#n admitting you rip people apart with your words just to emotionally ruin them

[be3skne3s]

Ugh so disappointing. I hate GROWN mean girls who have such a victim mentality and try and cover up their toxicity with "positivity". Just cause you've got your culty following doesn't make you right. Crying bullying whilst bullying way harder, with a group of hundreds of people harping on one person for having an opinion 😂. Then you want to call yourself humble and that. But you take folks money, and it's always mememe, poor me, I've got so much trauma. Has minions she calls her friends and doesn't even say anything when one says she's really not okay and literally having a panic attack... just oooh more gifts more gifts "oh but it's not for me it's all for my daughter". Aye right. Horrid person. User. Lady, you're out here putting your trauma on others. You literally put it out there you needed help, got offered it, then got ratty and then tried to make up a false narrative about what happened and all the sheep just go along with you, even though we all just witnessed the same thing. Delusional narcissistic ass woman who always does everything for everyone and does no wrong. Mmmya okay hen.

[troubatrain]

bad behavior - m. tkachuk

a/n: i don’t know when i started writing consistently but here we are. this another part of this series i was super excited about writing because this song is what put the idea in my head to begin with. quick shout out to @hookingminor​, @tkafuckit​, & @davidpastrsnack​ for reading my work and validating it because i swear i would never finish without you guys sometimes. hope you guys like it!

as per usual i recommend listing to the song while you read!

part of my lovely little lonely series

warnings: smut

“...you tell me, you're insecure, but don't be, stay soft, but don't be gentle, it's altogether mental...” - Bad Behavior - The Maine

I’m not a distraction am I?

Of fucking course you are, Matthew thought, buttoning up his dress shirt while he looked at the fresh marks he bit in your back not even fifteen minutes ago. You were the biggest distraction, Matthew forgoing his pre-game nap just for extra time with you between the sheets. You were a mistake he couldn’t stop making, ignoring the constant pull in his chest whenever you left because you didn’t do anything more than what you gave him.

Really, it was probably karmic punishment for all the shitty things Matthew’s done in his life. The universe would drop his dream girl in front of him but as it turns out, she played the game better than him. It wasn’t like he didn’t get a warning from your best friend Ella who’d been dating Sam from what seemed like the dawn of time. You were a heartbreaker, it was just how it was and that was how it’s going to be. Matthew ignored Ella, taking you home without a second thought because that’s what he wanted too. No Strings Attached. Turns out, he was in over his head when you left one night and the other side of Matthew’s bed felt cold for the first time in his life.

“You’re not a distraction pretty girl,” Matthew nods, curls bouncing against his forehead while he admires you from the otherside of his bedroom, “Are you coming tonight?”

“Are you going to be on your worst behavior?” You ask, rolling out of bed to collect your clothes Matthew never seemed to toss in one place. That’s why you were different, every person in his life telling him to ease up in his game - except you. You loved watching Matthew get into it on the ice because after those games the sex was just better.

Matthew chuckles, watching you unhook your panties from the lamp in the corner of the room and frowning when you saw the tear he ripped in them, “I’ll be on my worst behavior if you’re coming home with me later.”

“Twice in one day is pushing your luck Matthew,” You sigh dramatically, fixing his collar and flattening his tie, “And exhausting for me quite honestly.”

“I’ll be easy,” Matthew suggests, fingers gently pushing a piece of hair from in front of your face. Your eyes flutter shut, enjoying the moment. This made it so hard to keep your distance, the fact that Matthew was more of a gentle giant than he led on most of the time. Sure, he could pull your hair back when he hit it from behind and he made the dirtiest jokes in crowded rooms, but when all was said and done - he was kind. Someone would be lucky to have him one day, but that someone just couldn’t be you.

“You’ve never gone easy on me ever,” You giggle, pressing a kiss against Matthew’s jaw, “Good luck.”

***

Matthew didn’t know why he was so nervous about a silly All Star game, but he was. Maybe it was because it was at home, or maybe Brady’s last minute addition had him reconsidering. Either way, he’d been pacing for the last hour and trying to decide if he should tell you to stay home. He couldn’t do that, as if he was going to deny himself the small sliver of happiness he got every time you decided you wanted to see him. You were in charge, and it changed the playing field for Matthew entirely. It wasn’t like it usually was, Matthew being the one who often found themselves hanging by the phone in hopes you’d call. You didn’t, so Matthew got his hopes up and told you to stop by before he left for St. Louis.

“Hey All Star,” You muse, sneaking inside and taking off your coat. Matthew stops his pacing, smiling to himself that you actually showed up when he asked. No answer to his text, because why would you bother to let him know you were on your way. That would be too easy, and you weren’t by any means easy.

Matthew opened his mouth to ask you how your day was, but shut it once he realized he’d never get an answer. The only things he knew about you were learned from Ella and Sam, not a single detail of anything that happened outside of the walls of Matthew’s apartment was ever mentioned to him by you. You knew tons about him, because he opened up to you so easily it was breaking his heart that you wouldn’t do the same. He wondered why he did this to himself, why he didn’t just find someone who was obsessed with him. He liked the chase, Matthew’s athletic intuitions pushing him to strive for the best prize he could find, and you’d be the best of them all if he could have you.

Instead Matthew did what he always does, he pressed his lips to yours and pushed you up against the door. His hands were on your waist, an ironclad grip as if you’d slip right through his hands if he didn’t stop you. You probably would have.

“What’s wrong?” You question, Matthew confused as to how you knew something was up. His eyebrows furrowed, head cocking to the side like a puppy who was trying to figure out what a new sound was. You laugh, a melodic giggle carrying through Matthew’s almost barren apartment, “Your hands are right above my ass but you failed to touch it once, what’s up?”

“I’m, uh, nervous?” Matthew admits, his weaker parts of his brain succumbing to the pout on your lips. That pout could be what killed him. Matthew wasn’t dealing with it well, it being the newfound pressure he’d been feeling to be a top tier player. People expected him to turn it on for every game, and at first he loved it. Then he realized he no longer got the chance to slack off when all eyes were on him, Matthew had been internally crumbling ever since.

That wasn’t necessarily the only reason he’d been insecure lately. You weren’t helping, but you couldn’t be hurting him that much. Maybe you were. Matthew was trying really hard to be cool, but he was failing miserably. He got jealous more often than he liked to admit, and he was a liar if he didn’t deep dive your Instagram to see if you were very clearly seeing someone else. He was gone a lot, and you didn’t owe him any sort of explanation and he knew that. He knew he respected you enough not to ask but he liked you enough to care, and it was eating him alive.

“Pressure’s a lot, I just don’t feel like, you know,” Matthew explains, fumbling over his words and waving his hands because he didn’t want to say it. His voice got lower, words mumbled together when he spoke, “I’m insecure.”

“Don’t be,” You shrug, a wide confident smile on your face. You’d be lying if you said you weren’t a little surprised by Matthew, because as far as you knew he was a big bad guy, or at least he thought he was. You thought it was all bullshit, but you did often think that kind of pressure couldn’t be healthy. Every fiber of your being told you to run, that this was getting too emotional and if you didn’t stop you were going to ruin him forever. You did it all the time, your heart wasn’t built for more than a night and you were just accepting it. If you weren’t going to be able to stop self destructing anyone who tries to connect to you emotionally besides your loved ones you protected so fiercely - then you were going to have fun.

