#oh also the fact that someone who did seem interested in you died suddenly and oops your brother has the same disease but is somehow not
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yusuke-of-valla · 10 months ago
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Idk how to express the Berry Blast Brigade's specific brand of trauma that leads to them all having various degrees of separation anxiety but it exists in my head and it's so entertaining
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satancopilotsmytardis · 9 months ago
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Chapter 3! Chapter 3!
Ohhh, Stain's message is interesting! He didn't call out the League by name, but he did give a reminder to make sure your goals align! (I wonder if that was also a warning to Tomura? To make his mind up about what he wants, really wants, instead of what AfO wants of him?)
Are Dabi's senses heightened in his human form too? Like, not by a lot, but a little bit?
Dabi last chapter: "surely this won't become a habit" Dabi this chapter: "oops?"
It's interesting that Shigaraki has to help out the Doctor and from it sounds like, he does so regularly. You'd think that as AfO's student he'd be over the Doctor in rank but no, the Doctor orders him around just like AfO does.
Toga!!!!
Dabi wants to be allowed to go out while Shigaraki is away and Tomura thinks Onigiri wants to leave again. I kind of understand the assumption, since Dabi hasn't asked for the window since he came back, but ouch. He's so scared that he will loose Onigiri again.
Dabi finally has a home where someone pays him attention and wants him around and worries that he might leave. They are so, so sweet together.
Dabi is patrolling because he wants to keep Shigaraki safe. That's so cute. On another note, imagine you're a squatter and suddenly there's this pretty cat, which immediately turns into a very naked man and burns you to death. What a way to go.
Toga smiling at the cat, trying not to startle him, to reassure him, despite clearly panicking herself is so sweet. I like how you write her a lot.
Dabi immediately adopts her, because he is much more stable than in canon. He has a home, and someone who loves him, and he lived on the street for the while. He worries for her and they're both shapeshifters (though in a different way) and I really like their interaction here. Him being an absolute menace to get her to follow him is nice, too.
Dabi is such a menace. He's trying to butter Shigaraki up to the reveal that he brought a kid home. Also, Shigaraki isn't even mad. Dabi is weird, he has come to accept that. It's still very funny (and shows a lot of character development. He's really really calm in handling it, despite the scare in the morning and spending all day with the Doctor for the third day in a row. That's a lot of stress and he's not letting it out on everyone around him!)
The way they annoy each other is so cute.
Dabi and Shigaraki's disagreement over Stain will never not be funny. Like, seriously. Imagine fighting with your cat cause he's a fanboy. Still, Dabi would choose Shigaraki over Stain again and again if given the chance. Ah, Dabi is such a smug bastard.
Toga joins the gang! Shigaraki has now adopted/accepted into his villain organization: a cat and a teenager
Dabi and Toga have so much sibling energy. Dabi is so chaotic, too. Immediately steals the drugs, lol.
"His human. The only person he has ever even considered letting own him." Oh my God. Dabi trusts Shigaraki so much!! Like, not enough to reveal what he is because of some underlying issues with being told to always hide, but enough to stay! I honestly can't wait for when Dabi hangs around as a human and just, accidentally rubs his head against Shigaraki by force of habit.
I never thought about the fact that this would be problem for Toga but you're right, she constantly changes forms and when she can't go shopping as herself, trying things on would be difficult. It would be better with Twice, since he knows everyone's measurements, but still. Good that Shigaraki's clothes are big on her.
Toga, too, knows more aboit cats than Shigaraki does. Not enough to recognize his smartness as suspicious, even thought it is strange, but still. Dabi hasn't died yet and seems quite lively, so surely there won't be any problems.
Ah, Keiro. Who very much knows that becoming a service animal is a very long process. Surely nothing bad could happen here. Lol.
Toga has the most people skills out of all of them and it shows so, so much. Shigaraki, on the other hand, doesn't like to talk to strangers outside of small-talk or work. Especially not when he is in disguise.
I did not expect Keiro to have a crush on Shigaraki! Not that anything would come out of it. Now that he's an established villain, he can't have random hook-ups with civillians, not outside of neutral ground.
Okay, but Shigaraki looking up training programs for Toga is really sweet. She wants to see change and he decides to keep her, even when she has no training so far. Ah, I love this.
Dabi training as soon as Toga starts training too is actually pretty sweet too. He wants to be able to help them (and also kill his father).
Shigaraki is a good trainer now that he has learned what to look out for in other people. He keeps their needs in mind and tries to adjust around that. I don't think canon Shigaraki would have been able to do that at this point.
Him thinking Spinner is gray is another time where Dabi's cat-induced colour-blindness is fun.
Spinner! Nice to meet you! It's a bit earlier than when he joined in in canon, I think? And Stain isn't in prison. I'm glad to see him.
Lol, he send Toga and Spinner bonding. Another one moves in! And they don't live in the bar this time, either. Nice.
Ah yes, an important addition: no cat allergies. Giran knows better than to question it once he sees Dabi.
Team building! It's nice that Shigaraki has a human friend now. Magne! Ohhh, it's nice to see that they train with different combat styles. Shigaraki needs to be quick and Toga does too, but Spinner is more strength focused. All of them living next to each other is really nice too. Ah, I'm enjoying this.
(also, the fact that Shigaraki immediately likes Magne based on the fact that she likes Onigiri is sweet)
Oh my god, if Dabi were a regular cat he would have died a houndred times over. But they're bonding so much quicker than they did in canon! Shigaraki is calmer and, thanks to Dabi, puts more effort into team building and morale, which is really cool.
They're complete! Nice!
God I hate AfO. Good on Shigaraki for defending the League and getting them more time, but interrupting AfO must have taken a lot of guts for him. He really is growing as a person now that he has so many other people around who trust him and are there because of him, not because of AfO, just Shigaraki.
Seeing how much Shigaraki has developed when compared with canon, as well as how their every-day life goes is really nice! It's great to see all of them together, training and studying and doing their best to make a good team. They don't have Dabi yet, but they do have Onigiri. I hope that means they won't lose Magne this time around.
On a different note, don't think I didn't see Dabi's thoughts during training. He's smart, he can recognize if people are useful or good to keep around early on, he's smart and resourceful and he doesn't think of any of these things. Sure, he apreciates how smart the others are, but when they train, he only thinks of his own shortcomings. He thinks about how his quirk hurts him and that he isn't as strong or fast as the others and he puts himself down for it. For all that Dabi isn't as angry as he was in canon, for all that he cares more and has more to live for than revenge, he doesn't see how much he can do, how much he already does despite being a cat.
