#my train of thought was like “Winter huh? Must be fun making him all white and white hair as well lol wait all white and pale isn't it-”

[dollya-robinprotector]

NOW YOU KNOW WHY I FUCKING MADE MY WINTER LOOKS LIKE THIS HAAA!! @banned-for-horny

WINTER IS FUCKING SUS! Like you know the type of character that is hungry for knowledge and looked so harmless and nerd and even nice but turned out to be would literally do ANYTHING for more knowledge? Yeah, I have always seen Winter like that.

[blzzrdstryr]

Reveries of the Past. Yandere!Childe x Fatui!gn!reader

Wordcount: 3875

CW: Dissociation, graphic depiction of violence, hallucinations, unhealthy relationship and unhealthy power dynamics.

A.N.: I used a lot of my experience with dissociations in this and if it makes you uncomfortable, I would advice not to read it. I also plan on writing continuation for this, as it’s set before the Rite of Descension. P.s. I am not a native English speaker, so could you notify me if there’s awkward wording.

[Next chapter]

There are plenty of times you find yourself reminiscing about the past and now, your mind slips back to your memories, as you look at the horribly mangled body of the treasure hoarder. The stench of blood stuffs up your nose, it’s sickly sweet metallic odor making your gut clench and nausea rise, as your limbs grow heavier and numb. You don’t feel  like you belong in your skin and bones and blood anymore - it’s cold, so cold, yet you don’t feel any of it. You are an outsider, an unwanted intruder in the house that is your body, an indifferent observer looking at the world through the thick glass.

The world around disfigures, shapes and colors changing in the constant whirlwind - they jump and dance around, small becoming large and large shrinking so much it’s barely visible, green shifts to red to blue and to yellow and to million of other colors, and sounds suddenly become muffled, losing their sharpness, but you don’t care about it: the part that is “you” fled to the daydreams of your childhood moments ago, leaving a clinically observing, yet unfeeling being behind. 

Adults would describe you as a perfect child: quiet, obedient and dutiful, you were a stark contrast to the other louder and more free spirited kids. You studied hard, cleaned the house, helped with dishes and cooking and never talked back. 

I can't upset mom and dad because they work so much. I can't play with other kids because if I do, they will make fun of me, I have to study hard and get good grades, because mom said I will have a good job and become rich and help them. 

These particular memories don't feel good to you: they're bleak and boring, yet full of silent shame - they make your throat clog and eyes water, as something burning starts to bloom deep underneath your skin. 

Childe stops beating the still alive treasure hoarder, a blood smeared on the cheek and a dangerous glint in his eyes, and turns his head to you. 

"Hey, how about lending me a helping hand?", there’s a hunger in his voice you recognize, he wants to teach a lesson to the debtors, then. You walk towards him, feeling your knees get weaker and weaker with each step for some reason. A dagger made of ice shines in your hand with cold light. 

"It's no wonder [First] received a vision! My [First] is always so good and smart, there are no children better" the exact words your mother says, as she brags to her friends, showing them the vision you were bestowed with. You left it to her, not caring what will happen to it - despite all the child's wonder you felt before receiving it, the glowing orb doesn’t look so amazing to you now. It feels foreign and ugly, a reminder of what happened seconds before you gained it. 

“You know, when I was a child”, he takes the weapon and focuses on the treasure hoarder’s leader again, “we made a special kind of promise”. It’s tip travels to the hoarder’s hand. “You make a pinkie promise, you keep it all your life”

The sweet voice he uses and the fact that you  know the nursery rhyme too would make you sick in the stomach the other day, but not now. 

You don’t exactly remember how you joined the Fatui - it happened shortly after you gained a vision, when you were still too numb and cold to the outside world after the Event. 

Mom will hate me, dad will hate me too. I can’t let them know.

Your parents say that officials just knocked on the front door one day and offered you an entry into the Fatui and a monthly salary, big enough to stop your parents from overworking themselves. You were terrified back then, Fatuis despite being known as a diplomatic organization are still a mystery to the ordinary Shezhnayan and a direct servants to Her will. The thought of disappointing Tsaritsa or letting down Snezhnaya was enough to paralyze you, but seeing the smiles on your parents faces was enough to make you swear to yourself, that you will work there no matter how scary it seems.

“You break a pinkie promise, I throw you on the ice.” The blade stops between phalanges of the little finger: “The cold will kill the pinkie that once betrayed your friend", he presses it, strong enough to detach the limb from the rest of the body in one swift slash. Treasure hoarder starts to cry and scream from the sudden pain, yet quickly chokes on it as Childe hits him in the solar plexus. The crack of bones feels deafening among the sea of muffled sounds.

Training was rigorous to say the least, you came back to your dorm room absolutely exhausted and after you fell on the bed you were practically dead to the world. Turns out, having a vision wasn’t enough to make you a fighter - you needed to know how to climb, swim, run with a weight to lift and wield a weapon. There were other children and teens with you, they eyed your vision with a mix of adoration and envy, you pretended not to catch it in turn.

“The frost will freeze your tongue off so you never lie again”, harbinger forces the victim's jaw apart by squeezing it with one hand, the other rapidly forcing a dagger inside the mouth. Treasure hoarder gasps and mumbles, fat tears forming in his eyes. A part of you expects a sound of parting flesh, but none comes: Tartaglia stands up and removes the blade, leaving a shivering and terrified man laying on the ground.

“Well,” Childe shrugs, as if he didn’t just dismember a person, voice back to his cheery tone : “You didn’t actually make a pinkie promise, so consider it a small mercy”. The treasure hoarder cowers even more, snuggling the injured hand close to the bruised chest. “But if you fail to repay your debt I will oversee that the frost”, he points in your direction, a treasure hoarder’s eyes going wide as he notices your vision, “will actually freeze your lying tongue off”, his voice descends again, back to it’s dangerous half-whisper.

You meet Ajax during the winter, he’s close to you in age and just arrived into Fatui grounds. He boasts and shows off to all of you, and you desperately want to retort something acidic to shut him up and rip off that arrogant bravado, yet say nothing, picturing how the tomorrow training session will have him laying flat on his back, too hurt and too tired to move even a single finger. 

He defeats the trainer in less than a minute.

Now, that the treasure hoarder fled, still snuggling disfigured limb, Childe turns attention back to you. “You seem a little bit disinterested here”, his hand on your cheek is so foreign, it’s burning and freezing at the same time, the shock from the unwanted touch almost strong enough to pull you back into reality. He notices your unintentional flinching and unfocused eyes “Ah, you hurt my feelings, [First]! And I thought we already became friends”. 

You say nothing, cold and unmoving, blind and deaf to the outside world, his words register a second too late, and there’s no cliche phrase for you to reply with. He looks a bit baffled and deflated for a second, but shrugs it off, just like he did during teen years, when you deliberately ignored all his attempts at catching your attention.

“Huh, even if you are so cold to me, I still forgive you”, he takes your hand, his touch still too overwhelming for you to process and pulls you back to Liyue harbor, your legs barely bending as you walk after him, like an obedient dog trailing it’s master.

“You know [First], I can beat you up so badly, that you will barely walk”, you put feather aside, stopping writing the letter to your parents as you glare at Ajax with barely masked indignation. He grins, satisfied to finally catch your attention after the whole day of pestering you. “I am aware of that” you reply in an absolutely flat tone, holding yourself from pouncing on him and trying to break the teeth out of that smug smile. He beams even wider, as if sensing your not-so-good intentions, revealing even more pearly whites as if taunting you.

“But I won’t, count yourself lucky”. And he leaves, this short interaction filling you with so much rage that you shake, handwritten letters noticeably becoming sharper and faster, your thoughts clouding around the idea of acquating his face with your boots. 

 Nonetheless, you indeed count yourself fortunate enough, when you see Ajax defeating grown men with bare hands. When you two, the only vision holders among your peers have to spar, he always goes easy on you, prefering to immobilize you rather than beating, making your defeat less painful yet even more humiliating. 

Almost at the end of your trail he suddenly stops and says something, but you don't catch it, words turning into separate vowels and then fusing together into one unintelligible gibberish mess. He leans in, close enough for his breath to burn your neck, and he continues to get closer, until his empty eyes look into yours glazed ones. He seems disappointed for a second and backs down, his breathing no longer fanning your skin. 

Distantly you think that you somehow angered him and he will slap you for it, and do nothing to dodge the hit - you barely feel pain in this condition anyway, but he doesn’t. The road to the Northland Bank is completed in absolute silence, Childe no longer trying to grab your attention, only when you enter Liyue Harbor does he whisper, that you two must look like a pair with all that hand holding. Judging by the volume and tone of his voice he says it more to himself than to you.

***

You come back to yourself in the safety of your room on the third room of the Northland bank. It feels like a rush of sensation, as everything becomes sharper and clearer again, like you just swam to the surface of water from the very depths of it. An invisible bubble around your head pops in one moment, and the world becomes real again, mind and body connecting for once more.

Eyes and ears focused you take in surroundings: the room is neat and lifelessly empty - just a bed and a working desk with a stack of written but unsent letters, along with a small bookcase near, no figurines, pictures or even plants to decorate living place, as you see no reason to adorn the area you use for sleeping only. Indiscernible wallpapers and a small window close to the middle of the bed finish the picture of austerity.

 Once, your memory catches up to you, you can't help groan from the shame and irritation, hiding your face in both hands. Afterwards  always feels both like a disgraceful escape and a warm blanket during the stormy night, a duality that you accepted long ago after joining the Fatui and today is no exception. You curse Harbinger when you remember why exactly you had an episode, and get up from the bed you threw yourself on minutes ago. You come to the desk, taking a clean form of a relocation request from the drawer and writing materials. 

Filling in the blank feels like commiting a felony to you for some reason - you stop several times when you hear footsteps in the corridor, focusing on the door,ready to hide the half written form and say some lie as an excuse. You don't list the Childe-related reasons, knowing that there's nothing that could make any of the Harbingers face the consequence for their actions, and instead you write completely normal and fake causes: health concerns, family matters and so on. Part of you doubts that this will work and you will have the fortune to get away from a certain harbinger as far as possible. Trying and failing is better than never attempting, you think, quickly writing the paper.

Once you finish it, you almost rush to Ekaterina, praying that you won't run into a certain ginger on the way. Sometime ago you caught Tartaglia checking your letters, for a secrecy he said back then, we can’t let anyone know about the coming operation. Childe then instilled that every sent and received letter should be checked, lest Qixing and other Liyuens learned what Fatui had in plan. It sounded logical and sensible, but the paranoid thought that he enforced this policy just to have a glimpse at your feelings never stopped eating at you. From that day on you sent your family the most basic and vague letters, just stating that you’re in good health and mind, still missing them and Snezhnaya, leaving the ones with more private sentiments in your room. 

Her eyes are completely obscured by the mask, but even with that you can’t miss the pointed glare she sends your way - Tartaglia never shied away from showing off, be it his strength, money or his twisted obsession that he calls love. With the amount of time and finances he spends on you and the way he acts like a kicked lovesick puppy in your vicinity, you are pretty sure that at least half of the bank workers see you as a cunning and cruel seducer, so keen and devious in the art of temptation that you managed to lure in Eleventh Harbinger.

As if archons decided to laugh at you, Childe descends from the second floor too, catching the sight of you near the receptionist. He looks unusually somber for a moment, but then he sees you, a smile appearing on his face as he takes the form from Ekaterina's hands. You can just feel how Ekaterina rolls her eyes under the mask, as if muttering complaints about the lovers’ spat and insubordination, having been working with her for some time, enough to have a clue of the inner workings of her mind.

You have to give him that he plays the confusion and regret very persuasively. He asks how he can fix this, says what a valuable team member you are to him and how much you are needed in the Northland bank. You agree to his suggestion - if years of training with Ajax and then work with Childe taught you anything, it is that Ajax is the chaos incarnate and Tartaglia is Ajax’s less tolerable and more unpredictable version, so it’s better not to anger him.

***

In the end he invites you to dine with him at Wanmin restaurant, a place Childe heard from some “xiansheng” as he called them. A bustling Liyue street is open before you two, tall midday sun painting the whole street into bright orange, so unlike the pristine white landscapes of Snezhnaya. He orders two Black Back Perch Stews on the chef's recommendations, and hands a bouquet of local flowers in a parody of a normal boyfriend. Any random observer would really see it as a date.

You take the flowers, pretending to pay more attention to  them than to a man sitting near you. Tartaglia is an unpredictability wrapped in human skin, there’s no privilege as being lax and carefree near him, as even Tsaritsa has no idea what he will do next. 

To your mutual confusion Xiangling presents the meal with two pairs of chopsticks. Utensils feel foreign in your palm, you having no idea how to handle them and Childe, by the looks of it too. Tartaglia specifically asks the chef for spoons, while you observe the other clients, noting how they use theirs. Holding one stick like a pen and then placing the bottom one in a fixed position under the thumb you manage to grasp the fish from the soup, albeit clumsily. You consider it a small win. 

The image of a mighty Harbinger struggling in a failing battle with chopsticks would look funny to you, if it wasn’t for the whole "date" you were having. After putting them aside, and seemingly admitting defeat, Childe starts from afar: "You know [First], you changed a lot since I first met you" .

You raise an eyebrow at the starter, it's vague and innocent enough, but experience tells you that he will or at least try to stir the conversation into your relationship with him again. Straightening a bit and finally turning your eyes to him, you pause for a second, picking the least offensive reply you can muster - there’s a swarm of insults buzzing at the tip of your tongue prepared just for him, growing and sprouting since your pubescent years.

“Yes, I got taller”, he laughs it off, like you said some funny joke, his giggles not stopping for some time. "No, I mean as a person. Remember how you used to glare at me for joking? And now you act so unfazed ”

Joking. Is this what he calls it? Shivers creep up your spine when your memory oh so conveniently conjures the images of the aftermath of his jokes.

“Your jokes weren’t funny to anyone but you”. Breathe, you think, there’s no need to anger him. There are pictures of broken bones and bruised bodies and a cacophony of somebody else’s pained screams flashing and rattling in your head, Adults never did anything. Why would they? They had a golden boy Ajax, why would they help the others when they had him? Why would they help you? Bitterness and anger you thought you swallowed long ago rise up to the surface again, and you decide to bite down on the stew - Tartaglia always found a way to turn your words against you and hurt you, no need to give him more weapons now.

“I changed a lot too. I know I was insufferable as a teen”, he must have taken your silence as a free pass to continue whatever nonsense he’s sprouting, “I am sorry”.

The last three words catch you off guard, a piece of fish almost stuck in the throat from the jolt. Ajax takes you by surprise once again, for him to finally acknowledge and apologize for all the pain he caused and years he tormented you?

You blink and look at him intently, his facial expression changing into an unusually somber one. It seems authentic enough.

“Let’s start from the scratch?

You contemplate unsure what to say.

Was he lying?

Looking back, you in a sense are luckier than most of Childe's victims, witnessing his youth, familiarizing and distinguishing the tells of him lying and scheming, observing the way he bloomed into the manipulator he is today firsthand. You see a familiarity in his face and voice, something that helps you from falling to his charms. There's also the added fact that you were and still are an involuntary witness to the way how carnal and bloodthirsty usually friendly Ajax can become. 

When did you catch his attention?

You remember his smile when he first approached you, less teeth and more sincerity that is thereafter,a hand outstretched to you. It happens on the next day after his arrival, almost as cold and unpleasant as the previous one. You brush the limb away like a noisy fly, secretly angry at his arrogant attitude and how effortlessly he endured training. His smiling doesn’t stop, yet you feel a sudden change in the air around you.

Would your fate be different if you took his hand?

You can't forget how your mind disconnected from your body for the second time. It was Ajax again vying for your attention akin to a spoiled child, and like one he threw a tantrum when you refused to give him any. The poor recruit you were talking with was hospitalized the same day, as you helplessly watched the carnage before you. You didn't fight, you didn’t flee, you just froze, like a scared animal, paralyzed by fear, yet somehow too detached from feelings. That day was bizarre: once you felt reality, it was solid and undeniable and then you didn't. The realness of the current diffused, slipped through the fingers like sand, leaving nothing but unreliable and delusive reveries behind.

Will he let you go? 

“People do change and I see that you changed too. I don’t think of you as a teen you were” you carefully pick the words, Tartaglia visibly blooms, thinking that his apology worked, yet your next words snuff out his triumph: “but my memories stay the same. I don’t think we can start from scratch”

You bite the tongue, the second part still coming out too harsh for your liking. The moment of sincerity is interrupted, you see him, changing the masks, unsure what to do. It seems for the first time it was you who caught him off guard. You guess which one of the two standard facades he will decide to show to you, having spent years by his side to observe him masterfully wielding both, the friendly one with a vacant smile that never reaches his dead, dead eyes or the calculating one, distant and devoid of humanity?

In the end he uses none, a hurt still evident, dripping in his tone, face and moves - is it another mask you never got to see or is it real? - “So that is your answer”, he leans in closer, dull cerulean eyes looking right into yours.

You hold his stare, nodding, instead of saying anything and he hums, sitting back and wearing the cold mask, reserved for his enemies: “Just wanted to remind you that I am the Harbinger and you are just a position higher than an ordinary agent”. Despite seeing it so many times, it’s the first time he directs it at you and you have to suppress the shiver. The unsaid threat hangs heavy in the air, suffocating you.

You two are no longer solemn [First] and annoying Ajax, who trails your steps behind like a puppy, no, you are a special agent [Last] and Eleventh Fatui Harbinger Tartaglia, to whom you are personally assigned by Tsaritsa herself. Even possessing vision and delusion yourself you can’t match Childe’s power, and your loss would be easy to overlook if your harbinger wished for it. Honestly speaking, there are a lot of things he could do to you without anyone questioning it, the Harbingers being the second most powerful figures in the organization, right after Tsaritsa herself. You heard the stories of Krupp and other assistants who got missing under Il Dottore, you heard of horrible accidents happening to the people Scaramouche dislikes, you heard about the injuries Signora inflicts on the unfortunate recruits when she is in foul mood, yet you never thought that Tartaglia will abuse his power in the same way.

“Don’t worry” he seems to have taken mercy on you, “I won’t use my position like that, it’s cheating and I like to play the fair game”, despite the seemingly reassuring words , you don’t let yourself relax, knowing him for years.

“Don’t think I will back down though, I am not the type to give up”

[sweetchup]

A Helping Hand 4: Ghosts of Pasts // Day 1

Type: Shalnark x reader

Au?: Savior Au

Word Count: 2,800+

Warnings: Reminsing of last chapter, Injury, Meteor City mentioned

Author Note: Ah! I’m glad to be back writing this series sorry for the long wait. I split chapter 4 up into multiple parts so it’s going to be looooong.

Also, I’ve started a Taglist for all of my series to make it easier for people to find out when the next installation is. So if you want the be added just sent me an ask thats not anonymous and I’ll add you.

<—(Pt.3) / (Pt.4.2)—>

A Helping Hand Masterlist

It was the eve of December 18th, when snow finally fell throughout the Republic of Padokea. However, there was no celebration or cheer by the citizens as all of the festive winter holidays had already passed by then. With most just deciding to bunker in for a quiet night at home. Even at the Hospital near the bloodthirsty Heaven’s Arena it was rather quiet, almost dull in a way.

Though, one specific doctor, Doctor (y/n) of the intensive care unit, had little to complain about the lack of patients and activity. It was rather refreshing actually, mostly due to the fact it was your last night on the job before you went on your week long holiday break, a break you had planned out with your supervisor months ahead of time.

Months before you had met a specific man. Much more specifically, a specific patient named Shalnark Ryuseih. A member of the infamous Phantom troupe who you had saved from his demise at the Heaven’s Arena.

…. As well as someone you might have developed a really really big crush on during your time taking care of him. But, that’s a story for another day and something you shouldn’t be worrying about right now. Especially since you still have plenty of time left on the clock before you go home.

As the seconds click a way, you find yourself letting out a groan. It was no use. You couldn’t get him out of your mind.

You just wished that it was the usual thoughts of Shalnark that festered in your mind during work. The ones that were caused from something as simple as him holding you in his arms tighter than usual while he slept one night or perhaps a teasing comment he shot at you while passing in the hall.

But that sadly wasn’t the case.

For the last couple of weeks, Shalnark had been acting…… weird.

Well he technically always acted weird—a man who actually enjoyed indulging in birthday cake flavored ice cream could not be considered normal in your book— but this time, he was actually acting quite strange.

Sometimes, when doing check ups or just visiting his room you could hear him sigh. It was quite unnoticeable at first, you had just thought he was frustrated with some new tech thing he got into, but as December went on the sigh only got heavier and more frequent. This was also when some of Shalnark’s other actions started to be strange as well, something as simple as,“What are you doing for the Holidays?” Or, actually now that you think about it, anything that was remotely related to the holidays would have the corner of his lips drop slightly. Something very strange for him, for he hardly faltered that smile of his.

And it wasn’t as if you weren’t trying to find out what was wrong. You had asked him plenty of times about his new habits. Though, in a Shalnark fashioned way, he would just brush you off with a grin and be confused as to what you were talking about.

So, if Shalnark isn’t going to tell you himself what was wrong. You were just going to have to take it upon yourself to make him feel better. Emotional health is just as important as physical health in your book.

“For the last time (y/n), I hope you know what you are getting yourself into.” Mal reminds you for the 15th time since you entered her office space.

“Yes, yes. I understand, don't worry about it.” You reassure the older woman as you continue to fill in the blanks to finish up the paperwork. All the while attempting to ignore her as she nags your ear off. “Okay I’m done. Thanks by the way Mal, I really owe you one”

As Mal takes the paperwork from your hands, she gives you one last warning of caution,

“I know Shalnark is under your care and all, and you have gotten pretty close to him during his stay…. but don’t you think having him leave with you for vacation is a little much? It’s legal, for some odd reason, but you should be careful. Not only is he a grown man that could try anything while you are alone with him but if any of the higher ups hear about this, you could get in a lot of trouble.”

“True, but I doubt that,” You hum out as you fumble with grabbing your winter coat off the rack, “The higher ups don’t exactly care much about paperwork unless one of the secretaries, like yourself, reports something. So unless you choose to report me, I don’t have much to worry about.”

“Fine. Just…. be careful. I swear you have been getting more and more reckless the more you spend with that man.”

“I will. Don’t worry, Mal. See you in a week!!”

“Okay, see you in a week.” Mal responds back, her wave goodbye immediately faltering as you close the door. Taking a deep breath to calm down the uneasy feeling in her gut, She just hoped you knew what you were doing.

Once Mal sends you off, you make your way in the direction of Shalnark’s room. You are excited to tell him about your little surprise but also quite scared because you did not exactly ask him… permission…. to sign him out.

“Come in.” Shalnark's voice rings out from behind the door as you knock. Coming into the room, you see that, as per normal, Shalnark was clicking away at his laptop. He seemed busy with something since even when you took the seat at his bedside he couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from the screen.

After a couple more minutes of listening to the clicking of keys, Shalnark finally closes his laptop and turns his attention to you.

“Hello (y/n)! What brings you in here today?” He asks, resting his chin on one of his hands as he observes you. As Shalnark scans you up and down you can’t help but notice the mischievous look in those blue eyes of his. You kind of wondered what he was thinking, or possibly planning, but then again— knowing Shalnark —you didn’t want to know what was running through that brain of his.

“Can’t I just visit you?”

“I guess you could.” Shalnark comments halfheartedly as if you don’t already visit him for fun on the daily already, “I’m just surprised you haven’t gone home for your vacation. It’s your last shift tonight, right?”

Shalnark might have asked the last part as a question, but you already knew— from tons of experience with dealing with him —that he already formed his own answer in his head.

“Missed me that much huh?...” Shalnark whispers out, his eyes seeming to sparkle under the light as he leans back against the headboard of his bed.

“S-shut up.” You grumble out. Swiftly putting the paperwork in your hand up to your face as you could already feel your cheeks begin to flare up from flusteration. You swore this man had no sense of fear or dignity.

“Hmm?” You feel Shalnark grab at the paperwork wrinkled in your hand; recognizing his photo ID on the cover. “What’s this?”

“Paperwork.”

“What type of Paperwork?” Shalnark presses forward, already taking it from your hand to examine it. No matter how close you two have gotten during his stay, he has always been extremely thorough about looking at what you put down on his paperwork. Must be something he picked up while being in the troupe you guessed.

