#no wonder wade's always had a huge crush on him

[mischievous-thunder]

Logan in Logan

Yes. Absolutely. Fiery beauty and perfection.

[themculibrary]

Sexual Tension Masterlist

A Deep Distance (ao3) - AveryWardpens namor of talokan/shuri E, 5k

Summary: AU Canon Divergent Shuri & Namor as parents, in love, missing each other after unexpected travel delays due to running a whole nation.

Or

Shuri & Namor miss each other so badly they don't know how to act when they're reunited.

A Game of Serpents and Gods (ao3) - tacotime namor of talokan/shuri E, 73k

Summary: After Namor threatens Shuri with his ultimatum to burn the world together or go to war with Talokan, she turns his offer on him to stall for time.

“Convince me, and I will stay here. With you, and burn the world together.”

(Where Wakanda hasn't found her and Riri yet, and Shuri gives Namor a week to woo her into this insane plan of his).

Alphas Initiative (ao3) - YukiRiikus_Reading_Room peggy/bucky, clint/steve, steve/bucky, pepper/rhodey/tony E, 10k

Summary: Steve's had a crush on the most popular Alpha at his university for as long as he can remember. But when Clint starts paying attention to him, Steve can't help but wonder if it's really love, or if it's just because he's an unknotted Omega...

Call Boy (ao3) - L1av steve/bucky E, 149k

Summary: Bucky Barnes was skyrocketing through promotions at his advertising firm. Now, a partnership position is opening and if Bucky wants to see his name on the building, he needs to impress not only Mr. Tony Stark, but his wife Pepper. To do this, it takes a team, a couple to be exact. Bucky asks his ex-wife Natasha to set him up with the perfect girl, blonde, tall, thick thighs and huge tits, but with the personality that’ll get Pepper all smiles.

What Bucky gets? Tall, blonde, thick thighs…and a penis. Can this male escort pretend to not only be Bucky’s fiance but also impress Pepper enough to win Bucky the promotion? Is he going to impress Bucky enough to get him to sleep with him?

Steve loves working for his tip.

Command Me To Be Well (ao3) - tumtatumtum steve/bucky, peggy/angie E, 29k

Summary: The first time Bucky meets his new partner, he’s shackled to the wall of a filthy torture chamber.

OR

Incubus!Bucky and Priest!Steve travel through 16th century Italy hunting HYDRA monsters for the Vatican, kicking ass and trying not to fall into bed with each other.

Well, Steve tries. Bucky's mostly a flirtatious little shit.

Dissonance (ao3) - stuckybarnes peter/wade M, 121k

Summary: Wherein Deadpool is reluctantly hired to protect Peter Parker from an organization out to hunt him, with varying success on both ends and quite a lot of feelings, revelations, and identity crises.

humming with the birds (ao3) - atlantablack sam/bucky T, 1k

Summary: Sam has always had a thing for walking the edge of too much, for flying too close to the goddamn sun. Has always had a thing for smart men with steady hands and pretty mouths, and fuck if Bucky Barnes doesn’t tick every box Sam’s ever had. He should be praying for his life and instead all he can think about is the way Bucky’s mouth, his goddamn mouth, won’t stop parting all slick with confusion.

“Go on,” Sam hears himself say, voice low, heat snaking through the words. “If you’re gonna kill me, baby, let’s get started. La petite mort.” He’s so warm he thinks he’s going to burn up, and Bucky hasn’t moved an inch, every line of his body pressed against Sam’s is a taunt, a temptation.

Las Vegas (ao3) - elcapitan_rogers steve/natasha E, 219k

Summary: Steve was freaking out over his own wedding and the gang decided to take him to Las Vegas to unwind him.

let me put my lips to something (ao3) - livingincolors sam/bucky M, 1k

Summary: Bucky took a firm hold of Sam’s wrists, pinning his arms to his sides and holding him in place.

“No,” he said, trying to bite back his smile and be firm, but it was hard when Sam’s eyes were that bright, his gapped-tooth smile so wide and infectious.

Then, Sam’s smile turned a bit mischievous, and he surged forward, mouth open as it latched onto the closest part of Bucky—which happened to be his neck—and bit down.

A small moan escaped Bucky’s lips before he could stop it.

like it's the only thing i'll ever do (ao3) - howdoyousleep steve/bucky E, 39k

Summary: When Steve opens the door, Bucky feels like he’s been living in clouds for the past few days, maybe even his entire life. Steve is life, Steve is happiness, Steve is the sun. He has such a visceral reaction to seeing the Alpha that he feels his knees go weak, feels his body draw tight towards the other man, pulled in.

Or big Alpha Steve moves into sweet little Omega Bucky's apartment building and a roller-coaster build of a romance ensues.

My House of Stone (your ivy grows) (ao3) - YoureNotDoneFighting steve/natasha M, 4k

Summary: Natasha tipped her head back to the ceiling and closed her eyes. She’d come down here to get away from Steve, or at least the thoughts of him that invaded her dreams — More specifically, thoughts of them. Yet there he was. It was like the man had a radar that pointed him in her direction exactly when she didn’t want him there. If she was being honest with herself though, it was more like she wanted to not want him there.

Shameless (ao3) - Finely Honed (jaqen_hgar) bucky/tony M, 2k

Summary: Prompt: imagine Tony and Bucky flirting everywhere, in the tower, out fighting random bad guy of the day over the coms, even out in public. it started as a game to see who could get the other to blush or fluster first but it dissolved into shameless flirting quickly. eventually it's Bucky who cracks first, pushing Tony up against a wall, kissing the living daylights out of him and using that super soldier strength to pick Tony up to hold against the wall. bonus if Clint walks in on them.

Tony isn’t actually sure which of them starts it—he’d like to take credit, but if he’s learned anything it’s that Barnes is by no means a wilting flower. Besides, the start doesn’t matter as much as figuring out who’s going to actually finish it.

Strip Me All The Way (ao3) - KandiSheek bucky/tony E, 4k

Summary: Bucky can't seem to fail at anything, and it's unfairly attractive. Would it kill him to not be so competent? Because Tony would really appreciate it, thank you.

The Wrong Wedding (ao3) - Xliviaxrtega steve/natasha G, 10k

Summary: Steve is getting married. Nat had left two years before, after one drunken "mistake". Will a wedding invitation bring them together? Or farther apart?

Two of a Kind, the Perfect Pair (ao3) - stfustucky (iwillpaintasongforlou) steve/bucky E, 78k

Summary: “Can you fake it?” Bucky echoes with emphasis. “Stark needs to think he’s won in order to leave you alone, right? So what if we just pretend to go along with this plan of his for a while, and then Tony gets his victory and you get your peace. One week of indulging him with a little fake sexcation, and then we amicably part ways. You prove to him that you’re capable of being in a relationship but just not interested, and he leaves you alone. Problem solved.”

.....................

Steve is one big ball of sexual frustration and mediocre social skills, so Tony, being the nice friend that he is, goes to a matchmaking service to find him a partner. There he finds Bucky, a former Black Ops vet with a mysterious metal arm and a charming smile, and brings him home to Steve. Steve is too busy being hung up on his own insecurities to actually be in a real relationship right now, but he and Bucky hatch a plan to fake date for a week so that Tony will get off his back. What could possibly go wrong with a plan like that?

We'll Haunt This Place (The Two of Us) (ao3) - ElloPoppet clint/steve, bucky/sam E, 25k

Summary: Huh. Captain America showing up at his farm unannounced in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon with a suitcase. Somehow, not the strangest thing to ever happen to Clint. Not even the strangest way he had been woken from a nap, honestly.

[violetzane]

OVER A DECADE LONG DREAM & WISH COME TRUE! For over a decade I have been a huge fan of Wade Barrett and he has been my one of my absolute favorites in all of wrestling for nearly two decades. He is my favorite heel of all time in pro wrestling. For over a decade I have been wishing upon Birthday Cakes to meet him for so many many years. This year my over a decade long Birthday Wishes CAME TRUE! I was at the WWE Smackdown show here in Buffalo on December 2nd a few weeks back. I ended up scoring a single ticket front row right behind Wade Barrett two weeks before the show for cheap. Very reasonable price! I never expected to get that good of a seat as I did. A couple days before the show I did a Tweet mentioning Wade Barrett in a poll of which one of his retro tee shirts I should wear to the show because I went to solely see Wade Barrett. He ended up responding to my Tweet and even liked the Tweet when I told him where I would be sitting. Fast forward to the day of the show and I am sitting behind the commentators desk waiting for Wade Barrett’s music to hit and seeing him come down the aisle. Michael Cole came down first and then it was the best star in the entire WWE Wade Barrett’s turn. His music hit and I went nuts screaming my heart out. He rounded the corner of the ring to the commentary desk and he stood atop the stairs and immediately saw me and my sign. Wade in his beautiful sexy booming voice pointed directly at me and said YAAAASSSSSS when he saw me and the sign I made for him. He came directly over to me before the show to try to take a selfie with me but there was no time as Smackdown was going live in three minutes. One of the ring crew ladies took my sign for him to autograph before the show and he was so happy and thrilled at my sign even showing Michael Cole. Michael Cole turned around to me and shook his head at me and said “Wade Barrett Really” LMAO HAHAHAHAH. All through the show I had to prevent myself from melting because Wade Barrett was in front of me. Not only is he one of my absolute favorite wrestlers of all time he’s also one of my ultimate wrestler crushes. One commercial break Wade looked back at me and smiled. Fast forward to the end of the show after the cameras went off and before the dark match Wade Barrett jumped over the barricade to take the selfie with me. We chatted a few minutes before the dark match as he had to get to the back. Told him to get back into the ring and we miss him in the ring. That the Barrett Barrage is ready to take flight again with him. Before he left I got the hugest tightest hug from him. Ladies he is pure rock solid British Steel muscle and he is way more beautiful and handsome in person! I nearly melted into him. After he left I ended up in my chair again waiting for the dark match in tears of happiness. He was one of my most sought after wrestlers to meet if not the most. He’s my favorite Intercontinental Champion of all time. I was in complete bliss and euphoria and tranquility after the show and still am. After the show I posted our pic together on Twitter and he RTed our pic as well as saying my Wade Sign was the best Wade Sign ever and wished me a Happy Early Birthday. The universe aligned perfectly that week. Wade Barrett is such an absolute sweetheart and beyond wonderful and kind soul. I always wish nothing but the best that this universe has for him. I truly hope he does go back to competing in the ring again full time with a full run and wins both Universal and WWE Championships. He deserves it! If he does I’m gonna try to go to as many of his matches as humanly possible. Never in a million years did I think I would ever meet Wade Barrett. Good stuff like this doesn’t happen to me to often. I feel so blessed to have had this once in a lifetime opportunity. This is a moment I will forever treasure. To anyone who doubts their dreams coming true THEY DO COME TRUE. NEVER STOP DREAMING & NEVER GIVE UP HOPE.

[mythicamagic]

May I have one for "just wait for me here." "It's not like I can go anywhere." please.

Sesshoumaru arched a brow, staring across the sunlit glade towards a peculiar sight. His brother’s miko was acting strangely. She stood, clutching her bow tight- knuckles turning pale from the force of her grip. She tentatively used one end to feel around the grass, before prodding the ground with her shoe and inching forward.

Although they shared the same clearing, Kagome didn’t look up, nor acknowledge his presence.

Sesshoumaru gave in to curiosity, not particularly concerned about an enemy but too intrigued to ignore this display. She jerked when his boot crunched on a twig.

“Stay back!” Kagome snarled, voice shaking as she whipped her bow up defensively.

Sesshoumaru bit back a chuckle. What good would a mere bow do as a weapon without arrows? His humour soon abated however, staring into her murky blue eyes that gazed just over his shoulder.

Ah, I understand.

“W-who’s there?” she stammered, fear clouding her scent.

Inuyasha and her friends were clearly absent, always so foolish. They’d left a blinded miko vulnerable and alone?

Sesshoumaru gave the quivering woman a once over, noticing a few scrapes over her bare knees. Cut rope looped around her freed wrists. That strange white and green clothing she always wore was marred with dirt, torn in various places. She’d likely been kidnapped and escaped her captor on her own. Mildly impressive.

Still, she was nothing to do with him. Sesshoumaru turned on one heel.

“S-sesshoumaru?” Kagome called out tentatively. The words became firmer, more confident. “Sesshoumaru...wait. Please.”

The Daiyoukai paused, looking at her sightless blue eyes. “How is it that you knew who I was?”

She released a short, hard breath, clearly relieved to be speaking with someone. “I’m getting better at sensing stuff, I guess.”

“Hn,” he frowned, “and your eyes?”

Kagome touched her cheek, curling in on herself a little, “a demon blew a powder into my face and it blinded me. He kidnapped me...but I managed to get away. I just hope its temporary, ya know?” she gave a nervous giggle, despair threatening to take her under. Sesshoumaru hummed, attention drawing away to the forest surrounding them. He knew these woods well, and there was nothing around for miles. No villages nor clans. Just wild flatlands that eventually led to the mountains. She’d certainly ran a long way.

“I know we’re not friends- or even allies,” Kagome mumbled. “You’ve got no reason to help me-”

“That is correct,” he silkily agreed.

Her pretty features tightened with barely concealed frustration, amusing him. “But I’d owe you, hugely, if you just drop me off where Inuyasha can find me. I promise I’d return the favour- tenfold!”

Sesshoumaru chuckled, rather liking his position in this situation, studying his immaculate nailbeds in an unnecessary show of disinterest. “There is nothing a human could give to me that would be worth my time- nor do I need a favour.”

Blowing out a frustrated hiss of air through her teeth, Kagome stepped forward, gazing in his general direction. “So you’re going to just leave me here?”

“As previously established, miko,” he purred in a low tone. “We are not friends nor allies. Are we lovers?” he teased.

She instantly turned red, barking; “in your dreams!”

“Well then, if we are not friends, allies nor lovers, I have no need to heed your cries above those of the ants I crush beneath my feet when I walk,” Sesshoumaru turned away again, heading in the opposite direction.

“Wait!”

The desperate crunch of feet thundering through tall grass reached his ears, though the demon lord kept pace. Something knocked into his side- and Kagome stumbled, before latching tight onto mokomoko, wrapping her arms around his furs and hugging them to her chest.

Golden eyes widened at her audacity, pressing a palm against her forehead, trying to extract her from his person. “Off.”

“No way!” she twisted and tried to bite at his hand, narrowing sightless eyes. “Don’t be so heartless. At the very least, leave me at the nearest village- jerk!”

“You are doing a poor job of endearing yourself to me, wench,” Sesshoumaru lifted his hand, resting sharp claws against her damp forehead, slick with sweat. He prodded warningly. “Release this one.”

Kagome shuddered but refused to let go. “I-if I do, I’m as good as dead anyway,” she murmured, tightening her grip. “Please.”

Sesshoumaru flirted with the idea of releasing acid from his nails and reducing the nuisance into a pile of melted flesh and bone. However, even while blind- those blue eyes managed to fill him with a strange sense of intrigue. If this woman died, he ludicrously felt that the fates would turn their wrath upon him, not that he heeded the threat of any higher powers. She was so unusual in appearance, word and deed he could not help but think her a special existence, but even were she ordinary, Sesshoumaru felt his world would become less amusing without her presence in it. Encounters with Inuyasha would prove somewhat blander.

Sneering, his claws lowered. Continuing to walk with no acknowledgement of her trailing form hurrying after him, Sesshoumaru allowed her to hang onto mokomoko like it were a lifeline.

----

Kagome focused on keeping her footing, stumbling after the silent Daiyoukai. His furs pillowed her cheek, comfortable and silky. From what she could tell they’d left the wilder grass behind, her muddy loafers crunching on twigs and dry earth.

They didn’t talk often and she didn’t give voice to her exhaustion, closing her eyes after a while since it did little good to keep them open, her world endlessly black.

She tried not to fall prey to the dark feelings of dread and worry threatening to claim her, lingering on the outskirts of her tired mind. She’d come too far to give up now.

Kagome bumped into something solid and stopped. “What is it?” she mumbled.

“I am going to rest for the night.”

“Oh…”

His voice sounded a little light, which meant he found something entertaining. “I take it you are going to cling to me throughout?”

“Y-yeah, can’t have you running off on me.”

“Hn, if that is the case, measures will need to be taken.”

Kagome wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. Nonetheless, she faithfully followed when he walked on, having little choice in the matter.

Warm, stuffy vapour began caressing her skin, rendering it slightly damp, her hair curling from the humidity. It began closing in around her like a shroud, the air thinning a little. Lapping water reached her keen hearing.

“Hot springs?”

“Indeed.”

Mild alarm raced through her bloodstream. Kagome squeaked- feeling herself being lifted up, a single hand grabbing her by the scruff and yanking so hard mokomoko was successfully pried from her grip, sending her flying through the air. Kagome cried out when water rushed up to meet her, warm and lulling, closing over her head. She quickly found her footing on the bottom of the pool and pushed up, sputtering as she broke the surface.

“You jerk! What the hell?!”

Sesshoumaru answered with a lofty chuckle. “You cannot expect to sleep near me while wearing such dirty clothes.”

“Throwing me into a hot spring isn’t the answer though!” she growled, splashing the water in his general direction, though she had no idea if it made contact or not.

“Hm? Would you have preferred being stripped bare to shudder against me all night long?” he suggested offhandedly.

“Of course not,” Kagome gritted out.

“Then I suggest you start bathing yourself, miko.”

Hesitating, Kagome wrestled with herself. The sound of his boots stepping over rocks and drawing further away loosened her tongue.

"J-just don't abandon me here, okay?"

He halted. "And what will you do if I decline to listen?"

"I'll haunt your ass once I'm dead."

"Hn."

He continued on, his answer not exactly assuaging Kagome's fears. With little else to do but tentatively trust him, she stripped out of her uniform and bathed as best she could. Without the use of soap or a sponge and being unable to see the dirt being washed away, it would likely be an unsuccessful bath. She tried her best to make herself 'clean', scrubbing at her uniform for good measure.

The silence was heavy, only broken by the sound of gently lapping water. She had no idea what time it was. How far away Inuyasha and her friends were. Kagome shivered, hugging her arms to her chest. She began to feel paranoid, suspecting the slightest sound. Dark youkai reached out, brushing her senses.

Kagome exhaled in relief, hanging onto Sesshoumaru’s aura.

“Step out of the water.”

She stiffened at the abrupt sound of his commanding voice. “And let you see me naked? No thank you.”

“There is no point in assuring you that I will not- since you cannot see if I am being truthful. I can merely promise that my curiosity about the human form will never be acted upon.”

Kagome flushed red. So he could look He just disliked humans too much to ever be ‘interested.’

She reluctantly supposed she had little choice in the matter. Standing, Kagome waded through the hot waters towards his voice, reaching out to feel for the side in order to climb out- only for her hand to be ensnared, captured by lithe fingers.

Kagome’s hazy eyes widened, climbing out with the aid of his grip, quickly covering herself with both arms as soon as she were able. “M-my clothes are wet…”

Something wrapped around her body, and she recognised the material to be a short towel. Quickly drying herself, Kagome paused when new, silky material nudged against her cheek. “Dress in this once you are done,” Sesshoumaru’s low voice rumbled.

Since she could sense his strong, dark presence linger close, she wondered if he were watching out for enemies or just plain watching her. Kagome fumbled with the silks, feeling around for the collar. Sesshoumaru’s rumbling chuckle made goosebumps race over her bare skin. She nearly bit out a comment- feeling hot breath fan over her forehead. His single arm nudged at hers, guiding her hand through a sleeve, before holding the parting open, allowing her to slip it on. Kagome blushed wildly, groping for the obi and hurriedly tying it at her waist.

A cool hand stilled hers once she was done, cutting into the rough rope still bound around her freed wrists. Kagome murmured her thanks.

“Where did you get the yukata?” she mumbled.

Mokomoko bumped her chest and Kagome held onto it reflexively as Sesshoumaru strolled away, the furs guiding her forwards. “I have many bases littered around the countryside, should I need to make use of them for trysts or shelter.”

“T-trysts?” she squeaked. “Is this clothing from...?”

“Do not worry, foolish one. That is an unused article of clothing. I keep them in case my lovers are in need of a spare change of clothes. I have been known to be...impatient.”

She arched a brow and used her free hand to measure the length of her sleeves, touching the seams. “This is a man’s yukata.”

“What of it?”

Kagome clicked. “Oh, nothing. I just didn’t know you were interested in guys.”

Sesshoumaru gave a tired, long-suffering sigh while wafting steam pulled away from their bodies, leaving them exposed to the cool air while they walked through what Kagome assumed to be a sparse forest. “Provided an individual captures my interest, gender has no bearing on who I share a bed with. It is inconsequential to me, unlike humans with your...limited choices.”

“Hey! Humans can swing both ways too. A-and look who’s talking! You’re getting all high and mighty about gender but species and blood purity matter a great deal to you. Sounds limiting to me.”

He became silent for a moment, which made Kagome feel slightly victorious. “Admittedly I have never lain with a human before,” he pretended to sound considering. “Are you volunteering yourself, miko?”

“As if,” she snorted, cheeks burning red. “You’ve tried to kill Inuyasha,” she quickly supplied as a valid excuse.

“Hn,” he gave an entertained noise, “so if we were not enemies, you would accept?”

Her mouth grew dry, feeling like she’d held her face over a flickering fire. “You’re way too arrogant to be my type.”

The sound of his quiet chuckle changed as they seemed to step into an enclosed space. Kagome reached out and touched a rocky surface, dragging her palm over it. The remnants of a demonic barrier littered the area. She suddenly stopped, yanking mokomoko and forcing Sesshoumaru to stop with her. “Have you just taken me into one of your trysting spots?"

“Where else are we to rest?”

“Not here!” she burst.

“You complain often, miko. I will leave you to the hungry animals outside if need be," he sneered. "Do not worry. This place has not seen use in a long time and is clean, I assure you,” his tone lulled into a patronising one.

Kagome held her tongue, uncomfortably settling down onto a silky bed of furs when he guided her over to it. She felt extremely weird. Staying in a place where Sesshoumaru had once had sex wasn’t exactly how she’d envisioned her Thursday going.

Something smooth and pronged was placed into her hand- and she gentled a little, quietly thanking him. Beginning to brush her wet hair, Kagome carded her fingers through the strands, making a soft noise of enjoyment.