Both Dabi and Shigaraki have made progress, and they will continue to heal together. But for all that Dabi is learning to trust, he was never told that his smarts are something to be proud of. Endeavour wanted strength, so when Dabi is lacking that, it's what he focuses on. Shigaraki is calming down and getting more confident, but he's still dependant on AfO and while he no longer lashes out, the thought of disappointing him scares him.
Both of them are desperate to be good, to be enough, for the people around them.
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Stain is definitely calling out Shig in that video alongside anyone else who thinks they want to do what he does
Dabi doesn't have any particularly heightened senses while he's a human, his two forms are pretty separate as far as abilities go, hence why he can't use his quirk as a cat
Shigaraki and Dabi being cute and domestic makes my heart explode and they're trying so hard to be the person (pet) they think the other deserves!!!!
Dabi sympathizing with and helping to guide Toga is so fun and sweet and they have sibling energy even when he's a cat! She also absolutely has the best social skills outside of Compress and is going to make these weirdos more tolerable to be around even if it kills them
Shigaraki is definitely looking at all the data and resources available to him and getting things put in order as efficiently as possible. He's not going to come up short again!
The whole gang gets here and gets to be happy for a little while!!
And Shig knows better now, he's seen his shortcomings, the failures his teacher said he could have as many of as he wanted and understands now those failures do still have consequences. He can't just rush into a job without being adequately prepared now. Not when Onigiri won't understand what happened to him if he doesn't come home.
They're both growing rapidly into being relatively mature adults because sometimes you just gotta be the person your friends believe you are
Thank you so much for commenting!!!
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tomriddlehyperfixataion · 1 year ago
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Golden hour - Tom Riddle x Reader
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Chubby, she/her, afab, Hufflepuff, shorter than Tom, glasses wearing reader!
I spent more time writing this out on c.ai instead of actually writing this lol. also i borrowed stuff from other Tom/reader fics that i read on ao3
Warning; Smut, fingering- Idk, body worship and lots of touching. Oh and OOC Tom because canon him would never act like this at all. We’re all delulu~
=
Why was he even here? He hated parties!
He barely tolerated the Slug club parties, so how had his followers convinced him to come to this party with loud music, drinking, dancing, and other obnoxious things? He kept to himself for nearly the entire party-declining any invitations to dance or drink.
He was bored, and starting to feel that buzz as he drank his alcoholic butterbeer. He was very much a lightweight as he learned thanks to this stupid party-he was only his 2nd drink and it had barely any alcohol in it. “let's play a truth game!” someone called over the music and a few people cheered and soon there was a pretty big group of people in a semi-circle in front of the Slytherin fireplace-Tom had somehow been dragged into this with Abraxas and Nott sitting next to him.
There was a vile of truth potion being passed around and Tom was bored enough to take a sip-hoping he didn’t regret this.
There were tame questions like ���when’s the last time you cheated on a test?’ and ‘what’s the longest time you’ve gone without sleeping?’ or more embarrassing things like ‘have you ever shit your pants after the age of 5’ or ‘what’s your most embarrassing story?’
All well and fine, until it was Tom’s turn and the universe decided to torture him. “Hey, Tom,” A very drunk Slytherin 7th year asked, Tom barely remembered his name-Alvin Zabini if he did remember correctly. Tom hummed, swirling what was left of his butterbeer in the glass he held. “who do you have a crush on? Like-wanna snog em crush?”
Tom flushed like a Gryffindor scarf, his jaw dropping. What kinda question was that?! But the words slipped out of his mouth before he could shut himself up. “(y/n),” Tom slapped his hand over his mouth and mentally screamed.
Oh Salazar-he did NOT just say that!!!
He did.
His answer seemed to sober up a lot of the group-some of his followers looking at him in utter shock. “-as in-(y/n) (l/n)? the muggleborn…the Hufflepuff?” one of the other boys asked, blinking in surprise. Tom had never shown any interest in anyone, much less (y/n)-so…it was quite a shock. Tom groaned into his hand and slowly nodded, still being influenced by the truth potion.
“Holy shit, you like (y/n)?” Abraxas asked, his eyes wide and Tom was already sick of these questions. “Yes-I like her, now fuck off-go embarrass someone else.” Tom hissed, crossing his arms-suddenly feeling very sober as the group went quiet for a few moments and then finally moved on with the game.
The party dies out soon after that and everyone goes back to their rooms, Tom grabs a shower to get rid of that sticky feeling he’s had for nearly an hour now and goes to bed with a small headache, hoping everyone was far too drunk to remember anything in the morning.
His reputation depended on it.
-
Oh.dear.god.
His followers remembered, and they were using the fact that Tom wouldn’t do anything bad in public to their full advantage.
“heeey (y/nn)~” Lestrange sang as (y/n) walked up behind Tom intending to move around him to get to her next class. She furrowed her brows in confusion as Tom full-on smacked Lestrange for doing that, his ears a deep pink.
“Hi?” (y/n) said, fully confused, Lestrange-or any of the pureblood boys- had never called her by her name before-it was usually mudblood or her last name. Tom made a face at his giggling followers that made them all shut up and Tom sighed.
“Ignore them, please.” Tom nearly stressed the last word as he glared at his followers and (y/n) slowly nodded, rearranging her books as she went to move on, confused by this new behavior from the pureblood boys. Tom had always been civil-even with people he didn’t like-so he didn’t confuse her.
Malfoy on the other hand, was. he was glancing between Tom and her with a stupid grin and Tom clearly wanted to smack it off. “Oookay, then, see you in defense,” (y/n) muttered, waving to Tom as she hurried to herbology.
“Bye, (y/n)~!” Malfoy sang, laughing as Tom smacked him over and over again with his bag-the red starting to spread across his face. (y/n) just shook her head and went on to class, weirdos.
Later Tom sat down next to her in defense class and buried his face in his arms, his ears bright red. He looked utterly…embarrassed? (y/n) had never seen that expression on his face before. “You okay?” (y/n) asked quietly as class began and Tom groaned into his arms, all day his followers had just been teasing him non-stop about his crush on (y/n)
“…I’ll take that as a no,” (y/n) chuckled and Tom felt his stone-cold heart flutter with warmth at the sound of it and he groaned again. All his life he thought he wouldn’t ever fall in love or have a crush-or even be attracted to anyone. He never understood what the boys his age were talking about when they said a girl was cute or how they would get all flustered and nervous when the girl they liked walked over.
