#need to do a progress check with the last one hmm]

[icantalk710]

💇🏽‍♂️🤔

[spacexgrl]

Bittersweet ! 🎀

mdni <3 you’re here pt 5

series masterlist 💋

~ in which Ellie breaks up with you and you go a little crazy ~

ex! ellie williams x fem! reader , abby anderson x fem! reader

college au!

warnings: angst, break up, cheating,cursing, toxic behavior, smut in future chapters, sexual themes<3 feminine and girly reader ,not proof read!!

taglist: pls comment if you want to be added! <3 @elliessweetheart @lonelyfooryouonly @vamp1reg1rrrl @autisticintr0vert @amsxdoll @addthespaghetti @hemmo01 @elliecoochieeater @to-the-stray-dogs @undercuver @teenagemoonharmony @velvetcakegirlie @kl1q @cirrusdoll @icedsimpsayo

“meet me after practice?”

Abby asked you as she parked her car on the campus parking lot and opened the door for you, sticking her hand out to help you hop out easier you really didn’t want to be so down bad for her..but shit her sweet and caring nature definitely wasn’t helping that.

“hmm i don’t know..Ellie still has some things at my place and i want her completely gone by the end of the week. If i can’t make it before friday i’ll catch you at Jesse’s party kay?”

you gave her a long goodbye kiss with little smiles in between how can someone be so damn cute?? you asked yourself as abby locked eyes with you, still caged in her gracious arms slowly losing yourself in the ocean of her eyes. If you could you’d drown and die in them. If only

“i’ll make sure to see you before friday, doll..don’t miss me too much though”

both of you laughed as you hit her playfully, she let you out of her grasp and walked you towards your first lecture of the day, your best friend was already waiting for you at the door raising her eyebrows as you approached her. She immediately nodded the way Abby squeezed your waist as you said your goodbyes and parted ways in the hallway, her eyes never leaving you until you were out of sight.

“you’ve got some explaining to do young lady”

💫

you spent the whole lecture with updating her on everything that went down last night. She was always on your side as you explained what happened between you and Ellie, you were lying if you said that you completely moved on from her already of course not..fuck it’s not as easy as you thought it would be.

Even though everything felt easy with Abby, she distracted you in the best way possible, she had everything that Ellie didn’t give you, she made you forget how miserable Ellie made you feel but you still felt it crashing down on you the moment you separated. Ellie’s reaction to you hanging out with Abby didn’t help either, you were mad at yourself for letting her still have an affect on you…but you won’t let her get to you, she’s not yours anymore.

Still Ellie managed to trouble your thoughts as you got through your day, you decided to unblock her and sent her a quick message..you needed her out of your life as soon as possible.

get the rest of your things tonight, i want you gone

i’ll be there,love

you almost gagged at her text, the nerve she had using the cute nickname she’d always call you..well before dina entered the picture obviously. You felt bad for her, you really did ..you could almost see how Ellie gave her empty promises and sweet nothings…she sure knew how to make a girl fall in love..too bad that she’ll be the one dying alone if she doesn’t change her ways.

Luckily that wasn’t your problem anymore, you thought as you finished up your notes for upcoming exams, happy with your work and progress. You felt free, you’ll never have to deal with the pressure of being enough for Ellie or anyone anymore. Pride swelled up in your chest as you checked your makeup in your little hello kitty compact mirror. Maybe you were imagining things but you noticed your skin was glowier than ever..radiant even,your blemishes were clearing up nicely and your lips weren’t as chapped as before..they were pillowy soft as you rubbed them together to gloss up your lips after you reapplied your yummy strawberry lipgloss..it’s like your body was detoxifying from Ellie.

Your weren’t the only one that noticed it.

Your best friend has always been your biggest fan dang Abby’s been doing you good huh?? she was so right. She kept showering you with compliments the entire day, enamored with the way you carried yourself so confidently and secure about yourself. She desperately wanted needed to be like you one day.

Nora, Abby’s friend and basketball teammate, also asked about what perfume you were using because you smelled so good as you walked past her! Abby didn’t lie when she said that you smelled like a vanilla sugar cookie.

Some girls you’ve never talked to before asked you about your haircare routine while you fixed it in the bathroom. God i wish my hair was so healthy and shiny like yours! you happily shared all your favorite products and how to use them properly.

Your friend Jesse, who was unironically Dina’s Ex boyfriend from their high school years said that you look like you ‘picked up pilates’ in one of your shared lectures. Hey just because of my tracksuit?

“did you know that our exes are dating each other though?”

“don’t remind me, just saw their hard launch stories on ig”

he opened Ellie’s instagram account and handed you his phone to look at her stories, everything was full of Dina. She never bothered to post anything about you in the last years. You scoffed as you gave the phone back.

“Well at least we’re the hot exes”

Ellie rolled her eyes at your comment, she’s been creeping up on you from the moment you climbed out of Abby’s car, always in your shadows without you knowing, right now she was sitting right behind you. She really didn’t want to be with you..but she couldn’t exactly be without you either so you could imagine how excited she got as you told her to pick up some stuff that she left on purpose for this exact reason. She needed to see you, she needed to feel you. Rage consumed her brain knowing that Anderson could rip you away from her like it was nothing. She was physically with Dina but her soul was still intertwined with yours fuck..she remembers how she accidentally called out for you instead of her as she fucked Dina into her mattress during one of their many study sessions, at this point she was begging Ellie to break up with you for the sake of their relationship but she refused, only taking actions as Dina threatened to break it off if she didn’t end things with you immediately. So she did. And now? She was in shambles, a miserable wreck without your love and she regretted it so deeply. Seeing you so carefree and happy without her left a bitter taste of jealousy in her mouth. It wounded her ego even. Maybe she was slowly losing her fucking mind.

“Lecture’s over, Williams”

The professor shouted as he packed his things and left the room. Ellie was left alone in the empty room, she was so lost in thought that she didn’t even notice you leaving. Fuck it she’ll be over at your place very soon.

💫

You arrived at home in the late afternoon, your best friend offered you a ride home and dropped you off after getting a sweet treat from your local bakery.

text me after practice <3

you sent abby a quick text as you devoured the sweet sugary goodness.

There was still some time left until Ellie arrived so you decided to do some chores that you’ve been avoiding and changed into a fresh set of soft pink pijamas. You were starting to feel like yourself again and you couldn’t be more grateful.

ding!

you grabbed your phone hoping that Abby replied but it was Ellie instead.

here

you forced yourself up from your comfortable position on the couch to open the door for Ellie. You didn’t want to admit it but she looked good dressed in beat up pants and a white tank top, tattooed arm on display. Her emerald eyes glued on your figure as you lead her to the cardboard box you stuffed with all of her remaining belongings, hoping to speed up the awkward process.

“why are you so tense, love? scared of wanting me?”

her tone was mean and degrading, what was her fucking problem? she broke up with you not the other way around.

“Ellie just take the fucking box and leave”

she approached you, getting closer and closer until your back hit the wall unable to escape her any longer. Her hot breath hit your neck as she took in your sweet scent, her hands slowly found their way to your lower back, sneaking around your lower waist.

“tell me you don’t want me”

she whispered in that low voice that made your stomach flip, her lips almost brushing yours only a few inches away. You felt like sinking your teeth into the forbidden fruit..a short term sweetness that would rot you from the inside and kill you in the most painful way possible.

“Ellie don’t…”

your whined, suddenly unsure about your feelings towards her. Sure you hated her with all your heart but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s still hot as fuck standing right in front of you with her stupid green eyes and that dumb half up half down hairstyle you loved so much..it was messing with your head, you felt hot and hazy, light headed even. Fuck you were going to crack right there and then, just as you were about to give yourself to Ellie your phone lit up.

Incoming call from ‘Abby 🤍’

you managed to escape from Ellie as the sound of your ringtone distracted her for a minute, mentally curing herself out fucking hell she was so close.

You answered the call quickly.

“open the door baby”

oh shit

🎀

to be continued!!

[kekeke32]

TOUCHSTARVED trailer theme theory??

Hi guys, hi everyone. Hope we’re doing well!

SO the full version of the trailer theme is finally out on YouTube and holy shit??? It goes so HARD!!! Give it a listen here.

After rewatching it over and over again, I noticed something so I’ll map out which lyrics appear with which character for y’all to see:

Wish I could’ve added more ss but I’m on the mobile app 🥲 Anyways, I really don’t think the dev team added the characters photos randomly ‘cause check this out:

In Ais’s part, the lyrics are about a certain weakness (ik the lyrics “my weakness” refer to a person but I chose to ignore that jskdksk) and survival. This may be a reach BUT doesn’t this reminds you of Ais’s official character description? Specifically of this part: “Ais seems capable of curing you...but a sick sense of dread surrounds him. He's beginning to suspect that he may not be as in control of his powers as he thought. Can you save each other, or will he drag you down to the abyss with him?" This so-called “weakness” could be his very own powers and he’ll need the player to help him, to “survive���.

Now, about Vere’s part, I don’t have much to say tbh other than the fact that the lyrics “Cause everytime we touch” appear for the first time in his part and I guess you could say it’s related to his frequenting at the brothel? (iykwim 😏) Oh! And you could also see him being touched by a lot of different hands in the trailer. Besides that, his part ends with the lyrics “need you by my side” sung softly by the singer hmm…

Kuras’s part on the other hand, starts strongly (I suck balls at describing music so pls listen 4 urselves, you’ll know what I mean😭) and at 1:59 mins the lyrics are “Cause everytime we touch” then his face darkens a little and it stars an instrumental interlude. I don’t know what that really means but he’s sus

Mhin’s part is sung very softly as well and the lyrics “We’ve been through them all. You make me rise when I fall” are so sweet more so because I think in their route they’ll open up more to the player after going together through incomprehensible horrors and we’ll learn how to support each other <33

Finally, Leander’s part!! Now, LISTEN. His part is the reason why I even made this post in the first place lmao This mf is way too sus but first of all, the building synth progression at 2:58???? oh my god I got CHILLS. literal chills. *ahem* Moving on, his part, starts strongly the same as Kuras’s part did. Their parts are the only ones sung like that… Weird, huh? Anyway, after the lyrics “I can’t let you go. Want you in my life” at 3:49, the song gets SUPER intense and starts sounding very desperate ig?? (kudos to Dan! love his voice frfr) and Leander’s part ends with “Need you by my side”. Okayy y'all… Y'ALL. THIS IS CRAZY. In his part we have both the lyrics "I can't let you go. Want you in my life" AND "I want this to last. Need you by my side". AHHHH Leander you obsessed little bitch (affectionate)

In conclusion, there’s no fucking way the red spring team didn’t assign the certain parts of the lyrics very and I mean VERY purposefully to each LI. The parts suit them specifically well so I highly doubt it’s random but it could also just be me reading too much into this

Whatever!!! Good morning/Good night to this fandom only ^_^

[robinhobiii]

the truth untold | ceo! y. jh

summery : y/n’s son goes missing and there’s only 13 suspects that last seen her son. One of them happens to be her husband, Jeonghan.

bad clue inspired

part i

She finally decides it’s time to slowly interrogate each one of them. Starting with one of the more easier candidates.

Lee Seokmin.

He’s very soft hearted and often wears his heart on his sleeves. Well, that’s what her intel tells her.

She needs a smart way to approach this. Not to startle him and for him to shut down. She watched his every move for the last four weeks. He’s been pretty consistent with his schedule.

Monday to Friday - arrival to the music academy at 8:30 am. Teach kids until 5:30 pm.

Friday - after 5:30, go out drinking with coworkers or friends.

Saturday - go to student recitals

Sunday- rest day

His schedule has been pretty consistent even before the disappearance of Jeongmin. However, she can’t just rely on her intel for that. He did spend a lot planning projects. She’ll have to grab him off guard for questioning.

. . .

It was Sunday morning and Seokmin was talking into the a cafe. He was going to sit in the solo booth on the right hand side of the cafe like usual. He’s going to get an iced americano with a chocolate croissant and an egg sandwich. He’s going to pull out his laptop and music sheets to go over next week’s lessons. However, y/n is going to intervene.

“Mr. Lee, you come here too?” She says softly.

He looks up very surprised and speaks out, “Mrs. Yoon?”

He snaps out of it and smiles up at her. “Here, come sit with me for a bit.”

He then orders a hot chocolate, remembering her dislike for coffee. It was silent for a moment before he slowly says, “How have you been?”

“How do you think I’ve been?”

“I’ve heard that they found his backpack last week. I’m glad that there’s progress. Did they give any other information?”

“Hmm? Unfortunately they didn’t. . . wait, how would you know anything, Mr. Lee?” She says suspiciously.

Seokmin was immediately flustered as he stuttered outs, “O-oh, it’s just the talk at the teachers break room, I-I of course don’t know anything officially.”

She knew it!

“Really? My son is the topic of your gossip?” She says to fluster him more.

“Mrs. Yoon, I-i would never do that-“

“Then how is it that you know about his back pack? Only my husband and I know”

He remained silent. He was thinking of an excuse. His knee moving up and down from nervousness. He looked anywhere but her.

Mr. Lee is definitely who not who he seems to be.

Oh, Lee Seokmin, she’s got you now.

. . .

Seokjin was watching this unfold from three tables away. He silently chuckles at the scene. Oh, sweet naive Y/n. She’ll never learn anything if she comes off too strong. He slips his sunglasses on and pretends to make a phone call. He counts to three.

1

2

3

“How many times have I told you?! Get it through your goddamn head!” He says loudly, catching the eyes of everyone, including Seokmin and Y/n.

Y/n looks at him dumbfounded.

“I told you keep your emotions in check! That won’t get you anywhere! I thought we discussed this!” He says obnoxiously into his phone.

Y/n gets the hint and straightens up and bit as Seokmin was still focused on the Jin.

“Goodness, I have to do everything myself!” He huffs out and hangs up the phone. He put the phone down and looks at the onlookers.

“I apologize, my colleague was being an idiot. I had to fix a quick problem”

She mentally scoffs at him. Way to toot your own horn, Seokjin.

. . .

“Mr. Lee, please tell me.” She says more calmly

He remained silent for a moment and finally sighs.

“Mr. Yoon told me”

“Jeonghan?”

He nodded. “Mr. Yoon came by the other day and let it slip I guess.”

“Jeonghan came to the music academy?”

“Yes, he comes quite often.”

She was confused but her face didn’t show it much.

“Did he say anything else?”

“No, just formalities. He came to talk to Seungkwan about the upcoming musical projects”

She was baffled. Her husband? The man that was behind serious and didn’t take their son’s love for music seriously? The man that only cared about money and connections, was concerned about a musical project?

“When was the last time he came beside the other day?”

“Hmm, maybe two months ago”

She needs to dig deep. She has more questions than answers now.

“Oh, I see. I apologize for flipping out on you. My son is a sensitive topic for me”

He softly laughs and shook his head no.

“I totally get it. I don’t blame you at all. It’s a heavy topic.”

She stands up after she places down money for her part of food on the table.

“I’ll get going. Thank you for your time.”

“No problem, stay safe and I wish you luck on everything”

She walks to her car and sits. Approximately, four minutes later, Jin walks into her car.

“That was sure an interesting outcome” he says as he eats his sandwich.

“Jeonghan goes to the music academy. He never told me that. In fact the only time he did tell me was when we first enrolled Jeongmin there.”

“Perhaps he was inquiring the last whereabouts of Jeongmin from the teachers”

“True, but he didn’t tell me anything”

“Probably for you not to go insane”

She glares at him. He only laughs at her.

“Then we should definitely question this Seungkwan fellow as to why Jeonghan was there” Jin says more seriously.

“We should. His schedule for today won’t work for us. Let’s go tomorrow.”

He nodded, “don’t forget to keep your cool. You almost blew your cover”

“I know. But seriously Jin, “my colleague was being an idiot?” Couldn’t think of anything better?”

“Hey, just had to keep you straight”

“You’re lucky I need your help”

He laughs out loud, “that is true, detective. You can’t get rid of me.”

. . .

“Here are the files you requested” Joshua says as he places down the said files on his desk. Jeonghan looks up at him and half smiled.

“Thanks Joshuji”

“You look down sir”

Jeonghan remained silent for a moment. He opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes.

“Is it about madam Yoon?” Joshua inquires lightly to not set Jeonghan off.

He sighs before looking out the window. The beautiful city view doesn’t give him that comfort like usual.

“She changed”

“Sir, both of you recently lost your son. He’s missing. Respectfully, she’ll be distant to cope with herself”

Jeonghan’s face sours at the obvious statement.