Suddenly, you see Shalnark’s gaze pause on a section of the paperwork. His body unintentionally freezing up in surprise as he rereads it again. However, instead of instantly asking or explaining his confusion, your eyes are trained to his lips, ever so slightly parted due to confusion.

Unconsciously, you run your fingers over your neck. Your mind flashing back to what happened when Shalnark was under the effect of the aphrodisiac drug. The tingly feeling of his lips raking up and down your neck. Kissing, sucking and biting at any possible skin he could—

“(Y/n), What is this?” He mumbles out, his eyes still trained to the paperwork.

“U-uh Well…” You pause for a second as you try to calm yourself down from your thoughts, thinking about what you should exactly say, “Recently, I’ve noticed you being quite down. Kind of depressed or miserable in a way—”

“Huh? I haven’t been depressed.” Shalnark exclaims, snapping out of the trance he was in as well as cutting off what you were saying.

“Let me finish idiot.” You grumble at Shalnark, flicking his forehead in anger. “Also even if you aren’t depressed—“

“Which I’m not.”

“...Do you want to get punched this time?” You threatened, watching as Shalnark suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Memories flashing in his head of Lara pissing you off and facing your unwavering wrath. After one last glare, you continued what you were explaining, “As I was saying, Even if you aren’t depressed, it would be good for you to get out of the hospital. Hence why I decided to sign you out for my vacation week.”

It’s silent in the room as Shalnark just stares at you; an unreadable expression on his face. However, before you can figure out what expression it was, he quickly snaps out of it.

“Oh nice. That’s actually awesome.” Shalnark announces out, letting out a small giggle. “Just one question though… Is this even legal?”

“In a way…” You squeak out, watching as Shalnark looks at you with a knowing smile. Clearly understanding that you were pressing the line of legality and a possible felony in this situation.

“Well,” You watch as Shalnark shuffles out of bed; Planting his feet in front of yours before sending you a subtle wink, “Let’s get out of here before we get caught, okay?”

—.—.—.—.—.—

“So,” Shalnark starts, looking at the small white townhouse in front of him, “This is your house?”

“Um. Yeah?” You answer questioningly as you fiddle with your keys, “What about it?”

“Oh nothing.” You watch as Shalnark squats down in front of the garden gnome next to your tomato plant. Seeming to take in the plethora of plants covering your front patio. “It’s cute. I like it.”

“Thanks.” You mumble out bashfully as you unlock the front door, “I only rent the bottom floor of this place so it's quite small. But it's home.”

Before you enter, You offer a hand to help Shalnark up (He still has quite the injury in his legs after all) and watch as he walks inside your house; a limp still ever present as he walks. You just hope that he doesn’t push himself too far while with you. He might be a nen user but—

“Oh wow!” Shalnark’s voice calls out from inside the house, breaking your train of thoughts as you shut and lock the door. Confused yet curious at what he found interesting in your house, you slipped off your shoes—taking a small mental note that you should tell Shalnark to take off his as he forgot to— and walked over to his location. As you round the corner of the hall and gaze into your living room, you can’t help but let out a huff of a laugh. You can’t believe you totally forgot about Chloe.

There she stood, your 8 year old Sphynx cat that a college roommate had given you years ago, curled up in a fluffy blanket on top of her cat tree. Shalnark stood in front of the tree, looking up at the cat with an amused look as it glared down at him.

“Chloe.” You call out to your cat as you make your way next to Shalnark, “Come here baby.”

As you lift the cat off the tower, still wrapped in a blanket, and cradle her in your arms, you feel your breath hitch for a second. You turn your head as you feel a sudden pressure on your back and see Shalnark leaning over your shoulder. You stood there frozen and flustered, unable to move or look away from his face, from how close he was to you. However, Shalnark doesn’t notice how flustered you are; his attention focused on the cat in your arms. Eventually, he brings his hand down to pet her. Watching curiously as she sniffs his hand for a second before allowing him to touch her.

“They truly don’t have any fur…” Shalnark muses out as he rubs at Chloe’s ears, causing you to smile as you feel the rumbling of her purrs against your chest. “Hey (y/n)... did you know these guys are actually from Meteor city?”

“Wait… Really?” You shout out surprised, finally snapping out of the trance you were in.

“Yep!” Shalnark states rather proudly, “They were caused by accidental breeding by abandoned cats in the junkyards. …Though, the ones from Meteor city are quite rabid and terrifying so you can’t pet them like this. They would surely kill you.”

Startled, you give Shalnark a confused look, “No way…You're joking…”

“Nope.” He responds, popping the ‘p’ at the end as he walks away from you two and takes a seat on the couch. Your back suddenly feeling quite cold now that he was no longer next to you. “Even our toughest members like Phinks and Feitan were scared of those things.”

“Oh wow…“ You mumble out in amazement, placing Chloe back at the top level of the cat tree before taking a seat next to Shalnark. “...Meteor City sure sounds scary.”

“Eh, in a way.” Shalnark sighs out, stretching his back before suddenly resting his head on your lap. Startled at the act of affection, you freeze and stare down at him. Your mouth agape in shock. What… What was he doing?

“Oh.” Shalnark murmurs out as he takes note of your expression, already beginning to sit up, “Sorry, I stepped over a line didn’t I—”

“Ah! No!” You shout out, startling the both of you at how loud you were, “I mean… uh. I don’t mind, it just surprised me that’s all.”

“Oh. Okay?” Shalnark says, raising an eyebrow at you. As he sees your still worried expression looking down at him as he lays back down, he decides to flick at your forehead, surprising you. You two stare at each other for a couple of seconds before breaking out into light laughter at your stupid expression.

“W-what was that huh?”

As your laughter eventually stops, leaving you two in a comfortable silence, you stare down at Shalnark; his arms lazily crossed above his head with his eyes shut.

“You know…” You start, a stifle of a giggle sneaking up as a funny thought crosses your mind, “...You remind me of a cat right now.”

“Oh really?” Shalnark huffs out amused, popping one of his eyes open to gaze up at you.

“Yeah. All elongated on the couch, looking like you're about to fall fast asleep… Just like a little kitty cat.” You cooed out at him, taking two strands on the opposite sides of his head to form cat ears.

Shalnark sputters out a laugh before sending you a wink, “Go on. Give me a pet, Doc.”

You feel yourself freeze up as everything that has happened in these last couple of minutes hits you like a truck. Shit… You're his doctor, you idiot. This was what Mal was talking about about you getting too close with him. You have feeling for him but you can’t—

“Hey (y/n). You know…” Shalnark murmurs out, snapping you out of your thought, “One day…, I would like to take you to Meteor City.”

“R-really?” You answered, confused as where this was suddenly coming from.

“Yeah…” You watch as Shalnark eyes shift up towards the ceiling. His eyes unfocused and expression dazed as if he was off in a distant memory, “Not right now… But, In the spring…”

A smile slowly edges its way onto his face.

“Yeah… The spring,” He murmurs out again, sort of to himself, before looking at you, “You wouldn’t believe what it is like in Meteor City at the start of spring, (Y/n)... After a long hard rainy winter, seeds from rotten food, or hidden in garbage, come blooming out. It hardly lasts a month but… It’s gorgeous….”

As he stares up at you with those dazzling blue eyes of his, you can’t help but finally allow your hand to rest in his blonde locks. Wanting to understand more about that far off memory he had.

“I-I…” You murmur out, pausing as a small smile comes upon your face, “I can’t wait… Shal. Do… Do you think you could tell me more about your home while I wait?”

Just…

Just one more time, you’ll let your affections slide.

Allowing yourself to blur the lines of professionalism and wanting more.

Taglist: @meromelodi, @quartetstarheaven, @yumezai, @lvndrhwis, @writtenappreciation , @jojo-sinner, @pastelbear12, @aly-kurta, @bbunnycore, @feifood

[kyotakumrau]

2020.12.18 The World You Live In at Zepp Namba, 1st event report

I arrived with friends past 1:15 (door time), but lettings fans in here was very smooth. And there were leaflets for sukekiyo's January shows/MADARA and Dirt waiting for us on our seats.

After the interview, live footage and music videos, staff brought two long tables on the stage with 4 chairs. Fujieda again started with greetings and introduced himself and Takabayashi, and finally asked the audience for the applause for the band members as they come on stage.

Kaoru and Kyo came then.

Kaoru wore all black, jacket, glasses.

Kyo had green hair (same as for the a knot calendar photo session), shocking pink jacket, washed denim, pink socks and white trainers. He wore sunglasses.

They both introduced themselves with simple '薫です' and '京です' but I love how different it sounded for both of them.

Fujieda again talked first about the live footage from March. Kaoru commented that with the document it was really busy. For Kyo it felt that the staff, especially the staff under the stage was restless, moving a lot, but he himself just came and sang.

Next, Fujieda outlined the events in 2020 like he did in Nagoya, he asked if they watched the audiostreams.

Kyo: Yes, I watched all of them.

F: and then yours came last.

Kyo: I could really feel member's personality showing there.

Ka: how was the order out setlists came out decided? Was it after we submitted our setlists?

Takabayashi said that no.

Next Fujieda continued with the 2020 timeline and asked about what they can remember from the Pia VIP meetings.

Ka: I thought that Mr.Higuchi was really nervous interviewing all five of us at the same time.

Kyo: first day the atmosphere was so gloom it felt like a funeral.

After that they moved to the topic of Ochita single, F sked them about filming.

Ka: it finished so quickly, in an instant!

F: did you also feel it went by very quickly, Kyo?

Kyo: not that, there was something else. When filming we were working with a new director. For the first time, I got praised when shooting. Like only 5 minutes passed but he was all 'that's great! yes! very cool!'. Huh? What was that supposed to be? Being told that so much wasn't it too much? And then he had some issue with equipment and asked to go again. When the director saw my costume first he also went 'huh wow!' And the place was so narrow.

After that they moved to the merch items for this events. F passed them their own items and Kyo just kept holding the choker, almost like being frozen.

Meanwhile Kaoru said that there's no special meaning behind deciding to produce the pouch. Then, Kyo, asked about the choker, reacted.

Kyo: isn't this super cool?

(and then again)

Kyo: it's seriously cool. It's super cool. ...it's super cool. ...it's super cool.

(all the time just holding and looking at it)

F: about the embossing?

Kyo: not that, it's just super cool.

Agreed😆🖤

Then F announced they will move to the part with questions from fans. He divided the question sheets and passed them to everyone. But Kyo just kept moving to the next page, next page, next page...

F (trying to avoid silence😂): there were many questions on similar topics, I grouped some of them, many people asked about a movie you saw recently, movie you enjoyed.

Ka: I saw 'Hansekai', a Japanese movie.

Kyo: (after a moment) I watched 'Videodrome'.

He told us a bit about the plot, that you start questioning there what is real when watching. He said it's an older movie, and I didn't catch it but there was some connection with Robocop? He said he's also watching 'Friends' and Netflix's 'Dracula'.

After that Kaoru read a question from a fan: 'F seems to be really loved by all members and staff, but can you tell us how do you actually feel about him?'

Ta kept it cool just saying F is his kohai (younger friend/colleague). Kaoru, too, said that F is cool. But then it was time for Kyo ('s rant)🤣

Kyo: I would like to say you're cool, but there are those things I told you you should try to work on. You say you can eat anything, that's okay, but the way you eat is just, too eager (talking about his eating manners), you're even biting your lips, you also ask me about things when you don't really care, and then you reply with 'yeah yeah'. Don't do it. Saying 'yeah' once is fine, but saying 'yeah yeah' is too much.

(possibly didn't get it all xD)

F: I'll be careful. ...any questions you'd like to read?

Kyo (just kept moving on to the next paper, next question, next, next): nothing good.

Kaoru to the rescue picked a question, but had comments.

Ka: 'I'm moving the day after tomorrow and I'm curious bout the life with many people together (in a big group). How is it when you have to stay together?' Is there a connection between this and moving?

He talked about touring abroad and spending time together in a bus, but they just go to sleep soon. But there are more chances to talk before the shows.

Ta: 'can you recommend us any good restaurants in Osaka?'

nothing from the band members besides heavy thinking😂

Ta: 'which do you like better, takoyaki or okonomiyaki?'

Ka: I like both, but I don't eat them much. Monja(yaki) is better though.

Kyo: Monja is good, but choboyaki, from Kyoto, is the best.

Ta: I like both.

F: I eat everything. But abroad it's more difficult.

Kyo: ...the kebab chicken story.

He told us about the time when they were touring, he always stays on the bus so he would ask a roadie to go get him something to eat. He was thinking about eating McDonalds, but then F suddenly said 'let's do kebab!'. After F said that it's not like he could say he wanted McDonalds.

F laughed but got scolded by Kyo.

Kyo: I told you not to laugh like that! Like just a moment ago!

😂

Kaoru brought up that they played at Osaka Jo Hall on this day in the past. They talked about some trouble they had and the venue staff being angry at them.

Kyo: I don't remember anything from that day. I deleted it from my memory.

F: but you chose I'll and Zan for your audiostream.

Kyo: I wanted to do it for my setlist. But then I saw on twitter few fans wrote they want me to do it, I got upset and almost changed it. Almost. In the end nowadays it's something we wouldn't do.

Ta: 'anything you're into now fashionwise?'

Kao (after thinking): nothing really. ...but I'm not wearing socks today.

F stood up to check.

Kyo: You're THAT interested???

F: just wanted to see what it looks like.

Kyo: that's really weird.

F: 'what's the 'fashion point' for you today (the main idea of your look)?

Kyo: well, what do you think?

F: pink?

Kyo: the whole outfit, you're dead!😂

F: ...but even your socks are pink?

Kyo: you really think pink is the main idea?  Look at my hair, green, I couldn't wear this outfit if I had black hair. It's about total balance! You're really a weird one.

all the love😂

F: 'winter is a nabe season, so what is your favorite nabe?'

Ka ...talked a lot about different types of nabe to make at home.

Kyo: nothing in particular.

F: what nabe do you want to eat now?

Kyo: what do you think?

F: k...kimchi nabe?

Kyo: I was going to say you're dead if you say something else than kimchi nabe.

F (laughing): I got it right?? But I wanted to hear I'm dead😂

Ta: I like chanko nabe.

Ta: 'what's your favorite tea?'

Ka: don't know, I drink a lot of jasmin tea, but I just buy it in a bottle.

Kyo: any tea is okay.

F: I drink Tokucha (for dieting benefits)

(there's one question here when I zoned out) *found my missing bit: there was a question about the name for their fans, toriko. It came from a poster of Die from MACABRE era, fully dressed up, it said 'I'll make you into my slave'.

F: 'what's your favorite alcohol?'

Ka: wine, Napa Valley, I think I talked about it with Mr.Higuchi (at the Pia VIP meeting).

Kyo: I don't really drink now.

He said he used to buy some stuff to make drinks, cocktails, but doesn't drink now.

F: 'what's the most fun moment or something interesting you've done recently?'

Ka: so we've never played here before, at Zepp Namba. When we arrived we talked together in the dressing room. It was nice to have a chance to chat.

Kyo: same really.

Next, F talked about the additional streamed event and the filming.

Ka told us he felt funny when filming (with motion capture) because one of the sensors to record his movement was exactly where he usually plays the guitar so he had to hold the guitar a bit higher than normal (he showed us how it looked and it was quite funny).

Kyo said that when he was filming, and he went second, Die was first, they had to wear costumes like a Mojimoji-kun (like a black skin tight onesie), he felt Die looked much better, and it really made him feel bad, that his style was too 'minimal'. He felt shocked and didn't really like the filming.

F asked everyone to join them on New Year's Eve and next asked band members for the last comments.

Kaoru: We're not able to do concerts and it's very difficult now to gather together like this, so I'm really grateful you all came. We're thinking a lot about what we can do next year.

Kyo: It must have been difficult to come here today, I'm sorry. And 'おおきに・ookini・thank you/sorry for the trouble.

F: oh sudden Kansai dialect.

Kyo: I'm from Kansai.

F: It's fine if Kansai person uses Kansai dialect.

Kyo (turned to fans again): ookini.

Kyo waved to the audience, then they stood up and stood looking at fans a bit, bowed and finally left.

(unfortunatelly I only went to the 1st slot, but might dedicate my time on the train to Sendai tomorrow to collect some bits from twitter!)

[subbyyang]

You don't have to say 'I love you' to say 'i love you' - Jin Ling/Zizhen/Sizhui/Jingyi [1/7]

Zizhen feels like he isn't special compared to his boyfriends and that he doesn't belong with them. He also doesn't notice all the little ways in which his boyfriends show him love.

Well, Jin Ling, Sizhui and Jingyi gladly try harder.

Fill for a prompt at the MDZS kink meme

Zizhen was tired. He was tired of this feeling growing deep in his chest for the last couple of weeks, maybe even longer. Thinking back, Zizhen realizes it might have always been there, festering inside him. He hated feeling like this but whenever he looked at Jin Ling, Sizhui and Jingyi, his boyfriends, walking side by side, laughing at some stupid thing Jingyi had said, he couldn’t help the feeling that he didn’t belong. He loved them - so much it physically hurt him to be away from them - and he was so grateful they had given him a chance to join their relationship but the fear that they would wake up one day and realize they didn’t want him anymore kept him up at night.

“A-Zhen?” Zizhen was pulled out of his thoughts by Sizhui’s soft hand holding onto his own. “Is there something wrong?"

Zizhen tried to smile reassuringly as he shook his head. Sizhui didn’t seem too convinced and he looked like he wanted to say something else but he decided to drop the subject when Zizhen squeezed his hand.  They looked into each other’s eyes until a yell caught their attention.

“Senior Wei!” Jingyi yelled as he waved enthusiastically and took off running towards Wei Ying. Sizhui followed suit, letting go of Zizhen’s hand, causing the smile to fall from his face. Jin Ling didn’t seem to have noticed his mood or, if he did, he kept quiet about it as he pulled on Zizhen’s sleeve and walked the short distance to where Sizhui and Jingyi were talking to a tired looking Wei Wuxian.

“If it isn’t my lovely nephew!” Wei Ying said with an amused tone at Jin Ling’s fake displeased face. It had been nearly three years since he had come back from the dead and Jin Ling still liked to pretend he hated him. “And…huh, and the Ouyang boy. Ouyang…?”

“Zizhen, Senior Wei.” Zizhen said with a slight frown.

“Of course, I knew that! I was just testing you...” Wei Ying said unconvincingly, finishing the sentence with an awkward laugh.

“Testing me on my own name?”

“Yes” Wei Wuxian said matter-of-factly, purposefully ignoring the very real scowl Jin Ling was throwing his way.

Wei Ying bid the Juniors goodbye, claiming to have something important to take care of but Zizhen and his bruised ego weren’t paying attention anymore. He would be lying if he said it didn’t bother him that his sort of father in law (but also uncle in law? He tried not to think much about it) never seemed to remember his name, cementing the thought that he didn’t belong with the others.

“Don’t take it too personally, his memory was always terrible but with the baby it seems to be worse…” Jingyi tried to comfort a dejected looking Zizhen, one hand wrapped around his shoulder. Zizhen leaned against the touch, enjoying the warmth of Jingyi’s body next to him, oblivious to the fond look on Jingyi’s face. “Come on, let’s eat something. You were hungry before, right?”

Zizhen nodded slowly and let himself be pulled by Jingyi. Once again his eyes saddened when Jingyi dropped his shoulder. He wished he could always be in one of his boyfriends’ arms, always feeling warm and safe but, sadly, it didn’t happen much.

They sat together eating what Zizhen would consider the blandest meal he had ever had in his life. He liked being in the Cloud Recess, loved being close to Sizhui and Jingyi but the cuisine was something he would never get used to. He would never say it out loud though. He picked at his food as he watched Jin Ling and Jingyi quietly bickering back and forth while Sizhui stared lovingly at them, apparently not caring about the rule about eating in silence. They were beautiful. All of them. All of them special in their own distinct way and just being near them made Zizhen’s heart flutter.

“You’re distracted today…” Sizhui’s soft voice filtered through his ears, his hand laying on Zizhen’s arm, his brows slightly furrowed in concern.

“You have barely eaten, give it to me if you don’t want it!” Jingyi moved his arm towards Zizhen’s half eaten bowl, a surprised yelp leaving his lips when Jin Ling swatted his hand away.

“Eat your own food!” Jin Ling exclaimed before turning to Zizhen “Eat...don’t want you complaining about being hungry later”

Zizhen blushed at the tone of authority in Jin Ling’s voice, a warm feeling pooling deep in his stomach as he cast his eyes down and went back to eating in silence. He didn’t notice the worried glances his boyfriends shared between each other neither did he notice Jingyi’s hand twitching as he considered whether or not to grab onto Zizhen’s hand.

——

Zizhen sat alone near the cold spring, a poetry book in his hand as bunnies surrounded him. As much as he wanted to pay attention to the book, it was his favorite after all, he just couldn’t get the words to make sense, forcing him to read and reread the same line over and over again.

After lunch, he and Jin Ling were supposed to spend some time together, still having a couple of days before the Conference began, while the two Lans had their disciples’ training and classes to organize. But at the last minute Jin Ling had some sect business to attend to, leaving Zizhen to mope alone, missing his boyfriends. At least he had gotten an apologetic cheek kiss from Jin Ling, that type of affection unusual for his youngest boyfriend.

Putting his book down with a resigned sigh, Zizhen laid back on the grass, petting the bunnies closest to him, the air around him fresh and crisp. Sizhui had brought him there the first time he had visited the Cloud Recess after he had joined the relationship. Zizhen could still remember the expectant look on his face as Zizhen looked around in wonder. It had been a cold winter day, the ground tinged white from the morning’s snow. It was magical then and it was magical now.

Zizhen didn’t know how long he stayed near the spring, hoping Jin Ling would come back from whatever sect business he had to deal with, but the sun was starting to set and Zizhen’s back was starting to hurt so, with one last petting to each bunny, he got up to go look for Jingyi and Sizhui.

As he got closer to the training grounds he could see the disciples milling around, obviously finished with their training sessions for the day. Zizhen smiled brightly at the prospect of seeing his boyfriends, his heart thrumming inside his chest as he sped up his pace. His smile fell when he got to the grounds only to find it empty, no sign of Jingyi or Sizhui.

Zizhen walked around for a while and was about to give in and ask one of the many disciples where the others were when he saw his three boyfriends arriving. They seemed to be coming from the main gates, their hands filled with pouches and sweets. Had they gone into town? Zizhen could feel his heart tightening inside his chest at the sight of his three boyfriends having fun without him. Gusu and the Cloud Recess weren’t that close so it probably meant they had left in the beginning of the afternoon. He didn’t want to believe they would lie to him but it was understandable. He was nothing special compared to them, they probably just kept him around out of pity.

Zizhen turned around and left before any of them saw him, making an effort to not break the “no running” rule of the Lan sect as he quickly walked back to the guest room he was staying in, his cheeks wet with the tears that wouldn’t stop falling.

Once in his room he went straight to bed, not worrying about taking his outer robes off or undoing his hair. All he wanted was for sleep to take over.

He must have succeeded in falling asleep since he was awoken by someone shaking his shoulder softly. It was dark out but he could still make out Jin Ling’s slim frame, his hand cold against his shoulder.

“We’ve been looking for you…” Jin Ling whispered as he kneeled on the floor besides Zizhen’s bed.

“It’s almost dinner time, are you coming with us?” another voice said softly. Sizhui. Zizhen turned towards the voice, his sleepy eyes focusing on Sizhui and Jingyi.

“Don’t feel too good, want to sleep…” Zizhen said, his eyes fluttering shut when he felt hands on his forehead checking for his temperature. He opened his eyes again to come face to face with Jingyi, his brows furrowed in worry as his hand slid from Zizhen’s forehead to his cheek.

“That’s alright, we’ll let you sleep, just let us help you get more comfortable…” Sizhui’s voice was calm and sweet as he pulled the covers from Zizhen’s body and started to untie his outer robes.

Zizhen was grateful for the dark that masked the flush of his cheeks when Jin Ling’s and Jingyi’s hands joined Sizhui’s in undressing him and removing his hair piece, letting his hair fall freely. He was embarrassed by how much he had enjoyed their touches. Not really how he imagined his boyfriends undressing him for the first time but he reckoned that’s the best he was gonna get.

“Now get some rest, we’ll be back later…” Jin Ling mumbled as he pushed Zizhen down on the bed and covered him again, making sure he was warm and snug. He hovered above Zizhen’s head, hesitating on whether to kiss his forehead or not, deciding against it at the last minute, petting his head instead.