All the while, she felt the keen sensation of being watched. Arranging herself into a more comfortable position on the bed, she sighed, gazing in his general direction. “I might be blind right now but I can feel your eyes on me. What’s up?”

“Up?”

“I mean- is something bothering you?”

“No,” he sounded briefly considering. “Rather...this one noticed your ears.”

“Hm? The fact that they’re round compared to yours?”

His thumb and forefinger closed around the sterling silver stud pierced through her earlobe. Kagome stiffened, soon relaxing. “Oh, my earrings? They’re not a big deal.”

“They are different from what I have seen before,” he stroked the shell of her ear consideringly, making her shiver. "I wish to test something.”

Since the demon lord had been magnanimous enough to offer shelter, provide new clothing and allow her to tag along with him, Kagome decided to indulge his curiosity. She sensed him move and root through something nearby, a box, she assumed.

I wish I could look around, her lips pursed, exceptionally interested in what one of his hideaways looked like.

“Remove the earrings.”

Nodding, Kagome fiddled with them, taking them out and rubbing her ears slightly. Removing them always felt weird. An inquisitive claw brushed her ear, and Kagome swallowed, holding still with mild confusion as Sesshoumaru donned her with new earrings. When he pulled away, Kagome brushed her fingers over them, finding some sort of stone dangling from her ears. They were cool to the touch and weren’t too heavy, a nice weight.

“What kind of stone are they?”

“Never you mind,” he rumbled, something tickling her brow. She wondered if it were his bangs sliding forward. Soft breath fanned over her nose before it pulled away. “Merely wear those for the duration of your stay. They suit you.”

Kagome tilted her head slightly, “well...okay? They’re not a keepsake from an old flame, are they?”

“No. Those are mine.”

She hummed, touching them again. “You can keep my earrings if you like. They can be my way of saying thanks. They kinda look like diamonds so maybe they’re to your expensive tastes.”

Even though they’re fakes.

Sesshoumaru made a rumbling noise that she assumed was positive, and wondered if they had been his true aim all along. She figured that would be all for the night- before feeling a touch against her hair. Kagome paused, fighting an exasperated smile. Who knew Sesshoumaru could be kind of… cute?

"Anything else?"

"Hn, your hair would suit this kanzashi. Hold still."

Kagome got the feeling their dress-up session was going to take a while.

---

When she awoke, the permanent darkness made it difficult to know exactly what time it was. Only the birds chirping in the trees outside let her know dawn had broken. The heat at her back that had warmed her throughout the night was gone. Kagome sat up, touching her bed hair and refusing to examine what the warmth had belonged to.

"Sesshoumaru?" she rasped.

She heard him shift and stand within the cave, "I sense something nearby. Wait for me here."

"It's not like I can go anywhere," she quipped, smiling slightly.

He made a noise of acknowledgement, walking away. His footsteps became softer until they disappeared completely. Kagome felt unnerved by it.

She reached out with her aura, but this time there was no assurance from his dark youki. Kagome steadied her breathing, trying not to freak out.

Strangely, the darkness was giving way to something. Murky shapes. Browns, whites and buttery yellows. Kagome’s heart burst with gladness.

“Holy shit,” she breathed. “It wasn’t permanent...thank God.”

She could see! Well, kind of. Colours were back though, and shapes were sure to follow.

A commotion was happening outside though. Distant cries could be heard, along with familiar shouting. Kagome stumbled to her feet, following the light source out into the open despite the lack of solid objects yet.

Inuyasha’s loud voice broadcasted his location, making him easy to find- a bold red blur to Kagome’s eyes. Other colours were nearby, purples, blacks, pinks, yellows, oranges and greens.

“Guys!” she breathed.

The murky shapes turned, sharpening slightly into hazy focus. She registered Inuyasha’s horrified features. “K-Kagome...what the hell?”

She blinked and frowned, wondering what his problem was. The Hanyou rounded on a white shape that had sprinkles of red mixed in. “Hey, bastard! Why the fuck is Kagome dressed up like that? W-why does she reek of you!”

Looking down towards a nearby puddle, Kagome crouched and squinted, curious about what Inuyasha was babbling about. Her face came into focus, and her lips parted in surprise.

It wasn’t just one kanzashi, a few were nestled into her fall of curling wild hair. They glittered in the morning light. Some made of ivory, the others were black and adorned with gems. The blue of her eyes linked beautifully with the sapphires hanging from her ears. Everything paired well with the yukata he’d given her, which was white with illustrated ocean waves and smoky clouds patterning its hem and sleeves.

After enduring kidnapping- stumbling about blind for many hours, falling into ditches and streams and not knowing if she would live or die- Kagome couldn’t help but appreciate being swathed in finery. It made it feel a bit...pampered. Happy.

“Kagome, are you alright?”

She raised her head to find Sango and the others drawing closer, Inuyasha was still engaged with a verbal sparring match with Sesshoumaru that would likely head south soon.

“I’m fine,” she murmured, Shippo’s cute face appeared near hers, clear as day.

“We were worried!” he exclaimed. “We couldn’t find you anywhere after Inuyasha caught up with that demon goat and killed him.”

Nice to know my kidnapper is dead, she thought dryly, murmuring an assurance to Shippo but soon standing. She hurried closer to Inuyasha just as he took out Tetsusaiga.

“Hey- stop,” she called firmly, grasping his trailing sleeve. “That’s enough. Sesshoumaru took care of me last night, that’s all.”

“Took care of you?” Inuyasha paled, ears pinning back.

Kagome turned red. “W-what? What’s weird about that? Nothing happened!”

“Then why are you dressed like- like...that!”

Sesshoumaru gave a velvety chuckle from where he stood further away, tilting his chin up and curling his lips with an air of disdain. “I amused myself with your miko, Inuyasha, that is all,” he sneered. “She struggled so sweetly beneath me when I forced the clothes on her.”

“Bastard!” Inuyasha snarled, confused when Kagome stepped in between them. She glared first at the Hanyou, “Quit it- both of you! You’re acting like children!”

Turning her dimmed sights on Sesshoumaru, she struggled to see him clearly since he stood further away. “I don’t know what you seek to gain from lying but...thank you for all that you’ve done up till now,” she murmured. “My offer still stands if you need a favour.”

Inuyasha blustered behind her, shouting up a storm. Kagome muttered a ‘Sit’ to get him to quiet, straining to hear Sesshoumaru’s reply.

To her surprise, with Inuyasha briefly incapacitated, Sesshoumaru drew closer. The sweep of his brows, regal nose and cupid’s bow of his lips caught her dazed attention- her breath halting. Familiar diamond style studded earrings adorned his ears.

“These will do nicely as payment, miko,” he rumbled.

Kagome blinked and slowly smiled, sharing a quiet moment with him. “I-I suppose you’ll want these back,” she murmured, closing her hands around the sapphires on her ears.

“I have plenty more.”

“Right, of course you do,” she giggled, hearing Inuyasha squeak out a ‘did you just giggle at Sesshoumaru?!’ from his crater.

“Hn, as I said, they suit you,” Sesshoumaru turned. “And miko?”

“Yes?”

He began walking away, but she could hear the smile in his voice without seeing his expression. “You have captured my interest.”

Kagome’s eyes widened, heart bursting into overdrive. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies, and she felt a mix of confusion and anticipation.

Ditto, she thought with a faint smile.

[geminiwritten]

heatwave ; bucky barnes

fandom: marvel

pairing: bucky x reader

summary: you’re not a huge fan of the hot weather until a certain super soldier finally gets his arse out of bed and gives you a reason to love it

notes: i wrote this over quite a few days so i’m really sorry if its disjointed, and i’m so sorry if its repetitive of my last piece! i’m still trying to get through a bit of writer’s block, so i hope y’all enjoy!

word count: 3359

The heat seemed to wash over you in waves. Pulses of warmth rolling through your body and stealing your breath. Every inch of your skin glistened with a thin sheen of sweat, drawing all the hydration from your body and draining any energy you might have possessed if it wasn’t for the heatwave currently sweeping through New York City.

“Ugh,” you groaned, your head lulling to the side where Natasha laid, “I think I’m dying.”

She let out a breathy laugh, “You’re not dying.”

“I might be.”

“Oh, come on you two,” Sam hollered from the pool a little way across the balcony, “have some fun for once in your lives!”

Natasha propped herself up on her elbows and squinted over the top of her sunglasses, “With you idiots? No thanks.”

“Why are you always such a killjoy, Romanoff?”

“Why are you always such a pain in the ass, Wilson?” you called back, mimicking Natasha on your elbows.

He scoffed, “That’s rich coming from the whiniest member of the team.”

Your frown deepened, this time out of anger and not because of the bright glare from the sun.

“Watch it, Wilson,” a voice called out from behind you, “or she’ll come over there and kick your ass.”

Both you and Natasha whipped around to find Bucky. He had probably only just woken, his mop of hair tied up into a loose bun with escaped tendrils sticking to the hot skin of his neck and forehead. This time, it wasn’t the heat that knocked the air from your lungs.

“Nice to see you’re alive, Buck,” Steve chuckled as he waded through the pool toward where Sam was leaning against the edge.

Bucky rolled his eyes, opening his mouth to say something smart but having his breath stolen as he stepped out of the shade and into the sun. “Holy shit,” he gasped, “it’s hot.”

“Sharp observation skills, Einstein,” Natasha quipped.

“At least Barnes will get in the pool unlike you two party poopers,” Sam said, before copping a volleyball to the back of the head thanks to Bruce’s poor aim.

He spun around quickly, ball in hand and ready to hurl it back at his attacker.

“Well then,” Bucky sighed, now standing beside you, “I guess it’s time for a swim.”

He looked down at you sprawled across your towel, one arm draped over your eyes to shield from the sun and the other resting on your bare stomach. You suddenly felt exposed, nervous under the gaze of his pale blue eyes.

“Want to join me?”

Your pulse thudded in your ears, and you wanted nothing more than to get in the water with him, but the sound of shouts and spraying water reminded you of the rest of the team.

“I’m sorry, Buck, I’ll have to pass,” you replied.

He pushed his bottom lip forward, “It’s your loss, doll, this heat is a killer.”

Your limbs turned to jelly at the sound of that pet name rolling off his tongue.

“Ugh,” Natasha scoffed beside you, “you two are sickening.”

You wanted to turn around and bite back at her, but what happened next had you paralysed. Every nerve in your body ignited, goosebumps rising across every inch of your skin in spite of the steamy weather. Bucky’s fingers curled under the hem of his shirt, tugging it up and over his head to reveal his sculpted body beneath. His abs rolled and tensed as he rid himself of the material and discarded it on the ground, making your mouth water and your head spin with a thousand different unholy thoughts.

A shriek from the red headed woman beside you broke you out of your trance, and only then did you notice the spray of pool water that had washed over you and most of the balcony.

“You’re an arse, Barnes!” Natasha yelled, standing and angrily snatching up her towel.

You pushed your sunglasses further up your nose as you let your gaze settle on the giggling men in the pool. Bucky’s now wet, broad shoulders glistened under the sunlight, his alabaster skin taught across the landscape of muscle.

“Do you want some lunch or are you just going to keep staring like a creep?” Natasha asked as she stood over you.

Your gaze hardly wavered, “I’m not hungry.”

“Are you sure?” she pressed, her lips curling into a smirk, “because I think you’ve got a little bit of drool on your chin there.”

If Bucky wasn’t pulling himself out of the water right at the moment, you might have turned around to poke your tongue at her, but instead you opted for flipping her the bird while your eyes remained trained on the pool area.

The rest of the steamy day went by far too quickly. Despite your hate for the heat, you stayed out on the balcony until the sun began to set. Only when Bucky and Sam wrapped themselves in towels and declared that it was time for dinner did you finally put your book away, not that you had managed to read even a single page of it.

“Is it supposed to be this hot again tomorrow?” Sam asked as the three of you stepped inside.

“Yeah,” you replied, “and the day after.”

“I bet you’re happy about that,” he chuckled, watching disappointment sweep across your face as Bucky pulled his shirt over his head

“Shut up.”

He chuckled at your feeble attempt to jab his side, easily evading your attack.

“Alright, children,” Tony called from the kitchen, “dinner’s ready.”

Like moths to a flame, the rest of the team gathered around the kitchen bench where Natasha and Tony had laid out the pre-cut ingredients for everyone to make their own burgers.

“I’m going to have a shower before eating,” Bucky said, to no one in particular as he draped his damp towel over his forearm.

“Do you need any help?” Sam asked, his grin evil, “Because I’m sure Y/N would love-”

“Sam!” you snapped.

Thankfully, Bucky remained oblivious, his brows knit into an adorable frown.

“Never mind, Buck,” you said, “I’ll make sure they save you some food.”

His face broke into that familiar smile that melted your heart, “Thanks, doll.”

Once again, your legs wobbled like jelly and you had to steady yourself on the back of the lounge.

“Ugh,” Sam groaned, “I can’t wait until they day you two finally fu-”

“Language,” Steve interrupted with a disapproving glare at Sam.

You poked your tongue out before turning toward the array of burger ingredients, your empty stomach rumbling at the sight.

The next day rolled around just as the weather forecast had predicted. The air was thick with humidity and the sun blared down just as it had yesterday. Once again you found yourself on a towel beside the pool, half of the team splashing around while the other half laid languidly in the shade.

“Still not getting in today?” Steve asked as he approached the bar fridge near where you had placed your towel.

You shook your head, “I’d rather not get caught in the crossfire of an overly aggressive game of chicken.”

“I mean, you could play the game with us, maybe even get to climb onto Bucky’s shoulders.”

You whipped around, your glare lethal, “What the fuck, Rogers?”

He chuckled, “Sorry, Sam told me to.”

“You are the last person I would expect to stoop to his level,” you said, crossing your arms indignantly.

He shrugged, “Well, no one has told Buck, if that makes up for anything.”

“I’m guessing everyone else knows, though.”

He didn’t respond, only smiled sheepishly.

“Ugh,” you sighed.

“In my own defence, Natasha told me about your crush months ago and I haven’t let it slip once. It’s been-”

“Sam,” you interrupted him, “I know.”

He took a generous sip of water before crouching beside you, “For what it’s worth, I think you should tell him how you feel.”

“Yeah, right,” you scoffed.

Steve knew he couldn’t say anymore. He knew nothing he said would convince you to tell Bucky how you felt, and he knew he couldn’t betray his best friend’s trust by divulging the fact that Bucky really had confessed his feelings for you before. He decided to let you be, gathering three more bottles of water before heading back to the pool.

The day passed almost identically to the one before it, and so did the next. It wasn’t until two o’clock in the morning on the third night of the heatwave that you felt a sudden change. You awoke abruptly, a shiver running down your spine as cool air blew through the open window and brushed across your bare skin. You frowned at the night sky before tiredly pulling your duvet up to your chin and falling back asleep.

By morning, the heat was well and truly gone. Clouds blanketed New York City, threatening to rain as they rolled angrily across the grey sky.

“I guess it’s back to work today, Avengers,” Tony said from behind his tablet.

Almost everyone was awake, crowded around the kitchen bench awaiting Clint’s famous French toast.

“What work?” Peter asked.

“Homework for you, kid,” Steve replied, earning an indignant frown from Peter.

You couldn’t help but giggle into your mug of coffee, before almost spraying it back out at the sight that then exited the elevator.

Bucky. Shirtless. Again.

You began to wonder what you had done to be so lucky, your heart thrumming against your rib cage so hard you worried that someone might hear it.

“Oh, my, Barnes,” Tony gasped, “you know it’s still in the A.M., right?”

Bucky simply rolled his tired eyes before slumping onto the lounge, mumbling, “Hungry.”

It wasn’t long before Clint served breakfast, everyone scoffing their food as if they hadn’t eaten in days, and soon after that, Peter dismissed himself for school and Tony and Bruce made their way to the lab.

“I think I need to get back into the gym today,” Clint sighed, stretching his arms above his head.

You sighed, “Same.”

“Bucky and I were planning on heading down there in the afternoon actually, we could do a group training session,” Steve said as he filled the sink, ready to wash everyone’s dishes.

“I’m in,” Natasha replied, “I was going to head into town for some groceries this morning, so the afternoon is better for me.”

“Yeah, alright,” Clint added, “Count me in.”

“Me too,” Sam said through his last mouthful of toast, “and obviously Y/N will be there too.”

You turned to him quickly, a frown already etched between your brows, “What the hell does that mean?”

He chuckled, “Steve said that he and Bucky were planning it, so obviously you-”

You elbowed him sharply in the gut before standing from your seat at the dining table and stomping over to the kitchen.

Natasha sighed, “You better be careful, Wilson, you’re playing with fire.”

“But it’s so obvious that they both like each other, why can’t they just fuck already.”

Steve’s ears turned red and Natasha laughed, but neither of them seemed to notice as Bucky finally made his way over from the living area.

“Who needs to fuck already?” he asked, brows knit.

“No one,” Steve answered quickly, “Tony wants help moving a new delivery, I said we’d help him out. Come on.”

He ushered the confused Bucky out of the room, but not before shooting daggers at Sam.

After breakfast you decided to go with Natasha into town. The compound was running low on a few things that Tony always forgot to add to the weekly grocery delivery, so you took your time shopping and chatting. It was nice to simply enjoy the feeling of not having sweat drip from every inch of your skin, though you couldn’t help mourning the sticky weather that would encourage Bucky to constantly walk around shirtless.

It was almost four o’clock when you finally changed into your workout gear and headed for the gym. Most of the team were already in there, and those that weren’t had kindly declined the offer of a group training session.

Steve, Sam, Tony, and Bucky were gathered around the sparring mats each taking turns at attacking the training dummy, while Clint was over by the weights alone. You quickly found Wanda and Natasha on the treadmills and decided to start there.

“Afternoon,” Wanda greeted you, her smile sweet as she swiped the sweat from her brow.

You grinned back, “Fancy seeing you out of your room.”

“I don’t do heat,” she said, “but Nat has just been telling me about how much you’ve been enjoying it.”

You tossed your gym towel at her, gasping, “Oh, shut up!”

The two red heads giggled, thankfully too amused to notice the way your eyes drifted across the gym to where Bucky was training.

After almost an hour on the treadmill, chatting idly about nothing in particular with Nat and Wanda, Steve called the team to attention. Everyone moved in from around the gym, forming a misshapen circle around the sparring mats that he and Clint had just hauled from the storage room.

“It’s a bit stuffy in here,” Sam said as he plopped down on the floor and began stretching his legs out in front of him, “is the air on, Tony?”

Tony, who was chugging half a bottle of water, simply shrugged and waved haphazardly at the control panel by the main entry doors.

“I’ll check it,” you offered before turning on your heel.

You tapped the screen and it came to life, but the display wasn’t the same as the one in your room. It had more options and dials for more variables than just the temperature, but on the top right of the screen was a little green button that you assumed meant it was on. You chose the dial that looked like it controlled the fan speed and turned it all the way up.

“All good, Y/N?” Steve called.

You nodded before hurrying back to the group, bending your right leg up to your buttocks in a quick stretch. Steve and Nat then took their positions in the middle of the circle and began demonstrating the fight sequences that they wanted the team to practice.

“Now partner up, pick a mat, and practice until you can do it as fast as you can,” Steve said, before looking directly at Sam, “without hurting each other.”

Sam sighed with exasperation as he turned to his partner, Bucky. You turned to Wanda while Nat joined Clint on a mat and Tony stepped up to where Steve was. Each pair started slowly mimicking the moves that had just been demonstrated.

“It is hot in here,” Wanda said, her breath heavy as she ducked your fist.

You simply nodded, too focused on your movements to be able to speak.

Grunts, huffs, and the thud of heavy feet on the vinyl mats echoed throughout the gym for fifteen minutes before Steve called a break. You practically dove for your water bottle, only to choke on the first mouthful of water when Bucky yanked his sweat-soaked shirt over his head. Wanda caught your eye, giggling as you spluttered.

“I thought the heatwave was over,” Clint said.

Tony nodded, “It is, I think the air-con is playing up.”

“It’s broken?” Wanda gasped.

He shrugged, opening his mouth to respond but stopping when Steve spoke first, “Alright, enough chatting, let’s get back into it.”

Over the next thirty minutes, Wanda’s fist made contact with your shoulder, your abdomen, and almost your jaw if she hadn’t quickly noticed that you were too distracted to block her swing. Her foot then collided with your hip twice before she finally gave in on trying to get your attention.

Your eyes were glossed over and glued to the super soldier duelling Sam. His exposed skin glistened with sweat, muscles rippling under taught, alabaster skin. His stare was hard, eyes almost grey as they narrowed on every move that Sam made. Your palms began to sweat, knees wobbling as you watched his tongue swipe quickly across his pink lips.

“Y/N!” Wanda snapped, her fingers gripping your chin and forcing you to face her, “focus.”

“Shit, sorry,” you muttered.

You raised your shaky hands, trying to block out the shirtless man still in your peripheral vision.

By the time Steve called the training session to an end, the air was almost as dense as the storm clouds outside. Everyone was soaked in their own sweat, hair clinging to sticky skin and muscles beneath burning from use.

“I swear to God, Tony,” Wanda said as she draped her towel over her shoulder, “if the air-con is broken, I’m not going to let you sleep until it’s fixed.”

He chuckled, fingers already moving swiftly across the tablet in his lap, “It’s not broken.”

“Then what the fuck is this?” Sam exclaimed, arms gesturing wildly toward the gym’s huge windows that were completely veiled in condensation.

Tony nodded toward you, “Y/N turned the temperature up instead of down.”

Heat blossomed in your chest, crawling up your neck and to the tips of your ears. Every pair of eyes landed on you, a mixture of irritation and amusement etched across the faces of your teammates.

“I’m sorry,” you mumbled, “I got confused.”

Most of the group simply chuckled or shrugged, collecting their things and heading for the door, but Sam took his time. The devilish smirk adorning his lips made your pulse begin to race.

“Far out, Y/N,” he said, “you didn’t have to torture all of us just to get Barnes to take his clothes off.”

Your eyes went wide, brows shooting up toward your hairline as every coherent thought left your head. Your heart pounded deafeningly in your ears.

The team was suddenly silent, those closest to the door hurrying out and the rest quickly rushing after them. Wanda stuck her elbow into Sam’s side before dragging him out by his shirt collar.