“I know that. Don’t need to remind me that my son is missing. But people normally get closer when something traumatic happens. She’s pushing herself away from me”

Joshua only furrows his eyebrows. “Maybe that’s madam’s coping mechanism”

He frowns at that. “She doesn’t kiss me as much. She doesn’t cuddle into me. She doesn’t even give me a welcome home kiss anymore”

He stand up and walks closer to the window. “She’s changed a lot. She leaves home before I wake up in the morning. Some nights she comes home at midnight. She glued to her phone too”

Joshua looks at him. “What are you implying, sir?”

Jeonghan touches the cool window. His hot hand creates an aura of fog around his hand.

“I don’t know. But I know she’s definitely hiding something and whatever it is, I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”

. . .

sorry for the ridiculously long wait for the update. Life and school got in the way. I’m seriously over university. But I’m free now! I hope to do more frequent updates now. Enjoy! ♡

tag list :

@black-swan-blog27

@miidorei

@aziriee

@lovely-yunashane

[irisintheafterglow]

Heyy, van I get a suguru geto x reader based on this playlist pls? Creative freedom, I just enjoy the playlist and your writing

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVNLTHYHuG3QRkaWiIAoNztVS2Ad51M3j&si=R_K3McCdTLK9Vc3H

tell me that you love me, love me till my lips turn blue

summary: for the first time in what feels like forever, you're paired with suguru on a mission. he gets...distracted.

wc: 1.13k

cw/tags: best friends to lovers, some language, canon-typical violence, mutual pining, suguru is the #1 lovesick idiot when you're not around, a little suggestive toward the end but nothing explicit

note: HIII you always have the best requests!! this is short and sweet but i was listening to the playlist nonstop while i was writing and oh MAN was it an experience. like ok powerful reader and powerful bf duo with doja playing in the background?? and then a good ol' makeout session at the end? delicious. hope you like this, thank you for your ask!!!

likes, reblogs, and replies are always appreciated :)

“They’re practically lining up, hmm?”

“Guess they’re excited,” you smile contemptuously at the Curse syndicate in front of you, all seven of the most wanted Jujutsu defectors this side of the prime meridian. Your partner on the mission huffs out an incredulous breath and you see him scowl out of the corner of your eye. “Do you need a–”

“Yeah,” he mutters and you wordlessly hand him the black hair tie from your wrist. You always kept extras when you were working together because he was sure to lose the one he brought; it was basically tradition, at this point. “You wanna take this round while I fix my hair?” 

“Sure, be right back,” you say carefreely as you shoot him a wink over your shoulder. He rolls his eyes lightheartedly at your antics and you decide to show off a little bit. Let’s gamble…25%. You stretch your limbs from side to side before raising a hand, sharply pulling it into a fist when you latch onto the energy signatures of the group in front of you. With such a low gamble, the effect of the additional energy is instantaneous; a quarter of the energy for every enemy in front of you basically over-replenished your own reserve. With the supplemental energy and your opponents temporarily stunned from the energy-theft, you send a single arc across the entire group and render them on the verge of unconsciousness. You mentally kick your technique up to 80% and absorb the remaining Cursed energy, leaving the syndicate groaning and incapacitated. After texting the higher-ups to dispatch a cleaning crew, you check on Suguru’s progress with taming his unruly hair. “You good?”

“Mmm, yeah. Just gimme a little longer,” he says absentmindedly, pulling his hair back over and over again until he’s satisfied with it. “I don’t know why I’m bothering with this, since the mission’s basically over. On paper, at least.” 

“Any idea where that last defector went?”

“I sent out a few Curses to go find him, but chances are he’s long gone by now. Satoru will probably end up catching him.”

“Oh, he’s gonna be so mad that he has to, you know, do his job,” you joke and he chuckles softly under his breath. It sounds like sunshine. “Any hard feelings that you didn’t get to save the day?”

“The opposite, actually,” he corrects and the look he gives you has your face burning. “I’m happy I got to see you in action. It’s not often that we’re paired together.”

“I know, and I’m sure you miss your awesome, amazing, gorgeous, talented best friend.” Your elbow knocks against his bicep and he shoulder bumps yours in response.   

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he drawls, waving a dismissive hand and your jaw drops in fake displeasure. “Just admit you missed me, already.”

“Not if you won’t admit it first,” you reply nonchalantly, in stark contrast to the increasing rhythm of your heartbeat. You were walking the ledge of that dangerous cliffside again, on the verge of completely falling for your best friend without knowing shit about his own feelings. It was selfish, allowing yourself to love him, but you couldn’t find the motivation to stop. “Let’s get out of this shithole; I’m craving some of that taiyaki we saw earlier on the–” 

Your words are abruptly cut short by Suguru’s hand gently but firmly covering your mouth while the other hand tugs you into a dark nook of the cave. He quietly shushes you and glances in the direction of the footsteps approaching from around the corner. You don’t focus on anything he’s trying to tell you, though, because your mind is short-circuiting from his proximity and the fact that he hasn’t taken his hand away from your arm. In fact, whether consciously or not, his fingers rub little circles onto your skin and your vision becomes a little starry. You weren’t sure if the affection was to relieve his anxiety or yours, but you sure weren’t complaining.

“Stay here, yeah?” He briefly takes his hand away from your mouth but doesn’t go far, repositioning it beside your head due to the cramped space he’d pulled you into. He’s close enough that you can feel his breath, minty from the gum he stole from you in the car. 

“Where are you going?” 

“Gonna take care of that last asshat out there and then come back and,” he inhales, eyes flicking down to your lips for a nearly imperceptible moment, “probably do something stupid.” Before you have the chance to ask what he means, he slips away and you hear the sound of faint rumblings. Chunks of rock crumble on the floor, the thuds mixing with distant pleads for mercy. The iridescent scales of Suguru’s dragon cast rainbows on the walls in the dim light and, before you know it, he’s back in the corner with you, slightly more flushed but just as handsome as minutes prior. “Miss me?”

“Cocky asshole,” you mutter half-heartedly, absolutely sure that he could hear your blood pounding in your ears from sheer adrenaline. He looked intoxicating, staring at you so intensely that your knees were buckling against the wall. The tension was suffocating in the stuffy, dusty atmosphere and your impatience reared its ugly head. “Well?”

“Well,” he breathes, unable to tear his eyes away from your face. 

“You gonna do that stupid thing yet or not?”

“I’m thinking about it,” he admits quietly, one hand brushing the side of your cheek tenderly. “Can I–”

“Stop thinking and just do it, Suguru. I’m not getting any younger–oh,” you murmur, melting into him when he grabs your chin and kisses you with pure devotion. His hand against the wall next to your head turns into his forearm when you pull him as close to you as humanly possible, the other finding your hip and drawing more of those infuriatingly loving circles. When you finally break away long enough to catch your breath, his lips stay on your skin, pressing feather-light kisses to your cheek, neck, and anywhere he could reach. When he finds your ear, he whispers the sweetest little promises that make your head spin. 

“I would die for you, you know,” he says in a low tone that you want to bottle up and inject into your veins. “I miss you so much when you’re out on missions; it drives me out of my mind.”

“I gotcha,” you grin and he raises a sharp eyebrow in question. “I got you to admit you miss me.” 

“Time for you to keep up your end of the deal, sweetheart.” His forehead rests against yours and he lets you greedily pull him even closer, humming when you pull the tie loose and card your fingers through his hair. “Say you missed me too.”

“Mmm. I missed you too, you love sick fool.”

“Takes one to know one, pretty.”

hear that? yeah that's me barking

[clarisse0o]

Camp Wiegman-Part 20

Lucy Bronze x Ona Batlle

Alternative Universe : Military School

Words: 6k

Masterlist

———————————————————————

Tuesday, November 24; 3:15 PM - School.

It’s the first time since I’ve been here that we finish classes early. I never thought it was possible. It’s rare to see a teacher absent, but that’s the case today. The whole class decided to leave after ten minutes, seeing that he would never arrive. Especially since he’s usually already waiting for us in his classroom.

" I’m joining the girls in the common room. Want to come? " Alexia proposes.

" Sorry, I told Bronze I would come after my classes. "

" She doesn’t know we finished early. You can go afterward. "

" The sooner I go, the sooner I’ll be free from this obligation. "

" I could almost believe you’re becoming serious, " she laughs.

" I don’t think so, no! "

" Come on, go enjoy your time with Bronze now that she’s talking to you again. "

" Stop it, " I roll my eyes. " You’re really something! "

" Oddly, you’re not denying it, " she replies with a wink.

I giggle, rolling my eyes. Alexia has been making inappropriate remarks since last night, saying I’m addicted to Bronze. Well, it’s true that I was sulking when she ignored me, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’m addicted to her. I just missed her. She was so much on my back lately that it was weird when she suddenly disappeared. Alexia understands that I appreciate Bronze more than I let on. I stopped contradicting her when I realized my arguments were becoming ridiculous. She could hold hands with Mapi. The latter keeps asking about the progress of my relationship with Bronze since she heard me call her "baby". I’ve been teased and received the same remark as Ale. I’m starting to think I’m glad they don’t know each other. I can tolerate them individually, but I’d go crazy if I had them together. We finally reach the ground floor. I was getting tired of Alexia’s remarks. I quickly excuse myself before slipping away to Bronze’s office. The door is wide open today. I knock lightly to announce my presence, which earns me two surprised faces looking at me.

" What are you doing here already? Aren’t you supposed to have classes until five o’clock? Don’t tell me you got kicked out again? " Bronze bombards me, frowning.

" Thanks for the trust, " I roll my eyes. " My literature teacher is absent. "

" Mr. Johnson absent? " Engen repeats. " Weird… "

" Anyway, he didn’t come. We waited fifteen minutes, and my class started to disperse, so we left too, " I shrug.

The two instructors exchange a look as if silently communicating. Bronze finally shrugs, inviting me to sit. I smile at her and settle in front of her. Engen, on the other hand, stands up.

" I’ll find out what’s going on. Do you know where the rest of your class went? "

" All over, I’d say. Many are in the common room, and the others are probably in their rooms, I guess. "

" Hmm, thanks. "

She leaves, letting me alone with Bronze. She’s already making room for me on her desk. I take out my stuff, prominently displaying the exercise she gave me to complete last night. I had to do and redo it several times before succeeding. It was one of the hardest she’s given me. There’s even an equation I couldn’t solve.

" Did you do your math? "

" Yeah… Well, half of it. "

" What do you mean, half? "

I prefer to hand her my paper rather than give explanations. She immediately checks my work. She raises an eyebrow at my draft filled with scribbles. Maybe I should have rewritten it instead of leaving my mistakes, but at least she can see that I worked hard to get there. She can’t say I didn’t work.

" And the answer to my question about the sign? "

" You need to put a plus because it follows the sign of ‘a’. Since the number is positive, my answer was correct. "

" You seem much more confident than yesterday, " she smiles amusedly.

" I almost dreamed of math all night, going over your sheet you made me. "

She chuckles as I cross my arms and sink into my chair. During her explanations last night, she made me a sheet summarizing all the important formulas to know. She added the sign rules since I was stuck on them. Needless to say, I spent my whole evening revising it. It’s much more effective than all my course notes. It’s short, clear, and precise.

" At least it was useful. "

" That’s for sure… "

" So, what didn’t you understand about the second function? "

I was about to answer, but Engen startles me by speaking up. I hadn’t even noticed she was back.

" Am I dreaming, or are you giving her lessons? "

" She’s struggling since she’s missing two years, " Bronze’s spontaneous honesty surprised me so much that my foot automatically kicked her under the desk. I would have preferred that detail stay between us. I’m already ashamed enough. Bronze raises an eyebrow at my gesture.

" Why was that? "

" You didn’t have to shout it from the rooftops, " I mumble, embarrassed.

She laughs softly. I jump when Engen hugs me from behind, resting her head on mine. I tense up at her unexpected closeness.

" Oh, come on! You don’t need to react like that for so little, Ona, " Engen says. " It’s good that you’re asking for help. "

" Hmm… "

" Wiegman is stupid for putting you at such a high level if you have difficulties, " she comments.

I shrug. I could actually keep up, but the problem is that I quickly lose interest and disengage. I would have caught up long ago otherwise. Plus, if I had reacted differently when I arrived, I wouldn’t have so much material to catch up on.

" Anyway, Mr. Johnson is really absent, " she informs me, letting go of me. " I have to gather your class in a study room to work, by Wiegman’s order. "

" Do I have to go too? "

" Well, I came to get you, but you came here willingly to work with Lucy. So, I guess you stay here. "

" Yes, she stays here, " Bronze intervenes. " Do you have to supervise the class? "

" Yeah, " Engen sighs. " They’re starting to get on my nerves. She could have let them have free time, but no, " she grumbles. " We’ll have to meet up to eat. "

" No worries, " Bronze laughs. " See you later. "

We say goodbye before she leaves. I get the impression she doesn’t like Wiegman at all. Last time, she didn’t hide her hatred towards her either. One thing is certain, she’s frank and direct, like Bronze. That’s probably why I like her too.

" Alright, back to our sheep, " she pulls me out of my thoughts. " What didn’t you understand then? "

" Is Wiegman that bad? " I ask.

" Why this question? " she frowns.

" I don’t know. Engen doesn’t seem to like her much. "

" Let’s just say she’s attentive to all our actions. She’s starting to get fed up. "

" Seriously? Why would she monitor the instructors too? "

" She doesn’t want another student-instructor relationship to happen again. "

" Oh… So, are you being monitored too? "

" Yes, like all my colleagues. Can we get back to the main topic, which is math? "

" No, wait… Are you talking about me? "

Bronze sighs in annoyance. This question is important to me. With what Alexia thinks, I’m afraid Wiegman will start thinking we’re too close. I don’t want her to risk her job because of me. And does she tell her what I confide in her? I hope not, because I tell her quite personal things.

" Why this question? "

I bite my lip. I don’t know if I should be honest with her. She gives me a hard look to encourage me to continue. I decide to play the honesty card.

" Alexia thinks we’re close. She keeps teasing me about it. Do you think you could get in trouble if Wiegman thought the same? I don’t want to cause you any problems. "

" Well, I’ll explain to you if it can reassure you. Every instructor has to see Wiegman at the end of the day for a debriefing. I’m not more monitored than the others because I’m in charge of you, if that’s your question. "

" And so… Do you ever talk about me? " I ask again.

" Of course we often talk about you. I’m the one supervising you, so it’s normal for her to ask me questions about you. "

" Do you tell her what I confide in you? " I ask with some fear.

«  We mainly talk about your progress, your reactions. I would never repeat what you confide in me. If I do, it will only be with your permission, to defend you, or if it’s a very important matter that can’t be kept. "

" A matter that can’t be kept? Like what? "

" Well, something that could harm you or put you in danger, for example. "

" Okay, " I sigh. " You promise not to talk about it otherwise? "

" Ona, the only thing I’ve told Wiegman since I’ve been supervising you is the events you told me about the night you ended up drugged. If I hadn’t done that, you could have had a lot of trouble with her. "

" Is that all? " I ask with a hint of surprise.

" Of course. I would never tell her your personal or family problems. Those things only concern you. I’ll always be here to listen, comfort, or support you, but I’ll never repeat anything to her. Only the results matter to her. Do you understand? "

" And for you? Do only the results matter to you too? "

" I should, yes, " she begins. " That was the case with all my former students under my care, but not with you. "

" Why not? " I laugh bitterly. " Don’t tell me that to please me, please. "

" That’s not the case. None of my former students confided in me like you do. It’s the first time I’ve had such a close relationship with a student, and it’s only because I want it. "

" What do you mean? "

" Usually, I remain cold and impassive in my work. It’s not for nothing they call me the commander. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I was never like that with you. « 

I lower my head, realizing it is the truth. She was strict at the beginning, but our relationship quickly evolved. She became understanding, and I almost want to say she became caring. I'd like to know the reasons why, but I doubt she would tell me.

- The results are important, of course, but I enjoy learning who you really are. I care about you, whether you believe it or not.

I have no doubt about her words. She has no reason to lie to me after all. I lift my head to smile at her timidly. She returns the smile, tilting her head slightly as if she knows what I'm thinking.

- Do you have any more questions you’d like answered, or can we get to work now?

- We can get to work... Unless you’re busy. I wouldn’t want to disturb you either.

- I don’t have that much work. Your test tomorrow is more important. Let’s go back to the exercise. What was your problem then? she says, picking up the paper.

- I think you didn’t give me all the formulas. I couldn’t do it even though I went over everything.

She looks at my draft again. I blush at the idea that she's once again wasting precious time on me. I still don’t understand why she does all this for me.

- We can stop if it bothers you, I begin again.

- Are you done? You don’t need to be embarrassed because I’m helping you study. Let me look at your exercise now.

