"You, there. Excuse me." Strauss approached him. The man turned and looked at him with uneasy concern, but he didn't just walk off. Not yet.

"Yeah?"

"Where in this city can I find mice?"

"Mice?" he asked again with emphasis.

"Yes. Live mice. Preferably white lab mice. Can you assist me?"

"Uh..." The man looked away, half as if he wasn't sure, and half as if he knew an answer but wasn't sure he should give it to this odd vagrant and inflict him on someone else.

"There's a pet store a few blocks that way."

"A pet store?"

"Yeah. You know. They sell like. Animals and supplies and stuff? Are you from here?" Strauss had a foreign accent the man couldn't quite place. Maybe that explained a bit of the weirdness, perhaps.

"I see. And it is that way?"

"Yeah, uh. About six blocks that way and then hang a right, I think, and it's right there."

"Danke." Strauss had a lead, at last, and immediately set off at a brisk pace, trying to beat the sun. Maybe he could find a bit of dinner today after all. It did occur to him, that a pet 'store' indicated they likely charged MONEY for their mice. Money he didn't have. It didn't matter. He would simply have to steal it. It didn't matter as much much as another day of survival.

He would have to be decisive and fast. The police would likely be called once someone noticed him- and they were almost certain to notice him. He wasn't positive which shop on the street was the 'pet store' from the signs alone, but the pungent smell of small animal bedding was a familiar dinner bell. He opened the door, which jinlged loudly and announced his entrance.

A young lady at the counter looked up from her task briefly with a cheerful "Hello."

"Hallo." He replied quietly. She seemed busy. Good. That could buy him some time. He found his way through the aisles till he found it. Along the wall were large shelves with heavy glass aquariums housing herds of scurrying white mice. They were labeled with colorful markers.

"FEEDERS. LARGE/MEDIUM/SMALL." That made him chuckle slightly. 'Feeders?' Who else was eating them? It did make him feel less guilty for taking them. If they were not friendly pets like Edelweiss then perhaps nobody will shed tears for them.

The cages were locked with small metal padlocks. He grabbed the lock in his claw and with one good yank, snapped it. The noise of it did get the shopkeep to look up.

"Are you doing ok back there?" She was getting up. She made her way to the back wall.

"Hey, I need to be the one to open those cages for you for liability uh... for liability..."

The words died in her throat. Her eyes went wide and her hands began to shake. Strauss turned around to face her with the tail of a white mouse hanging from his mouth. He spit the dessicated carcass to the floor, and casually grabbed another and popped it into his mouth with a sickening crunch.

She began to scream and run back towards the front. Lunch would be short. He wasn't done yet however, he had a moment or two to savor it. There were rats in the feeder cages as well. He broke into one and took the fattest specimen for himself. He was a starving man at a buffet, and now he was going to be greedy.

"Strauss!"

A familiar voice. He wheeled around and faced down Artemis and Troy, who was muttering something along the lines of 'I called it, I called it I would make such a good vampire hunter' under his breath.

"Strauss put the rats down. It's ok. You're not in trouble." Artemis was wavering between trying to sound reassuring and trying to sound authoritative. Whatever she was trying for, the effect was only upsetting. Strauss covered his face with his hand and let out a sad groan of shame.

"Please don't look at me."

"Hey, hey it's ok. Come on bud, lets get you home and cleaned up, yeah?" Troy said warmly.

The front door jingled open. Strauss had expected the police. He got worse. Ursula barged in with her rifle raised, a cluster of underlings blocked the door behind her.

"Auntie! Stand down. We're handling this!" Artemis barked at her aunt. Strauss was beginning to panic. Control over the situation was falling apart rapidly.

"Artemis, Troy, get out of the line of fire." Ursula demanded with her rifle at her shoulder. "Strauss, give up. You're surrounded. Your little bender ends right here."

Strauss stared wided eyed and emotionless at his would be captor. He was in fight, flight or freeze mode. Freezing wasn't working, and flying wasn't an option. He raised his fist and swung it hard into the large tanks against the wall. It slid and fell and took several other cages with it, exploding in an avalanche of glass and freeing a swarm of red eyed white mice and rats. They poured from the shelves like a white river and ran past Artemis and Troy and swarmed up the legs of the hapless hunter.

"YOU MOTHER FUCKER-" Ursula screamed as the enthralled mice clambored up her pantlegs. Strauss ran past Artemis and Troy and directly into Ursula like a wild bull and knocked her flat. With the leader down, the rest of the security detail was headless and afraid. He ran out with a snarl, swiping at them with terrible anger. They fell back and fell over themselves to get out of his reach.

"Mr. Strauss please. I don't want to hurt you!" One of them stood in front of him. He recognized her. One of the students he had seen in Ursula's class room. She held out a large wooden crucifix in front of her like a shield. It angered him. She clearly hadn't done her homework. He grabbed the item and squeezed tight until it splintered to pieces in his hand. He shoved her aside and fled past her down the avenue.

The police were also coming. At least, he assumed that was what the bright red and blue lights on the white cars must be. He took the first turn he could and kept running. He was sure he'd already lost the way back to the park. As if that would even be safe now? It was all stupidity. Stupidity to think he could escape the Van Helsing compound, and stupidity to think he could outrun them now. He'd betrayed their trust and now?

Now he was going to die.

He remembered what it was like, the first time. It had hurt terribly. He still had nightmares about it. Maybe in Hell he would have nightmares about this. Still, surrender wasn't an option. Into the park, into the trees, down the embankment to the river with the hunters right behind. He had the drain pipe in his sights, but time had run out. Ursula appeared in front of him. He skidded to a halt, she had a small firearm in her hands, outstretched at him. She fired.

Not a firearm. A tazer. The prong of it struck him in the abdomen and the thigh. He had just enough time to be angry that she was probably aiming for something 'else' before the electricity sent him spasming to the ground. His loose clothing made for a poor hit. He wrestled free and began to crawl away desperately on all fours as the rest of the hunting party surrounded them with weapons drawn.

"Nein! Nein!" He shouted at them, as if he could ward them back with a command. "Bitte! Bitte nein!"

"Strauss."

He turned around to see Artemis, with a rifle in her own hand, staring him down hard with tears in her eyes. She fired.

A shining metal dart struck him dead in the chest, piercing his jacket and lodging hard in his flesh. He winced and pulled it out. By the time he looked down to examine the projectile, his vision was already beginning to blur. His exhausted body was in no state to resist. His legs shook and fell out from under him. The world was beginning to melt around him. Perhaps, this time, death would be painless after all.

The dream state was deep here, very deep, and empty, and warm. His consciousness drifted in amniotic darkness. It felt close, he was unable to move. Hey. He was unable to move.

He opened his eyes to a blinding light. He tried to raise his hand to cover his eyes only to find he had been cuffed to a gurney. He gave the cuffs a hard yank, and a few more. They noisily rattled against the bed.

"Will you stop fussing?"

He turned his head. Ursula stood in the room, looming over him and looking somehow even more stern and impatient as usual. His breathing increased and became a nervous whine. She rolled her eyes at him.

"Pull yourself together. That was pathetic, even for a vampire. If you were going to be killed you'd have already been put through the incinerator by now."

"I am quite surprised to still be here, Frau Harker." He replied.

"Yes. Lots of people owe me lots of favors, including you. It will be the last favor you get for a while. Get comfortable with cuffs, Strauss, you'll be sporting a pair for a while. Shackles too. A muzzle. But after you recover. You must have been struck by a car at some point during your escape? Did you realize you actually have a broken leg? In two places, I will add. Fractured ribs and vertebrae too. You're lucky you could still walk through all of this."

"I fell off a roof."

"Wouldn't have happened if you hadn't flown off. Now we have to waste resources keeping you in sick bay and making sure you have a guard at all times, and until such time as you're deemed 'fit' you will remain in bed with both hands cuffed. A nurse will feed you, you will have a bed pan. Enjoy that taste of freedom, I hope it was worth it."

He scowled at her. "Did you attempt to taze me in the genitals?"

"You sent a rat up my pant leg. Call it even."

She stomped out. Strauss fell back with an annoyed sigh. He was bound, he'd been bathed in his sleep, again, much to his chagrin, but he was alive. Dry and warm, and relatively alive. An IV bag hung by the bed, drip feeding him fluids. Not his preferred method of taking those. If they didn't even allow him to eat or drink normally there'd be some issues.

"Herr Strauss?"

He turned his head. It was Artemis there, this time. She had a small vase of yellow flowers. He turned his head away from her with a sigh.

"Guten abend, Frau Van Helsing."

"I got you a get well soon gift." She set the flowers by the bedside. "How do you feel?"

"I am dead and I am tied to a bed."

"Not as dead as you could be."

"True. There is that." He groaned. "Frau Van Helsing, I am sor-"

"Shhhh stop. I'm gonna stop you right there." She pulled up a chair and sat next to him. "I got part of the story from Ursula. But I have to know. What happened?"

"Where should I begin?"

"I need to know why. Why you stole that coat and that food, why you attacked that man, why you raided a pet store when you had a home to come back to. Did you miss it? Did you miss living on the streets? Do you get something out of that? Out of living like that?"

He winced under her anger. She was very patient, but everyone had limits, and he could hear her limits inching up her throat.

"I just need to know why you decided to take off like that. Just start from the very beginning."

"...Alright." He swallowed hard. "I felt... confined. I do not like to feel confined."

"That's it? That's the explanation?"

"No." He continued. "It is hard for me to find words. I felt that... I was doing something good. Something normal, by trying to be a... nice person, to the lab mice we keep here."

"Yes?"

"Then I was told that it was not allowed, that I had done it wrong, that I must wait for someone to always come with me before it is permissable for me to do this. This simple thing, that requires no oversight. I am not a little child. I am dead, but I am still, on some level, a man, and I have some pride." He sighed and rested his head back on the unpleasant papery hospital pillow.

"I resolved that... if I were to be treated like a criminal, I could do what I wanted to deserve it. I wanted to prove my own mettle. That I wasn't just a... a pet or a tool. I could come and go as I pleased, and nothing should stop me."

"I see." Artemis said flatly.

"...There is more."

"Yes?"

"I am aware that my interests are... specific. And insular. And indulding them is often a... chore for others." He looked down and away. "Nobody wants to go back to care for the mice, it is a burden they bare because I demand it of them. I didn't want to ask for more of their time. Human lives are already so painfully short. I thought it would be better to do it myself, and when I was stopped, I was angry that perhaps I could not do it at all."

"Strauss." Artemis groaned, her shoulders drooped. "It's not a burden to take care of you. We wouldn't have brought you here to make our own lives harder. You're the cornerstone of this research project, Strauss. You aren't the distraction here. You're the PRIORITY."

She pulled up her chair close to him and rested her hand on his own cuffed claw. "I just wish that when these issues popped up, you'd actually tell me, instead of thinking you have no way out. I want to make this work, Strauss. Luther."

He turned to face her. Both of them had wet, teary eyes.

"You attacked a man and sent him to the hospital you know. Please tell me it wasn't..."

"Predatory?"

"Right."

"It was not." He swallowed hard. "Transformation is not only very painful, it is very energy consuming. I went into that pub looking for... juice or beer or something I could use, to stop my body from digesting itself. I was overwhelmed by the noise and he tried to put his hands on me. I tried to remove myself, but he persisted and I lashed out."

"I see. And when you got him you couldn't let go."

"I regret it, Frau Van Helsing." He said with a pleading voice, as if he were desperate for her to believe him. "It isn't what I wanted to happen. He did not deserve it. I should like very much to apologize to him but I fear I will stoke the fires worse should I try... I also doubt that I shall ever walk freely enough to encounter him again."

"Well, it will take some phone calls and some convincing, but maybe once your leg is mended we can make a trip into town and deliver a proper apology to the staff at the Bismarck."

"You say that as if you expect me to go."

"I do. Wouldn't be a very good apology otherwise. You'll have to go out properly this time, though, with a group of friends, some suitable clothes, and a ride home. I don't get out much either you know. Maybe we could bring Troy, make an evening of it?"

"You do not have to take yourself from your work to cater to me."

"What did I just tell you? It isn't a burden. Not if its you."

He smiled weakly at her. "I do have a request."

"Go for it."

"If I am to be cuffed to this bed, may I have a book on tape?"

"How do you feel about someone reading to you?"

"If it is you? I should like that. I should like that very much."

[heximagines]

Just platonic eternal life partners, nothing else to see here. Or is there? 👀

You remember your first best friend, Emma Stanley. The two of you were conjoined at the hip. If you scraped your knee at recess she brought you to the nurse, if her family was going to the zoo they'd ask if you wanted to tag along, she loved to have dinner at your house because your grandpa was the best cook in the neighborhood. You'd weaved countless friendship bracelets for each other and coordinated your nail polish colors. You always admired Emma for being brave and adventurous, bold and outgoing. She bounded ahead into any situation with the confidence only a child could have. You supposed when you thought about it that way it's almost a logical leap to your current best friend.

You watched Severen's back as he finagled with the padlock that kept you out of the backroom of the liquor distro. Sure the two of you were way too old to be stealing liquor and sure you had the money to pay for it. But there was no adventure in that, no fun. Finally the lock clicked open and Severen slipped through the gap in the door like a shadow. You were right behind him. "I get dark liquor you get light," he whispered to you. You stayed down low to the floor and searched through the labels on the boxes. After a moment you located some good vodka and opened up your bag to start laying bottles in. You were about to pop open a box of tequila next when the door to the back room slammed open. You hit the deck and when you tilted your head up to look you saw Severen a few feet away. He was laying on his stomach in the same position as you, wide eyed. When you met each other's gaze you both had to cover your mouths to keep from laughing. You listened as an employee loaded up a dolly, grunting with effort to lift the heavy boxes, before he cussed and wheeled it out of the back room. The door slammed closed behind him and you and Severen giggled like school children. He was no Emma Stanley but Severen was definitely fun to hang around. 

The two of you bolted out of the back of the distro with rattling bags, laughing into the night. "Come on, let's head back and share the wealth." You nod in the direction of the motel, but Severen had that glint in his eye that told you he had a different plan. "Not before we take our cut, darlin'." That nickname always made your heart flutter. You told yourself that it was just because the affection was nice, but you knew that was a lie. Severen located a van that still had the keys inside. He tried the handle but it was locked so instead he used his elbow to smash the window out. He reached across to unlock your door before he even got in. "What a gentleman," you teased before tossing your bag of goods inside and climbing into the seat. He brushed the glass away before climbing in himself and starting up your new ride. "You know us old timers," he quipped back at you, "always gotta take care of the lady first." He winked and you punched him in the arm. 

Severen cruised down the streets, eyes searching for something, what you didn't know. You looked more out of curiosity. You'd never been to Reno before. You were seeing a lot of new places since you met Severen, it was one of the many perks of agreeing to be his platonic eternal life partner. Jesse would snort at the phrase you two used to describe your relationship and shake his head. When he did Severen would snap at him for being 'jealous' and you would shove your feelings down just a bit deeper. Embarrassed. Severen took a sharp turn that knocked you out of your thoughts. He pulled into the back of a grocery store parking lot and cut the engine. "Pick a bottle, any bottle." You giggled as Severen rattled one of the bags at you. You closed your eyes and reached in, rooting around until your hand closed over the slim neck of a bottle. You pulled it out. "Ooh! Aye, aye captain!" You waved the Captain Morgan in Severen's face with a smirk and he gagged. "How do you drink that shit?" You snorted and cracked the cap open. "You're the one who grabbed it for me." 

After a few swigs Severen lead you out of the van and out towards a set of train tracks that lead to a yard. He held your hand to steady you as you jumped up onto one of the rails and tried to walk along it, even once you had your balance he didn't let go. Not that you were itching to pull away. "How many times you been here?" you asked. "Here specific or here in Reno?" His thumb stroked over your knuckles and you squeezed his hand a bit tighter before shrugging. "Both." He thought for a moment, trying to come up with a genuine answer, before he too shrugged. "Countless times I guess." You could accept that, you mostly asked questions to hear the rumble of his voice. You turned your head to look at the still cargo trains as you sipped from the bottle of spiced rum. You eyed up a particularly nice tank and hummed in thought. "What?" Severen looked at you. You only passed him off the bottle before darting over to it. When he caught up to you he saw you'd begun gathering half empty spray paint cans off the ground, left behind by other trespassers. You looked from the cans and up at the tanker. "I need a boost."

Severen had you hoisted up on his shoulders, his hands gripping your thighs to hold you steady as you painted. Though you didn't get into this position without a few dirty remarks on his part. "Okay pass me the black. I just gotta outline then it's done." He bent his knees and carefully grabbed the black paint from the ground before passing it up to you. "About time. We've been here for hours." You gave his stomach a light tap with your heel. "Quit complaining, it's worth it I promise." Seven hadn't gotten a good look at your work yet, too close to the train to really take it in. You directed him on where to stand as you put on the finishing touches and signed your tag. "Okay! Check it out!" Severen didn't let you down, instead he backed up with you still on his shoulders. He laughed so loud you had to slap a hand over his mouth, turning your head to look behind you. He pried your hand away, still snickering. "I can't believe you made me stand like this for hours so you could paint Shaggy smoking a bong." You leaned over his head and into his eye line, grinning at him upside down. "Isn't it sick?" "What's on his shirt?" You balked at his question and looked back up at your piece. "It's the Wu Tang logo!" "Wu Tang?" He raised an eyebrow. "Dude you're joking." 

You both sat on the back of the tanker passing the rum back and forth as you talked. "So they arranged this whole deal right? They would sign with Loud Records but they could still sign solo deals with other labels and take the Wu Tang name with them. Which was genius because they had 9 crazy talented dudes spawning dozens of solo careers that all fed into the Wu Tang brand. It hadn't been done before that." Severen nodded along, trying to keep everything you were telling him straight in his head. "So they made a lot of money that way?" You swallowed a mouthful of liquor and nodded. "Oh yeah, millions in album sales alone. And now they're one of the most recognizably branded hip hop groups in the world." Severen smiled at you and tapped the side if your head. "How do you just store all of that up there? Think your head would be bigger with all the shit you know." You giggled and batted his hand away, only to then lean against his side. He put and arm around you and pulled you closer. Severen was just a touchy person like that, you had to remind your dumb fluttering heart as you rested your head on his shoulder. "Tonight was fun," you mused. "Every night is fun with you." You looked up at him and he even seemed embarrassed by his words. You nudged him playfully. "Cheese ball." 