But now he got it-he understood.
And he almost hated it.
Because (y/n) made him fumble, (y/n) made him stutter and lose focus, (y/n) made him want to ignore all his plans and obligations to just stare at her forever, (y/n) made him want her. He nearly died during the first month of 6th year and it was too damn hot-leading everyone with a free period to go to the black lake to cool off. Tom had been dragged by his friends and he ended up looking like a tomato under one of the trees as he watched (y/n) wear nothing but a swimsuit, hugging all of her curves and chub so perfectly he was bloody drooling at it.
He had decided to try and study while his friends were goofing off at the lake-but he ended up getting nothing done as he stared at (y/n), his brain supplying him with many thoughts; none of them innocent.
She had caught him staring and Tom nearly broke his neck looking away-his face bright red as she got dressed, hiding her body behind her clothes again, and Tom wanted nothing more to see below the swimsuit, to claim the Hufflepuff girl as his own.
At the time-he thought he had gone mad, maybe he was sick-a fever making him act and think in such a crude way! He was the bloody heir of Slytherin and he shouldn’t, couldn’t, think of someone that way-much less a mud….muggleborn Hufflepuff.
God he couldn't even call her that name, she had taken over his brain and made butterflies swarm his stomach.
He was utterly doomed when Professor Slughorn partnered them up for a potions assignment, and Tom was standing stiffly next to his crush(that was turning to full-blown obsession) as she diligently worked. That was another thing he liked about her-she was serious when it came to her studies. She was very quirky and goofy with her friends, and he…adored her laugh(goddamn her loved her laugh, it made him feel lightheaded and he finally understood what it meant to look at someone and smile unknowingly). But during class, she was straightforward and kept focused-though sometimes she had to pause and fiddle with something so she could regain that focus.
(if he remembered correctly, sometimes she couldn’t sit still and would be tapping her fingers, or her legs, or making sounds with her mouth to burn energy. Stimming? He think she called it? he had no clue what that was about)
But as they were working-(y/n) reached across the table to grab something and her chest brushed his arm-and he had a small mental reboot at the small feeling. His mind going haywire as (y/n) apologized quietly and went back to work-unable to focus on anything as the moment replayed in his mind-supplying filthy fantasies and desires of the just older Hufflepuff girl.
“-om…Tom? Did you hear what I said?” Tom snapped back to reality and he snapped his head down to look at (y/n), his brow raised. “Hmm? Sorry,” Tom muttered, having not listened to a word she said. “Could you repeat that?”
(y/n) smiled a bit and Tom couldn’t help but stare at her lips-just wanting to take her face and-(y/n) held up the glass bowl of Sopophorous beans. “Could you juice these, please?” (y/n) asked and Tom nodded, taking the bowl-a jolt of electricity flowing down his arm as his fingers brushed (y/n)’s.
Bloody hell he was so doomed.
He could hardly focus on juicing the beans-the classroom fading out of sight as the girl beside him took all his attention, as if she was the only thing that mattered in the universe. Tom swallows as she adjusts her glasses, her lashes gently brushing against the lens and her cheeks as she blinks.
He pushes down the sudden need to touch (y/n), his fingers burning with the want as (y/n) takes the bean juice and pours it carefully into the potion, her lips parted slightly in concentration and Tom wants to kiss her and-god what was wrong with him?!
His breath stutters faintly as (y/n) looks at him and nods towards the end of the table-she didn’t want to lean across and make his arm touch her chest again. “Could you grab the powdered fairy wings, please?” (y/n) asks, her shoulder brushing against Tom’s arm and another jolt of lightning runs through his body.
“Of course,” Tom mutters, his face cool and calm-the opposite of his mind as he grabs the jar and hands it to (y/n), their fingers touching again and sending another jolt down his arm, watching as she does exactly as the book says and puts a few teaspoons of the powdered wings into the cauldron.
She stirs the potion and it turns a different color-just as described in the book. Tom turns his attention to (y/n), his lips parted slightly. Brilliant.
He notices her lip quirk a bit and her eyes flickering about the table-she was missing something. “Is something missing?” Tom asks quietly and (y/n) taps the book for the missing ingredient.
“Cobra snake venom, it’s the last ingredient and I forgot it-could you grab it please?” (y/n) asks and Tom doesn’t even wait for her to finish as he turns on his heel and goes over to the cabinet holding the venom, taking the vile and walking back over to (y/n).
(y/n) takes the vile with a smile and pours exactly two tablespoons of it into the cauldron, stirring three times counterclockwise and then turning the heat down so the potion would simmer for three minutes. “Now we wait, and hope it doesn’t blow up.” (y/n) mutters, cleaning up their station while they waited. Tom helped of course-for once, he didn’t do most of the work and felt he should do something.
(y/n) reached across the table again and some of her scent flooded his senses. His eyes fluttered a bit as he smelled her by accident-coconut shampoo, vanilla and strawberry perfume, and caramel.
Fuck.
By some stupid power that takes over him, Tom reaches out and brushes his fingers into (y/n)’s hair, wanting to touch her, feel her.
He abruptly pulls back as (y/n) looks up at him, shocked to feel his fingers in her hair-luckily he has an excuse, but he stumbles through it-something he only does around (y/n). “uh-just…feather. Sorry, you had a feather in your hair.” Tom mutters, flicking away the small blue feather (y/n) had in her hair only a moment before.
(y/n) watches it float to the floor and slowly nods, turning back to the potion-which changes to a different color-and turning the burner off and letting it rest so they can safely pour it into a vile and hand it to Slughorn.
Tom stares at her-an ache in his chest for the girl before him-yearning to touch her, hold her, for her to be his. But in what world would it happen? How could he ever tell her about his feelings?
He comes up with the brilliant idea of secret admirer notes-letters to (y/n) telling her of his feelings so that she might know of them but not know it was him. It’s a bit sad, but he can’t keep it inside anymore-besides, his followers already know, maybe they’ll stop teasing him if someone starts sending her notes.
-
He has no idea how to write love letters he realizes; he agonizes over maybe 100 drafts that don’t even come close to good enough-let alone perfect. His waste basket is covered and filled with the tossed drafts and he sighs over his desk, glad he had a private room thanks to being head boy so none of his followers could see him like this-so…frustrated over not being able to write a love letter.
He didn’t know how to do any of this, he hardly knew how to act around (y/n), not when she made him lighthearted and dizzy, not when her laughter made him want to grin, not when her smile made his heart flutter like it never had before.