I stay quiet to avoid disturbing her further. I wonder where her math skills come from. She has good logic and had no trouble finding my mistakes yesterday. She’s not very old. Maybe she just recently left school. That would answer my questions. Honestly, who remembers things like this? It’s not like it’s useful every day!

- How old are you?

- We never ask a person’s age, Ona, she replies. It’s rude and inappropriate, especially since I’m your supervisor. For your math problem, you just need to factorize the function.

- What? Seriously, I have to factorize again?

- Yeah. It’s exactly the kind of case you might have tomorrow. Just think a little. Pen, she says, holding out her hand.

I hand it to her, and she starts explaining while twisting in all directions to find a good position. She eventually comes around to sit beside me. She helps me factorize the function, then gives me the formula to use. In the end, it wasn’t so complicated with her help.

- When you can’t do something, you need to find other solutions. There are always some.

- Alright, I sigh.

- Do you want to do another one on your own?

- That’s okay, thanks. I’ve bothered you enough with my math. I’ll review tonight.

- We have more time today, so let’s make the most of it. You’re going to do another one on your own; I want to make sure you’ve understood.

I groan in frustration, which makes her smile. I thought I could escape, but she doesn’t seem to agree. She rewrites a formula similar to the one we just did. She already made me redo what I couldn’t do yesterday. It’s quite an effective method because I manage it each time afterward. She gives me three more, which I finish in half an hour.

- Well, it looks like you’ve understood. I think we can stop.

I sigh in relief, collapsing against my chair. She laughs and offers me a glass of water, which I gladly accept. I put my brain on pause while I drink from the cup she hands me.

- It’s only five o’clock. Do you want to look at your choices tonight or tomorrow?

I think about it. My brain is mush. I’m tempted to say tomorrow, but I want to get this problem resolved as quickly as possible. I’m afraid it will take longer than it should. Neither option really interests me, so I need to decide.

- Tonight, if you don’t mind.

- Not at all. Let’s see what we have. You have the forms, I hope?

- Of course.

I put away all my math stuff and replace it with my registration form and the list of available options. She takes the latter and sits comfortably in her chair, crossing her legs. She studies the sheet while finishing her drink.

- Alright. There are already a few we can eliminate, right?

- Yes, like sports.

- Yes, she laughs. It’s a shame because you have the potential to go far with the mental toughness you have. By the way, you’ve abandoned me for the runs.

I look at her strangely. Me, good potential in sports? What a joke!

- You’re the one who was sulking, I reply. You’re the first to know that sports and I don’t mix, and that I’m not motivated to do any.

- Hey! she says, hitting my arm. I wasn’t sulking! I was just giving you a taste of your own medicine. Anyway, let’s cross out sports, you’re right, she concludes. Maybe in an other universe you would have been an athlete.

I open my mouth as she crosses it out on the sheet.

- Hey! Why are you writing on it! I exclaim. You shouldn’t!

- This sheet isn’t to be returned, Ona, she giggles.

- Oh, I say, mortified under her laughter.

- Alright, let’s be serious. Have you already thought about a future career perhaps? Let’s start with that.

I think about her question. I never had the chance to seriously think about it. Choices for my studies were always imposed on me.

- You must have thought about it before, right?

- No, I remain honest, playing timidly with my fingers.

I feel ashamed. Who hasn’t thought about their future except me? I stopped school after my diploma, without thinking about what came next. I never studied something I truly liked. Bronze puts her hand on my knee, as if trying to reassure me.

- Hey, it’s okay, it’s nothing serious. It’s going to be more complicated than expected, but it will be sorted out. Better late than never, right?

I smile timidly, nodding. She smiles back. I’m glad I consulted her. If I hadn’t, I would have probably chosen an option randomly, without really thinking about it. At least now I won’t choose at random.

- I understand better why you come to see me, and you’re doing the right thing. Let’s start from the beginning. You were in high school, so you must have studied a specialty, right?

- Science and medicine. My mother is a surgeon. She wanted me to follow in her footsteps, I explain. My father convinced me to accept, but it’s not at all what I want to do.

- At least you already know what you don’t want, she says, crossing out the option with a small smile.

- You can also cross out engineering, I giggle.

- That’s true, she crosses it out. Do you want to do something related to art?

- There’s no option for that. It’s annoying because that’s what interests me the most.

- No, but we could find possibilities that are close to it, you see? You like literature too, right?

I smile and nod. What she said earlier was true. She listens and is interested in what I say because I had already told her about my love for literature.

- So, literature could be one of the three options, right?

- Yes, it could be, I nod again.

- Hmm, she smiles, putting a check next to it. We’re making progress. Don’t forget that the order is important too. If the first one is accepted, you won’t be able to fall back on the others.

- Yes, I understood.

She scratches her head with the back of my pen. She must be thinking as much as I am. I have already studied all my possibilities to be honest. I had come to the conclusion that it would be literature, but it would annoy me to fall back on this option knowing that it’s far from being related to drawing.

- I imagine we’re forgetting math specialty? she giggles.

- Are you mocking me? I pull an exaggerated face.

- Far from it, she mocks.

- Well… You’re not wrong anyway…

- That’s what I thought, she laughs. Well, let’s go back to art then. There are several possibilities. I imagine you prefer practicing?

- Well... Yeah. What else would you want me to do?

- Well, you could also run a gallery. That would be more about management in that case. Do you see what I mean?

- I never saw it from that angle... I admit.

- That aspect could be interesting for you if you plan to be self-employed in the long term. It’s never a bad idea to have a foundation in management.

I never saw my future that far ahead. To be honest, all I dream about right now is being able to make a living from my talent. However, Bronze has a very different vision from mine. She doesn’t only see the present moment, she sees the entirety of a professional career.

- It’s true that it’s a good idea... I never thought of that. Is there an option like that?

- Well, yes. But I doubt you’ll like it.

- What’s the option? I ask cautiously.

- Business management. It’s equivalent to an MBA in regular universities.

- Oh... Isn’t that difficult?

- It’s a mix of management, finance, and commerce. It requires a lot of logic and is very math-heavy, so it’s up to you.

I nervously bite my lip. This idea suddenly cools me down. I doubt I’d enjoy it. Bronze must have sensed it given the smile she gives me.

- I warned you that the idea might not please you.

- Indeed, I agree, sighing. Can I ask what you studied? Maybe it’ll give me an idea.

Bronze looks at me for a moment, as if deciding whether or not to tell me. I know she doesn’t like talking about herself and that my question is risky. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

- I was going for an athlete scholarship, but a knee injury at the end of the year prevented me from getting it. I was then offered to switch to a management program like an MBA in sports.

- What do you mean? I frown.

- It’s a special track that allows studying sports management instead of business management, she shrugs. Few schools offer it. I was lucky that the one I applied to as an athlete did. It was that or staying in Portugal with a lousy program and school.

-So… You have a good background in management, if I understand correctly?

- I suppose so, since I graduated, she replies with a smirk.

- No... Well, that's not what I meant... Is there a big difference compared to the program offered by the school? I’m being silly, you probably don’t know...

- I think I can help you study, if that's your question.

I nod slightly. I appreciate how quickly Bronze understands. Sometimes I wonder how she does it, because I'm far from being very explicit.

- It shouldn't be too bad then...

- As I said earlier, management is still a good foundation that will always be useful in life. However, I don't want to push you into it if you don’t like it. That's not the goal.

- No, but you're right. I can't pursue art here, so I might as well go for something that will be useful, right? At least I'll have a fallback option in any case.

- So, do you want to keep that option then?

- Yeah, in first position.

- Really? she raises an eyebrow. Wouldn’t you prefer to put literature first? It would be a bit more creative, even if it's not related to art.

- No. The goal isn’t to become a librarian or something. I'd rather put it as a second option.

- It's up to you. And for the last option then?

- I'm not too sure. I was thinking about foreign languages. I’m pretty good at them and I like breaking down international barriers. Do people usually get their last options?

- No, never in the final year, but it’s still good to have three options. It’s in the first year that class allocation is more challenging. Students are still figuring things out, like you right now, so there are always options that interest some more than others.

- How do they allocate students then?

- Well, based on grades. They take the best students to reward them. In the second year, some students switch options if the first one didn’t convince them. And since changes can only be made once, there’s hardly any class switching in the final year. So, the third option is rarely reached.

- I see. Well, it doesn't matter then. I could put languages, sports, or even engineering!

- I wouldn't do that if I were you, she laughs. You never know. Management and literature options might already be full.

- Do you think I have a chance in sports...? I ask hesitantly. Never mind, forget it, I say seeing her reaction. It's a ridiculous idea.

I lower my head, mortified with shame. Sometimes I should just keep my mouth shut. She already told me she wouldn’t take sports for me. I thought about it because I know half of my friends will choose that option. I felt my head being lifted by two fingers under my chin. Bronze smiles at me with such kindness in her expression.

- You have a serious lack of self-confidence, Ona. I think you have potential that you probably don't even notice. You don't even realize how you always push yourself to the limit when you get a bit of encouragement. You've never given up on my punishments, even though others would have certainly done so in your place.

- At the same time, you don't give me a choice...

- I might be nicer to you normally, but I’m stricter with my punishments.

I look at her with wide eyes at these revelations. I didn’t know it was the case. She clears her throat seeing the look on my face.

- Well, it was the case at the beginning. I stopped since you calmed down. Believe me, I've never seen someone with a mentality like yours. You weren't athletic, yet you accepted my punishments. By the way, I'd like to see you again during my morning runs.

I grimace at the thought. This girl is crazy. How can she keep running when it's freezing outside! I don’t know if she realizes that snow is about to fall soon. One thing she’s right about is that I have no self-confidence. My past experiences have a lot to do with it. She doesn’t realize that she’s the one helping me get better. She pushes me to do things I would never have accomplished before. It's only because I feel she believes in me. More than I do, more than anyone.

- It’s negotiable. It’s way too cold to run right now.

- Hmm, she smiles. You’re a wimp!

- You can’t use my pride against me!

- Yes, I can, she giggles. Alright, back to the options. I wouldn’t put sports. It doesn’t align with your plans and there’s no need to include it just to be with your friends for a semester.

I blush at her raised eyebrow. Damn, she got it all. She must know Alexia is taking that option.

- If you want to do sports, do it as a hobby. Like running, for example...

- I won’t change my mind, I chuckle. Well, you’re right. I’ll stick with languages then.

- Or you could put medicine, since it would be a continuation of your studies.

- No thanks. I spent my high school years studying something that doesn’t interest me. I don’t want to go through that again and especially not to please my mother.

- Alright, she nods.

What I appreciate about Bronze is that she never asks personal questions. Or very rarely. She’ll always let me come to her when I want to open up on my own. I sigh, massaging my temples. My brain is starting to overheat from thinking. I’m glad to see the end in sight.

- It’s only Tuesday. You still have two evenings to think about it calmly.

- I don’t need to think any more. It will be management, literature, and foreign language.

- Well, if you’re decided... You can also put history if you prefer.

- You’re silly, I chuckle. Is it from spending time with you?

- Definitely.

- Oh, I say, placing my hand on my heart. You break my heart, I add dramatically.

- Poor little thing, she laughs.

I pout with crossed arms. I try to keep the expression, but it’s difficult when Bronze is smiling so broadly. She then pinches my cheek to tease me.

- Oh, but look at the big baby pouting.

- Stop it, I giggle, wriggling my head to escape her grasp. I’m not a kid.

- Oh, but you are, she says bluntly. I’ll consider you differently when you prove it to me.

- I’ve already proven it to you!

- Hmm... No. Not enough.

- Tsss. It shouldn’t be someone barely older than me telling me that.

- How much are you willing to give me? she smiles.

Where’s the catch? I thought she was going to brush me off like earlier when I asked her age. Why is she playing along? Well, why not if it helps me get some information about her...

- Twenty-seven? I say randomly.

- Hmm... Interesting.

- Am I getting warm?

- You’ll never know, she laughs.

I roll my eyes. Missed it. Of course, she won’t tell me anything. And I’m the kid? I’m convinced she’s not more mature than I am if she lets loose outside the establishment. Unless she’s really uptight, but I doubt it. She really exudes a strong self-confidence.

- It’s not fair, I say, crossing my arms. By the way, when is your birthday?

- Why does it interest you?

- Well, it interests me! I’d like to be able to wish you a happy birthday like you did for me.

- You won’t be able to. You’ll already be back in Barcelona when I have another year.

- Who says I’m going back?

- It seems obvious. Aren’t those your intentions?

I think I’ve piqued her curiosity. I smile, thinking that I’m not the only one curious here.

- I don’t know. I’ve been asking myself a lot of questions lately.

- Why? You have your life over there.

- Yeah. My life with a lot of bad memories.

- Is it because you’re on bad terms with your family?

- Among other things... With what I’ve been through the last two years too.

I fall back into my memories. I still feel just as bad thinking about it. She places her hand on my shoulder to keep me from sinking into my thoughts. She gives me a smile that would reassure anyone.

- You’re not alone anymore. I’m here if you need it, just like Alexia and the others. I’ll never leave you, and if you ever need to confide, I’ll be all ears.

She puts a bit more pressure on my shoulder. I smile faintly. I just need a bit of support and she offers it willingly. I’m on the verge of speaking, but I can’t yet. It’s still too hard. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. I try to control them to keep them from rolling down my cheeks. I know that if I ever feel the need to open up, it will be to her. I trust her. It won’t be Alexia or even Mapi, but Bronze. She’s the only one who has reached a level where she has influence in my life. I’m simply not ready yet. To avoid breaking down, I decide to change the subject entirely.

- I need to fill out the form.

She nods understandingly, removing her hand from my shoulder. I immediately miss her touch. It was reassuring. She pushes the form in front of me, placing my pen on it.

- Only fill it out if you’re sure.

I don’t hesitate at any moment when writing down my choices on the dotted lines. They can only be the right ones. Her advice has been valuable, and I know she’ll help me if I run into difficulties. I like all the options. Even the languages will be useful later if I work with foreigners. International communication is important. I just hope my first choice gets approved. Bronze and I exchange a smile when I put the pen down. I take a deep breath and slump back into the chair. I look at the sheet where the options are proudly written. I have no regrets. Now, we’ll have to wait for the results. I check my watch, which reads six o'clock. It took an hour for me to finally know what to do with my life. She really took her time with me. Three hours have passed since I sat in this chair.

- By the way, you didn’t answer about your birthday.

- October 28th.

I look at her in surprise, not expecting a real answer. She smiles with amusement.

- Alright, I’ll make a note of it.

- Well, I still have some work to do, she says, standing up.

- Thank you for your help.

- You don’t need to thank me, she smiles as she sits down across from me.

- Do you mind if I stay a bit longer to work?

- No. The door is always open, as you can see, she says, pointing to the door.

- Haha! I just want to review my math and then I’ll leave you alone.

- You have a lot of courage, she chuckles.

- Good grades are earned, and it saves me from doing it tonight.

- True. You’d better get a good grade after all this studying, or you’ll hear about it from me.

I nod with a smile. I hope so too. I could have met up with Alexia, but I don’t want to. I need to succeed in my test, and studying is the key to success. My smile doesn’t leave my face as I watch Bronze resume her work. I’m glad things are finally falling into place since yesterday.

[charliedawn]

What if the slashers kept a journal ?

Bo was taking care of one of the employees' car—which had a flat tire—when you decided it was the perfect time to do a round check of all the bedrooms. All of the slashers had to keep a journal and you thought it would be alright to just give it a quick look to see their progress.

However, Bo's journal seemed very well hidden and then, you found out that his desk was slightly off-centred. It was by palming haphazardly the underneath of his desk that you found the journal—hidden inside a secret compartment he had surely crafted himself.

"You clever clock.", you whistled admiratively with a proud smile. You then opened it and frowned as you noticed that the first page was blank...and the second...and the third. Why was it empty ?!

"Can I help ya ?"

You were surprised to hear Bo's voice behind you and quickly turned around. He eyed the journal in your hands and looked up at you before blinking several times. He seemed to catch up quickly on what you were doing by how guilty you looked.

"Anythin' interesting in there, nurse?"

However, instead of replying, you threw the journal on the bed scurried off of the room as quickly as you had entered it. As soon as the door was locked, he smiled and walked to his desk. He checked that his real journal was still there—hidden underneath some mechanical engineering book—and smiled when he realized it was...

He chuckled knowingly.

"Noisy lil' darlin'."

In Vincent's journal, there were merely animal pics and various unreadable scribbles. You couldn't possibly read the things written, so you focused on the photographs and smiled at the various subjects...until you arrived to the last days' entries. Now, you knew Vincent to be easily obsessed. He had once followed a bird for hours—only to draw a sketch of it. However, you had never seen him get obsessed over an actual human being—until today.