Bucky remained, paralysed feet still glued to the ground as he quickly tried to catch up on what had just happened.

“Sam was just joking,” you finally managed to speak, “he’s an arse.”

Bucky blinked slowly, “Yeah… such an arse.”

You nodded, mouth dry as you tried to swallow the lump in your throat, “Okay, well, I’ve got to-”

“He is an arse,” Bucky interrupted you, blue eyes wide with curiosity, “but he doesn’t usually lie.”

You didn’t know what to say, your nervous fingers tangling behind your back. His stare was heavy, pressing down on your shoulders and holding you still as he slowly stepped closer.

“Do you like me?” he asked, voice barely above a whisper.

“Of course I like you, Buck, you’re-”

“No,” one last step and his breath fanned the exposed skin of your neck, “do you-”

This time, it was your turn to interrupt. Every bit of pent-up tension and suppressed desire propelled you toward him, coming up onto the balls of your feet and wrapping your arms around his broad shoulders. Your lips crashed into his, so hard you might have worried about bruising them if the thought of a mark left by Bucky wasn’t so thrilling.

He hesitated only for a moment before his hands found your waist, practically lifting you off the ground and squashing your body against his. Your fingers tangled in his hair as his tongue glided across your bottom lip, begging for entry. A low, almost feral growl rumbled up from his chest once you allowed him in, tongues clashing.

You only parted when breath became absolutely necessary, your lungs burning for air. He let you back onto your own feet, though his strong arms stayed wound around your waist.

“Um, yeah,” you said between gulps of air, “I really like you, Buck.”

He chuckled, “Well, that’s a relief because I really like you too.”

He pressed his lips to yours once more before pulling away completely and wrapping his gym towel around his shoulders.

“I need a shower,” he said, taking your hand in his and tugging you toward the door, “and it’s your turn to take your clothes off now.”

END.

[fragileizywriting]

blanket

AO3 | Start Here | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

The sun is so bright.

The sun is bright, he is warm and content, and he is happy enough to stay exactly where he is for the rest of time. It takes him a couple of blinks to register that he can see the beautiful blue sky above him, instead of a ceiling, and he shoots up into a sitting position before he can even realize he’s doing it. The sky is blue enough to match the ocean that Luka is from— almost as blue as Marinette’s eyes when she’s casting spells— almost as blue is his mom’s eyes.

There are no clouds. Just a beating, bright, beautiful sun. It’s bright— and relenting— but he doesn’t sweat underneath its gaze. The heat caresses his skin so softly like a warm hug— he’s tempted to purr just on sheer instinct, feeling coddled under the nice warmth.

His gaze moves down to his surroundings.

He’s in an open field that stretches for kilometers in all directions— coated in a sea of orange and red. There’s a sweetened honey scent in the air, something that he can’t place— but so familiar that it tickles the back of his mind. His ears twitch at the light breeze that carries through the field, listening to the way it whistles through his hair and the field.

When did he get here? He has no memory of this. He remembers holding Marinette tight as she cried, tucking her cheek against his chest, letting the seal at his chest burn and singe as his witch cried for a wish he couldn’t immediately satisfy. He remembers watching the flames at the fireplace as she cried— and coincidentally, fall asleep— before he’d closed his eyes as well.

He looks down to his sleep clothes— stained with dirt, of course, because it’s just his luck to be wearing white while laying down in a patch of… in a patch… of…

“Fire lilies.” He breathes out.

Of course, of course.

It’s been a long time since he’s been here, but now that he remembers— how could he have forgotten in the first place? He pulls his hands up from the earth, making sure his claws are as far away from any of the flowers as much as possible. He’s certain that he’s crushed however many are currently underneath him, but he doesn’t have the capability to feel upset at it, focusing on something else.

Where is she? She’s always close by whenever he shows up here.

He scans the horizon, finally recognizing where he is, no longer disoriented. She’s around here somewhere. Somewhere. It just sucks that her hair practically blends in with the flowers— red upon a fiery red always made it nearly impossible to discern between flower and curl whenever she wore thick crowns of them— and with the amount of the lily scent in the air, it’ll be impossible to scent her.

“Mom?” He turns in his seat to look behind him. There she is. His heart aches to see her after so much time.

Beautiful blonde and golden hair, just like his— braided to the side with a thick straw hat to keep her pale shoulders from burning. Sweet Emilie. She’s so susceptible to burning always— he remembers her laughter during the times where she would somehow get burned through her clothes when they’d go out to the fields together, when he was just a child.

He was so happy then— simply just spending time with his mother. Every moment with his mother was his favorite thing— the most important thing to him as a young boy. Nothing else mattered. The simplicity of his life was always so refreshing.

He knows that when he approaches her, she’ll turn and smile with her glittering green eyes up at him, maybe even pull back her hat just a bit so she can see him well. He’s tall now. Much taller than the last time she saw him. She’ll ask him if his nap was good, squeeze his hand in that familiar way she always did— if he wants a fruit that she no doubt has in the basket that rests at her side.

He stands up, tries to dust himself off from the dirt and pollen that’s caked onto his backside, and carefully makes his way over to her, wading through the flowers that go up to his knees. He doesn’t want to disturb the fire lilies— beautiful as they are, and dangerous as he is, they don’t deserve him trampling over them. He’s better than that.

“Mom— where’s dad—” He blinks.

“Oh! Chat Noir!” Beautiful blue eyes blink up at him from under the hat.

What?

Was he making a thought somewhere? Had he imagined someone? His brain feels fuzzy, trying to piece together the thought he’d made about his mother.

No… that’s right— his mother has blue eyes, not green. Where had the confusion come from? His mom has always had blue eyes.

She’s freckled all over her face and shoulders— she’s a peach tone, warm instead of that cool and unblemished skin he’d first imagined— with an absolute mane of red locks so dense and so thick that it is a crown of curls that goes down her back and shoulders when she doesn’t pin it in place.

Never in his lifetime would he ever imagine his mother having blonde hair. It doesn’t suit her.

His mother doesn’t burn in the sun, either— his mother lives under it. Fiery, beautiful, appreciative of the sky and all they give and have provided to humans— it’s no wonder that a Chat Noir stole fire from it. He doesn’t blame that past Chat Noir in the slightest.

Who… was the blonde woman? Her name’s dissolved on his tongue entirely.

Did she even have one?

Or did he make it up?

Why had his heart ached at the chance to see her turn around?

“Dearest?” Tikki tilts her head.

“Hey, mom.” He smiles down at her, trying to blink the memories away.

“Is everything alright?”

“I’m— I’m a little disoriented.” He sighs. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been here. I thought for a second I saw someone else.”

“Someone else, dearest?” There’s a frown on her face. It makes her look older. “Other than the flowers, and the charms, I’m the only one that is ever here. Who did you think you saw?”

“A woman?” He sounds weak with argument. “A— a blonde woman? For a second I thought— I thought this woman was my mother.”

“How peculiar,” Tikki looks him over, flitting her blue eyes over him in a way that’s reminiscent of Marinette. No doubt she’s checking for signs of fatigue— why else would he be hallucinating? “You’re not having migraines again, are you?”

He blinks slowly in the beating sun. “What does— my migraines? What does that have to do with what I saw?”

“Well, when you’d first shown up with signs of your head hurting, and those days when you could do nothing but cry, terrified of portals opening up and of that man that hurt you,” She lowers her gaze down enough so that he can’t see her face anymore because of the brim of her hat. “You also would ask for someone to show hold you. I don’t remember her name— but you kept saying she was your mother.”

“Why would I—”

“I suppose you’d have to ask your father on that one, my dear,” There’s nothing short of a smile on her smile when she looks back up. “He’ll have better answers for you. Afterall, he is the one who mostly took care of the migraines since I was so busy.”

He deflates. Well, there’s no point in worrying about it if he can just ask his dad about it later. “Oh, mom. I’m so disoriented— I didn’t even recognize where I was.”

“I’ll say. You almost gave me a fright when I heard your voice, it’s just been so long since you’ve shown up— but I’m so glad you’re here. How I’ve missed my little star.” She looks to him with awe, the lines on the sides of her eyes so familiar and so comforting. He doesn’t feel as confused as he did a few moments ago, thank goodness. She looks down at his clothes— to the white linen night shirt and pants— taking in the darkened smudges with a quirk of her expressive lips. “My dearest, you are covered in dirt.”

He probably looks like he’s been wrestling in gold-colored mud. And lost. “Marinette says I’m a magnet to it.”

“She may have a point.” Her laugh is short and sweet.

“Oh— I— also, I think I crushed some of your flowers when I showed up,” He gestures behind him. He can somewhat make out a small divet in the swaying field of lilies as the wind combs through them— he feels apologetic enough to flatten his ears at the sight. “I’m sorry.”

He always does this. Why does he always do this? He sags his shoulders on sheer instinct, flattening his ears harder against his head.

“Oh, dear, don’t apologize! I know you’re always upset when it happens, but remember, a flower can simply just grow back— besides, I’d much rather have you here, dearest, even if you’re only here via a dream.” She reaches for him in order to pull him closer and sit with her. He sits down with her, more comfortable and at ease being able to look at his mom at the correct height. He’s not used to looking down at her— she’s taller than him when she stands up. His mom will always and forever be taller than him. “You’ve always been our greatest gift, after all— you know I would trade all of the fire lilies in the world if it means to see you one more time.”

“Don’t call me a gift like that,” He laughs as his face steams red. His ears flick at the wind, breathing in heavy at the honey scent, watching his mother coddle and care for the thousands of flowers she cultivates each year. She snips a fire lily’s stem— the bulb is swollen with a blossom so large that it has the same diameter as the size of his whole head. It’s huge. Absolutely beautiful.

“I speak the truth, my dear.”

“Mom,” He rolls his eyes.

Her laughter is always sweet, but especially so when she places the flower into his hair. It’ll never sit well, given that he doesn’t have human ears like her— he has cat ears, just like his dad— but the flower stays as well as it can. “Your father would agree.”

“That doesn’t count. Dad will agree with anything you say.”

“It’s only because I’m right.”

“‘Greatest gift’,” He huffs, “Come on, mom. You can’t say things like that and expect me to keep a straight face.”

“You used to love to be told that,” There is so much humor in her smile that he can’t maintain eye contact with her. She snips another flower stem, letting her cutter rest in her lap so she can inhale the sweet honey scent of the petals. “What changed? Now that you’re twenty one, you’re acting so much more of an adult, my dear— where is my little star that couldn’t bear to see me leave without crying into his father’s robes?”

Only nine years of his memory intact. He is twenty one, but only nine of those years are real and unblemished. Sure, they’re full of headaches and dizzy spells and days where he’d lock himself in his room in the pitch dark trying to get the pain to go away, but they’re all he remembers of his younger teen years. He doesn’t know how to feel.

“Still here, don’t worry. You know I hate seeing you leave— I don’t feel comfortable with it. I have such an attachment to you.”

“I know, my dearest. You’ve always been a momma’s boy,” Tikki laughs, petting his softly on the cheek with a freckled thumb. “Ever since the first day we met, a crying and squirming little thing, only wrapped in bedsheets— always asking for your mother.”

He wishes he remembered even just a smidge of his childhood. All his memories start at the age of twelve. All his memories start with him curling into his mother’s arms, begging to be comforted from pain and fear of a man strangling him like something out of a nightmare. All his memories start with his mother looking at him like he’s her greatest miracle she’s ever performed.

“Hey, what does ‘greatest gift’ even mean, anyway?” He snorts, trying to focus on their conversation. “How am I a gift? All I am is a Chat Noir. You both have known Chat Noir’s for thousands of years— how am I any different?”

Her hands are just slightly bigger than his. Even with her giant height— he knows that it’s because they’re gods, and only because she is a goddess, she is taller than average— her fingers are proportionately small for her size. Delicate, slim— but her hands are definitely smaller than normal. She pauses with her fingers running against the petals of the lily she’s cut, her thick brows pinching closer in a way that her freckles shift on her skin in a mesmerizing way.

“It’s true that we’ve known many iterations of our champions,” She starts, “countless Ladybugs. Countless different species of earthen creatures— sometimes demons, too. Each more selfless than the last— always willing to give up so much of themselves for others.”

He tries not to think of Marinette, willing to give up her entire soul, just to bring back the one boy she couldn’t save.

“Plagg has had many Chat Noirs in the past, too— not all of them were demons. Many humans, like my Ladybugs— or many other creatures on earth. Nagas, for example— we’ve each had champions from all sorts. I’ve seen Plagg pick prodigies in the most unlikely of places— it makes sense, of course. Chat Noir is as Chaos personified— it wouldn’t do for it to be the same every time. While I always pick the most selfless, Plagg has always picked the most— uhm— impulsive.”

Impulsive? Or does she mean selfish?

How selfish is he really, for wanting to save Marinette’s soul from himself? He flattens his ears on his head with a simple: “Oh.”

She gestures to the field around them. “If we were to condense every Chat Noir into a flower for just an analogy, I’m sure in your eyes it would look much like this field. All the flowers look the same in the end, don’t they? A sea of orange?”

He shrugs, agreeing easily. “Sad but true.”

“But you haven’t been here to see how much care I put into each individual flower. Combined, it is a sea of mirrored and identical petals, but each flower I have cared for individually. I know the personalities of each and every flower— and I do actually mean Ladybug, in this analogy, just so that we’re clear. I listened to their prayers, nurtured them in all the ways I could. I watched them blossom under my care and protection— I watched each individual petal open up to reveal a gorgeous fire lily anyone would be proud of.”

“But we’re all the same in the end. We’re just a collection of fire lilies for you.”

“Our champions are never just a collection, my sweet.” She turns to him, holding the cut fire lily in her hand, cradling it like it’s the most precious one out of all. “They are reflections of ourselves. Extensions of us, in a way. It is just like a knight that works for a king and queen— it is commendable that they all wear the same crest— but not every knight is an equal. Each have wants, wishes, gains and conquests that they themselves did. We call you champions and prodigies because you are someone that we think of always. Every Ladybug has had a trait that I’ve prioritized— each Chat Noir has had something that Plagg has admired.”

“But what does—”

“You’re the first Chat Noir we’ve ever had as ours.” Tikki smoothes out her stola— a browned fabric over her tunic that keeps her from getting dirt while she works. “That in and of itself is a gift, my dear. You will never know how much work and attention Plagg gave to every one, that is true— and it may feel like you are just the same as all the others— but you will always be our son. No other Chat Noir can claim that title— never will be able to, either. You were a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The chance, afterall, quite literally had deposited itself onto our lap.”

He tilts his head, feeling a smile starting to spread on his face at her words. “Does that mean I’m your Chat Noir, too?”

“You always have been,” She smiles back— so reminiscent of Marinette, she really is a perfect fit for his mother— and reaches over to give him a combover with her hands in his hair. He purrs at her touch, even if she ends up pushing the fire lily off where she’d placed it in between his wild mane. She laughs softly when he tilts his head so she prioritizes petting at his ears, squeezing lightly with a thumb and a forefinger against the cup of his ear. “The moment you popped into our world, you were ours to take care of. You know I wouldn’t let Plagg have you by himself— I’d become much too smitten with you the moment we met. Beautiful and bright like a little star— somehow the fire that burned in the sun that had been stolen from me by a previous Chat Noir had come back to become my own child. Funny how luck works out in the end, no?”

“I guess so.” Chat agrees, picking a stray petal off of her basket. His blackened fingers stain orange from contact with the pollen that sticks to the petal like glue. “I’m sorry for feeling self conscious, mom.”

“It’s natural to ask questions about your place in everything. I would find it more concerning if you hadn’t questioned it at some point. I’m just glad I got to you before Plagg did— your father would no doubt try to convince you to burn something to feel better.” She turns her head slightly away to snip at another stem, placing the first into the basket. Each flower glistens with a dew so thin that Chat’s sure he’s imagining it. He groans when he realizes his tail is stained with pollen, too. “You know, my sweet, it’s good fortune to be blemished by a lily.”

“I don’t think it’s good fortune to have it stain your butt. I’m glad I’m not actually here— Marinette would kill me if I woke up to all these stains in my clothes.”

Tikki laughs. “It’s a shame you can only visit my realm through dreams, but I know it’s for the best. Your hellfire would be burned to the quick of your nails if you were actually here. It’s a shame your father can never see my land— though it’s not like he’d ever leave his throne, the spoiled king he is. Speaking of, how is my darling Ladybug?”

His mom is making conversation— she doesn’t need to ask about Marinette. She’s always checking up on her little worker, making sure that she’s okay. Marinette has absolutely no idea that every prayer she whispers under her breath is absolutely heard by his mother— he just wishes he could say that about all the prayers he gives to his father. Rude.

“She’s okay. Hardworking.” He feels a little silly answering a question about her own champion. “Preparing spells for the town for spring and summer. And for the town next over. And for anyone she comes across.”

“Oh, sweet and darling Marinette. She works too hard. She’ll miss all the festivities if she works herself this brutishly.”

“I’ve told her that already. She just works harder to spite me. She keeps telling me that she needs to counteract everything she knows I’m going to end up accidentally doing during the festivals, so she’s trying to make good luck charms for the entire village so that they can negate me.”

“Splitting image of me and your father,” His mother’s lips widen to the point where he can see the dimples pressing into her cheeks. “How adorable.”

He steams red. “Don’t— don’t you dare.”

“Dare what, dearest?”

“I’ve known you my whole life, mom, don’t try to pretend that I can’t read what you’re thinking. You’re trying to get your hopes up to a daughter-in-law, or whatever, but it’s not going to happen.” He huffs, attempting to hide his face in his hands but ending up having to sneeze from the pollen on his claws.

“Why not? It’s not uncommon for a Ladybug and a Chat Noir to fall in love. It’s happened countless of times already— Marinette is a perfect Ladybug for our Chat Noir.”

He burns redder. “Mom— I— how does that even work, anyway? Isn’t Chat Noir known to be a rogue?”

“Not always. You’re already proof enough of that, aren’t you? You’ve spent only a year with her and my little star has become smitten. Sometimes all it takes is a gentle guidance in the right direction and you two end up meeting and falling in love.”

Chat startles, crossing his arms, trying to keep a pout off of his face. “Wait a minute. This has nothing to do with my dad shoving me through the portal when she opened it on accident in the throne room, does it?”

“I know of nothing about this,” Her smile tells him all he needs to know. “Perhaps you should bring it up to your father instead.”

“It won’t work. I’m telling you, both of you are wasting your time— there’s no need to play matchmaker. She’s in love with someone else, you know.”

Tikki raises a brow in his direction, snipping another fire lily. “Oh, is she? No doubt the same boy she’s trying to save with the miraculous cure?”

“I’m going to be honest, you don’t sound that impressed. Isn’t this spell supposed to be the hardest one? Needing a Ladybug and a Chat Noir?”

“That’s true. And not to worry, I am most definitely impressed,” She’s full of humor as she runs her hands along the petals. “But I suppose you’re old enough to know that your father is a helpless romantic, although I’m sure you’ve already realized. He’s the one who created that spell, you know. I’m credited with a lot of things— but I’m not the one who started with spells. Your father is a genius when it comes to magic— the miraculous cure was unsurprisingly a spell he’d created, not me.”

“Okay. Sure. I know you’re right about my dad being lovesick. But what does helpless romantic have to do with—”

She tips her head down enough so that he isn’t able to see her face from the brim of her hat. “Well, you need a Ladybug and a Chat Noir together in the same place and at the same time in order to perform it. Having neither, or just one, and trying to perform it never gets you the results you need.”

“You’re joking. Please, tell me you’re joking.” He whines into his hands, ignorant to the pollen that sticks to his fingers and stains his eyelids as he wipes. Of course. Of course. “The most powerful spell in the world was made just for you two to continue trying to match-make Chat Noirs and Ladybugs together.”

Tikki snorts out a laugh so youthful and clean— so reminiscent of Marinette— he can barely stand it, blushing into his hands. “We’re only gods, my dear. There is only so much entertainment in our lives before the mundane gets mundaner. While we do not force any connection between any one of our champions, we do give them the opportunity to meet sometimes. If your father had his way, however, we would be giving opportunities to every single one of our champions.”

Chat sits there, absolutely steaming into his hands, letting his thoughts wander. She doesn’t like him that way. She doesn’t.

After all, even if there’s a chance that she does, there’s still Adrien.

He tries changing the topic just a smidge. “You know, I told her that you know that we’re going to try the miraculous cure—”

“—Let me guess, she didn’t take it well, I assume?”

“She took is as well as you can when you get told that a divine being knows your every move,” He quirks his lips, feeling exasperated, pulling his hands away from his face. “I’m just worried about the results. And her. And the boy we’re saving.”

And me, he wants to add. My heart.

“Everything will work out correctly and properly in the end, my dear.” Tikki’s eyes sparkle with stars. “After all, you’ve brought me and your father nothing but happiness. You’ll never bring me pain in any sense of the word.”

“I’m not going to lie, that’s really cryptic— what does that mean, mom?”

“It means that I don’t have any time to explain, unfortunately. It’s time to wake up, dearest little star.”

“What? Already? But I just got here—”

“You slept a little too late last night, it seems like.”

“I was keeping Marinette company,” He argues. “She cried herself to sleep in my arms tonight.”

This startles Tikki enough that she turns to face him completely. “Whatever for?”

“She’s been having nightmares,” His ears flatten, remembering the fear in her eyes. “Really bad nightmares about not being able to save this boy we’re performing the spell for.”

“Interesting. I hadn’t picked up on that— I don’t think she’s been praying to me about those.” Tikki makes a humming noise. “I’ll make sure to pay extra attention on her for the following nights to see if I can do anything.”

“Just don’t mention it to her that I told you. She’ll probably freak.”

“Of course.” She wraps an arm around his shoulder, pressing his ear to her heart. She hands him the fire lily, never afraid of his blackened claws, kissing him so softly against his hair and ears he barely feels it. He is warm, and loved, and comforted— all wonderful things that Tikki does best. “I love you so dearly, my little star. Give this to Marinette, won’t you? I’m sure she’ll love to see it. Until we cross paths, my sweet.”

“I love you too.” The scent of honey consumes him, his eyes slipping shut, sagging against her as if he’s falling asleep— gripping her tight on her robes, never wanting to let go. “Until… we cross paths… Mom.”