You and Severen began the trek back to your stolen van, a bit buzzed and with him knowing a lot more about 90s east coast hip hop than he ever thought he would. Even though you opted to walk on flat ground this time he still reached his hand out for you to take, twining your fingers together. He lifted a section of fence for you to slide through the gap, tugging him along behind you. When you got to the other side you groaned. "Looks like we're out a ride and the rest of that liquor." Severen looked over your shoulder to see 4 cops swarmed around the van with their flashlights out. He shrugged. "Oh well." It wasn't about the liquor anyway, it had just been something to get into. The two of you walked casually in the opposite direction, ready to head back for the night. As you passed the grocery store he stopped suddenly at one of the cart corrals. "What's up?" He grinned at you and pulled one of the carriages out, gesturing for you to hop in. "New ride." 

You and Severen howled with laughter as you dive bombed a fresh paved hill in the shopping cart. Severen, who had been standing on the edge of the undercarriage, flopped himself over the handlebar and into the cart with you. You squealed as his boot narrowly missed your face, shoving him in a way that almost knocked the speeding cart over. Laughing he grabbed your head and pulled you against his side. "Sorry darlin'!" You settled against his side and looked up at him with a grin. 

The hill leveled out and soon your momentum slowed until the cart came to an eventual stop. The two of you were a snickering pile of tangled limbs. At some point your arms had found their way around his waist and you squeezed him tight. He always made you feel like a teenager all over again. Especially when he looked down at you with those bright blue eyes, sparkling with joy and mischief. Suddenly this position felt entirely too intimate for you. You looked away and tried to start wriggling free but Severen trapped you in his arms. "Where you rushin' off to?" "Oh I'm sorry I didn't know you were trying to have a cuddle session in a kinda sticky shopping cart on the side of the road." He chuckled and pulled you closer. "Don't threaten me with a good time." Your head fell back onto his shoulder and you sighed, looking up at the clear night sky. But his eyes stayed trained on you. Admiring how the moon cast a soft glow over your skin. 

"Ya look pretty…" He dragged a knuckle up and down your cheek affectionately, making your skin prickle. You chuckled awkwardly and shook your head. "Why are you so sappy tonight?" You didn't mean for it to sound so mocking, it just came out that way. You almost whined when he took his hand away. He tilted his head back too, letting it rest against the back of the carriage. "I just been thinkin'... I ain't too good with keepin' the days straight but it's about fall now and if I remember right it was about fall when we met." You sat up to look at him, eyes wide. "You mean it's been a year already?" He shrugged. "Around about I'd suppose." You couldn't believe Severen would notice while you completely missed it. You hadn't paid any mind to the nights as they passed, figuring there was no use in keeping track anymore. You also didn't peg Severen as the type to care about this sort of thing.

"Best year ever." You flopped back against him with a grin. "We got plenty more ahead." He grinned back. It felt like he wanted to say more but instead Severen shifted to slide out from under you. He climbed out of the cart and offered you a hand out as well. He squeezed your palm between his fingers before tugging you along the rest of the way to the motel. 

[unholyhelbig]

More Kate x reader 🥺

I've got you covered! I didn't think people would actually enjoy the last one, so here's a little part two for you!

Read part one here | Request more prompts here

[Dedicated🥰 @ohmy-godyes @hoeforwandanat @haughtlikehell ]

I'll Be Home For Christmas Part 2 | Kate Bishop X Reader

There was a potted plant in the passenger seat that had seen better days. It’s leaves sagged but where still the firm color of healthy green. The cold couldn’t’ have been good for it, but that wasn’t your first thought when you placed it in a box and shoved it into your car with your coworkers watching from behind clouded glass. You could see their blobby silhouettes but kept your head high until you were a solid four blocks away from the building.

This had been a possibility. It was a risky story, and you laid your life on the line when you presented it to McCarty. Oliver hated it, he more than hated it he labeled it as slander and fired you two days before Christmas. He was never known for his kindness, but even this seemed like a lot.

You had taken it in stride, only crying into one carton of ice cream before you had settled on finding another job. It wouldn’t be hard, not in New York. You were close to household name, at least for lower fifty percent of the city that actually read the Daily Gazette. It was mainly for horse races. They weren’t known for the latest coverage on the Avengers, and they certainly weren’t the go-to for a company scandal involving socialite Jack Duquesne.

Kate didn’t say anything when she moved the plant to the back seat. It must have looked pathetic: a single mug with three ballpoint pens and a potted aloe plant that had seen better days.

You gave her a sheepish smile when she got into the car with her duffel bag. You planned on staying the night and leaving the next morning after a traditional breakfast of pancakes shaped like reindeer. Honestly- it was endearing, but one did not show up to Christmas with the news of getting fired.

Kate smelled like the outdoors, freshly melted snow and a hint of gasoline. She cleaned up nice, dawning a soft pink sweater and a high-waisted pair of pants. There wasn’t a hint of ash or dirt. She looked spotless aside from a small cut rimmed in purple on her chin, a half-bad bandage taped across it.

“So,” Kate said, adjusting her position until her foot was on the seat, chin resting on her knee. “Give me the rundown. What’s with this family situation?”

You hadn’t gotten this far, the explanation of the dynamic you all carried. Truthfully, there was a slim chance that Kate would even show. Now that she was in your passenger seat, a lazily gorgeous way about her, you nearly had no words. You had hit the usual bout of traffic on the bridge leading out of the city.

“I’m the youngest of three. Usually, that works in someone’s favor, right? I mean, I’m supposed to be the golden child. But that’s not what happened.” You said, “I have an older brother, Garret. He’s not so bad. He was a star quarterback in college but then blew out his knee and settled for coaching instead. Obviously, he’s my mother’s favorite. She’s not too fond of his wife, though. So that’s a point in our favor.”

Kate hummed softly and nodded, her apt attention was on you, and you fought off a subtle build-up of heat in your stomach that was hard to swallow back. You were never one for a loss of words, but her tender stare was enough to reduce you to a stuttering mess.

“Then there’s my sister, Clara. Valedictorian in school. Lawyer and altogether super mom. And her up-tight entrepreneur husband Steven. He says he’s a developer, but I’ve don’t know what that means because he’s never developed a single thing but a god complex.”

“Let me guess, your dad's favorite?”

“Bingo.” You tightened your grip on the wheel and merged into the exit lane. There wasn’t much highway from here, just two hours of bare trees and rolling hillsides. It was beautiful at times, but today held a certain cold greyness to it. “I didn’t make it easy; I suppose. With all my delinquent smoking and drinking, and god forbid the tattoos.”

Kate smiled at this, settling into her seat further “You rebel. Is that something I should know for small talk? That you’re a raging pothead?”

“Throw that in there and my mom will have a conniption.”

“Okay, noted.” She scrunched up her nose “What’s our story, then? How did we meet?”

You drummed your thumbs on the steering wheel and shot her a worried glance. You might be a writer, but this type of story was hard to conjure up. You couldn’t just say you found her trying to break into your neighbor’s apartment with a bobby pin. That seemed like the thing that would get both of you sent back to the city.

“Yeah, I’ve got nothing.”

“I’ve got it. We met at a diner. You liked building little log cabins out of your waffles and I helped you construct a door with a toothpick and the two of us have been inseparable ever since. It wouldn’t kill you to fake some memory loss.” She looked at you expectantly, a small smile on her features.

“That’s literally the plot of an Adam Sandler movie.”

“It’s a cute movie.”

“I hate waffles.”

There was a quick silence in the car before the two of you burst into laughter. It was a nice sound. It warmed your bones after the week you had had. For a moment it didn’t matter that Kate was nearly a stranger. It didn’t’ matter that Oliver had fired you. It just mattered that you shared this moment.

“Alright… I think we met at an event.” You said, once the quiet settled again. “For work. It was one of those fancy galas that the Gazette covers all the time. You were the least boring person in the room, and- stunning. All eyes were on you, but you didn’t care to be there either. So, you suggested that we leave.”

You kept your eyes on the road. Kate’s stare was piercing, so you didn’t’ allow yourself to meet it. You knew this trek like the back of your hand: what exits to take, where to slow because a cop would be waiting against the side of the mountain for anyone pedal happy or reckless. You weren’t either of those things.

“I said no at first, but one look at you made me change my mind. We spent the night entirely too dressed up in a 24-hour diner talking, getting to know each other. You wrote your number on the napkin and the rest was history.”

The tires against wet asphalt was the only sound that you could hear over your own blood rushing past your ears. It felt like another moment where your mouth got ahead of your mind. Maybe you had overstepped and the whole night would be filled with awkward conversations and a clear transparency to their fake relationship.

You chanced a look at Kate. Her stare was still on you, ghostly and tender all at once. She had a proud tilt to her jaw as the sun had finally begun to stream through the windshield. It wasn’t hard to imagine the scene: the sparkling gowns, their edges dirtied by the diner floor, the scent of perfume and Shepard’s pie mixed with cold clove cigarettes.

“You’re a writer?” She asked.

“What?”

“What you just said… you’re a writer.”

You frowned, “If you ask my boss, no. Not a very competent one.”

She breathed out, a dumb smile on her lips as she finally turned to watch the way the trees blended together . “I like it. Sounds like us.”

[shemarmooresfedora]

Home

Series Summary: After being arrested, Spencer Reid desperately tries to get back home to his daughter, Camellia, who was placed into foster care in your home.

Pairing: Single!Dad!Spencer x Foster!Mom!Reader

Content/Warnings: mentions of abandonment, unwanted sexual advances (outside character to spencer), swearing, mentions of cheating (doesn’t actually happen), happy ending

Word Count: 2.4k

Masterlist

Chapter 10

You woke up with Spencer’s arm lazily draped over your waist. Rain was pitter-pattering against the window.

You rolled over and cuddled yourself into Spencer’s chest.

“Good morning,” he hummed contently.

“G’morning,” you sleepily mumbled.

“Is my little angel tired from last night?” he asked.

“Very,” you nodded, “Do we have to pick Callie up from her sleepover?”

“She’s staying there until after her soccer practice. I have to go back to my house and get some more clothes to bring over here but other than that, my day is wide open,” he gently stroked your hair.

“I just have two appointments later in the day so I’ll have to go into the office this afternoon,” you yawned.

“I’ll make us breakfast,” Spencer tried to shift out from underneath the covers.

“Or…” you wrapped your arms around him once again, “We can get breakfast on the way to your house and then I get some extra cuddle time.”

“Sounds good to me,” Spencer pressed a kiss to your forehead.

-

“Um hello?” Spencer asked as you both approached the woman standing at his front door.

She turned around and Spencer’s eyes practically bulged out of his head.

“Spencer!” she ran to hug him.

Spencer refused to unclasp his hand from yours, making it very clear he had no intention to return the hug.

“What are you doing here, Austin?”

Austin. This was Callie’s mother. The woman who abandoned them both.

“I’m in between jobs right now, figuring out my purpose in life, you know? I just took a bus and ended up back here again. Got me thinking I should stop by and check in,” she smiled like this was just a casual visit from a friend.

“You wanted to stop by after 11 years and no goodbye?” Spencer asked incredulously.

“I could also use a place to crash for a few days. How’s Camellia doing? Does she still do that thing where she twitches her little nose? I always loved that.”

“Don’t act like you know my daughter at all,” Spencer seethed.

“Spencer,” you got in between them, putting your hands on his chest to calm him down.

You turned to Austin, “One second.”

You led Spencer back down the steps, “Look, I know what she did was very wrong but she did give you the greatest gift of all, Callie, so maybe you could invite her over for dinner and she could just sleep on the couch for the night?”

“Just one night?” Spencer confirmed.

“If you don’t do this now, Callie will probably just track her birth mother down later in life without you there to supervise. Lots of my past foster kids have and it doesn’t always end well.”

“Fine,” Spencer relented, heading back up the front steps.

“You can stay with us for one night,” Spencer emphasized, “I will be watching you the whole time you’re with Callie.”

“Deal!” She clapped her hands excitedly.

“Hi, I’m Y/N,” you introduced yourself, opting to not give a label.

“Nice to meet you,” she replied with a sickeningly sweet smile.

She loaded her few bags of belongings into the back of the car as you and Spencer grabbed some more of his clothes from inside.

Spencer opted to drive so you headed to the passenger side. Austin grabbed the car door handle at the same time as you.

“Oh I’m sorry, were you going to sit here?” she feigned politeness.

“Yeah, I was,” you narrowed your eyes.

Spencer rolled the window down, “Austin, there’s plenty of room in the back.”

“Oh, of course!” she nodded enthusiastically.

You buckled as Spencer placed his hand on your thigh, in view of Austin. You settled in for the most awkward car ride of your life.

-

“Can’t you cancel? Please don’t leave me here with her,” Spencer begged as you got ready to go in for work.

“I would if they were just check-ups but Timmy has a rash I need to check out and I need to write a script so Jessica can get a refill on her medication. If you really don’t want to be alone with her, come with me,” you replied.

“I would but I also don’t trust her enough to leave her alone in your house,” Spencer sighed.

“I’ll be back in an hour,” you kissed him, “An hour and a half tops.”

“What do I even say to her?”

“You don’t have to say much. You’re already being generous enough to let her see Callie for the night. Just make dinner while I’m gone. You could offer her a bath or something if you want her to get out of your hair,” you suggested.

-

Spencer had offered Austin a bath so he didn’t have to deal with the awkward silence while you were gone.

He got to work cooking Rossi’s famous pasta for dinner, dicing onions and boiling the water. He would check the clock every minute and started a countdown in his head of when you would return home.

He heard the water drain from the tub upstairs.

Fuck, he thought, at least 10 more minutes until you’re home.

Austin sauntered down the stairs after her bath in just her bra and underwear, wearing one of Spencer’s unbuttoned dress shirts over top.

Spencer’s hands flew to cover his eyes, “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Hopefully you,” she smirked.

“I have a girlfriend, well it’s not official yet but I am very much committed to her,” Spencer stated.

“If it’s not official,” she drew closer, “Then, this wouldn’t be cheating.”

“I don’t care if it’s technically not cheating. I only have interest in Y/N,” Spencer spoke firmly, his hands still over his eyes.

“Just once, Spence…for old time’s sake,” she whispered in his ear.

“No,” Spencer backed up further into the pot of sauce he was cooking for dinner, spilling a bit of the hot liquid on himself.

Spencer opened his eyes at the burning sensation, “Now look what you did,” he sighed frustratedly, starting to undo the buttons of his shirt, “I have to soak this before it stains. I can’t believe you. Why would you think this is okay?”

“Just go wash your shirt, Spencer,” Austin rolled her eyes.

Spencer, being so angry, didn’t hear the door open.

“I’m not finished with you, Austin,” he stared her down.

He heard a squeak from the other side of the room. You were standing there, fresh tears running down your face.

Spencer looked down at his unbuttoned shirt, Austin’s lack of clothes, and recalled the last thing he said.

“Y/N, it’s not what it looks like-” he tried to run after you but you were already out the door, slamming it behind you.

Spencer scrambled outside to where you were starting your car back up again.

“Y/N,” he frantically tapped against the car window, “Please let me explain.”

You didn’t even turn to face him, shifting the car into reverse and peeling out of the driveway.

Spencer stormed back inside, grabbing Austin’s bags, “Get the fuck out of Y/N’s house and get the fuck out of my family’s life.”

“But Callie isn’t even home yet,” she argued.

“Good,” Spencer yelled, “Because it took you less than 3 hours for your true colors to show again. You care about nothing! You didn’t want anything to do with us then so you don’t get to have anything to do with us now,” Spencer escorted her towards the door, “I will not hesitate to file for a restraining order if I see you near me, Y/N, or my daughter ever again.”

“Can I at least change?” she asked as Spencer threw her bags on the front step.

“You were plenty comfortable showing me who repeatedly told you no so might as well show the whole neighborhood,” he slammed the door in her face.

-

How dare he? In your house. Probably in your bed.

You went back to your office because Spencer couldn’t even leave you the dignity to retreat back to your own safe space that was now tainted with bad memories.

Luckily, you had a few pairs of spare clothes that you always kept in the office and a fully made cot in case a patient needed to rest. You settled yourself on the bed, letting the tears begin to fall again, drenching your pillow as you let sleep take over.

-

“Please pick up please please please,” Spencer begged.

“Hi, you’ve reached Dr. Y/N Y/L/N. I can’t come to the phone right now-”

Spencer hung up and hit his head against the steering wheel. He had already said what he needed to say in the previous 20 voicemails, followed by the additional 30 calls he made every 15 minutes, hoping you would pick up.

“At least you’re not blocked?” Callie tried her hardest to put a positive spin on it.

She didn’t know the full story, coming home after soccer practice to see her dad crying on the couch. Spencer told her that her mother had come back and hurt Y/N’s feelings badly because that was essentially what happened, right?

Spencer had been replaying the situation over and over in his head. Yes, it looked bad from the outside perspective but he didn’t think he actually did anything wrong. If only he could find Y/N, explain it to her and have her believe him.

“Have fun at school,” he hugged her goodbye before she hopped out of the car.

“Remember to tell Mrs. Roberts to drop you off at our place, not Y/N’s,” he reminded her.

“Our house is going to feel so dull though. It’s always cold, did you notice that? We don’t even have a cat,” she whined.

“The least we can do is give Y/N her space to process,” Spencer told her, “If she’s ready for us to come back into her life eventually, we’ll gladly take it.”

“If?” Callie grimaced, “How bad did my mother mess this up?”

“I’d rather not say,” Spencer simply stated.

“That sounds promising,” Callie sighed, “Bye, Dad. Love you.”

“Love you too, sweetheart.”

-

“Could you give this note to Doctor Y/L/N?” Spencer asked the receptionist.

Y/N,

Your house is cleared out. Despite your previous statement, it is obvious we have overstayed our welcome at the moment. I hope if you give me a chance to explain, it will ease your pain and in turn, mine. I swear to you, angel, nothing happened. I can tell the full story whenever you are ready and I hope you can hear the truth in my voice.

Yours,

Spencer

“Jake Gomez?” he heard you call out.

He turned around to see a little kid hopping out of his seat in the waiting room and following you into the clinic area. You made brief eye contact with him and you looked so broken. It took everything in him not to run up and beg on his knees for your forgiveness.

-

Callie had a big soccer game coming up and you really wanted to go but you also really didn’t want to see Spencer.

Sure, you got his note but he could easily have lied. It was hard to argue with what you saw right in front of your eyes.

You pulled your hair back into a low bun and wore a hood pulled over a hat as well as sunglasses. You made sure to blend in with the crowd of moms.