There were only photographs of you.

You. Eating.

You. Talking.

You...Sleeping.

Oh...You blushed and promptly closed the journal before hiding it back underneath his pillow. However, when you turned around—you fell face to face with Vincent.

He looked successively between you and his pillow and finally, it clicked. He tried stop say something—but by then, you were already gone. You had snuck past him. He stood still for a second or two before re-opening the diary. He gently stroke the last photograph he had taken of you—smiling at him.

It was his best one yet...

Sex jokes. So many sex jokes. You thought that man would take the time to write profound meaningful things ? Ah ! Joke's on you.

However, he smiled when he saw you reading his diary. He stayed there for a moment before creeping his way in and surprising you by suddenly pulling your head back.

"Haven't you heard the expression curiosity killed the cat, sweetheart ?", he asked with a threatening grin and you shrugged.

"Haven't you heard bastards usually get cooked ?", you shot back.

At this point, you didn't give a toss that he had caught you—with the amount of garbage you had read. His whole brain needed to be purged in holy water.

"It doesn't make any sense.", he snarled and you offered him a sweet smile before taking a lighter on the table.

"Yes. It means let me go, Krueger...before I burn you somewhere that REALLY hurts.", you his in-between meaningfully—but it didn't seen to be efficient. It only spurred him on as he closed the door with his foot.

"Hmm...Nah. Don't think I will."

No need to say...Freddy got more than one additional burn that day.

Brahms was so discreet—you didn't notice when he approached you from behind. He glanced at what page you were on and realized it was a part when he described you.

Curious. Nice. Beautiful...

You smiled at the compliments, but realized that he had missed the point of the exercise. It was to focus on himself and reach deep. However, Brahms didn't like people reading his secrets.

His chest heaved heavily and in a matter of seconds, your back was against the door and he had removed his mask. You wanted to read all about his secrets ? He would make you sing yours.

Jason mostly wrote random words he learned. He couldn't make full sentences yet—but he mostly tried to write words and various emotions or actions of the day.

Cutting. Eating. Cooking.

He didn't like making sentences—so he usually only writes down random words. He described people he met, places he went to and his feelings.

You smiled.

He might be the only one who had listened to you and tried to fill their journal with what they felt. You flipped quickly through the different entries until you reached the final one. You were then pleasantly surprised by finding a few sentences. But that pleasant feeling quickly disappeared when you read.

'Hello, mommy. I have friends now. I think you would like them. And I...I met someone. I think you'd like them too. They like us. They take care of us. I miss you. But I...I think I'll be alright.'

You let out a few tears as you imagined Jason writing those words. He had learned so much and you weren't afraid to say that you were proud of him. And you were sure his mother would be too if she could see him.

Michael could smell you. He knew you had been in his room and every single thing you touched. The scent lingered on his diary and on one page in particular—one he didn't think was that important.

It was a photograph. A photograph of all the slashers reunited on Christmas. It was also the only day Carrie and Sadako were allowed in the facility.

Jason had taken that photograph before giving it to Michael as a present. He is completely forgotten about it, but smiled faintly at the realization that you had chosen this page in particular made it special.

He sighed before sitting on his bed and closing the journal. He looked out at the garden where you were helping Freddy with the bad weed.

You looked so...perfect. And that made you precious in Michael's mind—but also dangerous. He had this urge to protect you clashing with the need to kill you. It was exhausting to keep that last urge at bay, and he was afraid of what he might do if you were to ever know about his feelings...But, he wasn't worried.

You would never feel the same...right ?

Jack writes down everything—and I mean everything. He can fill an entire book about his day. He also has a big memory and can remember the tiniest of details.

That was the reason why you had decided to read his entries—in case he would have written something you had missed.

What you found inside made your eyes widen.

He had studied them all. And it wasn't just moments. It was fully-detailed portraits. Physical. Mental. Psychological...He had recorded ever trait, every change...And not only about the slashers or the other patients.

But the staff as well. And of course, you. You learnt that he had memorized everything to you taste of cake and the type of clothes you wore for every occasion. It was impressive—but also rather worrying.

"Well well...Wasn't expecting any visitors."

You turned around swiftly add found him standing there with a smug look on his face. He didn't seem to mind you reading his journal. He simply tilted his head with a knowing smirk and you let the journal fall to the floor before slowly backing away.

"I was just..." His eyes didn't leave yours before he stepped out of the way.

"Here you go, nurse. You can go."

You eyed the door suspiciously. Could you...really ? But, you didn't want to stay and ask—so you walked out. Jack's eyes followed you until you were out of view before smiling and picking his journal back up.

New entry: Nurse Y/N doesn't seem to be very happy about being the studied subject for once...

Pennywise hadn't written anything. You were partly disappointed, but not that surprised. Pennywise didn't like sharing—and that was even with himself. He was complicated and he refused to acknowledge his own feelings.

But, that was okay.

You closed the diary and looked at Pennywise who was sitting in his favorite rocking chair and was staring ahead at things you couldn't fathom.

Maybe were there ghosts of his past ? You didn't know. Maybe would he open up some day. But, you'd wait until then.

They ran. They all ran. And I chased after them. Their little hearts pounded loudly in their chests as I trapped them. Their wide eyes fixed on me.

You had mainly a lot of notes on his time when he had to face the Losers' club. Penny was oddly specific on the gore details of his past kills. But, you needed to understand him—so you digged dipper.

You read everything—everything until you found something truly important.

I'm losing my memory...Pennywise says it's normal. But, I can't even remember who I was before. What was my name ? I think I was a clown...But, I don't know anymore. I think I had a daughter. But, I don't remember her name.

Penny was...losing his memory ? You looked up and saw him playing with the other younger slashers in the garden. He was smiling and carelessly chasing after them. But, what if...there was more to him than you had initially thought ?

Ghostface had refused to show his face to anyone. You had simply wanted to get to know him better. You knew that searching though his personal entries for answers wasn't really nurse-worthy...But, he refused to open up. However, before you could read as much as a few words—he had grabbed the diary from your hands and pressed his knife against your throat.

"Now now...nursy. Spying ? That's not very ethical of you.", he teased and you closed your eyes.

He seemed pissed by the way his voice became slightly more high-pitched and you knew that you should be afraid—but something else crossed your mind.

"What is you favorite scary movie ?", you muttered and Ghostface tilted his head quizzically.

"...What ?"

You slowly turned around to face him fully and he didn't stop you.

"That is the question you ask to all the patients. The question you always ask to everyone you meet. Are you...", you looked up—even though you couldn't really judge his reaction. "...searching for someone ?"

Ghostface stayed uncharacteristically quiet for a moment before clenching his fists.

"Leave. Now.", he uttered in a quiet whisper and you didn't dare defy him—as you knew by the way he had suddenly tensed up that you weren't welcome anymore.

The moment you were out, he slammed the door and locked the door before removing his mask and throwing it to the ground angrily. He was was conflicted. He was ashamed that you had succeeded in seeing right through him so quickly. And, he couldn't tell you—not yet. He opened his diary and sighed. He couldn't tell you that the answer he was searching for was Psychose. 1960. His father's favorite scary movie.

It was the only information he had—that and that he was a patient in St Louis. He looked up at the ceiling and suddenly threw the diary in the fire heating up the room.

No one would know. He wouldn't risk it.

[rallentando1011]

Somnambulant Soulmates (rise Donnie x gn reader)

Prologue, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

Word Count: 3676

(alright, we’re getting into some good stuff now ;) hope you enjoy!)

Three weeks.

Three weeks had passed since you first encountered that purple clad turtle, give or take.

And they were a blur of fighting and parties and studies and a library and coffee and him.

Donnie, the centrifuge that had been the catalyst of the whirlwind that had become your life. Well, technically his brothers, April, and the rest of the gang were also at fault, but he was the main culprit. The superfluous amount of meetings you’d had with him in your short time knowing him, his intriguing disposition, the whole situation had made it quite easy for him to work his way up to being one of your favorite people.

It had been a few days since you’d seen him. It had also been a few days since you’d left the fortress of your home. Following the hectic event and subsequently less wild ones of last week, you deserved a few days’ break.

But it was time to get back into the fray.

You forced yourself up from where you had been lounging on your bed, prying your eyes away from the ceaseless social media scrolling you had subjected yourself to.

Blinking your sleepiness away, you thought about what you had to do: eat something, first of all, get some water and whatever prescriptions you needed, then message that confounded turtle about his progress on that invention.

Call yourself curious, but you just had to see it in its completion. Also, you were desperately bored. Why not get your social interaction and entertainment in one stop, kill two birds with one stone?

You pulled up the chat you currently had with him but paused before you typed a word.

Sure, texting got the point across, but you were looking for a quick answer, not a typical, joining-the-conversation-hours-later Donnie answer.

Would a call work better in this scenario?

Of course, calls kind of sucked to do, solely because of the whole talking aspect, but it could be quicker. And if he didn’t respond, then you could just send a text.

You clicked his contact and the button to call him, holding your breath momentarily afterward. Hopefully it wasn’t too weird. You meant, you’d never called him before, so maybe you would look like an absolute maniac for calling him now over something so trivial. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea-

“Hello?”

You startled at the sound of a voice over the phone. He’d already answered. No going back now.

“Hey, how’s it going?” you responded as smoothly as possible.

“... Fine? You called?”

“Yeah.”

The conversation fell silent until he spoke up.

“May I know what for?”

“Right! Yeah, sorry, I was just curious about that whole mystic gem-finding situation. Did you find one yet?”

“I have yet to locate and secure any that aren’t currently in use. The project’s also been on the backburner with lair repairs; segue, do you know how many microwaves Leo can break in a week?”

You snickered, though you quickly worked back out of that tangent. “Dude, isn’t your dad- er, wait, your father some kind of alchemist? He probably has something you could use.”

“He likely does.  However, we have what one might call a strained relationship.”

“Oh, you don’t have to tell me about that if you don’t want to-’

“Me and my brothers destroyed his lab and he threw Leo off of a roof.”

“Oh.”

You two went quiet once more. He also broke the silence once more.

“Never mind that, let’s focus on the task at hand: how to obtain a sought-after gem.”

“By destroyed, do you mean made a mess of or..?”

“Absolutely decimated it.”

“Right,” you nodded slowly. “So is it abandoned, and, follow up, would it still have any resources left?”

“Not likely. Scavengers, and Draxum himself, probably made certain that anything valuable was taken care of. But, we could potentially check it out.”

“Hmm, ‘we’?” you asked innocently enough, save for a teasing inflection in your hum.

“Yeah, ‘we’. Unless you’re not interested, which is totally within bounds-”

“I’m free Thursday and Friday, either before noon or at, like, ten,” you cut him off. His surprise was discernible by how quiet he went for a solid ten seconds.

“Right, yeah, Friday works,” he finally conceded. “Would Friday at 23:00 work for you?”

Seriously? Military time? What a punk. “Translate into normal time talk and then you’ll get an answer,” you quipped.

“No need to be rude. Does eleven sound better to your inconsiderate self?”

“Much. And eleven works. Where’re we meeting?”

“Fret not. I’ll send the location.”

Come Friday, following the address brought you to the shadiest place you’d been since April took you into the sewers last week.

Man, your friend group was a whole situation.

The area itself was fine. Domestic, contemporary homes and apartments in a congested neighborhood, standard New York living arrangement. Your dubiousness, however, stemmed from the particular location: a horribly lit, uninhabited, possibly abandoned construction site.

Actually, it would probably be weirder for him to ask to meet you in a normal location with street lights.

You sent a quick text to Donnie, informing him that you were there and possibly telling him to hurry his shell up before stepping into the.dirt-coated lot. As you moved deeper into the area, you noticed a silhouette propped against the side of a big metal container. You squinted at the turned away figure, trying to make out any features.

Typing vigorously, wearing an oversized purple hoodie, hunched over their phone- okay, yeah, that was Donnie.

You quickly made your way over to him, leaning next to him on the container with a loud, metallic thud.

“Hey there, pal,” you grinned, a visible puff of air exiting your lips. Boy, was it cold.

He lackadaisically lifted an eyebrow at you as he finished typing something up on his phone. “Salutations. And refrain from calling me pal; we’re not pals.”

Donnie placed his phone and hands into his hoodie pocket and started making his way further into the shadows underneath the structure of steel beams and bars. You followed suit.

“What are we then?” you prompted playfully.

“Acquaintances.”

“Really? I don’t think people who are just acquaintances travel to literal mystic cities or even the sewers with each other.”

“Well, if you are so well versed on the classifications of relationship statuses, what do you consider us to be?”

“Friends, probably,” you shrugged.

“Probably?” he asked as he started to use a pin from his pocket to draw an unfamiliar insignia on an oddly placed brick wall.

You rested your hands on your hips. “I mean, thinking statistically about it, we’re probably friends.”

“In what universe does statistics have anything to do with this situation?”

“Ion’ know. You’re supposed to know about the science-and-math-y stuff. I’m just moral support.”

“No, you’re just throwing mathematical terms around haphazardly!” he exclaimed, gesticulating with his free hand.

“I probably am.”

His eye twitched. Before he could iterate his disdain for your insolence, the design he traced on the wall began to emit an electric blue shade. A static buzz entered the air, creating a warm, fuzzy feeling around you. Not comforting, though. It was reminiscent of the portals you’d encountered just last week.

Abruptly, a swirling amalgamation of light and energy came forth before you, small bursts of lightning zapping periodically.

Huh. You were right. Portals.

“Does this lead to that lab?” you asked, peering at it curiously.

“What do you say we find out?” Donnie gave a lazy grin before coolly stepping backwards into the portal.

You gawked. The audacity of this man to invite you adventuring and then leave you high and dry was astronomical.

That left you with two options: get out of there and have a cozy night in or follow him into a suspicious portal. Which, come on, you already knew what you were going to do: tail that turtle and make him rue leaving you behind like that.

With a roll of your eyes, you stepped, or fell, more so, into the portal, and that’s when things went loopy.

Your surroundings melted into a zero gravity tunnel of blue, insides churning in a manner akin to the swarm of colors around you. Everything looked distorted, warped into only sensations, and after moments of free fall and whiplash and weightlessness you plopped rather unceremoniously onto a brick path. 

Somehow, the area you ended up in was even loopier than that.

For starters, the sky was a washy mix of apricot and slate and a golden color. Next up, and quite likely most pressingly, was the gigantic structure sitting before you. A short, rocky path trailed up to a floating cylindrical building, the size of which rivaled every building you’d ever seen in New York. The building was bathed in green light, had a balcony- and did you mention FLOATING?

“Holy-” You couldn’t help but go slack-jawed, earning a smug expression from the turtle.

“Mmhm.”

“Where are we?” You looked at the vast area behind you, the fiery orange sky littered with floating edifices and vessels and creatures of all varieties.

“Welcome to the Hidden City, my associate-”

You interjected, “-friend-”

“-entourage,” he corrected with the raise of an eyebrow.

You let it slide, not looking to lower your status any more. “Touché. Continue.”

“The Hidden City, a subterranean city-state far beneath New York City and home to the laboratory of former warrior-alchemist Barron Draxum,” Donnie introduced with a flourish of his hands.

You released an amused puff of air. “You feel good about letting out your inner theater kid?”

“I feel great, actually. But there’s no time to dwell on that. Onward, to exploration!”

He was really in full theatrics tonight, but you didn’t mind indulging. Lightly shaking your head at him, you joined him in moving up the path to the towering golden archway at the front of the building.

The door opened creakily, unsturdy on its hinges, shedding light on a decrepit, dust-ridden foyer. Large tapestries and artworks strewn about the halls were coated so thickly in dirt they almost couldn’t be made out. You shot him an uncertain look.

“Like I said, don’t keep your hopes up,” was all Donnie said in response before continuing down the dim corridor. You stalled, still weary about the condition of the building, before swiftly catching back up with him.

As you worked your way into the dark, desolate lab, Donnie lectured you on safety precautions. “Don’t touch anything unless it seems nonlethal and productive. Actually, just don’t touch anything.”

“So, I can’t open any drawers or anything?” you sassed.

He deadpanned. “You know what I mean.”

“Semantics matter, D.”

“Not really- fine, whatever. Let’s get to exploring,” Donnie conceded, excitedly flicking his goggles down with a smirk.

It was an instinct, really, that you clasped a hand over your mouth and terribly concealed a laugh upon seeing his goggle-covered eyes.

He stared at you blankly. “What?”

You waved your hand in front of you to dismiss yourself. “I’m sorry- I’ve just never seen you in the goggles.”

“I’ve worn them during every interaction of ours.”

“No, I mean like on your eyes. It makes them look all beady.”

“Wow. I appreciate that.”