With the ghost feeling of his boyfriends’ hands on his body, Zizhen fell asleep again.

——

“We’re heading to bed, it’s almost 9, are you coming with us?” Sizhui asked as he and Jingyi stood up, offering a hand to Jin Ling. They had decided to eat outside Sizhui and Jingyi’s room, the night more akin to a warm summer night than an early May one.

“Not tonight...want to stay with Zizhen”

“Okay, Young Mistress, make sure to take good care of our A-Zhen” Jingyi laughed as Jin Ling grew red and tried to swat at him only for Jingyi to grab his hand and pull their mouths together. Jin Ling melted into the kiss, before remembering they were outside and pulling away, wanting to hit Jingyi again for the stupid grin he had on his face.

“Goodnight, A-Ling. And give A-Zhen a goodnight kiss from us, okay?” Sizhui waited for Jin Ling to nod before leaving a small kiss to the corner of his mouth, smiling at the little pout that graced Jin Ling’s lips momentarily, before he schooled his face into a more neutral expression.

Jin Ling watched as the other two entered their room before turning around and heading back to the guest area. He smiled when he saw Fairy sitting protectively in front of Zizhen’s room, just where Jin Ling had told her to stay. Forsaking the idea of walking to his own room just on the left of Zizhen’s, Jin Ling quietly stepped into Zizhen’s room, Fairy in tow. As he got rid of his outer clothes, he couldn’t help the small smile that graced his lips when his eyes landed on his sleeping boyfriend. His beautiful sleeping boyfriend.

Jin Ling walked over to the bed, leaning down so he could kiss Zizhen once on the forehead and once on his left cheek. Sizhui’s and Jingyi’s goodnight kisses. He hesitated for a couple of seconds before leaning down to leave one last kiss, this time to Zizhen’s soft lips. His own goodnight kiss.

He quickly lay down behind Zizhen, pulling his warm body onto his own.

“Shh, shh it’s me, go back to sleep…” Jin Ling whispered into Zizhen’s ears when he felt him stir.

Zizhen settled down, not once truly waking up from his sleep. Jin Ling instinctively wrapped an arm tighter around Zizhen’s waist, pulling him closer before letting himself drift off.

[buckybabybaby]

Not So Bad

A/n: this is my one shot for @firefly-in-darkness's summer challenge. It's a couple of days late, I'm so sorry!! I wrote most of this in one go on Friday, which is the most I've written in months, so hopefully I can keep that up.

Proof read by way of a text-speech device.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes/reader (gender neutral)

Word count: 1998

Warnings: none :)

Plot: stuck on a beach awaiting pick-up after a mission, you and Bucky have an interesting conversation. (Enemies to friends (to implied maybe lovers later))

Masterlist

*****

The steady lapping of the waves washing up onto the sand below is the only sound breaking the silence between you and Bucky. Seated at opposite ends of the last bench on the promenade, you are seriously considering typing up your notice the minute you get back home and walking away from The Avengers if this is the way you're going to be treated. Not only have you had to spend the last two weeks acting all lovey-dovey with Bucky for the sake of a mission, but now it's over you're stuck on a beach with him as you wait for a pick up. Because, apparently, a domestic flight back home would be too risky.

A light flickering in the distance catches your attention, and you raise your head to watch as the illuminations strung along the closest pier are extinguished one by one, until only the hazard warning at the very end remains lit, plunging the beach further into darkness.

“That'll be midnight then.”

It shouldn't, but Bucky's voice coming from beside you for the first time in hours makes you jump. Sitting up straighter, you attempt to hide your shock as you ask, “What will be?”

“The lights. The pier closes at midnight. I guess it's just you and me now.”

Looking away, you roll your eyes; this mission hasn't been easy for you, and you've had to hold yourself back from repeating that action many times during the last fortnight. Normally working with world-saving heroes is the dream job, but normally you're not sent out undercover with the formal Winter Soldier, forced to act like a honeymooning couple to infiltrate a people smuggling ring operating out of an exclusive Floridian beach resort. Though it wasn't hard to get people to talk and the mission was a success, you feel little joy in the outcome.

The reason is currently huffing next to you.

“Stop that!”

Bucky looks across at you, raising his eyebrows at your outburst. “Stop what?”

“Breathing so heavily!”

“Oh, you want me to stop breathing?”

“I wouldn't complain.”

“That'll be a first.”

Refusing to rise to the bait, you turn back to staring out to sea. How you survived pretending to be married to this man for fourteen long days, you may never know. Maybe you were an actor in another life, because every time you're alone with him it usually leads to petty squabbling, but you somehow managed to fool multiple people into believing that he was your 'amazing husband' who you were madly in love with.

To be fair to Bucky, he was very good at pretending too. The little glances and touches that made it convincing, the way he memorised your back story perfectly and never slipped up when questioned, how he succeeded to completely hide his disdain for you the whole time, it was all truly impressive. Even in private he didn't drop the act, on the slim chance of being caught out, leaving you flustered and confused.

Hence why you're sitting as far away as possible on this weather beaten bench.

As soon as the all clear had been given that you could go home, you couldn't get out of there fast enough, desperate to sleep in your own bed alone and not share one with the furnace in human form that is Bucky. Apart from the comment about the pier, he's been completely silent as you waited for the rescue boat to arrive, a jarring contrast to earlier in the day as you checked out of the hotel.

You don't like the way you miss his gentle hold and soft words. A fortnight living together has warped your emotions beyond recognition, and the return to normal life is most welcome.

From somewhere deep in the pile of luggage on the beach your phone buzzes twice, and you jump up to grab it, groaning in frustration at the message it contains.

Bucky senses the cause. “Delayed?”

“Hmm.”

“Cool.”

He says it so casually and it's like you snap. It's been ages since the two of you have been alone without the threat of eavesdroppers, all that pent up tension exploding in a mini rant.

“Well it might be cool for you, but excuse me for being annoyed. Not everyone wants to be stuck on a beach in the middle of the night.”

He shrugs, unaffected. “You kept saying you wanted to go to the beach.”

“Yeah, but not at midnight! And certainly not with you!”

“Wow, ouch.”

The genuine hurt on his face surprises you. He has always given as good as he gets, never seeming fazed by the verbal abuse you throw his way. “What, Bucky? Don't act like we get along. You hate me!”

If anything, the look of hurt deepens at your words. “Hate? I don't hate you.” He rises to stand with you on the sand. “Y/N? Is that what you think?”

You can't keep eye contact. “Why would I think anything else? We can't spend ten minutes together without arguing.”

“It's just friendly bickering.”

“Friendly?” Scoffing loudly, you walk back up to the bench, flopping down in a slouched position and resigning yourself to the wait. “If that's your idea of friendly I worry about your actual friends.”

Bucky's stood frozen where you left him but you pay him no mind. As the clouds clear above and the stars become visible, the temperature starts to drop. Shivering, you curl into a ball on the seat, too lazy to search through your suitcase for warmer clothes.

“Here.”

Blinking, you're met with Bucky's outstretched hand and the offering of his coat.

“What.” You say flatly.

“So you don't freeze,” He explains, shaking the jacket a little in your face.

You snort at his act of chivalry. “Oh, please. It's okay, the shows over. You don't need to pretend any more, we haven't got an audience here.”

He visibly holds his tongue. “Will you just take it? Stop being so stubborn.”

“Well, what about you? Don't you need it?”

“Super soldier, doll. We tend to run hotter.”

“Yeah, I noticed,” You mutter under your breath, not quietly enough.

“Oh, you did? Must have kept you nice and warm huh?”

The smirk you know so well is back and you fight your smile at the familiar tone in his voice.

“More like sleeping with a damn heater. You're lucky I didn't kick you out every night.”

“As if you could.”

“You know I could.”

He nods in agreement, remembering all the times you've beaten him in combat training. “Suppose you could've. But you didn't. That's something.”

Placing the jacket over your shoulder when you sit up, Bucky pulls it round to the front to fasten the top button, allowing you to do the rest yourself as he takes his place back on the bench. You are much closer now as you chose to sit in the middle of the seat, but you stay put as it feels rude to move away when he's been so nice.

The air is once again full of only the sounds of nature. It was true you had wanted to visit the beach during this mission, the long stretches of white sand calling your name from the hotels bedroom window, but you hadn't got the chance as the suspects you were tailing stayed around the bar and pool. As you breathe in the salty air, you decide the pain of the last fortnight was worth it for this moment, even in the middle of the night and without the longed for ice cream.

Glancing over to Bucky's relaxed form, you study his profile. Whilst you've seen it a lot recently, it still shocks you how defined his face is and the way his hair always seems to fall perfectly, no matter the time of day or weather. Even his early morning bed-hair could be classed as a tousled style others would take hours to achieve, and you can't believe you've never noticed how attractive he is. And it's not just his looks, if the way he acted his role is anything to go by. This mission has taught you one thing; who ever Bucky does end up marrying will be the luckiest person in the world.

You think of your previous conversation, still lost. Since your first meeting it's been the same, sharp tongues flinging insults at each other whenever you meet, and the others in the tower have learnt to avoid the two of you when you get going. Does Bucky really think that that's all been in jest?

Eventually, the curiosity gets the better of you. “Do you really not hate me?”

He takes a few seconds to reply, not looking at you as he says quietly, “No, of course not.”

“Okay.” You don't bring up your regular fights as evidence to the contrary, instead asking, “And you actually enjoy my company?”

“Why do you think I volunteered for this?”

“Volun-what?” That really wasn't what you expected when you started on these questions. You stare at him wide-eyed with disbelief, sure you've misunderstood. “I thought we were assigned? I definitely didn't choose to be here.”

“You were assigned. They thought you'd blend in well with the crowds here, they just needed someone to be your husband and... Here we are.”

“Huh.” You blow out a breath, overwhelmed.

“I thought it would be a way to spend time together without the usual spats.”

“That's an extreme way to spend time with someone.”

He sighs. “I know.”

“But why? With me?”

“'Cause you're fun to be with?”

“Are you telling me or asking?”

“Telling. I want to be better, nicer to you, but any time we're together, you get all defensive, and I can't help returning the sentiment.”

“So, it's my fault?”

“That's not-” He cuts himself off, stopping the argument before it can begin. “I'm sorry.”

“No, I'm sorry.” You smile at him for the first time. “You're going to have to give me a while to get used to this. I'm finding it kinda hard to believe you don't actually hate my guts.”

His own smile drops. “I'm so sorry.” Dragging a hand through his hair, he gazes at you intensely. “This is... I honestly had no idea you thought our arguments were serious. I thought-” He swallows, a self conscious grin tugging at his mouth. “Is it awful that I thought we were flirting?”

Your cheeks heat up, but you shake your head to reassure him. Thinking back, you can see why he believed that. There is a fine line between hate and love, and it makes sense now why you sought him out so often, why you gravitated to him even when it would be so easy to avoid contact, and why, if you're being honest with yourself, you didn't despise the last two weeks at all.

“So, where do we go from here?”

“First, we go home.” He gestures to the vessel you hadn't noticed bobbing in the surf, waving at the captain as the speed boat is launched to retrieve you and your belongings. “And then? Whatever you want.”

“Can we start just being proper friends?”

He reaches for your hand to help you up. “I'd like that.”

Stretching, you follow him across the beach in the gloom. Picking up your holdall and rucksack on the way, you dump them into the bottom of the boat and climb in, sitting close together on the narrow bench. The crew shout at each other over the engines roar once you're both safely on the yacht, but you tune them out, choosing to stay on deck and admire the lights along the coast. Bucky joins you after you tire of his hesitation and tug him down into the seat to you. 

As the boat starts the journey back north he glances at you through the spray of salt water, the small smile you share feels so much bigger, and your letter of resignation couldn't be further from your mind.

[origami10]

Ajin ch 86 thoughts

Okay, it’s been a little bit! Thoughts and spoilers under the cut! (Warning, this is very long)

Writing this in a word doc because a) I don’t want to risk going on tumblr and b) I don’t want to risk the post getting deleted in the middle  [note from the end: this ended up being four pages long in a Word document, so I’m sorry]

Ahhhh, last time buying the digital magazine ><    Until... if... Sakurai starts publishing something new...

It seems kind of unfair not to have Ajin be the cover feature if it’s ending DX I guess they’re just starting with a new series, though. Is that how that works? (It has a main character with white hair so I might be interested...) It’s at the beginning of the mag.

Okay, yeah, pages 111-175.  Aggghhhh I’ve always put off reading the end of series, but I think this is the first one I’ve been up to date with when it actually ended. Promised Neverland was close.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

ooh completely new characters...?????? whoops overshot the starting page by a few ughhhh it’s definitely the last one... I mean we knew that, but still..... OMG NO IT’S IZUMI AND TANAKA ISN’T IT??    jeez woah  I can’t wait to hear other readers’ reactions    [edit: yes this was about clover, and she recorded her reaction, which was beautiful ;u;] also omg they’re at least appearing together

omg Sakurai’s author’s note: “It’s very cold, isn’t it. Everyone, I hope you don’t catch a cold.”       YOU’RE NOT EVEN GOING TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT’S ENDING?

okay, so at least some time skip Tanaka: New identity, who dis Ooh, Izumi called Tanaka “anta” – the rude/familiar version of ‘you’, rather than the polite one. Honestly I don’t remember but it’s probably what she called him previously. And then turns around and called him anata the next page X’D  Okay, I’m glad that not being consistent is okay in Japanese, I always worry/wonder about that ooooh so Tanaka doesn’t have a new identity YET. I wonder how long it’s been?? omg Tosaki prepared it??    Was he thinking that far ahead? Or is he not dead....   ???  okay so he made it ahead of time     oh, and Izumi was the one who asked him for it??? Oh wow, Izumi has yet another change of identity. I wonder if she’s back to (omggg I forget D: her original name... Tainaka [hah]) Also another great shot emphasizing their height difference X’) lmaoooo I always love when there manages to be some humor oh, they’re only about three years apart! I wonder if that helps pin down the timeline at all??

Aw, Izumi still respects Tosaki lmao  “I’m going home.” “You really have places to be?”  Oh I guess that wasn’t quite it- she really was wondering if he was had a living location... so he has been kinda on the run ><    [Sakurai. Sakurai, happy ending. There is, right? Right?]

Oh dude I really didn’t think we’d get any resolution on that ship and like, idk if this counts as resolution but it sure looks like it does right now okay I’m really sorry but part of me is like ///we’re using so many of the remaining pages on this///  although oh I guess it’s only been 10 pages... it feels like so many since the chapters have been so short lately...

heyyyyy  I mean we kinda knew the U.S. ajin would be back or else what was the point of introducing them Ogura not being dead at the end of the series is extremely impressive (also hopefully Kai :prayer hands:  as in I think he survived) so Ogura didn’t tell them he was coming back huh ... with the crew??? :eyes emoji: lmao AND they thought he was dead, I’m cackling oh okay so they had heard he wasn’t dead the close up of Jim’s face reminds of Kai somehow I guess this manga isn’t so long (and the U.S. ajin left enough of an impression) that at least we’re not like WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE “I’ll kill you!!” “Go ahead!!”  HA Winnn I think the people in this series need to get their idea of ‘fun’ checked I don’t really understand what he says in the bubble after that... I’ll have to check the English did he like, metaphorically die because he’s out of FKs? I’m not up on my cigarette brands enough to know if that’s an FK or not... I think it’s what the brand turned into...? oh no what’s this omg    is it gonna be Kai? Are they all gonna be in there? Kotobuki??   also this is already super sad that not everyone got out of jail free... unless they did and I’ll see... but also it’s realistic so all for the best I guess?  i have no idea OH HA I thought it was the juvenile detention center but it’s Takahashi !  o_o not entirely sure I understand what Takahashi says to the guard either at least everyone’s having... fun??? KAI KAI KAI    gahhhh this looks exactly like how ch 69 started and agh they’re both in juvie but ahhhhh they’re together??         I’m already scared to read and actually find out –o- oh wait they have dates to get out!  and they said plural ‘we’ “That was fast”  I feel like that panel represents what this chapter means to me somehow lmao they just want them to be not their problem anymore... that really wraps it up nicely, hilariously, and realistically I’m glad I’m not translating this because there are really a couple lines where I don’t completely understand them “something happened that day”  um, yeah WOW I did NOT think we were going to get an answer to whether Kai was an ajin now or not, but I feel like that definitively answers that question?????     also that’s terribly funny HE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW KEI REVIVED HIM??       -punches a wall-  Kai’s whole personality is  ‘I don’t really remember that happening’  >_____________________________> Kei... gave Kai a reason to live... because he almost died...?      I still kinda have faith in this wrapping up well but GOD Kai is not a character to invest all your emotion into, laughs cryingly Kotobuki: “You literally never make any sense, man.” oh no “ano natsu” GAH

I just realized that this almost certainly means Kai and Kou never met. There isn’t enough keysmashing in the world to express my desire to throw my laptop at a wall right now

In no way shape or form did I ever expect to get closure on Akiyama, even on him getting out of the barrel

Manabe definitely stole whatever it is he’s holding but it was probably some kind of personal effects...?  [my powers of prediction suck most of the time] he really looks beat up now ;u; Izukyū-Shimoda... Win, that’s not where you traveled, is it?  Maybe I saw it on the Sunday NHK travel program... but it’s also the end of the train line and has ferries going out into the ocean islands.  Is he getting away, or going home.......? or to Hirasawa or something...?

well that was an extremely abrupt shift are they really shooting Satou up into space they’re not using him as a test subject are they that sounds like an even more awful idea than I ever could have come up with okay... oh jeez can we please please not have Satou be Captain America you just KNOW he’s going to make trouble again, ,, , , ,!!

oh jeez Eriko! I didn’t expect to see her but it’s nice! it’s really sinking in that that’s all the closure we’re going to get on Kai isn’t it Eriko tsundere as if that needed confirmed okay cool, so she’s out of the hospital (for now)

It does seem appropriate? Likely? That Kei didn’t go home. WE BETTER SEE KOU THIS CHAPTER oh, it’s fall   (or winter? Izumi said it was cold...) oh phew

Sakurai said RIP KeiKai shippers I guess....  but they still influenced each other so that’s still shippable even though they’re not together?  sigh not everything is so straightforward and I guess it’s good it reflects that

Kei looks happy enough was Kei working a blue collar job with Kou or something? That’s 100% unexpected Kou adorable omg what is his new name gonna be Also ;-; so they’ve giving ajin rights but everyone’s still staying undercover...? or Kou isn’t I guess, that’s sweet oh wow we admit Tosaki’s great     I guess last chapter’s statement that they found his remains must have settled whether he’s alive or not ‘iroiro atta na’  YOU THINK    also pretty sure that’s Kai’s line from the drama CD what’s with that Kei face??? OMG PERF       also that is scarily close to what I wrote in a fic, but also pretty much to be expected crap I guess at least Tanaka and Izumi are with each other? KAI’S MOON JACKET   WITH THE SMILIE       we really messed up characterizing Kai as the sun haha he’s out he’s out he’s out is he going to meet someone literally zooming out on everyone (like at the end of last chapter too) is kinda messing with me Like they’re still around and doing stuff but we aren’t (don’t get to) watch them anymore Kou saying ‘let’s all meet again’... my heart is warm ;0; LMAO

we can at least rest assured that everyone stayed in character

I can’t I can’t I can’t  [note, this was when I thought Kei saying ‘nah’ was the last page]

O MM FRICKING GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

omg Sakurai you’ve done it again bwahahaah a coworker hit him and is like ‘oh cool fine nevermind’ this is WAY more hilarious than I was expecting for this chapter How do I always forget that Ajin has so much comedy not remembering what page number the chapter ends on is nice

Tankobon releases May 7th in Japan Elizaaaaaa Kei’s got a Shion coat

alright uh well I guess that’s good, in a way, we still get to imagine whatever we want

Finishing it hasn’t sunk in yet, I’ve have to get back to you on that one.

[altumvidetur]

Haikyuu!! Fic Recs (BokuAka)

Fic Recs Masterpost

So, I was thinking about the coronavirus pandemic and what I could do to help people out. I’m isolated because I’m at higher risk, so I can’t really offer to go out for my elderly neighbors or my family… but I thought I could try to help keep people entertained.

Because I don’t have an AO3 account right now, I’ve been compiling fic recs for my own amusement for a year or so. And I thought – maybe that’s the time to share these with everyone? So everyone will have plenty of things to read while they have to stay at home, or even to escape anxiety a little bit if you’re forced to go out.

Of course, these cater to my own tastes, so you may find stuff you don’t like around here. I never include works in progress. The Mature and Explicit works will be in italic. I ask you to READ THE WORK’S TAGS before continuing, so you won’t find anything that makes you uncomfortable.

I’ve decided to split it in a series of posts, starting with my OTPs. This time it’s BokuAka’s turn!

cookies and cream, by norio

Some people might tell Akaashi that he couldn't bake his worries away.

But some people haven't dated Bokuto Koutarou.

dozens of red roses, by norio

“And what’s the boyfriend getting for Bokuto’s birthday?” Kuroo asked, mirthful grin on his face.

“Oh,” Akaashi said, distracted by the magazine. “The next time he visits the dentist, I’ll pay for half what the insurance doesn’t cover.”

The silence dropped around the store like a chilling and killing frost.

i put my hand out, unfolded, into the sunlight, by carafin

In which Bokuto Kotarou is woefully inept at conveying his feelings, and Akaashi Keiji has a sort-of superpower. Sort of.

-

Next to him, Komi is chewing his cupcake dutifully, albeit with obvious effort. Washio has assumed a completely neutral expression on his face, although Akaashi thinks that his eyes might be watering. Sarukui, having seemingly demolished the entire thing out of sheer willpower alone, looks like he deeply regrets every single choice that has led to this precise moment in his life.

‘It isn’t too bad, huh?’ Bokuto says, grinning. ‘I made them in our school colours, so they’re like, marbled black and white chocolate swirls! Do you guys want more?’

Sarukui looks like he might pass out at the thought alone. Komi pauses mid-chew to shake his head weakly.

‘I’ll have more,’ Akaashi says, to the general astonishment of everyone.

better than spy films, by dalyeau

Akaashi knocks Bokuto out and Bokuto falls in love. Kuroo laughs about it.

Maybe We’re Airborne, Baby, by fathomfive

Realizing he's got it bad for his setter is the easy part. But getting his feelings across might be Bokuto's biggest endeavor yet, not counting his literature final or putting out the flames on that birthday cake he tried to bake for Akaashi last year, or—or a lot of things, actually.

But the point still stands. Reaching out to Akaashi is a leap in the dark, and Bokuto wants it more than he's ever wanted anything. He's an expert at seizing his perfect moment, at bringing victory home against the odds. So he's got this, right? It's gonna go great, right? Right?

(After all, it's what you attempt with your own two hands that matters.)

heavy heart, a love apart, by drifloon

(802): Our sex has gotten so much better since we broke up.

Character Development, by silvercistern

"That’s some kinda gratitude. What happened to my painfully polite little brother? I get the ideal guy to take you to prom, and you act like he's not even here!"

"I doubt I’d let him take me to the hospital if I were bleeding to death."

Keiji needs a date. Bokuto needs dating lessons. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

prepare for rain, by norio

“First you must make a delicious bowl of tea; lay the charcoal so the water boils; arrange the flowers as they are in the field; in the summer suggest coolness, in the winter, warmth; do everything ahead of time; prepare for rain; and give those with whom you find yourself every consideration.”

- Sen no Rikyu

cracks in the pavement will lead you home, by deusreks

Bokuto often thinks about Akaashi, especially when he’s running. It’s like his legs know where they’re supposed to take him. He grows into a habit of running a lot, just to keep that feeling going. Cracks and holes in the pavement aren’t fun to jump over if the final reward isn’t seeing Akaashi’s face.

An alternate universe with a little bit of magic and a lot of growing up.

il mio ragazzo falso, by Karasuno Volleygays

With his grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary looming fast and large, Akaashi finds himself urged to bring a date and not quite to the point where his family knows that said date will not be of the female variety.

At some point, he has to decide which will be the least frightening prospect — braving coming out to his family or endure Operation: Find Keiji A Girlfriend 2k15.

And why is the only person he can think of to drag along to this thing his overly-spirited volleyball captain?