Which is what you thought you were getting into. You took Matthew home with nothing but his reputation spinning around in your head that he was the perfect conquest. Then you fucked, and it was too good to give up. So you kept him at arms length, never giving into those damn eyes and his frown whenever you left after you had sex. It was better that way, for both of you really.

“That’s all you got for me?” Matthew asks, stifling a laugh at your simple answer. He was admitting to you something he’s never let another soul know but you simply just shrugged.

“Okay, how about this,” You take a deep breath, snaking your hands under his shirt and grazing your nails against his skin.

You’re Matthew fucking Tkachuk. Your lips pressed against his jaw, a smirk gracing his face. You don’t give a fuck who’s in your way, you’ll hit them. Your lips moved to his ear, whispering softly. You’re what Doughty’s nightmares are made of. Your hands slipped down, playing with the waistband on his boxers. And you can score with the best of them, on and off the ice. Matthew laughed at that one, a smug smile back on his face where it rightfully should be. You have nothing to worry about.

Both of Matthew’s large hands landed on your cheeks, calloused fingers rubbing against your skin and his lips on yours. He didn’t need to say anything, he’d show you just how badly he needed that. Matthew pushed you towards his bedroom, your back hitting the plush mattress. You tossed your hoodie off, Matthew losing his at the same time. You admired him, the way his muscles were defined in the moonlight from his windows. Matthew’s hands slid down your back, unclasping your bra with one hand and smirking to himself when it slid off. You stroked his ego for a reason, one that ran a chill up your spine while he pressed kisses down your body.

“You’re fucking sexy,” Matthew mutters into your skin, sliding off your leggings and eyes practically rolling to the back of his head when a pair of lacy red panties caught his attention. His finger slid underneath them, fingers slick from your core, “And wet too huh?”

“Do you plan on doing something about it or should I call someone else,” You tease, Matthew’s free hand gripped your thigh when you spoke, jealousy coursing through his veins. He finger pulled against your panties, a loud rip catching your attention, “Matthew!”

“Don’t joke like that then, I’ll take care of you just fine on my fucking own,” Matthew growls, lips ghosting your clit. You whimper, running a hair through Matthew’s hair. His tongue lapped at your pussy, trying to remind you just why you couldn’t shake him. He was competitive, and if he had to fight for his spot in your line up he’d do it. You were a mess, a string of curses falling through your lips and your moans echoing in the room.

“Matty, fuck,” You let out a cry, gripping his curls tightly. Matthew flicked your clit with his tongue, a gasp leaving your mouth. Matthew went to overdrive, his well skilled tongue moving quickly to send you over the edge. You grinded against his mouth, his hands holding down your waist so he could keep going while you came on his face. You finally push his head back, unable to take anymore.

Matthew crawls back up your body, capturing your lips with his and kicking off his boxers. You push him onto his back gently, a smug smile on his face and his hands landing behind his head, “A show?”

“Shut up,” You shake your head, letting out a laugh while you straddle Matthew. You pumped him a few times, lining his cock up with your pussy and easing yourself onto him.

“You look so good on top of me,” Matthew muses, a cocky tone to his voice. You grab the overgrown curls on the nape of his neck, rolling your hips against him and smirking when a groan left his lips, “My perfect fucking girl.”

Matthew’s hand smacked your ass while you rode him at your own speed. His free hand gripped your hip, speeding up your pace. Matthew loved being on top, a translation of his control that he desperately craved, but he let you do whatever you wanted. His hand snuck up your body, hand gently gripping your neck, “If you leave a mark this time Matthew-”

Matthew chuckles, remembering the borderline vicious threats you sent him the last time his grip got a little too tight and you didn’t realize until the next day. Matthew pulls you down to meet his lips, flipping you over onto your and back wrapping on your legs around his waist. His forehead pressed against yours, something you noticed he'd been doing more often lately, “Cum for me, fuck, c’mon.”

“Harder,” You nod, eager to chase your high and give him what you knew he wanted. He liked to get you off, the satisfaction of pleasing you did it for him, Matthew often bragging about how much a giver he really was. Your pussy fluttered around him, Matthew pulling his cock out and spilling onto your stomach. He looked down at you, completely fucked out with his cum on you like you were his. Your eyes were glassy, lips swollen from his while you caught your breath, “Shit.”

Matthew laughs lightly, walking into the en suite bathroom to get you a towel. He was always gentle afterwards, taking care of you after he absolutely wrecked you as if it was going to remind you that maybe he deserved more than you were giving to anyone else. You tuck your head into Matthew’s pillow, sleep about to take over your body. You never stayed, your own little rule because you just knew if you let him hold you it would be over, “Just stay, you look tired pretty girl.”

Matthew’s voice was gentle, his finger running along your bareback lightly while he offered you a shirt in the other. He wanted you to stay so badly, “Matty-”

“My flight leaves in a few hours, it’s like a nap,” Matthew whispers, and you smile at his excuse for you to sleepover. You nod, sitting up and tossing on whatever gray t-shirt he’d given you. You didn’t know, but it was his favorite shirt in the world, the fabric soft like a tee that had been well loved.

Matthew was supposed to have woken you up before he left, dropping you off at your place before he headed to the airport to go home. He was going to, he swore he really was, but when he was leaving you looked so damn cute snoring away in his favorite shirt. So he left you a note, telling you to lock up before you left and that he’d see you the day he got back. You woke up peacefully, the light shining through the floor to ceiling windows in Matthew’s apartment and rolling your eyes at his note. You grab your phone, smiling when you notice he left it charging for you. 

You told me it was a nap.

Maybe you shouldn’t look so cute when you sleep then.

You roll over screaming in the pillow because you were going to ruin him.

***

Matthew had enough of the waiting game.

It's been nine days since that night and Matthew was losing his fucking mind. He was playing like absolute garbage, his name off the scoresheet since the All Star break. Matthew was lashing out left and right, both against the opposition and his own friends when they grew concerned. He thought about moving on, even calling up an old fling. That didn’t end well, Matthew moaning your name by accident in bed and then she left almost immediately after. He was frustrated with himself for getting this invested, but you were intoxicating. Matthew left the Saddledome after another shit game and drove to your place, with the intent that you were either going to hear him out or he was going to have to cut you out of his life.

“Hi?” You were confused when you saw him on the other side of the door, you leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. You were already pressed, wondering what Matthew thought he was doing banging on your apartment door. He looked pissed, bags under his eyes like he hasn’t slept in days and you were already rolling your eyes at the tweets about him being a bust.

“I can’t do this shit anymore,” Matthew steps inside, stomping into your space and gritting his words, “You have this hold on me, and I know I told you I could be cool about this but I can’t be. I’m fucking jealous of every other dude you could be with and I think about it all the time-”

“And I’m a heartless bitch,” You hiss, every wall you had just got taller. Your words could cut like a knife, and you were ready to let Matthew have it, “I’ve heard it from everyone, I ruin people Matthew, save me the argument.”