You saw Spencer about 2 rows of bleachers down, leaning against the fence. God, why did he have to look so good in jeans?

Despite your sunglasses, one of the moms caught the subject of your stares.

“I’m pretty sure he’s single too,” she nudged you, “If I didn’t have a husband, I would be all over that fine piece of ass.”

You just nervously nodded in response.

-

The game had gone into overtime. The teams had to take turns shooting on the opposing goalie’s net. Each team must take 5 shots with 5 different players and whoever makes the most wins.

Callie was put in the stressful position of needing to make the shot to win the game for her team. She took her time, lining up the shot and stretching out her legs.

Callie ran in for the kick, faking left and when the goalie dived, she kicked right.

“Score!” the ref announced.

“Yes, Callie!” you stood and screamed in excitement, “That’s what I’m talking about!”

After the initial shock wore off, you realized Spencer was staring directly at you.

You grimaced, “Um excuse me, sorry, excuse me,” you repeated as you tried to quickly get out of the aisle.

“Y/N, please wait!” Spencer ran after you.

“I came for Callie, Spencer, not you,” you huffed, slowing to a walk because the parking lot was up a hill and you weren’t about to sprint the whole way.

“Please, Y/N, let me explain. I miss you so much, it hurts,” he pleaded.

“Oh you’re hurt?” you asked incredulously, “I’m sorry that me leaving after I found you cheating on me hurt you.”

“I didn’t cheat!” Spencer insisted, “She was coming on to me but I rejected her every single time. I was yelling at her for how inappropriate her behavior was, that's what you walked in on.”

“You were yelling at her with your shirt off?”

“I had my eyes covered at first so I wouldn’t see her indecent but I accidentally backed into the sauce and I didn’t want to stain my shirt.”

You sat there in silence, processing his story.

“Please say something. I’ll do anything to make it right, I need you back.”

A tear fell from Spencer’s eye which was followed by many more.

“I think your story is just crazy enough that I believe you,” you spoke.

“Really?” Spencer asked.

“Really,” you outreached your arms for a hug.

Spencer dove into your embrace like it was his air. He cried into your chest for 10 minutes until he finally met your eyes again.

“I’m sorry, I just thought I was never going to get to do this again,” he squeezed you tighter, “I love you, Y/N, and I want you to be my girlfriend. I actually want you to be more than my girlfriend someday but this is a good start for now.”

“I love you too,” you kissed him, “And just curious, what did you have in mind for the future?”

“I’m going to make you my wife someday,” he grinned.

A/N: one chapter left of this series! 🥺❤️

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[crispy-chan]

burning sunflower | yang jeongin

↠ pairing: yang jeongin x gn!reader

↠ genre & warnings: fluff, hanahaki au (vomiting flower petals), lil bit of angst, strangers to friends to lovers, school au, soccer player!jeongin

↠ summary: your only friend Seungmin introduces you to Jeongin, the star of the school's soccer club and one of the most popular guys in the school. you two become friends quickly but you start to catch feelings...

↠ word count: 6.8k

↠ a/n: sooo, this was written for the @newskynet Valentine's day special event. Not sure if it's too late but it's Sunday evening where I live... if I slipped up with the gn! reader, please let me know. feel free to roast me for my lame header, I just decided to put the lectures on how to use GIMP to good use lmao

the prompts I used were: 21 “For me?”,  6. “No one’s ever given me something like this before.”  16. “Will you be my valentine?”

my masterlist

One.

You're not really sure when you started to like Jeongin. I mean, you two were friends, don't get me wrong but that was it. Friends.

That was all he would ever see you as, you thought bitterly. The label that many would love to have but you cursed yourself for it every day. You see, you were first introduced to the smiling boy by your good friend Seungmin who thought you should at least try to make friends other than him, claiming that he won't be with you forever.

***

“Oh come on Min, I thought we'd always be friends,” you whined as he dragged you to a small cafe after school where you would meet his friend.

“Stop acting so childish Y/N, you have to start talking to other people too, you know.”

“But whyyyy? I have you, right?” you giggled at his unamused expression, telling you that he had enough of your shit.

“Nope. You're going to make other friends and that's final. You wouldn't want to really turn into a hermit crab,” he said smugly.

Now it was your turn to look unimpressed. “You don't need to bring up my spirit animal, sheesh. What a low blow, even for someone like you, Min.”

“What was a low blow?” a boy around your age with a cheerful smile approached you giving you a questioning look. You just stood there nervously, staring at him for god knows how long until Seungmin finally broke the ice with a rather awkward cough and proceeded to introduce you guys.

“Y/N, this is Jeongin. Jeongin, this is Y/N,” he pointed at the two of you, swiftly introducing you to the other.

“Um,” you awkwardly extended your hand for a handshake, “hello, I'm Y/N, Seungmin's friend.”

He shook your hand with a firm grip before smiling from ear to ear, “I'm Jeongin, from the neighboring class.”

After you guys settled, you proceeded to order your drinks and snacks. The atmosphere was undeniably awkward, but Seungmin seemed adamant about reaching his goal.

“So look guys, I brought you both here because you both need more friends. You're both introverts who like to hide in their shells and I think you two have a lot in common, so I think this would be beneficial for both parties.”

“So you're basically trying to say that you don't want to hang out with us anymore?”

The innocence in his tone almost fooled you for a second, before you noticed the smug expression on his face and couldn't hold in the burst of laughter.

“Man, I like him already,” you sniggered after you caught your breath, patting a visibly annoyed Seungmin on the back.

“Who would have thought there is someone more savage than you in this school.”

The unimpressed deadpan he gave you made you fall into another fit of giggles, prompting Jeongin to chuckle too.

After the waitress came back with your beverages, you proceeded to distract yourself by making little paper balls and blowing them through your straw into the ceramic pot on the table. You got so distracted, that you spaced out and didn’t notice when Seungmin started waving his hand in front of your face.

“Y/N, Y/N! Are you even listening?”

You felt your cheeks heat up in embarrassment at being caught zoning out. No wonder you had no friends. Slowly lifting your head, you faced Seungmin, waiting for him to repeat what he just said.

“I asked if you wanted to come to watch him play on Saturday.”

“Watch who?” you asked confusedly.

“Jeongin, he's on our school's soccer team,” he deadpanned, annoyed at your lack of concentration.

“Umm, sure...I guess. I'm not much of a sports person but I have nothing to do on the weekend,” you mumbled, mentally checking for any possible plans or chores you could have. Well jokes on you, you had none.

Jeongin beamed at that, taking a sip from his beverage as he pulled out his phone. “I'm glad you can make it - Seungmin would come but he has an exam he has to prepare for,” he explained, “the match starts at five o'clock.”

“Wait, wait, what? There's an exam next week?” you screeched. You were almost positive that there weren't any but dread filled you at even the slightest possibility.

The boy let out a chuckle at your obvious panic, shaking his head. “No, the exam is in two weeks but you know how he is.”

You could feel a weight being lifted from your heart as you sighed in relief. “Thank god, I thought I missed something,” you giggled.

Jeongin smiled at the display. Maybe hanging out with you wouldn't be that bad, at least he'd have someone he knew watching the game other than Seungmin who wasn't exactly the most supportive when it came to sports, opting to rearrange his binder or do his homework instead of watching.

“Thanks, it means a lot to me. I'm always happy if there is someone cheering for me in the stands,” he winked, making your heart skip a beat.

Wait a minute.

Something wasn't right here.

After the two of you bid goodbye to Jeongin, you dragged Seungmin out of the cafe, the gears in your head spinning at maximum speed.

“Wait a second Seungmin, he's not that popular striker who scores most of our school's goals that all the girls swoon over, right? Please tell me I'm right,” you stammered, pulling on his sleeve.

“Relax Y/N, he's really nice-”

“So it's him?!”

“Yes,” he sighed, opening his mouth to say something, probably to convince you to not bail on his friend but you didn't even give him the chance.

“I can't believe it! Why didn't you tell me? You made me agree to accompany one of the most popular guys in our school! His fangirls will kill me,” you hissed. Although you never remembered his name, it was practically basic knowledge that anyone on the soccer team was insanely popular with a cult-like following of crazed fans who went after anyone near them.

“Calm down, ok,” he held you by the shoulders, “ you will be ok, alright? He's a really nice guy who could also use some friends. All the other guys on the team are seniors so it's hard for him to find someone he can talk to face to face,” he tried to explain.

“And don't worry,” he added with a smile, “you don't have to do anything, just come and watch the match and cheer him on a bit, alright?”

“Alright,” you groaned.

Two.

You should have never agreed to come to that soccer game. That ultimately became your downfall. If you had never agreed to this, maybe you wouldn't be like this today.

You sighed, rummaging through your closet and trying to figure out what the hell were you supposed to wear. I mean - what was it even. You had no clue what was going to happen, you only knew that he and his teammates would pick you up on their way to the match.

He texted you the day before that he and the boys would stop by your house at three-thirty to come and collect you. After ten minutes of just standing there, you finally decided on a casual outfit and ran to your door to put your sneakers on. As if on cue, you could hear a car honking right outside your door and your phone lit up with a new text message.

Jeongin [03:32]

We're here.

You slammed the door shut and made your way to the vehicle. You could see a boy you recognized but didn't remember his name, behind the wheel. Inside the van, there were a few other boys scattered around, including Jeongin who sat in the back alone.

“Hi Y/N, hop in,” he beamed, rolling down the window. You smiled back, opening the door and taking a seat next to him.

“So, are you excited?” the boy driving turned to look at you with a grin as he slowly backed the car, driving away from your house.

“Yeah, it's been a while since I watched our team play and from what I’ve heard, you guys are pretty good,” you smiled nervously under their gazes.

They all laughed at that, happy to hear they had a good reputation even amongst the students not involved in sports.

“I'm Chan, by the way, captain of our schools’ soccer club,” the boy behind the wheel stated. Oh, so that's why he seemed so familiar. Practically everyone knew him, and he knew everyone too. He'd often greet people who didn't think he knew they existed and was always extra kind which combined with his captain status led to his immense popularity.

“The grumpy one next to me is Minho,” he pointed to the currently sleeping figure in the passenger's seat.

“Hey! I’m not grumpy!”

Well. Looks like he wasn't asleep after all.

“I'm Jisung,” the cheerful boy in front of you chimed as he turned around and gave you a big smile.

“And I'm Hyunjin.”

“Um, well...I'm Y/N,” you winced at how awkward you sounded but luckily, they didn't seem to mind as they all giggled.

“We know,” came Minho's curt reply, “Jeongin wouldn't shut up about you.”

“Ouch,” Minho screeched as Jeonging threw his shoe at him.

The rest of the car ride went rather smoothly, other than the occasional bickering of the guys but you honestly didn't mind. It was kind of comforting to just let go of everything and laugh along. It surprised you how nice they were, you kind of imagined them as selfish pricks but that clearly wasn't the case.

At one point, Hyunjin and Jisung started arguing over which color uniform they should wear for the match. You watched with a hint of amusement, that was until they turned to you for help.

“But look, if we choose the red one, Chan will be able to live out his dream as Christiano Bangnaldo,” Jisung pleaded as Chan let out an embarrassed chuckle.

“Christiano Bangnaldo? Wow, I'm wheezing.”

“Exactly,” Hyunjin cut you guys off, “that's why we should choose the blue one, it goes better with my skin tone.”

“Oi, nobody cares about your damn skin tone, I want to see Christiano Bangnaldo,” Minho stated loudly, completely shutting up the younger two. Welp, seems like it was decided. What Minho wants, Minho gets.

After you finally arrived at the dimly lit school stadium, you made your way out of the car as Jeongin held the door open for you. Smiling, you thanked him for the kind gesture before finally looking around. And your socks were pretty much blown off.

Now you were wondering, why you never came here before. The field was slowly starting to fill with other students slash players but that didn't manage to hide the undeniable beauty of this place. The bleachers were surprisingly clean, unlike most high school stadiums. The dim lights cast a nice glow over the stadium, giving it a really homey feel. You looked around in awe, still surprised by the atmosphere of this place.

“Have you ever been here during the night?” a lean figure stood behind you, observing you and effectively cutting off your train of thought.

“Nope. This is the first time,” you breathed out.

“That's what I thought. It looks completely different when it's dark,” he chuckled, turning around to head to the locker rooms.

“So... I have to head back so we can all change. You can take a seat wherever you want, I'd recommend the first row,” he winked cheekily, accompanying the gesture with a throaty laugh.

You blushed at that, choosing to snuggle into your shirt, to hide your embarrassment. How could he be so cheesy so casually? He must have noticed your slight shiver as he slipped out of his varsity jacket.

Before you could even protest, he had already placed the jacket around your shoulders, patting your head. You opened your mouth to object but he cut you off, “it's ok Y/N, I’m not gonna need it anyways. And by the way...thank you for coming, I really appreciate it.”

You smiled, realizing that something that seemed so pointless, so small could mean so much to someone else. He seemed genuinely excited to have someone cheering for him, even if he had tens of fangirls doing just that. You huffed in the chilly wind, lifting your head up to gaze at him.

“No problem Jeongin, I'm happy I came.”

Something about how he smiled at you, stirred your insides, made your heart skip a beat. Your eyes trailed after him, lingering on his receding figure. You didn't look away until he stepped into the locker room, the door pretty much obstructing your gaze and snapping you out of this trance.

Looking around, you could sense that the stadium was slowly filling up. If you wanted to have a seat, you would have to be quick. You ran down to the first row seats but with a sigh realized that most of them were already taken. You were about to give up and run up to find a spot in the next row but a sharp tug on your sleeve stopped you.

Turning around, you spotted a boy, maybe a year or two older than you, looking at you with a curious face. You tried to pry out of his hold, tugging on your hand but he didn't let go. Right when you were about to scream, he finally spoke, “are you Jeongin's friend? We saved you a seat,” he motioned to the spot next to him.

“How the hell do you know that?” you asked, confusion evident.

“Well,” he chuckled, “the jacket…”

Oh. right. You were wearing Jeongin's varsity jacket. You almost forgot.

“So… are you and Jeongin-”

“No,” you cut him off before he could even finish the sentence, “I'm a friend of a friend who couldn't make it today so I came instead.”

“Oh, you see - I thought, Hyunjin said-” he suddenly stopped, not bothering to continue, instead opting to tug you down to sit next to him.

“Watch,” was all he said.

You sat there obediently, watching the game and occasionally cheering Jeongin on, whenever he passed the ball or attempted to score. He was really good, especially considering that he was the youngest on the team.

During the less intense parts of the game, you made small talk with the boy next to you. He introduced himself as Jinyoung. He was the captain of the lacrosse team and a good friend of Chan and Hyunjin. You found out that as a captain, he would attend almost all the other sports events that his friends partook in, claiming it to be common courtesy.

Both of you refocused your attention on the game. Your team seemed to be on the offensive again, Hyunjin passing the ball to Jisung, who maneuvered around one of the opposing team’s defenders before eventually passing to Minho.

Just when he was about to kick it, another leg appeared from the side, tripping him and making him fall flat on his face. He managed to at least stick out his hands so they would take the brunt of the fall but he struggled to get up on his feet.

Before the other boy could get away with the ball, the referee blew the whistle, signalizing a foul and stopping the game.

“What happened? Is he ok?” you asked, frantically scrambling up and leaning into the field from behind the barrier.

“Don't worry,” Jinyoung chuckled, “he'll be fine. They'll probably be getting a penalty kick. And I bet you a hundred bucks that Jeongin will be the one to take the shot.”

“Wait really? Is he that good?” you surprisedly inquired.

“Yeah, he's the best shot on the team.”

Now you were excited. You heard that he was good but never realized to what extent.

Jinyoung was right. You could see the coach huddled with the players in a circle, probably talking strategy or something before Chan patted Jeongin on the back. They all withdrew from the group circle leaving Jeongin to stand in front of the ball and the other team's goalkeeper to hunch down in preparation for the kick.

The referee blew the whistle, signalizing the resuming of the game. Jeongin took a few steps back before bursting into a run, kicking the ball into the upper left corner with utmost control.

You all stood up in anticipation, the kick seeming almost as if in slow motion, you could see the goalkeeper jump to his left, desperate to catch the ball before it landed in the net but his attempt was futile.

The kick he delivered was far too good to be caught, the expert technique and control visible to any onlooker. Paired with a huge roar of applause, you could all see the ball land in the goal with a thud.

Everyone erupted in cheers, including you and the atmosphere was great. You could see a few photographers who probably worked for the local sports columns, their cameras clicking like crazy, trying to capture the moment of glory of this young high schooler.

All of his teammates pulled Jeongin into a collective embrace, Chan slipping off his goalkeeper gloves before hoisting the boy on his shoulder.

In the heat of the moment, Jeongin looked through the spectators, trying to find the person that came to watch him. When he spotted you, cheering him on with a big grin, he couldn't help the fond smile from appearing. After he finally caught your gaze, he shot you a friendly wink, laughing at your flustered reaction.

“Wow, just friends you say,” Jinyoung teased, witnessing the whole exchange.

“Oh shut up! We met like a week ago.”

***

Fast forward to the end of the match. You guys won two to none, the second goal scored by Minho with the assistance of Jeongin and Hyunjin. Everyone was excited, the adrenalin and momentum of the game still hasn't passed. The smell of sweat and coke (coca-cola!) heavy in the air as you sat with the team on the benches and reminiscenced the game.

“Jeongin! That goal of yours was really great, you had so much control over the ball. All those hours of practice have paid off!”

Jeongin shyly hid his face, all the praise from his captain making him feel fuzzy from the inside.

“Yeah, everyone in the bleachers froze in anticipation when you kicked the ball,” you chimed in, feeling the need to join the praise bandwagon for the boy, “it was really cool.”

After that, Jeongin continued to receive pats on the back from fellow teammates, a few coaches, and random people that you didn't even know who came to congratulate him on his flawless playing today.

Overall, everyone had a great time. The stars were out and you all just wanted to soak up the atmosphere. So this is what having a social life during your teenage years meant? It made you wonder, how much were you missing out on. You wished time would just freeze, allowing you to live in this moment forever. You were gonna have to thank Seungmin for this later.

Jeongin, who was seated next to you must have noticed you zoning out. He placed his palm on your shoulder and asked, “are you ok Y/N? Do you want us to take you home?”

You blinked. Once. Twice. And only after the third time did you realize, that you still haven’t answered his question. You smiled before letting the reassuring words slip out of your mouth, “I'm fine. Great actually. Can't remember when was the last time I had so much fun.”