#someonepleasesaveakaashi

right in the head, by Mysecretfanmoments

That was the other thing: when Keiji had said he wanted to make his way home, Bokuto had agreed—as if it didn’t matter where they went. He hadn’t said "we should look for a community" or "there’s probably nothing there anymore".

He’d just asked which way.

((the bokuaka zombie au literally no one asked for))

how to become a birder, by norio

“Since I’m Bokuto,” Bokuto said, giving an unnecessarily meaningful look, “You know what I want, right? It’ll be easy! You take pictures of me, I turn them in, my professor says I’m the smartest genius, I graduate, I go play pro, I win the Olympics.”

The World’s Best Kept Secret, by kythen

The struggles of keeping a relationship a secret (when it really isn't a secret at all).

third wheel, by arsenicjay

"So you and Bokuto, huh?"

Akaashi's attention snaps back to Kuroo and he gives the other boy a blank stare. "What about us?"

Or, Kuroo figures out that Bokuto is interested in Akaashi long before Bokuto does himself and being the kind friend that he is, tries to help them along.

cherished, by gabstar

Bokuto tends to panic when Akaashi expresses discomfort or concern. Akaashi didn't need that. Akaashi was better off handling this alone.

((In which Bokuto's love sick, Akaashi's sick-sick, and together they feel a little better))

Kissing Ace, by Karasuno Volleygays

It happens right after training camp.

Akaashi Keiji has a secret he has guarded since he was a child. He won’t go so far as to call it a fear, but more of an aspect of himself of which he is horribly mortified. No one on the team knows about it, and Akaashi does his best to keep it that way. But years of dodging hugs and casual contact come to naught in the blink of an eye and the swipe of a hand.

legs killed the owl, by dalyeau

He's not smiling anymore an hour later, after he's fucked up four perfect spikes that Akaashi tossed carefully for him because he's too distracted by the lean, elegant line of Akaashi's legs, kneepads dark against the white of Fukurodani's gym.

tea-stained polaroids, by dalyeau

“I'm gonna date that,” Bokuto declares solemnly, and Kuroo throws a plastic spoon at his head. 

owls, by ThinkingCAPSLOCK

It was no secret that Bokuto genuinely loved owls, considering his locker was full of them, but Akaashi kept his own like of the animal very low key.

How Bokuto found out otherwise, he didn't know.

all lost souls, by norio

Not again, Akaashi thought. But he had never seen this sight before.

run rabbit run, by norio

Rule #1: Don't hurt Akaashi. Rule #2: Don't taint Akaashi. Rule #3: Don't involve Akaashi. Rule #4: Don't damage Akaashi. Rule #5 (optional): Try not to destroy yourself.

gwah, bam and swoosh, by dalyeau

When Bokuto meets Kageyama the first thing he thinks is, No five year old should be able to scowl like that.

Or be that tall.

Then, Shit, his dad is really hot.

Spoiled, by gabstar

Akaashi desperately needs a new mattress and he drags his loyal, loving, and very loud boyfriend with him.

omam verse, by shionsheart

Though some may believe they're monsters, those closest to them know they're just men learning how to love in this world of magic, demons, and faeries.

i’ll return home one day, by awkwardedgeworth

"Bro," He asks Kuroo out of the blue one day when they're toweling their hair dry, "What if Sawamura is halfway across the world and he only comes home seven times a year for around four days each?"

"I would consider every moment a blessing. You got it bad for Akaashi already?"

"I just wish you would introduce us sooner."

Or, wherein Akaashi is a world famous violinist, Kuroo introduces him to future Olympian-to-be Bokuto Koutarou. And Bokuto pines. A lot.

morning owls, by norio

Most of the time, if Bokuto woke up first, he would shake Akaashi awake. Sometimes he would bake sloppy pancakes for breakfast in bed, and sometimes he would sit on Akaashi's waist.

And sometimes he did not.

Insomniac Olympics, by Aetherdrive

Akaashi never thought he could inspire anyone, let alone an artist -- and then he met Bokuto.

counterclockwise, by miiniwa

How they had gone from point a to point b in such a short amount of time, he doesn't know. But as he dwells on it, he realizes that he doesn't exactly mind.

if kisses were fishes, then i’d be an ocean, by norio

Akaashi needs a fake date partner, so he grabs the first person he sees.

the way you look at me, by ThinkingCAPSLOCK

Bokuto sees him every day, every commute, at the final train. The stranger he only knows as Train Guy. Wrapped in coats, mystery, and distance - that is, until Bokuto breaks their familiar silence. He struggles with the hardest part of befriending someone he thinks he already knows: taking a step back to reevaluate all his assumptions.

He finds the easiest part is getting to learn about Train Guy all over again.

[mochikeiji]

Winter Hearts

↠ Pairing: Bokuto Koutarou x Akaashi Keiji

↠ Warning: TimeSkip AU! Fluff, Angst

↬ Word Count: 2,690

Summary: Traveling to Osaka was their time to spend together. Even though people gave them weird stares, all that mattered was how happy the both of them were as long as they had each other.

⇢ Day 6: Traveling/Roadtrip @bokuakaweek2020

✎﹏

Winter was one of Akaashi's most favorite time of the year. Before, he enjoyed spring since it was warm and serene. The flowers blooming from his window side with butterflies taking a sip from their nectar. But now he was inlove with the white covered streets of cotton candy and freezing but beautiful winter breeze.

But what made winter more beautiful and breathtaking for him, was having his lover gleem in happiness as he was surrounded by snow that had buried him when he kicked a tree.

"That was fun!"

Shaking his head, he pulls his red scarf up on his lips to avoid getting them chapped from the winter air.

"I told you not to kick the tree, Bokuto."

His shoes crunched on the snowy floor as he walks over to the snow piled male. Looking like a lost puppy, he just smiles sheepingly at Akaashi.

Behind them were people giving odd glances and stares, but they didn't pay attention to it.

Today was going to be their annual tradition where they travel to Osaka every winter for the festival, and nothing was going to ruin that.

"We should be heading towards the train station. The trip to Osaka is 2 hours." pulling Bokuto by the hand as he shrugs off the snow from his body, Bokuto grabs Akaashi's mittened hand and brgan to walk away from the tree humming.

"I can't wait! Be sure to win me that keychain we saw last year."

The last winter festival, there was this darting game. If you hit the the center, you win an owl keychain. Bokuto had won last year since he loved the keychain details. It kinda looked like his hair. He had second thoughts of winning another one to match with Akaashi, but the festival was starting their fireworks show, the one who was hosting it immediately closed down.

In the end, Bokuto gave him the one he won and said, "I'll give you that one since it looks like me. Next year, you win the one that looks like you!"

And that year was today.

The keychain was hung on Akaashi's phone like a charm. Everytime he would look at it the more he found Bokuto's words about it more amusing. It really did look like him.

"Of course, Bokuto."

Anything you want.

~~~~

The train ride was silent. Even though Bokuto was a loud person, he knows how to keep it down. Instead, he laid his head on top of Akaashi's shoulder and dozed off as Akaashi stared at the window view where all snow covered trees moved erratically.

His heart tingles feeling the tip of his lovers nose nuzzle on his neck for warmth. Wanting to get closer, Akaashi moves his hewd away from the window and leans on Bokuto's head. Placing his hand on top of his that were on his lap and holds it.

The last time they went on a train ride, Bokuto was always chatty. Making bets with him on how many animals can they spot before going down their destined station. It was always like that. The train would've had that bright, hearty atmosphere if he were to open his mouth and speak endless tales and games.

Now was the first time he had a quiet train ride with him.

"You must be really tired, huh Bokuto?" smiling a little, he gives the males forehead a small kiss on the forehead, enlightening a smile in return from his face.

~~~~

Arriving at Osaka at exactly 3:45 pm, the both of them headed out for the festivals location. Deciding it would be much fun to go there by foot, they strolled the park that led them to their direction.

"Hey, hey, Akaashi."

Akaashi hums a soft response, watching Bokuto balance himself on the side of the road.

"Hinata said he'll be here with Atsumu and Sakusa. Isn't that great?" he beams brightly at the thought of his teammates surprised reunion, "I can't believe they managed to drag Sakusa with them. I know he hates crowds, especially at night where he can't really see them." looking up on the cloudy but bright sky, Bokuto sighs,

"I wonder why all of a sudden they're coming here. They usually celebrate back home."

Akaashi was unable to answer, instead he gives him a small, quiet chuckle making Bokuto just sigh and cherish the sound of his laughter,

"They're just here to spend their time with you too, Bokuto."

Satisfied with that answer, his steps halted, "Oh? Isn't that Konoha?" he chimes, Akaashi looks at his direction. He spots his former seniors, Konoha, Washio, Yamato and their two managers Kaori and Yukie.

"Akaashi, you finally made it." he hears Yukie greet, behind her were the boys following and gave him a pat on the head.

"How have you been holding up, kid?" Konoha teases, still ruffling his fluffy hair.

"I've been better. Bokuto was really excited to go here so we kinda ran late." he looks at Bokuto pouting beside him and turning away with a huff, "But he was rather quiet the entire trip here." he adds, patting his shoulder which made Bokuto feel warm inside.

"We've best be going though, he wanted to make sure the old dart stall was still there," grabbing his hand, Akaashi bows respectfully on all his seniors before giving them a last glance, "We'll see you all at the fireworks show later tonight." waving, he and Bokuto made their way to the festival.

Kaori and Yukie both made faces with each other along with the three seniors who were surprisingly silent from the whole greeting.

"Come on." Konoha sighs almost solemnly before talking a few steps away from the two males direction,

"We have to set up."

~~~~

5:30 pm

They were finally at their destination. They had to make a stop at a local Takoyaki stand since both of them had their stomach's rumbling. That was where Bokuto started being chatty again and pulled Akaashi to many store stalls just to admire the stuff that were om display.

"It feels like everything is still the same since last yesr huh, Kaashi."

The festival was the same as he remembered. Only this time it had much more stalls and lights hung around with ornaments. A good welcoming way unlike last year which was kinda dull in his opinion.

"Do you still wanna look for that stall Bokuto?"

"Yeah! Let's go!"

"Akaashi!!!"

Both their heads turn, looking over the crowd before they saw a certain oranged haired male run towards them.

"Hinata?" Akaashi grins and shook his hands.

"It's been long, Hinata. You look like you've grown a bit again." Akaashi was baffled by his height. He used to just be a shoulder length yet now it feels like he was the one that got smaller.

"Well—"

"Oi, Hinata. Don't ye go runnin off will ya?"

Bokuto's smile widened as he saw Atsumu closing in behind Hinata whilst he was pulling Sakusa by the hem of his jacket.

"Why are yoy holding him like that, Atsumu?" Akaashi asks, a little amuse and scared by how Sakusa looks.

"He wouldn't move from his spot in the corner until Hinata ran off. I had to find ways ye know?" Atsumu gives Sakusa a teasing smirk that made him click his touch and pinched his arm to remove his hand from his clothing.

"I don't like this place."

"You don't like anything, Sakusa."

The group of males shared their laughter together as people passed by them. Enjoying the cool breeze and smell of cooked food from the streets.

"Bokuto seems really happy to see you guys," Akaashi then looks at Bokuto, who was once again pouting, "But I don't think you haven't greeted him yet. He's getting dejected."

The three males blinked before Hinata grins again, "Oh right! Sorry, Bokuto, I was just so caught up with Akaashi." his cheeks were red from both embarrassment and the cold air, "Anyways, are you two going to you know where?"

"Later, after Bokuto has his fun and all." he can see Bokuto smile ear to ear with a small blush on his face as he chuckles a little.

"Oh, you should definitely try the ferris wheel. Atsumu was so pale!"

"YE ALMOST PISSED YER PANTS!"

"Disgusting."

The three bickered with Akaashi and Bokuto just watching in silence. But occasionally laughs at the other ones comment.

Again Akaashi bows at them, making them stop their small argument, "Thank you for suggesting that, Hinata. We'll go on ahead and try it out. But we'll see you later when the firework show starts. My seniors might've already setted up the table and some goods for us all to gather and eat."

Atsumu and Sakusa didn't have anything to say so they nodded, Hinata gave both Bokuto and Akaashi a smile and patted their shoulders, "Alright! You two have fun! And Bokuto, let's see who eats the most meat later." the challenging glint in his eyes twinkling like old times.

Bokuto could only stare at him and grin, "You're one, shrimpy!"

After that, they both headed up on the surprisingly short line to the ferris wheel. Leaving the trio behind.

"Why'd ya do it, Shoyo?"

"Hm?"

"Ye know.."

Hinata's smile was still there, but it wasn't s bright as it was a while ago before the two couples left.

"I just wanted them to have fun."

And for once as that sentence left his lips, Sakusa couldn't help but agree with him when he saw just how happy Akaashi was today.

"Akaashi just looked so happy."

~~~~

"Holy crap we're really high up." the soles of their feet were getting colder each time their cabin would go higher. The winter breeze getting stronger, enough to blow the baby hairs on Akaashi.

"This has been really fun, don't cha think, Kaashi? We never rode a single ride before thanks to that darting game." leaning back on his seat after taking in the sights of Osaka as it got darker. The lights from below were like stars shining on him. Giving him that same giddy feeling he would have with Akaashi.

"AH! We didn't get to go there." panicking, Bokuto slumps down almost dramatically and sighs, "I don't even think they held it this year. We haven't been going in circles a while back." jutting his lips out, his eyes slowly make their way at Akaashi's shy ones, thanking the mist that had covered his glasses to cover his eyes away.

"Well, I guess it doesn't matter. I'm just really happy I get to spend time with you up here, Akaashi. The view is perfect."

You're perfect

"Actually, Bokuto—" fiddling with his fingers, "When you were busy looking around the stalls, I happened to stumble on one while waiting for you and," fishing something out of his pocket and hearing an audible gasp from the other one, Akaashi gets out a small, clear plastic wrapped keychain.

The owl keychain that looked like him.

"No way!"

"I got it for you."

Carefully placing it on his cold hands, Bokuto can only grin like a child receiving a gift. He then looks up at Akaashi, who was smiling at him, eyes filled with love and adoration. They've reached the top of the ferris wheel and had stopped there. Bokuto slides to his slide carefully next to Akaashi and places his hand on top of his.

"Thank you, Akaashi. Really. You've made me so happy everyday, I wish i could've done the same."

Closing his gun metal eyes, Akaashi leans in his forehead on Bokuto's. His warm lips coming in contact with his cold, chapped ones for a small, meaningful kiss and pulling away.

"You've made me more than happier ever since I've met you, Bokuto." speaking out his love language, he gives another kiss, this time with a bit more passion into it, "You being here with me is enough." for anyone, this moment would be too cheesy anf overly emotional. But not to these two. It was always like this between them.

That's when tears started to stream secretly from the corner of Bokuto's eyes as they pulled away,