Finally he settled on just sending her short love poems instead of love letters-that way it was kind’ve pre-written for him at least. He goes over several romantic poem books and settles on a handful to write down and send to (y/n).
He sends the first during breakfast, waving his wand under the table and sending the small folded crane to (y/n) at the Hufflepuff table. It lands right in front of her and she frowns a bit, curiously picking the crane up and twisting it about. It unfolds in her palm and as soon as she reads what Tom had written-her expression turns to flustered surprise as her jaw drops-one of her friends seeing what Tom had written and squealing.
“You have a secret admirer! (y/n)!!” (y/n) sputters and shakes her head, trying to deny this and handing it off to one of her friends.
“i-no, it can't be for me-Sarah, it’s for you. It must be.” (y/n) attempts to hand it off to Sarah, a pretty Hufflepuff that had gained a lot of attention within the last year. She grins and shakes her head-pushing the note back to (y/n).
“It landed in front of you, (y/n). It’s for you.” (y/n) sputtered a bit at her friend's insistence that someone liked her enough to write and send a love poem-her face hot and her lips pressed tightly together as she looked back down at the note-whoever had written it had very pretty handwriting.
‘'Anything Else- I want to plant a seed in your mind, some tiny particle of thought that bears a remnant of me. So little by little, day by day, you find yourself thinking of me, until one morning, you will wake up and realize you can’t think of anything else. - your secret admirer’
Tom very much enjoys (y/n)’s reaction, watching from across the hall, his chin in his palm and his fingers splayed across his face. This reaction was exactly what he was hoping for-and he found it so cute that she denied it was for her. His insecure little flower.
Yes. She was his now. He couldn't deny it anymore, she would be his and he was never going to let her go once she allowed herself to be his.
But for now-until then-he would send the little love poems.
The next was during defense class, and he watched amused as the little crane landed in front of her and unfolded in her palm again-a small squeak escaping (y/n) as she read the note.
‘Eros- If time were governed by Eros, I would stay in your arms forever. If time answered only to lovers, I would never leave your side. The seconds pass by slower when I’m staring at the clock. And you wonder why I can’t take my eyes off you. – your secret admirer’
(y/n) hid the note before the professor could see it and she kept glancing at it through class, a small grin peaking at her lips. She liked that one then, good. One note at a time-he’ll have (y/n) fall for him and soon, she would be his.
All his.
He sends another the next day, during charms class-watching amused from the other side of the room as (y/n) smacks her hands over her face and silently screams as her friend giggles at the note-putting it in (y/n)’s pocket before the professor can see them squealing over a little love note.
Tom smirks at (y/n)’s expression, which is soft and crunched, quirking her lip at the note that she snuck back out of her pocket.
‘A Timeline.
You and I
against a rule, set for us by time. A marker drawn to show our end, etched into its line. The briefest moment shared with you— the longest on my mind.-your secret admirer’
(y/n) shoves her friend away playfully as they tease (y/n). “Someone must be smitten with you to write all these (y/n), seriously, I’m a bit jealous.” The friend laughs and (y/n) pouts a bit, shoving them one last time and pocketing the note again, turning her attention back to class as she tries to force her cheeks to cool back down.
Tom is smitten, and he was going to make (y/n) so flustered she was going to explode.
He sends more and more little love poems throughout the next month, watching with a hidden grin as she stares intently at each one-her face steaming and her eyes soft, having to steal the notes back from her friends and then putting them in the book she had started collecting/keeping the notes in.
During this month-(y/n) asks to borrow Tom’s transfiguration notes during class, having forgotten her own. He easily hands them off-not thinking of how distinct his handwriting was. But (y/n) instantly sees the connection and her eyes widen slightly-somehow keeping her cool as she quickly copies Tom’s notes and hands them back, her face getting warm as their fingers brush against each other.
Tom was her secret admirer.
Tom. Marvolo. Riddle, liked her.
Tom-the head boy, proclaimed Prince of Slytherin-liked her.
He sent her love poems-hand written love poems, one-maybe five-a day for the last month.
….welp! Time for a breakdown~!
(y/n) rants to her friends as soon as they’re back in the dorms, pacing their room as they all stare in shock. “I mean-it’s Tom Riddle, Tom Riddle! Mr. untouchable!!! I mean-have any of you seen him even look at anyone in any way that isn’t absolute boredom or charm so he can-I don’t know-shmooze something out of them!? Out of everyone-he likes me?! The chubby Hufflepuff with the nerd glasses?!”
(y/n)’s friends all look at each other like this :|, and Sarah stands, grabbing (y/n)’s shoulder to stop her from self-destruction.
“(y/n),” Sarah starts seriously, moving her hands down to hold (y/n)’s hands tightly. “you are smart, pretty, with a damn hot body and a wonderful personality-he would be an idiot to not like you. And I am going to jinx you if you keep talking about yourself like that. Now. You’re going to write a little note back to Tom as revenge-then we’ll see if he means it all, okay?”
(y/n) takes a few deep breaths and nods, and with the help of her friends-makes a perfect note to send back to Tom, charmed to fold like a little crane like Tom had been doing and planning to send it during the potions study group the next day.
(y/n) is practically freaking out as she sits with her friends during study group the next day, her face hot and her leg bouncing anxiously as she charms the note and sends it over to Tom, quickly looking down at her books as Tom jolts a bit at the sudden appearance of the crane.
Tom blinks-very surprised to see such a thing. He glances up at (y/n), who is looking down at her work and he picks up the crane, which unfolds in his palm. He can’t help the surprised cough that escapes him as he reads the love poem sent to him-the handwriting so very much (y/n)’s that he can't think straight.
‘What Does Love Feel Like? One day you will meet someone who will see the universe that was knitted into your bones, and the embers of galaxies glow to life in your eyes. And you will finally know what love is supposed to feel like. -your secret admirer.’
Tom is so glad he’s sitting by himself because he is definitely blushing-his ears and cheeks bright red as he looks down at the note, (y/n) had to be the one who wrote this-he knows her handwriting, she must’ve figured out who her secret admirer is-she must be teasing him or something.
Tom licks his lips, looking back up at (y/n), and she ducks her head quickly, her friends giggling quietly as they glance between her and Tom.
She knows.
Tom can’t tell if it’s excitement or dread that sits in his chest, (y/n) knows. She knows. She knows it’s him, she knows he likes her. And she sent him a love poem right back-just before he was about to send another one.
Tom swallows, looking back down at the note-his breath catching in his chest and his heart stuttering.