He sighed in relief, glad that you were having fun. From what he could tell (and from what Seungmin told him) you didn't have many friends nor did you hang out with people. The only person you considered a friend was Seungmin and he wasn't exactly a social butterfly himself, opting to study in most of his free time.

All of you ended up chatting until nine pm, completely forgetting about the time and simply enjoying yourselves. You checked your phone at nine-thirty, gasping in shock at the time.

“Everything ok?” Chan asked with concern.

“Um, yeah. Just didn’t realize it was so late. I should probably get going,” you muttered nervously, picking up all your belongings and shoving them into your bag.

“Oh right, it's quite late already. We'll give you a ride, right Chan?” Jeongin turned to his captain.

“Of course. Let's all get going. Chop chop. C'mon Hyunjin, you can tell them about your skincare routine next time,” he pulled the whining boy away from his third victim today.

You packed yourselves into the van, the seating arrangements only slightly different from on your way here. Hyunjin must have been still pissed at Chan for cutting his skincare speech short because he wouldn't shut up about it on the way to the parking lot. He kept going on and on about how moisturizing is important, even if you have oily skin. The captain dismissed his rant with a laugh and started the engine as the complaining boy sat down in the passenger seat.

At some point, Into the unknown came on shuffle and all the boys except Jeongin started singing. You burst out in laughter at their failed attempts at singing the high notes, seeing Jeongin hide his face in embarrassment.

“Guys! Come on, stop it,” he pleaded but the older boys only smirked in response and started singing even louder. By now, you were dying from laughing so hard, Jeongin having to pat your back aggressively so you won't choke on your own spit.

After they got bored of singing, you became their main talking point and they kept asking you borderline intrusive questions until Jeongin told them off, seeing how you turned slightly uneasy. Because of the typical Saturday evening traffic, you ended up falling asleep on the shoulder of a slightly pink Jeongin. He became super nervous once he realized you weren't awake and tried his best not to move and to hold you steady on every speed bump.

It took about fifteen more minutes for you guys to arrive in front of your place. Chan parked on the street and turned to say goodbye.

“Thanks for coming, Y/N. We're glad you came. Hope you had fun too,” he smiled, his dimples making an appearance.

“Jeongin especially,” Jisung whispered not-so-quietly and squeaked from the death glare Chan shot him.

You laughed softly, your cheeks bunching up as you waved them goodbye.

When you were laying in bed, your mind wandered off to today's events. As much as you didn't want to admit it, Seungmin was right. You really enjoyed yourself.

***

It was a sunny Monday morning when you were walking up the steps to your school entrance. You spent the rest of the weekend thinking about the Saturday game, not yet sure, how you felt about this newfound hobby. Maybe you should really spend more time with people. You also washed up Jeongin's varsity jacket that you forgot to return on Saturday evening.

You held the paper bag containing the washed piece of clothing in your right hand as you pushed the entrance door with your left. It felt all too easy, almost as if the door opened on its own. And you realized that no, you didn't grow stronger from that one arm toning workout you did yesterday as you saw a veiny hand press into the glass.

You turned to face that mystery person, only to sigh in relief as you were left face to face with Chan.

“Oh, hello,” you smiled, greeting him rather timidly. Because let's face it - you weren't exactly sure if they even considered you a friend. You were just some random girl that came to their soccer game.

Thankfully, he seemed to consider you a friend too as he gave you his dimpled smile, “hey Y/N, how was your weekend?”

“It was pretty good. I had lots of fun on Saturday and yesterday I just chilled,” you beamed.

“Same here,” he laughed, “we all pretty much passed out when we got home- oh shoot, the bell's off, I have to get to class. See you around.”

With a simple wave, he dashed out of your sight, turning around the corner to climb up the stairs to his classroom. You then remembered that you too had class and if you didn't wanna be late, you'd have to make a dash for it too.

***

It was during lunch break that you remembered that you had to return Jeongin his jacket. You nervously walked to his homeroom, anxious about what was going to happen. Will he think you're weird for coming to his class? Will he be embarrassed when you come up to him in front of all his friends? You sighed as you entered the classroom. It seemed like nobody noticed you at first, everyone was way too immersed with their own stuff. You could see that they all got along, the room booming with chatter and laughter.

Jeongin's table was near the window, a girl's chair turned to face him as they both engaged in a conversation. You awkwardly shuffled a few meters away, not wanting to interrupt. It was a truly wrecking moment, you even considered just turning around and disappearing without a trace but Jeongin noticed you and gave you a wide smile.

“Hey Y/N. What brings you here?”

You stood there for a few seconds before you finally remembered, what you came for. “Umm, hi. Just wanted to return this,” you handed him the bag, “I washed it and everything. Thanks for borrowing it.”

His eyes flashed in recognition after he peeked into the bag and he immediately returned the bag to your hand.

“It's fine,” he mumbled with slightly rosy cheeks (not that you noticed), “you can have it, I don't mind.”

You stared at him in shock, mouth slightly agape to which he awkwardly laughed. You were about to protest but the bell rang and Jeongin muttered that you should better get back to class.

You nodded in embarrassment, not even being able to look him in the eye as you hastily waved and ran out of the classroom.

You were mentally beating yourself up for that, you should have never come to his class, he must have been embarrassed that someone like you came to his class, everyone was probably used to him hanging around popular people like that girl he was talking to.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. You stuffed the paper bag with his jacket into your backpack, what were you even supposed to do with it - did he not hear that you washed it or something?

When you arrived home, you hung the jacket on one of the hooks near the door and headed to your room to get some homework done.

Three

It was a few months later that you and Jeongin officially became friends. During that time, the both of you hung out a lot more, courtesy of Seungmin and the rest of the soccer team who thought the two of you made great friends. It started out simple at first: getting coffee together, working on homework, and cursing that physics assignment you both had no clue how to finish.

Times like these made you realize how much of a fun person Jeongin was. There was never a dull moment around him yet despite his easygoing and fun nature, you noticed he preferred to keep to himself, only hanging out with his closest circle of friends. A category which you seemed to now fall under too.

Despite all your anxiousness about whether you were even “worthy” (as some would say) of being his friend, Jeongin always told you that he didn't care if you weren't labeled as popular by the rest of the student body.

“Y/N, we've had this conversation many times already. I really couldn't care less that you aren't a popular cheerleader and don't have Gucci bags,” he smiled, pushing a stray strand of hair that fell in front of your face, behind your ear.

“I know, I know. Sorry Jeongin, I know you aren't like that. I just get really anxious when those kids bury me with their gazes when I dare look at you.”

“Look, if anyone is bothering you, please tell me ok? I'll talk to them. I don't want you to suffer from being my friend,” he smiled, waving the waitress over to order for you guys.

“Don't worry, Jeongin. I promise I will,” you smiled, turning back to your physics workbook. The homework was on magnetic motors or something like that and you had no clue how to do it.

“Umm, do you know the answer to question three?” you asked, chewing on your bottom lip.

“Nope. I fell asleep during that class,” he admitted with a chuckle.

“Oh come on. You can't do that. You should pay attention.”

“Like you paid any,” he pointed, taking a sip of his lemonade.

“Excuse me!” you gasped, “I did pay attention. I just didn't understand any of it. That's different.”

“Hmm. It sure is.”

Four

You were leaning over the sink in your bathroom, blood and flower petals splattered all over as you tried your best to get it all out of your throat. The petals were bright yellow. Sunflower petals.

How ironic, you thought. Sunflowers represented adoration, longevity, and pure thoughts. Just like how you felt towards Jeongin. And how he'd never feel towards you.

You bit back a sob as you choked on even more of the soft petals. In a sense, you were quite lucky - had you been coughing up any other flower (especially roses), it would probably hurt way more. But that still didn't mean that it wasn't painful. Your breath heaved as you tried your best to take deep breaths, your constricted lungs filled with petals, not exactly helping.

You have been suffering from the hanahaki disease for a few weeks now. You always thought it was a myth from the internet, never once have you expected to run to the bathroom at three am to hurl petals into the sink. It started slowly at first. You'd only cough out some petals and drops of blood, but it got progressively worse.

You'd have days that you wouldn't be able to even get out of bed with the exhaustion you felt. All you wanted to do was sleep and forget about the cute boy with dimples. But no, you could never be angry at Jeongin. He was an absolute sweetheart who was nothing but kind to everybody. You couldn't exactly blame him for being around other people. That's right, you didn't know if they were dating but he seemed to hang around this girl called Lia a lot recently, the one he was talking to months prior. They seemed to be good friends too, apparently knowing each other for years now. You tried your best to suppress the jealousy that was rising in you, along with the petals.

You quickly turned back to the sink, just in time for it to catch the new batch of bloodied petals. Even thinking about her made your heart ache and you absolutely despised yourself for that. Lia was nothing but a sweet girl that always smiled at you in the hallway and occasionally made small talk with you.

***

A week later you were walking down the corridor, looking for the vending machine. It seems like they recently moved it from its original location, in front of the lab. You turned around the corner, your eyes bulging out of your skull at what you saw.

Jeongin and Lia were hunched near the lockers, whispering and giggling at something. He said something, making the girl shake her head in denial as he arched his brow. You couldn't watch anymore, quickly running back and abandoning your original plan of finding the vending machine and instead, running to the bathroom. You slammed the door shut, flinging yourself over the toilet as you vomited heaps of the yellow petals, this time mixed with some green leaves and stems. This was by far the worst case, you have never thrown up green before.

You wiped your dry lips, attempting to take deep breaths and calm your heart. It was horrible what seeing the two together did to you. You couldn't believe you lost control like that only a few meters away from him. What would happen if he saw you?

You had to suppress it. He could never find out.

***

It was a truly painful day. Tomorrow was Valentine's Day and you could see all the stores decorated with pinks and reds, hearts everywhere, and signs welcoming couples with tempting discounts.

Your stomach did flips as you walked the path to the school door. It hurt. It hurt so fucking much. You contemplated calling sick the next day and not going to school at all, but you had an important paper to hand in and the professor was especially grumpy and wanted it on his desk on that particular day.

You trudged up the steps with a frown, when you heard your name being called.

“Hey, Y/N,” Chan called after you, running up the stairs to catch up.

“Oh hey, Chan,” you mumbled, mustering up your best fake smile but he still managed to see through it.

“Is everything ok?” he asked, obviously concerned.

“Yeah, just a little tired,” you dismissed, leaving him and running towards your locker.

Good job Y/N, you groaned, now you can't even hang out with your other friends.

You spent the rest of the day avoiding the whole group, trying your best to overpower the need to throw up petals. You didn't want to repeat the previous incident in school. Jeongin must have by now noticed how distant you were. He probably thought you hated him by how you kept avoiding him for the past month.

He probably wanted to ask you to come to his game tomorrow which you sure as hell weren't planning to attend. On top of the fact that you could literally shower the whole stands with petals, it was also going to be Valentine's day and there was no telling if the boy was going to ask Lia out or something like that.

And your heart wouldn't be able to handle that.

You ran home after your last period. Your stomach growled at the lack of lunch but you figured it was better than running into one of them.

You stomped into the bathroom, not even taking off your shoes as you threw up into the bin. There was more blood today. There was no telling of what would happen tomorrow, the romantic atmosphere would probably only serve as a bitter reminder of your broken heart.

You wiped your lips, deciding that taking a shower would be in your best interest. After that, you sat by your desk and made some finishing touches to the essay due tomorrow.

Maybe you would just come to turn it in and then dip…

***

You woke up with a strangled cry, the dream you had still playing in your head. With a groan you slumped out of bed, ready to prepare for the day but to your horror, you realized that you overslept. You had approximately ten minutes before you had to leave.  You brushed your teeth, shoved some toast down your throat, and gathered your things. With a sense of urgency, you threw on jeans, a blouse, and some sneakers, not feeling like dressing up.

You had to leave immediately. Like now. You grabbed your backpack, quickly checking the essay was there, took your keys off the hook, and grabbed the first jacked you could find. It was dark blue (and very soft) meaning it would match almost anything you had on and since the weather was chilly, you wouldn't want to risk catching a cold.

Running out the door, you pulled it on and slung the backpack on your shoulder, running to the bus stop. Only then did you notice the engraved initials YJ on the sleeve and cursed yourself for bringing the wrong one. You would have taken it off right away if it wasn't for the blasting AC.

You stomped up the chairs, annoyance coursing through your veins. This day couldn't get any worse. Still thinking about leaving after handing in the assignment, you almost avoided going to your locker but remembered the jacket. You'd just drop it in and head to the professor's office.

You dug around for your keys until you finally found them in the bottom of your backpack. You slid it in the keyhole and opened the locker.

You were surprised by a giant teddy plushie and a box of chocolates. Your eyes widened in surprise before you heard a loud “surprise”.

Turning around, you were face to face with a grinning Jeongin. He stood over you with a large bouquet of beautiful sunflowers and the rest of the team, Lia, and Seungmin were all behind him cheering and throwing confetti.

To say that you were in shock would be a massive understatement. The look of utter confusion must have been plastered on your face as Jeongin smiled and handed you the bouquet.

“For me?”

He nodded slowly, examining your expression. You took the flowers from him, lowering your head to smell them.

“No one's ever given me something like this before,” you croaked, tears beginning to well in your eyes.

Jeongin nervously stood there before grabbing your hand and looking you in the eyes.

“Y/N, we've been friends for some time now but I wanted to ask you… Will you be my valentine?”

“Of course I will,” you whispered, almost jumping at him and swallowing him in a bone-crushing hug.

“I've liked you for some time now,” you admitted after a while, burying your head into his chest and enjoying the sudden way you seemed to breathe easier, not feeling the itchy petals in your throat anymore.

“Same here,” he laughed.

“Wait really? Since when?” you asked perplexed.

“Since I gave you my jacket,” he grinned, “I'm glad to see that you're making proper use of it.”

“Come on everybody, let's leave them alone,” Chan hollered, dragging everybody away to give you guys some privacy.

“I'm sorry if it seemed like I was avoiding you for the past week. I was planning with Lia on how to do, how to do all of this, you know,” he pointed at all the gifts he got you.

“Thank you,” you smiled again, “I really appreciate it Jeongin.”

“Do you want to come to the game today? I'd introduce you to all my other friends.”

“I'd love to.”

He seemed to be thinking about something, his nose scrunching up before he looked at you and placed his hands on your waist.

You peered at him through your lashes as he slowly leaned down, pressing his plush lips to yours and sealing them into a kiss. You closed your eyes, leaning down to get even closer to him as you gripped his shirt for support. The kiss was short but sweet and you were startled apart by a loud wolf whistle.

You turned around, cheeks burning in embarrassment at Jisung doing kissy faces and Hyunjin laughing in the background. You almost jumped away and Jeongin just chuckled.

“The game starts two hours after school. Do you want to go on like a proper date before that?”

“Sure,” you smiled, “I should probably get going, I have to submit this essay,” you waved the piece of paper that counted for nearly half of your final grade for the quarter.

“Don't forget the flowers,” he pointed to the bouquet.

“About that, maybe I should leave it in my locker. You know - to not start anything,”

“Y/N,” he said with a serious tone, “I don't care what the others think. They'll know by the evening anyways.”

You were startled at first, but then realized that he was right. No more caring about what others thought about you.

Now it was just you and Jeongin. You liked the sound of that.

“Okay,” you smiled, picking up the flowers, “I'll meet you at two in front of the lockers.”

With a smile, you walked in the direction of your classroom. After weeks of pain and sorrow, you finally felt like everything fell into place.

***

a/n: aaaaaaah. idk why all my oneshots so far are for jeongin but nvm. hope you liked it. it couldn't resist the idea of soccer player jeongin ;)

[mister-supernova]

Missed Connection

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

Pairing: Hope Mikaelson x Reader 

It’s almost been a month since your encounter with the stranger you believed to be from your dreams. Without any luck of seeing her again, you were beginning to think that maybe that’s all she was; just some mere figment of your imagination that you so desperately wanted to have all the answers you needed. 

As insufferably difficult this summer was for you, you still managed to get through it. You thought it was because school wasn’t in session and that you’d be back in your element in no time once classes begin again. 

That was what you had hoped for anyways, but alas even when the halls were filled with your peers and your routine was back in place, nothing seemed to change. The mysterious void in your chest didn’t ease like you wished it would.

You couldn’t help but wonder if your friends had been feeling the same way, too. Surely there’s no chance that you could be alone in this situation, right? 

“You can’t tell me that things haven’t felt a little weird since Landon destroyed Malivore. He doesn’t even know how it happened, Lizzie.” 

The blonde Saltzman nearly whips you in the face with her hair as she abruptly turns to face you in the crowded hallway. “Y/n, we live in a world where witches, werewolves, and vampires exist. Everything in our lives is bound to have a tiny amount of weirdness.”

She made a good point and you knew that, but you also knew that this feeling was different. It had to be. 

Lizzie frowns at the disappointed look on your face and rests a comforting hand on your shoulder, “Look, the most important thing is that Malivore is gone. No more bizarre monsters coming to kill us every week. Now try to stop overthinking things and let’s get through this school year in peace.”  

Before you knew it, your conversation ended just as quickly as it started and Lizzie was on her way back to class. You hang your head with a defeated sigh, desperately searching the hallway for someone who may be just as lost as you were. Instead, you see everyone going about their first day back like normal. 

Students who were away with their families are now smiling brightly as they reunite with friends. Other groups of friends laugh at a joke another says as they pass you by and you wonder if there was someone you should be doing that with.

The clarity that you sought out today only made you more confused than ever. At this point you wished that it was still summer vacation because seeing your classmates having a great first day back had you thinking that you really were alone with your feelings.  

Maybe you just needed a day to hang out with your friends after class today. They may not share your thoughts on how odd things have felt recently, but being around them definitely helps clear your head. 

“I’m sorry, Y/n. You know Landon and I would be down to watch a movie or something, but we’re going on our official first date today.” Josie tells you, disheartened. 

After the multitude of movie dates the two of them shared throughout the summer, you’re surprised that none of those had been labeled as dates, but you weren’t going to tell her that outloud. The two of them seem to be really happy to be spending so much time together and you weren’t going to get in the middle and be the third wheel no one wants, especially on a first date. 

“No worries, Jo. I’ll ask Lizzie and MG if they’re free.” She gives you a gentle squeeze on your arm with a sympathetic smile before you go off to find her sister. 

Things didn’t seem to be going to plan here either.