"I wanted to give you so much more, Akaashi."

~~~~

"Akaashi, you're almost late! We were about to send Hinata out to come get you!" Yukie scolds the male softly, slapping his back with a giggle after he winces.

"The meats about to get cooked." Washio flips the meat to their side, hearing them sizzle from the grill and their delicious scent spreading through thw cold air.

"Leave the big one for Bokuto! Ye know he can never get enough of that." Atsumu calls out, taking a bite from the onigiri's his brother had made him bring for them.

The former third years from Fukurodani had set up a barbeque not to far from the festival. There were multiple families as well around them cooking and setting up goodies such as flowers and food, but luckily it wasn't that much. They picked out the perfect sight viewing for the fireworks show less than a minute by the lake.

"Here, Akaashi. This one's for you," Hinata hands him a plate of meat with his favorite onigiris made by Osamu, "And this one's for Bokuto. Tell him the challenge is still on going! I'm gonna eat much more than he will!" Akaashi chuckles and nods. He walks away from the group and went to where Bokuto was sitting, just infront of the lake, sitting as he hugs his knees while looking up at the stars.

"Here," Akaashi places his plate down on the grass, "You managed to get the big one this time. Hinata was a little upset you were getting a head start on eating."

Bokuto laughs, "He can't even fit that big chunk of meat in his mouth!"

Taking a bite from his onigiri and meat at the same time, they basked in the sounds of the crickets and the sight of the calm lake.

"Today's been really fun, wasn't it Keiji?" Bokuto cuts in the silence, "Sorry I didn't think of a game back in the train. I was really tired." poking his tongue out for a short tease.

"It's fine Bokuto. I had fun with you."

The wind blew a little harder at them. Bokuto shivers and squeezes himself in his coat. Akaashi takes the initiative and places his plate down, quickly unwrapping his red scarf,

"Here,"

The first firework came exploding up into the winter night sky.

Akaashi wraps half of his scarf onto Bokuto's cold shoulders and neck, sitting closer to him to give him his body warmth.

"Let's share. You were kinda cold awhile back too."

The smiles they both wore were filled with so much love. Bokuto wasn't sure what hr had done to deserve Akaashi, and Akaashi didn't know why he deserved all this.

As the fireworks came to their display, the first snowflake falls on the tip of Akaashi's nose. Soon followed by many more.

"Hey, Akaashi."

"Yes Bokuto?"

"You look really pretty under the snow and firework lights."

He buries half of his face in his scarf as he blushes from the cold and his words, "That was really unexpected."

Laughing out loud, Bokuto was still surprised how shy he still was around him whenever he compliments him. But still.

That's one of the million things he loves about him.

"I love you, Keiji."

He gives him a kiss on the cheek. Akaashi ignores the way his chapped lips grazed on his soft skin and cherishes the moment he has given him.

"I love you too, Bokuto."

Bokuto leans his head on top of his and closes his eyes as the fireworks had come to an end.

Behind them were their friends watching, hearts both touched and cracked at the same time.

"And Bokuto?"

"Yeah, Keiji?"

Akaashi looks down st his untouched plate, the meat getting cold with the owl keychain next to it.

"I really wish you were here." he says finally before leaning his head on the cold, hard tomb that had his scarf wrapped around his name.

In the loving memory of Bokuto Koutarou

[werejusttouchingeachother]

Ruined

Req: Can I request model Johnny with photographer reader, and things become unprofessional...😉

Words: 6087

Genre: smut (m)

Pairing: Johnny x reader

A/N: 🥰 anon, thank you for this absolutely delicious request cause I had way too much fun with it

“What’d you say his name was again?” You mumble distractedly to your assistant, Jaemin who stood beside you and adjusted the reflectors. “Suh?”

“Yeah, Suh,” Jaemin nodded. “Johnny Suh. You’ve probably seen him, he was on the cover of Vogue last month. You passed it up because of that Fashion Week at Vienna, remember?”

You paused in your ministrations, glancing at Jaemin. “Johnny Suh? Isn’t he from the same agency as that other guy? The hot one?”

“… We photograph models, Y/N, they’re all hot, it’s kind of their job.”

You glared at the younger boy and started to retort when the door opened behind him, a tall man walking in.

“Oh,” you breathed, eyes raking over his frame, frowning slightly as he looked familiar. “I remember now. The hot one was Jung something.”

“Jung Jaehyun,” Jaemin responded, nodding as he moved the tripod, still not noticing that someone had walked in. “Grazia. Or was it Marie Claire?” He shook his head, looking up at you and still not aware despite you slightly shaking your head in a gesture to get him to stop talking as Johnny walked closer, “Do you remember telling me that he was the hottest guy you ever saw though? And that you were pretty sure the agency created him in a lab or some—”

“It’s true,” Johnny cut in and Jaemin finally shut up as he turned quickly, eyes wide as the model grinned down at him. “Jae was made in the lab right after they made me. They were hoping he’d turn out as well as me, but stopped when he didn’t.” He looked at me then, cocking his head. “Don’t you agree?”

You blinked, stammering, “Don’t I—what?”

“Aren’t I hotter than Jaehyun?”

Jaemin stepped away from between you two and you felt your face flush as Johnny moves forward with a raised eyebrow. You open your mouth to answer—you’re not sure what exactly—but stop as the stylists call out his name loudly.

He smirks at you and turns, walking to the crew to get changed into his outfit. You breathe a sigh of relief, glaring at Jaemin whose chuckling you immediately stop by smacking his arm. You lower your camera to the table and walk to the table at the corner where you’d kept your phone and bag.

You’re scrolling through your messages with Mr. HaeByun, the manager of an online fashion store who had booked you for an advertisement shoot next week. An unread message that he’d sent over an hour ago asking to call him as soon as you could had you frowning, wondering what was wrong when you felt a presence loom over you.

You looked up to see Johnny towering over you, dark eyes trained on you. You blinked up at him, realising that he’d changed faster than you’d expected.

The shoot for today was for the upcoming fall-winter collection and of course, that meant oversized sweaters and long jackets that have never appeared as beautiful by themselves as they do on Johnny’s tall frame.

He stood in front of you now with a burgundy-coloured trench coat over a black turtle-neck sweater and jeans. The colour complimented him perfectly, drawing attention to the softest tint of blush on his cheeks and the subtle pink shade over his eyelids. His hair was styled perfectly to a side too and you mentally make a note to thank the stylists later for not covering his forehead.

You don’t know what exactly it is but something about him strikes you as oddly familiar. As if you’d worked with him before or seen him before—not on a magazine or screen, though—and it irks you because you can’t quite put your finger on it.

“Y/N, right?” Johnny said, holding out his hand to you.

You nod, placing your phone on the table to take his hand in yours. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Suh.”

He raises an eyebrow at that, a small amused smile coming over his face. “Meet, huh?”

You frown in confusion. “Pardon?”

“It’s not our first time meeting, Y/N.”

You blink at him and start to ask what he means when he suddenly tugs on your hand that he’s holding, causing you to stumble forward into his arms. You gasp as you look up at him, feeling smaller than you’ve ever felt in your entire life as his chin could rest on top of your head because of the height difference.

Your eyes are wide as you gape at him and his voice is lower, huskier as he murmurs, “You didn’t call me Mr. Suh either.”

What the hell?

You’re ready to say something about being unprofessional when Johnny mumbles, “Last May. Elle had that party to kickoff their summer-spring collection. Remember?”

Your eyes search his frantically as if they held the screen to whatever memories he was telling. The words set off a faint recollection in you—bright lilies and hyacinths arrangements placed atop teak tables with marble plates, an over-the-top garden party that you’d immediately regretted attending without your camera because the décor had been so expensive, so fancy, so gorgeous.

“You’d been invited as a guest,” Johnny confirms your thought about the regret and you don’t realise his other hand had crept around your waist, holding you to him when you had stumbled.

“You’d had a few too many tequilas…,” he continued slowly, trying to trigger your apparently drunken memories. “I found you near the water fountain at the back. You were alone and… you ripped my shirt.”

“It was Gucci,” he said, biting back a smirk as he looked down at you, crossing his arms. “You were swaying, about to fall and I had already grabbed your arm, but you clutched onto the front of my shirt—my pocket, in fact—and ripped it off.”

“Oh my god,” you gasped in horror, moving away from him with your hands covering your mouth in shock.

“You’re kidding me, please tell me you’re kidding.”

You were stunned, listening to him silently as Johnny says, “I’d looked down at my chest and said, ‘You have a hell of a grip there,’ and you’d responded with, ‘Well, you’re the hottest guy I’ve ever seen so you wanna—”

“—know what else I can grip?” you completed in unison, cringing into yourself as you closed your eyes tightly, clutching the table near you to hold yourself up from the embarrassment.

It all came crashing to you like an unpleasant unexpected avalanche—how you’d woken up late in the evening, around eight or nine, in a fancy apartment that was quite far from the garden party with zero recollection whatsoever of any events that had happened after the light lunch you’d had because of all the drinks you’d been having. Not remembering how you got there, you had to catch a taxi home but only after you called Jaemin to ask where your camera was and he’d reassured you that you hadn’t taken it to the party.

“You—it was—oh god,” you stammer, your head suddenly throbbing with all the flashbacks as you looked at Johnny who was staring at you as if your face was the most interesting sight on the planet. “It was your apartment?”

He nodded, raising an eyebrow. “I couldn’t go back to the party with my chest all exposed, thanks to your mighty grip—”

You blanched and he grinned, continuing, “—and you were too drunk to tell me where your place was so I just took you back to mine. I left you a note, didn’t you see it?” At your blank expression, he nods, “I thought not. It was under the bed when I got back, must have flown away. I had an interview that evening so I had to leave, otherwise I would have stayed. Sorry about that.”

“I’m…,” you swallowed, feeling your face flush with embarrassment. “Its fine, I should be the one apologising.” You look up at him then despite how loudly your head was screaming at you to run. “I’m sorry about ripping your shirt and… everything else that followed that I don’t remember. I don’t usually get that crazy when I drink, I honestly don’t know why—”

“Y/N!” You heard Jaemin yell your name and turned around to see him and Johnny’s manager glaring over at the two of you. “We’re ready, come on!”

You let out a breath that you didn’t realise you’d been holding and Johnny chuckles, patting your shoulder comfortingly.

“We’ll talk later,” he reassured you, adjusting his jacket. “Hey, wasn’t your shoot with Jae way before that spring party?”

You blinked in confusion, not understanding his question as you went, “Jung Jaehyun? Uh, yeah, that was around February, I think.”

He nodded. “I’ll let him know he’s been renounced of his ‘hottest guy’ position.”

“Wh—?” You gape at him as he struts past you to the white screen, posing in front of it while you walked slowly in a daze to Jaemin.

“What’s going on, why you all hugsy with the model?” He inquires, raising an eyebrow. “Do you guys know each—?”

“Remember the Elle spring party that I went for in May?” You interrupted him lowly, glancing around for your camera. Jaemin rolls his eyes and points to the table at the back where you’d forgotten it and you grab his sleeve, tugging him with you as you slowly walk to it.

“Yeah, what about it?” Jaemin mutters, frowning as you grab your camera and adjust the lens.

“Remember I called you late in the night for my camera?”

He nodded. “Yeah, you were freaking out at some random apartment.”

“Yeah, well, apparently that was Johnny’s apartment.”    

“What the fuck?” Jaemin screeched so loud that the chatter died down on the other side of the room to momentarily look at the two of you. You glared at Jaemin and he apologised, mumbling, “Seriously? Are you sure? Maybe he was joking?”

“No, he wasn’t.” You shook your head, wishing the ground would swallow you up whole as the shame crept up your skin again. “I… I remember it in bits and pieces now. I ripped his shirt? And I remember him smiling and smirking at me.”

“God.” Jaemin glances at Johnny in disbelief and quickly masks his expression when the manager glares at the two of you. He grabs your arm and begins pulling you back to where they’re waiting for you and you hear his breath hitch suddenly as he asks, “Wait. Does that mean you had sex with Johnny?”

OhmygOD.

Your grip falters on the camera and you feel your heart jump to your throat in absolute terror as Jaemin leaps right at that instant, grabbing the camera with both his hands before it could slip from yours.

“Jesus fucking Christ, Y/N,” He hisses at you, gripping your hands tightly over the camera. “That’s both our jobs in your hands, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t break it.”

“Are you serious?” You ignore him, readjusting it in your hands as your wide eyes blink at him. “Why would you say that, what makes you say that, why would you even think—?”

“It’s a possibility, Y/N,” he replies, rolling his eyes as he lets go of the camera. “Think about it. You were drunk. He’s hot, you’re hot. You were wearing that slutty dress for the party, right, the one with the high slit up the leg? You probably hit on him or he hit on you. Either way, you woke up at his apartment, alone. Were you wearing your clothes?”

Your eyes grow wider as you look away, your mind racing as you recalled finding the fancy dress that you’d worn on the polished tiled floor in the unknown apartment.

“No.” Your heart is racing now as you gape at Johnny who cocks his head at you playfully. “No, I wasn’t.”

Jaemin snorts. “Yeah, you definitely fucked—”

“Ms. Y/N!” The two of you freeze as Johnny’s manager stomps towards you. You have to force yourself to focus on the words spilling from his angry mouth as he yells, “I don’t know if you have all the time in the world to be strolling around the studio so leisurely but we are on a tight schedule here so if you could just—”

“We’re ready,” you deadpanned, turning to Jaemin. “Get the lights and music, please.”

The manager scowls at you before backing away. You clear your throat, pulling on a poker expression as you hear the fast-paced beats fill the room, bright lights hitting Johnny where he was standing. You nodded at Jaemin who looked over at you with a concerned expression—which you purposefully ignored—before crouching and raising the camera to your face.

You clicked away quickly, Johnny changing poses with every ‘click’ and you were thankful that they were coming out well, without you having to suggest to him to relax his shoulders or raise his head or move his hair or touch his neck.

No, you didn’t have to because Johnny was professional with the intense gaze, the slight lilt in his lips, the cocky raise of his eyebrow and all of it reminded you of that afternoon at the party now.

You remember it now—snapshots flitting across you brain as quickly as the ones you were clicking. You can recall the white marble fountain with the mermaid sculpture at the centre that seemed to be spitting water, you remember the tall handsome man with his furrowed eyebrows as they looked at you in concern and you can even recall the tan of his chest, his left nipple where you’d ripped the shirt pocket right down with your hand, a strip of Gucci clutched in your palm.

You swallowed thickly as you lowered your camera, clearing your throat.

“Next outfit,” you announced loudly and stood up.  

Johnny shoots you his signature smirk, stepping away from the white screen. You stare at him, from his head all the way down to his feet, wracking your brain as you try to recall something, anything. 

Surely I'd remember that body... right? 

"Johnny," you call out when he reaches you as he was making his way to the back of the room to change. 

"Yes, Y/N?" His voice is teasing and flirty enough that you can feel yourself blushing again. 

God, I can't remember shit, how the hell do I not remember us having sex? 

"Did you, uh." You falter, hesitating. "Did we...?"

You trail off and Johnny crosses his arms then, turning completely towards you with his eyes twinkling mischievously.

He knows. He knows exactly what you're thinking and what you're rambling about and what's driving you crazy with suspense but won't say a word because he's a little shit who needs to hear you say it. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" You finally ask, meeting his eyes. His shoulder slumps at the words, as if they're not what he expected and you're thankful to your brain for the quick change in thought as you prod further, "Why didn't you reach out to me? It would have been easy to get my number, since you're a model and all. I would have apologised properly and paid for the shirt." 

"Actually, I left my number for you on that note," he admits wryly. "But you didn't take it so I assumed you were too embarrassed and had just ran out. Besides, I left the country the next day itself, I had a show at London for a month or so."

You open your mouth to reply but stop as he steps closer, the front of his crossed arms brushing against you slightly. His eyes search your blank face as he says, "You don't remember anything... do you?" 

Your silence suffices as a response and Johnny's eyes darken as he lowers his head so that his mouth was near your ear when he mutters, "Well, in that case, let me remind you that you don't have to worry about the shirt cause trust me, you compensated for it plenty." 

Your eyes are wide as Johnny walks away from you then, leaving your stunned self behind. You only snap out of your daze when you hear the familiar shutter click and turn to see Jaemin at your side, holding up the camera. 

"Sorry," he mutters, not seeming apologetic in the slightest. "But your expression was literal gold. What'd he say? Did y'all fuck or nah?”

“I’m—” You take a deep breath, trying to regain composure. “I’m pretty sure we did. I cannot believe this absolute shitstorm, god, I need to sit down—”

“We’re ready!” You hear the manager’s voice call out as Johnny strides out in a white faux fur jacket this time over ripped blue jeans, his hair falling over his forehead. His gaze catches yours and you feel your mouth dry as Jaemin whistles lowly beside you, handing the camera back to you.

“Look, Y/N,” He teases, grinning as he gestures discreetly to Johnny. “It’s a boyfriend look this time.”

“Shut the fuck up and get the lights before I fire you,” you threaten him, adjusting the lens again and clearing your throat as he walks to the screen.

Your mind is a blank daze for the rest of the shoot as you focus on clicking perfect shots that would get this shoot over with, the faster the better. Johnny keeps his eyes on you throughout this outfit—to the extent that you have to ask him to look away from the camera so that you could get his side-profile.

He changes into three more outfits before they finally call an end to it. Johnny and his crew leave the room and head to the back to change, finally giving you space to breathe as the room clears out. You go through the pictures absentmindedly and Jaemin approaches you slowly.

“Hey,” he says, cautiously as if you were a time bomb ready to explode if he triggered you in the slightest. “You okay?”

“Mhm, fantastic,” you deadpan, pressing your lips into a thin line as you flit through all the shots. “Just wondering if this is how amnesia feels. Also, I’m never drinking again.”

You glance at Jaemin then to see him suppressing a laugh, which in turn, makes you glare at him. He pats your shoulder then, opening his mouth to say something in comfort that you already knew would only infuriate you more rather than reassure you when you hear a familiar deep voice call your name behind you.

You turn, dread and embarrassment kicking in again as you force yourself to smile and say, “The photos will be ready tomorrow, I’ll send them directly to your manager and the magazine. He has my card so if there is anything he needs, he can just—”

“Right, right, sure, that’s all fine,” Johnny nods, glancing at Jaemin briefly before looking at you again. “I needed a favour actually.”

Oh god.

“Do you have more shoots after this?” he asks. “Or any plans, for that matter?”

You turn to Jaemin with wide eyes and he immediately quips, “No, actually, I’m in charge of her schedule and it’s completely clear after this.”

Fired, fired, I need a new assistant cause he’s fired.

“Great,” Johnny grins, eyes flashing at you. “I wanted some photos for my social media. I can’t use the ones with the outfits or for the magazine until they release it so could you take a few of me now?”

You nod slowly, feeling exhausted at all the rush of emotions coursing through you as you nudge Jaemin. “Sure. Get the lights.”

“Oh, no, no,” Johnny held up his hands, stopping Jaemin. “I don’t need fancy lights or anything, it’s just for Twitter and Instagram.” He looked at you then, his expression slightly shifting. “Just you and your camera is fine, really.”

You blink, wondering if you’d heard him right and notice Jaemin grin wolfishly from your peripheral.

“Well!” Jaemin could not sound more cheerful and you have never wanted to murder him as much as you did just then. “I’ll call it a day, then, Y/N. See you tomorrow. Have fun, kids.”

You turn at that last bit, hand already reaching out to hit him and Jaemin jumps away, predicting it as he laughs and quickly leaves the room. You want to call out for him, beg him to stay but the door is already closing, Johnny’s staring and smirking at you again, and you’re trapped.

Taking a deep breath, you clutch your camera tightly to your chest. “All right. Let’s get this over with.”

Johnny raises an eyebrow. “Busy?”

“Aren’t you?” You retort. “Your manager was yelling earlier about a tight schedule?”

“Nah, he is,” Johnny shrugged, crossing his arms as he smiled at you. “I have all the time in the world, Y/N.”

“Right,” you mutter, looking away and pointing to a side of the room where the lights hit perfectly. “How about there?”

Johnny nods as he moves to where you gesture and poses. You crouch a bit and he hesitates before saying, “Uh, close-ups will be good.”

You straighten then, holding the camera to your face. He’s wearing his own clothes now—a white collared shirt tucked into fancy black pants with a black tie that hung wonkily off his neck. He stares at you in an expression that you’re certain is meant for you and not the camera. You huff in frustration, lowering the camera and start to ask what his problem is when Johnny says, “You can relax, you know? I was just teasing. Nothing you think happened.”

You stop at that, furrowing your eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“The party,” he clarified. “We hit on each other. You felt me up a bit, I maaay have reciprocated and kissed you a little but that’s about it. You were really drunk and I wasn’t going to take advantage of that, Y/N. Besides, you passed out as soon as we got to my apartment.”

You stare at him in silence, feeling your entire body flush as the words he’d just said slowly registered in your head. You take a deep breath and raise the camera again, clicking a candid. Johnny frowns at your lack of response before quickly raising his hand to his hair and posing.

You click about seven pictures before he tells you to come closer to take a final pic which was him doing cutesy ‘aegyo’.

You suggested taking this one on his phone so that he could post it as his story—maybe a teaser for more pictures—and he agrees, handing his phone to you. You place your camera aside and take his phone, selecting a flattering filter before muttering a count and pausing as he raises both his hands in peace-signs, closing his eyes and pouting slightly.

God, he’s so fucking hot and cute at the same time, how is he human?

Johnny opens one eye and you’re almost ready to swoon when he says, “Did you take it?”

“Uh, no, close your eyes,” you quickly stammer and press the button to take a boomerang of him doing the aegyo pose. You lower the phone when you’re done, smiling at the screen as it plays in loop.

Johnny’s standing beside you as he looks at the picture over your shoulder. Noticing the fond expression on your face, he mumbles, “What?’

“This is really cute,” you admit honestly, raising your head to smile up at him. He’s standing as close as he was when he held you about an hour ago and told you about your little drunken encounter.

“Thanks for telling me,” you say, and from the way his eyes soften, you can tell that he immediately understands what you mean. “And thanks for taking me back to your place before I made a fool of myself at the party that literally had a majority of my top-clients.”

“You’re welcome,” he replies, his low voice causing your stomach to clench.

“And um,” you hesitate before glancing down at his phone again, unable to maintain eye contact as you rush through the words. “Thanks for not… yeah. It’s bad enough that I don’t remember the kiss.”

You feel Johnny freeze at that, not expecting your words. You focus on his pouty lips on the phone screen, cursing yourself and the stupid tequila when you feel a gentle grip on your arm.

“Hey,” Johnny’s voice is soft and sultry as he turns you around, taking the phone from your hand and placing it atop your camera on the desk before gazing at you. “I could always remind you.”

It takes a minute for you to understand what he means and before it can even process, Johnny’s lifting your chin with his hand, lowering his head to meet yours in a gentle kiss.

You’re frozen at the spot where you stand, eyes wide as his lips move against yours. It feels familiar and soft and lush and oh-so-good. If this were a movie, you’re certain that the drunken memories of your first kiss would have hit you right at that instant but as Johnny kisses you, all you can think of is him, his mouth on yours, right now.

And so you give in.

You raise your hands to his tie, tugging it to pull him down to your height as you deepen the kiss. You feel Johnny smile at your responsiveness, arms slowly circling your waist until you're melting in his warmth.

He nudges you back onto the desk, pressing you against its edge and your hand flails behind slowly, a mild panic surfacing as you pull away from his mouth to mutter, "Camera, camera."

Johnny pulls away immediately, eyes widening as he quickly grabs your hips and pulls you to him before you could knock over the camera and his phone off the table. "Shit, sorry."

You turn his head to the right where he could see the plush leather couch at the corner and press your lips to his cheek as you mumble, "Couch."

He grins, pulling you up quickly so that your legs wrap around his waist reflexively. He hoists you in his arms until your head is finally a few inches over his.

You smile giddily as you cup his face with both your hands, tracing his lower lip with your tongue for entrance. He readily grants it as he carries you to the couch and as your tongue wrestles with his for dominance, he sits you down on the leather armrest of the couch.

Placing his hands on the leather on either side of your hips to hold himself up, you trace his sharp jawline with your fingers as you explore his mouth. You're still shorter than him despite sitting on a high armrest and you use the position to your advantage, letting your hands trail down leisurely from his neck to his chest.

You lower them further to the soft material of his pants, moaning involuntarily as you feel the hardness beneath. Johnny smirks against your mouth, pulling away to mutter, “You’re right, you have a hell of a grip.”

You can’t help but laugh as you pull away then, giving him a mischievous smirk as you tease, “Please, you’ve seen nothing yet.” You grab his hand and straighten from the couch, quickly turning him around so that he was sitting on the armrest now. Your fingers deftly work their way down his shirt, pulling the tie off his neck and unbuttoning the shirt. Tugging it over his shoulders, you don’t even remove it from his arms as your hands hungrily roam his bare torso, relishing in the warmth as your mouth busies itself by sucking and licking at his neck.

Johnny’s head is tossed back as he lets you ravish his throat, nipping at his Adam’s apple and you’re sucking on his collar bone when he suddenly jolts, grabbing your forearms and stopping you.

“No hickies,” he says quickly, seeming apologetic and panicked at the time. “Model, remember?”

You pause in your ministrations before shrugging as you slowly lowered yourself to the floor, keeping your eyes on him while your hands began pulling his pants off. “That’s fine. There’s other places that would look pretty with hickies.”

Johnny furrows his eyebrows at you, eyes widening as you toss the pants aside along with his underwear and kiss your way up his thighs. You hear him curse as you lick the precum leaking from his tip, slowly stroking his impressive length with your tongue. His hands find their way into your hair, fingers digging into your scalp as he holds you closer to him. You circle your tongue around the tip teasingly, wanting to rile him up while your hand moves leisurely up and down. And as you do so, you can’t help but wonder how you’re going to take all of him, because as much as you want him, he was bigger than anyone you’d ever been with.

“Don’t be a fucking tease, Y/N,” Johnny finally growls, having had enough and his deep bossy tone as he wraps one hand around his own length and forcefully pushes it past your wet lips has you moaning in pleasure. He groans as soon as he feels the warm wet cavern of your mouth envelop him. You use your hands to stroke the rest of him that isn’t in your mouth and Johnny gives you a second to adjust before he grabs the back of your head with both hands, pushing more into you.

You gag slightly, tears springing to your eyes as you try to relax your jaw and take in more of him. The head of his erection hits the back of your throat and you choke as he fucks your mouth, pushing as much of him into you as possible. Your knees dig into the cold floor, a slight ache in your lower jaw as you focus on giving him the best suck of his life, tongue circling around him as he thrusts in and out of your mouth.