- * -

His eyes snap open to look at the ceiling. There’s a headache in the back of his mind as his vision tries to right itself, but it’s a familiar headache. Going to his mother’s dream world always makes him dehydrated— most likely his body’s attempt to warn him not to do it often. She wasn’t lying when she said that his body wouldn’t be able to handle it if he went there in real life— the hellfire that burns around his soul like a protective shield would absolutely extinguish.

There’s a weight on his chest.

Not just his chest, his entire body— he glances down to see it. It’s not an extremely heavy weight— it’s definitely doable.

Marinette.

He stiffens when he registers the black inkspill of her hair— long, coating the two of them like a sheet of ribbon. She’s plastered onto him, still fisting his shirt, her hips slotted against his. Even through their clothes, he can feel her warmth up against him— her arms around him, her chest against his, her calves up against his knees— he really does his best not to panic.

He tries to take a small moment to memorize how she feels up against him, knowing that he won’t have this forever. It’s unlikely that he’ll have this ever again— knowing that if Marinette were to wake up now, she’d never want him anywhere near her during sleep from how embarrassed she’d get. He cherishes her slow and gradual breathing— her cheek pressed into his chest where the seal is.

He cherishes her warmth with a lazy turn of his head to look at her long eyelashes that peek from underneath her bangs. She’s a beautiful little witch, with her excess of freckles that dot below her eyes and cross her nose bridge. A beautiful, lovely, selfless witch.

He reaches with one of his hands over to one of her shoulders so he can try slipping out from underneath her, knowing that she’ll be incredibly uncomfortable if she woke up to find herself on top of him like a blanket.

There’s a fire lily in his hand.

Right. Right. He’d seen his mother in a dream.

He’s apprehensive to continue holding the flower— the red petals never look redder than when they do when they’re in his blackened hands and claws— but he can’t place it down because the low table with his plate from last night is too far away.

But if he tries to get out from underneath her, he’ll most definitely crush the flower in his hands.

His mother has cursed him to stay here, the conniving goddess.

“Stop playing matchmaker, it won’t work.” He whispers softly to the flower, as if she can hear him through it. He frowns at the flower for good measure, narrowing his eyes towards the offending lily. She doesn’t like him that way. She doesn’t.

“What?” Marinette startles awake. “What is— what are you—”

Her face is so close to his— they’re almost knocking foreheads with each other— all he can do is look at her eyes and offer a weak: “Oh. I’m—”

“—I,” She looks down to where her hands are on his chest. The seal burns a warm and comforting temperature underneath her palm, he tries not to let his heart rate speed up just in case she feels it. Her face flames red as her hair finally falls over her shoulders, obscuring the sides of their vision with a black curtain. “Oh, Tikki!”

Tikki indeed. Oh boy.

“Marinette—”

“I am so sorry!”

“It’s okay—”

“How embarrassing— did we sleep the entire night like this? Oh my goodness, how improper of me— how could I—” She pulls away from him, almost launching herself off the couch entirely.

The only way to get out of this is to just push through, so, he smiles as wide as he can and brings his hand with the flower closer to her. “Here. This is for you.”

“A— a fire lily?” She stops her internal raving just to blink at his hand with confusion. “That’s my favorite flower, but I’ve never seen one so large and so— oh, heavens, it’s beautiful. How did you get this, Chat?”

“I thought maybe you’d want it,” He’s only half lying by not exactly answering her question, and tries not to blush when her small hands come to clasp his larger one. “It reminds me of you.”

AO3 | Start Here | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

[fantasticstoryteller]

Little Conundrum--A Chibi Story

Deadpool, merc with a mouth, wanted dead (hah!) or alive in fourteen different countries, strolled the flea market. People argued and bargained for goods, sellers actively called people to view their wares, and no one gave the leather-clad mercenary a second look. Deadpool even passed someone dressed in what looked like dripping wet seaweed as he walked through looking at everything, touching everything—and no one getting mad.

Too bad flea markets were only two (or three, depending on the state) days a week. The market had several long, thin buildings—similar to barns—and each building was surrounded by tables filled with strange items; the flotsam of human lives.

There was everything at this market! There were beds, sea glass, a tattoo parlor (not sanitary people) and even an electric mixer that looked like an elephant with a really long dong.

[Oh. My. God. That is hideous! It almost makes us look good!]

{You should totally buy it! Who knows, it might even work.}

Wade paid fifty cents for the thing and the man who sold it smirked knowingly and said it was great for making pancakes.

[Hah!]

A few tables later Wade also bought a bag to put it in, so that he could sling it over his shoulder. When he reached the building portion, he heard birds chirping. Curious, he wandered over.

{Wonder if there are any pets in there that won’t run from us?}

[We’re not responsible enough for a pet.]

{Pfft. We are! We always pay the delivery guy!}

[And then he leaves. A pet can’t leave.]

We’re just looking.

The woman behind the counter actually smiled to see him. Few people smiled to see Deadpool.

{Spiderman smiles at us!}

[Like we can see that under his mask!]

“We’ve got some of the hot new chibis in the back,” the woman said interrupting.

“Chibis?” asked Deadpool. He’d never heard of such a thing—but they sounded adorable.

“In the large tank against the wall.” She pointed and he followed her directions through cages with puppies, kittens, and baby monkeys (are those even legal to sell?) until he reached a huge tank that took up a good half of the wall, from the ground up. Inside the tank (no lid), were what looked like small people. Some were shorter than others, some taller, not a single one was over sixteen centimeters tall. They were all wearing a single garment that hung on them like large shirts. He bent down in fascination as he stared at the bizarre things. Some of them looked like smaller, normal humans (in perfect shape except for a head that was slightly too big) while some of them had wild coloring. One had red hair and green skin, another was black with light brown spots, and still a third was three different shades of blue. All over.

They were collected in groups around the tank. Some by a water dish (one in the water dish), some by what looked like a food dish (with carrots and crushed peppermint candy in it) some jogging, some lying down—all doing stuff. “Ooo,” he cooed at them.

The tiny humans looked up at him—and then scattered. Most congregated in shivering masses in the corners of the tank, some burrowed into what looked like leaf litter, one even turned the water dish upside down and hid under that.

[Must be human. We have that effect on people.]

{Not all of them! Look!}

Wade’s gaze was drawn to a small one, about fourteen centimeters tall with brown hair that stuck out in every direction and wide amber eyes that gazed up at the mercenary without fear.

{He’s beautiful!}

[He has no sense of self preservation. Look, he’s even reaching for us!]

He was. The little human—the chibi—was reaching up for him and making demanding noises. Deadpool reached into the tank and the little human jumped an astonishing distance into his hand and then grabbed Deadpool’s thumb. “You’re adorable,” breathed Deadpool, almost afraid to frighten the little thing.

“He’s one hundred dollars,” the woman said, standing behind Deadpool. It was a testament to how smitten he’d been with the chibis that he hadn’t even heard her come up. The woman grinned. “Three hundred,” she added, “if you want everything he’s supposed to have.”

Deadpool laughed and the chibi cooed as it cuddled his thumb. “And they say I’m mercenary!” he teased the woman as he pulled out his wallet.

[This is a bad idea.]

***

“This is a bad idea,” Peter protested as Harry dragged him into the shop. Not just any shop—a pet shop. And Harry couldn't be happy with just any old pet shop that sold cats and dogs and gerbils—oh, no. No, he had to drag Peter into one of the highly controversial shops that sold chibis.

No one was entirely certain what chibis were, exactly. Some explorer in the jungle had found the odd little, animal-like humans and taken some home. Soon they were everywhere as pets—and there were a lot of people who thought that keeping a chibi as a pet was nothing more than slavery in the modern age. Peter should know; Jamison had forced him to write an entire article on it.

It had been discovered that chibis, unlike most wild animals, absolutely thrived with humans. They responded positively to affection, and even returned it. There were stories on the internet of chibis stealing small things to make their owners presents—but Peter wasn’t sure how much stock he put in those stories. After all, look at the thing’s he’s had to write for the Bugle about Spiderman…

The shop was clean and net, everything labeled with price tags. Huge price tags—the price of some of these things cost as much as two months’ rent. There were clothes that cost more than his weekly food budget, toys almost as expensive as his camera and looked much more fragile, and even small plants with huge price tags to them. He felt certain he’d seen the exact same plants at the hardware store for much less money.

One of the store workers, with acute money detecting senses at work, zeroed in on Harry and dragged him along to a wall lined with five and ten gallon tanks. In each five gallon tank is a single chibi, and in the ten gallon ones are two. “Socializing is important for chibis,” the saleswoman told them firmly. “They can get their socializing from humans, but it’s good for them to meet with other chibis. What kind of space are we talking about here?”

“Cluttered and messy with lots of fabric,” Harry said promptly.

“God, don’t let MJ hear you describe it like that,” muttered Peter imagining the wrath of the red-head if she heard that careless statement. He shuddered as Harry merely chuckled.

“Well, you’ll like these,” the woman said as she took them down to show another group. She listed their abilities for them and Harry turned to Peter.

“What do you think?” he asked.

Peter scanned the chibis knowing that the only reason he’d been forced along on this charade was because he’d known MJ since they were small children. “That one,” he said confidently as he pointed.

Harry frowned. “That one looks like me,” he protested.

Peter resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “I know. That’s why she’ll like it.”

“What if we break up later? I don’t want her to be saddled with a chibi that will remind her of me all the time,” Harry said with maturity and the experience of far too many failed relationships. “That one,” he said pointing at one with dark brown hair that went to his waist.

“Wise choice,” preened the saleswoman as Peter tried to avoid looking at the price tags.

“Aiyaah!” screamed a tiny, shrill voice as something dropped on Peter’s head.

He went perfectly still—but his senses hadn’t acted up so this thing, whatever it was, wasn’t a threat. What was it? He tried to peer at the top of his head, but couldn't as what felt like two little hands gripped into his hair tugging his hair almost painfully.

“Goddammit you little runt!” snarled a man as he ran to where Harry and Peter were standing. “How dare you—oh. Hi.” The man, portly and balding, shuffled his feet nervously as the unmistakable sound of a raspberry went off from the top of Peter’s head.

“Hi,” echoed Peter. He reached up towards his head.

The man’s eyes widened with genuine fear. “Don’t!” he cried, reaching out slowly—too slowly.

Peter tensed, waiting to be bitten or injured. Instead something glomped onto his hand and he pulled it down to stare at the thing. It was a chibi—but not like the others. It was taller, for one thing, and wider with coarse muscles—and it was very, very badly scarred. He stared at the thing as it looked at him with wide blue—ice blue—eyes while it gripped his thumb. “Eeyo?” it asked.

“Hi,” Peter said.

“Eeyo!” The chibi began to rub its face over the pad of Peter’s thumb and chuckle softly as Peter felt his heart melt.

“Aw,” Peter cooed at the adorable little thing.

“You want him?” asked the man. Peter looked up to see the strange man was grinning. “He’s yours.”

“Wait—I don’t know how to take care of him!”

“With a heavy rock and a good throw into the Hudson would be my suggestion,” growled the man.

“Doctor!” said the saleswoman, clearly appalled.

The man, the doctor, rolled his eyes. “Look, the little bastards thrive on love. He loves you; you have everything you need.”

“I don’t think—”

“And if your friend’s not buying anything, both of you can get out while we clean the latest mess of that little monster.”

A moment later both Peter and Harry found themselves on the street outside the store, confused as Peter held the chibi with a hand as he replayed the scene in his mind. Suddenly Harry laughed. “Seriously,” the other man chuckled, “how weird is it that we go into the most expensive pet store in the state and you’re the one that gets a pet?”

“I—”

“Ah, I’ll just take it as a sign that I need to give MJ something that isn’t alive for our anniversary.” Harry walked off whistling a merry tune as Peter stared at the small chibi cradled against his chest.

“At least,” he said with a half smile, “I know one person who’ll be humored.”

***

As it turned out, Peter knew two of them. “Come on, Gwen,” he pleaded with the platinum blond who knew his secrets. All his secrets—the girl put the best paid journalists to shame. “I can’t leave him alone,” he said as he gestured to the scarred chibi perched on Gwen’s desk and glaring daggers at the girl.

“First of all Peter,” she said with a sigh, “you shouldn't have bought him if you knew this was going to be a problem.”

“You think I could have predicted a huge sewer rat crawling out of my toilet and him attacking it with a pencil?” It had been all Peter could do to save the little chibi as he tried to use the pencil like a sword.

She ignored him as she glared right back at the fearless little chibi sitting on her desk. “Second of all, what were you thinking splurging on this thing?”

“I did mention that he was kind of free—” He suspected, given how quickly he’d been booted out of the shop, that “free” was a little bit of an understatement. It felt like they’d been a hair’s breadth away from paying him to take the chibi.

“Have you even named him yet?” she demanded.

Peter shifted, even more uncomfortable. “Well—yes,” he admitted. “His name is—Wade.”

Gwen broke the glaring match and looked at Peter with a raised eyebrow. “As in, Wade Wilson?”

“Ah, yeah, kind of?” Peter rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

“As in, the alter ego for one notorious mercenary known as Deadpool?” continued Gwen mercilessly.

Peter laughed nervously as the chibi pinned him with an unreadable look. “Awoo?” he asked curiously.

“As in, the same mercenary,” Gwen continued, “that you’ve had a crush on for almost two years?”

“Gwen!” Peter stared at her in horror. “You promised you wouldn't bring that up!”

She smirked. “And now I’ve been paid. Go. Patrol. Tell your would-be boyfriend about your new chibi and his name.” Peter rolled his eyes, but left.

The chibi looked up at Gwen and growled. “Don’t look at me like that. All he needs is a little push.” She grinned and the chibi flinched. “And I am always available for that push.”

***

Deadpool waited until he was certain his little chibi was asleep before he decided to shower. The things that had come with it were all over the small apartment, taking it over, making it feel more like a home. He actually felt—better, somehow, just by having the chibi with him.

[That’s not going to last once it gets a good look at our skin.]

{Yeah, it’ll run just like the other chibis did.}

It had to be a quick shower; he didn’t want to leave the little thing alone too long. He went into the bathroom, stripped, and got into the water to wash. Despite his best intentions he began to sing while he washed, because he always sang in the shower.

Suddenly he was interrupted by wordless crooning along with his song and he pulled the curtain back to reveal—the chibi, on the side of the tub, trying to sing along with him. He tried to recoil away, slipped in the slick tub, and fell down. The chibi saw him, crooned anxiously, and jumped in the tub towards him.

[Keep him away from the water! It’s too hot!]

Deadpool reached out and caught the thing before the water hit it, and cringed when the little thing came into contact with his skin. The chibi—didn’t seem to care. It cooed and climbed up to his shoulder before sitting down, one hand holding his ear, and began to wordlessly warble again. Noticing that Deadpool wasn’t singing along, he smacked the ear and tried again.

{He’s not scared!}

[Must be too small to really see the scars, or too stupid to understand what they mean. Congratulations—you found the one stupid chibi.]

He’s not stupid!

Deadpool stood up and began to sing along with the chibi as they showered together. Which left him with a little bit of a problem when it came time to go do patrol—what to do with the chibi? He couldn't take the little thing with him.

Twenty minutes later he watched as Vanessa stared at the chibi. “Ey-yo!” warbled the chibi as it waved to her.

“You want me,” she said slowly, “to watch your—your chibi.” She bit the inside of her mouth as the little toddled over, bumped into a glass, and fell down laughing. “Oh, that is precious,” she cooed.

“He might be a little drunk,” Deadpool admitted. “He stole some of my beer.”

“Did he want to drink, or want you to stop?” asked Vanessa sagely as the chibi waved a hand in front of his face and giggled.

Deadpool frowned. “Not sure,” he admitted.

{We’re a horrible chibi parent.}

[We’re the only one he’s got.]

“So, will you watch him?”

“Of course.” Vanessa blew him a kiss. “Give a kiss to your spider for me,” she called after him. She turned her attention to the suddenly sober little chibi in front of her. “Well played, little man,” she told him. The chibi grinned up at her.

***

“Spidey!” trilled Deadpool happily as he jumped towards the spandex clad hero. Spiderman expertly caught him with a web before he hit the ground and reeled him up. “Yo, Spidey!” he said.

“Hey Deadpool,” the human spider said as he reeled in the merc. Deadpool could hear the suppressed laughter.

“Spidey, you will never believe what happened to me today.”

“Do tell.”

So, Deadpool waxed enthusiastic about his little chibi. How cute it was, how it climbed into the shower to sing with him. “And you know, it crawled into my beer! My beer Spidey! I had to rescue it, and leave it with a friend for patrol.”

[He’s going to be upset.]

{Seriously—we’re on a roof with that and we’re talking about a pet?]

“That’s actually quite the coincidence,” Spiderman said. “I just got a chibi today too. And I, uh—I kind of named after you.”

“After me?”

“Yeah, and he’s really great! He’s sweet and adorable and also ferocious. Hey,” said Spiderman after a moment, “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we get our two chibis together for a play date? After all, socializing is very important for chibis.”

“It is?”

“Well, that’s what they told me.”

“Then it must be true!”

“So, tomorrow night!”

“Be there or square Spidey!”

A bus flew past the rooftop. “Oh,” said Spiderman turning to the source even as he caught the projectile vehicle. “Someone wants to play.”

Deadpool pulled one of his swords. “Let’s not make them ask twice,” he suggested before the two of them leaped into battle.

***

“Come on,” Peter cajoled his little chibi, “you’ll like this.” The chibi shook his head and dove under the couch. “Jeez,” he whispered, “what did Gwen do to you?”

He’d arrived from patrol to see that little Wade was sitting, perfectly still, on the edge of Gwen’s desk in her room. When he popped into the room to collect his little chibi, the thing had bowed to Gwen before taking a running leap at Peter and holding on for dear life. He looked at Gwen and she simply smiled. “We had a slight misunderstanding. It’s fixed now.” She looked at Wade. “Isn’t it?” she asked dangerously.

The chibi merely shook in terror.

“Look,” Peter said as he picked up the couch with one hand, “this is nothing like that. I’m not taking you to Gwen. See, I have a friend who just got a chibi, and we thought the two of you might like to get along.” The chibi made a snorting noise. “No, really,” he said. He leaned forward and scooped up the chibi as he put the couch back down—more or less where it had been. He sat down as the little chibi took a good look at what Peter was wearing—the Spiderman outfit minus the mask.

“Eeyo?” he asked pointing to it.

“Yes,” said Peter, hoping he was responding to the right question. “I’m going out like this. Well, this plus a mask, to meet a friend also going out like this—well, his is leather instead—and we’re both bringing our chibis tonight so that the two of you can meet and have fun.” Peter spread his free hand. “That’s all,” he assured the little chibi.

“Eeyo,” muttered the chibi as he watched the human put the mask on. “Eeyo!” it said with a scowl.

“I am not going out to meet this guy without my mask,” Peter said firmly as he picked the chibi back up. He put the chibi in the carrier he’d made for it. “Now hold on tight, this is going to be fun!” The chibi yelled as he jumped out the window and made happy (at least Peter hoped they were happy) screaming noises as he webbed through the city.

“Spidey!” greeted Deadpool. “You made it!”

“I sure did,” Peter said as he gently took off the harness. He grinned under the mask, not that anyone could see it. “Deadpool,” he said as he held out the chibi, “meet Wade, the most adorable chibi ever.”

Deadpool had turned away. “Wait, wait! I want us to meet them at the same time!” He turned around presenting a chibi in the palm of his gloved hand. “Ta-da!” he warbled.

Peter stared in mild horror at the little human that looked just like him—right down to the freckle at the corner of his temple. The chibi in Deadpool’s palm got a good look at the one in Peter’s hand, jumped down and then waddled over. “Owuu!” he said in demand as he made grabbing motions with his hands. Peter leaned down and the chibi ran over, jumped into Peter’s hands and smacked a kiss on the cheek of the chibi there before jumping down.

“Eeyo!” protested little Wade before jumping down and the two began a lively game of tag.

“That is slightly freaky to watch,” Deadpool admitted while they watched the chibis play.

“Yes it is,” agreed Peter.

***

“And his chibi looks just like me!” Wade ranted at Vanessa as she read a book.

“Uh, huh,” said Vanessa.

“And not like, not like hot me before the scars and all, but more like charred and broiled me, if you catch my drift.”

“Uh, huh.” Vanessa turned a page.

“And he said it was adorable!”

Vanessa sighed. Clearly she wasn’t going to be finishing the book tonight. She carefully placed the bookmark, closed the book, and set it to the side. “Wade,” she said, “he named his chibi after you. He thinks his little chibi is adorable, and if it looks like you, then he thinks you’re adorable. Besides,” she added as she leaned back into the cushions, “you’re overlooking the most important thing here.”

“What’s that?”

“If his chibi looks like you, does yours look like him?”

***

Two nights later the two costumed men met in Wade’s apartment—now thoroughly taken over by the stuff he’d bought for the chibi. Standing in the middle of the living room as the two chibis played around them, both of them unmasked for the other. And, in a move that almost looked choreographed, the two of them met for a single kiss.

“Owuu!”

“Eeyo!”

The two looked over and saw the two chibis wave—and pop. They were gone. “Wh—what?” asked Peter in shock.

“They must,” Deadpool—Wade began before he swallowed. “They must have been here. Just so that we could find each other.”

Peter smiled. “Let’s find each other a little more.”

Two hours later Peter smacked the sleeping Deadpool awake. “Did you seriously ever attack a rat with a pencil?” he demanded.

[deniigi]

Are we gonna see more of lance corporal Wilson or the Blind Devil?

uhhhh not as of now. But! I have a little piece of them trying to bond with Benj for you, anon!

Basically, in this piece, the Blind Devil and Corporal Wilson take Benj with them to one of BD’s boxing matches and he has a somewhat adverse reaction.

Warning for panic attacks.

-------

Oh god, this was horrible. This was bad, horrible, and wrong and Maidíu was laughing up there in the ring through a smashed nose and the Lance Corporal was calling him names that May would have absolutely skewered Peter for using and it was just—

It was so much.

Everything was happening in double time. Triple time. In half the space—a quarter of the space--it ought to be happening in.

Peter was going to scream.

No. He wasn’t going to scream.

He never screamed. He’d been through so much worse than this. Walls had literally caved in on him multiple times and he hadn’t screamed. Nails had pierced his skin and bullets had slammed through his thighs.

A load of shouting people crammed in around a ring wasn’t going to be the thing that undid him. Not if he had anything to say about it.