“You’re not going to ruin me, I know you, fuck,” Matthew steps forward, every bit of anger in his body disappearing when he saw the way you lip was starting to quiver. His voice got lower, his thumb running along your jaw, “I know you think you bring out the worst in me, but you bring out my best too.”

“I’m going to hurt you, I always do,” You whisper, averting your eyes down so you didn’t have to look at him.

“Then hurt me later,” Matthew took this as his turn to shrug, try and take a page in your book and be a little nonchalant, “For now, could we just try this out? No games, no one else, just us.”

“This is bad for you Matthew,” You give him one more warning, pulling him closer to you and tugging on the curls at the nape of his neck.

“Be bad for me then,” Matthew groans, grabbing a handful of your ass and pressing a kiss to your lips.

“Matthew!”

[frekydeki]

Abstractions

Summary: A simple invitation for coffee, ice scream, tea, whatever it was, turned out to be a little more than you bargained for... Caught in the hot pursuit for the Winter Soldier, you have to play your cards safely, and keep them even closer to your chest; for yours and Bucky’s safety.

Pairing: (Bucky Barnes X Reader)

Authors note: I had posted this on a previous account (that I recently deleted) and it was titled ‘A Little Bit of Magic’. I’m tagging you ( @ilikehocolatemilk09, @learisa) just in case you want to keep being tagged in the rewritten and newest chapters, so lemme know if you do! Thanks!

| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3: Upcoming

You are no stranger to unfortunate events. In fact, you like to joke that your special power is bad luck and misfortune. Dr. Strange never believed in misfortunes - he called it a lack of skill and awful coordination - but once he heard your life story over that first cup of tea in New York, he's become a little more open-minded. You are blunt, upfront about your feelings and thoughts, so you like to tell the short version of your extensive history: You were born to farmers - quite a tasteful occupation compared to the one you hold today - but they perished not too soon after your birth in a stray missile from a battle between some lame mercenaries and the local militia. You were found in the rubble by the mercenaries, taken back to their stinky grovel of a base, and sold to the highest bidder; said bidder was a HYDRA scientist with a watering mouth to ruin another promising kid. Until you were sixteen, you were a guinea pig; they did everything they could think of to you... Their little concoction resulted in you, an emotionally unstable - yet cocky and bubbly - electrocuting, foul-mouthed, enhanced ray of sunshine mastering the mystical arts under the lovely Dr. Strange. 