Johnny twitches inside and you hollow your cheeks, sucking him deeper until he’s moaning and his nails are painfully digging into your head. He gasps as he grabs the sides of your head, pulling you off of him forcefully. A loud ‘pop’ sound echoes as his dick leaves your mouth, a trail of saliva hanging between your lips and his erection as you gaze in a confused haze at him, head spinning slightly.

Your hand reaches out to take him again, desperate to taste and swallow his essence but he takes your hands and pulls you off the floor roughly, shaking his head.

His mouth meets yours heatedly, a soft moan as he tastes himself on your glistening lips. Throwing his shirt off his arms, he pushes you back until you fall back on the couch. His hands work quickly in pulling your blouse off, fingers crawling down your pants hurriedly without even taking it off. They slip easily inside your panties, feeling your slick opening.

“Fuck,” Johnny breathes, eyes widening at you as you lay back on the couch in your bra and pants with his one hand down your underwear. You spread your legs further and Johnny has settled himself in between your thighs, looking at you with an expression akin to awe as he feels your wetness, two long fingers curling inside your slick walls.

You moan, arching off the couch as his knuckles presses against the spot that has white spots blinding your vision and your stomach clenching. His one hand quickly comes around to your raised back and unclasps your bra, flinging it aside.

He buries his face in your chest, lips latching onto your erect nipple and you gasp at the pleasure that courses through your veins from the multiple stimulations that he’s giving you. Johnny struggles to pull your pants down your legs while on top of you but manages it in his haste, nearly ripping it off your ankles. You moan as you feel him tease you up and down your slit, coating his erection with your dripping arousal.

You hear the chorus of your heavy breaths, Johnny’s broad chest pressing against yours and you can’t help but gasp as he enters you, thick length sliding inside your pussy easily and stretching you out.

Johnny looks so big above you, feels so big inside you and you're vaguely aware that his feet are probably sticking out since he could hardly fit in your couch.

His hair is no longer prim and proper—falling over his sweaty forehead in messy strands, face flushed from exertion and you were quite sure your own mouth had more of his lip tint right now than he did when he'd walked in.

You're breathing hard as he pushes himself into you and you feel like he's never ending, short gasps leaving your parted lips as you try to accommodate all of his length. Johnny presses reassuring kisses on your face, murmuring how good you're doing as you try to relax beneath him. You groan finally as you feel his pelvic bone brush against your clit.

Johnny's inside you completely, hilt buried balls-deep and your eyes are wide at how stretched and full you feel. His eyes watch your face carefully, asking silently how you're doing and you nod, wrapping an arm around his shoulder to feel him completely all over you.

Johnny slowly moves his hips back before thrusting inside again, huskily groaning, "God, you're so tight and wet."

You whimper as he starts thrusting slowly, the initial pain shifting into a pleasure that had you feeling lightheaded.

"Babe," Johnny pants, "you feel too good to not ruin, so I'm just going to—”

You cut him off with a sloppy kiss, warm mouths and wet tongues messily meeting as you mutter, "Go for it."

You didn't know what you were agreeing to—Johnny began thrusting into you at an almost animalistic pace, pounding you into the plush couch. He pressed his hands onto your shoulders, pinning you down as his hips snap into yours until you're screaming his name. Burying his face in your neck, he sucks on your collarbone as you feel your stomach clench with your impending orgasm.

"Johnny," you breathe, your hand raising to clutch the back of his head. “I'm going to—”

"Wait, baby, not yet," he says, thrusting into you rougher. Your chest heaves against his, back arching as you press up to him and you feel his hand lower itself to your clit, flicking it up and down.

Your head spins as you cum uncontrollably then, back arching off of the couch and toes curling at the pleasure coursing through all your nerves and setting them on fire. Your walls clench and convulse around him, triggering his own orgasm as he floods inside you. Your body trembles beneath his as he fills you up with spurts and spurts of his cum, held in by his cock that was still buried inside you.

Both of you are gasping, trying to catch your breath from the intense orgasm as you fall back into the couch and Johnny collapses on top of you. Your bodies are warm and sweaty, his cock slowly softening inside you and you can feel the leather of the couch sticking to your back with your sweat.

He sits up slightly, smiling as his eyes roam your face. Lifting a finger, he traces it down your eye and cheek, holding it up to you to show you a faint black liquid on the tip.

You furrow your eyebrows in confusion before your eyes widen as you realise that your makeup had smeared and Johnny was holding up the remnants of your mascara. You start to throw your hands up to your face and he immediately grabs your wrists, stopping you.

“Trust me,” Johnny chuckles, the sound reverberating between your bodies as it rumbles in his chest. “You’ve never looked prettier. I’ve been wanting to ruin your makeup since you ruined my shirt at that party.”

You wince as you move slightly, feeling the dull ache in your thighs and realised that Johnny had stuck to his word—you’re definitely going to have a hard time walking tomorrow.

You kiss him softly as you say, “Trust me, you’ve ruined more than just my makeup, Johnny.”

[the-winter-witcher]

The Wild Hunt 3/?

Marvel x Witcher modern AU

Pairings: Geralt x f!reader, Winter Soldier x f!reader

Summary: You’ve been assigned with bringing in the White Wolf of Rivia himself, as your first solo mission there’s a chance things don’t go to plan…

Warnings: Violence, blood mentions

Word Count: 1919

A/N: Sorry this took so long, I was in a slump again. I think we have some real progression here for them finally! 

Masterlist

Your eyes sting as you open them slowly, blinking back the tears that threaten to escape as they try to adjust to the light. You move to wipe at them but find your wrists tied to a wooden chair; the frame is solid and cold beneath your restrained body and you curse internally. Trying to stay as still as possible you slowly survey the room you're being held in and you're surprised to find that it seems to be a bedroom. 

There's a dishevelled single bed in the corner, duvet thrown haphazardly across it and pillows in various colours litter the worn mattress. A bookshelf sits between the two large windows you're currently faced towards and you can't make out the names on the creased spines. The air is thick, clinging to your sweat slick skin and you can see the way dust clouds swirl in the afternoon sun that's streaming through the windows.

Afternoon sun. 

"Shit" the curse falls from your lips before you can stop it and you kick yourself for it. As soon as you realise your mistake you run your tongue along your gums and to the back of your teeth, desperately seeking out the little capsule you keep stowed away for emergencies. You try to keep your face stoic as you come up short, realising your captor must have searched you and removed it. 

"Hmm, I see you're finally awake" the hard voice sounds from somewhere behind you and you tense at the sound, eyes staring straight ahead as you wait for what's about to come.

 You don't flinch as the large figure comes to rest in front of you, squatting down so his face is level with yours and his golden eyes bore in to you.

"You know, usually I can smell the fear on people. Not you though. Adrenaline, sure, hell even a bit of dopamine in there, but no fear"

You stay silent as he continues to stare in to you, waiting for you to crack.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way, choice is yours”

Well, you think, it's either going to be him or Hydra. Why not have a bit of fun first?

You motion to him to move closer until his face is just a whisper from yours, before-

Crack

"What the fuck" he stumbles back slightly as your head makes contact with his, blood immediately beginning to pour from your nose where it has caught his, and looking up you can see that he hasn't fared much better than you.

"What's the matter Butcher, I thought you would enjoy a bit of a fight" blood fills your mouth as you laugh, "or did you expect me to be a docile lamb like your usual victims?"

"You don't what you're talking about, you stupid girl"

"I know more than you think White Wolf"

"Well how about you start by telling me what you think you know?"

"Fuck you"

"If you're going to be rude we'll just have to do this my way"

He crouches back in front of you, careful to keep some distance between you, the remnants of your last encounter still trickling scarlet rivulets down his beautifully sculpted face.

“Axii” 

You cock your eyebrow at him, head tilted to the side as he looks at you with confused eyes.

“That won’t work on me again. What’s the matter, mutant hunter doesn’t know when he’s got one sat in front of him?” you spit the words at him, bloody spittle flying from your mouth as you do.

“Shit, I should’ve known something was off”

“What’ll it be now, Wolf? Gonna rough me up? Kill me like you do all the others?” 

“Stop talking”

“Make me”

“Do not tempt me, you won’t like it. Seems I won’t be able to do this easily after all” he sighs as he gets back up from his crouched position and begins to pace, large hands running through his loose hair as he does so. 

You know you should probably be slightly more preoccupied with the impending death situation you’re currently in but hell, if you’re going to die at his particularly impressive hands you might as well take the time to appreciate him. The golden glow of sunlight casts a halo round him as he paces, silver hair reflects the dwindling light as it cascades down to his thick shoulders. There’s a tension to his body as he walks, each step falls in line as though he is on a tight rope, rigid intensity holding him as he traces the same path back and forth. His chiseled jaw flexes as he grinds his teeth and you catch yourself admiring his stern face with it’s sharp and angular features. He’s handsome, you’ll admit it, and right now you’d love to have him on top of you, go out with a real bang. You chuckle to yourself at the thought and it snaps his attention back to you.

“What could you possibly be laughing about right now?”

“Nothing” you shrug, humour still evident on your face.

“Are you truly so stupid that you don’t understand the situation you’re in, is that it?”

“Mmm, love it when you call me stupid, do it again”

“What is wrong with you?”

“Lighten up, I’m just having a bit of fun while you decide how to kill me”

“How to kill you?” he sounds genuinely curious, as though he couldn’t fathom why you would think that, “and why would I do that?”

“You’re the Butcher of Blaviken, don’t need a reason from what I’ve heard”

“You truly believe I would kill you and yet you don’t flinch, there’s not even a hint of fear on you. You followed me, you hunted me down. You sit here in my house and you try and goad me into hurting you. Who are you?”

“Why would I tell you?”

“Because I can help you”

“I don’t need your help”

“Then tell me, princess, why did you have this?” he holds up the small cyanide pill in front of you before crushing it in his large palm.

“Fuck you”

“So you keep saying”

“How about you answer me something then, Wolf? If you’re not going to kill me, what are you going to do?” you snarl at him, words catching on your teeth as if to cut.

He makes his way back over to you and grabs you by the hair, angling your head up to look at him from where you sit. You hiss as he tugs, hair pulling harshly right from the roots.

“My name is Geralt, and if you’re not going to cooperate I will be forced to hurt you to get the information I need. I don’t want to do that. I want to help you. But for me to do that I need you to be honest with me and right now you’re not doing that”

You go to speak but he pulls your hair tighter before you can.

“I swear to god if you reply with fuck you I will hurt you, nod at me if you understand”

You grit your teeth as you nod, the action causing a few strands of hair to be ripped from your head. He releases his grip slightly at your obedience, satisfied for now.

“Go fuck yourself”

Rage flashes in his eyes and you see his jaw tense again- god that jaw- as he brings a hand to hit you hard across the face, knocking the smug grin from your face.

“I am NOT playing around here”

“Neither am I”

“Please don’t make me keep doing this” there’s genuine regret in his voice as he hits you a few more times with enough strength to have you dizzy and stars dancing behind your eyes. He steps back, chest heaving as he releases you and you eye him up and down. He really does seem like he doesn’t enjoy hurting you, there’s pain amidst the anger in his smouldering eyes and you swallow thickly as you make your decision.

“I’m only doing this because it looks like it’s hurting you more than you’re hurting me, for the record” you breath shakes as you speak, “what do you want to know?”

“Everything”

“Well we don’t have time for that, I’d estimate you have thirty minutes tops before you either have to kill me or let me free to do it myself”

“What do you mean?”

“My name is Y/N L/N, Hydra special agent. I’ve missed my designated check in time thanks to your little stunt here which means they’ll be sending dispatch after me. I’ve failed my mission which means if they find me alive they’ll kill me best case scenario, worst case scenario, well… Still think you can help me?” you smirk up at the Witcher, his eyes wide as he realises what he’s dealing with.

“You’re Hydra? What was your mission?”

“You”

“Me?”

“Was meant to find out how you choose your targets, Hydra could always use more people of unique ability, and bring you in as well” you let out a dry chuckle, “as you can see I’ve royally fucked it”

“Shit”

“No kidding, so you can see how I might not take your offer of help so seriously”

“I take it working for Hydra isn’t exactly what you want to be doing?”

“Do you think they care?”

“I care”

“Bully for you”

“What if I still want to help? How many men do you think they’ll send for you?”

“Why would you help?”

“Because I’m not killing the mutants, Y/N, I’m hiding them” he watches you with a measured expression as he makes his admission, his gaze held evenly on you as he looks for your reaction. 

“Huh, didn’t see that one coming”

“I’ve known someone was after them for a while now, should’ve guessed it would be Hydra”

“Smart making it look as though you’re killing them”

“Still don’t think I want to help?”

Another dry chuckle falls from you and you shake your head at him, “Oh sweetheart, they won’t send just anyone after me. And I’m afraid neither of us will like what’s to come”

“Are you going to keep speaking in riddles or are you going to tell me what I need to know to help?”

“They’ll send Soldat. You know of Hydra, so I assume you know what that means for me?”

“Shit”

“Exactly. At this point I’d suggest running, take what you need, get out of here and lay low. They won’t stop looking for you”

“I’m not leaving you”

“Why? You don’t know me. You don’t owe me anything”

“Because you could have killed me if you wanted to, and instead you stood there and you thought about it. I saw the look in your eyes, you didn’t and still don’t want to hurt me. Neither of us will like the outcome” he echoes your own words back at you, his golden eyes trained on your face as he takes in your expression, trying to gauge if you’ll accept his help, accept him.

“You’re truly prepared to put your life on the line for this, for a stranger?”

“I don’t think we’re all that different, let me help you and we can work on the stranger part” he smiles kindly at you as he reaches down to remove your bindings, the first real emotion you’ve seen from the man.

“Okay, but if it comes to it, leave me behind. Promise me”

“I promise”

[mayday1284]

That’s All I Need... Maya 10k WTF Writing Challenge

Hey, here ya go! I wrote a Steve x Reader insert of about 1,850 words.

Warnings- not really any, a nightmare but it isn’t described, and wayyy to much cooking!

tagging @prettyyoungtragedy cos she created the prompt and the challenge

Prompt- 5. It’s the middle of winter and you’re stuck in a log cabin with someone you hate, trouble ensues.

Enjoy!

Steve Rogers. A name that makes my skin crawl. America’s Golden Boy gets on my nerves, and if it weren’t for the fact that I need to be a functioning part of this team, I would be so far away from him.

So, you can imagine my delight when I was told we were going on a mission together, in the woods, in the middle of winter, with no one else. Tony Stark I will cut your-

 The gentle sunlight moves behind the pine trees dancing in the wind. I’ve spent most of this long, painful, and awkward car ride staring out of the window. Steve’s hands tightly grip the steering wheel painting his knuckles with white.

 “That can’t be comfortable, can it?” I shouldn’t have broken the silence; poor Steve looks like he’s gonna have a stroke. Can he even have a stroke?

“Well, don’t ask me, I barely noticed.” He chuckles between the words making the conversation seem less like we’re stuck in a pit with no way to get out. Bad analogy? Maybe, I’m too tired to really think anymore.

Stretching I speak, “How long till we get there? I’m ready to pass out.” Steve glances at the GPS, pondering the roads and the time.

“Shouldn’t be too long.” He glances at the sky before turning onto a dirt road.

 ------------------

 The door creaks open and dust flies all around, swirling as it falls back to the wooden panels. I flick on the light switch as I cross my fingers that it doesn’t burn down. The hallway illuminates and I peer down to the kitchen. Success.

Steve marches past me, his shoulder blade clipping mine. Jeez how rude is this guy?

The kitchen is mostly empty, dishes and silverware neatly stacked in fives, the pantry filled with canned food and nonperishables, plus some things like flour and sugar. Hopefully I can cook with these things.

There’s two small bedrooms and a living area with a fireplace and a metal door with small windows looking to the outside world. Grey sheets and woolen blankets on each bed and one - count it, one - bathroom. Awesome, this should be fun.

We set out to bringing the bags in, all duffel bags, it’s the easiest way to pack and move. Steve sets his in the bedroom on the right, so I guess I’ll take what’s left. Get it, get… never mind.

Barely three words are spoken that night.

“I’m off, night.” Steve doesn’t waste time lingering in the doorway, walking off to presumably shower and get to bed, something I’ll be doing soon. But for now, tea.

I dust myself off as I stand moving to start my kettle. I’m smart, and bringing an electric kettle is a must for someone like me. Grabbing a mug, I plunk the teabag into it and wait for the water to boil. The sky changes into colors of lavender and baby blue as the sun lowers even further. I miss the woods when I’m in New York. I mean for Steve, it’s all he’s ever known - city, city, freezing ice, and more city.

Why am I thinking about Steve? This is me time, where the only trace that he’s here is the sound of running water. He better not take all the hot water, that jerk.

 I quickly finish my tea and wait for a few minutes to make sure I have hot water. Maybe that’s not how it works, but it eases my mind quite a bit. The shower goes my fast, and before I know it, I’m cuddled under fleece and wool, half asleep. And yet my mind moves back to my housemate. Why does he bother me so much? I barely speak to him. Well one thing’s for sure. This is gonna be a long week.

 ---------------------

 The sound of birds wakes me up, funnily enough, Steve isn’t standing over my bed saying, ‘wake up its 4 AM’. Ok, maybe that is an exaggeration, but 5 AM is still too early, even in my book. Unlike the rest of the Avengers, I never received military training. I was a special person with some amazing powers to heal. At least, that’s how Fury put it.

I meander into the kitchen, throwing my hair into a ponytail. Time to make German pancakes.

 ------ Steve’s POV-----

 I awake to the smell of sugar and flour being cooked. Y/N. Well someone’s up early. Pulling myself up I grunt, letting my shoulders catch up to me. The scent drags me into the kitchen as I’m taken aback by the sight of Y/N humming and dancing about the small kitchen, her hair a mess and clothes wrinkled. This wouldn’t be easy.

Since the day I met her, I’ve been crushing on Y/N L/N. And I have no way to explain it. After Peggy, I never thought I would love again, but she ran in and crushed my world. Problem is, I’m too awkward to do anything about it.

She glances up, noticing me for the first time, obviously shocked.

“How long have you been there, creep?” She giggles as the words leave her mouth.

“Not too long, long enough to see you scorching your… what are those?” I smirk, glancing down at the pan.

She glares, flipping the flat disk of flour, then turning back to me.

“For your information, they are called German Pancakes. My grandma used to make them all to time.” Y/N plates one and dusts powdered sugar on it.

Her arms balance two plates on them as she walks over to the small oak table in the corner. “Bon Appetit!” A smile moves across her face as she gestures to the table.

Smirking I sit down. “Finger food?” Confusion flashes before she remembers.

She grabs a fork and sets it down in front of me, clearly anxious to see what I think. I pick up the fork and cut a small bite before eating it. Her gaze remains on me the whole time, awaiting my response.

“Alright, I will admit that you make an amazing breakfast.” She pumps her fist in the air.

“Yes! I will take it.” Her gaze falls, and she sit next to me. “So, why do you never talk to me? Do you not like me?” If only you knew.

“No. I mean, yes. No, I- I mean, I don’t dislike you. Why do you avoid me?” I place the fork down next to the plate.

“Well, you make me mad. I never did anything wrong, yet you avoid me like the plague.” A sigh escapes her lips and she looks at the pancake.

‘’Alright then, let’s change that.”

“Ok, Capsicle- “

“Have you been talking to Sam?”

“Don’t interrupt me. I was about to say I’m willing to try.”

“That’s all I need, doll.”

  ----Y/N’s POV----

 The sun sits low again as I wait for Steve to finish cooking, I’ve been banned from the kitchen till he’s done, something about it being a surprise.

The smell of potatoes, canned beef, and corn wafted throughout the small bungalow. Call my interest piqued.

“Dinner is served.” Steve enters holding two plates, a massive grin on his face.

“Finally, I thought I would starve,” I remarked.

I look down at one of the plates and instantly recognize it as Shepard’s Pie, something my daddy used to make when I was younger. Steve clearly could tell because he was rubbing his hands together in excitement.

“But, how do you know how to make this?”

“My mother made it for me because the ingredients were cheap, and we weren’t exactly millionaires.” An almost bitter expression coated his face quickly.

“Well…” I place my hand on his. “Thank you. And I’m gonna say we eat this masterpiece before it gets cold.” He smiles before going to get salt and forks.

“Oh Steve Rogers, what am I going to do about you?” I mutter under my breath. I would be lying if I said the man wasn’t attractive, but now that I was able to learn about his personality and past in a new light, I was trouble.

 ----

The dinner was divine, and I showered him with praise for it, all of which he deflected to his mum for teaching him to cook. We both cleaned the kitchen, belting Broadway songs the whole time. The night quickly settled down as both of us parted into our separate rooms for sleep.

However, mine was quickly interrupted as I heard voices in the night, they sound pained and troubled. Knowing there was only one other person in the house, I crawled out of bed and crossed the hall.

“Steve?” My voice came out in a harsh whisper but received no response.

The door creaked open and I looked to see Steve tossing and turning, mumbling unintelligible words. I settled next to the bed and hesitantly reach to his arm, rubbing up and down it.

His hand shot out and grabbed my wrist, lifting me then flipping me on the bed, sitting over me.

“I mean, I know I’m attractive, but I never pegged you for that type.” I smile and ignore the pounding in my chest as I suddenly realized I was pinned underneath the 220 pound super solider who could snap me like a toothpick if he so pleased.

“Y/N,” My name was whispered in the dark and I realized he was crying. So much for the toothpick snapping.

My right hand slipped under and out of his grasp, reaching to hold his cheek. I tenderly smiled at him and watched the hero break his walls and fall down, quite literally. I slip him off me before holding his head in my lap, stroking his blond locks.

Words aren’t spoken for at least 30 minutes. He finally looks up at me and gives a weak smile.

“You don’t have to hurt on your own Steve, I’m here, so is the rest of the team.”

“Heh, guess I’m too used to being lonely.”

I give a play smack. “Well stop it.”

His eyes almost change, as does his demeanor.

“May I…” He licks his lips, searching for words. “May I kiss you?”

“Yes, Steve, I would like that very much.”

He sits and wraps his arms around my shoulders before connecting his lips to mine. His lips are chapped, but still soft. It’s gentle, as if testing the waters before you dive in. Arms locked together before his hands move to the small of my back. I gotta say, not bad for the time gap since his last kiss.

Soon we must pull away and his blue eyes stare deeply into mine. The room is silent, and he lets out a sigh, placing his forehead on mine.

“Guess I have to stop hating you now, huh?”

“I thought you already did, doll,”

“Hmm, well I’m warming up to you.”

 A laugh escapes his lips, one not held back, to its fullest extent. I miss hearing that float through the tower. It seems more intimate in this small bedroom in a cabin in the middle of nowhere city.

Guess I must thank Stark for sticking us here. That bastard.

[green-eyeddragonfanfiction]

Bah, HumBuck! Plan E

Summary: You’re the newest Avenger. Realizing that Bucky plans to spend Christmas alone, you enlist the help of Wanda, your best friend, and Steve, Bucky’s best friend and your mentor. You’re determined to make his Christmas amazing. Plan A Plan B Plans C and D Plan E will work ...right? Pairing: Bucky x Female!Powered!Reader Word Count: ~2,754 Warnings: blood (just a bit), language, fluff A/N: This is for Sam’s Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Writing Challenge. My prompt was #16, “’This was a terrible plan.’ ‘This was your plan.’” @lovelynemesis *gifs not mine*

Masterlist // Plans C and D // Plans F and G

You chatted in the snow, sipping hot chocolate for a while. At some point you conjured a fire in the center of the group and, although the boys might not admit it, you knew they all appreciated it.

Two hours later the five of you trudged back into the residential building (well, Vision was floating gracefully, but he was always graceful). You were talking to Bucky as you walked. Your plan hadn’t been a complete failure, but it still wasn’t good enough.

Time for Plan E.

“(Y/N)!” Wanda said excitedly, causing you and Bucky to stop walking and turn to look at her.

She was pointing above you, eyes alight with excitement. You looked to where she was pointing and gulped.

There, above you and Bucky, was (unmistakably) a sprig of mistletoe.

You looked at Bucky, who was looking at you like a deer caught in the headlights. Vision must not have noticed the tension or Wanda’s outburst, as he was too busy talking to Steve and bumped into you, knocking you out from under the mistletoe.

“Oh, my apologies, Miss (Y/L/N). I did not-”

“Viz!” Wanda said, exasperated.

He looked from you to Bucky, to Wanda, and then back to Bucky, confused until he looked up.

“Ah, mistletoe. I did not know Mister Stark’s decorators had added it,” he said, bending down to give Bucky a formal peck on the cheek.

When he straightened up, proud smile on his face over his grasp of Christmas traditions, he was met with a blank, soulless stare from Bucky, and a livid one from Wanda. She dragged him away wordlessly.

“I don’t understand. It’s customary to-”

They rounded the corner and you couldn’t hear them anymore, but judging by Wanda’s reaction he was probably getting an earful for his unintentional mistake. You wished she’d go easy on him; it had been a peck on the cheek after all.

To his credit, Bucky seemed mostly unphased. “Well, I’m going back to my room-”

“Wait!” you said quickly. To your surprise Bucky froze and stared at you apprehensively. “I was wondering if we could do a gift exchange? I know you’re not supposed to open presents early, but we have a little bit of time before we have to start making dinner and I used to open one gift on Christmas Eve when I was little and I thought it might be something fun to do. Although of course we don’t have to! I suppose there aren’t a lot of presents to begin with so it might be best to wait until tomorrow so that we have more to open-”

Bucky let out a loud sigh. His face was shadowed, so you couldn’t see his expression all that well. What you could see, however, were the cold steel blue eyes trained on your face. You fidgeted nervously, worried that you’d finally annoyed him too much.

Damnit. If only I’d just kept my mouth shut.

He turned and walked away without saying anything, Steve following closely behind. Steve gave you a small smile as he passed, although you couldn’t return it. You tried, but you just couldn’t make today nice for Bucky. Your gaze fell to the ground and you stood in the hallway, trying to keep it together. You’d tried so hard; why didn’t-

“You coming?” came Bucky’s soft, gravelly voice from the other end of the hall.

You looked up in surprise, gaze falling onto the two super soldiers who stood at the end of the hall, looking at you expectantly. Steve motioned down the hall towards the lounge where the gifts and half-burned Christmas tree awaited.

A broad smile broke out on your face. Perhaps you hadn’t failed, after all.

“Yup!” you said excitedly, practically skipping down the hall.

Steve smiled at your exuberance and Bucky rolled his eyes at you, though you didn’t miss the small, crooked smile that graced his features.

You’d thought that perhaps you should invite Wanda and Vision down for the gift exchange, but the image of Vision kissing Bucky on the cheek and Bucky looking absolutely dead inside changed your mind. Maybe it was best Vision wasn’t around Bucky for a little while.