You quickly defended yourself. “In a good way! It’s not bad, just different.”

“Ah yes, ‘beady in a good way’. I’ll log that one in the books.”

“Seriously, I thought they looked cute.”

He looked taken aback, lips pursed and face warm at that assertion.

“Not like that. Like an objective kind of cute.” You shook your head in disbelief at the words you were spewing. “Actually, nevermind. Forget I said any of that.”

“Agreed.” He rolled his eyes and set to work scanning shelves and drawers for any traces of the mysticism you were pursuing. For his sake, you didn’t mention how the pink tint on his face didn’t disappear until minutes into your guys’ search.

The search ended up unsuccessful. Sure, while scouring shelves and cabinets and odd cages around the spacious laboratory you found a whole lot more than you would expect in an abandoned building - elements in sealed jars, flasks of what seemed to be potions or ingredients - but nothing close to a crystal or gem.

After working your way around the room, you looked up at Donnie.

He shook his head and walked over to you. “It appears the lab’s a bust for any type of crystal. Not a total loss, though.” He held up a container labeled ‘emp.’ before one of the mechanical hands from his battle shell stored it for him. Another of the hands gave your shoulder a reassuring pat.

You shook your head. “No, we’re getting you a crystal, man.” You paused, thought of an alternative. “Are there any stores or markets nearby that might have them?”

“Ohmigosh, you are just full of great ideas.” You and Donnie began moving back toward the front.

He sounded like he might have meant that, but his voice was still startlingly monotonous. You narrowed your eyes, put your head askew. “For real?”

“Yes, this time,” the turtle nodded before excitedly gliding back down the entrance’s stairs.

You laughed, following along. “This time?”

“Surprisingly enough, yes.”

You caught up to him and landed a firm, still playful jab to his side.

“Just stop yapping and take us there.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After what felt like eons of continuous motion, you two made it onto the streets of the Hidden City.

Brightly colored banners, advertisements, decorations, adorned lampposts all up and down the streets, though you avoided certain battle-themed ones. Multitudes of languages and dialects could be heard all around. The smells of delectable foods wafted through the air, sweet, savory, spicy, but you couldn’t pay them any mind. You were on a gem-hunting mission. Even if it wasn’t going very well currently.

The merchant running a crystal stand was slumped over on their counter, boredly staring at the customers that had been occupying their business for minutes on end without making a choice i.e. you and Donnie.

You raised an index finger at a particular pretty purple gem sitting in a pile of other ones on the counter of the stand.

Donnie flicked on his goggles and shook his head. “Uh, no. Not remotely. We’re looking to avoid overcurrent; that thing has enough mystic mojo to wipe out half the city.”

You slowly placed it down. “Oookay then. Glad to be of service,” you muttered.

He pursed his lips at your interesting body language. Slumped shoulders, hints of dejection in your voice - you weren’t having fun. Maybe it was because he immediately turned down the last five of your suggestions, but who could definitively say why?

“The issue is that you keep grabbing crystals that emit cool colors, which, as you know from the electromagnetic spectrum, correlate to a higher frequency. We don’t want that. So, as much as I would enjoy a violet crystal to match my ambience, something with a less vibrant, warmer hue works best.”

You slowly digested what he just said. Cautiously, your hand crept back to the merchant’s display and selected an auburn gem. 

“That one’s frequency is too low-”

“Of course it is.”

“-but you’re on the right track! Try a little further down the electromagnetic spectrum-”

“What, something like this?” You gestured toward an amber gem that was near the bottom of the pile, exasperated.

Donnie hummed. “Actually, yeah. That’s just fine.”

“Really?”

“Shhh,” Donnie waved a hand telling you to calm down before pulling you aside. “There’s no fixed price on the signs here. If we seem too excited or gullible-”

“We get duped?” you guessed.

“We get duped. So stay cool, and let me handle this.”

Donnie cracked his knuckles and turned back to the stand, professionally ready to bargain and deal with the price.

He still ended up paying a ridiculous price for the small gem’s size, but you didn’t know if you’d ever seen him grin so proudly, so you didn’t say a word about it.

The first time you spoke up after the deal was made was after passing by a food cart and hearing your stomach rumble.

Donnie almost kept walking without you before you loosely clasped onto his wrist.

Puzzled, he turned back to you.

“Would you want to get something to eat? Like, while we’re down here,” you asked.

He pursed his lips. Just as he opened his mouth to retort or deny the requests, you were both hit with a wave of the most scrumptious food you’d smelled probably in your entire life.

“Okay, you have to admit that smell is heavenly,” you looked at him knowingly.

“I don’t have to do anything, but those do look fire.”

You gave him the best pleading look you had, and you could pinpoint the exact moment he caved in.

“Alright, we can take a quick detour from the exit.”

“Heck yeah! You rock, no correlation to geology,” you winked, adjusting your grip from his wrist to his hand so that you two wouldn’t get separated from you charging through the crowd.

And charge through that crowd you did.

Donnie in tow behind you, you bounded through the crowd excitedly, scarcely avoiding collisions all over.

However, the complaining Donatello in hand and sweating were inconsequential compared to being in line for a brand new type of culinary experience.

You were practically buzzing with joy, so excited that you momentarily forgot to relinquish Donnie’s hand. You still did though, just a moment shy of awkwardness.

You had made a good deal, had good company, and were about to have good food. What more could you want?

Still beaming, you felt your phone buzzing in your pocket and pulled it out.

The smile on your face quickly receded as you checked who was calling.

“Just a moment, I need to take this,” you muttered before slipping out of line and off through the crowd.

Donnie froze. He didn’t like the fact that whoever called seemed to ruin your mood, nor the idea of you being alone in an entirely unfamiliar city.

Reluctantly, he relinquished his spot in line - which was painfully close to the front, might he add - to find you.

It took a moment of weaving left and right, dodging up and down through a flurry of wings and tails for him to find the space between two buildings that you had moved yourself into.

Not wanting to intrude, he stood right outside the small alley, listening in by a complete coincidence. Certainly not out of nosiness in the slightest. Nope.

Anyway, he only got close enough to hear you mid-sentence.

“-you serious? Now, I don’t know if your section of New York is in a different time zone, but for me right now it is way too dark and way too late to be calling for conferences.”

A pause. Scraggly sounds faintly sounded from the other side of the call, not that he could make out an inkling of it. You, on the other hand, understood it all too well.

“Obligatory? Yes, I know what obligatory means, I just find the notion of a required meeting kinda dumb- Sorry, I mean extremely dumb.”

Another pause of you presumably getting chewed out passed before you, begrudgingly, grumbled, “Ugh, if you insist. Be there later.”

The phone call ended after that, and Donnie had no clue what to do.

Walking in normally could make it seem like he was eavesdropping, which he was but he didn’t want you to know that, but he couldn’t just stand still either.

After some careful contemplation, Donnie looked around and stumbled (definitely not purposefully) into the alley you were in. He seemed somewhat concerned; he hadn’t seen you that perturbed before.“Is everything alright?” he muttered vaguely, not wanting to overstep.

“Just yelling at my… mother’s urn- Anyway, once again, I have really got to go, this has been really fun, we should do this again sometime, am I missing anything else?” you joked lightheartedly. Thankfully the mood, along with Donnie, followed your attitude shift.

“I feel like a ‘thanks, you’re the best’ may be due,” your companion urged jokingly.

“Thanks Donnie, you’re the best.”

He huffed. “Kidding. I was kidding.”

“I wasn’t.”

For a probably too long moment, he made eye contact with you and your startlingly genuine eyes. Eventually, he tore his gaze away and cleared his throat. “... Let’s get you back to the surface.”

The trip back to the site of the portal was mostly silent, just the two of you trekking shoulder to shoulder through crowds of characters, before you entered the vertigo-inducing light once again.

The wind bit harshly at you as soon as you landed back on New Yorkian ground, an unkind reminder of the end of your adventure.

You blew a puff of warm air onto your hands and almost started walking on instinct before Donnie spoke, reminding you of his presence.

“Are you alright going back on your own?” he questioned quietly, almost coyly.

“I mean, I made it here on my own. I think I’ve got it covered.”

“Oh. Okay,” he concurred with a nod before giving you a pair of thumbs up. “In that case, make it home safely. Text you later?”

“Later,” you agreed emphatically. With one more nudge of his arm and a pivot in the other direction, you were off, out of the construction zone, on the sidewalk, down the street.

As you moved toward your destination, the skyscrapers and towering structures lining your path grew taller, more opulent, more lavish. Insignificant residentials morphed into substantial, old money commercials. Your heart rate climbed.

You paused in front of the grand doors of your location and took a deep, steadying breath. It was just some quick business you had to take care of. Brief. Inconsequential. Everything would be fine.

With some renewed confidence, or at least some semblance of it, you pulled on the handle and swiftly entered the hotel’s lobby.

The door closed thickly behind you with a thud.

Resonate. Absolute. Irrevocable.

(Artwork for part 5)

Taglist ~

@rottmntsimp

@envyjmoney

[lizzaneia-elizalde]

How would Damon react if black belter darling met someone else in the promotion test and ends up hitting it off with them? Spending more time w them, friendly closr sparring ykyk

Yandere! Jock x fem! reader

Another ask of an ask! (Do people not like the original fic/nerd reader ;3;) Hmm, I think this one's pretty obvious, so let's see!

What if: Black belter reader met somebody else in the promotional test?

For new readers to understand this one, refer to this what if fic!

main fic for Damon is this one featuring a nerd reader!

Damon clicked his tongue.

It's been the fifth time since you skipped training him.

His progress got slower since you decided to focus on other things, which came with your successful promotion to 1st dan. Sure, he didn't mind that. But god, was it torture not seeing you for so long.

He slumped down on the floor, boredly looking at the teacher in front of him. She was teaching them how to do a complicated kick that included a spin in them.

His mind zoned out, thinking back to the last time both of you interacted for a long time.

It was immediately after your promotion. And you, in your excitement, jumped to his embrace in a rare grin filled face.

"I passed the promotion!" You exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

Damon didn't expect this. You were holding him like this without your usual cold attitude, but rather in an excited tone that felt so foreign to him.

He felt like a lost child, suddenly getting hugged by a stranger that has the face of his parent.

"Uh... Sensei?" He whispered, prodding at your reaction.

"Hmm? What's up?" You asked with a smile and he almost buckled to his knees. You didn't even correct him this time!

"N-nothing. Congratulations!" He decided to say despite being whiplashed by the bizzare situation as you grinned widely.

That time was refreshing since you didn't scowl at him as usual. And his masochistic tendencies was soothed, exchanging with the deep need to monopolize your smile just for him.

Do you smile like that for others too?

He shudders at the thought.

Just thinking about it makes his blood boil.

Just as the lesson is finished, Damon got a chat from you.

"And she cancels the sparring again..." He whispered. He missed feeling your strong kicks on his body, marring his skin with bruises that he deserves and loves.

Feeling a bit neglected, he kicks and fusses like a toddler at the back, kind of grateful nobody was paying attention to him-- cuz honestly, it's embarrassing to see this grown man throw a tantrum gently like a kid.

Wait, he tracks your location! So why not see what you're up to anyways.

You weren't cheating on him, right?

The delusional man shook his head. It's impossible that you're cheating on him. Sure, he can let you sparring with other people slide. But your smile is reserved for him and him only.

If others saw it, then a nice pair of eyeballs would be a nice substitute for pingpong balls, right? Maybe not. But he'll be happy to bounce those eyes that are underserving of seeing your beautiful smile.

He got up from the floor and got to his cubby, getting all of his things before checking his phone once more. You're in the city dojang. Good, that means that you're doing work.

He hopes.

He hopped on his motorcycle and revved it to life, driving towards the city proper and to the dojang building.

What excuse would he say when you see him? Hmm...

As he's thinking of what to say, he heard a giggle that was vaguely familiar, yet strangely foreign.

It's a giggle, but from a voice he knew too well.

With a shake in his legs, he peered from the pillar and saw you laughing with a guy, one that he doesn't know, and know that this guy is not a relative.

His jaw ticked, the ugly jealousy reeling its twisted neck to the direction in which you were talking so amicably with this man that's not him. On an equal footing, a place in which he knew is undeserving of.

The usual chatterbox was silent, the sweet himbo facade gone from his perturbed face.

His large hand on the corner of the building, he pears through the side as he watched you amicably invite the man to a match. He noticed that he's also a 1st dan belt holder, and Damon seethes in jealousy. Damon held his now blue belt. He's still too far from your reach.

His grip tightened to the point that a chunk of the building came off, but Damon didn't even give a fuck.

His eyes gazed at your body, and flinched everytime they hit the body of your opponent. At the same time, rage filled him everytime the man hit you back.

Nobody is allowed to hurt you. Nobody is allowed to be hurt by you.

Your pain, only his. Your strength should also only be him to bare.

He knows what to do.

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

Damon held his face. His elbow on his knees as he sat down on a bench in this abandoned basement of a zoo. He looked tired, and the himbo facade was gone.

In front of him is the glass wall of what looks like what once was an orca or dolphin showroom. The whole pool that was once teeming with activities and water and life, was now empty, except for a man tied to a chair, asleep.

Damon sighed, brushing back his hair as he pressed his forehead on the glass wall. He wants to hurt this man so bad, and from the prominent veins bulging against his skin on his biceps, he was holding himself back greatly.

When he saw the man twitching, Damon backed away and suited up. Disposable boots, a disposable ppe suit, and a mask to cover his face. Along with a bucket filled with quite the rusty tools, he headed up and to the pool.

He slid down from the top to the pool and to the deep end. Damon already sliced this man's tendons, so he can't run away.

It was quite easy to kidnap him really.

In a busy place in the city, he got up to the man and introduced himself. Damon was friendly, wanting to be friends with the man due to being a fan of his martial arts prowess. The man, naive and boastful, liked Damon immediately. Damon is smart, and led the man away to places he knew there's no cctv camera. And making sure what the cameras captured is the man being led back to his house, and acted as if Damon went home.

But in reality, when Damon went home, he invited the man to hang out via conversing with him earlier. So that no digital evidence will be left just like how it would leave an evidence if he used chats or calls. Damon invited the man to a much more secluded part but busy of the city, in which he knew that people will be too busy with their own shit rather than looking around. And it's the industrial parts. Then and there, driving a stolen car that was sold without so much of a contractual and recorded transaction, Damon slowly peppered the man with melanin gummies, making the man sleep...

And, with the injection of a much more powerful anesthesia and sedative, Damon successfully kidnapped the man without so much of an evidence tracing back to him.

With the man waking up, Damon wore the gloves.

Oh, and did I mention the man's lips were sown shut with expired medical threads too?

As Damon approached the scared man, who looks like he's about to piss his pants, Damon only gave him a cold stare of contempt and arrogance.

"Only I get to enjoy y/n. And you, you're an intruder in that small, happy space that only the both of us got to enjoy."

The man is not going to live to tell the tale.

Damon will make sure of that.

[ryp3004]

Thomas Hunt prided himself on knowing how to handle anything life threw at him. He was a professional. He understood that sometimes things went wrong and you have to adapt. It's a part of life as much as a part of show business. It's one of the things he tries his best to instil in his students, though this particular crop is so hard headed he's surprised they learn anything from him at all.

That being said,

He was not expecting a toddler when he opened his office door. A young student, yes, but not this young.

He looked down at a girl that couldn't be older than five with a confused look. She had long, curly pink hair, bright blue eyes, and, from the looks of it, was missing most of her teeth. She was dressed in a Hollywood U sweatshirt that was far too large for her. They sold kids sizes in the student shop but certainly not toddlers. She was holding a well loved stuffed cow.

"Excuse me." She spoke softly, averting her eyes shyly. "I need help."

Hunt blinked at her.

"Oh?" He said, dumbly though he's loath to admit it. "With what?"

"I can't find my momma..." And, oh no, there are tears welling in her eyes. "Your door says you're a hunter..."

He looks from the plaque on the door that reads 'Prof. Hunt' and back to the little girl.

"Not quite, little one." He places an awkward hand on her head. "But I can help you find your mother."

Her eyes light up and she hugs the cow closer to her. From this angle her eyes take up most of her face.

"Thank you." She says in a practiced tone.

"What is her name?"

"Mom."

Hm.

"Where did you see her last?"

"In the building."

Hmm.

"Do you know which building?"

"Um, it was made of bricks."

Hmmmmmmm.

"Well, do you know your name?"

The little girl nods.

...

...

"May I know your name?"

She gets shy, kicking her feet nervously.

"Momma said I'm not supposed to tell my name to strange old men."

Well, Hunt would hardly consider late 30's old but he digresses. He kneels down in front of her and offers her his hand.

"I'm Tom. I teach at this school. Does your Mom teach here, too?"