This couldn’t be real, he had to be dreaming.
(y/n), his crush for nearly five years now(however, he had only accepted it the previous year.), had written him a love poem in (theorized) response to his love poems. He was going to fucking die.
Tom pinched his nose a bit and took a long shaky breath-standing from the table and collecting his things-staring at the love poem from his crush before carefully folding it and pocketing it-keeping it as a new treasure. He spotted (y/n) across the room and took another long breath, crossing the room with perfect posture and his usual confidence(which was nearly fake right now).
(y/n) curled up a bit as he came close, his deep brown eyes staring into her soul. “(y/n), can we…talk?” Tom says, his voice deep and quiet-and slightly raspy which sent a shiver down (y/n)’s spine.
(y/n) nods and leaves her books behind with her friends, following Tom just outside of the great hall where he turns to face her, far enough from the doors to have some privacy.
“How did you know?” Tom asks before anything else-assuming (y/n) did figure out it was him sending the notes. (y/n) gives a sheepish grin and rubs her arm as she tilts her head.
“Just a hunch…your uh, class notes…the handwriting matched.” (y/n) says and Tom lets out a long sigh-of course, something so simple is what gave him away. Tom is surprised by what she says next. “Did you mean them?...the poems?” (y/n) asks, biting the inside of her lips as she glances off to the side-showing Tom a side of her he hadn’t seen before-insecure and unsure of herself.
“Every word,” Tom says softly, unable to help the way the ice around his heart and soul melts at (y/n)’s presence. He matches some of her expression-biting the inside of his cheek. “Did...did you mean yours?”
“Every word.” (y/n) echoes, staring up at Tom through her lashes-her glasses reflecting the lights illuminating the hall-making her eyes look even prettier. He cannot resist anymore, and they are alone. Tom takes her hand and pulls (y/n) close, closing his eyes and tilting his head, his breath catching in anticipation. (y/n) meets him halfway, her hand catching his cheek and pulling herself closer to him, her other hand squeezing his as Tom hums and kisses her softly, months of yearning concluding with a simple gesture.
There he was, Tom Riddle, heir of Slytherin-kissing a muggleborn Hufflepuff just outside the great hall, and he didn’t give a fuck. His hands found (y/n)’s face and held her gently, pressing more into the kiss before they both pulled away, panting slightly as they stared at each other.
“Can I kiss you again?” Tom asks and (y/n) nods, before she could even get a word out Tom is kissing her again, with more passion, licking her lips and holding her close, smirking into the kiss as (y/n)’s hands grab at his shoulders and hold him tight, her feet lifting off the floor slightly as he pulls her into him. He could do this for hours, kissing her like he had been in his daydreams and actual dreams, tasting her over and over again until it was burned into his memory.
They pull away for only a moment and then they’re back on each other, months and weeks of yearning and pining clashing into a hot mess, (y/n) holds Tom’s neck as he runs his nimble fingers through her hair, breathing her in and kissing her with all his pent-up energy.
He lets (y/n) catch her breath as his hands go down to hold her waist, kissing her neck and tasting her skin, closing his eyes as (y/n) lets out a small breath, not expecting him to go this far this quickly-but he was pent up from months of fantasies and yearning-he was going to go as far as (y/n) would allow him.
He went down to attempt to undo her shirt buttons and tie but (y/n) pushed his face up suddenly, her eyes wide. “We’re in public! I don’t mind making out-but snogging?!” (y/n) said quietly in a panicked tone and Tom sighed, nodding. She was right-he had gotten carried away.
“I wish to ravish you, (y/n),” Tom said into (y/n)’s ear, smirking as he felt heat come off (y/n)’s face in waves. “but that can wait until we know each other better. Until then,” Tom muttered, kissing (y/n)’s cheek and then her hands. “I shall wait patiently to see every inch of your wonderful form.” (y/n) looked surprised to hear such a thing, not expecting Tom to be into her body. She was chubby and-different-not skinny like most girls at Hogwarts. But it seemed Tom preferred her body and was smirking at her like a devil.
“…Cheeky.” (y/n) muttered, gently pulling her hands away from Tom’s as he chuckled, stepping close again and kissing her cheek. “You’re mine now,” Tom whispered against her skin and (y/n) nodded, giving herself to him, Tom smirked devilishly; his eyes flashing with something odd but (y/n) didn’t notice it.
Tom flaunts their new relationship, and his followers just go ‘FINALLY’ as Tom makes (y/n) sit with him at dinner, her Hufflepuff robes stark against the green of Slytherin. “Bloody hell, I was wondering when you would stop pining and confess,” Abraxas teases, quickly shutting up as Tom glares at him, but it quickly softens when he looks back at (y/n), who is slightly leaning into him-doing her best to ignore the jealous stares of the other girls in the great hall.
Tom is all too proud to show her off, walking up to her between classes and kissing her hand or cheek as he passes by-and if he has extra time, he pulls his Hufflepuff into a full kiss, his arm around her waist as he moves them to the side, making out with her for a short moment before he sends her on her way, chuckling at the look of surprise and ‘that happened’ look on (y/n)’s face, but she never looked like she didn’t want it, and she never told him to stop.
Tom finally has the girl he’s had his eye on for a long time, and it did not matter to him that she was not of pure blood or of wizard descent. She was his and she would be by his side when he rose to power, whether she liked it or not.
He cannot help but tease her at every opportunity, grazing his hand under her skirt and feeling her inner thigh with his fingers, smiling innocently as she smacks his sneaky hand away, glaring at him playfully as he looks as if she smacked him for no reason. There’s no rhyme or reason to it but he wants to see her, to see her curves and perfections like he had during that hot September day when he saw her in that swimsuit that made him fantasize for the first time.
But he’ll wait till she’s ready, though he does voice this desire to her. He doesn’t even want to have sex with her-he simply wants to worship her, to see her beauty in all its divinity. She looks almost appalled by this desire but she also looks very intrigued and bites her lip, glancing around. “You…you want to, see me?” (y/n) asks, almost uncharacteristically shy as Tom nods, kissing her jaw softly.
They were in a small window alcove-just the two of them-Tom liked their private moments; where he could shower (y/n) in his sensual affection while she blushed. Tom had one of his arms tossed over her lap, his fingers gently caressing her thigh. “More than anything, but if you’re not ready, I can wait however long,” Tom whispered, grazing his teeth against the curve of her jaw and neck.