You dug around the bottom of the tree and pulled out two packages; One for Bucky and one for Steve, both from you.

Steve’s gift had been an expensive but easy choice; A limited edition anniversary box set of the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. You’d already gotten him the book set for his birthday, so it only seemed natural to follow it up with the movies.

You’d spent a lot of time thinking about Bucky’s gift. What did you get an aloof 100 year old assassin? Your brain went everywhere from guns to 40′s-themed clothing to new tech that he might like. You even thought about getting him a trip to a spa or hot spring. He always seemed so tense that you were sure he’d benefit from an hour-long massage or soak in hot water... but the thought of the Winter Soldier getting a mud mask was just too ridiculous so you settled on something practical.

Half of the time you saw him he was wearing a beaten, threadbare red Henley. You’d known him almost a year and you were pretty sure you could tell someone where all the holes in that shirt were while blindfolded. There was a good chance he had it on now, but if he did it was hidden under his fluffy maroon sweater.

As such, you’d gone to nearly every clothing store you could think of to find a nearly identical replacement, as well as a few others in the same style but in different colors. It was a simple gift, but something you hoped he’d enjoy and appreciate nonetheless.

You handed them their gifts eagerly, excited to see their reactions. “Have at it!” you said excitedly, motioning for them to unwrap their presents as you sat down in front of him on the coffee table.

Steve carefully undid his, meticulously pulling the tape off as he unfolded your neat creases. The second his glimpsed the Lord of the Rings logo, though, you could tell it was difficult for him to continue patiently unwrapping his gift.

Bucky shook his present as he held it up to his ear, as though he was trying to guess what it was. He apparently gave up because he quickly ripped through the paper.

Steve was happily admiring his gift, so enamored he hadn’t even snapped out of his gawking to thank you yet, so you focused on Bucky.

He opened the plain white clothing box slowly, shoving the tissue paper out of the way with his metal fingers.

You were practically vibrating with excitement, edging forward on the edge of the coffee table. A small part of you thought it was silly to get so excited about his reaction to a couple of shirts, but you couldn’t help yourself.

Bucky’s face changed imperceptibly. It was subtle; the hardening of his eyes, the corners of his lips tugging down barely a millimeter, his shoulders tensing as he froze, looking down into the box.

You were good enough at reading his body language by now to know what it all meant. He hated it. Your face fell and your body stilled, looking at him apprehensively.

“What the hell is this?” he asked, gaze flicking up to you. There was a tension in his voice that made your heart plummet to your stomach.

“I... I just thought you might like-”

“Well, you thought wrong,” he said as he shoved the lid roughly back on the box, stood, and dropped it on the couch where he’d been sitting. You could feel your heart shattering. Surely your gift couldn’t have been that offensive? But Bucky stalked down the hallway, shoulders hunched, quietly fuming as he made his way towards his room.

“Bucky... Bucky!” Steve yelled after his friend, disappointment clear in his voice. It was clear he was upset that his friend had stormed off; he was torn between going after him and checking on you. When he turned back to you, though, his mind was made up for him.

He was instantly off of the couch, his gift forgotten on the seat behind him “Hey, sweetheart. Don’t cry,” he said softly, hands hovering over your arms and face, unsure of exactly what to do.

You were crying? Huh. You hadn’t even noticed.

You quickly wiped your tears away and put on a brave smile. “It’s alright!” you said a little too cheerfully for how puffy and watery your eyes were. It was clear Steve wasn’t buying it, so you pressed on. “I’ll just return them and get him a gift card, or something!” you said, willing yourself back into the Christmas spirit. There went Plan E.

“What... What did you get him?” Steve asked, glancing at the plain white box out of the corner of his eye.

You sniffled, your mouth quirking up in a sad half smile. “Oh, nothing too special. You can look, if you want,” you said, motioning to the box dejectedly.

Steve still looked at you with concern, but he picked up the box and shoved the tissue paper out of the way just like Bucky had done.

He froze, just like Bucky had, when he laid his eyes on the gift.

“Uh, (Y/N)...?”

“Mm?” you asked, confused by his reaction. Surely shirts weren’t that confusing? A little bland for a gift, apparently, but-

“Why did you get Bucky a painting of Sam done in the renaissance style for Christmas?” Steve asked, pulling the painting out of the box. Sure enough, Sam Wilson was gazing back at you, immortalized in oil paint on a 10x12 canvas, looking regal in renaissance-era armor.

You stared at it in abject horror.

You’d mixed Bucky’s and Sam’s gifts up.

Your mind ran through what exactly had gone wrong. A loud smack rang out in the room as your palm met your forehead.

“I wrapped both their gifts in clothing boxes! It was convenient because Sam’s portrait happened to fit in one! I wrapped everything at once and I... I must have gotten their gifts confused,” you whispered, hands covering your mouth in shock.

“So... you didn’t get Bucky a painting of Sam for Christmas?” Steve asked. He couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away from the ridiculous piece. When you’d asked him to teach you how to paint, he’d never expected... this. While it was beautifully done and captured Sam’s likeness well... it was just so odd.

“No! Oh god, no wonder he was so upset. Him and Sam hate each other!” you said in despair, Bucky’s reaction suddenly making a lot more sense.

Steve seemed to dwell on that for a moment, brow furrowed as he lost himself in thought.

“I don’t even have his gift... I gave it to Sam before he left for D.C....” you said slowly. You quickly pulled out your phone and sent him a text telling him about the mix up.

Gave you the wrong gift, pal. Give you the right one when you get back?

You expected him to take a while to respond considering the reason, but your phone buzzed before you even had a chance to set it down.

I don’t know, Hotrod. This has my name on it. I might just keep it.

You smirked at that.

You don’t want that gift, Wingman. Unless you want to start dressing like Bucky.

You hit send and only had to wait a few seconds before he responded.

Can I just throw it in the fire?

You rolled your eyes. They were so petty when it came to each other.

No. No, you cannot.

“Everything alright?” Steve asked warily as you tapped away at your phone.

“Yeah, just making sure Bucky’s real gift makes it back to the base in one piece,” you said, once again turning your attention to your phone as it buzzed again.

Fine. But my gift better be damn amazing.

You rolled your eyes and shoved your phone back into your pocket. “Damn... I really messed up,” you said, staring dejectedly at the painting still in Steve’s hands.

He set it gently back into the box and, to your surprise, turned a smile on you. “It’ll be alright. You can go explain what happened to Bucky while I get dinner started,” Steve said reassuringly.

You did a double take at his words. “Wait, what-”

“Go tell him about what happened. He’ll understand. He was just disappointed,” Steve said, patting you on the shoulder as he made his way to the kitchen, leaving you to reel your emotions and thoughts in alone.

Disappointed? Was that reaction warranted for being disappointed about a gift from a coworker or friend? Would he even accept your apology and excuse without his real gift as a peace offering?

You sighed and stood abruptly, pushing those thoughts from your mind. You made a mistake and it was time to own up to it. It was up to Bucky if he’d be reasonable about what happened or not.

You hastily packed the painting away and shoved it under the tree, its plain white surface looking dull compared to the other lavishly wrapped gifts.

You made your way to Bucky’s room. You knew the path so well by then that you barely paid attention to where you were going as your mind wandered and you suddenly found yourself in front of Bucky’s door. You took a deep breath and steeled yourself.

You knocked on his door, your fist a gentle rap against the wood. “Bucky?” you asked hesitantly.

You waited for a moment, but there was no response.

You tried again, knocking louder this time, anxiety lacing your veins. When it became clear he wasn’t going to open his door, you started your bad habit of rambling. “Bucky, it’s me. Uh, (Y/N).” He obviously knows it’s you, dummy. Focus. “I just wanted to say that you got the wrong gift by mistake. You got Sam’s and Sam got yours- I know, stupid. They were in the same type of box and I guess when I was wrapping them I didn’t notice they’d gotten mixed up and-”

Your meandering explanation was cut off as he opened his door. He loomed in the doorway, studying you warily.

“-and I can’t give you your actual gift until Sam gets back. Sorry,” you finished lamely, eyes glued guiltily to the ground.

He didn’t speak right away and you felt his gaze burning holes through you. Finally, “So you didn’t get me a painting of Sam for Christmas?” he asked, causing your head to snap up in alarm.

“No! I got you- mff,” his flesh hand slapped over your mouth before you could get the rest of your sentence out. When you realized you were about to ruin the surprise, your eyes widened in horror.

He raised a single eyebrow at you and- correctly guessing you’d realized your mistake by the look on your face- removed his hand.

“Thanks. And... sorry. Again,” you said sheepishly, shifting nervously from foot to foot.

“It’s alright, Doll. Sorry I acted a fool earlier,” he said quietly, a small, sheepish smile dancing on his lips. Surely you were imagining the warmth in his eyes.

“We’re starting to make dinner, if you want to come help?” you asked quickly, easily flustered under his gaze. You felt your cheeks heat and you hoped he didn’t notice how nervous you were.

“Depends. Is Steve letting you near the ovens again?” he asked playfully.

“I’m never living that down, am I?” you asked as an embarrassed grin worked its way onto your face.

“Never,” he said simply. He stepped out of his room, closing the door gently behind him. “Shall we?” he asked as he tilted his head in the direction of the kitchen.

“Mhm!” you hummed cheerfully. You wished you could be more eloquent around him, but he made your brain turn into a jumbled mess. You blamed his eyes. Or maybe it was his voice. Or the way his soft brown hair framed his face. Or those pouty lips. Or maybe his god-like physique. Maybe his skills? Or his hesitant, kind personality?

You bit back a beleaguered sigh. No, it was just Bucky as a whole. He just... did that to you, and you should have accepted it long ago.

Oh well. Plans F and G were bound to work. You had the entire team helping you this time.

Well... That didn’t go as planned. Plan F and G?

This series is finished, but if you want to be tagged in my other fics, check out this post! Sorry, but responses to this post asking to be tagged will be ignored, so send me an ask or like one of the taglist posts!

☕ Buy Me a Coffee! ☕

[dreaminglee]

In my black and white life, you

Soulmate!AU Featuring Baekho.

Same universe with JR one in which everyone have a tattoo that will complements their soulmate’s tattoo.

Yours is a white tigress tattoo, located on your upper left arm.

You used to hate your tattoo because kids on your school always made fun of your tattoo and called it ‘gangster tattoo’.

Sometimes you ended up in trouble for punching those kids.

After a while you decided not to dwell on your tattoo and kinda thinks that your tattoo is cool.

I mean it’s white tigress, of course it’s cool and badass.

You don’t have any idea yet about how your tattoo will react if you meet your soulmate.

Actually.

Your tattoo reacted once, when you were in high school.

You, 3rd grader, were at the cafetaria with your friends, who wanted to see the 1st year who just got admitted.

And then you swear your tattoo moved a little.

But because the movement happened in a speed of light, the tattoo was back on motionless when you tried to show it to your friends.

They told you it must be a mistake, or you were hungry and seeing it wrong.

The second time your tattoo moved, it was on your 4th year college.

You were watching a band performance, and you swear this time your tattoo moved again.

But it was your university festival and of course there were lots of people who watched the performance.

So yeah.

You graduated from your university, still don’t know who your soulmate is.

“It must be someone from our university.” your friend tried to cheer you up.

“But that happened on the festival, it can be everyone who came to the festival.” another friend told you.

Lol thank you.

You started work at a game company, yes the same company as JR’s girl.

You were accompanying your friend to get a cup of coffee, because she insist the coffee is really good.

But you know she only wants to sneak a little time to see her boyfriend.

It was your first time there because you’re not a coffee kind of person.

“Hi babe, the usual and maybe just cold water for my friend over here because she doesn’t drink coffee,” your friend told JR, you lightly smack her shoulder

“Ummmm, just hot chocolate for me please,” you ordered to another barista, Minhyun? perhaps.

But there are three other boys sitting on the counter and kinda looking at you and your friend.

“Oh babe, these three are my friends! I want to introduce you,” JR said to your friend, as your friend pulled away by JR, you wait for your drink while checking on your instagram.

But you felt someone looking at your direction, so you looked up from your phone and your gaze meet his.

The guy sat on the far right and wear a black cap, his body frame is quite big. He’s handsome, manly kind of handsome and also his eyebrows.... ugh.

“Here’s your hot chocolate, hope you enjoy!” Minhyun broke your train of thought as he handed you your drink.

“Oh.. th... thank you.” you smiled and decided to sat near the door, waiting for your friend who still talking to JR’s friends.

You looked at the time and tapped her shoulder, “We should get back to the office right now or Mr. Joo will realize that we’re not on our desk.”

“Oh my god!!” she jumped from her chair and checked her own phone, “It’s really nice meeting you guys! See ya!”

Luckily Mr. Joo didn’t realize that you two just got back from the coffee shop.

You’re back working on a translation when suddenly your messenger beeped. It was your friend.

“One of JR’s friend keep looking at you earlier, I think you’re his type” she typed.

“Naah it can’t be, maybe it’s because of my hair? Or I have something on my face” you typed back and go to the toilet.

When you rolled up your sleeve to wash your hands, you gasped.

Your tattoo moved down to your forearm.

How?????

“He. Must. Be. One. Of. JR’s. Friend.” your friend is 100% positive at this point.

So the next time JR’s friends are at the shop, you were introduced to them.

Now you know the name of the manly handsome guy.

“Hi, I’m Kang Dongho but everyone calls me Baekho.”

“Why Baekho?” you asked, because Baekho can also be read as ‘white tiger’ and that is your tattoo is all about. Is he your soulmate?!?!?!

“Oh, they called me that because I looked like that Slam Dunk character,” he laughed.

It’s real guys, Hanamichi Sakuragi name in the korean version is Kang Baekho.

/sobbing internally.

Turns out JR’s friends are really fun to hang out with.

You hang out a lot with Baekho, Minhyun, Aron and Ren.

After a while, you can crossed out Ren & Aron from your potential soulmate because your tattoo didn’t react when you are with them only.

But then problem rise.

Because Ren & Aron is out from the list, that makes Baekho or Minhyun as your potential soulmate.

But those two are always together like??? You really can’t guess which one is your soulmate.

Your friend suggest to come to the coffee shop near closing time because Minhyun usually alone at that time.

But Baekho will always be there too.

And you realized that nowadays your hang out consist of you, Baekho, and Minhyun.

Whether when you go to the cafe, noodle house or even midnight snacking at McD’s. It’s always the three of you.

Sometimes you slipped between calling him Dongho and Baekho because the other boys always did that too?

“Dongho can you pass the tomato ketchup over there? Thanks Baekho...”

After a while he told you just to call him Dongho instead.

No use. Sometimes you still call him Baekho.

Okay so back to the tattoo!

You never get to see if one of them have your tattoo because...

It’s winter.

The first time you met them it’s already fall so people already wear long sleeved shirts.

But then you remember the first time your tattoo reacted was when you were in high school so you casually asked Baekho & Minhyun about their school.

Bummer.

BOTH of them went to your high school & university.

After quite some times you decided to not give a damn and just not thinking about your tattoo.

But deep down you wish for Baekho to be your soulmate.

Spring comes.

It’s time to change your entire wardrobe.

You wear t-shirt and jeans to work today, and hanging out on the coffee shop like usual.

Only JR standby at the moment because Minhyun is running some errand and Baekho is on the way there.

You fell asleep on the table because work was really exhausting today.

Baekho come first and about to wake you up when he saw your tattoo.

He didn’t believe his eyes at first, but he suddenly became silent and told JR & Minhyun that he got something to do and can’t go hang out with you guys.

Of course you have no idea because you were sleeping.

After you wake up, JR & Minhyun told you about Baekho and you guys decided to hang out next time.

Since that day, you notice that Baekho become more distant?

Like whenever all of you hang out together, he will sat the farthest from you. You think it is odd because he always sit beside you.

And when you asked him something, he will only gave short answer, so you become annoyed and talk to Minhyun instead.

One day, Ren told you Baekho is not in the mood to come so it’s only you and the 4 boys.

You take this chance to ask them what’s wrong with Baekho being so distant or if you ever make him upset before.

“Eh? It can’t be, because he lik...” Aron almost spilled it if Ren wasn’t quick enough to shove popcorn into his mouth.

But they only shrugged and also don’t know why Baekho acting like that.

You are mad.

That night, Baekho opened his door to find you standing there looking ready to fight him, but still beautiful in his eyes.

“Really Baekho, what’s your problem with me?”

Before he get chance to answer you, you burst into tears and crouched in front of his door.

Turns out you are really drunk. So he brought you inside and you ended up sleeping on his bed. And he slept on the sofa.

In the morning, you are panicking because your last memory were you drinking with Ren and Aron but now you woke up at Baekho’s bed.

You come out from his bedroom and found him on the kitchen, he is cooking something with his back towards you.

And he’s only wearing pajama shorts, with no shirts at all so you tried to look anywhere but his upper body.

“I’m sorry... I must have made ruckus last night..”

“It’s okay, I also want to say sorry for being an ass to you lately.” he scratched, “Yes you are! But I really want to ask why you’re being so distant lately?”

“Because of this...” he show you his right arm. You gasped.

There, on his forearm, a tattoo of white tiger.

Then you feel your tattoo starts moving too.

“So you already know about my tattoo? And decided not to say anything and avoiding me instead?” you can feel tears welling up, “You can’t accept me as your soulmate huh?”

“No!! It’s not like that!” he groaned, “I didn’t say anything because I know you like Minhyun, and if you know... you’d probably dissapointed because I’m your soulmate...” his head hung down, your eyes widened.

“Me? Liking Minhyun?” you asked in disbelief, he nodded. It was your turn to groan, “Why are you so stupid sometimes?”

“Huh?” he looked at you.

“I like you Kang Dongho...”

He starred at you in disbelief, “Me??” you nodded, wiping your tears, “Yes Dongho, I like you.”

Next thing you know, your back against the kitchen counter as he swoop you in a passionate kiss.

FINALLY.

The boys + your friend, really clapped when you and Baekho told them everything.

Minhyun congratulate you two the loudest because he’s happy Baekho finally found his soulmate, you.

“Yay for the white tiger gangster couple!”

“Yah Hwang Minhyun!”

After your confession at his apartment, you and him are inseparable. He always come to pick you up and always drove you home.

Or you will come to his studio just to drop some food for him, Bumzu, and the other producer hyungs.

Bumzu instantly likes you when Dongho introduced you to the producer hyungs.

Few weeks into your relationship, you notice how the tattoo works

The tiger-tigress tattoo is a great way to be kind of alarm about how’s your/Baekho’s mood is that day.

For example, when you’re sad or not in a good mood, Baekho’s tiger expression will be kinda sulky or sad also.

If so, he’ll be ready with chicken and beer/soju at your place to cheer you up.

And when your tigress tattoo looked happy or almost jumping in your arms, you will ask him if something good happen today.

You really like his other tattoos and always grazing your fingers against them whenever you cuddled him.

Or kissing them when you two are making love. You really like to see him holding his moans every time your lips make contact with the tattoos on his chest.

I’m sobbing when I type that sentences.

Baekho also likes to kiss your tattoo whenever he got the chance.

Or playfully bite them. You smacked his head the first time he bite your forearm.

He likes teasing you every time he’s not wearing any shirt.

He really find your blushing face really cute.

Because even after all those sexy times you spend naked with Baekho, seeing you still blushing when you saw him shirtless is very adorable.

I’m a sobbing mess right now.

I can see the proposal happened a little later than JR and his girl.

Like you and Baekho are content with your relationship. You already moved to his place and you two are basically already look like a married couple.

But I think, seeing JR marrying his girl kinda make Baekho thinking that it’s the right time to propose you.

The proposal happened on his studio. You were bringing food like usual when he told you that he wants you to hear his new song.

You wore the headphone, and when the song played, you realize the lyric is about him asking you to marry him.

And when you looked at him, he’s already on one knee and holding the ring.

You cried.

Everybody cried.

As you took off the headphone, he smiled and asked you clearly.

“Will you marry me?”

“Yes Dongho, yes.”

He pulled you for a kiss and then put the ring on your finger.

The wedding is held at Jeju, with families and friends attending.

Ren and Minhyun cried the loudest at your wedding.

You cried again when Baekho sang the proposal song at the wedding.

Of course he’s the one who sang the congratulatory song, he’s Nu’est main vocal!

At your honeymoon resort. In Jeju ofc.

You just finished showering with Baekho, and about to dry your hair when he come up and take the towel from your hand.

“You know the first time we met at the coffee shop?” he asked as he drying your hair softly, you nodded, “That time, I instantly thought that I wish you are my soulmate,” he laughed.

“Well we’re lucky because we are really soulmate,” you cupped his face with your both hands and kissed his lips, “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand it’s finished! /sobbing.

This was requested by an anon! hey anon, tell me if you like this or not? hahahahaha. And I just finished this because usually I will be full of feels if i’m writing something involving my bias (hey baekho, hey daniel, hey yuto, hey young k :) damn you guys), and I tend to write longer scenarios for them. sobs yeah I know. I’ll continue with 100 wtsyily and maybe other AU (I have few drafts that have been abandoned and I’m kinda stuck right now ;A;)

Hope you guys enjoy!

AND DON’T FORGET TO SUPPORT NU’EST W NEW ALBUM & MV ON 10TH OCTOBER Y’ALL!! I ALREADY SAW JR’S TEASER AND I’M SO SHOOK. I DON’T THINK I CAN SURVIVE TO SEE BAEKHO’S TEASER AT 9TH ;AAAAAAAAA;

[cutegirlmayra]

Do you know that thing where people say if you ignore a guy they'll notice you more? Do you think you could do a prompt of someone telling Amy that and she attempts it on Sonic, only to take it too far and have Sonic go in a downward spiral of longing?

(x)

I’m gonna have way too much fun with this one.

Prompt:

“So… that’s it?”

Amy pulled her sweater down from the hands that were in it’s pockets, her eyes sharp as the sheer cold around them.

Sonic looked up to her, but his eyes showed a silent regret.

She pursed her lips, holding back tears before turning away from him, letting some breath go to attempt to release the tension that held in her chest.

She looked to the blanketed sky above her, longing for more, but hoping for less.

“I see….” she tried to kick the ground but ended up stomping on it a few times, unable to hold her true emotions back.

Finally, her face creased and she couldn’t keep her eyes open anymore. “Darn it!” she turned back to him, throwing her hands out in a clear mature tantrum. “You cant’ just push me away like this! What about the others?! Tails, Knuckles… even Cream!” she gestured behind her, before kicking at last some spraying snow up to just reach his knees as he looked away.

He held his head low but there was no sign of shame.

She continued to breath hard, before her body swung side to side and she dipped lower and lower to the ground before gripping her head and springing back up again.

“Sonic-!!!…. I love you!”

He closed his eyes as she watched the air from his nose steam out like a backwards pipe.

“Amy… if what Eggman said was true… then I don’t have much time.” he turned back to her, his eyes fixated on the mission at hand.

She’ll have to wait for a better explanation.

“So that’s it?! Take on the whole world and leave your friends behind, is that it?! Run away and only come back on weekends!?” She gestured out to nowhere, but clearly meant the world, though it seemed to not want to be involved in this lover’s quarrel.

“This isn’t about just me, Amy!” He finally got emotion, at least, somewhat. With justified rage, he swung his arm out, cutting her time to speak off and starting his own…

“I have to hunt down Eggman. If he’s planning what he said he is, then I don’t want any of you involved!”

“You still think we’re not good enough on our own? Somehow… we’re still weak and fragile to you.. aren’t we?” she held in a small, cold choke inside her throat.

Sonic could see her swallowing.

It gave him some confidence that he was winning.

“I’m sorry, Amy… but I care too much about your safety. Everyone stays.” he stated this as if it was final.

“…Everyone… gets left behind.”

That cut deeper into Sonic’s heart than she may ever know.

He saw her suddenly look up, soak in the melting snow to calm her heated face, and looked back.

He let his shoulders rest, tightening his fist.

“You act like it’s over.”

There was a sudden gust in the chilling wind…

Her eyes remained cold… but still glossy from her tears she withheld.

“…Are you going to stare at me forever?” he started to turn away, not waiting for a response.

He knew if she spoke, she’d regret whatever last words she’d say.

But they wouldn’t be her last.

Not yet.

“Sonic!”

He looked behind his shoulder, still remaining strong.

Still remaining a hero.

There eyes locked for what seemed to the both of them.. an eternity of confessing love at last sight.

“…I’ll always be waiting for you… I won’t turn around. I won’t look away… I’ll stand right here… until I can’t see an inch of you in the snow.”

There was something strong and powerfully enduring in those words.

Sonic’s eyes scanned hers one last time, taking in every word they secretly, though loudly bore.

His own eyes softened, his mouth opened to reveal some heavy breathes, before he forced himself to look away…

And never returned.

——-

Amy waited on some tables, taking notes and skating off into the back room to dodge other waitresses rollerblading around.

“Two more, Joe.” she happily dinged the bell before a woman scooted over with a wireless, brick like phone.

“It’s your brother, dear.” she smacked her gum in her mouth and skated away with her hands still up as if carrying two phones.

Amy watched before wondering what she meant, and took the phone up to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Heh, brother? Again, thrilled to be your emergency contact, but brother?”

“You’ve always been my little bro, Tails.” Amy smiled, happy to hear his sarcasm hadn’t faded.

“I know you’re working, but you’ve gotta come see this.”

“Is it really important? Last time you said that, the plane’s ‘new’ engine almost exploded.” she snickered.

“Almost.” Tails reminded her, “Slight miscalculation on fuel gauges. Rookie mistake.”

“At this stage, you shouldn’t be calling yourself a rookie!” Amy teased, leaning against the wall and fiddling with her gloves, pulling them up a little to pinch at the space it created for her now ducked fingers.

“Amy…. It’s-”

Amy had already raced down the street, her coat flying over her waitress uniform and skates thrown onto the street’s pavement.

“About Sonic.”

Charging into an emergency room, the team was already gathered.

Cream was attending what looked to be a wearied Sonic, bruised up and aged considerably.

“He came in and collapsed like that. Saying he needed to see us all again.” Tails mournfully spoke, taking his engineering hat down that a train station had offered him.

He agreed to work there, only because getting a license at flying was over way too easily.

Aced every exam.

Knuckles was refined, as usual. Hands on his now slender hips and his chest widened with exercise and proper eating habits.

The Chaos on Angel Island would miss him soon… including Rouge…

Cream had on her school uniform, but tenderly dipped his cloth back into the cool water with both hands, then reached on her tippi-toes to lay it across his forehead.

Any slowly moved closer.

Like a high definition movie… she noticed every change, every slight feature that had grown into this beautiful man.

His breaths were shallow… but each one clung at her heart.

“He wanted to see us…” Tails continued, but seemed to repeat himself out of worry.

“…All?” Amy breathed out at last, holding her hands back, wanting to reach out and feel if he was real.

His spines… they’ve created a deeper shade of blue that matched more of the heaven’s skyline.

Would they still feel the same? Or were they smoother? Softer to the touch? Or harder than before because of all the fighting?