"Good morning, Mr. Strange." You call after a bite of your apple, not bothering to lift your eyes from the book you are sucking dry of information. "Doctor." He corrects routinely as he pours himself some coffee and scans the newspaper, humming interest, "This Mr. Barnes is continuing to peak my interest. Says here he was behind the bombing..." You nod and express your feigned astonishment with a huff of air. "I've always wanted to meet him." You mumble, fingering the old pages of the book. "He was kept by HYDRA too, I was thinking we could get together, have a little pow wow with the Black Widow or somethin'." The sound of Dr. Strange clicking his tongue at you elicited a smirk on your plump lips. You both have kept an eye on this Mr. Barnes for a few months now. He's pretty good at keeping his head low, but you - you're not too big on tooting your own horn, keep in mind - happened to be one of the best at finding Waldo in those cartoon books; of course a high profile, wanted criminal with a villainous vibe of any teenage fantasy novel is no hard task for you to find. "If you want a pow wow with him, Y/n, you should get to sending your invitation before he is arrested by authorities." Surrendering your hands, you stand and close your book, finally meeting his eyes with a small smile on your lips. "I've never been good with invitations and socialization; every time I asked a man to go get some coffee with me, he's stabbed me with a needle... Anyways, you're the teacher and universe protecting whatever... Shouldn't you, not the student - who's me - be going to chit chat with Mister Barnes?" Stephen only allowed one side of his lip to lift. "You're an awful student who doesn't go along with my Brittany Spears jokes, so take this as your punishment and learn from your mistakes." "What can I say, they're toxic," You lift your eyes to his in triumph, "I'm gonna get in the shower. I'll go and grab a drink with this Mr. Barnes after, if you'd still like me too." Stephen dismisses you with a wave and turns to the fridge, retrieving all the ingredients he needs for his "nutritiously balanced" breakfast; living with a doctor like him is a damn nuisance. You move on muscle memory through the halls, all the way to your room. You lightly shut the door behind yourself, tossing your book on your cluttered desk and yanking your towel from the hook on your wall. Last night was another awful night of sleep on that good for nothing mattress you've been stuck with for years - you hate to blame your insomnia on something so trivial, but it's better than to admit the truth - so you rush to put yourself under that steaming water to wake yourself and your muscles up. It's over too soon - a bad habit you can't seem to shake from your childhood in that facility - and you step out ten minutes after you stepped in, feeling like a new woman. You brush your teeth, and don't bother to stare in the mirror too long, before you rough up your hair with your towel and dress in your very own uniform; a plain gray t-shirt, dark, ripped jeans, fluffy socks that you yank over the end of your jeans, and house slippers dawning your love for Deadpool. You've never been one to do your hair very reliably, so after yanking your brush through it, you pull on your navy-blue hoodie and slide down the hall to find out your plan for the day. You catch Strange just sitting down to eat his breakfast, clad in his Supreme Being get up as usual, and carry his coffee over to him; he always forgets it on the counter. "Thank you." You chime a happy response and sit across from him, waiting for the owner of the second plate to show. You flick your head towards it. "Is Christine swinging by for breakfast before her shift starts?" Your brows raise in question as he clears his throat and nods. Silence falls over you both awkwardly, your fingers tapping against the glass table and Stephen nose deep in the newspaper he's read through about ten times now. "So, am I going to go on a date or what?" You ask, glancing to the dark picture on the front page of the newspaper. "We might get mixed up in something bigger than we want to deal with, Y/n." He sighs. Your lips purse as your heart sinks a little in disappointment. You have to admit, you're on the line just as he is. You have bad memories stuck in those blue eyes of Mr. Barnes, but you also get this weird pressure in your chest when you think about just how much hopelessness is running through him in this moment. He has to run away, again... They just won't leave him alone... And that breaks your heart. "Think about it Mr-" "Doctor. Jesus (Y/N) how many times do I have to say this?" You dead pan at the man before you, tracing every feature of his face before the corner of your lips pull down into a drastic frown. "I'll start calling you Doctor Strange when you start cleaning up after yourself." "I've got much more important things to do than dishes-" "Anyways," You send him a sharp glare through your determined eyes, "We've been trailing Mr. Barnes for a long time now. And we haven't seen any concerning behaviors that could even point to this sort stuff!" "He's murdered several people." Your stomach flips as your eyes cool from determined to slightly hurt. "You know he didn't have a choice in that matter." You say in a near whisper. Dr. Strange lifts his eyes to you, slowly piecing together the thoughtlessness of his words. He finally sits his newspaper down and leans on the table with his elbows, scratching the hair on his chin. "As I said before, (Y/N), this might be much bigger than us." "Dormamu... That's bigger than us. And you sailed right into that!" You retort, barely noting the sound of the front door shutting. "Listen, Strange, you got yourself mixed up in this stuff when you agreed to take me in." Stephen's eyes look up to your own, trying to read the message behind them, "We should try and help him. See if we can get him out of the mess he's in." "You know we really only deal with problems that aren't... Of this world." His head tilts in reasoning, but you refuse to be talked down. You stand and take a deep breath. "You have performed thousands of surgeries and have a PhD in basically everything but you still can't come up with a good excuse." You stop and look to him from the archway, leaning your hand and cheek on the dark oak with a pleasent smile surfacing on your lips, "I'm going to drop by, see what he's up to and get a feel for what's going on." You conclude. Golden sparks indicate your dramatic exit, but Strange stops you before you finish making the portal. His eyes, caught in conflict, stare at you until they fall to your feet. "In those?" Your expression falls along with your expectation of some dramatic one-liner, and you look to your slippers. "At least look a little cooler. You'll make this organization look a fool if you leave here in superhero slippers and a hoodie." You groan and stomp off to your room, exchanging your Deadpool slippers for a pair of black high-tops before you pull on a jean jacket over your hoodie. You clomp back into the kitchen, glaring at Strange. Arms thrown out, you wait for his approval. "Is this good -" you stop and look to the woman smiling happily at you - "Good morning, Christine. How are you?" "Great. You?" "Just dandy, thanks for asking." You return your attention to Strange, "Good enough for you?" He chuckles and nods, dismissing you with his hand again. "Yes, now go, or you're going to lose the soldier to the police. We found him easy, the others can't be too far behind." You turn your chin up and nod, sparking your portal open. You barely take time to examine the dirty wall of the apartment before you step through and punch your hands into your pockets. The portal closes behind you as your concentration shatters and you find two sets of eyes on you; all three of you caught off guard. All the attention you were sparing to the hair tickling your nose is given to the two men in the room instantly. The tension in the air nearly strangled you as your eyes bolt between the serious glares they send to you. Your hands surrender quickly. "Oh jeeze..." You exclaim, hissing in your mistake through your teeth. "Did I-" You stop and share another glance with Captain America and Bucky Barnes, slowly gesturing a circle between the two - "Did I interrupt, something?" "Who... Are you?" Captain America asks, switching his weight between his feet. Your eyes glance to the ceiling, along with Bucky Barnes. "You guys are in quite the stinker, aren't you?" You ask before turning to try and glance out the window; they are blocked by newspaper. You click your tongue as you squint through a crack in the pasted papers, "You know," You sigh, turning back to the brunette, "Letting sunlight in helps with depression; even the smallest things can help." "I don't have time for this." Captain America mumbles under his breath. Your eyes turn around the entire apartment, your tongue swelling slightly with the realization that you're surrounded on all sides. The hero turns his clear blue eyes back to his friend, ignoring your presence. You fold your hands in front of you awkwardly, swallowing as you catch the intense exchange. "This doesn't have to end in a fight, Buck." He pleads. The soldier continues to draw his left hand from a glove, to reveal a silver hand before sighing in a defeated tone, "It always ends in a fight." Your heart wrenches in your chest at his words, and then it quickens, knowing that you're going to be caught in the middle of it. You shiver with anticipation, unsure of what to do; should you get mixed up in all of this? Confliction runs through you until those blue orbs meet your own and you're sent into a sea of your own memories; you'd help him. "You pulled me from the river!" Captain America yells his eyes tearing from you in frustration. "Why?" The loud breath that comes from Bucky draws your attention to him, and he looks to Captain America. "I don't know." "Yes, you do." The hero lowly said. You swallow and put a shaky finger up, both eyes looking towards you. "Excuse me, if I could just bother you to -" A grenade pummels through the kitchen window, which Captain America easily flicks away from him with his shield. Another comes through the window behind you, howling past your ear and picking up some of your damp hair, landing at your feet. You kick it towards Bucky, who then sends it to the Captain to throw his shield on top of. "To perhaps answer a few of my questions as well?" You finish before Bucky throws his mattress up to block you both from another grenade. The front door rattles with police trying to force their way in; you step from the hallway and watch Bucky calmly as he hurdles his small table in the way, so they won't be able to get in. You coo in admiration of his strength, your hands still in front of you. "You're sure not getting your deposit back on this place." You mumble to yourself, rocking on your heels in the madness of the situation. You jump slightly, however, to the window shattering and a soldier hopping in, his rifle directed at your chest. Panic sets in and blinds you as you push the gun away and land a hard punch to his throat; in any normal situation you would have shivered at the sound of his throat snapping and the gargling noises, but you are in survival mode now. Gun shots sound from the kitchen as you watch the man fall to the ground; you throw up a shield instinctively. From the balcony more men begin to file in, the Captain and Buck heading the charge there... "Strange is not going to be happy that I am in this situation." You mumble as you bite your lip, ignoring Captain America's scolding of his friends’ violence. You eye the book bag that Bucky throws from the building and raise your brow, but another enemy falling through the window near you takes your attention away. You quickly conjure up a little magic before landing an uppercut against his jaw that lifted him off the ground. You barely notice Bucky throw Captain America out a window as you toss a few extra punches on the man to make sure he'd stay down. Bucky hustles past you, and you decide to follow. Turning around, you're met with a man flying into the closet, the remnants of a cinder block falling to the ground. You blink away the shock before continuing towards Mr. Barnes, barely flinching at the shotgun sounds from outside the door. "Mr. Barnes, I know we've never met before..." You stop to mumble under your breath, "Okay, well, we have, but that's not the point...." Before continuing louder, "I sure would like to help you and then have a little talk with y-" You step out of the way after he dislodges the table and throws it into the living room. He doesn't look as if he's listening, but you know he's aware of everything. "I don't intend to hurt you, or arrest you, or anything of that sort so you'll let me help you, yeah?" You ask, simply. He turns his eyes to you in question. "Why?" You let a soft, warm smile to cross your lips; it's a little hard to face this man with a smile on your face but you know he's not the one you're petrified of...  So you keep that smile, soft on your lips. "Because you deserve it." You shuffle past him and stand behind the front door, before looking to him, "Besides, I'm sure you don't go get ice cream with just anybody." Bucky's metal arm shoots through the wall, and you quickly kick away the door, clearing the small platform of policemen. You apologize lightly as you step over unconscious bodies and head down the stairs quickly behind Bucky. "My name," You stop as you send someone flying down a flight of stairs, "Is Y/n Y/L/n." You call through the chaos. You stop as you watch Captain America - where did he come from? - catch a man who would've fallen quite the ways, and scold Bucky. The man took off, however, leaving both you and Captain America to chase after him; lucky for you, you're a little reckless, and you jump after Bucky, down the middle of the stairs a couple of floors before catching yourself and skipping through the apartment halls to continue your crusade. "Mr. Barnes... If you'd allow me, I'd like to take you and your friend to safety." Bucky kicks open a door and stops to look at you, chest heaving. "Why would I go with you?" He questions before sprinting towards the edge of the railing. You chase after him and jump as well; the panic that runs through his eyes as he watches you is almost comical as he grabs you and pulls you to his toned chest. "Mr. Barnes... You don't have to-" You sigh as your arms wrap under his and you look to the nearing rooftop. You could've easily stuck the landing, what with a few bruise, but still, you are trained for this all the same. But you roll a couple of times across the concrete with Bucky's muscular arms wrapped around - why are you thinking about that?   "Mr. Barnes, please, let me get you somewhere safe so I can explain-" He runs off again, being able to stand much faster than you. You screech in annoyance as you stomp your foot and fling your arms out at him. He snatches up his bag and continues running, ignoring you when you grab onto the leg of a new pursuer; a cat man? "What'd you do to make all these people mad, Mister?" You ask with a clenched jaw, trying to keep the enemy at bay. But he lands a hard kick to your jaw, and you cry out with the sharp pain it sends through your neck and jaw. You stand quickly, glancing up to the helicopter now shooting at you, Captain America now running at you, a new flying man kicking the helicopter; you are on overload and if you don't get away now, you're gonna explode... Literally. You look to Bucky, suck in a heavy break, and sprint towards him. You grab the shoulder of the newest attacker, send him flying off of the poor brunette soldier, open a portal, and look to Captain America. "Don't hate me for this." You say as you look down to Bucky, snatching up an arm and throwing him into the portal. You step in and hold it open until the spangled man jumps through. "What about your flying friend?" "Who? Sam? He'll be fine." You clench your jaw and watch the man, before shutting the portal just before the cat man could reach through. You let out a long breath and turn around, smiling at the two men breathing heavily behind you. "Where are we?" Captain America asks. "My home." You motion to the small building in the clearing. You walk towards it, and motion for them to follow. "Come on, I have coffee. Or ice cream. Tea. Water... Vodka, whatever you want." You throw open the door and look to your dirtied hoodie, tearing the layers off and tying up your hair. "You're HYDRA?" Bucky asks quickly. You turn over your shoulder and smile softly; he saw the branding on your neck. Shaking your head, you offer water while the coffee brews. "No," You look up to Barnes, "I'm Ex-HYDRA." That's only if you were ever a part of HYDRA. Does it count if it were unwilling? You drink your water quickly before noticing that neither have taken a drink of their water. "If I were out for your heads, I think I'd do it when it was three against a whole police force and a cat-man, okay? It’s just regular H2O in that cup." You point out. The two share looks before they cautiously drink. You smile.  "So, what do you want with Bucky?" The Captain asks. You lean against the small counter of your kitchen before hopping up onto it. "I don't want anything." You curtly answer as you spin your water around in your cup. Silence falls over the two. 