“HEY.”

It wasn’t.

“Hey? Spiderkid?”

He just needed to breathe. That’s all.

“Spiderkid? Hey, hey. Woah. You don’t look so good, hon. Here, let’s move back.”

No, he was fine, LC.

He just—

He just—

Breathing. He needed to breathe and he couldn’t breathe with all these bodies pressing against him. Pressing into him. Squeezing him from all sides—

“What’s going on?”

Who was that?

“I don’t know. Seems like some kinda asthma?” LC Wilson called over the shouting.

It wasn’t asthma. Peter didn’t have asthma. He didn’t have anything; he just needed air. That was all. A little bit of space.

“What’s your name?”

“Mine?”

“Yeah.”

“Wilson. Wade Wilson. This here’s Pete.”

“Buddy of yours?”

“Yeah.”

“Ah, wait. You’re Matty’s pal?”

“Oh, hey! Yeah, that’s us. You heard of us?”

All this chatter was making Peter’s head swim and there were huge, heavy hands on his shoulders now and he wasn’t wearing the mask or the coat, so he couldn’t swing around and tear them off. Break the bones.

Make them never, ever touch him again.

He couldn’t—

He couldn’t—

Goddamnit, he couldn’t breathe.

“The name’s Jack. Matty’s my boy. Here, I’ll take this one out for a sec.”

“You sure? I can take ‘im.”

“Nah, ease off, kid. Matt ain’t need no help. He’s fixin’ to win this one. If he asks, tell ‘im I’m out with the smallest of youse.”

The huge hand on Peter’s shoulder tensed and pushed and Peter found that he couldn’t resist it. It shoved him through a torrent of bodies, back, back, back, until suddenly, everything was cold and dark again.

They were outside.

Peter collapsed forward, gasping. Coughing. Clutching at his knees.

It was way quieter outside in the cold.

It took him a long time feel comfortable opening his eyes. Out of the corner of one of them, he saw knees. He bolted up straight and nearly stumbled back at the sight of one of the biggest men he’d ever laid eyes on.

“I’m—I’m—” he stammered, caught between an apology and something else he didn’t really know.

“You’re alright, little one,” the huge man said with a wink.

He was Irish. Fuck, he was Irish.

Peter already found parsing Maidíu’s half-New York, half-Irish accent challenging at times, but this guy?

He is cadence was so jolting that it took Peter’s brain several seconds to make the sounds into words and the words into sentences.

“I’m sorry?” he said automatically.

“I said, ‘you’re alright,’” the huge man said. “Take a coupla breaths. You’ll be alright.”

What the fuck was he saying?

Peter still couldn’t make his ears adjust.

“I’m so sorry,” he repeated.

The huge man huffed.

  The guy was patient and oddly gentle.

Peter only found out the latter bit when he tried to go back into the ring to find the Lance Corporal. He didn’t get very far. What he got was a hand on his shoulder and a slow push back.

“I’m okay,” he told the Irishman for what felt like the fortieth time. “I’m okay, I can go back in. I won’t ralph on your floors or nothing.”

“Mm-hm,” the Irishman said, nonbelieving.

A roar went up through the house behind him. Peter jerked at the sound. The Irishman’s expression didn’t change.

“I’m not drunk,” Peter told him.

The Irishman didn’t believe him. His eyes seemed half-closed from how far down he had to look at Peter.

Peter wondered if he had a chance here on the street.

If he got a good solid punch in, in the head-region he probably could. But he only had one chance. This fucker was going to know how to fight.

“Da?”

Eh?

Peter looked up to see Maidíu with his hand on the doorframe feeling around it and turning his face back and forth.

“Right ‘ere, son,” the huge man said.

“Ah. There you are,” Maidíu said, stepping more boldly forward towards the sound of the man’s voice. His nose was disgusting. The huge man—Maidíu’s father?—looked over at him and lifted a brow.

“Come on, now, Matty. Can’t be lettin’ someone get the drop on ya like that,” he said.

“Did for the crowd,” Maidíu told him.

“Sure ya did.”

Good lord, this was Maidíu’s father. No wonder he was the size of a house.

“This one’s one of yours, son?” Maidíu’s father asked him.

“Which one?”

“Skinny ‘un. Dark ‘air, dark eye, spectacles.”

“Ah. Peter, then. Wilson said you weren’t feelin’ so good, kid. You alright?”

Uuuuuuuh no.

But neither of these massive bulls needed to know that.

“I’m okay,” he said instead. “Just had a bout of asthma or something.”

“Looked to me like the shell-shock,” Maidíu’s father said out of nowhere.

Peter’s breath froze in his chest.

“Da, don’t be scarin’ him like that,” Maidíu scolded. “C’mere, Pete. Ignore him. He thinks he knows everythin’.”

“I do know everythin’, I’m old as mountains, I am,” Maidíu’s father said.

“He serves in a war, comes back, and now he’s got every story in the worl’ in his head,” Maidíu huffed.

“I keep ‘em there with the lumps,” his dad told Peter with a wink.

“Da.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll leave youse be. It was good meetin’ you, Pete. We’ll have you ‘round to a quieter night one of this days, eh, Matt?”

“Yea, yea. Feck off, old man.”

Maidíu waited for the bigger guy to move around him before holding a hand out to Peter.

“He didn’t scare ya too bad, did he?” he asked.

Peter shook his head, then caught himself.

“No,” he said. “Just—I wanted to watch you, uh. You know. Fight. The LC seemed to be having a good time.”

Maidíu blinked sightless, scarred eyes Peter’s way and then smiled.

“It’s alright,” he said. “It can be really overwhelmin’ the first time you’re really in it. Da used to put me up high so’s he’d know I wouldn’t get crushed.”

Oh.

Oh, okay.

Peter sighed before he could stop himself. Maidíu cocked his head and carefully stepped forward, feeling with his toes for the edge of the steps his father had been previously been guarding.

“What’s the matter, Pete?” Maidíu asked gently.

“Nothing,” Peter said.

“I don’t know much, son. But I know it ain’t nothin’.”

Peter sighed again.

“I just—I wanted—I want—”

He didn’t know how to make the feeling into words. He couldn’t even do it in his head, how was he supposed to out loud?

“You want to be included?”

Oh.

Maybe like that.

“I want to have friends,” Peter felt himself say in a rush.

He didn’t mean to say it.

“I want to be like you guys. I want to just—you know. Have fun. Go to a match. Just relax and watch. But it’s like—I can’t. Every time I go out with people, it’s like I can’t make everything stop. My head’s always goin’ and everything starts getting’ really close together and I can’t help but start checkin’ over my shoulders—and it all just defeats the purpose,” Peter spewed forth in frustration.

Maidíu said nothing.

Peter sucked in a big breath.

He didn’t expect anyone to understand. He didn’t know why they would. No one else he knew had this feeling.

“Forget it,” he said.

“You know,” Maidíu’s rumbly voice said softly, “Da might not have been too far off there.”

“What?” Peter asked. “What do you mean?”

Maidíu shrugged a shoulder and itched at the drying blood on his face.

“I just mean, that—well. I was a wain when Da came back from the Front, but he had all these stories, ya know? Of men doin’ this and doin’ that. ‘Cause of the shell-shock. He used to tell me that some of his buddies’ eyes would go wide and they’d start breathin’ fast and funny. Gaspin’ like they couldn’t get enough air in, and they’d want to get out of the trench. They’d be sayin’ that they’d suffocate if they stayed in the trench. But you know, they couldn’t get up overhead. That was nothin’ but a death sentence. So.” Maidíu trailed off.

“You think I’ve got shell-shock,” Peter scoffed.

“I think you got somethin’ like it,” Maidíu said. “Don’t worry, though, kid. I get those feelings too, sometimes. Comes from being blind, I suspect. Gets real lonely sometimes. But then it’s all too much at the same time, too. Helps to just come outside and breath. That’s what my old man was tryin’ to get you to do.”

Ah.

Right.

That was…embarrassing.

“You’re alright, Peter. It’s okay. Here, do me a favor, huh?”

Peter lifted his face to see Maidíu holding out a hand with rough, calloused fingers. His own hands felt small and skinny at his sides.

“Peter.”

He balled them, stepped forward and took ahold of the fingers.

“Atta boy,” Maidíu told him.

“What do you need?” Peter asked him.

“Ah, well. See, me old man’s ‘bout to pummel a man into the ropes and it’s been ages since I knew what it looked like.”

Peter frowned.

“So you want me to what?” he asked.

“Tell me what it looks like,” Maidíu asked with alight lift to his eyebrows. “Don’t have to be perfect or anythin’. But it’d be nice to hear some commentary. You know, like on the radio. Is that okay?”

Yeah. Yeah, that was okay.

“Maybe we should find the Lance Corporal first,” Peter said. “You know his commentary’ll be better than mine.”

Maidíu smiled and turned his head back towards the commotion taking place inside the building again.

“If you say so,” he said.

When Peter came in closer, the fingers in his hand migrated until they were cupped around his elbow. The light light from inside made him take a deep breath. He held it. Then took another.

“Good work,” Maidíu said. “Here, let’s stay in the back so I can hear ya over this lot.”

Yes.

Yes, let’s do that.

One foot forward up these stairs. That was all. He was helping this blind man. This blind man was his friend.

He’d be okay. They’d be in the back, away from the crowd.

“Good man, Pete. You’re a brave little thing, you know that?” Maidíu encouraged.

Peter laughed.

Brave.

Yeah.

Obviously.

He was Spiderman. He was so brave. And so stupid. So reckless and cocky.

Come along now, Spiderman. Onward march, already.

“Come on, Devilman,” he said. “Step to it, we don’t got all night.”

 -----------

[alexlabhont]

I didn’t mean to fall in love with you

Chapter Six

Book: Queen B - Choices (Universe)

Pairing:  Poppy Min-Sinclair x Trans!Male MC (Beck Hughes)

Genre: Canon re-write (Because I can)

Rating: Ehm... 13 years < , I mean, is not that hard, but just to be sure.

Warnings: This chapter contains transphobia and the writer’s own version of dysphoria. This doesn't mean every trans person feels the same, but it is a possibility I wanted to share. Thank you.

This is me trying to write by and for the Trans community, specially FTM community, meaning, trans guys, but I actually took the liberty to use They/them pronouns for everyone out there who´s interested (Also, the name Beck was the most neutral one I could find, trying to use the cannon Bea Hughes)

CHAPTERS 

The beginning

Chapter one 

Chapter two

Chapter three

Chapter four

Chapter five

ONE-SHOTS 

Just a dance (Zoey x MC)

—————————————————————— 

Beck arrived home around two in the morning or so. They walked all the way to Belvoire, not caring about the cold, the dangers of the night, the strange people treating to appear… it didn’t matter, because they didn’t even notice it.

Poppy didn’t try to reach out either, she didn’t even go after them and Beck was thankful for it. Maybe they owe her an explanation, but right now, the only thing Beck wanted was to be left alone. The feelings inside their heart and brain were so many and with so different meanings that it felt like a whole honeycomb full of buzzing, noisy and altered bees without any rest.

They wanted Poppy...

But they didn’t deserve her…

But why…?

They were a human; they could be with her…

But sometimes, being human was not enough…

What kind of human was Beck...?

Beck was different from anyone.

They don't really belong.

They never did.

Therefore, they couldn’t have anything that was for people that did belong.

Otherwise, they'd be cheating the others…

So they didn’t deserve it.

And that’s the path they chose. A double-edged weapon. Being what they were it was complicated. The worse part isn’t being treated differently by people and, sure, that is awful sometimes. The worse part is the confusing shit one would tell to themselves sometimes.

There would be days when one is happy, completely sure, confident, ready to take upon the world. One felt invincible, one felt good-looking, one felt that every little thing and time invested into being happy was worth it, was the cure, was the thing they absolutely needed it.

Because it is.

But sometimes, one realized it came with a price. With mental confusion, with hollowness inside just because of something so banal to others that’s so precious to one. Sometimes, the dysphoria would knock at one's door to remind one that one is a Mr. Roboto. A Mr. Roboto who doesn’t deserve human things.

Beck didn’t even process when they arrived home, nor when they lay down on the couch, the gaze completely lost into the ceiling. Were they even blinking?

“Beck?... Is that you?” They heard Zoey coming towards them. But they didn’t care. At least not right now. They needed a time off.

But of course, Zoey didn’t read minds, so she kept walking, pajamas on, her curly hair falling effortlessly over her shoulders, a worry look impressed in the chocolate of her eyes.

“What are you doing here?” No response. Their mind was already back at the Club, feeling Poppy's lips moving perfectly along theirs. “Beck?... Are you alright?”

“No. I really want her, Zo… I want Poppy so badly…”

“Just tired.” They lied. How can one explain something like this to a human like her? Inside them all was clear, but it was a completely different world to her. Of course, Zoey didn’t buy it for a second. But she knew them, and she wouldn’t push it.

“Come to bed?” she asked, holding a blanket over her shoulders. Beck saw it, and it was just until that moment, a part of their brain felt connected to reality. Outside was freezing, and Beck’s body was cold, trembling for who knows how long.

“Y-yeah… I’m coming.” They managed to stand up, following Zoey through the living room, reaching shortly the door of their own bedroom.

“Beck?”

“Yes?”

“You do know you can tell me anything, right?” Beck stood still a while, asking for more information, an explanation. Why was she asking that? “I know something happened there, and I won’t ask you to tell me. I just wanted to let you know I have your back. Always”

And there it was. The reason why Zoey was the only person Beck trusted. But right at that moment, they couldn’t tell her exactly what was going on inside their heart. She almost begged them not to go to the club with Poppy, she believed that the strawberry blonde was onto something bad, and they couldn’t blame her. After all, Beck would thought exactly the same if it where any other person but them.

“I know, Zo… Thank you.” They said before walking into their room to throw themselves on their bed. Beck just wanted to sleep, to end that day. But it was impossible.

Her lips, her taste… her smell… her touch… everything. Poppy was completely inside their mind now, because that kiss felt heavenly good. It was like a real connection, like if Poppy really wanted them. But Beck was afraid.

Someone as beautiful as Poppy could have anyone she wanted, why would she be interested in them?

Why would she actually stayed with Beck?

Maybe it was just the moment, the song, the mood. Maybe it was just a one-time thing, a meaningless kiss she suddenly wanted to have. But even if it wasn’t, surely she soon would see that being with Beck was actually different from what she was expecting. Poppy would most likely get bored and leave them as soon as possible.

Maybe people back at Farmsville were right, maybe no real girl would ever be satisfied with them…

“Shut the fuck up, Beck.” They murmured to themselves. “You’re just being paranoid…”

Yes, that was true.

But, in order to avoid the pain, they needed to draw the line.

The far they stayed from Poppy Min-Sinclair, the better

~~X~~

“Thanks for walking me class, babe.” Zoey said with a friendly smile, stopping aside from her classroom door. “Are you sure you don’t want to join me? You love this class.”

“Completely.” They responded. “I have to finish my project for Professor Myra and I haven’t even started it yet because someone won’t let me a second to rest.” Zoey laughed playfully before pretending to be insulted.

“Oh, so now is my fault?” she asked, and Beck couldn’t help but give her a grin.

The last couple of days, Zoey and Beck had been doing basically everything together, even more than before. Zoey was continuously insisting them to join her in her classes when Beck had free time but not Zoey, to have lunch outside campus, she even managed to get tickets in first line to one of the first TBD concerts in New York, which was basically huge because Beck was a wholeheartedly fan of theirs, they even had a little crush on Kaitlyn Liao for a while.

Even The T had started to question the true nature of the relationship, which was something understandable, but neither of them was really paying attention to it. After all, why should they give any explanation to anyone?

“Yes! It’s basically your fault, Zoey Wade.” Beck laughed, they weren’t mad at all. Zoey was a very responsible girl putting the school first. Professor Myra's project it was basically an essay about the meaning of music according to Sulzer theory. Easy-peasy. That’s why it was the last one left.

“But… you can’t say you didn’t enjoy it.” She winked at them, flirty as always.

“Go to class, honey” The smile on their faces was huge, happy, trusting. Beck was feeling so lucky to have Zoey next to them. She was the best friend and artist they could’ve asked for.

“See ya later, then.”

“See ya.”

The corridors of Belvoir were huge, elegant, eccentrically decorated. While walking through them, Beck started wondering what was the original purpose of the building. It was always meant to be a school or somebody bought the property to actually live there? Beck looked around a little more, trying to find a detail who could give them a clue, but instead, the thing that caught up their interest, was a little, purple ad.

“Rock’s style band is searching for a lead singer…”

Beck stopped a little, rather curious. Reading the ad, Beck discovered a lot of basic information: they played alternative, rock pop, rock metal, among others, and needed a lead singer before the Battle of the Bands. They weren’t aware there was one of those things there in Belvoire.

Beck took the paper in their hand, interested in what they had to offer, and maybe ask for details later. But suddenly, the sound of high heels walking angry towards them caught their attention.

There, at the end of the hall, was the very Poppy Min-Sinclair. And she definitely saw Beck. They gulped, but stood still. They weren’t a full coward, if something was about to happen, let it be at once.

“Hey, tranny!” They heard someone yelling from behind. Confused and angry, Beck turned around, ready to deal with whoever was calling them like that with such a despicable tone, but what they got was not a conversation, but a fist right to their mouth.

The hit was so hard, it managed to make them wobble a little, only to be pinned aggressively against the wall by the collar of their sweater.

“I tolerate you being your disgusting self. But don’t ever dare to drag my woman into your shit.” A guy, a random guy was looking at them with repulse, with actually hatred. But Beck was used to it… They weren’t that impressed, so they chuckled.

“Funny, I don’t recall a complain from your mom.”  It was fine, as long as he didn’t hit them in the… Ow, the bad rib… Ok, that did hurt.

“Stay away from Poppy.” The random guy mumbled, making Beck see red from one second to another. “She’s mine.”

Who the fuck did he think he was?

Gathering strength, Beck managed to break the hold and land a punch right in the nose of the other one. Making him back down, blood falling from his face. The rage he now had made him let out a roar before lash out like a bull against Beck's torso, both of them falling to the floor. Again and again, his fist crashed on Beck’s face, but Beck turned things around, hitting the guy as hard as they could, until…

“What the fuck is WRONG WITH YOU?!” Beck felt a delicate yet strong hand reaching out for their shoulder, breaking the fight apart. Poppy was there, holding them tightly in a hug, looking at the guy on the floor completely infuriated.  

“Poppy… I can explain… I saw The T's photo and I...” that guy said, looking distressed.

“I don’t fucking care, Burnett!” she roared. “you little piece of shit! I will personally make sure you end up getting dragged to the deepest, darkest, nauseating place this world has to offer to animals like you!”

Surprisingly, Beck felt bad for that pathetic guy. They haven’t seen Poppy so angry, so fierce in a very scary-the-shit-out kind of way, ever. Everyone around that were watching, started to go away as faster as they could, trying to avoid any kind of confrontation with her, leaving the three completely alone in a university corridor, which was no little thing. Beck took a deep breath… or at least, they tried, but…

They couldn’t breath deeply…

They couldn’t breath without pain.

“You-you can’t be serious… Are you… are you really dating that?”

“I’m dating whoever the fuck I want! And they have a fucking name! Call Beck a That again and I'll make you life a living hell!”

Beck didn’t even notice her defending them. The sharping pain was too much to talk.

“As for you...” It was Beck’s turn. “How you dare to ditch me like that at the club!”

“Wait…”

“I don’t care what you have to say! You should’ve growth a pair and talk to me long ago instead of just avoiding me!”

“Poppy… wait…” They try once again, wanted so desperately to regain air to their lungs without her yelling them.

“You know? I don’t even know what I saw in you! You’re just the same as many of my…!”

That’s when Beck started to bend, holding the rib as an instinct to protect them, to make it stop hurting, the pain was fully showing itself on their face.

“Oh my God…” Poppy exclaimed, her angry attitude switched quickly to a worry one. Swiftly, Poppy's hands traveled to Beck's shirt, uncovering his body. A big, yellow bruise on their skin was slowly becoming green… purple at some places. “Shit… I’m going to kill you, Carleton!”

Oh, the bad rib…

“What is going on here?”

The sound of a familiar voice showed up, Professor Ina Kingsley walked in, maybe alerted by students or something like it, Beck didn’t really want to dig in.

“This fucking asshole attacked Hughes as a savage meathead!”

“Is Beck ok?” Ina asked right away, being aware about how the pain in Beck was bigger that Carleton's, who got away with some bruises and face cuts. “Think you can walk?”

“I'm fine…” Beck groaned. “… I just… I need to sit down a moment…”

“Miss Min-Sinclair, do you mind taking Beck to the nursing? I handle Mr. Burnett.”

“Come on, Farmsville. Lean on me.”

“No, I can manage…” The look Poppy throw them was so deadly scary, that them were paralyzed for a second. “O-ok…” Beck did as she told them, not wanting to face that kinda mortal gaze ever again.

But as the both started walking away, Beck turned to look at the guy who was now being taken to the Principal office.

And the deep hatred drawn in him was enough to know it: That guy wouldn’t stop there.

“Sweet… this all over again.” Beck thought, feeling actually insecure for the first time in all the time they had there.

“Poppy… I don’t want to go to the nursing.” They said, desperately needing to feel secure.

“Are you dumb? Of course I’m taking you to the nursing! Did you see that bruise?”

“Poppy.” Beck stopped immediately, looking supplicant into those honey eyes. Scared. “Please… I'll go anywhere but there…”

The strawberry blonde thought about it carefully; a battle was taking place in her mind, while she was reading the message written on Beck’s eyes.

Her rigid posture suddenly softened, as if she couldn’t deny anything to them… Maybe Beck wasn’t the only one with a soft spot for the other.

“Fine. Let’s go to my room.”

----

Next

[mysimsloveaffair]

Prosperity “Peri” Banks’s growing up was a lot different than her mother, Alida’s.  Peri had a privileged life, growing up well-off in a two-parent family in the suburbs of Oasis Springs. Everything is aligned to ensure that Peri has a promising future, but there’s a rebellious streak and a unique way of “seeing” emotions in her that makes her feel like she always needs to do the unexpected. She can only hope that it all leads to the bright “colorful” life that’s she’s seeking. 