The little girl eyes his hand for a moment before tentatively shaking it and then her head.

"No. Momma goes to school here. She lives here, too. I live with Gramma and Grampa." The girl hugs the cow tighter, lip wobbling. "I didn' mean to get lost... I was following the butterfly."

Hunt is scrambling. Internally, of course, he's not going to let this upset toddler see he's freaking out, but the feeling persists nonetheless.

"Well, why don't we look around together? I'm sure she's very worried about you. Here, would you like me to carry you?" He asks, trying to project all of the good will he can muster. It must work because the girl holds her arms up and Hunt scoops her up and places her on his hip.

"Alright, which way should we go first?" He asks, tickling her side softly. Thank God, the girl giggles and the tears leave her eyes. She looks both ways before pointing down the hallway, so Thomas goes that way.

"My name's Ryanne." She says softly into his ear, still clutching her cow.

"That's a very nice name. Tell me, are you here with your mother and father?"

"I don' have a dad."

Okay, not touching that with a ten foot pole.

"Momma brought me here for the weekend. I was with Aunt Addie and Uncle E."

Addie and E? Why does that sound so familiar? It's on the tip of his tongue when Ryanne gently smacks his cheek to get his attention.

"That place! I came from that place!" She points at the student production lot. Most of his students should be there at the moment if they want their assignments to be done on time. This is a good chance to check on their progress and help Ryanne find her mother. He walks into the large building and finds it bustling with activity, students and teaching assistants rushing about.

"There!" She points at the fantasy set at the far end of the lot. From here, he can see several people rushing around, sees that they're yelling but can't quite hear them. "Momma wanted to show me the princess castle."

As he steps closer he can hear the clipped, frantic tone of his most... Difficult student, Rebecca Prince. He doesn't quite see her but he already preemptively rolls his eyes, not eager to deal with whatever distraction she'll pose before he helps Ryanne.

"I hear Momma!" Ryanne wiggles out of his grasp and takes off, Hunt right behind her. They come upon Rebecca gesturing wildly to Ms. Sinclair and Mr. Blake, eyes frantic and panicking.

"I've looked all over the lot, nobody has seen a toddler running around. I just can't believe you guys! I asked you to watch her for two minutes! Two minutes!" Mr. Blake looks guilty and Ms. Sinclair averts her eyes. "We got... Distracted. Ethan got a call... I had to help fix a hem...* Sinclair says lamely. Rebecca goes red in the face, about to snap at her.

"Momma!" Ryanne calls out and Rebecca spins around. She looks like a puppet with its strings cut the way she melts in relief. She quickly drops to her knees and holds Ryanne tightly.

"Jesus Christ, Ry, oh my god, are you okay!?" She pulls back, checking her over with a critical eye. Ryanne giggles as Rebecca, her mother, pokes at her stomach.

"Mhm. Tommy helped me!" That's when Rebecca notices him standing awkwardly to the side. She looks at him for a moment, mouth parted as if to say something before shaking her head and standing, holding onto Ryanne's hand.

"Thank you," Rebecca's eyes are sparkling and Hunt is reminded of the fountains of Versailles as he looks in them. He's about to respond when her eyes and smile turn sharp. "Tommy." She turns to Ryanne and pats her back. "Go apologize to Aunt Addie and Uncle E for running off. They were about to die today." She adds the last part with a glare at her flustered friends and Ryanne happily scampers towards them, the flight and colors of a butterfly already spilling out of her.

Rebecca looks at him for a moment in a way that reminds him of a film critic.

"I didn't know you had a daughter." He says before Rebecca can speak. He sees her eyes widen, a gentle blush adorning her cheeks. "Yeah. She lives with my parents most of the time. Addison and Ethan wanted to meet her and I already finished your project, so I figured this would be a good weekend." She never quite looks away from Ryanne, drinking in the sight of her as the panic slowly dissipates.

"She's very... Polite." He mumbles. Rebecca snorts and Hunt very politely does not point it out, even as the sound replays in his head. "That's all my parents. Trying to make up for their mistakes with me." She rolls her eyes, finally looking at him again. "What a crock of shit, right? I mean, look at me. I'm awesome."

Hunt scoffs. "Hardly. In fact, I'd say you think far too highly of yourself. That's something you'd do well to mind, Ms. Prince. Or is it Mrs.?" What was intended as a playful jab has her bristling and her face becoming stony. "It's Rebecca. Come on, Ryanne, it's nap time." Ryanne nods and bounces over to them before beckoning Hunt closer to her.

He crouches down and is met with a handful of toddler as she hugs him as tightly as she can. "Thank you, Tommy!" She smiles brightly and Hunt feels himself hugging back despite himself. "You're very welcome, Ryanne."

Rebecca picks her up and Ryanne waves at him goodbye over her shoulder, Ms. Sinclair and Mr. Blake following close behind.

What a cute kid.

He'll have to remember to ask after her before class on Monday.

Ask after Rebecca, too.

[porkcracker]

KINKTOBER DAY 1 - MICRO/MACRO

Pairing: Jazz/Prowl Continuity: G1

After Jazz gets accidentally shrunken to the size of Prowls servo, the two have some fun with the new size difference between them.

It had been an accident. One visit to the labs to check on the progress of a prototype weapon later and Jazz found himself in a bit of an odd situation. Sure, the gun was shooting, but it hadn’t been supposed to do what it had done. Nevertheless, intended or not, as it was, Jazz found himself a lot smaller than he had been before. To be more precise, Prowl’s servo small. And as it so happened that was exactly where he found himself after being checked over thoroughly by Ratchet to make sure that he was fine beyond suddenly being servo sized. Luckily he was, there had been a note of odd resistance to what would usually inflict injury, but with nothing else needed from the medbay, Jazz had been picked up by his partner and carried away. 

At first, he had thought that Prowl was carrying him to his own office, then to Prowl’s office and when that had not been the case it had become clear where this was going. As such, the Polyhexian was not surprised, when they entered their shared quarters and Prowl seated himself on their berth. Sitting upright, door wings to the berth top and legs stretched straight ahead, Jazz was placed on his lover's lap rather gently, his small frame covering the plates of Prowl’s interfacing array just so, the position of it all not lost to the servo sized mech. Even more so, the idea of interfacing with his lover like this was rather arousing.

It was a shared secret between the two lovers that even their rather small size difference was arousing to both of them, so really with the sudden drastic increase of size difference between the two of them it was not surprising at all that they ended up in the berth. Perhaps Jazz would have expected a bit more hesitation from Prowl, but it seemed that the reserved mech had discarded any hesitation for the cycle. Something, most likely leading back to the medbay trip just behind them that had assured him that he would not be injuring his much smaller lover, if they got intimate in this state. Still, beyond placing Jazz quite tellingly, Prowl did not do anything further, motivating Jazz to tease his lover.

“Come on Prowler, we both knaw that A’m sittin here fer a reason, so why don’t yer stop thinkin bout whatever yer thinkin bout and focus on tha fun we could be havin, hmm?”, visor bright and a big grin on his faceplate, Jazz ground his own small interfacing panel on the big one he was sitting on. It seemed that his words, or perhaps actions, had drawn Prowl out of whatever stupor he had been in as his helm optics visibly snapped to look at the juncture connecting both of their panels. And then, quicker than Jazz could have reacted, he was picked up in a loose fist wrapped around his middle, pinning his arms to his side. Prowl didn’t lift him a lot, only enough to have him hover over his interfacing panel, but it was enough to have Jazz protest with a “Hey!”. Alas, that changed little as a dark smile grew on Prowls faceplate and his optics dimmed as he tutted at his much smaller lover.

“Now, now, you and your hurrying. I’d much rather take my time with you and well, you’re not really in a position to direct our encounter Jazz. So open your panel and don’t overload.”, where his voice had been somewhat teasing, the last part was an order and Jazz swallowed his visor brightening. Opening his interfacing panel, revealed his valve and spike. Just like the rest of his frame, his equipment had shrunken and Prowl had to note that it looked almost adorable, and unbelievably hot. His lover’s spike was just big enough to be pleased by the last segment of his digits and was quickly pressurizing, betraying Jazz eagerness as much as his words had and the pink translucent sheen already beginning to cover his cute little valve.

Lowering Jazz down again, he pushed him a little tighter down than he had been just sitting and began to rub his lover over his panel. Cute little valve smushed down on his panel, he watched as a small wet patch began to grow on his panel, his lover whimpering and twisting in his grip as his valve folds and anterior node were rubbed against the metal without any regards to his own pleasure. “O-oh come on, this ain’t f-fair.”, Jazz complained, but Prowl disregarded the complaint without a comment, simply continuing to grind Jazz into his panel until he felt that his panel had become wet enough to take it to the next step. Lifting Jazz again, there came a hopeful whimper from the Polihexian, alas it wasn’t meant to be. While Prowl indeed opened his own panel, revealing his own valve and his quickly pressurizing spike, he still didn’t impale Jazz on it. 

Once again the smaller mech was lowered, this time however, Prowl rubbed him against his spike, grinding up from time to time to keep the rhythm ever-changing. The longer this continued, the less Jazz focused on the hope of being actually fragged and more and more on holding back his overload. Even without penetration, the feeling of his lover’s spike grinding over his anterior node and valve entrance was arousing, and the visual of a spike almost the size of himself being pleasured by rubbing his frame against it was hot as well. It was when it became harder and harder to keep his overload at bay, that Jazz spoke again, interrupted by his own gasps and keens as he did so.

It took a few attempts before he got the words out, but once he did, Prowl simply hummed before saying “No.” and giving an especially vicious grind upwards and into Jazz valve. The longer his overload was denied, the blurrier the world around him became as the spymaster focused himself on not overloading. It was as such that he missed the way Prowl began to speed up and move out of rhythm as his own overload approached. Only becoming aware of it when it happened. 

Pulling Jazz down once more, this time Prowl aimed his spike towards the entrance of his dazed little lover's valve. Even aroused and wet as it was, the small valve struggled with the size of his spike and Jazz whined and keened at the feeling of the big spike head pressing into his valve entrance without backing off until it finally popped in with an audible pop. However, the pop was overshadowed by the low groan of Prowl as his spike head popped into the tight valve, clamping shut right behind his spike head, and came, as well as Jazz near scream as he overloaded as his valve was stretched open and filled with hot transfluid.

[featherby]

Through the Sleepless Night (Toad x Reader)

Toad has buried himself in his work and needs someone to make him take care of himself.

Good thing you’re free.

Read on AO3

It had been weeks now, weeks spent hidden away in his workshop, tinkering away for Magneto. Day and night, all hours, trying to get the damned thing to work. But everything Toad tried, every part he replaced, every bolt he tightened—nothing.

He’d made steady progress at first—fix the obvious, the cracked, the missing. Get things into place, put them back together. But the tasks left were smaller, and for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out which one was making the whole thing fail. He’d gone over every inch of the damned thing, couldn’t tell you the last time he’d eaten, oiled every moving part, hadn’t slept in days, checked computer systems for bugs…

He wasn’t sure which was falling apart worse, the machine or himself. His muscles ached. His head swam whenever he stood, or sat, or looked at something for too long. He just needed to finish. If he could fix it, get it running again—

Just a little longer. It’s so close. I’ll be done soon…

He took a deep breath and picked up a wrench, praying he was right.

You pushed open the workshop door, the hinges groaning. The place was filthy—it usually was—and a cluttered mess—it usually wasn’t. Sure, everything was always covered in a layer of oil and grime, but Toad kept things organized, put away. Or at least he had before. Now tools were scattered over benches, tables, the ground. Screws, nuts, bolts, washers, wires, and a dozen other types of little metal things you couldn’t name littered the floor, sat in piles in the corners. Scrap metal and broken glass lay piled against the walls. Sure, there was a certain amount of chaos in any workshop, but this…

This had gotten out of hand.

Metal crashed on the other side of the chaos. Toad stood up, hand clutched to his head, eyes screwed shut. “Bloody… fuck!” Just what he needed, a damn concussion.

“Hey.”

His eyes shot open, struggling to focus. They tried to close again, heavy as cement, but he forced them open. He dropped his hand from his head, glancing at it to check for blood. None, thank god. “What’re you doing down here?”

You gave a curt laugh. “Good to see you too. Just checking on you. Making sure you hadn’t starved to death or something.”

“I’m fine.” He dropped a misshapen hunk of metal on a cart laden with them. “I just can’t figure out what the hell is wrong with this thing. I’ve replaced every damn part. Gonna turn into Theseus’ ship at this rate. I just don’t know—” He kicked the cart away, a few of the parts tumbling down and clattering against the floor. “I just don’t know.” He pulled the goggles from his eyes and rubbed at the red marks they left, smearing grease down his cheek.

“You need to take a break.”

You always spoke to him so softly, he thought. He could curl up in that voice and go to sleep instantly. Warm, sweet—

He shook his head, thoughts of comfort and sleep vanishing. “No, no. I need to finish this. It should’ve been done days ago. I can’t just—”

You reached out and took his fidgety hand. “Listen. It doesn’t need to get done right now.”

He shook his head. “It does. I need to—to…” He searched for the words, but his mind was blank. All he could feel was the ache in his back and your warm hand on his.

“You’re one person. And you’ve been working as hard as you can. Too hard, if you ask me.”

Toad opened his mouth to argue, but you cut him off.

“If Magneto wants it done so damn bad, he can fix it himself.”

“Ha.” Toad’s eyes were unfocused, distant. He swayed slightly where he stood. “He might have an easier time of it than me.”

“Mm-hmm. You can’t figure out how to fix it because you're exhausted.”

He half-shook his head. “I’m fine.”

“You're not. When was the last time you ate?”

Toad thought, picking back through his memories for food. He couldn’t find a single bite, not for the last day or two anyway. “I don’t know.”

You nodded. “I had a feeling that might be the case. I ordered takeout. Want some?”

Yes. Yes, desperately. At the mention of food, his stomach reeled, sharp pains running through him, urging him on toward whatever you had for him. But another part of him dragged him back—the work, the machine, the endless problems. He waited, watching the two halves of his mind fight—eat or work, eat or work.

“Yes, please.” He glanced again at the mess of wires and metal behind him. He was sick of looking at it, hated every inch of it. “I’ll have some food.”

You grinned and grabbed his arm. “Thank god. I was bracing for having to carry you out of here kicking and screaming.”

He shook his head. “I can eat in here. Better if I do, you know? So I can get back to it when I'm done.”

You tugged his arm and he took a few stumbling steps with you toward the door. “Absolutely not. You are taking a break. Whether you like it or not.”

There was no fight left in him, outside of a few stray thoughts. Stay, work, this needs to—They didn’t have much sway, not compared to the combined forces of hunger, fatigue, and you. He put what little energy he had left into staying upright as you led him out of the workshop and through the base to your room.

The bag of takeout containers sat on a rickety little table, a mismatched folding chair on either side. As soon as the door opened, he could smell it. His stomach growled. This would be better than any five-star restaurant.

“Make yourself at home.” You smiled and let go of his arm.

He felt himself sway, stumbled the few steps to his chair and sank down. The grease on his clothes felt like it was burning. The dark smudges on his hands stood out, starker and starker the longer he looked at it. All the filth he was covered in—grease, sweat, general dirt—he shouldn’t be here, he should be in the workshop. He should get up and leave before—

You sat one of the boxes in front of him, and again, his stomach rolled.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.” You smiled and sat down.

Fuck, was he hungry.

Toad tried to keep from seeming too desperate. He forced himself to open the box slowly, carefully, not like a rabid coyote that wanted to shove its face into whatever you had given it and scarf it all down in three bites maximum.

He grabbed his fork and shoved a bite into his mouth. Perfect. Divine. The best food he had ever eaten. He relaxed, shoulders going slack, sinking back into his chair as he lost himself in his meal.

You watched him, chewing your own food as you did. He was slumped over, staring down at nothing with unfocused, half-shut eyes. When he lifted the fork to his mouth, his hand shook, threatening to dump the bite back into the box. He was grimy, from his hair to his hands to his clothes, all streaked and smudged with black.

There was no way in hell you were letting him go back to that workshop tonight.

When you finished your food, you shut the box, stuffing it and your napkins into the bag. “Feel any better?”

He shoved the last bite into his mouth and nodded, glazed-over eyes lifting to meet yours.

“Good. I worry about you.” You took the empty box and stacked it with yours.

The corner of his mouth raised a tiny bit, an attempt at a smile. “I’m alright.”

You shook your head. “You're not.”

The first thing to go was always taking care of himself. No food, no water, no sleep. It vanished so quick, so easily.