“What?” Bucky questions, sticking his chin out and raising his dark eyebrows. You bring your eyes up from your swirling water and smile to him.

“I don’t want anything from you.” You repeat. More glances are exchanged between the two before Steve shoves the confusion from between them with waving hands and a shaking head.

“Then why the hell did you help us out of there.” You clench your jaw and swallow; you can’t just upfront say ‘Yeah I helped you because I want someone in my life that will understand why I can’t sleep at night and I want to be able to think that if the Winter Soldier can escape HYDRA, then so can I.’ You push your eyes up to Barnes and smile sheepishly.

“I wanted to ask him what kind of conditioner he uses.” You point to his hair and nod, “It’s really nice,” You run your hand through your own hair, “Wish mine could look half as good.” The two soldier deadpan at you, disbelief strong on their sharp features.

“Seriously?” Captain America whines, tired and unsure who to trust. You smile and shake your head. You hop off the counter and put your cup in the sink.

“I just think it’s about time Mr. Barnes is free.” You answer, meeting those blue eyes of his. Silence, a common trend between the three of you, settles on you one more time. You push your mouth into your cheeks before you bite you lip under those harsh gazes. The blonde stands quickly, startling you slightly - your tongue swells in your throat as you anticipate what he’s going to do when he stops in front of you - and his hand jets out to you; you flinch only by habit. You watch his open hand widely. "I'm Steve Rogers.” You smile and accept his hand. "Y/n Y/L/n. Nice to meet you, Captain America." You turn your eyes to the brunette, his stance still guarded. "And it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Bucky Barnes."

[lilbreck]

Title: Chapter 5: Cut From the Same Cloth Characters: Bonnie Bennett, Caroline Forbes, Elena Gilbert, Elizbeth Forbes, Kol Mikaelson, Maddox, Mindy, Rebekah Mikaelson, Sheila Bennett, Tyler Lockwood Rating/Warning: FRT Word Count: 3,305 A/N: Thank you so much to @kirythestitchwitch being my second set of eyes on this. Though I list a lot of characters, and some of them actually do get dialog, some of them just pass through.

Read Elsewhere: Personal Archive \ LiveJournal \ InsaneJournal \ Dreamwidth \ AO3 \ FF.net

Caroline was almost surprised when she wasn't further interrogated by the Mikaelsons after her revelation. But here it was, five days after she told them and four days after her talk with Klaus, and she had only really seen Kol and Rebekah. Not to say that she hadn't been busy. Both she and Bonnie were researching on how to use Silas' headstone to draw on Qetsiyah's magic. So far, it looked less like a spell and more like… willpower.

They had both concluded that they weren't going to find any real spell when Sheila came home. She had barely walked through the door, set down her briefcase, and glanced at the piles of books gathered on the coffee table before she was fixing them both with a serious look.

"I met some of the new staff at Whitmore today. One in particular I thought would interest you. They've brought on another professor of the Occult by the name of Atticus Shane." Here, she paused and nodded at the books in front of them, "I hope you found the spell you've been looking for."

Bonnie gave a defeated sigh and answered, "Actually, as far as we can tell, it's not so much a spell as it is a matter of… using your will to tap into the magic."

Glancing at the time on her phone, Caroline realized it was time to head home. Giving an admittedly fake, cheerful smile, she clapped her hands together.

"Well, while I'm gone this week, you two can concentrate on that whole witchy willpower thing."

When Sheila shot her a questioning look, Caroline gave out a huff that even she could admit was a bit over-dramatic.

"I need to head off to pack. Tomorrow, Rebekah and I are headed to Italy because, apparently, that's where she met, fell in love with, and then buried her hunter. I'll be on a private jet with her and probably a small handful of Mikaelson minions for roughly twelve hours."

Bonnie's eyebrows raised and she asked, incredulous, "Exactly how much is she paying for all that?"

Before Caroline could answer, Sheila beat her to it with a droll, "They're thousand-year-old vicious creatures. Do you really think they pay for anything?"

There was little to say after that, so they both hugged her and wished her good luck. The next morning, on the drive to the private airport where Rebekah had "convinced" the owner to let a private jet fly in and out of, Caroline had almost fooled herself into believing that spending so much time with Rebekah wouldn't be the absolute worst. As soon as she parked and got a good look at the jet, however, all that flew out the window.

It wasn't the fact that there were a handful of hybrids and Maddox on the jet – "Klaus believed you would appreciate the help." Klaus' witch said with a smarmy grin – that ruined the trip for her. Mindy was there and, having long since convinced her that she didn't blame her for the accidentally bite, they had become friends. No, it was the smug looks Rebekah shot her as she conversed fluently in Italian over the phone to make sure everything was prepared for their landing. It was also the way Rebekah played the part of the spoiled princess and ordered everyone around. Basically, it was the fact that she needed Rebekah here at all. Finally, when Rebekah had made a snide comment to Mindy out of the blue, Caroline reached her limit.

"Mindy, why don't you take the hybrids into the other room. Maddox, I'm willing to bet you brought everything you need for a privacy spell. Do it, then go join the hybrids."