“If I hadn’t already agreed to this stupid- I mean,” she grits her teeth with a forced smile, “very cool study date with MG I’d totally hang out with you. God knows I’d rather do anything else.” You knew you weren’t supposed to hear that last part, but Lizzie was always awful at lowering her voice. 

If you weren’t already feeling distraught, this definitely was the cherry on top of your depressing cake of sadness. 

Instead of showing Lizzie that, you plastered the fakest smile you could and responded with, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll just… hang out downtown and get myself a milkshake at the Grill or something.” 

Plan “get your friends to distract you from the abrasive thoughts penetrating your brain” had failed, but you weren’t going to let it stop you from at least getting out of the school for a couple of hours. With everyone so busy while classes are back in session, it made you wonder what in the world you did after school before this year. 

As much as you tried hyping up how fun it was going to be hanging out downtown by yourself, it only made you feel even more bummed out. Like everything else you’ve been doing since the night Malivore was destroyed, something felt off and nothing seemed to be your remedy.

Minutes turned to hours and you ended up drinking four full glasses of cookies and cream milkshakes at the Grill, literally falling into a sugar coma at your table outside. The sun was barely setting when you got here, but then it was fully dark out when you were woken up from your sugar rush nap. 

“Jesus, Y/n. I thought you were dead or something.” You lean your head upwards to see that it was Landon who woke you from your slumber. 

“One could not be so lucky, phoenix boy.” You groggily respond, stretching out your muscles and wiping any drool from your cheeks.

Looking at your surroundings, you notice that Josie isn’t around. 

“Aren’t you supposed to be on a date?” 

There’s a pained look on Landon’s face at your question, “Yeah, about that… she, uh, she said she wasn’t feeling too good and decided to go back to the school.” 

You raise an eyebrow at him, “What, did you take her to eat sushi or something?” 

That was meant to be a joke, but the look of realization on the curly-haired boy’s face told you all you needed to know. 

“You went to a sushi place.” 

Landon quickly slides into the seat across from yours, “It’s what I suggested. W-Was I not supposed to?”  

“Jo can’t digest any sort of raw food without wanting to convulse. I learned that the hard way when I first started going to the Salvatore school,” you shiver at the memory, “Never again.” 

The phoenix begins falling into a full state of panic, “Oh my God. I didn’t know that! Wh-What am I supposed to do? What if I completely ruined everything? What if she never wants to go on another date with me again? What if-” 

Your patience was thinning very quickly, “Landon, just relax. Take a breather for a second,” you inhale, watching him do the same, and breathe out at the same time, “Go back to the school, check up on her, have a convo about getting some better communication skills and I’m sure everything will be fine.” 

Landon nods, “Okay, okay yeah. That’s good. I’ll, uh, I’ll do that,” he continues to sit across from you until you look at him expectantly, “Do I do that now?”

“For your sake, Josie’s, and especially mine, yes. Now would be great, buddy.” 

“Right, okay. Thanks, Y/n!” He scrambles out of his seat and begins to shuffle away from the Grill. 

“Go get ‘em, Tiger!” You shout with as much enthusiasm you could muster before slumping back into your chair. 

Still dazed from the sugar rush nap and exhausted from that conversation, you lean forward with your elbows on the table and begin wiping the sleep from your eyes using the palms of your hands.

“This is gonna be one hell of a year.”  

“Long day, huh?” You recognize that it’s a girl’s voice you’re hearing, but not one that was familiar to you. 

Moving your hands away from blocking your view, you look up to see the person you convinced yourself was just a figment of your imagination. The long auburn colored hair, fair-skinned, blue eyed girl from your dreams was standing right before you. For a moment, you thought that maybe you really had lost it. 

“Sorry. I just, I saw you sitting here earlier and thought you might want company.”

You’re almost positive that you were staring at her with your mouth hanging open like an absolute idiot. Just say something, dumbass!

“Mind if I join you?” She asks, gesturing towards the now empty chair that Landon left behind. 

“Yes!” 

Idiot! 

“I mean no! No, I uh, I don’t mind.” You chuckle nervously, adjusting yourself in every way possible to hide the fact that you were internally freaking out.

The girl gives you a patient smile before taking the seat in front of you, “So, party of one tonight, huh? I mean, I saw you finish talking to someone right now, but it didn’t seem you two were here together.” 

“Yeah, no. Not together at all or with anyone really,” for some reason you had to make this very clear to her, “That was just a friend of mine who’s having some lady troubles, so I decided to be a good samaritan and give him some positive advice.”

“How chivalrous of you.” Right away you could tell that she was teasing and the nerves you had seconds ago simply began to vanish. 

“Why thank you,” you smile, feeling a wave of warmth when she returns one back, “But yeah, it’s just been me, myself, and I for the night… and day… and probably for the rest of the school year if I’m honest.”

Her smile fades and she tilts her head inquisitively, “What makes you say that?” 

Oh, where to begin. 

“I’ve been asking myself that for a while now actually. Everything should feel perfect given the fact that I have these amazing friends, I go to this incredible school, I’m 100% healthy and not dying of anything that I know of,” you shrug at yourself, “I should be happy with that, but I’m not. It feels so selfish of me to say and I wish I could fix it, but I can’t. How can everything be so close to perfect, but yet there’s still something wrong?” 

The girl stares at you with such empathy and sadness in her eyes that you could swear she was holding something back. 

You continue, “Things also haven’t felt normal lately. My definition of normal anyways. For some reason everything has felt completely off, like I’m missing something. You know when you forget that there’s somewhere you’re supposed to be? Like an event and you don’t realize you’ve forgotten about it until the day of and you say to yourself, ‘oh shit, I can’t believe I forgot about this really important thing’. That’s how I’ve felt ever since summer started,” you notice her tense up slightly, but you continue, “but I can’t remember what I’m forgetting.”

At this point, you were surprised this girl didn’t think you were crazy and start running for the hills. If this were any normal stranger, you wouldn’t feel comfortable enough to overshare the thoughts you’ve been keeping secret from your close friends. For some reason, she made you feel the complete opposite. Strangely enough--given the world you live in--you felt safe with her.

“Everyone at school is making me feel like I’m the only person who feels this way. Everyone else can go back to normal. Everyone else can move on and go on dates and study dates and hang out with their friends and go to class without feeling lost and overall just be… normal.” You finally let go of the breath you had been holding in for what feels like months.

Then you start to laugh at the ridiculousness that just spewed out of your mouth, “Jesus Christ. I’m so sorry. You probably thought you were going to have an innocent ‘nice weather we’re having’ type of conversation, but instead you got a stranger dumping their whole life crisis onto you.” 

“You really don’t have to apologize. Trust me, I understand how insanely messed up life can get and how relieving it is to just vent it all out,” she gives you a reassuring nod with a genuine look of understanding that you’ve been wanting to see for months, “Even if it’s to someone who can potentially be a serial killer.” 

The both of you burst out into a fit of laughs and you swear that you’ve never felt so connected to a person you just met. It was as if your souls had met in another life and were catching up for the first time in a while. Neither of you had a name to place with your faces, but that didn’t seem matter because you already felt like you’ve known this girl for years. 

“I’ve had quite a rough couple of months myself. Not sure if I’d binge drink four cookies and cream milkshakes to numb the pain though.” 

You shrug, “Well, it’s better than the latter option that I can’t even legally purchase because I’m underage. Plus, it helps that these are the best milkshakes in town--even if they are 4 dollars a glass.” 

Now you’re hoping that your old co-worker can cover your bill since you only brought ten dollars with you tonight. Before you could reach for your wallet just to be sure, another thought crossed your mind. 

“Wait. How did you know they were cookies and cream? I know it’s a lot of milk to force inside by body, but I normally leave no trace of evidence behind. Are you a witch or something?” That last part was obviously a joke otherwise she’d be at your school by now.

The girl opens her mouth to speak, but it takes her a moment to come up with an explanation, “It was my best friend’s favorite. Yeah, we used to go out for milkshakes all the time and I guess something about you reminds me of them.” 

You smile, flattered, “Well, might I say, your best friend has amazing taste,” she purses her lips into a tightened smile and lowers her gaze, almost as is the memories of this said ‘best friend’ pained her to think about, “I’m assuming things aren’t so great with them right now?”

She sighs at the thought, “We were close for a long time. I’m actually surprised that they stayed as long as they did. I probably gave them a million reasons to bail, but they were annoyingly persistent,” she chuckles, “I’ll admit, it took me a while to settle into our friendship, but the moment I did was something I would never regret. From that point on the only thing that could separate us was death.” 

Judging by her heavy use of past tense words, you could only think the worst happened, “Did they, you know, um…?” You didn’t want to ask the full question seeing that she was clearly still hurt by the absence of this person. 

She shakes her head, “No. No, it turned out death wasn’t the only factor that was able to keep us apart. We meant a lot to each other and later realized that there was more to us than just friendship. Eventually, things started becoming serious but me being the person I am, I pushed them away and left.”

“Have you tried reaching out to them again?” You thought that there was no way two people who felt those intense feelings could completely forget about each other.

“Once, but things changed. They took one look at me and acted as if I never existed.” Maybe it was the empath in you, but it broke your heart seeing a small pool of tears building up in her eyes. You wished that you could say something to make her feel better and tell her that everything will be okay, but how could you when you don’t know her?

She quickly wipes the tears before they could fall and takes in a deep breath that you instinctively mirrored to compose yourselves. 

“I guess it’s my turn to say sorry, huh? I feel like my baggage was a little heavier than yours there,” she sniffs, huffing out a light chuckle. 

“Well, if we’re giving out medals here, you’ve got the gold. That’s for sure,” you grin, hoping to lighten up the mood.

Her laugh--that you could tell was genuine--gave you the assurance you needed. 

“I feel like I should give you a hug. I mean, if you’re cool with that,” you suggest, ready to push yourself out of your seat, “Because I could kind of use one and I’m just assuming--” 

“That would be great, yeah,” the girl nods with a relieved smile. 

“Alright, great.”

The two of you stand, moving around the table to meet each other in the middle. Her head seemed to fit perfectly against your chest as her arms pressed behind your back. All of the weight that had been piling up on your shoulders began to fall at your feet and the tension from stress that built up inside your chest began fading away. How this could happen from an interaction with a complete stranger, you had absolutely no idea. 

“Is it weird if I say this doesn’t feel weird?” You ask with the side of your head leaned against hers. 

“Well, I think things are only weird when someone makes it weird.” 

You pause for a moment, “Do you think this feels weird?”

She laughs and you know for a fact that she could hear your heart skip a beat, “No. I don’t.”

You fight the goofy grin from appearing on your face, but fail miserably, “Okay, good.” 

Part of you was afraid of what’ll happen the moment you separate. You had no idea when would be the next time you see this girl or if there was going to be a next time. This was the first day in a while when you didn’t feel lost, instead you felt that this was exactly where you needed to be. You felt normal.

Before you could actually start making things weird, you begin to pull away from her embrace, “Well, tonight I learned that I can click with a stranger within a span of ten minutes give or take, so thank you for that.”

She smiles, “Thank you, too.”

“I think it’s safe to say that we’re at the point of learning each other’s names now.” 

“Yes, because why start with those when we could just tell our whole life stories and share an intimate hug first?”

“Exactly! Actually, you know what? I think we should get married in Vegas really quick and we’ll just figure out our names during the vows section of the wedding ceremony. Whatever we come up with in the moment will just be how we refer to each other for the rest of our lives,” you joke. 

“You’re absolutely right.” Wow, a girl who can keep up with your sarcasm without thinking you’re a complete--huge emphasis on complete--idiot? She is the girl of your dreams--literally and metaphorically. 

You stared down at her in wonder, hoping to God that you’re not dreaming and that this interaction has been real, “It’s, uh, it’s Y/n by the way. My name. Y/n L/n.” 

“Hope. Hope Marshall,” she reveals and a victorious smile appears on your lips when you finally have a name to match a face. 

Your smile quickly drops when the clock tower starts going off and you realize that it’s nearly midnight, “Well, it’s been a pleasure meeting you tonight, Hope. I'm sorry to cut the rest of the evening short, but my school just got a new headmaster and unfortunately he’s a lot more strict on our curfew than our previous one. Don’t want to turn into a pumpkin, you know?” 

She chuckles, “No worries at all. It was nice meeting you, too, Y/n,” Hope smiles and you can tell that she didn’t want to leave. If you were being honest, you really didn’t want to either. 

Neither of you could find the energy to be the first person to walk away. To do that would be like trying to separate two annoyingly strong and stubborn magnets apart.

As much as you wanted to spend the whole night learning more about each other, you also didn’t want to be put in detention on the first day back at school. 

Unwillingly, you take the first step backwards without wanting to fully turn away from your newfound acquaintance, “Thanks again for the chat. I hope to see you again very soon, Marshall.”  

Hope rolls her eyes, but can’t contain a smile, “Only if you’re lucky.”

“I think I like my chances,” you wink playfully before turning your heel to make your way back to the school feeling the most energized you’ve felt in a long time.

~

apologies for the later update than usual with this series and I apologize in advance if it takes a while for part 6 to be posted. I’m in a bit of a writing funk right now and my mind is currently locked onto the Wilds soooo there may or may not be imagines for that fandom coming from me soon. anyways, happy late 2021 and here’s to hoping this year isn’t complete shit! much love y’all

taglist: @chicken-wang09​ @trikruismybitch​ @sodangtired​

[aliteama]

Pranking Hc's with Gojo, Nobara & Itadori? BTW congrats on 100 followers! :D

♡Headcanons♡

S/O pulling pranks with them

♡ A/N: Hello Anony!! For this one I wanted to make it longer than the event stuff so I just tagged it differently and switched up the layout ٩(•ᵕ•)

Gojo Satoru

♡ His number one victim is Nanami and throwing you into the mix makes the poor man never want to step on campus again, you guys would do things like switch out all the drinks in the vending machine to something he doesn’t like or sneak into his office and trap all his supplies in jell-o.

♡ The worst thing the two of you have done is flip Yagas office upside down when you guys were students, you both got detention for months but it was worth it to see his desk hanging from the ceiling.

♡ Gojo probably did little things like swapping out Geto and Shokos cigarettes for those realistic candy ones while you distracted them.

♡ Just because your his accomplice it doesn’t mean you get a pass, his favorite thing to do is wrap the doorway in plastic wrap at the crack of dawn so when your morning mind is all foggy you run into the blocked off entrance and get stuck.

♡ You once tried to retaliate and move his bed onto a lake while he was sleeping but he just ended up floating around for a bit and used it as an excuse to get out off work.

♡ Warm water heated your shaking bones, soap lathering your body in a mess of suds and bubbles to clean the grime that stuck to your skin from training. Reaching over to pick up the labeled bottle of shampoo you let a generous glob fall into your palms and that ran through your hair. With closed eyes you rinsed off tangled strands, red water pooling around your feet and dripping down your body. Eyes snapped open to crimson stained hands, mouth dropping as a scream escaped your lips. 

“Are you ok?!” slamming the door open Gojo peeled the curtain back and let out a loud obnoxious laugh at your fearful expression, “Oops.. that was meant for Shoko” 

Smacking a wet hand to his chest the water seeped through his uniform and a red hand print was left behind. Reaching back to grab the shampoo bottle you tugged at his damp uniform collar and let the soap stain his white hair that now bled red.

“Warn me next time period head!”

Nobara Kugisaki

♡ Never thinks her pranks through, she picks someone who looks like they could use a joke pulled on them then goes with the funniest thing she can come with, just silly things like tying together all the laces of their shoes or putting an airhorn under their seat.

♡ Loves to do that thing where you flip a cup filled with water over so the next person to walk by has to try to lift it without making a mess, her favorite person to do this to is Itadori because he always struggles to move the cup.

♡ Likes to take the gum out of the wrapper and put wasabi instead and she’ll just sit there and watch you chew on it until the burn kicks in but if you ever try to do it to her she just feels so betrayed.

♡ The worst prank she's done is freeze mentos in an ice tray and forget about it so when you decided to put ice in your soda her warning was too late, not allowed to go into the freezer without supervision anymore.

♡ Swinging a key around her finger you watched Nobara grip the doors handle before turning to you with a grimace, “Ok so here’s the thing. I don’t really know how to drive so this is a first time experience” with a nervous hand she swung the door open and seated herself in the drivers seat.

Making your way around to the passengers side you watched her grip the wheel and put the key in the ignition before bringing the engine to life, “If you crash I’m out of here” throwing a glare your way Nobara inched the car forwards, your head jerking every time her foot came off the gas.

Insisting she pull a prank on her childish teacher Nobara roped you along with her antics, driving his beloved car away from the school lot and taking it to a complex lot down the way. You knew it was a bad idea and the two of you would get in trouble but the excited gleam in her eyes when she had successfully snatched his car key had you rushing down the halls with her. Slowly but surely she had managed to move the car unscathed into a deserted lot with a proud smile on her face. 

Too bad the two of you hadn’t realized that your dear Sensei had been holding onto Iijichi’s keys the whole time.

Itadori Yuji

♡ Every three weeks he declares prank wars on everyone and goes full out, says no teaming yet he’s always outside your door with puppy eyes and toilet paper rolls in his hands.

♡ Bought one of those fake spill plastics and puts it on Fushiguros papers whenever he leaves the room and Fushiguro does not find it amusing in the slightest, he’s so used to it by now that when water actually does spill he’s shocked to see its real.

♡ He has no limit, replaces toothpaste with mayonnaise, switches salt with sugar, makes the onions look like apples, puts poppers under the toilet seat, Itadoris a menace.

♡ Adding onto the salt and sugar thing he actually thinks its the funniest thing in the world when the lid is loose and salt spills all over your food, but when he sees your not laughing he feels bad and offers to replace your food.

♡ Likes to do cute little pranks too though like he’ll put confetti filled balloons in your room and cover the walls in sticky notes that have positive affirmations on them.

♡ Stepping into the bathroom to wash away the paint on your arms from Itadoris suprise color bombs you scrubbed furiously with the bar of soap that would not lather up, groaning in frustration you realized he had covered all the soap bars with nail polish. Settling for the soap dispenser which was luckily untouched you dried your hands before stepping out into the hallway, looking down the corridors to make sure you were out of your boyfriends vision. 

Rushing into your room to avoid this weeks prank wars you were shocked to see he had attacked your room already, googly eyes placed on all your belongings and pillows arranged on your bed to make it look like someone was under the blanket.