“I know. ‘S just…” He sighed, weary. “This needs to get done. If I don’t, Magneto will…” He couldn’t stand to finish the thought. Magneto had already screamed, thrown things at him, threatened him with being replaced, cast aside, abandoned. He dropped his head.

You crouched in front of him, taking his hands in yours. “Listen. He can scream and shout all he wants. But you deserve a break. And if he has a problem with that, he’s gonna have to go through me. Got it?”

Toad swallowed the lump in his throat. “Got it.”

You squeezed his hand. “Good.” You stood, pulling his hands and gaze up with you. “I bet you’ll feel better after a shower.”

He frowned and slouched back down. “Yeah. S’pose.” He glared at the bathroom door from the corner of his eye.

“Would you like the idea any better if I joined you?”

He perked up, sitting a little straighter. “Might make it tolerable.”

“I thought it might.” You pulled him up from the chair and led him to the bathroom.

You flipped the lights on and shut the door, then turned to rest your hands on Toad’s shoulders, kneading your fingertips into his muscles. He sighed and slouched into the touch, eyes drifting shut. You smiled—it was so nice to see him like this, calm, at ease.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” you whispered, hands drifting down to his shirt’s zipper. You tugged it open, then ran your hands back up his chest, pushing the fabric aside.

“Mmm.” Toad reached out and rested his hands on your hips, tugging you in closer. His shirt fell to the floor. His eyes drifted shut as he leaned in, lips connecting with yours, soft and slow, melting into you with each movement.

You tangled your hand in his hair, the other staying put on his chest, tracing up and down, up and down.

Toad’s mind stilled; his body relaxed. You were so warm against him, warm and soft. He wanted to fall asleep then and there, tangled up in you, nothing to do, no deadlines, no problems, just warmth and comfort. No shouting. Nothing thrown at him. No threats.

Nothing but you.

You pulled back, and his shoulders sagged. “Sorry,” you whispered, giving him one last peck on the cheek. “But I promise there’s more where that came from after we get cleaned up.”

“Yeah, sure,” he grumbled, looking down to undo his belt.

“Oh, don’t be like that.” You smiled. “You know I didn’t want to stop, but one of us has to be the responsible one.”

“Responsible one, no fun one.” He made a face, then smiled. ““I think I was about to fall asleep standing up. Ugh.” He shook his head. “I'm just so damn tired.” He put his hands on the counter and hung his head.

You wrapped your arms around his waist and kissed the back of his shoulder. “We’ll make this quick then, alright?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Alright.”

You let go of him and tugged your own top off, tossing it to the floor. His eyes followed you in the mirror, wandering over you as you undressed, over your neck, your chest, your legs.

You looked at him the same way, eyes tracing over every inch of him you got to see.

He left the rest of his clothes on the ground and followed you into the shower. You turned the water on, a brief burst of cold followed by soothing warmth.

He flinched back from the water, but you held out your hand and coaxed him over. “Come on. It’s warm. And the sooner we get cleaned up, the sooner you can go to sleep.”

He nodded and shuffled forward. “I know.” He sighed. “I just don’t like ‘em.”

“I know.” You squeezed his hand. “We’ll make it quick.”

You held his hands under the water, washed away the grime from each finger, each palm, your hands tracing over his.

I really am gonna fall asleep standing up… Toad scrunched his eyes shut, then forced them open again, forced them to focus on you, your hands, your face, anything. Just stay awake.

A mist of water splashed onto his face, and he grimaced, recoiled from it however warm and necessary it was. He just couldn’t stand showers. Maybe it was how cold the water always was back at the orphanage. Maybe it was how soap had always left his skin itchy, sore, and raw. Maybe it was how vulnerable they left him feeling, naked, alone, unable to see or hear who was sneaking up on him.

He’d rather be anywhere but here.  Even though the water was warm now, he’d found soap that didn’t burn, there were two locked doors between him and anyone who might attack—not to mention someone on his team to help him if they did—he just couldn’t enjoy it. Too much baggage.

But it was better now than it had been before, no question.

“Lean your head back.” You ran your fingers through his hair, the water washing over. Your fingers worked through his hair, suds carrying away the grease and oil, nails scratching at his scalp. He leaned into your hands, eyes closed.

You leaned his head back and rinsed the suds from his hair, then got a small pump of soap to wash his face, gentle hands running along his cheeks and jaw, erasing the smudges. His hand reached out to rest on your hip as you worked, and you couldn’t help but smile.

He let you scrub the grease from him, helped to wash away the streaks of oil and dirt from his arms, his legs, his back. You tried to be quick and thorough and gentle at once.

“All done,” you said once you were satisfied that all the grime was gone. The last of the suds fell to the tile below, and you turned the tap off. “Was it as awful as you expected?” You grinned, reaching out to grab a towel.

“Not as awful as they are when you're not in them, I’ll say that.” He reached around you and grabbed a towel for himself.

You wiped the water from your arms and legs, then wrapped the towel around you, tucking it into place.

You watched Toad for a moment. Slow, lethargic, he wiped his towel up and down over the same small patch of skin. His eyelids lowered, then fluttered open again, and he shook his head. You reached out and took the towel from him. “Here, let me.”

He didn’t respond, but his hands went slack and let you take the towel from him. You rubbed the towel on his hair, leaving it ruffled and wild. You ran it over his shoulders and chest and around his back, then wrapped it around his waist.

“Almost done.” You ran your fingers through his hair, smoothing it down.

He gave one small, curt nod.

You pulled back the curtain and stepped out into your room, looking through the drawers for your pajamas and his. You carried them back to the bathroom and sat the piles on the counter.

You finished drying off, and pulled your pajamas on.

Toad stood by the counter, towel draped around his hips, staring at the clothes you’d gotten him. Slowly, he turned his eyes to the discarded work clothes on the floor.

“I should really go—”

“No.”

He blinked. “What?”

“No. You shouldn’t. Unless the next words out of your mouth were going to be ‘to bed’, you are wrong.” You crossed your arms. “You said it yourself—you are falling asleep standing up.”

“But I'm so damn close.”

“To what? Dying of exhaustion?” You put your hands on his shoulders and looked him in the eye. “No. You need rest. You can barely stand, let alone weld or use power tools.” You sighed. “Look, normally I wouldn’t do this. But I am not going to let you leave this room. It’s not a suggestion. I’m not asking. You are going to sleep.”

The circles under his eyes seemed to darken.

You took his hand and squeezed it. “Morty, listen to me. You need this. You deserve this. Come to bed.”

He stood still a moment more, the wheels in his mind turning like the wheels on that machine refused to. Then, slowly, he nodded. “Yeah. Alright.”

You squeezed his hand. “Good boy.”

He pulled his clothes on and let you guide him to the bed. You laid down and watched him crawl in after, finding his usual spot nestled against you, head on your shoulder, arms wrapped around your waist.

“Just for an hour or two,” he mumbled against you. “I really need to get this finished. I swear, I'm just being dramatic. I’m really not that ti—.” He cut himself off with a yawn.

“Mm-hmm.” You brushed the hair out of his eyes. “I set an alarm for the morning—don’t worry. But I expect you to be here when it goes off. Got it?”

He huffed, burying his face in your neck. “Got it.”

“Good.” You kissed him on the forehead and closed your eyes. “Good night.”

“Night, love.”

[hazel-of-sodor]

5 till Midnight

Other Stories

Samantha was almost asleep when she heard it, the soft chuffs of an engine rolling down the line. She sat up with a frown, no train was supposed to be running that night. Nicole groaned beside her as she got up and walked to the front door, peering through the curtains.

"What is it?" Nicole asked sleepily as she joined her.

"Who do you think?" She said wryly, opening the door to reveal their engine scowling at her snowplow groggily.

Samantha walked up to the No.1, "Not that I'm not happy to see you Cass, but is there a reason you're at our apartment at 5 till midnight?"

"On Christmas Eve no less," Nicole muttered grouchily.

"Sorry," the tank engine winced, stretching sleepily, "but the Lady is calling me, and you said to let you know when I need help..." She trailed off hesitantly.

"I did," Samantha said, wiping her face tiredly, "it's better than you going off alone."

"Thank you." Cassandra sounded distinctly relieved. 

Nicole climbed into the cab grumbling, while Samantha looked over their engine, She was less familiar with Cassandra than Thomas, for all they were the same engine. 

"Who are we helping? She asked as she checked the lubricator's oil levels.

"An engine from the North." Cassandra answered simply, "Due to...ah...mishaps, She's having to stop her run to repair her brake lines. Her train is essential and cannot be late, so we're running the part she needs to her."

"Hmm... and where is the part?"

"One of my spares should work for the night."

Samantha snorts, "I've never understood you keeping spare brake parts in your toolbox.

"I'm not giving James the satisfaction."

Samantha laughed, "Wasn't that over fifty years ago, when will you all let the bootlace incident go?"

"When someone else makes that mistake, and by the Lady it won't be me."

***

Soon they were running down the line smoothly, Cassandra humming softly as they rolled into the Hackenbeck Tunnel.

When they exited the tunnel, Samantha was expecting to see the cutting with Mrs.Kindley's house sitting above it. Instead, they emerged into a small town she had not seen before, nestled at the base of a mountain.

The two tracks ran down the middle of the street, and when she glanced back they had seeming come from a road tunnel. On the line opposite of them, a long American passenger train stood, with large blue and red coaches towering over Casandra.

The tank engine rolled slowly alongside, seemingly unbothered by where they were, whistling softly to the children waving from the windows of the coaches.

They pulled alongside the massive engine at the head, a massive 2-8-4 Berkshire with the number 1225 on her cab sides, who for all her size looked like a kicked puppy 

"Need a bootlace, Noelle?"

The Berkshire immediately perked up, "Cassandra! What are you doing here?"

"Your controller asked the Lady for help and she sent me."

Noelle blinked, "How did the boss know?"

A young woman, slightly older than Samantha walked up, her hair tucked into an American conductor's uniform.

"The boss always knows." She said with amusement. "How else would he make his lists?"

"Are we going to ignore the fact we're not on Sodor anymore?" Nicole interjected, "Last I checked the Hackenbeck tunnel didn't lead to...where are we?"

"New Haven, Pennsylvania." Noelle's driver answered leaning out of her cab. "Don't worry you get used to it."

"I seriously hope not," Nicole grumbled as she climbed down, toolbox in hand.

Samantha shook her head and followed her firewoman.

*** 

The repairs progressed quickly, and Noelle soon set off again, her whistle echoing in the distance as she raced away. Samantha and Nicole climbed into Cassandra's cab and reversed back into the tunnel, emerging back at Hackenbeck. They ran down the line quietly, the old sounds the hum of the rails beneath Cassandra and her puffing. Finally, Cassandra stopped outside their apartment, with an exhausted sigh.

Samantha looked at her concern, "Are you going to make it back to the sheds?"

Before the engine could answer a bell was heard and Toby rounded the corner.

"Need a tow, Cassandra?" The trams asked.

"Please." Cassandra yawned.

They bid their farewells and Toby pulled Cassandra back to the sheds.

Nicole glanced at the clock as she shed their coats.

"Our clock is broken."

Samantha glanced towards the clock, which still read 5 till midnight.

"We'll deal with it in the morning."

Together the two made their way to bed, ready for sleep and Christmas morning.

A/N:Hello Loves! I threw this together for a Christmas Special. Yes the American Express train is exactly who you think it is, and her crew are the kids from its movie, all grown up. It has been alluded to Thomas occasionally presenting Fem in my headcanon posts, but this is the first time Cassandra has actually appeared in a fic. I haven't 100% decided if this fic is strictly canon in my AU, but for now it is. Love Y'all and Merry Christmas! Hazel of Sodor.

[akehoshimystar]

Ai SSR

FAVOR

Part 1

After my shift at the cafe, I dropped by the office.

Ai: Would you be willing to lend us your assistance?

Kou & Yuzuru: …….

There, Kosaka-san was talking to someone on the phone while Kise-san and Kou-san watched the situation. As I quieted my breath so as not to disturb him, I heard a cheerful voice coming from his phone.

Man: "You don't have to sound so distant, Kosaka-san. Please just leave it to me!"

Ai: I'm grateful to hear that.

Man: "I'm glad to finally be able to return the favor. I'll try contacting them right away.''

Hearing his eager acceptance, a feeling of relief washed over Kise-san’s and Kou-san’s faces.  Shortly after, Kosaka-san answered a few questions before ending the call.

Yuzuru: Good work, Yashiro-san.

As you may have heard, there has been some progress on the matter of the strawberry daifuku.

Ito: Really?

It all started with a request for Yuragi-kun, asking him to “celebrate client’s mother’s 70th birthday with her favorite strawberry daifuku.”

Ito: (Yuragi-kun also seemed to be looking forward to it, since she’s asked him to act as her grandchild several times...)

The Japanese sweets shop that had the best daifuku, according to her, had went out of business last month.

Ito: By progress, do you mean… Have we found its new location?

Kou: It’s a bit unfortunate. But apparently, one of the apprentices has opened a new store. Ai-san used his connections to mark its whereabouts.

But Ai-san didn’t brag about it at all, so I ended up sounding like I was gloating about it, even though all I did was submit a report.

Ai: It's the superior's job to take over the work of his subordinates. You and I both did our tasks to the fullest, that's all there is to it.

….….Hmm, he works as fast as ever.

Kou: There’s been an update already?

Ai: Yeah. He already booked the reservation over the phone.

Kou: Really? Ai-san, your connections are really something else. How did you even establish a network with the Japanese sweets buyer at the department store anyway?

Moreover, he seems very fond of you. Like a vassal supporting their emperor?

Yuzuru: No good deed goes unrewarded, you see.

Ai: It’s no big deal. 

He just chose to go with the plan I had prepared and climbed his way up, that’s all.

He wasn't arrogant, but he wasn't too humble either. From the way Kosaka-san spoke, it was clear that this all came naturally to him.

Ito: (.....So people like this do exist.)

A few days later, I witnessed Kosaka-san's dignified disposition once again. This time, an unexpected event had struck the case I was in charge of. 

Part 2

Ito: (I have checked the other company’s documents, but they were still a lot cheaper than the market price. ..... I don't think this is a simple mistake...)

???: -san, Yashiro-san.

Ito: !

I suddenly turned around and saw Kise-san looking at me worriedly.

Yuzuru: Are you all right? There aren't many customers around this time, so feel free to finish your shift early.

You have a meeting with the potential business partner tomorrow, right? Were the documents left as they were...?

Ito: I received the revision yesterday, but...

Yuzuru: If you have any concerns, please come in today. Ai-san should be in the office right now.

Ito: !

Yuzuru: Fufu, it's okay. He is more open-minded than you think.

I’m not saying it’s not a burden to be relied on, but if you hold back and don’t ask for help, your efficiency will suffer. 

As such, Yashiro-san, please don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Sorry if I came off as overbearing.

Ito: ...No. I'm grateful, actually.

(I've been wondering whether it was worth discussing….. But I should tell Kosaka-san after all.)

The biggest selling point of this wholesaler was the wide selection of alcohol they managed. Mika-san and the other staff were also very impressed, and we were looking forward to the deal. However….

Ai: That's certainly strange. There’s too much of a benefit for us. 

As he looked over the latest version of the documents, Kosaka-san’s eyebrows began to frown.

Ito: The price was much lower than the market price to begin with, however, the prices of new featured goods have also been lowered. 

Ai: Offering it at almost a cost price, huh…

Who’s the person in charge? Is he new?

Ito: Here’s their business card.

Ai: ……..

Haaa...... What a pain. It’s the same name and last name………. Too many conditions are met.

Ai: Yashiro.

Ito: Y-Yes.

Ai: I'll attend the meeting tomorrow.

Ito: ! Thank you very much.

Part 3

The next day. The eyes of the man in charge lit up right after he saw Kosaka-san. He bowed vigorously and said, "It's been a while!"

Person in charge: You may not remember, but I was indebted to you in the past! So I have always wanted to repay you someday.

Ito: (I see how it is. This person also wants to be what Kou-san called a “vassal supporting the emperor''...)

Ai: Thank you. Can we get down to business now?

Person in charge: Of course!

The man nodded energetically and started his presentation regarding the matter of the prices being "too" beneficial for us.

Person in charge: ……So what do you think? I think I've learned quite a bit about pricing.

Ai: Yashiro. Any thoughts?

On the inside, I was surprised by him calling on me. However, I opened my mouth, praying to sound as neutral as possible.

Ito: I think it's a very attractive proposal. But, I believe the burden on your company may be excessive. Would you mind clarifying a bit more?

Person in charge: Ah... No, it’s okay. You guys don’t have to worry about anything! As long as we make a profit overall…..

Ai: So you’re saying that this price can be passed onto other stores as well?

Person in charge: Um, well...

Ai: Forgive my manners, but has this document been approved by the company?