Where her tone when talking to Mindy had been soft and friendly, it was hard and commanding when talking to Maddox. She had found he seemed to respond best to that. While the hybrids were clearing out and the entire time Maddox was performing his spell Rebekah continued to stare at her with a condescending expression and Caroline, apart from one quick glance to ensure the original was staying, kept her eyes on the magazine that had been sitting beside her. When they were finally alone, she locked eyes with the other blond.

"It's time you got something through your head. You need to stop Silas a whole lot more than we do. We don't really have a lot of people waiting on the other side wanting revenge." Caroline deliberately didn't think about the tomb full of dead vampires that would disagree. "Though, after whining and pouting your way through a thousand years, I'm sure you've collected a lot of dead enemies who would absolutely love the chance to rip you to shreds. That's including the man whose grave we're on our way to dig up."

Standing up, Caroline crossed over to the door. Pausing with her hand on the handle, she turned back to Rebekah who was still sitting in her seat, though now with a shocked expression.

"The spoiled brat routine might fly with your brothers who spend their time either coddling or ignoring you, but we're not your family and you haven't given us reason to be your friends. You're stuck down here in the mud and muck with us Princess, and it's time you start realizing it."

Caroline left a silent Rebekah sitting alone in the room while she went to join the hybrids and Maddox. The rest of the flight, while she learned how to play Spades, Rebekah stayed closed up in the other section of the jet. When they landed later that night she didn't seem angry, which Caroline was dreading, but somehow distracted. She kept to herself as they made their way to the hotel Caroline was sure Klaus had been the one to book for them. In fact, it wasn't until they reached the general area of the grave the next afternoon that she bothered talking directly to any of them.

"It's been almost nine hundred years, so I can't be exact, but he's buried somewhere around here. Klaus' pets can be good little puppies and dig around."

Apparently, Rebekah wasn't completely cured of her snotty attitude. It probably would have been too much to expect otherwise. Of course, Caroline wasn't big enough to completely let it go.

"One, rude. Two, I do my best to always work smarter not harder."

Caroline then turned to Maddox who was already waiting with a smirk on his face that she was convinced he thought was charming. When she raised her eyebrows at him, refusing to actually ask him to do something, he bowed his head toward her and then made a big production out of closing his eyes, chanting a few things, and then walking around. Caroline had to wonder how much of that was necessary, and how much of it was him trying to show off. Rebekah seemed to be wondering the same thing.

"It seems Klaus has some competition when it comes to his favorite pet witch's slavish devotion. Whatever will you do with him?"

Caroline didn't pretend she wasn't fully aware of Maddox's interest. It would only make her look like a liar or an idiot, and she didn't feel like giving Rebekah that kind of ammo today.

"Use him when I need him and ignore him when I don't. I've made sure he knows I'm not interested in any of the… extracurricular activities he wants me to join him in."

They watched as Maddox walked an ever-widening circle for what seemed hours until he finally found the area where Alexander's body was buried. When Caroline went to grab a shovel, Mindy beat her there.

"We've got this, Care. You go keep the princess distracted."

Mindy gave a little eye roll when she said the later, and Caroline let out a huff of laughter. Rebekah, for her part, pretended not to hear the exchange. They had been watching the hybrids take turns digging for the hunter with Maddox standing by doing… lord only knows what for about half an hour when Rebekah finally broke the silence.

"I was in love with him, you know. We had been vampires for a little over a century when I met him. There was a church here when I buried him, we were going to be married in it. But he found out what I was and betrayed my brothers and me. My brothers never fail to bring that up whenever I make the mistake of falling in love."

Rebekah turned to her with a bitter and challenging glare, though Caroline could clearly see the shine of tears in her eyes. "This is the part where you say they're right to laugh at me and that I'm pathetic."

As much as she didn't want to, Caroline could see more than a bit of herself in Rebekah right then; always wanting to find love, be accepted and always falling just shy of it. She decided to tell Rebekah what she was constantly trying to believe herself.

"Actually, I think you're pretty damn strong. You were betrayed and hurt, but you haven't let it close you off to love. You still put yourself out there, put your heart on the line. That's pretty damn brave and more than your brothers have managed. It's not really something to laugh at."

Whatever Rebekah would have said in response was cut off by the hybrids finding Alexander's body. After retrieving the sword, out of respect to Rebekah, Caroline asked them to fill the grave back in. Their emotionally revealing moment seemed to have been the extent of Rebekah's desire for conversation. On the trip back to the hotel, even the hybrids seemed subdued. Caroline could only hope that Rebekah didn't regret her sharing and decide to be more difficult one they got back home. Choosing not the dwell on that, Caroline made an early night of it.

Rebekah, on the other hand, spent that night thinking. Eventually, she concluded that, since her family seemed determined to stay in Mystic Falls for the foreseeable future and Caroline was the least objectionable of its inhabitants save for the sheriff, it would make things a lot easier if they were on friendly terms. It would probably also make things easier if she was on speaking terms with the person who was coaching her on how to live in the current times. All of this made her determined to ensure that she and Caroline would be something close to friends. The next morning found her knocking loudly on Caroline's hotel door ready to put her plan into action.

Caroline looked curious though not unwelcoming when she answered. Rebekah took it as a good sign that she didn't even hesitate to accept the lunch invitation, though she did look slightly confused. Their day was relatively pleasant, as was their flight home the next day. Granted, Rebekah wasn't pleased that she was on a long flight with hybrids and Klaus' slimy pet again, but Caroline proved to be a less than terrible companion.

To be honest, as much as she pretended that spending time with Caroline was an arduous task, it was… pleasant having someone to talk to who seemed to get her. Granted, Caroline could be sarcastic and snotty, but she at least understood the importance of the everyday human things that Rebekah's brothers laughed at her for wanting to experience. In fact, Rebekah had considered her attempts at friendship with the girl a success since the weekend after their return was going very well. Right up until Sunday night; specifically, right up until Rebekah had seen Matt Donovan at the school while they were participating in "Senior Prank Night" and asked Caroline about him.

"That little brat had the absolute gall to tell me to 'steer clear' of him. As if she has any right to try and dictate to me who I can be interested in!"

Given Kol's unrestrained laughter, she could tell he took Caroline's side. Of course. She was just about ready to drive something sharp into his heart to cut his amusement short when he calmed enough to speak.

"Unfortunately for Caroline, perhaps you two are very much alike. Dear sister, it's possible she was trying to protect the quarterback. However, she could just as easily be trying to protect you."

Rebekah could only look at him in confusion as he stood up and walked over to her.

"Before she got sent back, in that other time, Caroline had dated him. From the way she described it, he was a perfectly boring and bland suitor. She also had to deal with his minor obsession with the current doppelgänger. Honestly, we get enough of that from Klaus and Elijah."

The last was accompanied by a light tap on her nose before he left the room. As was apparently becoming a worrisome habit of hers, she spent all that night thinking about Caroline. Even as she woke up the next morning, got ready, and headed off to the first day of school, she was still thinking of her. Deciding that enough was enough, she went off in search of the girl. She found her with the youngest Bennett witch and Tati's little clone. Walking up, she deliberately ignored the others in favor of focusing her attention on Caroline. It's not as if she had any need of them.