“Yuji I swear if you jump scare me” quickly ripping the sheet off the bed you let out an anxious breath to see it really was just pillows.

A loud shriek sounded as Itadori grabbed onto your ankles from under the bed, a teasing grin on his face as he shimmied out and stood at full height, his clothes colored in paint and hair decorated with globs of glitter.

“I technically didn’t jump scare you” sticking his tongue out Itadori smashed an egg against your head, ribbons and sparkles making a mess all over your head and falling onto the floor.

But at least it wasn’t an actual egg like last time.

[sugarmaplewings-fics]

Big Secret

Pairing: Kirishima x reader, but also . . . pining!Bakugou

Warnings: Mentions of/implied sex, but nothing actually graphically happening. Gay/Bi/Poly fun stuffs. Bakugou doesn’t like the color pink. Also language from YoU kNoW wHo

Author’s Note:

*sips tea*

So.

Technically, no one asked for this, but I wanted to write it anyway. Then someone requested a sequel, so I made this prequel first (because I had a clearer idea, nothing against them). It doesn’t matter if you read Little Secret or Big Secret first, so do whatever if you’re new. 

Little Secret did surprisingly well, so I was more than happy to jump back into the mini AU. This takes place about a month before the events of Little Secret. I could not pick whether this is angst or crack, so I made it both. Both is good.

This is my first crack at angst (haha, see what I did there? I’m so smart and funny). If it’s bad, then it’s kind of just practice for me. If it’s good and you decide you like it . . . hooray! I did something right for once.

Anyway, I’ll shut up now. Enjoy!

-Sugar

⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙

⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙

Bakugou stood in front of your door, scowling as usual.

Ever since you and Kirishima had started dating, it felt like the red-haired hard boy was impossible to be reached, constantly spending all his time with you. Bakugou had expected as much when the two of you had announced to him that you were a couple, but this was starting to get ridiculous. He was starting to feel a little too left out, getting angry at how much he found himself missing your presences as you had once hung out interchangeably in all three of your rooms. But that was before, when you were all just friends.

Just friends.

Bakugou shook his head before rapping impatiently at your door. "Oi, (N/N), have you seen Kirishima?"

"I'm in here."

Katsuki immediately recognized the sound of the redhead's voice on the other side of your door, causing him to frown. Of course. Just as he'd anticipated.

"It's open," you called.

And you were in there too. Gods, he hoped he didn't just catch you two doing something disgusting, like kissing or worse. He was almost to the point of praying that the two of you were at least decently clothed when he opened the door.

What he most certainly didn't expect was the sight before him, immediately smacking him in the face the moment he walked in.

Kirishima had just gotten up from laying belly down on the floor, clad only in a pair of loose black sweatpants, defined muscles clearly out for anyone to see. You were right next to him, sitting in your cute pajamas. Bakugou had tried telling you off for copying him by wearing that black tank top like he did, but you had insisted that it had been as much your idea as it had been his. His gaze wandered to your bare legs, accentuated by a pair of short (F/C) shorts.

The most shocking thing however, was the fact that both your faces were slathered in some sort of mint-green paste, hair tied up and pushed back with fuzzy animal-themed headbands.

"Need something, Bakubro?" Kirishima asked, yanking him out of his thoughts before he could get too far down a rabbit hole that would be painfully embarrassing to climb himself back out of.

"You have my notes. I need them."

It was true, Kirishima had asked to borrow Katsuki's lesson notes, like he always did at the end of the week. Upon finding the boy absent from his room, Bakugou could have easily let himself in and taken them off his desk, right where they always were. But for some reason, he'd been driven to go out and find the redhead. He didn't know why. Maybe it was to torture himself. He never knew why he even still bothered being around you two.

There was a new feeling ever since you'd become official; a sickness churning in the pit of Katsuki's stomach. Oddly, he vaguely recognized it from when that damned Deku would constantly show him up, but this one was always much stronger, somehow even more painful.

Why did he wince every time you went to grab Eijirou's hand? Why did he find himself with the urge to go be sick when he'd first seen Eijirou lean over to give you a peck on the cheek? It had been because it was gross couple stuff, right? Bakugou wasn't here for all that nasty touchy-feely stuff. He'd seen his parents do it, and it disgusted him. And now his best friends were doing it with each other; sometimes right in front of him, sometimes when you thought he couldn't see.

But he saw, and he knew. He'd heard you, late that night after training. Heard the two of you noisily entering Kirishima's room, clicking the lock on the door as you'd stumbled to the opposite wall. He'd listened to everything: the telltale sounds of skin meeting skin and coming together. He'd heard both your sweet, pretty voices, desperately trying to keep quiet as foreign waves of feelings coursed through your bodies on the other side of the wall. The thin wall, where every sound was as plain as if the barrier hadn't been there at all.

He should have stopped himself then. He should have given up all hope, closed down all his feelings. He'd laid awake the whole night, thinking about how his two best friends were now seeing each other in this way. You were third years, and having relationships within the class was to be expected. But his best friends? Together? And now it was just him. The sideliner. The outcast. The third wheel. Alone.

He'd been forced to listen. It hadn't been his choice. It was even less his choice when the two of you had approached him the next day, listening one last torturous time to you as Kirishima sheepishly explained that the two of you had become an item. Bakugou pretended like he didn't already know.

He should have stopped hanging out with you, distancing himself as the two of you grew closer. But this had all happened almost four months ago, and he hadn't been able to force himself away from either of you. He couldn't tell if he resented you both or genuinely enjoyed your company.

What did it matter? It was only his stupid emotions, stupid feelings bleeding through his enforced walls. He had other things to focus on, better things. Like being a hero. Training to be at the top of the class, climbing ever higher to surpass All Might and be the number one hero. That was his goal. That was his purpose. It had nothing to do with his idiot, overly supportive best friends—if he could even call you that anymore.

"Your notes?" Eijirou's voice questioned.

"Yeah," Bakugou said. "Where are they?"

"My desk," Eijirou said. "Like always. My door should be open, you could have just taken them."

Bakugou scowled. "Oh," was all he said.

"Hey, we're having a spa night," you piped up.

"I noticed," Bakugou deadpanned.

"Ooh, you should totally join us, Bakubro!" Kirishima's green-caked face slipped into a grin with ease, flashing his ridiculously cute sharp teeth.

"Yeah!" It was your turn to beam, face lighting up in your smile. "Spa night for three!"

Just the three of you. That sounded wonderful. And also absolutely terrible.

Bakugou scoffed. "You're not going to get me to do your childish nonsense. I need to go study. And then sleep."

"The gren-nerd returns," you said, rolling your eyes. "Come on, Blasty, there is such a thing as too much sleep."

"Yeah," Kirishima agreed. "Besides, it's a Friday night. You have all weekend to do whatever. Have some fun with us and lighten up for a change!"

Katsuki glared at you, hovering inside the door frame. You smirked and began pumping your fists in front of you, maintaining eye contact with him.

"Spa night, spa night, spa night—" Your voice took on a low, stage whispered chant, and soon Kirishima joined in next to you.

"Spa night! Spa night! Spa night—!"

"Fucking dammit," Bakugou finally said, slamming the door shut behind him and stomping over to where you were sitting in the middle of your floor. He hurled himself down into a sitting position, trying to make every possible inch of his body language convey that he didn't want to be here. "You're just a pair of idiots and losers."

"I refuse to be cast down by your simplistic labels and insults," you said dramatically, placing a hand on your chest. "Gimme your face. Now."

Bakugou jerked his head back from you, even though you technically hadn't even reached for him yet. "What are you going to do?" he asked suspiciously.

"We must start with the face mask. Eiji, go get him a headband."

"A what?! I am not—"

"Yes, you are," you said firmly. "Unless you want to go take another shower to get it all out of your hairline, because, trust me, it gets everywhere."

Kirishima came back and flopped back down beside you, handing over a fuzzy, pink and white fabric headband with small bear ears stitched onto the side. Bakugou looked from it to the ones you were wearing. You donned a sparkly pink unicorn themed one, decorated with a horn, ears and a fluffy puff of a mane. Kirishima wore one that was very similar to the headband you were now holding, except his was black and white, clearly panda themed.

Katsuki pointed at Eijirou's head. "I want his."

The redhead blinked. "What?"

"Yours is cooler and not pink. I want that one."

You sighed. "Katsuki, it doesn't matter."

"I'm not wearing pink!"

"What's wrong with pink?" Eijirou asked.

"It's too girly!"

"Hey, pink can be a manly color," Kirishima argued. You nodded your head in agreement.

"Then why aren't you wearing it?" Bakugou shot back.

Eijirou blinked. "I, uh—um—"

"See, you don't want to wear it either!"

"That's not—!"

Bakugou lunged towards Kirishima, grabbing at the item keeping his red bangs pushed off his forehead.

"AAH—hey! It's gonna smear—!"

The boys took a moment to scuffle, Eijirou desperately trying to hold back Katsuki's arms as they grabbed at him. You took a moment to look into an invisible camera like you were on The Office, heaving a sigh.

"Alright, that's enough." You pulled Katsuki off your boyfriend by the back of his shirt collar, shoving the pink headband into his hand. "You can either wear the headband, or you can let it get in your hair. Eijirou was here first, so that one's his. Got it?"

Bakugou donned his 'I just bit into a lemon' face, spitting out a "tch" before reluctantly putting it on his head, pulling it up so his forehead was on display.

You noticed the ears were a bit off kilter, leaning a little too far to the left. It set off a tic in your face, making you reach over and straighten it out. You couldn't help but notice how Bakugou froze when your hands and face came nearer to his own, breaths stuttering and slowing to a stop. You sheepishly finished adjusting it, sitting back when you were satisfied.

In all honesty, you'd tried to ignore Bakugou's shift in behavior around you. He was as abrasive and irritable as ever, but there was something in the way you'd noticed him looking at Kirishima. You'd gotten briefly jealous until you realized he often acted the same around you. You told yourself to pay no heed to it, and now certainly wasn't the time to be sorting out and guessing at the feelings of your emotionally closed-off best friend.

"If either one of you takes my picture like this," Bakugou said. "I'm gonna fucking kill the both of you."

"Sure."

You glanced over and made eye contact with Eijirou. One of you had to do just that without him noticing by the end of the night. He was simply too cute not to; the pink matching his ash blond hair just right.

You tore your gaze away from Katsuki. I have a boyfriend right here, who I love very very much, you reminded yourself.

That much was true. Maybe you weren't allowed to order off the menu anymore, but it couldn't hurt to take another glance.

"Alright," you announced. "I'm getting the face mask back out." You got up and walked to your felt storage container of toiletries, grabbing the same green tube and package of face wipes you'd used only minutes prior.

"So why the fuck do you have three of these?" Bakugou asked, referring to his newly acquired pink ears.

"Sleepovers, duh. Also there was a sale and they're really cute and cheap, so there."

Bakugou let out another tch as you sat back down in front of him. You pulled out a wipe and began to work at his face, removing any oils that might have gotten on there throughout the day.

"Relax your face," you ordered, and Bakugou surprisingly complied. "You'll get wrinkles if you keep doing that. You know, the whole frowny thing."

"You sound like my mother, dumbass," he commented, keeping his lips turned down in a frown.

"Well, your mother is right."

"Feh."

You ignored his dismissive noise. "You have really nice skin, you know," you commented, moving back to your seated position and tossing the wipe in the general direction of your trash bin. "Do you have a routine? I found out today that Eijirou doesn't so that's what got us started."

The redhead shrugged behind you, having taken out his phone while you tended to Bakugou.

"Um, I wash it sometimes," Bakugou admitted. "My mom said something about how our sweat helps keep it clear, but she still sends me stuff every now and then."

"Neat." You sighed. "Wish my sweat actually helped my skin. Other than, you know, keeping it cool and whatever."

You took the tube from the floor next to you, popping the cap open and squeezing some onto your fingers.

"What is that stuff?"

"Avocado oatmeal clay mask," you said, glancing at the label. "Purifying."

"Huh."

You leaned forward again on your knees in front of him, beginning to spread the green paste over his cheeks and forehead like you'd done to Kirishima.

"I'm not a baby, you know," he protested. "I can do it myself."

"Oh, come on," you countered. "It's fun having your friends take care of you. Just let me do this."

Bakugou sighed through his nose. He had to admit, there was a teeny tiny part of him that liked how close you were, the way your fingers glided over his cheeks and forehead.

But you had a boyfriend. A very sweet, loving, cheerful boyfriend. He was yours and you were his, and Bakugou was . . . unavailable. He'd stay yours and Kirishima's friend, and he'd just have to accept it.

You finished fixing up his face, going back to your criss-crossed sitting position and wiping your fingers off with a tissue.

"Now what?" Bakugou asked.

"We can wash it off in about ten minutes, we just have to wait for it to dry."

Bakugou sat back, assessing the sensation of the mask on his face. It was cold and sticky, but he had to admit it smelled good. He'd never done anything like this before, and the tiniest part of him actually didn't hate it.

You started talking about a meme you'd seen on Instagram, and you laughed with Kirishima. You both were cute in your face masks and headbands. He would never admit it, not even to himself, but maybe Katsuki would be willing to sit through something like this again if it meant seeing you both like this.

You sat back and seemed to go into thought for a moment, as if trying to decide what to do next. "Eijirou, let me see your nails." He presented them to you, his face questioning. You studied his cuticles, clicking your tongue. "Imma get you some nail oil. We could probably all use some."

You got up again and grabbed the little bottle, twisting off the cap and beginning to brush the liquid onto your boyfriend's nails.

"What does that do, exactly?" he asked, watching you concentrate.

"Strengthens your nails," you explained. "Keeps them hydrated so they won't crack and break off so easily."

"Look at that Bakugou!" Kirishima proudly proclaimed. "I’m gonna have strong, manly nails!"

You giggled, beginning to blow on them so the solution would soak in and dry faster.

"Babe, I just realized something," Kirishima said.

"Yeah?"

"We look like Shrek."

You looked up at him, his face caked in the solid green mask, then turned your gaze to Bakugou. "You know, I wasn't going to say anything, but, yeah, we totally do."

You both started cracking up again, and Eijirou laid down on the floor as he laughed. He had the sweetest laugh, the absolute best. You provided hefty competition, however; your slightly higher voice adding to your own pretty sound.

"No hate on my mans Shrek, though," Kirishima said, sitting back up as his audible joy died down a bit.

"Shrek is love, Shrek is life," you said, nodding your head solemnly.

"I thought I was love. For you." Kirishima's expression changed to puppy eyes, pretending to be more hurt than he was.

"Uh, yes. But I've known Shrek longer than you, so he represents life."

"What the fuck, guys."

You both ignored Bakugou's comment, proceeding to bicker.

"But he doesn't love you like I do," Kirishima argued.

"He's shrekxy."

"I—" Kirishima blinked, shaking his head a little in bewilderment.

"Fite me, it's a scientific fact."

Instead, Kirishima turned his gaze to the blond, who was watching the full affair with barely concealed intrigue. "Bakubro, I'm getting jealous of a fictional 2-D green swamp ogre. I think my girlfriend is going to leave me for him."

"Actually he's 3-D," you corrected.

"See?" Kirishima exaggeratedly gestured at you in mock offense. "She doesn't appreciate me anymore for who I am. I'm going to rebound to you, Katsu."

Bakugou stiffened at the proposal. He knew it was just a joke, but now he couldn't get the thought out of his head of actually being with Kirishima. Allowing his hand to grasp his. Placing a kiss on the boy's cheek. Waking up next to him in the morning. Was that his problem? He wanted what you had with Shitty Hair? Or did he want what Kirishima had with you?

"Like I'd ever date you!" Bakugou finally spat, after maybe a bit too long of a pause. "You're a dumbass idiot, just like your girlfriend. You two are perfect for each other!"

Both you and Kirishima blinked at Katsuki's outburst, turning to make eye contact.

"Thank . . . you?" you said, unsure if you should take it as a compliment.

You were both used to Bakugou being brash and loud, often yelling insults he probably didn't mean. But this was a bit unusual, even for him.

What is going on with you, Katsuki?

You sat back and made a little "pthbb" sound with your lips, taking the cuticle oil and starting to apply it to your own nails.

"So when are you going to go back to rubbing my back?" Eijirou asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Or is that only for Shrek?"

You snorted. "I love you, Eiji. I'd give you a kiss on the cheek to prove it, but you've got some artificial avocado there."

Bakugou's frown shifted a bit. At least the masks were good for one more thing.

"Where?" Eijirou teased, feeling at his face as though it wasn't slathered in a thick layer of green paste.

"Ha ha," you said dryly. "I'll go back to personal masseuse-ing after we wash these off."

"When's that?"

You leaned over and tapped at Bakugou's face, finding his still a little moist. "Five minutes," you wagered.

Eijirou started a conversation about training, lightheartedly arguing with Bakugou over one of his techniques.

You watched the nuances of how the two interacted. They'd been friends for so long, they just sort of flowed together and bounced off each other perfectly. Kirishima was clearly more physical, wrapping an arm around Bakugou's shoulders or touching him on his arm or his back. Bakugou never yelled about this like he would with probably anyone else, instead choosing to silently glower while Eijirou finished his thought.

Finally it was time for the masks to be washed off, the three of you crowding around the sink in your cramped bathroom. Eijirou helped you wipe yours away first with some damp paper towels, delighting in being so close to you and your beautiful face. Bakugou opted to simply wash his own off in the sink, splashing cold water over his cheeks. He watched the little green flakes and chunks swirl down into the drain, some of them catching stubbornly on the porcelain surface.

He straightened and looked at his newly washed face in the mirror. He didn't look or feel any different, sans the fuzzy pink bear ears that still wrapped around his forehead. Bakugou tugged them off, stepping away from the sink so Kirishima could take his own turn in washing.

The blond watched the both of you finish up, Eijirou rubbing gently at his face while you patted toner into yours. There was something so mundane about it, even in your tight closet of a toilet space. He liked the little smile you took on as you gently slapped liquid onto your cheeks, and how Eijirou squeezed his eyes shut and gave little shakes of his head to escape from the rivulets of water streaming over his features.

Kirishima stood back up, taking a look at himself in the mirror much like Bakugou had done moments before. "Wait a minute—I still have acne!" He leaned in and closer examined a small cluster of raised bumps.

"Of course you do, ya goof," you said, snickering and setting down your bottle of toner. "It's just a clay mask. If you want magic, use calamine lotion overnight. That should do the trick."

"Why didn't we do that instead?"

"Because these are more fun. And a lot shorter."