(y/n) bit her lip, gripping the fabric of Tom’s robe that was draped over his leg. She…she wanted him to see her, that way-if he was disappointed- she would know now and possibly work on herself before they went any further-that is if Tom didn’t break up with her before then. She didn’t know Tom thought she was a goddess, her curves and body reminding him of those Greek goddess statues that were carved of marble and stone-with belly pouches and back rolls, hip dips, round jaws, and touching thighs. He thought his girlfriend was beautiful and he wanted to show her she deserved to be worshiped.
(y/n) grazed her thumb against Tom’s jaw until he looked up at her, his deep brown eyes looking at her through his lashes, his lips on her shoulder. “Okay,” (y/n) whispered and Tom’s eyes widened ever so slightly, and he sat up, pressing his forehead to hers, his bangs brushing her skin. “you…you can see me, but-where would we even go?” (y/n) asks, and Tom has an idea, leaning down to whisper into (y/n)’s ear-he would love to use his dorm but he shared it with the other head boys.
“Meet me just before curfew on the fifth floor, by the statue of Boris the Bewildered; I have the perfect spot for us.” Tom said with a sly grin and (y/n) nodded, looking away from Tom as the class bell rang and students began to flood the halls. Her free period was over and she would have to get to her next class. Tom kissed her cheek and then her knuckles, holding her hand as she walked away from him. “See you tonight, my dear,” Tom said his eyes dark and his smirk soft as (y/n) walked away, Tom holding her hand for as long as he could before it slipped out naturally.
He sighed, biting his lip for a split moment, the fantasy he’s had for over a year would finally be fulfilled tonight. And if it went no further than him looking at her-he would be satisfied.
-
(y/n) stands beside the statue, only five minutes to curfew as she waits for her boyfriend of four months. Nerves ate at her gut and fingers as she tapped her leg, wondering when Tom would arrive. She gasps as she feels a now familiar pair of arms wrap around her waist and Tom’s face goes into her neck, breathing her in as she hums. “There you are my dear,” Tom whispers, taking (y/n)’s hands and twirling her around to face him. “let’s go before curfew starts, shall we?” Tom asked gently, having planned this so he and (y/n) wouldn’t be interrupted by those who also wished to use the space Tom had chosen for this occasion.
(y/n) nodded and followed Tom to the fourth door on the left. Tom smirked at her and gave the password, opening the door as the lock clicked open and he pulled (y/n) into the perfect bathroom. It was quite grand, and large; everything was white marble that was almost iridescent with a very big pool-like bathtub in the middle of the room that had taps surrounding it. There was also a stained glass on the wall that was illuminated by the moon outside.
(y/n) swallowed nervously, knowing why she was in here. She turned, tilting her head as she watched Tom begin to strip, laying his clothes folded on a bench. “Tom?” (y/n) asked, her heart stuttering as Tom undid his tie(quite, sexually, might she add), smirking at her. “It’s quite unfair if you’re the only one getting undressed,” Tom said, folding his tie and putting it with his vest and robe, undoing his belt to the flustered surprise of (y/n), who turned her back to Tom, willing her heart to calm down-she never thought it would come to this.
(y/n) glanced over her shoulder, biting her lip as she saw the pale skin of Tom’s upper body, watching from the corner of her eye as he took off his shirt and set it with his other clothes. He sat down to take off his shoes and (y/n) took a deep breath, shrugging off her Hufflepuff robes-letting them fall to the ground in a pile of marigold and black.
Tom perked up, his mouth going dry and his mind enchanted as (y/n) began to strip. He licked his lips, leaving his pants on for now as he finished taking off his socks-sticking them in his shoes, and going to turn on all the taps so the bath would be filled by the time (y/n) was ready.
(y/n) turned to watch Tom as he was doing this, fiddling with the end of her vest as Tom walked around topless, her eyes glued to his back as he leaned over and turned on a tap. He wasn’t built, but he wasn’t skinny, he was…lean and lanky, and kinda…perfect. (y/n) swallowed and quickly pulled off her vest before she could get too distracted.
She was nervous, but she wanted to do this. She slipped off her tie and then undid her skirt, feeling Tom’s eyes on her as her skirt dropped to the floor. she glances at him and he’s staring, his eyes hungrily taking her body in, his mouth open slightly as he looks at her.
(y/n) takes off her tights and shirt, biting the inside of her lip as she stands in her underwear. “You,” Tom breathes as he walks over to her, looking at her like she was a dammed goddess. “are…breathtaking,” Tom whispers, stopping just before her, his hands reaching out to touch her arm, but not going far enough to actually touch her-in case she didn’t want him to.
(y/n) bites her lip and looks up at Tom, reaching behind her and unclipping her bra and Tom’s eyes move to her chest, his mouth going dry as (y/n) starts to slip off her bra. To make them even, Tom takes off his pants and he stands in his underwear before the girl he’s sure he’s falling in love with, his cheeks pink and (y/n)’s breathing stuttering at the sight.
They both stand there for a long moment before (y/n) takes her bra off, revealing her chest to Tom, who thinks she has the most perfect pair of breasts he has ever seen(he’s never seen another pair, but he’s sure if he ever did, (y/n)’s would still be the best) Tom takes a small step closer, his eyes glued to (y/n) as she glances away and takes off her underwear, leaving her bare in front of her boyfriend.
Tom’s mouth goes dry again and he wants to drop to his knees and worship his girl, his perfect chubby Hufflepuff girl. Instead, he takes off his underwear and matches her nudity, taking her hands and guiding her towards the now full bathtub that is steaming from the heat of the water. He cannot keep his eyes off her, the only desire he feels is to worship her, to show her how beautiful and divine he thought she was. His body is the first to disappear below the bubbly water and (y/n) follows close behind. She sinks down until she sits on the steps that lead into the bath, the water sitting just above her chest, bubbles obscuring her body.
“I, cannot stop looking at you,” Tom whispers, moving closer to her, his arms caging her-his eyes burning into her soul. “my goddess.” (y/n) swallowed and glanced away, her eyes closing as Tom leaned down and pressed his lips to her jaw, gently kissing her and going across to the other side of her face. His hands traveled up and down her arms, his palm grazing her collarbone before they rested on her neck. He took his time on her face, kissing every inch of her face and then kissing her for a few long moments, humming into her as he kissed her softly yet passionately.
(y/n) didn’t know what to do other than let Tom do as he wished, almost trembling as Tom moved down to kiss every part of her jaw and then her neck-taking care to stop and graze his teeth against her sweet spot before he moved down, licking into the slight dip of her collar bone and shoulders, his hands moving further down her arms and then back up. He kissed each arm to her wrist and then back down to her shoulder where it connected with her torso, kissing her palms and fingers tenderly before he kissed down her arms again and moved to just above her chest.