"After having a conversation with Kol last night, I've come to the conclusion that our argument was a simple misunderstanding. He pointed out that you were not only protecting the human, but also probably looking out for me. After all, I don't need yet another doppelgänger obsessed male in my life."

Caroline seemed to struggle for a moment before she replied, "Kol is… not entirely wrong. A fact of which we should probably make sure he never finds out."

Their shared amusement was interrupted by Elena. "Excuse me, who are you two talking about? Doppelgänger obsessed?"

Turning what she knew to be a condescending smile on the girl –she'd had centuries to perfect it after all— Rebekah said, "Sweetie, not every conversation needs your input."

She could feel her smile turn genuine as she turned back to face Caroline.

"Homecoming. What are your plans?"

Still looking like she was slightly amused, Caroline answered, "Since Bonnie and Elena are going with their boyfriends, I'm going it alone."

Looping her arm through Caroline's, she pulled the other girl along the hall with her, leaving the other two to stare after them in confusion.

"Since neither you and I have suitable companions, we should go together. That way I'll at least know I have someone good looking enough to be there with me by my side."

Rebekah took Caroline's laugh and agreement as a sign that they had managed to overcome the first hurdle in their friendship. Of course, Caroline still turned argumentative at the slightest provocation –Rebekah was simply trying to be helpful when she said Caroline's outfit looked like it belonged on a child—but she seemed willing to forget small things quickly enough. She also took the time to explain things like the "night of illumination" without the snotty eye-roll the doppelgänger aimed at her when she asked why everyone was talking about turning off all the lights the next night.

Thanks in part to their new friendship, it wasn't all that hard to convince Caroline to go with her to a party she had heard some of the football players talking about. Of course, she had to deal with both Bonnie and Elena tagging along. She chose to ignore the strange look that Caroline got at the mention of Tyler Lockwood's name, though she did spend more time that she cared to admit wondering if Caroline had also dated Tyler and if she was simply playing into the football player and cheerleader stereotype. Then, of course she started to wonder if he was another relationship that no longer was thanks to the time travelling. Honestly, she would ask Kol since he seemed to have demanded every detail of the girl's life, but she didn't want to see the smug expression on his face again.

That Friday evening, she and Caroline stood in a clearing the woods with a decent sized crowd, enjoying a party thrown by someone whose name she never bothered to pick up on. There, of course, had been numerous drunken high school boys, and a few college boys, who hit on them both as they stood close to the bonfire. While the actual attempts at seduction were less than pleasant, she did enjoy the game Caroline made of find new and creative ways of turning them down. It was infinitely more entertaining than watching Elena and Stefan or Bonnie and Jeremy make eyes at each other. There were also drunken arguments that could possibly be viewed as entertainment. That was to be expected, or at least Rebekah assumed it was since Caroline seemed to pay them no attention. At least, not at first. And then one argument seemed to draw her eye.

Rebekah caught the moment of panic on her face right before the scream came from just on the other side of the fire. They both rushed over –Rebekah doing so only because Caroline had—but it was too late. One of the college boys that they had talked to earlier, one of the only enjoyable conversations she remembered, lay dead at Tyler's feet, a knife lodged in his heart. Rebekah quickly caught a flash of yellow in his eyes and suddenly she remembered. The Lockwoods had the werewolf gene.

The party seemed frozen in shock. Absolutely no one moved until Caroline took charge. In short order, most of the underage party-goers were dispersed and everyone else stuck around while Caroline called her mother. Quickly enough the ambulance arrived to take away the body and the police were questioning witnesses. Stefan and Elena joined them after their interview, followed shortly by Bonnie and Jeremy. She listened half-heartedly as Tyler told Caroline's mother about the boy attacking him, yelling something about him sleeping with his girlfriend, and the next thing he knew the guy was dead.

As everyone was cleared away, Elizabeth walked over to where they were standing and, looking at Caroline, said, "You look like you think something more is going on here than an accident."

Caroline cast a quick glance around the near-empty clearing before gesturing toward the tree-line. Rebekah was sure they looked suspicious all crowding over by the trees, but no one seemed to be paying attention. When they finally stopped, Caroline looked at her and asked, "Keith, the kid who died, do you remember what he talked to us about?"

To be honest, Rebekah hadn't bothered to remember anything he said as soon as he was away from them. When she told Caroline as much, the younger girl simply nodded her head and turned to her mother.

"A bit after we got here, Keith started talking to us. But he wasn't trying to hit on us because he said he was very much in love with his boyfriend back home."

Caroline put a lot of emphasis on the word "boyfriend" and her mother seemed to get her point about the same time Rebekah did.

"So, you think he was compelled to attack Tyler?"

Caroline looked like she wasn't convinced of that, and said, "He could have been compelled. Then again, Sheila told us Professor Shane just started at Whitmore and he's got some freaky hypno-skills. Maybe he wanted a werewolf he could get to before they became a hybrid and fell under the sire bond."

And just like that, Rebekah was reminded that they weren't sticking around Mystic Falls because of nostalgia. She just really hoped this didn't interfere with her Homecoming plans.

[m002]

[Against All Odds ; Chanbaek💖]