Person in charge: !

In contrast to the man, whose shoulders were trembling immensely, Kosaka-san continued with his usual calm demeanor.

Ai: If a problem occurs, depending on the scale and details, it may not just end with the person in charge being fired...

Now, let me ask again. Have you spoken to your superior about this?

Person in charge: ………….

...Did I…. disappoint you, Kosaka-san?

Ai: The end does not justify the means.

I appreciate your kindness and generosity, but I cannot accept this unless it is legitimate.

Kosaka-san words were the decisive blow that led the man to withdraw the documents.

Kou: Hmm? So he’ll come back later with his boss and a new proposal?

Yuzuru: I'm glad nothing serious happened. Good job, Yashiro-san.

Ito: I didn't do anything.....

Ai: Yashiro. You didn't overlook the mistake and reported it to me.

Just accept the fair evaluation.

Ito: (Ah….)

Ai: Well done.

Ito: ...Thank you very much.

(It somehow slightly crossed my mind..... but I feel like I tend to get overly happy when Kosaka-san praises me.)

(Maybe this is why people called him "His Majesty")

Yuzuru: By the way, Kou-kun, what's with that paper bag?

Kou: Oh, this? A gift from the Japanese sweets buyer addressed to His Majesty.

Daifuku made with fruit pickled in sake. It’s still under development in collaboration with an artisan.

Ai: I'll have some.

Favors come in many forms, and sometimes they can turn into blind faith, dragging those around you into a recklessness. 

Ito: (But Kosaka-san is the type of person who can "properly" take a favor and turn it into strength...)

Aporia is truly a place where charming and eccentric people gather. Here, I felt like I was able to get a glimpse of the popular Kosaka Ai, our Majesty.

[twistedsimmer]

Week 1: Settling In, Part 3

The next few days were busy for the group, as they gathered resources to build their future settlement.

"Hey, I found a priceless vase!"

"Ha, is that all? I found a computer, two posters and a ceramic dish already."

"Damn, nice Marf! So what'd you find, Mona?"

"Three rocks and an old bone!" :D

Of course, it wasn't all work; plenty of time was found for recreation and appreciating the beautiful scenery.

"The fishing sure is good today, isn't it Jake?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, absolutely beautiful."

"Heh. Getting distracted by a potential catch, I see."

"Mmhmm."

They eventually scraped up enough materials to upgrade the camp. It wasn't much, but more comfortable seating did wonders for morale.

"Mona, where are your clothes? You can't be walking around here naked, it's not your house."

"Aww, but why not?"

"..um.."

"She's right, Jake."

"*ahem* So uh, how's that loveseat coming?"

The group got a surprise when a truck pulled into their campsite, emblazoned with a familiar logo.

"Am I seeing things, or is that..?"

"The Littlesprings Project! My dad sent us supplies!"

"Ooh, you think they sent us some more food?"

"Or coffee! Please Watcher, let there be coffee!"

"Vincent! You're a sight for sore eyes."

"Howdy, little man. Your father sends his regards, and wants to know why you haven't checked in yet. Your first report was due a few days ago."

"Heh, um, I kinda lost the satellite phone when our van crashed. "

"How'd you manage that?"

"Long story, but it ended with a cat being thrown at my face."

"What the..?"

"Jake! They're at it again!"

"Okay, that's it, Emi. I warned you already."

"Spare me the lecture, buddy. This is between me and him."

"No, not anymore. You're making this place unsafe-"

"-and uncomfortable."

"-and as the leader of this expedition, I can't allow that."

"And what are you gonna do about it, huh? Throw me in jail or something?"

"Well shit. I didn't think he'd actually do it."

A few hours later..

"Hey, are you okay in there?"

"I've been stuck in this smelly shack for hours with barely any food and nothing to read. So no."

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't want you to suffer. I just don't want to be punched, is all."

"Stop being an idiot and you won't be."

"I'm not- ugh, it's no use arguing with you, is it?"

"Of course not. What do you want, anyway?"

"I want to get you out of there."

"And why would you do that? You know I could just beat you up again, maybe lock you in here."

"Emi, please. I don't want to fight you. Frankly, I don't even remember why we started in the first place."

"Hmm. Now that you mention it, I don't either."

"How about we call a truce? We don't have to like each other, but we still have to work together."

"I still think you're an idiot, but sure. Can you let me out now?"

Shortly after Emi was released from the hastily built detention shack, Jake called everyone for the first official meeting.

"Alright folks, I think it's about time we put an end to this drama. We have a job to do, and having people get injured isn't going to help. Suggestions?"

"I've got one. Your boy Vincent brought us some building supplies in that truck of his, correct?"

"He did, yeah."

"Then I'd say it's a good time for each of us to strike out on our own. We'll all be out of one another's hair, and make more progress in settling the land than if we're all stuck here."

"I agree. Amayata, any progress with the scouting?"

"Yup! I've found some good potential building sites, they're already marked on the maps."

"Excellent! Any objections to this plan?"

"No, it sounds like a great idea. Definitely better than having to lock anyone up."

"Hey! The corpulent copulator and I made peace already. There's no need to throw me in that cell anymore."

"Glad to hear it. We don't want to have to build a real jail anytime soon."

"It's settled. Everyone, pick your spots on the map, and get some rest. Tomorrow, we pack up and set out."

After posing for one last group photo, the settlers grabbed their things and headed out. Jake was left by himself at the stripped down campsite, pining for Amayata worrying about his friends.

"Sigh. I hope she's safe out there..and the rest of them, too."

The blaring of a truck horn snapped him out of his thoughts, along with an impatient Vincent.

"Hey kid, you ready to head out? We're burning daylight here."

"Yeah, I am. It's time to get to work."

[the-kcm-muggleborn]

Kind For You

Fandom: Hogwarts Legacy

O/C: Sebastian Sallow x Edwart Thompson x Ominis Gaunt ✨️platonic✨️ (My OC)

Warnings: Slight swearing shit, talks of dead parents

word count: <2k

Chapter 2

Part 4

“Ready for Potions?” Sebastian beamed

“I think so,” Edwart said with a small smile “I can't go deaf twice in one day can I?”

Sebastian chuckled. “You never know.”

They went inside and took their assigned seats. Ominis, Sebastian and a Slytherin girl Edwart didn't know were sharing a table. Then the chatter quoted down as a man's voice resonated loudly but firmly through the classroom.

“Potions is one of the most challenging and hazardous subjects taught at this school. As fifth--years, you will be required to reach new heights of both discipline and intellect.”

“Damn.” Edwart thought. “He looks rough”

“Potions is one of the most challenging and hazardous subjects taught at this school. As fifth--years, you will be required to reach new heights of both discipline and intellect. You will begin this term by brewing a Wiggenweld Potion.

Mister Takkar would you?”

“Yes, Professor Sharp.” A Ravenclaw student Edwart has never seen explained how Wiggenweld Potion can heal injuries

“It can heal some injuries, but not all. Points for Ravenclaw.” Professor Sharp stated satisfied

“Before today's class is completed. each of you will have brewed a Wiggenweld Potion of your own. You never know when you might need it. Please begin”

“Please be meticulous when adding powder to your potions. One errant sneeze would be disastrous.”

As Professor Sharp explained in the background, Edwart knew exactly what to do and before he knew it he was finished and Sharp was standing behind his back checking his progress.

“Hmm. Not an easy potion to brew. And you've done it quite quickly but well enough. Well done.”

“Thank you, Professor,” Edwart answered flatly.

“From what I hear of your recent exploits in Hogsmeade” Edwart felt himself cringe at that mention “You'd also do well to practise brewing the defensive Edurus potion. I know Professor Weasley had you acquire the recipe from J. Pippin's. So, for the moment, you can find the ingredients you need in my office, but in the future, you'll be expected to provide your own ingredients. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Come and see me when you've finished brewing. and we'll see if it was skill or luck the first time around.”

Edwart headed forward to Sharp's office but was immediately pulled back by a redheaded Gryffindor. “Did I hear Professor Sharp say that you have permission to go into his office?” He said with a low voice.

“Yes.”Edwart looked at him suspiciously “But why does that matter to you?”

“Brilliant! And it matters because you can be a part of something truly creative.”

“What the-” Edwart thought unconvinced and a bit confused.

“I'm Garreth by the way. Garreth Weasley. Bit a prodigy with potions, if I do say so myself.”

“Edwart. Wait. Are you related to Professor Weasley?”

“She's my aunt. Keeps too close an eye on me for comfort. Ugh” He exhaled grumpily but then his smile quickly returned.“But she can't be everywhere. Listen, anyone with a troll-sized brain can brew an Edurus Potion. I'm working on something that's certain to be spectacular. ”

“If it's so easy why don't you go off and brew it,” Edwart asked hoping Garreth would get the hint, knowing what he was about to ask him.

“As I've said I want to do something spectacular. I'm just missing one tiny, last ingredient that will add that extra spark.” Garreth added with enthusiasm.

“Mhm and?” Edwart knew exactly what this student was about to ask him. To swipe something from Sharp's office.

“And” Garreth continued as his smile subsided “I simply need a single Fwooper feather. As you'll already be in Sharp's office with his permission, perhaps you could grab it for me”

Edwart frowned his eyebrows then he answered flatly: “No.”

Edwart was about to go into Sharp’s office when Garreth stopped him by lightly grabbing his wrist and continued trying to persuade the new student. "Come on! Please? It’s not that valuable. Sharp won't even miss it.”

Edwart, now annoyed with Garreth's obnoxious behaviour, answered his persuasion as politely as he could, knowing there were students around them “Garreth. I said no. Leave this alone, and don't. Touch. Me."

Garreth let go of Edwart and clearly discouraged said quietly: “I understand. I’ll sort something else out.” and with that, he went back to his station.

Edwart gathered Ashwinder Eggs and a bit of Dark Mongrel's Fur and returned to his station between Ominis and another Slytherin Girl who was busy reading a textbook.

“What did Garreth want you for?” Ominis asked with a lifted eyebrow.

“Wanted me to steal from Sharp's office” Edwart answered annoyed “he wasn't even quiet about it.”

Ominis chuckled “Typical. He's always creating entertainment in potions.”

“He's almost as annoying as Sebastian, the first time I met him. Loud mouthed. Except Sebastian didn't grab me.”

Ominis turned his head towards Edwart’s voice with visible confusion “He grabbed you? Well, that's…odd.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Edwart answered, going back to making his Endurus potion.

“My Wiggenweld is utter rubbish.” Ominis said under his breath with a grimace “Wish I could just replace it with one from J.Pippins”

Edwart was about to speak but then quite abruptly and suddenly something blew up behind Edwarts' back and Ominis's side.

“Ugh! Garreth!” Somebody raised his voice and other students around him groaned loudly.

“Dragon-dung! What happened?” Garreth asked himself confusedly.

Professor Sharp signed heavily and said: “What now? Mister Weasley?”

“Sorry, Professor,” Garreth said with a scowl

“That'll be points from Gryffindor. Again and of course Mister Weasley detention for an hour.” Professor Sharp stated not taking his eyes off the paper he was working on. “Mister Thompson. If you are finished with your potion, please come to me”

Edwart walked with his bottled potion towards Professor Sharp's desk. “I've finished the potion, Professor.”

“Glad you managed to stay on task. Not every class is so eventful. I saw Mr Weasley speaking with you earlier. He can be quite persuasive. Glad you managed to resist.”

“He's more annoying than persuasive,” Edwart said under his breath.

“I confess I was sceptical. given the advanced nature of this class, and the fact you're a new student.” Sharp continued “You've managed to meet my high expectations. A rare occurrence. And you'd do well to remember that you're not a Potions master quite yet.”

“Yes, Professor” Edwart stated, “Thank you.”

“If you have the time. I would appreciate it if you could assist Mister Gaunt with his potion. He’s a bright student with slight issues.”

“I am aware. I will help him.” Edwart nodded.

“Great. I think we all had enough exciting events for today. Class dismissed.”

As everybody started leaving Edwart turned to Ominis.

“Would you like some assistance? I can help and tutor you in potions?” Edwart asked carefully, trying not to make Ominis uncomfortable.

“I-” Ominis started but was interrupted by Sebastian “Ominis, you're coming?”

Ominis took a second and answered. “No thank you, Sebastian. I'll stay behind and work on my potion assignment.”

Sebastian shrugged and left the classroom.

“Alright let me take a look at your potion.” Edwart started quietly. “Hmm… I think You add too much Horklump juice. And I can see the dittany floating; it wasn't cut properly…”

“I am dreadful in Potions…” Ominis stated with a grimace.

“I don't think you are. Those are small mistakes, easily fixable. Here.” Edwart gave Ominis a few dittany leaves “Show me how you cut it.”

Ominis silently started cutting his leaves and Edwart quickly noted he was cutting them diagonally.

“You have to cut it straight along the leaf's ridge in strips and make them small enough to then be able to crush it with a mortar.”

Ominis did as he was instructed and it did crush more easily.

“Then the Horklump juice. You have to add a few drops, stop, mix and then repeat but I think there is an easier way for you.”

“What do you mean?” Ominis asked confused.

“Let me show you” Edwart stopped for a second and kept on explaining how there are other methods that could be easier for Ominis. After a longer while of practice and patient explanation. Ominis finally got his potion right and understood what Edwart was trying to explain to him.

“Did it work? Is it good?” Ominis asked a little unconvinced.

“It’s perfect,” Edwart stated with a smile. “Really. You are not bad at potions Ominis. You just needed a different approach.”

“All thanks to you. I appreciate it.” Ominis replied with gratitude.

“No problem. Maybe we should start heading for the feast?” Edwart asked and Ominis agreed as they started walking towards the Great Hall.

Edwart started talking “The least I could do for you after getting Sebastian out of trouble. That one was my fault. I had to get into the restricted section, but I didn't want to get him into trouble. Sounds like he doesn't have an easy situation at home, to be honest. Didn't want to add to it.” Edwart spoke as honestly as he could. Ominis seemed to be trustworthy. A person similar to Edwart, someone who's been through a lot…

“Don’t think like that. Sebastian sneaks into the restricted section and gets caught every other week even before Anne got cursed.”

Edwart looked at Ominis with big eyes for a second; he had no idea she was cursed. “Shit. I'm sorry I bet you were close with her too.”

“Still am,” Ominis smiled. “Anne lives in Felcroft with their Uncle. Even though she's sick, she's a bright mischievous girl.”

“Sounds like spending so much time in Hogwarts makes you a new family doesn't it?” Edwart grinned a bit.

“Oh definitely. Especially if your true family is not someone you want to spend time with.” Ominis said with a grimace.

“I'm sorry, you have one like that.” Edwart deduced and gave Ominis a comforting smile even though he couldn't see it.

“That's okay. I have everything I need here. My family is cruel and my family name is poisoned. But in Hogwarts, I had one of the best memories ever. What about you?” Ominis suddenly focused all his attention on Edwart which caught him off guard. “Any mean family you have?”

Edwart didn't know why. But the difference between almost identical questions asked by Sebastian and Ominis was crazy. Sebastian made Edwart feel uncomfortable and almost invading. But Ominis’ question made Edwart feel comforted like he could tell him any secret and feel safe with it. So for once after some time spent in Hogwarts, he finally decided to open a bit more.

“I don't know what Sebastian told you about me. But I wasn't exactly truthful when he asked me almost the same question” Edwart looked to the ground as they kept walking. “I told Sebastian I never met my folks and I wish for that information to be the one people hear.”

“I understand.” Ominis replied. “I know Sebastian may not seem like it. But he is trustworthy. Either way, anything you tell me. I shall not tell a soul”

“Thank you.” Edwart smiled with gratitude. “I’ve met my parents alright. I was raised on a farm on the Welsh coast. I don't want to get into details either way, my parents are dead and Professor Fig saved me and turned my life upside down within one summer.” Edwart was a bit afraid to look at Ominis but luckily, he was not met with pity. Just compassion.

“I understand. No need to say anything you feel uncomfortable with.” Ominis said with a small smile “It must be tough on you.”

Edwart scowled a bit.

“Sometimes. But It's getting easier every day. I see Hogwarts has that effect.”

“That is true.” Ominis chuckled, “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

“I think it was time I told someone. At least a little bit. ” Edwart smiled sincerely…

- - - - - - - - - Author's notes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

<Part 3 /// Part 5>

MASTERLIST

Thank you so much for reading Part 4. Ah! Potions! Garreth Weasley being explosive, Ominis Gaunt being a sweetheart and Edwart Thompson being rough as usually! or maybe not... Finally you get some of Edwart's backstory but more to come! I wanted to add more photos but I'm also trying to make it feel natural. Thank you for reading this extra long part more coming soon.