Eijirou shrugged and pulled his own headband off, soft red bangs falling over his eyes. Katsuki took a second to admire it. What would it feel like under his fingertips? He wondered for a brief moment how soft it truly was before he ripped his eyes away again. No. No. NO.

"So are you going to rub my back again?" Eijirou asked, puppy-dog eyes shining at you hopefully.

"Maybe later," you said, sliding your headband over your head and undoing your hair. "Right now it's Katsuki's turn. And mine, if it's not too much trouble."

Kirishima sighed tragically, slumping forward. You grinned and went up behind him, rolling the pads of your thumbs into his shoulder blades. He tilted his head back, sighing and closing his eyes at the feeling.

"Babyyy," he said, drawing out the last syllable. "Don't tease me like that."

You giggled and kissed his shoulder. "I'll get back to you soon enough, just be patient."

Bakugou watched the two of you yet again. He had a strange feeling like this was more complicated for him than it should be. Why couldn't he just pick one of you to hate more than the other and move on? Why couldn't he decide which one of you he would rather be in your situation?

"Yo, Katsu," you said to him, bringing him out of his own head. "Get over here." You had sat yourself back down on the floor in the middle of your room, and Kirishima was stationed behind you.

Bakugou walked over and flopped down in front of you, unsure of what to expect.

"Lay down perpendicular to me," you said, tapping his shoulder.

"What? Why?"

"You'll relax more. Do it."

The blond grumbled a bit more before turning himself and laying down on his stomach. "Happy, dumbass?"

"Indeed." You began to work at his shoulders through the barrier of his shirt. Behind you, your boyfriend did the same, running his large hands over the muscles on your back. "How often do you get this done?" you asked the boy under you.

"What? A massage?" Bakugou was really trying to ignore how good your fingers felt on him, pushing and applying pressure in places he didn't even know he needed.

"Yeah."

"Never," he admitted.

"Wait, what?" Eijirou said from behind you.

"Yeah, how?" you asked, stilling your hands. Bakugou resisted the temptation to squirm under you to get you to resume what you had been doing. "That can't be good what with all the training you do."

"I have those foam rollers," he said. "They work just fine."

"Aw, come on," Kirishima said. Bakugou was glad his face was more or less planted on the floor so he wouldn't have to look up at him. "It feels so much better when you have someone else do it for you."

"Tch."

"Katsuki, Katsuki, Katsuki," you tsked, going back to your motions on him.

The blond quietly sighed through his nose, allowing himself for a moment to sink into the feeling of your fingers dancing over his muscles. As much as he hated to admit it, even to himself, it felt really nice. He was surprised at how skilled you were, alternating between your thumbs and your knuckles to provide the most pressure, working out tension as you went along. Your hands, which were so small compared to his and his friend's.

Maybe he was starting to like this a little too much.

You and Eijirou had picked up another conversation about nothing. Bakugou was more than content to zone in and out of it, picking up on your even voices. He listened to the little breathy sighs you'd let escape as the redhead pushed into your back much like you were doing to Katsuki. They were almost too cute, and the more he was left in his own mind, the less comfortable he became.

He began to shuffle under you, a part of him wanting to get up and leave, another willing himself to stay.

"You comfortable, Bakugou?" you asked him. "Want a pillow or something?"

The way you'd said his family name; Bakugou. He was an outsider. He shouldn't be here. He pushed himself up from the floor and out from under your hands.

"Woah," Kirishima said. "Where you going, man?"

"I need to leave." Bakugou rammed his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants and turned to your door.

"Wait, are you okay?" you asked, moving to get up too. "Did I do something wrong?"

Bakugou ignored you, adjusting his black t-shirt as he flung your door open and shut behind him.

You slumped back into Eijirou in defeat. "What is going on with him?" you lamented, eyes glued to the closed door.

Your boyfriend rested his chin on the top of your head, pondering as you pressed into him. "I have no idea. He's been acting weird for a while . . . . Could it be something going on at home?"

Your eyebrows scrunched a bit in thought. "I don't know about that. Do you think it could be us?"

Kiri shifted himself so he could lean in and look at your face inquisitively. "What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know," you shrugged. "It's just that . . . you and I are together and he's . . . alone. I mean, we're still friends, but he might feel . . . left out."

"Ohhh." Kirishima sat back again, pulling you further into his chest. "What should we do?"

You sighed, curling up against his bare skin. "I don't know."

...

Bakugou sat, finally alone in his room. What was happening? What was going on? What was wrong with him?

He hated this, these new feelings. The jealousy he felt whenever you and Kirishima were close and he was left to the side. He wanted to join you, feeling your arms wrapped around him and Eijirou's kiss on his cheek.

But he would never be able to.

Surely, you both would hate him if he said anything. You'd think he was just being sad and greedy, maybe even a creep. It would completely destroy your relationship with him, and he'd lose the two best friends he'd ever had.

Katsuki's bed dipped beneath him as he sat down onto it, placing his head in his hands. Infinite loops of yes and no spiraled forever around in his brain, willing him to just do something.

But he couldn't. There was nothing he could do. He'd have to choose either parting ways with you both or just feeling this way . . . forever, keeping it to himself. He was tired of it already. He wanted the feelings to go away. He wanted to stop hurting like this and being so confused. His rational mind told him to just turn and leave. It made sense. He'd be able to focus fully on his ambitions and become the best hero ever. And yet a tiny, stubborn little part of him knew, just knew that he wouldn't be able to go. There was something between the three of you, and even the tsundere-lord Bakugou Katsuki couldn't ignore it.

He laid back on his bed, closing his eyes. In the dark, he listened. But this time there was no sound. His mind wouldn't rest however, racing and screaming and hurting. It would be hard, but Bakugou would have to do it.

This would all just have to be his big secret.

⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙●⊙

[Little Secret]

[Disclosed]

Author’s Note:

No happy ending?? Well guess what, this is a three-parter. The epilogue/sequel/part three will be purely Kiribaku(+you) fluff, so get ready for that. I know I am!! Also remember Little Secret exists. CUDDLES!! and TICKLES!! YES!

Thanks for reading,

-Sugar

Taglist: @basicaegyo​ @iiminibattlehero​ @katsugay​​ @nabo39​​ @pyrofanatic​​ @sendhelpimstupid​ @sokkasangel​​ @xoxopam4​​

[eunwhore]

An (Un)helpful guide for ASTRO

Oh you just discovered ASTRO and you want to know more about them ? First of all, welcome new fellow Aroha ! I’m glad you chose to stan these beautiful men because they deserve it ! Hope you’ll like them even more after that ! Have fun ! 

ASTRO is a South Korean boys band under the label of Fantagio

- They debuted on February 23, 2016 with the single “Hide & Seek” from their debut EP called “Spring Up”

- Their official colors are Vivid Plum and Space Violet

- The name of their fandom is “Aroha” which comes from ‘Astro’ mixed with the korean word ‘hana’ that means ‘one’ or ‘only’. In short, their fans are their only one. How cute ! 

- They released 9 albums and EP:

1) Spring Up - February 23, 2016

Track List: 

Ok! Ready ! 

Hide & Seek 

Innocent Love

Morning Call

Puss In Boots

2) Autumn Story - November 10, 2016

Track List:

Lonely

Confession

Love

Stained

STAR

3) Winter Dream - February 22, 2017

Track List:

Should’ve held on

Cotton Candy

You & Me

4) Dream Part.1 - May 29, 2017

Track List:

Dreams Come True

Baby

You Smile

Because It’s You

Dream Night

I’ll Be There 

Lie

Every minute

5) Dream Part.2 - November 1, 2017

Track List:

With you

Crazy Sexy Cool

Butterfly

Run

Better With You

6) Rise Up - July 24, 2018

Track List:

Always You

By Your Side

Call Out

Stay With Me

Real Love

7) All Night - January 16, 2019

Track List:

Starry Sky

All Night

Moonwalk

Treasure

Role Play

1 In a Million

Love Wheel

Heart Brew Love

Merry-Go-Round

Bloom 

8) Blue Flame - November 20, 2019

Track List:

Blue Flame

Go&Stop

All About You

When the Wind Blows

You’re My World

9) Gateway - May 4, 2020

Knock

When You Call My Name

SOMEBODY LIKE

We Still

12 Hours

Lights On

- Their slogan is ‘Wanna be your star’

- The group is composed of 6 members, lemme introduce you to these bad (actually soft) boys

Jinjin - Park Jin Woo (진진)

Position: Leader, Main Rapper, Lead Dancer

Birthday: March 15, 1996 

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Social Media: - Instagram

Funfacts: 

Is the mom of the group really

His favourite colour is green.

His nickname is Angelic/Puppy Smile

He can play drums and do beatboxing.

He speaks Korean, English & basic Chinese.

He composed and wrote the lyrics of “Lights On” their sidetrack for their album “Gateway”.

JinJin’s ideal type: a girl with her own opinions and attitudes.

Jinwoo gets called slow rapper because of how slow he talks.

He gets teased by the other members a lot

MJ -  Kim Myung-jun (엠제이)

Position: Main Vocalist

Birthday: March 5, 1994

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Social Media: Instagram

Funfacts:

His nickname is “The Happy Virus”, because he’s always laughing and smiling.

He makes jokes all the time, he’s so funny really

Oldest member of the group (Hyung)

“Hello my name is MJ, I look younger than the other, but I am not”

He’s Eunwoo’s son (Even tho he’s older than him)

CRAZY VOCALS

Terrible English 

He calls himself “Smile Engine”.

The first person he befriended when he joined Fantagio was Sanha.

He’s also part of a trot K-pop group named Super Five

MJ’s ideal type: A girl with a nice smile, a good sense of humour and who is similar to him.

He’s the most talkative in Astro

Infectious laughter !!!!!!

Cha Eun Woo - Lee Dong Min (차은우)

Position: Vocalist, Visual, Face of The Group

Birthday: March 30, 1997

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Social Media:  Instagram

                         Tiktok       

Funfacts:         

His nickname is “Morning Alarm” because he always wakes up earlier and starts waking up the rest of the members.

Eunwoo’s other nickname is “White Tee Guy” (because during Breathless era, he always wore white t-shirts).

He’s consider to be the ‘normal’ one in ASTRO but don’t underestimate him ! 

CRAZY VISUALS

He’s called ‘Face Genius’ (meaning someone who has crazily handsome face)

He’s more shy and reserved than the other members

Eyes smile

“Gachi Gallae”

English King

He played in many Kdramas: My ID Is Gangnam Beauty, Hit The Top, True Beauty,..

He’s a literal angel who fell from the sky

Like, we don’t deserve him

Cha Eunwoo’s ideal type: A girl that’s curious, wise and intelligent.

Moonbin - Moon Bin (문빈)

Position: Main Dancer, Lead Vocalist, Center

Birthday: January 26, 1998

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Social Media: Instagram

Funfacts:  

CEO of being Sexy but also cute af

His nicknames are: U-Know MoonBin, Binnie, Sleepyhead, Puppycat (because he can make the face of a cat and the face of a puppy)

He loves playing video games

His favourite colour is Black

Moonbin’s ideal type: A girl with a good sense of humour.

Binwoo is the best ship (Him and Eunwoo)

He acted in Kdramas: “Boys Over Flower” (2009), “Perseverance Goo Haera” Ep. 1 (2015), “Moments of 18” (2019).

Stomach on legs

Personality: tender and warm-hearted

Moonbin’s ideal type: A girl with a good sense of humour.

Rocky -  Park Min Hyuk  (라키)

Position: Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Vocalist

Birthday: February 25, 1999

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Social Media: Instagram

Funfacts:  

His nickname is “Chef Minhyuk”

Dancing skills ON POINT !

“Oh my gad no no no !” 

Rocky Swaaaaag

He created the choreography for most of the group dances. 

He acted in the Kdrama “Perseverance Goo Haera”

Personality: quiet, very reliable and hardworking

Fantagio staff named him “Dancing Machine”

Rocky’s ideal type: A caring, cute and nice girl.

Sanha - Yoon San Ha  (산하)

Position: Vocalist, Maknae

Birthday: March 21, 2000

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Social Media: Instagram

Funfacts:  

His nickname is “Beagle”

He’s the youngest member of the group (Maknae)

A BABY

Aegyo king

Evil Maknea

His favourite activity is to annoy the other members

His favourite color is Pink

He’s too pure for this world

He’s a giant (185 cm / 6′0″)

“BBUBBU” 

Sanha’s ideal type: A girl who thinks about him a lot and asks him about his day.

Okay ! I think we’re done now, i hope it helped you (At least a little) and rather if you’re a new fan, or you’ve known for a while, I would like to thank you for taking interest into them in the first place. They deserve more recognition really ! 

See you ! Wanna be your star !

[lyssismagical]

will you write one for soulmates prompt 18 please???

“Why try to force it? If we’re truly soulmates, it’ll happen.”

 When Tony invited Harley to stay at the tower for Spring Break, he was worried the two boys wouldn’t get along. He was worried there would be too much tension, too much jealousy, the kind of emotions that he knows he would feel if he were in there positions.

But when Harley walks into the lab, he throws a big grin on his face to greet Peter, sticking out his hand.

“You must be the legendary Peter Parker,” Harley starts, smile widening when he sees the blush that creeps up Peter’s neck.

“Uh, yeah- yeah, that’s me. I’m not- I don’t know what he said, but I’m not-”

Tony doesn’t think he’s seen Peter this nervous since he was fourteen and Tony was recruiting him to Germany.

“I’m Harley.”

And Peter smiles shyly, ducking his head enough that his curls fall in front of his eyes.

Tony can’t help but notice how long their hands linger after the handshake.

That’s where it starts.

The following three days are spent dancing around the truth.  

Peter and Harley both obviously like each other. It’s so painfully obvious that even Tony, the most oblivious person ever, notices. But neither boy seems to notice each other’s blatant stares and the blush that creeps up their cheeks and the subtle way their hands brush when they’re both reaching for equipment in the lab. They both seem to be stuck, so focused on hiding their own feelings, that they don’t even notice each other’s bubbling feelings.

Peter’s crush makes him quiet and nervous, always fumbling over his words and clumsily dropping his things if Harley makes eye contact. He purposefully seems to dress up, wearing his old pair of glasses despite not needing them only because it makes his doe eyes look bigger.

Harley takes the opposite approach, bold and flirting at every chance he can get, complimenting Peter for the smallest things. He walks around in loose fitting jeans and even looser flannels, grinning brighter than ever and constantly finding little ways to touch Peter any chance he can get.

And part of Tony wants to gag every time he sees the two boys acting like that in front of him. But the other part of him is so beyond happy that they’ve each found somebody who cares about the other.

Tony knows, better than most, just how terrible Peter’s dating life has been. After Liz and then MJ, Peter had stopped trying with dating. And Tony knows that back in Rose Hill, Harley’s the only out of the closet kid in the whole town.

And somehow, someway, they found each other.

Somehow Tony managed to bring them together.

The fourth day of the ten day break they’d be spending together, Tony walked into the kitchen to find the boys kissing against the stove.

“Okay, as much as I love that you two have finally decided to come clean about all these emotions you’ve been harboring, please, for the love of everything, keep the PDA to a minimum. Especially this early in the morning,” Tony says, making the boys jump apart, eyes wide.

“Mister Stark!” Peter gasps, embarrasment coloring his cheeks red.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. It’s cool. I don’t mind.” Tony turns his back on them to grab his coffee. “I refuse to be a third wheel, though, I’d rather you ditch me.”

Harley grins, grabbing Peter’s hand. “Speaking of, I was wondering if I could steal your intern for the day. He’s offered to show me around the city, maybe catch a movie, get some food.”

Tony sighs, jokingly exasperated as he digs his wallet out of his jeans, popping it open to give Harley a couple large bills. “Go wild, kid. Take care of my intern and be back by midnight.”

The fifth day through to the ninth day is spent in bliss for the boys.

They’re always side-by-side and touching and smiling and kissing.

Tony just rolls his eyes in amusement and teases them endlessly about their newfound love.

And he’s trying to maintain his cool parent status. He trusts both Harley and Peter to take care of each other, so when FRIDAY tells him that Harley had snuck into Peter’s room on Day Six, Tony just shakes his head and continues working in the lab.

When Peter sits in Harley’s lap during movie night and when Harley presses kisses to Peter’s shoulders and jaw in response, Tony pretends to gag and throws popcorn at them, but he doesn’t say a word otherwise.

And then Day Ten comes along. The last day.

Harley has a flight in the morning, and he insists that it would be easier for him if Happy drove him to the airport and he said goodbye in the tower.

“I’d never get on that plane if you two came with me to the airport,” he claims, bags already dumped in front of the elevator.

Peter’s already crying, not even bothering to hide it as he tugs Harley into a hug. “I don’t want you to go.”

It takes Tony until here to realize that they didn’t label themselves as boyfriends. They didn’t even say they were in a relationship and this is why.

“I’ll text you all the time, but… I’m not going to hold you back, darling,” Harley says, kissing Peter’s temple.

Peter pulls away enough to kiss Harley’s cheek. “Why can’t we just be long distance? We could make it work.”

“Why try to force it? If we’re truly soulmates, it’ll happen.”

Tony can see the tears in Harley’s eyes as he pulls away, kissing Peter one last time.

And then Harley turns away and steps into the elevator, back shuddering as the door closes behind him and cuts their relationship off.

Two years later, Peter drops his bags in the doorway to his new dorm room at MIT, May and Tony hovering in the hallway behind him.

The boy in one of the two beds, looks up from his laptop, and a grin spreads across his face. He looks over at Tony who shrugs at the accusatory glance like he wasn’t the one behind this.

“I told you it would happen if it were meant to be,” Harley says, opening his arms to catch Peter in a tight hug.

Peter leans up on his toes to kiss Harley.

Taglist: @littlemissagrafina  @spideygirl2003 @romeoandjulietyouwish @c-artara @shadedrose01 @likeaphoenix13 @tonystarkweneedyou  @kitkatwinchester @you-get-killed-walk-it-off {Let me know if you wanna be added or removed}

[welllpthisishappening]

21 for the kiss prompts. because I am me LOL

Alright, so, full disclosure, this is not CS fic. I was going to write CS fic for this. i was! I had this vaguely angsty Emma gets hurt and Killian loses his mind thing happening, but then—I didn’t write that. Instead, here’s Will Scarlet gets hurt and Belle French loses her mind and it’s hockey. It’s 2,000 words! I don’t know how that happened. Anyway, the prompt here was “bloody kiss” and I love Will Scarlet with the force of a thousand suns. If you guys want to send more kiss prompts, I’m still waiting for people to respond to my emails.