Hands shaking, Baekhyun had his eyes open wide staring outside the vehicle's tinted window, eyeing on the wave of people in front of SM's building. He had his heart hammering ridiculously fast, as if his rib cage isn't capable of holding the beating organ anymore. Lips quivering in utter horror and nervousness, he silently wished this day would be over. That hours could be turned into minutes, minutes into seconds, and seconds into a blink, like this day never come at all. On the other hand, Chanyeol reached out for the puppy's balled fists on top of his lap, making the latter flinch on his hold, "If you can't do this, we could go back." He says through his velvety voice, cautious and gentle was evident on his tone. His eyes met Baekhyun's glassy ones, which made his heart clench and skip a beat at the same time at the sight of his lover's devastated state. His hold tightened, knowing the both of them shares the same worries. "N-no," Baekhyun says through shaky breaths, "I-if we didn't do this, people will hate us more..." "I won't mind it if I'll have you in the end." Chanyeol pushed, certain words were true and warm. Baekhyun blinked his eyes, "We have to do this." Baekhyun said firmly, though his own hands were shaking in fear, "We've been hiding for years...I can't live in this kind of set-up forever. Besides," he sighed, glancing outside, "They already know." "Just promise me one thing." Chanyeol breathed, "No matter what happen, it will be you and me, together." Baekhyun's tears almost fell because of these overwhelming feelings. Mixed of pain, excitement, and worry were clogging his veins. Blood rushing throughout his whole system like crazy, his eyes met the taller's with determination, "I promise." Chanyeol smiled warmly when he got the answer that he wants, "I love you." "I love you too." "Let's go." Their manager sighed, before opening the door on the driver's seat. Baekhyun fidgets on his seat so Chanyeol came out first, escorting the smaller male outside their comfort zone. As soon the two celebrities exposed their presence to the public eye, crowds of paparazzi, reporters from well-known broadcasting programs and also a bunch of their supporters and Aeris crowded both males, invading their personal space. Body guards went alarmed and blocked their ways, letting the two of them walk in the middle of the crowd. Flashes from cameras hurt Baekhyun's eyes so he duck his head down with Chanyeol protecting his whole frame, swatting away some people blocking their path, "Is it true that you're dating?" "Is it true that you're gays?" "When did you started dating?" "Does Kim Taeyeon knows about this?" Those questions kept on ringing on Baekhyun's ears like a mantra, sensitive from all of this. All of these was expected. The netizen's reactions, the hatred they received, the criticism about their sexuality, all of it. He know all too well that people nowadays were too close to even understand. They were too engrossed of their own feelings and point of views to the point that they didn't care about the other's feelings anymore. They were too insensitive, too thirsty, even though they don't see this issue as a real matter but a big joke. They didn't take this seriously, they never did. They were in the middle of their route to their management's building when someone threw a bottled water, aiming on Baekhyun's direction. The puppy yelped in shock and pain, clutching the area where he was hit, "Gays like you were the scum of the society!" "FAG!" Chanyeol, with all his might, hugged Baekhyun's shaking frame, glaring at everybody. He violently shoved those reporters out of his way until they were already inside, checking on his boyfriend, "Are you alright, Baekhyun?" He asks. The smaller's shoulders heaved up and down, indicating that he's silently crying. He mentally cursed those guys who have the guts to hurt the love of his life. Without minding the frequent camera flashes twinkling outside, he held Baekhyun's chin up until their eyes met. Chanyeol wiped those stupid tears off his smurf's doused cheeks, neither did he know that he already diminished the pain on Baekhyun's chest in time of his action. He lovingly stares on Baekhyun's eyes, as if he's the most beautiful person in the entire world, which Chanyeol believes to be true, "I hate it when you waste your own tears for useless things." He muttered. Baekhyun sobbed, the tip of his nose now red and his cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry if I let you get hurt." "It's not your fault." Baekhyun finally responds, shaking his head. "It's no one's fault. I'm okay." "I could punch them for you if you'll let me." The giant suggested, his tone somehow joking. Baekhyun smiled, "Kill them for me." He looked up to Chanyeol's widened eyes, giggling to himself, "Just kidding." "Kids, I still have an appointment. For pete's sake." Their manager butted in. Both of them just nodded, uttering soft sorrys under their breaths as they shoot each other a knowing look. But just as fast as it came, the mild happiness was replaced by deep fear as they step outside the elevator, CEO Lee Soo Man's door awaiting for them to come in. Their manager get in first, letting the CEO know their existence. Both males held each other's hands tightly when their manager signalled for them to get inside as well. Chanyeol and Baekhyun stepped forward in sync, letting their feet touch the shiny floors. The spacious office were too heavy to look at, those glass walls displaying the clouds and the bright rays of the sun lighting up the whole space. The CEO were looking at them blankly, his eyes scanning their whole frame, his stares were boring on their sides, as if scanning not just their features, but reaching deep down their souls. Mr. Lee Soo Man has never looked at them like this before. All too squinted eyes and judging orbs trained on them as if he despises the two more than anything in this world. With the tension embracing all of them, the younger males found it hard to breath. They know what the consequences is, they know it'll be the end of everything, but the promise of holding unto each other's hands until the end keep them still. Just as when Chanyeol was about to say something, the CEO placed something, a newspaper forsooth on his desk, the pile of paper folded into half sliding on the smooth surface, showcasing the headline of the news, which is to be exact—them, "How is this even real?" Lee Soo Man says, his voice full of authority that reflects anger and disappointment. Hearing their teacher talking in his monotone voice got Baekhyun's head bowing down, feeling so low and small in front of the Older man. He felt Chanyeol's grip on his hand tightened, so he squeezed the taller's hand back, "Two members of EXO were ALLEGEDLY dating?" He chuckles, far from being amused. Shaking his head, he look up to the two who once made him proud because of their hardwork and never ending popularity, their steps not too far from being the most influential idols worldwide. These boys who he once predicted to be the key to his success, for this company to be on top in the Music Industry. Saving his last bit of patience, he smiled at them, "You two become my sons since the day I let you inside my company. It was never too late to deny this crap and get back to where you were supposed to be, hmm?" He clasped his hands together, waiting patiently for the kids so respond. Chanyeol had his lips tightly pursed while Baekhyun never lift his head since he decided not to show his face to the CEO. All of them shares the same silence, uneasy and troubled. Having the enough courage to admit their relationship, Chanyeol already took the risk, "It's true." He says, his tone was somehow proud and unfeigned. Seeing the CEO's face darken made him gulp, but that wasn't enough for him to take his own words back. "What did you just say?" "The rumor was true, Teacher." He glanced on Baekhyun, "We're dating. I love Baekhyun." The sudden bang on the desk made all of them flinch in shock. CEO Lee Soo Man stood on his feet, raging with so much anger, his face now flush because of his fume, his eyes glaring at the artists, "You two don't know what you're saying. You think that's it?!" "Mister—" "Shut up! You think it's easy for me to look at you two right now after you STEPPED INSIDE MY OFFICE WHILE HOLDING YOUR HANDS LIKE A PROUD HOMO BOYFRIENDS?!" He shouted in rage, shaking with overwhelming emotions. Baekhyun had to keep his tears at bay because those words were like knives stabbing him on his chest, emotionally ripping his heart apart. "It's not like that, Teacher. But please—" "No. NO, THIS CAN'T BE!" CEO Lee Soo Man was out of control, "I didn't train you for this! I didn't raise you to ruin everything! I DIDN'T TAUGHT YOU TO BE LIKE THIS!" "We don't need anything to love each other because we genuinely do." Chanyeol says calmly, although Baekhyun knows how scared the latter is right now. "Love?" The older laughs, "What do you think about love? This?" He gestured the two in disgust, "This isn't love. And what do you know about love? You must be kidding me." "That's because you keep on using us for your own good," Baekhyun finally spoke, and he's thankful that he actually managed to deliver those words without choking. The CEO frowned, "What?!" "The thing between Taeyeon sunbae and I weren't even real, but you took over it using your power to control everything with your hands." He spits those words out his lips, his eyes glassy, flashing akin to hurt and sadness, "You only cared for yourself and for this company. The 'support' you ever gave us was when your dirty antics actually works in our career, but in the end it's still you who received the boon." He could still remember how his fans hated him for keeping a 'fake' relationship behind their backs, the time when half of the fandom actually loathes him for something that is not even real. He hated himself so much because he couldn't even voice out his feelings simply because he was banned to do so in the first place. Not to mention that the said rumor actually affected him and Chanyeol back then, which results in huge fights and not approaching each other on public. "You didn't just said that to me, kid!" Mr. Lee threatens, pointing a finger on them, "I'm not having any of this! Go back to your dorm and act like nothing happened! I'll—" "We're quitting." Chanyeol butted in, not even thinking twice. The CEO just stared at him, "Pardon me?" "We can't do this anymore. I'm so sorry, teacher." They both bowed at the old man before walking out, leaving the CEO barely breathing. "We'll regret this?" Baekhyun mumbles when they get into the elevator. Chanyeol looked down to him and smiled, "Not when I have you." (YA'LL IM SORRY THIS IS A FLOP BUT IM WORKING ON IT'S PART 2 LMAO)