Non-stop fighting… only the universal radio would spark to life with any such news of his daring fleets or heroic actions against Eggman deciding to stay on the move and not stick around one spot for too long.

Of course, wherever Eggman went, Sonic followed, trailing after him as devotedly as Amy once did for him.

Once…

Had he changed at all since then?

Her mind wrapped around the memory as if suffocating her into a soft blanket of warm tears, before releasing her into the frigged air of that awful morning.

Suddenly, his eyes flickered.

She stepped back in a light gasp, her eyes scanned the whites and then a deep… piercing green.

“…I have to go.”

Why was she suddenly running?

“Amy..?”

Tails turned to watch her go, before Knuckles shook his head.

“She’s seen enough.”

“What do you mean?” Tails turned back to him, a perfect distraction for her to make her escape.

But why?

Resentment.

After so many years of painfully waiting for him… her love had iced over to bitterness. Cold enough to sting you at first touch.

She came to check on him.

Nothing more.

Cream almost ran out after her, “Miss Amy!” she cried before her hands shot back to her chest and held each other as if making sure her own heart didn’t break.

“A..” Sonic started to come too.

“Amy…?”

——-

Head held low, she shoved her hands back in her coat pockets. Black pavement of pebbled roads suddenly were the most fascinating things to her.

She couldn’t get the helplessness of how he laid there in what only could be interpreted as a painful agony… before she was relieved at the memory of him waking up.

‘He’d be okay. He’s back now. But I’m sure he won’t stay long.’ Her heart told her so many times to quit it. To stop being a baby about it.

But she couldn’t help the slight snowfall in her heart. As if that day never heated over into spring.

Remained winter.

Remained frozen in her mind.

A gust of wind made her stop and cover herself, before she knew the second she opened her eyes, and withdrew her hands, she would see him again.

“Hello.”

It sounded charming enough.

“Aren’t you gonna say something back?”

She conceded to the darkness, agreeing with it to stay and keep her eyes shut.

She moved to the side, and started to walk on. Feeling her way with the tap of her feet to be sure of their placement, she began to slowly make her way passed the voice.

“…H-huh?”

Puzzlement.

Maybe he would get bored and leave her a-

“Hey! You! With the silence only a mother could love.” he tried to kid, and she could hear his feet pacing after her.

No.

Don’t tease me.

No more games.

“…Amy?”

She opened her eyes and looked down at the dirty ground that shifted immediately to concrete.

Stepping up the side walk, she lowered her arms and promised herself to advance.

She suddenly heard the footsteps pause and come to a striding halt… which gave her confidence to speed walk faster.

“Amy.”

It was too tender. To pleading for her to stop her dumb act.

He must of known how much she longed to see him again.

“…I thought you said you’d never look away.”

Then it hit her.

She was a woman of her word… after all.

Her head shot up and immediately, she obeyed her heart’s true desire.

She turned around, but didn’t look at him.

Slowly, she strained herself to let go of her stubbornness and pride… and almost darn near melted at the sight of his spring eyes on hers.

It was like he always lived in spring.

Like his eyes… never experienced winter before.

“Aren’t you surprised to see me?” He moved his arms out and tipped a toe up, inviting her into what he knew she wanted.

She was firmly held solid to the ground. As if figurative iced had latched her spirit and wouldn’t allow her to move.

She breathed… and that was all.

Almost awestruck by his perfect features, flawless smile, and even those enchanting eyes…

With the sudden flight of worry in them, she noticed him lower his hands and straighten himself out.

“….You still mad about what happened?” He concluded, and the word ‘mad’ didn’t sit right with her in that sentence.

No. She wasn’t mad.

Bitter.

“I have to go to work.” she stated, as if making up an excuse could help her any.

She couldn’t move.

His face suddenly sang a thousand sorrows.

“…Oh.” he tilted his eyes down.

She suddenly felt her heart leap out of her throat, “How’d you get those… wounds.” it came out like a gushing waterfall.

She thought she had frosted over everything.

Guess his eyes melted her streams… just slightly.

His eyebrows leaped up as he suddenly rose his head, and smirked.

She was letting him win again… and for some reason…

That annoyed her.

She looked away, jutting an arm out to swing and hit her side as if scolding herself.

‘I just care too much.’ she told herself.

“Yeah, a pretty gruesome fight.” he looked himself over, “Can you believe this is the handiwork of five Metal Sonics?” he grinned and looked back at Amy.

That same smile… it was like his whole face was the sun, and she was allowing herself to be basked in it’s rays…

She was melting.

And she could feel her hard ground suddenly smoothing out.

As frozen seeds started to crack open their shells.

“That’s terrible.” she spoke out quickly, and with a jagged second wind, she pivoted and started rushing down the sidewalk in a hurried step of paced footwork.

“I have to go.”

“Amy?”

“Goodbye!” she suddenly dashed, surprising Sonic as he reached out for her.

“Wait!”

“I’m done with that!” she hollered out, as tears started to stream down her face, her heart’s memory locked on better times, but her brain trapped in endless snow fall.

A blizzard suddenly.

Her sorrow turned to even greater resistance.

“Just leave me alone!”

She felt the slightly brush of a hand that had moved at lightning speeds to stop her, but with her sudden last breath, it had frozen as quickly as her memory upon that snowy day so many years ago…

—-

She waited on more tables.

Suzy Q handed her a tray and pointed to a table where the tip of a solid black cowboy hat was peeking the back of it over the station.

Amy nodded, moving her head a little more to see who the stranger was, before skating over to give him his hamburger and fries.

The figure was deeply covered in black, and some faint blue…

“Will that be all, sir?” she setted the table with more napkins and dusted herself off, taking the empty ketchup bottle and removing a fresh one from her apron’s pockets and placing it down in it’s place.

“Yeah.” the voice coughed a moment, “How about a milkshake?”

“What kind?” She smiled, sweet as usual.

“…Got anything you like?” his hat tilted just slightly, but only a paige muzzle was seen.

His smile caught her attention, but she shook it off with a shake of her head. “Yeah. My favorites have to be plain vanilla or strawberry. Oh! There’s a nice chief in the back. He makes me a vanilla one with whole strawberries dipped in it! Hehe~ I know that sounds silly,… you can’t slurp up whole strawberries, but I love it all the same! I pick them out as I go, using a fork or spoon to hassle them out and straight into my mouth! Haha!” she had been nominated as Employee of the Month for selling a menu item like that.

She had a way of charming even the grumpiest of men into one of her favorite dishes.

“….” The stranger seemed to pause, taking her personality in before nodding his head and dipping his hat down. “I’ll take that then.”

Something was off in his voice. It was like he was purposefully trying to grumble.

She nodded, not judging a book by it’s cover.

After all, they tipped the best!

“Sure thing, sir! Right away! And don’t you wait one more minute for a refill on fries either! It’s on me~” she kicked her leg up and winked, before attempting to fly off towards the kitchen.

The stranger was still…

He suddenly pulled a hand to his chest and she noticed it slide up to his face, covering his eyes…

“…Sir?”

“I’m fine.” he coughed again, this time, into his mouth. “I’ll take your milkshake.”

She tilted her head in concern, but she moved nevertheless for him.

Returning back, she placed the milkshake down, skiding to a halt and putting her hands on her waist in triumphant.

“Before the fries got cold!” she cheered herself, as the man had his hands up together, and for a moment, was using them to lean forward over his food on.

“Take a seat then.” he gestured in front of him.

Amy made a puzzled look, and looked at the chair.

“Pardon?”

“Pardoned. Now… sit.” he gestured again.

“Oh, but I’m not really allowed to-” she hugged the tray under her arm, holding it as though a shield, and feeling an odd vibe around this guy.

She waved her hand out before he sated once again, pounding his fist to the table slightly, “Sit.”

She did so, almost immediately, before her cheeks puffed up at letting him scare her.

“Hey! I’m not one to bully around, sir!” she glared, before he leaned foward on his joined, intertwined hands again.

“You seem like a nice girl.” he suddenly stated, making Amy grow nervous with some slight chilly sweat coming down her face.

“Let me ask you something.”

“I’d rather you not.” she muttered, lowering her head and placing her tray down on her lap.

He flicked his hat slightly, but still no sign of a face.

“Why aren’t you married yet? A sweet miss like yourself.”

“…You aren’t coughing anymore.”

Startled, the figure suddenly leaned back and coughed into his hand.

“Something’s not right about you.” Amy narrowed her eyes, squinting before leaning forward.

“You’re clearly not from around here…” she played the western very well, and pretended to be holding him down with her men on standby, a wild west sheriff’s roughnecked daughter.

She suddenly embodied it, and kicked her feet up on the side of the table.

This caught the man off guard… as her pink leg covered his field of vision.

“I ‘aught to string you up for even daring to ask a woman about her past.” she put her hands behind her back, taunting him and getting herself ruffled out of being scared of him.

“What’s all that for? You crushing or something?”

“…Heh.” he ducked his head down, as if amazed by her guts.

“You’re fearless, aren’t you?” he grinned, and suddenly his voice rang a bell.

She broke her character… and slowly lowered her feet down and removed her relaxed hands.

He laughed into his hand, trying to hide it, but couldn’t.

It was signature.

It was spring.

“Only if you promise to tighten the knot, darlin’.” he suddenly lifted his head up, showing off those flower fields he hid so well in his eyes, and winked.

“Hello Amy.”

She was floored.

Spiraling out of that chair so fast, she was suddenly hooked by a hand and shot back down in the seat.

“What’s the rush? Tips on me!”

“L-let me go!”

She struggled in his lap, his hand keeping her still as he reached over her flailing body and took a fry, popping it in his mouth.

“Emm~ Missed your cooking though. Tell me, how’d you end up a waiter?”

She continued to try and reach back and remove his hand from her dress’s white collar.

One wrong move… and uniform would be the only thing left on…

“Ohhh..! Sonic!”

“Acting didn’t work out for ya?”

“Sir.”

As Sonic winked to her, he suddenly was unimpressed at the interuption and looked up at the man addressing him.

He was big and burly.

“That’s my star girl you’ve got your cruddy mitts on, sir.” He was looming with a large stature that could frighten a bear.

Sonic looked unphased. “You’re girl?” he looked almost offended, but confused.

“I thought this was Sonic’s girl.”

Amy’s whole being suddenly stopped struggling.

She stared up at him.

“Yeah right. Like he’d ever have the guts to show his spineless face around here! After dumping her in that frostbitten park for so many years. Staring out on a blanket of nothin’ but old, lost dreams! If he ever comes back, she’s sure to let him have a piece of her mind!” He wagged a threatening finger before reaching out and gripping Amy, helping her up and out from across his lap and patting her back, whispering tenderly as he coaxed him behind his back.

“You okay, lovely?”

Amy was gripping her head, it was mostly pure shock. Not horror.

She looked over at him again.

He stared at her, a new, profound longing in his eyes.

“I won’t ask you, mister. You should already know. Get out!” the man threw an arm out to slash a finger through the air and shoot his pointed finger straight to the door.

Sonic looked at it…

But then got up and looked to eye to eye with the man.

“You must be the chief.”

He threw off the hat, and took off the black cloak. “I hear you’re awful sweet.”

“Sonic! Don’t!”

“Why you-!”

“No one’s taking Amy from me, pal!”

Sonic jumped up, springy as though still in his youth, but much more skilled now than before.

He leaped with a hand ruffling the man’s head over him as his head dipped almost to pound itself into Sonic’s butt-dent on the cushioned seat.

Sonic saluted a farewell behind him, cocky as ever. “Nice talkin’ to ya.” he threw out a handful of rings. “Keep the change.”

“GRRRRAHHHH!” the man rose up, lifting the table with him.

“Gruff, no!” Amy stepped out in front of Sonic, and he winked to the man as if he knew she would.

The man contemplated her sudden movement, before looking and squinting more at Sonic. “W-what..?”

Sonic strung an arm around Amy, and stuck his tongue out at the man before using his free hand to pull down the lower bit of his eye.

“Nwot. Ywours.” he crudely stated, having his words slur due to his tongue sticking out.

He swiped her up into his arms and bolted out, “Smell ya later!”

“Long time no see, Amy! You sure pick good company.”

He set her down, adjusting his gloves in the warm park that once held a painful memory to her.

“Whooo! I’m stuffed! Sorry you couldn’t enjoy your milkshake though.”

He was facing away from her as she stared at her forbidden passion. Standing in the exact same place every morning… where he had left her.

Months… years… what did it matter.

She was always here.

It was like her ghost moved on without her body knowing it.

She was always at this park… every day.

“….I guess you recognize it… huh?” He turned to look back at her, before his shyness was too noticeable to him and he shook his hands out, not wanting to fiddle with his gloves anymore.

“Amy… Tails told me a lot about what happened.”

Amy remained staring… at the same spot he once disappeared from.

“Knuckles said it was best to give you time. You know… not be awesome all at once.”

She closed her eyes.

“…Okay, I’m not the best at conversation anymore. That comes with being alone for the past… pfft, what? Five years?”

“Eight.” Amy corrected. “Eight years….”

Sonic held himself in suspense.

“…Eight?” he tried to count.

“…Have I really missed that many birthdays?”

“You’ve been missed… I’m not sure about your end.” she held the ice that once again emerged from her heart out and letting it spread up her body to her throat, then out her mouth.

“…  You’ve been waiting that long… huh.” he looked embarrassed, rubbing the back of his head and fidgeting on his feet.

“…Look, you may hate me, but… I never forgot what you said. About… well, you konw.” he looked away.

“Waiting?”

He folded his arms. “No… although that was pretty moving. Heh.” he smiled, remembering something fond before shaking his head, keeping a distant. “Nah, not that… something more important… You were always moving, Amy.”

…Amy… How he was saying her name.

It’s like he’d rehearsed this a thousand times.

“I..” he looked down, kicking the ground, before growing skittish and looking away, holding the sides of his elbows but trying to play it off as a casual fold-of-your-arms look. “I guess I never stopped thinking about it, you know? You growing up.. changing.. how you saw that moment. Especially now, too. I never said I wouldn’t come back.”

“You also never said if you would.”

He suddenly looked back at her.

“..Amy, you’re making this incredibly difficult.”

She swallowed hard.

“Good.”

He rose his head.

“Now you know what it was like.” she started to walk off. “How the view looks…”

His eyes rose and traced her figure down the path…

The scene trusted a blanket of white… powders of snow suddenly twirled around her and spread throughout the park in her wake.

She softly, with the grace of a turning eagle, moved her arms out and stood a few, long ways away from him.

“Do you remember… that you never looked back.”

His eyes were absolutely saturated in her colors.

Against the white of his vision, he could see her back in that coat, her soft pink crying with the wind carrying the tears away for him.

Never would he allow himself to step away from taking those tears off himself.

“I’m sorry.” he stifled himself. “I never meant to hurt you.”

She lowered her hands, her face full of numbness.

“What did you mean to do then.”

“…Try.” Now a strange new feature of his face took hold of all his natural beauty.

His eyes bent and absolute emotion portrayed on his face.

In that shameful breath, came a thousand nights of thoughts that floated around the stars at night. All spelling her name. Drawing her sweet smile. Mimicking her glowing face…

“I had to try and save the world, Amy. One last time.” Sonic stepped forward. “But I darn near didn’t… and it was because of what you said. I couldn’t leave it be. When I finally did move on, I suffered in thinking about all of you.”

He advanced more, as Amy’s snow-filled valley sunk deep in her heart.

The soft ground.. sprung some green…

“I ran to your window in the deepest of nights, staring in and making sure you were alright. Some days I watched from a distance to see you lose your first job. The moment you cried when your garden died.”

Her eyes suddenly welled up with water, as trees began to motion themselves upright and dust off the frost that had preserved them for so many years.

All around her… he was creating spring again.

“I almost leaped out to ‘I’m here!’ when you watched that scary movie in your living room all by yourself. And when you walked in the night to check on that stray flicky when it cried out for it’s family. And stood by it’s side till his family returned. I couldn’t always run back. It was painful to watch you remaining so strong. I never knew you came here in the mornings though. I had to race back, each and every night, to get away from the guilt and longing of telling you. Of admitting that fighting Eggman, saving the world, and protecting you wasn’t enough.”

He had advanced so much towards her, that already she was filled with rushing warm waterfalls, fields of flowers, and greenery that revealed the life still inside her.

Face to face, he held back his breath to simple take in the moment of being close to her again.

She was crying.

“I’ve been here, Amy. I’ve watched Tails, Cream, and even Knuckles when he’s stupid enough to think that Chaos are messing with him while he sleeps.” He gestured a hand out that made Amy giggle, before she covered her mouth and couldn’t help but cry harder.

“…Amy… I’m sorry I never told you sooner. Maybe it would have made the waiting harder… maybe it would have made it easier on me… but either way.”

He reached a hand up, wiping the tear he had longed to do himself for over a decade.

“…I want to be here.. to take care of you now, Amy.”

The tilt of his head, the gentle touch, all of winter had passed into a bright, beautiful spring morning.

Amy gently curled her fingers down, staring at the only man she’d ever loved, and watching as his face bent down to hers.

A gentle breeze of spring.

It almost sounded like-

I love you.

[tokikurp]

Christmas Lights

You know, I wonder if some writers worry about their betas figuring out the piece their writing is for them. That the surprise is ruined and that it won’t be the same the second time. I don’t wonder that because I trick mine 🎉

Merry Christmas, @sound-of-inspiration !! 

Thank you for being one of the biggest blessings in my life and one of the greatest friends. I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say when we get on call 😉

Enjoy! I love you 😘

AO3

There was always something special about Christmas lights to Asahi. It could be because of all the various colors there were or the magnificent displays. It could also be the memories behind them, like walking around the park with a beautiful display with his family. Tiny Asahi, who had just been five at the time, remembered his eyes widening as they made their way through the park. He had held his Grandmother’s hand, she had smiled at him as the two slowly had made their way. His Grandfather right behind them, pushing the wheelchair behind them in case she grew tired or felt like her legs would give out from underneath her.

“Granny, are you okay? Do you need to rest?” Little Asahi would always ask her, when they came to a stop for a moment. His Grandmother would look down at her precious Grandson and smile, patting his head.

“I’m fine, my sweet boy. You don’t have to worry about me, I just needed to catch my breath.” She would always answered. But even at the age of five, he’d worried about her as her body grew weaker. So whenever his Grandparents came with them anywhere, Asahi stayed by her side to make sure she would be okay.

When her body would grow tired, she’d sit back in her wheelchair and pat her lap for her Grandson to join her. With a simple nod, Asahi would climb into her lap and lean against her as the family continued to walk around the park. Granny always had a blanket for her legs and when her husband would give it to her, she would always wrap her and Asahi up. Making sure he’d be shielded from the cold winter night.

Granny had passed away when Asahi had been twelve and since then, going to look at the Christmas lights hadn’t been the same anymore. Her presence was missed and each time the family would go, Asahi missed her more.

After he graduated from high school, Asahi never returned to the Christmas display at the park. It just didn’t feel right without her there. But that didn’t mean he didn’t miss the park’s display, it was something that always made him excited for Christmas. All around him, Christmas decorations put people into the Christmas mood, but they didn’t work on him. It was when Asahi was three when he was brought to the display for the first time, back then it had felt like a miracle to him.

From what his Mother always told him, it was Granny that suggested they should go to the display. After learning that, Asahi was happy to hear that it was Granny that had started the tradition. How much he missed her.

So whenever Christmas time came, Asahi would always stop on his way from work to look at the brightness of the lights. But he never entered and returned home.

Another year would pass that he wouldn’t get to see those lights, something he had accepted a long, long time ago.

Until tonight.

“Asahi! Let’s go look at the Christmas light display at the park!” Noya exclaimed one evening. Asahi looked up from washing the dishes and turned towards his boyfriend.

“W-what?”

“Let’s go the Christmas light display at the park! Shouyou sent me pictures last night when him and Kageyama went on their date.” Noya exclaimed while pulling his phone out. Asahi looked at the picture, Hinata and Kageyama in front of a light display that looked like a rocking horse. Hinata smiling big with his eyes closed and Kageyama signing the peace sign.

“Oh honey, look at that big rocking horse! Wouldn’t you like to have one that big?”

“Yeah that would be super fun!”

“...lots of lights and new stuff too! Oh, and they said the cafe in the park was super good and warmed them up!” Noya explained, cutting Asahi away from a memory and back to his excited boyfriend.

“What? Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

“Asahi, let’s go on a date to the park and look at the Christmas lights! I’ve never been there before and have always wanted too!” Noya suggested, leaning forward against the counter that separate the two men. “It’ll be a lot of fun!”

Looking at how excited Noya was, Asahi wanted to say yes. But in the back of his head, he wanted to say no. To him, the lights reminded him of his Grandmother and that made his chest ache. What he would do for another year to look at the lights with her.

“Please? It sounded like they had a lot of fun and I’ve never been there before.” Noya pouted while crossing his arms.

But on the other hand, Noya had never seen the lights before and really wanted to go see them. This could be a fun date, especially since Noya always made everything just that more fun. Seeing Noya’s face light up at the sight of the displays was something he did want to see.

Say yes or say no?

“...Why not? It sounds fun.” Asahi smiled softly. Noya’s eyes widened as he gasped.

“ALRIGHT!”

“Whoa!!”

That was the first thing Noya said as they entered the park, his eyes shining like stars as he stared at the tunnel of blue lights. Asahi looked up after having obtained their tickets, the tunnel of blue lights.

“Look at the blue lights, honey. It looks like it could be the sea.”

“If they had sea creatures, this would be the ocean.” Asahi commented as Noya turned around and nodded.

“Yeah! It really could! How long does it go on for?” The libero eagerly asked.

“The whole main route of the display and there’s these entryways that bring you to other parts of the display.” Asahi explained, pointing in the direction.

“Like the rocking horse?!”

“Yeah, I think the rocking horse is towards the back.” Asahi chuckled.

“Well what are we waiting for?! Let’s look at everything!” Noya exclaimed, taking Asahi’s hand and pulling him toward the first entrance.

The memories were coming back, each old display had a story behind it. The new displays were just as beautiful as the old ones had been, new stories to add to the new displays. There was a display of pandas with Christmas hats on and waving to everyone that passes them. It was cute, they even made noises that just added to it. Noya’s eyes lit up the moment they saw the rocking horse, Asahi knew this was one thing he was the most excited about.

“Asahi! Let’s take a picture in front of it!” Noya suggested as he pulled his phone out. Asahi bent down enough to where he’d be in the picture. They leaned against each other’s cheeks and smiled with the rocking horse behind them.

“We look good!” Noya smiled as the two looked at the picture, the glowing white lights from the horse added to the picture, it really did look nice.

“Yeah, we do.” Asahi smiled as the two went to look at the next few displays. Holding Noya’s hand right into his, the couple looked at the newer displays. Such as a candy cane themed train and elves making gingerbread cookies.

Or as Noya said, “Experimenting to make the taste really punch you in the face!”

Asahi couldn’t help but laugh at that. Such a Noya thing to say.

They continued on until they reached a tree, where there lights in the shape of doves. Asahi’s eyes widened as Noya took a look at the hanging lights.

“These are nice.” Noya commented, they really did look nice. “I like how there are different sizes of the birds.”

Asahi nodded. The libero went ahead and looked up at all the doves above, leaving Asahi to stare at them from the spot he stood at.

“I think we’re getting close to the cafe! I think I can smell the food-”

“I haven’t been back here in five years.” Asahi blurted out quietly. Noya turned around with a raised eyebrow.

“Huh?” He asked while watching as Asahi went up to the tree and laid a hand against it.

“This is my first time coming back here in over five years. So much has changed, so much I wish she could see.” Asahi said. Noya tilted his head to the side, what was he talking about? WHO was he talking about?

“The doves were always my Granny’s favorite display. I can’t believe they’re still here.”

Noya’s eyes softened, he knew how much Asahi had loved his Granny and how much he missed her. From everything he was told about her, Noya really wished he would have gotten to meet her before she had passed away. She sounded so loving and gentle, she must be the one where Asahi got his gentle side from.

“Every year, we would come here and walk around the display since I was three. I stopped after I graduated high school because it just wasn’t the same without her. I would stop and look at the park and see all the lights, but never would go in. Seeing all of these new displays, Granny would have loved them. Like the waving pandas.” Asahi chuckled. “She loved pandas and would have gotten a kick out of seeing them wave.”

Asahi stopped and looked up at the doves. “But no matter what; no matter what new displays would come out that year, the doves were always her favorite. There was always something about them that she loved, maybe because they look gorgeous or that I called them chickens the first time we came here.”

Asahi felt his eyes grow wet as he thought of all the memories with her at this park. Dammit, why did she have to die?! What he would do to bring her back, just for one day! Just enough time to bring her to see the new displays, how much she would love them.

“Hey,” Noya started, putting a hand on Asahi’s shoulder. “I know you miss her and I can’t image what you must be thinking now. But don’t you think that maybe coming here would be good? Being able to see the lights, like the doves, bring back some good memories? Like you just said, you called them chickens.” Noya smiled.

“I think she’s looking down at you from above and smiling down at you. She’s following you in spirit and you never came here after high school, she must have missed the doves. I can imagine how happy she must be to be back here.” Noya shrugged while he explained, he was trying his best to give some sort of comfort. Noya grabbed for Asahi’s hand and lightly squeezed it.

“I want to come here every year, Asahi. I want to come here when we’re engaged, married and have kids. I especially want to come here and walk around the park when we’re old and gray. To remember all the stories that all the old displays have and make new stories for the new displays. It must be feeling empty without her being here but,” Noya took Asahi’s other hand into his and squeezed them both.

“But maybe I can fill that empty space just a little maybe?” Noya asked as he smiled at Asahi.

The former ace stared at his boyfriend, not noticing the tears falling. Noya stood up on his tippy toes and wiped them away gently. Asahi smiled and placed his hands on top of Noya’s hands.

“She would have loved to have meet you, Yuu. She would have loved to tell you stories about when I was young and when we would come here, she’d make it a point to stay here just a bit longer. To take in the view of the doves, that she loved so much.” Asahi responded as he wrapped his arms around Noya, bringing their foreheads together.

“And you know, you’re right. I bet she’s happy to be back here now after five years and you’re right, it is empty. But even while we were here, it’s not as empty as I thought it would be, because you’re here.” Asahi smiled again. “I can see us coming back here for years now and sitting under these save doves, watching as our kids look in amazement at all the lights.”

“Yeah, I think we have a future with these lights.” Noya smiled back.

“I agree. So how about we head to the cafe and get some food?”

“Yeah, sounds good!”

As they walked away, Asahi looked back at the doves and smiled.

‘I hope you enjoyed the doves, Granny.’