“You’re mad.”

“Your powers of deduction are truly unparalleled. What gave me away, exactly?”

Will bit his lower lip. Let his teeth dig down until he tasted blood and, well—more blood, he supposed. Six stitches later, though, and there wasn’t much blood left on his face, just a pair of narrow eyes doing their best to glare a hole through his cranium and he didn’t think that was entirely possible. 

Biology had never been his strong suit, really. Unless you counted hauling off and punching some rat-faced bastard on the Caps who couldn’t keep his goddamn mouth shut about a possible offsides that had maybe happened two periods before and they’d been winning and it was fine. Totally fine. This was his job. Punching and bruising up assholes. Just a little bit, to remind them who they were playing and what was on the line and—

It was entirely possible Belle’s eyes were not entirely human. 

His face flushed. Heat raced through either one of his cheeks, threatening what he could only assume was the structural integrity of his own eyes because Will couldn’t remember when he’d decided to widen them, exactly. Just that they were starting to dry out a little bit and Ariel was going to kill him. 

She’d made that very clear post-game. 

There might be a two-person line to wreak havoc, now. 

“You get this little pinch between your eyebrows,” Will said, leaning forward until the top of his head nearly hit the bottom of her chin, “makes it easy to tell.”

Belle huffed. Crossed her arms. Nearly punched him in the face, which would have been something close to the peak of irony at this point, and then maybe Ariel wouldn’t threaten to kill him again. No, that was wishful thinking. 

It’d be a miracle if they were allowed uptown later. Ariel had probably sent out an APB, or whatever the culinary equivalent of that was. No admittance until the blood had dried off his forehead and he laid prostrate at her feet, begging forgiveness for the error of his ways. 

Like hell, he would.

This was his job. He was the—

Fuck, maybe he was a goon. He hadn’t scored in a while. Not even a secondary assist, or anything. Skating at the edge of the blue line on a fledgling power play did not an All-Star make, and, well, now that he thought about it, maybe Will had started jawing first. There were mumbled insults, at least. 

From him, specifically. More than once, actually. 

“I don’t think you’re supposed to be back here, y’know.”

The pinch got—

Pinchier. Deeper. Like a tiny, little crevice between what Will was starting to realize were meticulously cared-for eyebrows and maybe he should get a CT scan or an MRI or something because it had taken him this long to notice she was also wearing his jersey. Too-long sleeves grazed the slight bend of her knuckles, looking as if she was actively stopping herself from fisting her hands at her side and that thought wasn’t supposed to make him smile. 

Still. 

Will’s lips tugged up. His eyes thinned. Nose crinkled ever so slightly. Something that had been growing increasingly familiar in the last few months of the season jumped between his ribs, like little flutters of wholly imaginary wings, and she kept wearing his jersey. Kept coming to games, and that was good because they’d gotten past the labels and expectations, all of which were sky-high on the NHL’s most romance-prone hockey team. 

God, maybe he wasn’t just a goon. Maybe he was a complete and total asshole. 

“This is Cap’s fault,” Will announced, and he’d been ready for the pinch. He was less prepared for those eyebrows he was starting to become a tad obsessed with to soar up Belle’s forehead, past the swoop of bangs that regularly messed with his cognizant reasoning. 

She scoffed. “Are you fucking with me?”

“No, but maybe when we get back to—”

“I will kick you in the shins, Scarlet, I swear to every God you can think of.”

He tried not to deflate. Really, he did. But his name seemed to crack out of her, punching the bridge of his nose like Belle had actually pulled her right arm back and her scoff was more like an exhale that time. That had never happened. 

Even before. Before the labels and the attempts at setting up Killian and watching that entire season and how often he stared longing at Emma, before Regina and Locksley continued to be parents extraordinaire and the jealousy started to eat away at him. Slowly, but surely and he never talked about that, but he figured she knew because Belle knew everything and—

“Bet you twenty bucks you could name more gods than I could.”

Another sigh. A tilt of her head. It made her bangs shift. He wasn’t sure what was happening in his chest. Expanding and contracting, a painful rhythm that hurt way more than the stitches or the shitty metaphors and he was glad she’d snuck into the locker room. Will didn’t want her anywhere else. 

Naming conventions, aside. 

“I’m sorry—” “—I love you.”

He almost fell over. Impressive, since Will was still sitting down and his feet didn’t entirely reach the floor from that position. His jaw dropped. He hated that. Partially because it hurt and mostly because he should have been way cooler, wanted to be way cooler, but there were dots of red on his girlfriend’s cheeks and teeth digging into her lower lip, now, and he resolutely ignored the ache in his calves when he slid back to his feet. 

Curling an arm around her waist, he didn’t think much about the precise way he yanked her. Forward. Directly into his chest and that didn’t leave much room to bend his knees, but Will was less concerned with specifics and the staging of this than actually getting to the good part. 

The kissing part. 

Plus, Belle pushed up on her toes. So, that helped. 

He groaned. Loudly, like embarrassingly loud. As soon as her head tilted and he could get his mouth on hers and they were all hands and lips and whatever she was doing with her tongue, tracing the lip he’d been so intent on biting through just a few moments before. Bending his knees did give Will some more leverage. To pull her even closer, moving his arm and ignoring her soft protests. 

Most of them died when he managed to get a hand under her left thigh. 

She groaned. Something to be said about symmetry, Will assumed. Although he also didn’t really...care. About the saying, mostly. Not when he was melting and falling, dropping into the deep end of a pool that was a shock to his system and the best thing that had ever happened to him and she was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Bar none. 

Especially when she did that tongue thing. 

Closing his eyes, he knew he had to tilt his head. Had to breathe and stay conscious and he didn’t want to think about the medical requirements of a professional hockey player at a time like that, but he knew consistent awareness of his surroundings was probably fairly important and the roar of triumph blaring through his brain made that a little difficult. Breathing would have to be enough for now. 

“I can’t—” Belle’s shoulders heaved. Fingers dragged across the back of Will’s neck and he had to admit he was fairly impressed with her balance. Her right foot wasn’t on the ground. “Shit, I—” He pulled her lip between his teeth, tried to memorize the next hitch of her breath and he was about five-point two-three seconds away from losing his mind. Rocking his hips up was a very bad idea. He did it anyway. “Babe, I can’t think when you do that.”

Everything was spinning. He was spinning. No, that wasn’t true. He wasn’t spinning. He was standing and touching and there was barely any color left in Belle’s eyes. 

Pride prickled at the back of Will’s brain. Until pain joined the fray, making a glorious and unwelcome return at the precise moment he realized there was moisture on his cheek again. Warm and red and Ariel was going to kill him. 

“Cap and Emma were making out in the hallway,” Will explained, “pre-game. Nothing they don’t normally do, and I don’t even think they knew I was there.”

“Is any of this supposed to make me feel better?”

He nodded. “I love you, too. Like it’s ridiculous how in love with you I am.”

Silence. As much as there could be in a locker room, at least. Water fell from shower heads a few hundred feet away, the low murmur of questions and Lucas-approved answers, squeaking sneakers and clacking heels, and the familiar sound of wheels rolling across linoleum as the equipment hampers moved down the hall. 

Will took a deep breath. 

Slowly, through his nose. Keeping the nerves off his face was harder than he expected, and even more ridiculous than whatever he’d just proclaimed because Belle had proclaimed first and it was entirely possible they were both colossal idiots. That put them on even ground, though. 

He appreciated that. 

“Why were you mad, ma moitié?”

There was the pinch, again. “Why do you think?” Will shook his head, brushing hair away from her eyes and he knew he didn’t imagine that sigh, either. Softer. More content. All that previous even ground. “Because I—” Belle started, and the color hadn’t left her face yet. “I know you think you’ve got to be this guy. Out there defending, not just the goal but the people and that’s...I’m super into that.”

“But?”

“But it makes me so nervous, I could spit.’

Will genuinely had no idea what noise he made. It might not have been human, really. Tearing out of his throat, his eyes bugged and he bent over without really meaning to, forehead finding Belle’s shoulder like that was the only reasonable landing place. He was still bleeding. Or bleeding again, whatever. 

“Say that again,” he mumbled. Into her jersey. His jersey. Whatever, part two. 

“Spit,” she repeated, making sure to enunciate every letter, “because I know you can hold your own in a fight, and that’s how you think you make a difference on this team, but—”

“It is that’s why.”

“Was my shin-kicking threat not threatening?”

He kissed exactly where his lips were. “Not really, no.”

“‘Cuz I’ll totally do it, I swear. To all those gods and goddesses and then they’ll descend from on high and tell you that they also think you’re an idiot who should know that letting some rat on the ice get under your skin is exactly what they’re trying to do. Plus, it’s way better when you check them, y’know?”

Lifting his head didn’t hurt. Made him a little nervous, anxiety churning his gut and this was not the way Will thought this would happen. Maybe he could get Belle to kick Killian too. For the making out. And the unspoken frustration. He was definitely an idiot. “Is it just?”

“Don’t make me say it.”

“Don’t have to. You’re very easy to read.”

Belle lifted her eyebrows. More. “That so?’

“You think it’s super attractive when I check another dude.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Didn’t have to. Also, I love you.”

“You mentioned that before, yeah.”

“And I am sorry for freaking you out.” Sigh number three wasn’t quite as resigned as the others, but it still left guilt rising in the back of Will’s throat and every single inch of him froze. As soon as Belle leaned around him, grabbed a far-too-large handful of gauze and started wiping blood off his cheek. “That’s way too much, babe.”

“Ariel can deal.”

“Ya gonna kick her too?”

“I’ll consider it,” Belle mumbled, back on both feet again. For, like, two seconds. Before she pushed back up on her toes, kissed the corner of Will's mouth, and added, “Don’t do that to me again, ok?”

“Aye, aye, Cap.”

He had much better reflexes than her. Pulling her back to his side before either one of her shoes could land a blow was easy and bordering almost close to joyful and that was a strange thing for him to be, but it was also easy and somehow even more simple and Ariel let them into the restaurant that night. They stayed for all of fifteen minutes. 

And Will told Belle he loved her once every five minutes on the cab ride back to his apartment. 

He timed it, and everything. Just to make sure the color stayed in her cheeks.

[snowdice]

Illusions of Grandeur… Or Perhaps Just Illusions (Part 2) [A part of the Illusory Records Series]

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Relationships: Remus & Janus

Characters: Remus, Janus

Summary: Remus is training to be an undercover super-agent, but training is boring. So, being Remus, he… finds some “fun” (read trouble) with the city’s resident vigilante Deceit.

Janus is confused as to why this toddler dressed as a traffic cone won’t leave him alone.

This story is set in the Labeled Universe and takes place about 4 years after Sometimes Labels Fail, but runs pretty adjacent to Virgil, Logan, and Patton’s story.

Notes: Superhero AU, mind manipulation

AO3 Part 1

Stupid superheroes, Deceit thought to himself as he strode down an alley towards his secret base. Since when had superheroes gotten effective. Back in his day, superheroes were blundering idiots who were only good for punching things and creating property damage. When had all of these young brats decided to come out here and be good at things like subtlety and undercover investigation? When had they started caring about actual fundamental problems in the system instead of just showing up when some supervillain tried to make a death ray? That was Deceit’s job. They were stepping on the toes of vigilantes everywhere. Just because one of them lived cloaked in shadows and mystery did not give their little preschooler team-up the right to perform covert ops.

Janus had been doing surveillance on the Riddlon family for months now trying to figure out just what they were doing, and those two heroes had the audacity to show up at the exact right moment, clearly already well-aware that it would be the exact right moment, and tore down their entire smuggling operation a moment before Janus had planned to. How dare they?

He blamed the bloody bird.

Setting a good example and being a mentor to the younger generation. Who did he think he was? Deceit grumbled to himself and started putting his gloves on as he walked. He wouldn’t need to use his powers any time soon and, while he didn’t strictly need them as he was going back to base, it felt weird to be without them.

He paused at the end of the alleyway to use his powers to scan for any missed onlookers before opening the secret entrance to his base. He paused, eyes narrowed and turned his head to look behind him when he felt a presence.

“Halt villain!” a grandeurs voice said when he saw him looking. He put on a show at looking heroic, but it was a hard sell considering his costume.

Deceit wearily turned around. “You’ve got to me kidding me,” he almost groaned. Speaking of young superhero brats. It was Traffic Cone. Ever since the man, no child, had first seen him that day with Brigs, he’d been trying to track Deceit down. One would think that after seeing what Deceit had done to Mr. Penguins that the boy would get the message not to mess with the vigilante who’d been working in the city for probably decades before he was even born. Yet, the kid must have a chip on his shoulder or something, because he’d been persistent in following him around ever since. Deceit had managed to avoid him up until now, but he’d been tired and apparently had a lapse in vigilance.

“Fight me!” Traffic Cone insisted, shucking off his hero stance and tone to replace it with a slightly maniacal grin. Stupid idiot hero with delusions of grandeur. Did he really think he’d even get close to winning against Deceit?

“Look, kid,” Deceit ground out. “I don’t feel like kicking your ass today.”

“Well I do! And I finally caught up with you, so you’re not getting away from me without a fight!”

Deceit arched an eyebrow. “You do?” he clarified with a smirk. “You do feel like you want me to kick your ass today?”

Instead of getting all stuttery or angry and arguing that, no he’d meant he felt like kicking Deceit’s ass, he just stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry.

Deceit gave him an irritated look, feeling his already steaming agitation boil over. “Fine,” he snapped.

“Really?!” he looked almost excited, like a puppy wagging its tail. “So, ho- where did you go?”

Deceit rolled his eyes and took a step towards him, feet light even if they didn’t have to be since the illusion that Deceit was no longer in the alley that he’d just placed in the kid’s mind would supersede his natural senses. Traffic Cone’s eyes bopped around the space in confusion.

“Oh, I see,” Traffic Cone said after a brief moment of confusion, causing Deceit to pause a few feet away from him. “This is part of it. You’re still here, you just are making me think you’re not.”

Deceit hummed. Astute. Most people were panicking by now, but Traffic Cone was calm and accurately able to piece together what had happened.

“Alright then,” the man said cheerfully. He put his hands up in a typical boxing stance. “Let’s go!”

Deceit just shook his head, unwillingly amused with him and side stepped him. He positioned himself so the kid wouldn’t be able to lash out and hit him with his super-strength in the split second between when he’d feel Deceit’s touch and when the illusion would take hold. Then, Janus stripped off one of his gloves. He didn’t need to touch someone to activate his powers anymore. He was long past that. Yet, physical contact still gave Deceit more precise control over what he did to someone, and he didn’t want to accidently shove the dumb toddler into a nightmare if he resisted too hard.

Gentle, he reminded himself as he reached out. He’s an annoyance not an enemy. His fingers descended on his forearm, and the boy went still.

“Oh,” he said, blinking fast as though trying to remove something from his eye. Deceit made the alleyway around them fold and spiral away from his perceptions. “T-that’s weird.” There was a spike of fear, but it was more instinctual than anything real and was easy to bat away. It was surprising, actually, the lack of real fear. Most of the newbie cops and baby supers that came after him were doing so because they considered him a threat. So, most panicked when they felt themselves slipping under his power. Yet, Traffic Cone was steady under it. Deceit didn’t even sense any embarrassment about being taken out so fast. “It’s like a tilt-a-whirl,” he breathed.

Deceit arched an eyebrow. They were usually too trapped in their own minds at this point in the process to speak. That was strange, but what was even stranger was how the boy’s mind held steady in the transitional phase of fuzzy white and black that rippled like TV static across all of his senses. Usually one’s mind would start filling in the gaps automatically, grappling for some sort of calm in the storm, and Deceit would just push it away from anything dangerous. Yet, Traffic Cone seemed to be oddly be content to rest in the nothing. Deceit didn’t know what to make of it.

Despite his curiosity, Deceit still shoved at him gently until he teetered off the edge into what Deceit thought was the memory of three different locations. Most of the space Deceit saw was a childhood bedroom with cheery aquatic animals on the walls and a colorful rug, but what tipped him off to the fact that it wasn’t just one location was the out of place full sized bed with the dark green comforter and the matching nightstand with a murder mystery novel on it’s top. It was an adult bedroom, likely his current one, familiar and comfortable but not sentimental. The last location bled through only in the structure of the walls and a fireplace. It seemed to be based off a cabin in the woods if the view of the sun setting over a lake outside the large window on one wall was anything to go by. It was probably a place he’d visited a few times and had a good time at.

Even though it was a mixture of locations, the memory seemed strong. Nothing was fuzzy around the edges and the inclusions from each place were logical in its construction. It was tidy and calm. The fireplace gave off waves of warmth and it smelled vaguely of cedar. He imagined the blankets on the bed were soft to the touch and all was quiet except for the crackle of the fire. Deceit was impressed. He’d expected a mess of a mind from how he’d seen the boy act, but this was decidedly not.

After a pause, Deceit drew away, leaving him inside that illusion. “Let’s get you back to Brigs.” His eyes flickered to Janus to Janus’s surprise. He shouldn’t be taking in any external stimulus yet with the attack so recent and Deceit still so near.

“Okay,” he agreed, voice distant. If Janus didn’t know any better, he’d say that the kid must have some sort of mental power. The problem with that conclusion was that he’d already read up on him when he’d started following Deceit around, and his power was reportedly super-strength. He shook the idea of the boy having a mental power away. Surely, he would have met at least some resistance if that were true, and Deceit had met less than normal.

“Come on, Traffic Cone,” Janus said, physically and mentally nudging him back towards the street. Deceit threw up a small field around them to keep passersby from seeing them and then checked the hacked security cameras on his phone. As expected, Brigs was sitting in his car in one of his usual spots. It wasn’t too far, and they could walk there easily.

It was a few minutes of walking later that the boy looked up slowly. “I told you I didn’t choose the costume,” he grumbled.

Deceit blinked at him but didn’t comment on his unusual lucidness.

Upon Deceit allowing the man to see him and Traffic Cone, Brigs laid his head briefly on his steering wheel. If Deceit cracked a smile, there was no one around to see it.

Brigs exited his car and looked Traffic Cone over with a sigh. “I told him not to.”

“You always do.”

“This was fun,” Traffic Cone said with an out-of-it giggle. “We should do it again some time.”

“Is he always like that?” Deceit asked tiredly.

Brigs looked over at the man with annoyance and maybe an iota of affection. “Unfortunately.”