Below you will find the chapter summaries for Generation 2…

Day 1.2 - Peri ages up and receives a gift from her grandparents that can potentially cause some problems with Byron. Later, she and Byron decide to make their last night together worthwhile. 

Day 2.2 -  A conversation with Gran-Alice leads Peri to seek an alternative place to stay during her summer visit.

Day 3.2 -  Peri wonders if she’s made a mistake by moving out of her grandparent’s house. Meanwhile, Alida ages up to an elder.

Day 4.2 -  After Mr. C makes his opinion of her known, Peri decides to try and prove him wrong.

Day 5.2 -  It’s raining in Sulani, and Peri ends up spending the entire day and most of the night with Mr. C.

Day 6.2 -   Peri spends the day with her grandparents. Later, things heat up for her in an unexpected way.

Day 7.2 -  Peri confides in Wild and receives some very good advice, then decides to confront Mr. C.

Day 8.2 – Although she knows that she’s in a bad situation, Peri can’t help but test how much further she can push the limits.

Day 9.2 – Gran Alice swoops in for an intervention, helping Peri find her way back where she belongs.

Day 10.2 – Things take an unexpected turn and Peri finds an ally in Gran Alice.

Day 11.2 – It all hits the fan when Peri’s family comes to Sulani after suffering a great loss.

Day 12.2 – The Banks/Wade family says goodbye to Gran Alice.

Day 13.2 – Peri gives Craig a chance to be in their baby’s life before welcoming a new addition to the Banks Dynasty.

Day 14.2 –  Peri arrives in Britechester to meet with Byron and to take steps towards her new life.

Day 15.2 -  Kai ages up and Peri begins planning their move.

Day 16.2 -  Peri and Kai move to Britechester.

Day 17.2 – Kai’s first Winterfest is filled with surprises!

Day 18.2 – Peri finds some mysterious gifts on her porch.

Day 19.2 – There’s another loss in the family. Peri finds it hard to balance her grief and take care of Kai at the same time.

Day 20.2 –  Peri makes a drastic change to her look, and Merit (Peri’s little brother) finally tells Roni how he feels.

Day 21.2 -  Peri seeks out daycare for Kai and later receives an unexpected compliment.

Day 22.2 -  Kai ages up to a child and Peri begins her first day of college.

Day 23.2 -  A gift from Craig leads to a much-needed conversation between Kai and Peri.

Day 24.2 -  A Donuts for Dads event at school causes Kai to question why his dad isn't around.

Day 25.2 -  Peri is surprised when she meets Kai’s teacher, later an unexpected visitor might be the perfect solution to Kai’s problem.

Day 26.2 -  Peri completes her first term in college and then discovers a huge problem with one of her tenants.

Day 27.2 -  After getting a new look, Peri spends a mother-son day with Kai.

Day 28.2 -  Peri and Kai celebrate “Sun”-day with family, and later, Peri goes to a nightclub and runs into an unexpected sim.

Day 29.2 -  Peri tells Mr. Washington about her crush on him and later weighs the cost of starting another relationship.

Day 30.2 -  Peri ages up to an adult and begins to really feel the stress of her busy life.

Day 31.2 -  Peri discovers the real reason that Kai wants to visit Sulani.

Day 32.2 -  Kai ages up to a teen. Alida and Michelle spend time in the neighborhood they grew up in.

Day 33.2 -  Kai leaves for Sulani, and Peri meets up with Mr. Washington, who reveals something completely unexpected.

Day 34.2 -  In Sulani, Kai carries out his mission, and later the Banks Dynasty loses its founder.

Day 35.2 – The Banks Dynasty suffers another loss. Peri sets on a mission to help Kai find his father.

Day 36.2 – The family says goodbye to Alida and Michelle.

Day 37.2 – Kai works on a school project, while Peri finds a potential new home in Windenburg.

Day 38.2 –  Peri and Wild arrange for Kai to finally meet his father.

Day 39.2 -  Kai throws a Spooky Day party, and Peri starts the process of purchasing a new home.

Day 40.2 -  Peri and Kai get into an argument after Peri makes a miscalculated decision.

Day 41.2 – Peri finally says goodbye to college!

Day 42.2 – Kai hangs out with friends but later ends up questioning whether he can truly call them that.

Day 43.2 – The family packs up and moves to Windenburg.

Day 44.2 – Kai finishes high school, while Peri prepares for a romantic evening with Waddell.

Day 45.2 – Peri’s last thoughts as Generation 2 comes to an end.

[with-love-anu]

Desiderata: Little Things

PART: 6

WORD COUNT: 1.9K

PAIRING: Sirius Black x Reader

SUMMARY:  You had been best friends with James, Remus, Sirius and Peter. Read your journey of love, friendship and jealousy through your wonderful years at Hogwarts. Enjoy!

SERIES MASTERLIST

The following month went in a blur. You worked with the marauders every free time you could put together to plan the club. James had got the permission form from McGonagall and you were currently arguing over the club name.

“Gryffindors are the best”

“Brave Hearts”

“Anti Slytherin”

“Pureb-“

“Guys stop it!” you shouted. You knew they weren’t doing it intentionally. There was always a bit of house rivalry in the boys but you always managed to tune it down. Right now it really wasn’t helping that Sirius and James were suggesting names which shouted “Gryffindor and Proud”, when you were aspiring for high goals like unity and strong bonds between people of all kind.

James and Sirius glared at you. You glared back.

“Why what is so wrong with these” James asked.

“After all it will always be Gryffindors in the end who would be brave enough to stand up against what is wrong” Sirius said staring at you.

“I want house unity. That is final. If houses don’t stay together I am not going to be a part of this.” You told them, your tone sharp daring them to say anything. This shut them up.

“Fine. You suggest something then.” James huffed.

You looked around and saw Remus rubbing his head, clearly frustrated. You thought about it. You wanted it to be catchy and meaningful.

“The Sheild.” You said out of the blue. (A/n: Avengers fan? Totally!)

“The Sheild?”

“Yes, I mean think about it. We are doing this to build a shield around the people we love.”

“Makes sense” Sirius said scratching his head.

The others pondered over it for a while then gave in their consents. You packed up your things and left with the marauders to submit the form to the very formidable head of house.

“Come in.” McGonagall’s voice came as you knocked the door.

“Professor, we wanted to submit the form for a new club.”

McGonagall looked up through her glasses and studied you all briefly. She laid out her hand and Remus gave her the form. She studied it for a while and then looked up, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Are you all serious about this?”

“Very much professor.”

“Well then! I hope to see your group succeed. I don’t want any kind of disruptions or fights. Keep that in mind.”

You smile widely and saw your boys having similar broad grins.

“Thank you so much Minnie. I knew you love me much to deny anything to me.” Sirius said winking at her giving her his famous flirt expression.

You mentally face-palmed. Did he have to do this? You looked at your deputy headmaster guessing her expression praying she wouldn’t change her mind.

“We are very very sorry Professor. You know how Sirius is. We won’t take much of your time and will be leaving now.” James said saving the situation.

As you all rushed out, you yanked Sirius’s ear (who gave a series of- “ow ow ow ow”) and pulled him to the next corridor. The others followed.

“Damn it woman! My ears hurt and they would probably be red” Sirius pouted.

“Really?” You glared at him. “I know you love me Minnie” you said mimicking his voice.

“I DO NOT talk like that”

“Yes. Yes you do.” You told him. “Oh darling!” you added with a fake drawl. “What is a pretty bird like you doing here? Girl, you’re sweet as honey. Your eyes are so beautiful, I get lost in them.”

The boys sniggered.

“Hey don’t forget the famous- ‘You’re more beautiful than the moon and the stars’ “ James said with a dreamy expression on his face.

“You’re the prettiest creature on the face of earth.” Remus said exaggerating with his hand gestures.

Sirius glared at you all and placed his hands over the right side of his chest.

“Hurt! Right to the heart! How dare you call yourselves friends?” Sirius feigned hurt.

You snorted and moved his hands to the mid of his chest.

“Your heart is in the middle, dumbass! Although I am not sure whether it exists.” You said rolling your eyes.

Sirius narrowed his eyes and puffed his cheeks. Pointing his finger at you he said, “You young lady are a mean… a mean… “ Sirius clenched his fists hunting for the right word. “A mean young lady.” He huffed out.

You rolled out laughing and no one could contain any longer. They all barked out and bent over in laughter.

“A pretty young lady who is cute when she is mean.” Remus said in a flirty tone wriggling his eyebrows. Sirius’s smile faded.

“Aww Remus… such a gentleman” you said with a fake posh accent. You cooed at him and placed a hand on his cheek flirtatiously. You missed the big scowl that formed on Sirius’s face. He interrupted loudly,

“Y/n don’t you have to meet Lily?”

“Right! I completely forgot” you said leaving.

“Ask her whether she would go out with me anytime soon.” James called after you.

“No. Bye.”

Sirius and Peter started going towards the grounds with James and Remus a little behind.

“Do you think he bought it?” Remus asked quietly.

“He looked like someone puked all over him” James whispered back.

“I just hope he realizes it before Y/n loses all hope.” Remus sighed.

***

You met Lily in the common room. She smiled on seeing you.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

“Just some extra credit work for charms. You know I suck on those” Lily replied. “So, I wanted to ask you; what do I have to bring to the study group today?”

“Just notes from class and personal write ups if you have done any.”

“okay.”

You spent the next hour telling her about the different people from your study group. She might as well catch up; you thought.

“Isn’t Sebastian the hot boy of the Ravenclaw house? The one girls swoon over?”

You giggled. You very well were aware of the fact that Sebastian was good looking and also knew that he hated it. Hated that out of all his qualities, the one people always referred to be his looks. 

“The very same.” You told Lily.

“Well, he’s handsome. Is he dating someone?”

“Not that I know of”

“You know,” Lily said quietly “I always thought you two were a thing.”

“How so?” you asked raising your eyebrows. If it was anyone else you would probably have denied it as soon it was mentioned to wade of any kind of rumors that might be building. But, it was Lily and the two of you were quiet frank with one another. Lily had become a very close friend.

“Well, just the two of you always seemed… I don’t know… close?! Like whenever I see you both you guys are giggling and whispering and doing you know! Coupley things? And I have even seen you two flirt a lot.”

You laughed. “Well, we joke-flirt. Nothing’s ever happened… Okay… so we both kind of have the same sense of humor sometimes even Sirius and the boys don’t get. We also tend to agree on a whole lot of things. He teases me and is affront about his opinions and I happily return the favor. We don’t take offence on one another; which I am certain most people would; if we say things like that to them. That’s just how we’ve always been. I don’t even know what to call this, a weird flirty rude relationship?”

Lily giggled. “I think you two would look cute together.”

“Really? Are you going to play matchmaker?”

“Well look at it my way. It would be a simple relationship. From what you tell me, I think the two of you already know what the other wants in a relationship.” You nodded and Lily continued. “So, it would be nice you know, lesser fights over stupid issues.”

You sighed. “I just don’t think I am ready to see him that way and if it doesn’t work out I don’t wanna lose the friendship.” That was only part of the question why. The main reason was that Sirius had made it difficult for you to like anyone else. You always ended up comparing them with him. It was like he would do things people do when they love loved the person. He would bring you chocolates and trinkets just because he saw them at a shop and thought of you. He would always have an arm around you during classes, breaks, quidditch matches; of course when he wasn’t flirting. He would call you his best girl every now and then; even in front of his girlfriends. It confused you. Not that you didn’t like it but you always ended up wanting more.

You both picked up your things and moved towards the library. Most of them were present and you settled down as Lily introduced herself.

“Am I late?” Sebastian said as he settled down on the chair beside you.

“No. you’re not”

You all talked discussing and completing the week’s essays one by one. This was the benefit of the group. You learnt magic throughout the week and took care of homework on Sundays. It helped you stay free minded and love what you learnt.

“I really can’t do this spell” Sebastian said pouting.

“Yes you can” you said giggling taking in his despaired form.

“I have tried everything and this just doesn’t work” he huffed.

“Lemme…” you took his hand in yours performing the spell on the cup infront of him.

Sebastian’s eyes widened as he saw it transform into a perfect little turtle.

“Oh!” Sebastian said as he noticed the wand movement he missed before.

“Y/n” he called out.

“Hmm?”

“Y/n”

“Yes?”

“Y/n”

“Seb.” You smiled at his game.

“When did you become so good at transfiguration?”

“James taught me.”

“So basically, you come back to school having this completely new and trendy look; which I love and by the way has caused all the boys have a crush on you; and you better yourself in the one subject you weren’t *perfect* before?”

You raised your eyebrows not sure how to reply. “Not all boys!” you said shaking your head.

“Okay; well a huge portion.”

“And you’re implying that…?”

“It’s only time before you become one of those…” Sebastian said narrowing his eyes putting on a conspiracy face.

“One of what?”

“You know… one of *those*” he said wriggling his eyebrows.

“Ahh…” you drawled. “Strong independent women who no need no man?”

“Exactly!” he said with a sad expression. He was too good an actor. “and then you will not see me, the sweet boy who loves you with all his little heart?”

You stifled a snigger wanting to play along.

“Aww… I will always love my old man!” you cooed.

“Hey! Who are you calling old?”

“Did I say old? I meant a mature wise man who happens to be very handsome and…”

“And?” Sebastian asked raising an eyebrow.

“hot” you said with a low voice.

“There are children here!!!” Alex said loudly earning a shush from the librarian. You all laughed.

“Guys!” you said remembering about the shield. “Guys! Guys! Guys! Guys!” you said until you had everyone’s attention. You told them about the club crossing your fingers that they’ll join. There was silence for a while.

“Count me in!” Ruuhaan spoke out.

“Yeah me too!” Lily said enthusiastically.

Soon enough everyone agreed.

“So, we would really appreciate it if you could bring others too who may be interested. Remember, next week, Friday at 4.” Remus said.

You couldn’t stop smiling when you went to bed that night.

[xiubaek-13]

Gods & Myths

Prompt: J-Hope + 3. A breathy demand: “Kiss me” - and what the other person does to respond.

Setting/AU: College AU

Warnings: Alcohol use, frat party, sexual tension, lewd humour etc

Word Count: 3,278

You didn’t want to be here. Every fiber of your being wanted desperately to be anywhere that wasn’t at the Gods and Myths party at Ravenwood Academy. It’s not that you hated parties, or despised dressing up, rather, it was that you hated ending up alone at these things. Your friends always came with you, spotted someone they were crushing on and left without fail. Leaving you alone for the remainder of the evening, easy prey for drunk creeps to hit on. Usually you left before they saw you all alone, in your mind you wondered if you had a huge neon sign above you that said Easy Target.

Every time you brought this fact up with them their responses were the same. “Well maybe you should try it sometime.” “It’s not going to hurt you to have fun. Live a little.” “Just do, don’t think about it for once in your life.”

All of that was easier said than done though. Overthinking was a skill of yours, one excelled at. Your friends meant well, you knew that, but it hurt to realise time and time again that in some aspects, they just truly didn’t understand you. You weren’t as outgoing as them and apparently didn’t have anywhere near as high a sex drive as they did. They said you were too picky while you thought that sometimes they weren’t picky enough.

You wanted to be the person who could just switch off and live in the moment but you were too observant, too analytical and too concerned with how what you did at any given moment would impact your life. Other people got to finish class and leave their academic commitments in their dorm, not concerned with how their actions in the night would impact them in the future but not you, the burden of responsibility weighed heavy on your shoulders. You had to get good grades so that you could get a good job and a good career. That was what had been ingrained into you since you were a small child. Romance and frivolity just weren’t luxuries that you could afford.

Regardless of how you feel about social gatherings, you’re here, sitting on Minhee’s bed with Sora while they brainstorm costumes for each of you to wear. According to them this party was a big deal and proper thought should go into your outfit. In your mind it was just middle ground between angels & devils and toga party. Wear a coloured sheet and something on your head and drink. It seemed simple to you but to your friends, it was more. They were well known for their partying ways and impeccable costumes. How you ended up with these two as your best friends you’ll never know, but you wouldn’t have it any other way… most of the time.

Minhee stands in front of her wardrobe facing the two of you with her arms crossed in front of her, resolute in her statement. “As a history major I refuse to allow the three of us to be basic. There will be enough Aphrodite’s, Hera’s, Athena’s and Persephone’s in attendance so we need something unique.” 

“Why don’t we go as the three fates?” Sora offers as she flips through a Greek Mythology book.

Minhee shakes her head. “No, then we’d have to spend the entire night together so that our costumes made sense.”

“Wow, you make hanging out together sound like a punishment.” You remark.

Her eyes roll. “You know that’s not how I meant it. If we do a group costume then we have to stick together. At the biggest party of the academic year.” Next to you Sora nods. If she thinks this is convincing you that she wasn’t being harsh before, she’s sorely mistaken.

“What Minhee is trying to say is that Jaebum is going to be there and she wants to get that.” She chuckles as she looks at you. “We love you dearly, but we both have goals for this party, and apparently that means we need standalone costumes. Otherwise Minhee will be insufferable because she couldn’t jump JB’s bones because we did a group costume… which is not a crazy persons reasoning at all.”

You can’t help but laugh at Sora’s bluntness. You knew they’d both be wanting to impress their crushes and that they would not be sticking with you all night. Still, the reality of being alone at a party yet again kind of dampens the mood for you. “Then Minhee should be Nyx.” You state.

“Primordial goddess of the night?” She asks, to no one in particular.

You shrug. “Look if there was a goddess of determination to get that dick then I’d pick that one for you. This is the closest thing.”

Sora collapses into the bed in a fit of laughter at your words while Minhee feigns offence, doing her best to not laugh yet. “Are you calling me a skank?”

“Of course not. If I wanted to do that I’d have suggested Peitho.” Minhee sputters as her cool facade cracks and she joins Sora in a fit of laughter, doubling over and grabbing the wardrobe with her spare hand to brace herself as she laughs.

“You bitch.” She says as she regains her composure.

“Honestly, the lengths you go to for dick.”  You do your best to sound nonchalant but a laugh breaks through.

“For that uncalled for comment you get to be Hecate, it’s not in the mythology books but I’m pretty sure she was a snarky biatch like you.” She points at Sora as you crack up laughing. “And you can be Kotys, you party animal.”

***

The party is going almost exactly how you imagined it would. The three of you arrived, wading through a crowd of multiple Hades, Persephone, Zeus, Hera, Apollo & Aphrodite costumes. Minhee and Sora are ecstatic that no one seems to have picked the goddesses that the three of you did but a small part of you wishes you could blend in with the crowd, it would make escaping drunk horny guys later so much easier.

You had to give it to the decorators. They had outdone themselves this year. The large dining hall had been transformed into a Greek paradise. There was a Mount Olympus in the back corner, a Dionysus themed bar, hanging gardens, beautifully draped sheets around fake columns. There were games all around the room, based off ancient Olympics and myths. You spotted a stone grotto where you had to trick Medusa, a makeshift river Styx, the list went on.

It was hard to believe that this was the dining hall. The spot where you usually sat for your meals was currently the entrance to hell and where you normally sat was Yoongi, dressed as Hades, trying to convince people to actually pay him money to be kept safe. You laughed to yourself, remembering the time that Minhee had her sights set on him only to be shut down because he didn’t want to fuck someone who didn’t know what an arpeggio was. She had been livid for weeks. She thought it was some kind of pasta. You and Sora hadn’t let her live it down, much to her displeasure.

The rest of his group are performing similar grifts around the room. Namjoon is at Mount Olympus, dressed as Zeus and giving orders as King of the Gods. Jimin is dressed as Eros and is wandering around pushing people together, daring them to kiss. Dressed is a loose statement given the minimal amount of coverage he has going for him but that kind of goes hand in hand with being the god of sexual desire, attraction, love and procreation. Jin is dressed as Plutus and in his drunken stupor keeps telling everyone “Opulence, I own everything!” Taehyung is behind the bar, dressed as Dionysus, reveling in getting partygoers drunk out of their brains. Jungkook is Heracles, doing upside down keg stands and challenging people to arm wrestling and Mario Kart, probably not exactly the picture of the greatest hero but he fits the strongest man on earth part of the brief. Hoseok is Caerus, flitting around the room to each of the games and convincing people to do things they normally wouldn’t, telling them he felt lucky about their odds of winning if they did as he suggested. Whoever put those 7 in charge as hosts for the evening was either out of their mind or a genius.

Shortly after arriving Sora directs you to the bar, making sure the three of you have drinks in your hands at all times then drags your trio over to a group who are playing a range of drinking games loosely based off mythology. So loosely that you’d wager that they were just playing normal drinking games and adding one greek work to them to fit the theme of the party. You glance at Minhee, thinking she might have hit the nail on the head with the goddess she picked for Sora, who raises a brow at you as if to say I was dead on right?

You stand back with Minhee while Sora leads the next round of games, completely in her element as the life of the party. Out of the corner of your eye you spot the very person who Minhee keeps searching for. She probably thinks she’s being subtle but to you she looks like a lost bird with how much her head is darting around as she scans the room. You nudge her, directing her attention towards her mark. “He’s over there when you’re ready to go throw yourself at him.”

She scoffs at you and smirks. “Don’t be ridiculous, I won’t need to throw myself at him, have you seen me in this dress?” To make sure you get the full effect she twirls and poses for you, her shamelessness making you cringe.

“Oh my god, just go already.”

Sora appears beside you, laughing. “Looks like I have perfect timing!” she says as she latches onto your arm, her grip ironclad, tugging it towards the centre of the group where the games are being played. “Come on, we’re playing the next game.”

“Wha-” you start to protest, refusing to budge from your spot. You don’t join in at these parties. You observe. You’re not the free spirited type. You don’t know the social cues or the rules for these games.

“No excuses. If you fuck up the game you drink, if you win you drink. Pretty simple really.” She holds onto your arm tightly, no intentions of letting you flee. “For once, try to enjoy yourself.” She says.

Begrudgingly you give up trying to escape. She knows you too well and she has no plans on letting go of you until you’re in the circle and the game is starting. There’s no escape now, not when you’re surrounded. Your anxiety spikes for a moment, wondering if all of the people around you know that you don’t fit in here. That little voice in your head tells you that they’re judging you, mocking you, no matter how hard you try to ignore it.  