Her breath was coming out in shallow pants now, her eyes glued to her boyfriend who was now undoubtedly worshipping her. His hair was damp from when she ran her water-soaked fingers through it-his front cowlick brushing her skin once in a while.
His lips graze over and between her breasts as he goes lower, his mouth below the water as he kisses her sternum and stomach, his fingers gripping her sides as he licks her belly. He comes back up for a breath and before (y/n) can stop him, he’s back under and kissing and licking every part of her stomach, pausing at her belly pouch and giving that extra attention-it was one of his favorite parts of her and he would pay proper attention to it before he had to take another breath of air.
When he comes back up, (y/n) is gripping the golden rail that leads the bathtub stairs, panting heavily as Tom keeps his eyes on her skin. “You are, ravishing.” Tom says lowly, closing his eyes as he lifts her legs out of the pool and kisses her thighs, his hand running up and down her inner thigh as the other holds her knee over his shoulder.
He gives the same attention to (y/n)’s other leg, going back underneath the water as he leads down to her upper thigh, gently biting the curve and fold of her hips as (y/n) sighed, her cheeks burning as her boyfriend kissed her all over except in that one spot where she was now aching.
Tom comes back up after kissing the middle of her pelvis and takes a few deep breaths, flinging his soaked bangs out of his eyes with his fingers-his eyes dark and half-lidded, his lips pink and open. “Fuck.” Tom groans and (y/n)’s stomach does a flip at the sound.
He looks up at her face and smirks, leaning forward until he was kissing her again, softly moving his lips against hers. His hands are all over her once again and she moves her legs to be on either side of his legs, her eyes closing as Tom kisses her softly. She shakily grabs his hand and puts it on her thigh, his thumb pressing against the crease where her thigh met her hips.
Tom seems to know exactly what she wants and he pulls back, staring deep into her eyes, his eyes almost black. “Are you sure?” he whispers, slowly drawing his thin and perfect fingers towards her center-where she was aching and feeling so hot. (y/n) nodded and kissed Tom with a moan as he drew his fingers over her cunt, Tom moaning quietly with her as he felt her heat-which, even under the water, felt soaked and needy for him.
He pets her gently at first, planning to worship this part as softly as he did the rest of his girlfriend's body. but as she softly says her name, his fingers find her entrance and dip inside, testing the waters as this other hand goes to her clit. He pulls back to look down at his hands-which are mostly obscured by the bubbles-and smirks, biting his lip as he watches his fingers disappear into his girlfriend.
Was it weird that he was a bit jealous of his fingers right now? Probably, but he didn’t care. (y/n) was panting and holding his bicep with a tight grip, her cheeks blazing hot as she felt Tom’s fingers curl inside her and his thumb on her clit, gently rubbing the bundle of nerves.
“T-Tom,” (y/n) breathes out his name and Tom groans, leaning in to kiss her again, his fingers going a bit faster as he carefully ats a second finger inside her, feeling her tight and hot around him. he worshiped her with his fingers inside her, his thumb on her clit, bringing her to ecstasy as she trembled, her head falling back as his lips simply repositioned to her neck, muttering something under his breath as she came.
Her ears were ringing and her vision was black but she was sure-she would think of this in an hour when she was back In bed-but she was sure, her Tom Riddle; said ‘I love you, my goddess.’
-end-
Idk, the beginning and last half doesn’t match the c.ai ver of this fic, but the body worshiping and the vibes are the same-hope yall liked it, and I have a lot of ideas for this mf who im very delulu for <3
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whenthechickencry · 1 year ago
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Umineko EP4. Replay Part 7
I am crying at this scene of course, but I think the reasons why for that are obvious so I kind of want to focus on Beatrice's words here. Battler was merely the thing that started the cogs of fate, *one* of the causes, for people that think "Oh you got forgotten and that's why you kill people that just doesn't make sense" The game is, from the start of this plot point, being clear that is not in fact the case. Btw, Battler describing this as some stupid sin is fucking heartbreaking.
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I fucking can't my heart is crushed yet again
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Aaaaan Battler deals with this by calling Beato a moody, unstable bitch, aahhh Battler....
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The word "responsibility" must be incredibly harsh to hear here, where is Battler's responsibility for his sin?
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This is Beatrice attacking Battler's identity as comeback for what he did, of course. Ange knowing already is kind of interesting, I think it's stated later that after 1986 everyone knew, but you get your first taste of that here.
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Battler can say this, ofc, but he's too busy having a mental breakdown to notice, lol.
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list of people who lied to people's faces in the games spotted.
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It's kind of interesting to see how Kasumi's words exactly mirror what Ange was saying earlier in the chapter and face her with vitriol, of course Kasumi deserves it for what she's doing to Ange but, they both had the life they intended for themselves suddenly taken from them and became unable to build a new life.
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Again, it's hard to not see Ange's harsh criticism as harsh criticisms of herself, too. She literally started this journey to take out her trauma on Eva and make her into the culprit.
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Ange starts noticing the similarities herself, too!
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Ange's 101 course on understanding Umineko's themes!
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I don't really think you can push the blame to a literal 6-year-old like this, though. The responsibility of this obviously lends itself towards Eva, but I can understand Ange is introspecting and trying to come to terms with her abuse here.
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Ange has come a long way into understanding people she dislikes, I think what caused her to kind of revert in ep8 is also the fact Rudolf and Kyrie are people she *liked*. I think she still struggles with understanding people as having both good and bad and idolizes part of them and demonizes other parts.
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I had forgotten this scene but as soon as they mentioned the magic to be friends with Mama and i remembered where they were going I became so sad aaaaa this scene kind of hard to read too. Especially once you think how many people expressed these kinds of sentiments to Maria....
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This scene doesn't really shy away from its brutality, which I think makes it strong one. Dropping a slur might seem excessive but that *is* the sentiment expressed by real people towards people with autism in reality. The fact it isn't scared of showing that makes it stronger and more real, to me.
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It is really, really funny that Ange's example of white magic is uh magical murder of a bunch of people. Asakusa is the one doing it, but.
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Oh, I forget she even drops character at the end, lmfao. And then Ange fucking dies.
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As much as Ange might have grown here, she still thinks her life is fundamentally broken and not worth living without her family coming back, to the point of destroying Beatrice for that purpose. Bernkastel is enabling her by telling her only worlds of isolation exist.