“What game have you been playing here?” Hoseok asks, appearing out of nowhere, his red locks wreathed in olive branches. That part of his costume irks you. Caerus was always described as bald, with one lock of hair, not a luscious soft looking full head of hair. At least he had the non aging, beautiful part down, because Hoseok was beautiful. His high cheekbones and strong jawline framed his face, inviting eyes and an infectious smile made him hard to resist. You have watched him from a distance at many parties, never actually interacting with words. A few times he caught you staring, only to raise an eyebrow at you and for you to avert your gaze. This is the closest you’d ever been to him at a party and you decide that it is incredibly unfair for him to look that good.

“Escape the Manticore.” Someone says at the same time as you say “Beer Pong.” Hoseok laughs as he moves to the center of the group. He raises his hands, beckoning those in the circle to listen to him.

“An excellent choice of game, however, might I suggest a change in proceedings before Jungkook/Heracles makes his way over here?” The noises from the group seem to lean towards agreeing to change games. Everyone knows that you can’t beat Jungkook at beer pong. The guy is stupidly good at it. Smiling, Hoseok continues. “Might I suggest Sirens Call?”

You scoff. “What’s that, truth or dare?” The crowd laughs at your comment.

“Closer to spin the bottle actually.” Hoseok responds, winking at you as he does so. “Alright, you lot” He says as he points to 7 others, Sora and yourself “are playing this round with me.” You do your best to ignore the wink, surely he does that to everyone. Like Sora, he’s always the life of the party. It probably doesn’t mean anything. Even if part of you wants it to.

Sora claps with glee as she realizes that his selection includes the man she’s been ogling all night, Shownu. He’s a mountain of a man with soft, kind eyes and Sora has been swooning over him for months. You know that she’ll shatter the bottle if it doesn’t land on him when she spins it.

“You look like you want to eat him alive Sora, maybe dial it down a notch.” You murmur.

Her eyes flit to yours for a moment, a mischievous grin on her face. “I’d rather climb him like a tree but eating works as well.”

You don’t get a chance to tell her to keep it in her pants as Hoseok produces a bottle and motions for the ten of you to sit on the floor. “The person spinning the bottle is the siren. Whoever the bottle lands on is their target. If their target succumbs to their call and kisses them they’re out of the game, Sirens were kind of evil guys, they lured men to their deaths. If you resist the siren for thirty seconds then you survive and they are out of the game.

The game progresses as drunken people lock lips and disappear from the game, often wandering off together to continue where they left off, much to Jimin’s delight. Shownu did his best to resist Sora, but your maniac of a friend legitimately climbed him when he refused her request for him to kiss her, straddling his hips and teasingly leaning in, ghosting kisses over his neck, face & mouth until he gave in and captured her lips with his. As she got up and lead Shownu away from the group she winked at you, happy to have secured her man for the night.

Hoseok spins the bottle next. You watch it spin round and round, wondering who it will land on and if they’re going to be able to resist his charms. To your surprise the bottle lands on you. You stare at it in mild shock. Hoseok isn’t supposed to get this close to you. No, you watch him from afar, wondering what it would be like to touch him, to be held by him, to kiss him. But those were only ever supposed to be thoughts, never a reality.

You watch with wide eyes as he crawls towards you, like a predator circling its prey. You don’t know if you are strong enough to resist him, not when his eyes were laser focused on you like that. He’d never looked at you like that before. Whenever he’d caught you staring at him he’d always kept that inviting look in his eyes but that was nowhere to be found right now. It felt like he was staring into your soul which unnerves you. You try to swallow but your throat feels dry, and your hand can’t seem to find your drink.

He closes the distance between the two of you quickly, stopping only once his arms are caging your legs where you sit. He is too close, so close that you can feel his breath fanning your neck, you can smell his cologne, you can’t concentrate. He licks his lips and leans forward, his mouth ghosting your ear. Breathily he says “Kiss me” then moves back slightly so that he can see your face.

If you do as he asks you’ll lose the game, but you will have kissed Jung Hoseok. That little voice inside your head tries to tell you that he’d only be kissing you because of the game, not because he has any interest in you. Another smaller voice speaks up, telling you so what if its only because of the game? You still get to kiss him and if the other voice is wrong, then you’ll have bagged Jung motherfucking Hoseok. Where is the loss for you here?

You stare at his lips longer than you care to admit, at his prominent cupids bow and soft looking lower lip, at the way he slightly smirks when he realises that you’re fixated on his mouth. It feels like aeons but in reality it takes only seconds for the two of you to stare at each other, your eyes flickering because for a moment Hoseok does look like a god, but one who is within your reach, and it causes a quiet breath to escape your lips.

Cautiously you inch forward, and Hoseok cups your cheek with his hand. He feels warm. You lean into his touch, letting yourself indulge in the moment. You press your lips into his, they are softer than you were expecting. He moves his head slightly and your lips slot together perfectly, his hand sliding into your hair. You could end it here, you had already failed the game and there was no need to continue the kiss.

Except that you don’t want it to end. You want more. You press into his lips harder, parting them, and you feel him smile into it as he deepens the kiss. Your hand grips his cloak, as if you’re scared he will let go of you and end this. The nature of the kiss shifts from a soft, sweet meeting of the mouths to a heated, passionate tangling of tongues. When you do break apart its because you both need air. His eyes are hooded and dark as he stares at you as if you are the only person in the room.

Gradually both of you realize that you have an audience and you blush furiously. Hoseok clears his throat and looks around, attempting to put on the mask of the host as he says. “That’s game over. You know how it works now, form your own teams and go.” He grabs your wrist and helps you stand, his eyes never leaving your face. It’s written all over his face, plain as day, that he wants to kiss you again. You want to kiss him again too, but not with so many people around.

“Come with me?” He asks.

[cottonwoolsocks]

Waterlogged

AO3 | Masterlist

@whumptober2019​ - prompts: 14 (tear-stained), 22 (hallucination), alt 1 (“Wake up!”), alt 10 (nightmare), alt 12 (waterlogged), alt 13 (breathless)

Summary: Logan’s fear of the ocean manifests itself in a nightmare. Virgil is there to help.

Word Count: 2091

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Characters: Logan, Virgil, mentions of other Sides.

Relationships: platonic analogical

Warnings: drowning, nightmare, claustrophobia (maybe), what exactly is at the bottom of the ocean.

If I need to tag anything else, let me know!

———

The water seemed to be rising from the very floor itself, soaking through the carpet and pooling around Logan’s feet. He cast around, expecting to see Remus grinning maniacally at him as he turned the taps on full, but not one of the others were in sight. He frowned.

And why was the water rising up the way…?

He moved towards the stairs, intent on heading up to locate one of the others and make sure nobody was accidentally sleeping in the bathtub again, but as his foot touched the bottom step a torrent of water practically knocked him off his feet, failing only as a result of Logan’s instinct to grab the handrail. His eyes flickered to the stairs and then back to the carpeted floor which was now all but obscured, analysing, hypothesising, gathering data. But none of it made sense.

There was no feasible way for the water to be rushing down in such a huge volume, much less rising from the floor. The only ones with the power to construct something as… improbable… as this, would be the twins.

And Roman would never, not when he knew Logan was down here, and especially not when a number of his sketchpads still lay sprawled around the living room, now gathering water.

But Remus? ...Remus would.

Logan sighed.

“Remus! It is in both your and my own best interests that you stop the flow of water.”

He would have said there was silence, but the roar of water now up to his ankles made it hard to even remember what silence sounded like—or didn't, he supposed, as silence was defined as the absence of sound. Momentarily closing his eyes in annoyance, he instead sank out, hoping to gain a little clarity in a more familiar—and quieter—environment.

And all of a sudden he couldn't breathe, water inside his mouth and his ears and his nose and splintering his vision.

He was back in the main room barely a second later, now completely soaked, and beginning to feel concerned. Had something gone wrong?

He took off his glasses and dried them off quickly, before trying to duck into Roman’s room to see if he could reverse this—but Roman’s door must have been locked, for he couldn't get in.

Remus’s was empty of Remus, but was full of water much like Logan’s own before, and Logan couldn't help the jolt of…something that went through his chest as he began to fear predict the worst. But he wasn't afraid. He couldn't feel fear. Fear was an emotion. He had not emotions. Of course.

Deceit’s was locked too, which didn't exactly surprise him, although it did perturbe him slightly. He was running out of people who'd be able to fix this.

Even Patton’s was locked, which was surprising, as Patton was always very clear that he would leave his room open as often as he was able in case anyone ever wanted to talk.

Virgil's room was the last he tried, already expecting it to be locked as it practically always was, so you can imagine his surprise when he found himself in the centre of the dimly-lit room. His confusion only heightened when he did not find himself completely submerged in water, nor even up to his knees, and when he squinted down to examine the floor and found dry carpet he was even a little suspicious.

No matter. He was here to check on Virgil, not analyse everything he saw when it didn't react as he expected it to.

“Virgil?” he called softly, treading gently towards the bed squashed into the corner and trying not to let his dripping clothes form too large of a puddle, eyeing the mound of blankets that may or may not be a figure.

The blankets suddenly sat bolt upright and Logan stopped in his tracks, frowning and wondering if he'd spooked the anxious side. “...Virgil?”

Two pinpricks of light appeared where eyes should be, and before Logan could react Virgil’s voice filled the room, loud and all-encompassing as it always was when he became anxious, except shriller, piercing, and unlike anything Logan had ever heard before.

“Wake up!” yelled the voice. “Logan! It's the bottom of the ocean!” it shrieked, growing more shrill and inhuman with every letter and Logan winced, pressing his palms into his ears in an attempt to block out the noise.

It only seemed to magnify it, sharp and penetrating as it continued to shriek, cries echoing around the room and seeming to bounce around Logan's very skull. “Wake up! Wake up!”

“Logan!” it cried, before the blankets began to sink, the sound of the voice reverberating around the room as echoes bounced off the walls, and it took Logan a moment to notice the sound of running water.

The blankets fell away entirely, now just a heap on the bed and Logan stepped forward, arm outstretched towards where Virgil had only just been, ears still ringing and the banshee cries playing over in his mind.

He realised with a start that the water was pooling from the blankets where Virgil had been situated, a gushing torrent that was slowly filling the room. Logan panicked, already knowing where this was headed and trying to sink out.

But he couldn't.

The water was up to his hips already, spilling over the top of the bedframe and soaking everything on it. He span towards the door, trying his best to wade through the water, but his steps were slow and the water was rising, only a matter of time before it overcame him.

The door didn't budge, and all Logan’s knowledge of physics was telling him of course it doesn't move, the pressure against the door is greater than that outside; you have to wait for the pressure to equalise before it can be opened. But the pressure wouldn't equalise, because the fact he couldn't open the door meant there was less water beyond the door, which meant there was no way the pressure would ever equalise because all the water was in here.

Abandoning the door handle, Logan instead began to beat against the door, hoping to create a hole to drain the water from.

But of course, Virgil’s door was made of iron, because of aesthetic of whatever it was Virgil claimed, and there was no way he was going to even make a dent in it, let alone a hole.

Logan's was somewhat aware that his breathing was worryingly high, but he didn't have time to think about that as the water surpassed his shoulders.

And there was nothing here that could help him, he realised in increasing distress, because the water was rising and it didn't look like it was going to slow down, and the only things that were floating were all too small to help him, and the two ways out of here were both blocked.

He tried to sink out again, trying every room in turn and even Thomas in the physical world, but none of them worked, each barred from him, and Logan was beginning to realise this wasn't a problem he could solve on his own.

“Roman?” he called to the room, hoping the creative side would hear him and perhaps come to his rescue; he would be the best option for helping in this situation anyway, Logan thought as he began to tread water.

“Remus?” he tried, any previous reluctance dissipating in the face of imminent drowning.

“De—” he began, but a thought suddenly struck him. If he called for one of the others and they did come, that would only mean they were stuck too. Which would certainly not be ideal. Logan wasn't even sure where any of them could be, as he had entered every room in the mindscape by this point and each one had been empty of the others, but they couldn't have just disappeared. That wasn't how this worked. That wasn't how any of this worked.

Logan was very glad Thomas had learned to swim as the ceiling came closer and closer, his head knocking against it with the rising water.

He braced himself and, taking a deep breath, dove downwards.

He tugged at the door handle, hoping beyond hope that maybe, just maybe, things would be different this time, but the iron remained steady, not even straining under the pull. He kicked towards the surface, breaking the top and almost hitting his face of the ceiling as he took a gulp of the two or three centimetres of air still left, and dwindling fast.

He dove down again, heading to the door in one last, desperate attempt, but instead of moving towards the door he was pulling away. Spinning around, he held a hand over his mouth to prevent gasping in surprise at the large whirlpool situated in the centre of the floor, grasping at him with water currents that steadily drew him nearer.

He tried to kick away from it, feet flailing wildly as he watched various CDs and notebooks disappear into the abyss, but no matter how strong of a swimmer he was the whirlpool was more powerful, and it was only seconds before he was inside the mouth. And then he was sinking down, down, down, spinning nauseatingly as small objects bounced against him. Somehow, his glasses remained—not that there was anything to see in the blackness anyway.

And then everything was calm. He had stopped moving.

He forced open his eyes, and looked around, only to see he was surrounded by water that only seemed to stretch on no matter which direction he faced. Alone.

He was in the ocean.

As soon as he processed this, he was suddenly very, very cold and everything went very, very dark.

He was acutely aware of his lungs screaming for oxygen, and he could feel the water pressure crushing him, liquid forcing itself down his throat and into his mouth and eyes and ears, and from somewhere in the inky depths below, something roared. He looked down, a shoal of fish flitting past as they moved to escape whatever was below, but Logan could only sit and watch.

A huge mouth appeared, wide open, hundreds of rows of teeth lining the maw, each the size of Logan’s torso as fish who were not fast enough were swallowed whole.

This was it.

Logan looked up, towards where he was sure the surface must lie, and praying that the others were safe, wherever they were.

He only wished he could have had one last look at the stars, as the teeth obscured his vision and his lungs gave out.

And suddenly he could breathe again, shooting upright and holding a hand to his chest to feel his rapidly beating heart. Still alive. Still alive.

“Logan!” said Virgil’s voice, and Logan almost cried out, sure this was all just a cruel repeat, and any second now he was going to be back in the water, unable to breathe, unable to cry out, with no idea if the others—

“Logan. It's Virgil. Take a breath. You had a nightmare. You're safe.”

“I— what?” Logan said, voice breaking. It made sense. It made sense, but, how had, how— Quietly, unsurely, he whispered, “it seemed so real.”

“I know,” said Virgil, perching on the edge of Logan’s bed. Logan was suddenly reminded that yes, of course Virgil knew, because he always knew whenever any of them had a nightmare. He was Anxiety, after all, and selfish as Logan felt for thinking it, he was glad Virgil had come. “Want a tissue, Teach?” Virgil added softly, offering one off-handedly before looking away to examine the ceiling.

Logan took it somewhat confusedly, before he realised with a start that his face was damp. He had been crying. Hurriedly, he dried his face, thankful that Virgil had chosen to look elsewhere whilst he sorted himself.

“I'm sorry,” he said after a moment, locating his glasses from the bedside table and feeling a sense of relief wash over him as the world became clearer. “That was uncharacteristically… emotional of me.”

Virgil seemed almost to laugh, a withheld smirk flashing across his features. “I know you have emotions, Logan, and that's okay; you don't need to hide them. Do you want to tell me about it?”

Taking a deep breath and lying back onto his pillow, Logan’s eyes drank in the stars and constellations in his ceiling, the night sky Roman had put into place for him twinkling comfortingly.

“Everything was flooding.”

[lallemanting]

44 & 55 for the angst/fluff prompts please! 💫

44: “You’ve always felt like home” & 55: “I’m not going anywhere” // also on ao3

(I am sorry this took so long, but thank you so much for sending Tara!! this is pure fluff, but I hope you like it!!)

____

Lucas is on his way home from work, groceries for dinner slung over one shoulder, golden rays of light hitting the building and sidewalks like they always do and Lucas thinks he’s never been happier.

He’s almost skipping home, even as he descends into the grimy underbelly of the metro. The thought of a weekend without his roommates, a weekend alone, sounds almost too good to be true. And yes, okay, it’s not really a weekend alone, Lucas knows Yann will argue because obviously Eliott will be there. But these days, Lucas doesn’t even register the difference. Eliott not being there, not being around him any time he could be just doesn’t even sound like an option. Somewhere, in the two years they’ve been together, alone translated to alonewithEliott.

Lucas is surprised the first time he notices it – that the time he used to need by himself in his room with the door shut without anyone bothering him, doesn’t seem to include Eliott. With Eliott, he always feels recharged and happy, like his body physically craves to be near him. And who is Lucas to fight that.

And as that feeling continues to settle, as Eliott’s presence becomes the fuel for his body, for his heart, Lucas relaxes into it. It was Eliott’s mom after all who told them she knew she would marry Eliott’s dad because he was the only person she could stand to be around all the time. Lucas thinks she was on to something.

Already the comforting promise of Eliott’s presence washes over Lucas, calming him as he wades through the crowded metro, gently pushing his body into the next train to arrive. Normally, the packed cars would overwhelm him, stress him out, but Lucas knows that in 20 short minutes, he’ll be wrapped in Eliott’s arms and his shoulders instantly relax.

He has to fight a bit to get off the train, struggling through a whispered string of pardon, excuse-moi, pardon, excuse-moi until he finally reaches the doors and pushes the button to get them to slide open. But as he steps out on the platform, his smile is still there, wide on his face. A few people give him slightly strange looks because, yes, Lucas will admit that looking that pleased after work during rush hour probably is not normal behavior. But, oh, if these people only knew Eliott, knew who Lucas had waiting for him (sometimes he still quite can’t believe it), they’d be smiling just as big.

He breaks out onto the sidewalk, the sun still fighting to stay up above the horizon and Lucas breathes in deep. It’s his favorite time of day, when the sun is almost setting and everything is encased in its golden tendrils, setting the city on fire. It reminds him of Eliott, of the way Eliott makes him feel every time he looks at him.

Lucas lets out a little laugh to himself, because god, he can’t believe he just formed that thought it’s so goddamn cheesy, but he can’t help that Eliott makes him think things like that. A vestige, probably, of all the pretty words and promises Eliott has lavished on Lucas every opportunity he can. Lucas was bad at first, at taking those pretty compliments, too delicate for how he saw himself. But the more Eliott kept saying them anyway, the more Lucas started to let himself enjoy them, and maybe, believe them – just a little.

He practically bouncing as he makes his way up to his apartment. Eliott had texted him that he was already there – gone straight from his class, using the spare key Lucas had given him as part of his one-year anniversary present. (Because at some point it was stupid to make Eliott go all the way home and wait for Lucas when he was just going to come over right away anyway.)

It’s been two whole days since he’s seen his boyfriend, which, sure, doesn’t seem like a lot at first glance, but for them, it’s an eternity. Eliott had a huge project he had to finish for one of his classes, and Lucas had been balancing a test and extra shifts he had picked up to save a little money, so they’d spent two long nights apart, making this weekend that much sweeter.

He puts his key into the lock and barely starts to turn it before the door is being whipped open and Lucas is pulled into a bone-crushing hug. Lucas’ arms immediately encircle Eliott’s waist and he feels Eliott’s arms around his neck pull him closer. Eliott presses his face into Lucas’ hair and they sway, just a little, in the entryway.

“Welcome home,” Eliott whispers against his temple, and Lucas turns his face to meet Eliott’s in a gentle kiss.

“I missed you,” Lucas says and maybe some people would laugh at that, missing each other after only two days, but Eliott only hums and squeezes him tighter.

“I missed you too.”

Lucas extracts himself from Eliott’s grasp as gently as possible so that they can actually make it through the front door. He sets his bags down heavily in the hallway and kicks off his shoes. He picks up the groceries and follows Eliott into the kitchen, where Eliott jumps up lightly to sit on the counter, looking expectantly at Lucas.

“Yes, I brought food for dinner,” Lucas sighs, feigning annoyance but not bothering to mask the smile that spreads over his face as Eliott grins over at him.

“Good, because you have no food in the fridge,” Eliott says, laughing.

“You already checked then?”

“Oh yeah, as soon as I got here.”

It’s Lucas’ turn to laugh then, and he sets about unpacking the groceries and pulling out a pan to cook. Eliott simply watches from his perch on the counter, but it doesn’t bother Lucas. He likes having Eliott there with him. And it’s probably best for the both of them if Eliott stays away from the stove.

“I wish you would let me help,” Eliott says then as Lucas chops up some vegetables. “I always feel bad just watching you do all the hard work.”

“Don’t feel bad,” Lucas responds, not looking up from the food in front of him. “I don’t mind. I like cooking. Especially if it’s for you.”

Lucas doesn’t hear him but suddenly Eliott’s arms are encircling his waist and Eliott’s chin comes to rest on Lucas’ shoulder and Lucas feels his warmth radiating all across his body.

“Please let me do something,” Eliott whispers into Lucas’ neck making him shiver. He gently presses a kiss into the space where Lucas’ neck meets his shoulder.

Lucas whirls around in Eliott’s arms, grabs his face and kisses him forcefully on the mouth. Strong and eager, the kiss is white-hot fire and then it’s over as Lucas turns around again to keep chopping the veggies. Eliott staggers back slightly, and swallows, taking a few seconds to regain control of his thoughts.

“What was that for?” Eliott asks weakly, reaching out and running his hand down Lucas’ arm.

“I just really love you,” Lucas says, quickly. “Now, if you really want to help me you can turn on some music and set the table.”

Half an hour later and they’re sitting across from each other, dinner spread out in front of them. It’s simple really, just some meat and vegetables Lucas had picked up at the farmer’s market (mostly because Eliott kept insisting that those were so much better than the produce at the grocery store), but Eliott is smiling into every bite like it’s some kind of nectar from the gods.

“What?” Lucas asks laughing, trying to decipher exactly what has Eliott in such a good mood.

Eliott looks up at him (and it’s enough, really, to make Lucas’ legs go weak). “I just really love you,” he responds, teasing him.

Lucas rolls his eyes, but feels a traitorous blush spread across his cheeks.

“And,” Eliott pauses, “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Lucas feels his heart stop briefly. It’s stupid, he thinks, that his default reaction is always panic. But as those words come out of Eliott’s mouth, Lucas’ thoughts immediately go to Eliott wanting to break up. Which is stupid, as he’s literally just said that he loves him, but Lucas can’t help the first thoughts that cross his mind. He swallows.

“Calm down,” Eliott says gently, reaching across the table to grab Lucas’ hand in his own. Lucas forgets sometimes how much Eliott knows him. “It’s nothing bad. At least, I don’t think so.”

Lucas smiles back at him. “Okay…”

“It’s just that,” Eliott starts, and then he stops, taking a breath and looking at Lucas the way he sometimes looks at the night sky. Full of admiration and wonder and love. “It’s just that I know your lease is up in a few months, and I know our schedules will be busier next semester, and we always talk about wanting to spend more time together. And I was just thinking that maybe we should move in together.”

It all comes out in a rush, but each word rings in Lucas’ ear and his breath catches in his throat as he plays them over again in his mind, turning over each word, making sure he heard Eliott right.

“You want to move in together?” Lucas asks, and this time it’s his voice that sounds weak, like the air has been knocked out of him. Because it has, in a way – like it does every time Eliott finds a new way to tell Lucas he loves him.

“You’ve always felt like home,” Eliott says shrugging, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. Lucas feels his heart clench and then soar. He’s not sure he’s ever had a home like that – not really. And now Eliott wants one. With him. And Lucas doesn’t know how to say that this will be the moment he goes back to when things get hard. The gentle way Eliott talks about them, together, like they were inevitable, like he can’t imagine a life without the “us” he now uses regularly. Like Lucas is the thing that both keeps him tethered to Earth but also makes him feel alive.

“It just feels like the right next step, to make it official,” Eliott is saying, looking back down at his food. “With our schedules this year not lining up and with everything picking up I want to be able to spend as much time with you as I can.”

Lucas simultaneously wants to scream yes and tackle Eliott to the ground and kiss him all over. Instead, the only thing that makes its way out of his mouth is a small whimper.

Eliott looks back up at him, trying to read his expression. “But only, you know, if you want.”

Lucas stands up quickly and moves around the table with a speed and force that makes Eliott’s eyes go wide. He gestures at Eliott to move his chair back and when Eliott does, he straddles him and sit down gently holding Eliott’s face in his hands.

“Shit, Eliott,” Lucas whispers. “Of course I want to move in with you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes, god, please,” is all Lucas can say before Eliott is kissing him, soft and feverish all at the same time.

“Can I be honest?” Eliott breathes out between kisses, their dinner laying forgotten behind him.

“Always.”

“I was kind of scared you were going to say no.” Lucas pulls back, giving Eliott a questioning look because in what world would he have said no.

Eliott sighs and looks down at the ground sheepishly. Lucas forgets sometimes how small he can make himself.

“I think it’s just, sometimes I worry I’m a lot to handle,” Eliott says. “And if we live together you’d never get a break.”

Lucas looks at him, really looks at him, and his heart pangs that Eliott has ever had to worry about that. “I don’t want a break. I never want a break.”

And Eliott sighs, the relief flooding over his face as he hugs Lucas tighter.

“How many times do I have to tell you?” Lucas asks, peppering Eliott’s jaw with kisses. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He sits up for a second, thinking.

“Well, unless it’s with you.”

[honeylemoncrushimagines]

#1 - Balcony Love

Characters needed:

Y/N – your name                  

C/N – crush name

BF/N – best friend’s name

F/N2 – friend name 2

F/N3 – friend name 3

F/N4 – friend name 4

E/C – eye color

You also need a lake name ;)

AN:

So I kind of planned for F/n3 and 4 to be the opposite genders of Y/N, but um yeah, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. ;) Also I feel like this is kinda cliché and cringe worthy but it might different for you guys, so ya.  Anyways, enjoy my first crush imagine I guess? :)

also sorry in advance for whatever grammar mistakes are in there, i was kind of rushing to write this for you guys ;)

P.S. there are quite a few time skips because I was too lazy to fill in the time between each scene :/

word count: 2336 words

warnings: none

A few weeks ago

“My mom said I could only invite a few people with me to our holiday lodge for my birthday party so you can’t tell the others I invited you, okay?” BF/N whispered to me as we walked down the road towards the bus stop after school. So far, today had been a pretty good day for a school day. It was Friday; your crush C/N had smiled at you in class, and now your best friend was inviting you along to a trip for her birthday.

“Who’s going?” I ask, grinning excitedly at her.

“Oh, just you and a few guys.” At this, she winks conspiratorially at me.

“Who, Who?? Tell meeeee please BF/N!” I beg, trying to make puppy dog eyes at her.

“Hmm let’s see.” Tapping her finger against her chin, she looks upwards. “F/N2, you, course, F/N3, F/N4 and… C/N.”

“OH MY GOODNESS BF/N YOU DIDN’T!!” I squeal at her and grab both of her shoulders towards me in a hug. “I can’t believe you! Thank you, thank you, thank you sooo much!”

She grins. “Haha, no problem. After all, you are my best friend, aren’t you?”

 Today

“Arghh I’m going to be so late,” I screeched, frantically rifling through my drawers looking for a spare hair tie. Finally finding one, I ran out of my room and grabbed my bags, stuffing my feet into my sandals. Outside of my house, BF/N and everyone else were waiting for me to get in.

“Honey, are you sure you’ll be ok?” My mom asked, taking a bag from my hand.

“Yeah, of course mom! Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. It’s only the weekend, anyway.” Finally having accomplished my task of slipping on my shoes, I raced outside, opened the boot to the minivan and stacked my bags inside.

“Bye mom, I’ll see you in two days!” I shouted behind me as I slammed the boot door shut.

“Bye honey. Keep safe okay? I love you.”

“Love you too!” At that, I jumped into the car, strapped on my seat belt, and then we were gone.

Inside the car, it turned out that I was sitting next to C/N at the back, which was also where all the snacks were. “Hey Y/N.” He smiled his heart stopping smile at me, putting one arm behind my chair.

“Oh um, hi C/N,” I grin back at him, flustered as hair falls in front of my face.

 BF/N’s voice fills the small interior of the minivan. “So guys in case you didn’t know or forgot, we are going to my family’s private lodge at lake lake/name. Since it’s about 3 hours away, we’ll swap drivers and rotate every hour.”

“Yes Ma’am!” We all chorus, laughing at each other.

“Also, feel free to pass around the snacks we brought. Don’t just hog it for yourselves!” At this, she mock glares at C/N and me.

“Why would I, BF/N?” I joke. I put up my hands defensively. ”I’m an angel!”

F/N3 snickers. “Yeah right you are.”

F/N4 pipes in. “More like the devil.”

“Hey not funny guys!” I pretend to get shot in the chest and collapse onto the ground as we all laugh.

At the lodge

“Guys!” BF/N yells. “Come on in!” Lugging our bags behind us, we all follow after BF/N into her family’s huge lodge. “So I’ve decided that after we’ve settled in, we should go down to the lake for a swim.” We all cheer. “But before that, first things first. For rooms, all the girls will be sleeping together, the same as the boys. Both rooms are upstairs and have ensuites connected to them.” After you’ve unpacked your stuff, don’t forget to change into swimsuits so that we can swim!”

“Yes, sergeant,” I shout, bringing my hand up to my head in attention. Everyone else just laughs.

As I lug my heavy bag up the stairs to my room, something grabs onto the handle of the suitcase and stops me in my tracks, startling me. “Huh?”

“Just me.” C/N smiles, his straight, ebony white teeth almost glowing. “Can I help with this?”

Fighting off an oncoming blush, I quickly look away from his searching eyes and hand over my bag. “Sure… thanks.” My brain going into overdrive, I scan the walls beside me, hoping that they will give me some pointer tips on how to talk to a crush. Unfortunately to my dismay, they don’t. “So… How did BF/N convince you to come us this trip?” I ask him, my face glowing like hot coals. I have to at least try to make a conversation if I want him. It’s too awkward otherwise. I tell myself, trying to cool down the furnace in the body.

C/N laughs an embarrassed laugh. “You don’t want to know.”

“Come on, tell me please! You’ve got me interested so now you can’t leave me hanging!”

“Ah, well…” He rubs the back of his head, showing off his muscular arm. I’m practically drooling at the sight of him. “BF/N told me you were coming on this trip.” At this, two bright spots appear on his cheeks.

Wait what??? Did he just say he only came because of me? No way. Not possible. No one likes me. He’s probably just trying to be friendly so he can get Isabel or someone.

“Wait what?” confused I turn to face him. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I’m definitely serious.” Now he’s grinning

“You better not be joking with me, C/N.”

“I never would. Not about this at least.” I gasp in surprise.

“You suck up!” I say playfully. Inside my head, cogs are spinning and wheels are turning, trying to figure what he means and if he’s actually for real. Could he possibly like me as much as I like him? We stop in front of my door and he puts down my bag. “Well here’s your stop. See you lake.” Smiling softly I say thanks and then close the door and find the sexiest, most revealing swimwear I packed. Just to show off to C/N, of course.

Time skip to the lake

“Okay, kids!” BF/N shouts. “And love birds.” At this, she winks at me and I look away, pretending not to notice. “Today,” she continues, “We’ll be playing hide and seek!” At this, we all groan.  F/N4 whisper yells to BF/N.

“Can’t we play something else? Pretty please?”

“Nope!” She grins her devil’s grin. “We’re going to stick with this. And for this game, someone’s gotta be in, and as the person who’s house you guys are staying in, I think that I should be the one to pick who’s going to be in, so… F/N3! You’re it!” giggling at F/N3′s sigh of dismay and halfhearted protesting, we all swim away, and everyone goes off in two’s except for me. Lucky me. Always the odd one out. Scanning the area, I try to find a good hiding place. In a lake there aren’t that many places to hide except around the edges. Aha! There’s one! I spot a rock jutting out of the water’s edge, and quickly swim over to hide behind it. Not daring to peek out for fear of being found, I stay hidden, unaware of time. How long are they gonna take to find me? They must have forgotten about me. Spinning around, I gasp as I feel soft, warm hands slide around my waist and I find myself pressed up against a hard, muscular wall of some sort. “You’re beautiful, you know that right?” A low, purring voice interrupts my thinking and liquid heat rises up inside my core. C/N.

“What are you doing?” I hiss, embarrassed. “We’re supposed to be playing hide and seek with the others!”

Abruptly, he lets go of me, leaving my skin cold and wet. I shiver and hug my arms to myself as goose bumps rise up on my skin.

“Well they asked me to come find you, since the game finished 3 minutes ago.”

“Oh… right. Thanks” I mumble, unsure of how to actually talk to my crush.

“You look cold. Shall we head back in?” His blue eyes search mine as I avoid his gaze.

“Yeah, let’s. The others are probably getting bored waiting for us anyway.”

We wade through the water around rock. My teeth begin to chatter as we come out into the open. C/N gently touches my shoulders and the molten lava inside me flares up again. We grab our towels off the sand, and with surprising grace, he wraps my towel snugly around my body and then smiles down at me. I smile back, trying to fight off the redness flooding my face.

 Time skip to later that night after dinner

As I’m walking down the hallway to the bathroom to take a shower, C/N comes bounding towards me. “Hey, Y/N!” he looks uncharacteristically nervous, and I smile to myself. “Umm… I was just wondering, do you want to go onto the balcony later tonight with me?” Whattt. That was definitely not what I was expecting.

“S-s-sure.” I stutter out. “I’d love to.” I smile up at him, looking into his E/C colored eyes.

“Great… okay, thanks. See you on the balcony at 11pm?” he blushes, and two tiny red patches appear beneath his eyes.

“Sounds good. See you then.” I curse myself under my breath as I prepare to shower. Did I really have to sound like a recorded phone answering machine? I face palm myself, and my back cringes as I replay that scene in my head. Why couldn’t I just be a little more flirtatious like BF/N or good at speaking with boys like F/N2? Honestly, the only good thing that came out it was that I got asked to go on a date! Oh… wait. It hits me. C/N JUST ASKED ME OUT ON A DATE!!!!!! ahhhhhh!! I scream internally and my brain starts imagining a ton of scenarios.

But first things first, Y/N. I tell myself sternly. You need to actually shower and smell good before you go and meet him.

Time skip to the balcony

I cautiously step onto the balcony, half expecting to not see C/N there. “C/N?” I step out further, and look to the corner of the balcony, breathing the smoky flavor of the night sky into my lungs. There he is! Aww that’s so cute. Before me is a sight to behold. There, I see C/N setting up fluffy blankets on the hard wood of the balcony.

“Y/N! You came!” he stands up and beams at me, gesturing for me to come and sit down. Gingerly, I bend down to my knees and admire his handiwork.

“Wow. This is beautiful, C/N.” I whisper. No one’s ever done this for me before. In front of me is a little wooden table with glowing candles sitting on it. Purple and pink flowers line the edges of the table, their velvet soft petals illuminated by the gentle flickering of the candles. Beside me is what seems like the fluffiest blankets in the world, and I giggle as C/N sits down beside me and tucks the fuzzy blankets around my body, wrapping me up like a burrito.

C/N begins to speak. “So, in case it’s not obvious enough to you, although I doubt it is, Y/N… I like you.” At that, C/N exhales and runs his hand through his hair and my mouth falls open.

“C/N… are you serious?”

“Y/N, I am completely dead serious. I like you… hell, I think I even love you. I’ve liked you for what seems like years, except I’ve been too scared to do anything about. Until now, that is.” C/N looks at me in the eyes.

“C/N…” I whisper, “I’ve liked you ever since I first laid my eyes on you. I’m pretty sure I love you.”

“Y/N, are you sure?”

“Hell yes, I’m sure.” I reply confidently.

In a heartbeat, he grabs my body and gently lays me on the ground, the cool of the hard wooden deck soaking up my warmth, and that combined with his heated kisses on my neck and jaw makes me shudder in delight. I breathe his scent in, swallowing up all his kisses like a fish desperate for water as I groan in ecstasy. I grip his head and thread my fingers through his hair, reveling in the softness. We kiss until we’re drunk on it, filling up the never ending well of passion. Slowly, we shorten our kisses until we’re finished, gulping down deep breaths of air and I stare into his eyes. He traces his rough finger pad around the swell of my kiss swollen lips then whispers, “You are so, so beautiful.”

I blush, ducking out of his touch. “So are you,” I retort. At that, he laughs, a low sexy growling sound that makes my insides quiver. He reaches out for a blanket beside him and wraps it around the two of us, making a little cocoon of safety and warmth just for us. “So Y/N, yes or no? Will you go out with me and be my girlfriend?” C/N asks.

I lie down and burrow my head into the hollow of his neck and smile into his soft skin. “A complete and utter yes.” I whisper.

 AN:

Hope you guys enjoyed my first imagine!! Feel free to submit ideas and stuff you want me to write about.

Ciao ;)

honeylemoncrushimagines

[tiny-maus-boots]

The Howl

A/N: Don’t look at me like that. It’s not even really a thing....

Yes. I’m talking to my other WIPs.

The wind shifted to the east in a soft gust and Stacie raised her head and glanced around. Nothing looked out of place in her garage but something felt off. She carefully placed her ratchet on workbench as she passed it and pulled on the long chain to raise the door to the bay. The street was dead and snowy, far too cold out for even the hearty folk of Gustavus who were well used to the hard Alaskan winters. To call it a city was a huge overstatement, there were roughly 450 people all told and out of those…fifty belonged to her.

She knew everyone and everything in this small town surrounded by miles of wild forest that she still had yet to discover all the secrets of. Her nose flared delicately as she tipped her head to the wind and sniffed. Distress. It colored the air with its scent and she brought her head around to follow the trail. The wind kicked up with a forceful push, blowing back her hair and billowing the light weight button up flannel she wore. It didn’t bother her, her body was heat enough to keep her warm through much colder.

The faintest crunch of snow stopped her half way around the side of her garage. She knew who it was before she even saw his shadow. Knew he was just on the other side of the heavy duty snow plow stored there for the next day’s run. Stacie shook her head and sighed, the distress she’d sensed suddenly clear.

“Wade? Come on out of there…”

He was small, not just short but thin and reedy. Wade’s glasses glinted in the sun and he shuffled forward with his shoulders hunched and his head dipped low. He trembled slightly but that was more from anxiety than from the cold of kneeling in the snow to hide. She looked around but Stacie knew they were alone in what amounted to an alley between buildings.

“Stacie…I…” Wade pulled his hat off and worried it between his fragile looking hands. She knew if he wanted to he could easily bend the thick steel plow he was half hiding behind but that just wasn’t Wade’s way. He was too gentle hearted, too timid...too submissive to ever do that. The man ducked his balding head again, his eyes drifting away from her every few seconds as he worked himself up trying to speak. “I didn’t want it to be this way. Not all of us agree. I just…I’m not strong Stace…I can’t…”

“Wade, what are you…”

She stopped speaking then, a low warning growl trickling out from between her lips. Wade instinctively dropped down to his knees before the roll of power she pushed out but he wasn’t the one she was warning. Stacie threw her shoulders back when the figures drifted around from the back of the garage, not many, not her whole pack of course. They wouldn’t want to appear to be making a challenge, but enough, 6 or more, to make a point.

The leader was a heavyset man with a crooked nose and square jaw. He nodded once at Stacie and narrowed his eyes at Wade who cowered just a little more with a soft whine at the attention. His lip curled in a promise of pain and Stacie stepped directly between him and the frightened man he was threatening. Angus sniffed once but took a step back, his features relaxing immediately as he recognized her rank over him.

“You have something to say Angus?”

It was lightly phrased but the other man shook his head before dropping to a knee. None of the others followed suit but she didn’t expect them to. She didn’t expect him to either in all honesty but she didn’t hate the sign of obedience. One of the others pushed forward less aggressively but just as sure in her stance as Stacie was. Cynthia Rose dipped her head respectfully then glanced back at the group assembled. Her dark eyes warmed slightly when she turned back to her Alpha but her shoulders were heavy with worry and Stacie wondered if this would be the day. The day the pack decided they wanted a new leader, a new Alpha to protect and guide them.

She might be happy about that if it weren’t for wolves like Wade and a handful of others that couldn’t protect themselves. Those were the ones she stayed for, the ones she reluctantly took the mantle of Alpha for. Those and the innocent humans that would be preyed on if she didn’t insist that her pack rove in constant patrol around Gustavus. There were other things besides the occasionally furry that roamed the wilderness. Things better left to the cold dark depths and well away from the bright warmth of human life. They hadn’t always agreed with her, but the pack had always obeyed her and all of their lives had been better off for it.

But things were changing and Stacie wasn’t so sure the pack would keep obeying. Cynthia Rose shifted her weight on her feet uncomfortable then cleared her throat.

“We need to talk.”

“So talk. You know I’m always listening.” She cocked her head to one side, eyeing the other woman. “Unless this is the kind of talk is really an ultimatum. Because if that’s the case I have a truck in there to get back to.”

“The pack voted, they plan to tell you tonight. You have to pick a mate or come the blood moon…” She knew, the rest didn’t need to be said. Even as strong as she was, as in control of wolf as she was the draw of the blood moon was strong. If she didn’t have a mate chosen then nature would take its course and her wolf would choose for her. And then she’d be stuck for the rest of her life with the same person bearing God knew how many pups… it didn’t appeal to her in the least. But it appealed to the pack, they felt safer knowing there would be a legacy in the event that something happened to her. “Look it ain’t us right? You’re the Alpha and this is your pack but we’re outvoted.”

The weight of her situation was crushing and she turned on heel to stalk away. Wade cowered away from her afraid to be kicked out of the way. It wasn’t something she had ever done but others had, others would. So she had a choice that wasn’t really much of a choice. Stacie left them there outside and headed into the interior of her shop. It was darker there, quiet just not quiet enough inside her own head.

It was too human and far too much of a reminder that she was not. Stacie yanked the chain to the bay, closing it quickly. Her temper got the better of her and she pulled hard ripping the pulley right off the mechanism. It clattered down and she kicked it across the room where it crashed against the wall. The snarl rose in her chest and clawed its way up her throat, bursting past her lips in an angered roar that shook the bay doors.

It wasn’t smart. Even in a small backwater town in the middle of nowhere in the Alaskan wild people would start to ask questions. They would put pieces together and eventually her pack would be exposed. Even now with them forcing her hand and backing her into a corner she didn’t want to be in she couldn’t imagine harming them that way. At the end of the day they were still hers and she had to protect them. Even if it cost her the only real thing she had, her own free will.

The walls seemed to grow tight around her and Stacie felt her chest rising too quickly in gasping breaths. Her wolf wanted out and she was beyond trying to fight it. The wolf in her wanted to run and she wanted to run with it. Muscles rippled and bones broke, shifting and pulling as her body doubled over. It was always harder to force the shift outside of the moon but she didn’t have to force it this time. It came in a hot prickling rush of power and rage, Stacie twisted as her face twitched and rolled, hands clawing the concrete with deep furrows and then she was free.

Her heavily furred body leapt forward and bounded up on the desk in the corner, another leap and she was through the half open window, her broad shoulders pushing it wider as she scrambled through. The hard packed ice and snow came up quickly as she landed, back legs digging in as she reared back and pushed off heading for the only place even more solitary than her sleepy little shop in the middle of a sleepy little town.

Nothing bothered her as she ran, not even the birds sang out a greeting as she pushed herself faster and faster, deeper into the heart of the forest. She could run forever like this, pushing her way through drifts and over the swells of boulders. Maybe she could stay this way forever and run so far even the pack wouldn’t dare follow. But she’d done that once already, and running away wouldn’t help her people survive. So it was them or her and she had to choose. It was unfair and the wolf in her sped forward trying to outrun the crushing decision behind her. She ran until her legs couldn’t carry her and her body dropped heavily into the snow.

The dark canopy above her darkened as the sun dropped suddenly below the horizon. The pack would be shifting now, drawn to their clearing in the woods. They’d expect her there, sure that she would accept their ultimatum. And maybe she should. Maybe she should pick someone strong, someone fierce. Someone that could match her considerable power to make them more than just a pack of stray wolves trying to make a home among humans.

Stacie’s long tongue lolled out as she panted. Her pale green eyes rolled up to stare up at the perfect roundness of the moon slowly rising above the tree line. She could fight its pull but the sight of it pulled the breath from her lungs and she gave a soft whine. If only she could break free from the pack as easily as she broke the moon’s hold on her. She inhaled deeply in a shuddering sigh, never realizing it might be her last. Darkness was on her between one blink and the next and her only thought was…it was going to be a stupid death.