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Beatrice is so fucking destroyed by now.... her voice is so sad. The way she desperately needs *someone* to be satisfied with her even if its a 9 year old.
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This scene is so fucking good and I would struggle to describe it with just the chat log so I took the video.... the way Ange's sprite changes to crying, the way Beatrice comes to the realization and starts crying herself too.....
Beatrice could have refuted Maria here. Could have told her the secret of Ange's magic, and probably could have destroyed both her friendship with Sakutarou and Ange in the process and made Maria more dependent on her.. But she chose not to. She dearly cares for Maria and chooses the best for her even when it meant to step into a world where she saw no allies anywhere, a world where the only thing left to do in her mind was suicide.
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Ange says while crying. This is obviously that is something above what Beato can do at this point in time, but Ange can't admit that, or else she would have to deal with the fact she sent Beatrice on a suicide march. I am not trying to demonize Ange, though. The same understanding that leads you to Beatrice also leads you towards understanding Ange.
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I think the point of this red, Ange is my sister red, etc. Is to get you thinking about what the re means. Even if it's not an 'objective' truth it can still be declared in red as long as it is treated as true by the game.
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And, as a last step in order to reach her goals, Ange rolls back any progress Beatrice has made into getting Battler to understand her. She is once again demonized in her mind and now he has activated his hero complex in order to get him to destroy her. Beatrice plays along because by now the only thing she wants is for all of this to end.
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Well I don't have any comments here, Battler.
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Beatrice....
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What did Reynold do and why is it a wrap?
Oh, it's nothing dramatic. He was just a guy I knew in high school who would regularly do strange and unpredictable things, like ask people to play the guitar for him or suddenly decide he wanted to live on some island with no electricity for six months while wearing only white robes (this is not an exaggeration). It wasn't clear what prompted any of these bizarre ideas, but he had always been kinda wacky so we didn't think much about it except that it seemed pretty unusual behavior for someone to become very intensely interested in at random.
And then one day out of nowhere he stopped showing up to school, which was weird because he lived right down the street from me, so everyone figured something had happened to his family or whatever -- parents died? moved away? went bankrupt? nobody really knows. This went on for a long time until one night when my friends were sitting around talking about it and wondering if they should look into this guy's situation more closely or something, and I mentioned that Reynold was involved in Scientology, and immediately they all burst out laughing because it turns out everyone thought he was doing something else, and only I knew about the Scientology thing because Reynold tried to convert me once after saying "we have to talk" while walking alone through the woods behind our house on a snowy evening and I told him flatlyet I wasn't going anywhere without my friend as backup, and he said okay and walked off to go find another mark and never came back.
So yeah, that's what happened there. The story doesn't end there though: years later, I ran into one of my former teachers outside of the grocery store, and she asked how I was doing, and I started telling her about this job offer I got in Canada but was worried about taking because I needed health insurance coverage and didn't want to get stuck paying big medical bills if anything bad happened to me, and my teacher looked very concerned and asked where I got health insurance now, and I explained that my dad worked for a university and provided group coverage for us, and my teacher responded "oh, I hope you know your father has cancer," and I was like wait . . . what? So apparently even though Reynold left town years ago, he stayed active enough in Scientology circles that word of him having cancer spread among various old classmates, including my teacher, and none of them contacted the rest of us. That was a shitty way to learn about that.
Anyway, the whole thing seems a bit ridiculous in retrospect -- why did I pick Scientologists specifically out of all groups as "the ones who could be trying to recruit me"? And also, what was the deal with Reynold himself, anyway? But part of what makes it funny/memorable is the fact that it's such a total coincidence, which happens to be exactly the sort of thing I try to avoid creating with stories. Which isn't surprising, since I write fiction based on real events in order to keep myself grounded! I guess it worked for a little while there. :)
(In case anyone ever wants to read more about this guy, there is a documentary film made by two guys who followed him around for a year.)
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fruity-mond · 20 days ago
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This!!
I love Ragbros just as much as the next guy, but seeing his character slowly being developed around Diluc hurts. Vice versa too! We barely get Diluc content outside of Kaeya, but I'm more interested in Kaeya unfortunately so I'm biased.
I really really wish the story would give more emphasis on Collei and Kaeya's relationship, because it was so odd to me in the manga. Kaeya straight up attacked her, and yeah she was a threat but that doesn't change the fact that he attacked her.
After she told him to kill her, he suddenly did a complete 180 and helped cover up her crimes. That's so interesting to me, because Kaeya doesn't seem like the type of man to let someone who's visibly a threat go just because of guilt, but something about Collei's situation had him stunned to the point he hesitated mid attack.
I get Collei forgiving him since he did what he believed was right and even helped her out in the end, I get them not holding animosity towards each other, but I WISHED that the Simulanka event would've given us more Kaeya Collei interaction that explored how they both affected each other. It's said that they both sent letters, so that might be where the relationship mended, but as a player, I really want to see that being shown. I truly believe that Kaeya saw a version of himself in young Collei, and immediately became hostile since he never considered himself a child. To him, he was a threat to Mondstadt, in extension making Collei suspicious in his eyes. But it's only speculation but GENSHIN NEVER GIVES US ANYTHING WITH THESE TWO.
The whole Blackfire incident is such an interesting showcase of Kaeya's morals and it's never expanded upon again. This incident is also what most likely started Amber's suspicion towards Kaeya. How she questions his methods, and how she views him. She respects him as a superior but she's seen how he acted and responded to The Blackfire Incident, and isn't so sure about where she stands with him anymore.
And oh my GODD how he's admired by the people of Mondstadt yet still believes he's a horrible person. Personally, I have to say that Kaeya's hangout was a huge hit or miss. On one hand, you have a deep dive on his relationship with the Winery staff, and it's really sweet to see. On the other, it was a MASSIVE waste to not dive in deeper with Jean and Kaeya's friendship, esp when she was the only one he had left in the knights after That Night™. His relationship with any of the knights was glossed over, really.
We hear about how he avoids actual attention and prefers to do stuff in the shadows, we see that Kaeya has time and time again helped people at the cost of his own (even if he forgets his good deeds) but he STILL believes he's not a good person.
I need Genshin to dive more in that. Is it because he himself knows his methods are unconventional? What does he do that's so messed up, outside of the Collei situation? We're literally never shown. Does he feel like his lifetime of lies cancel out all his good? Again, WE'RE LITERALLY NEVER SHOWN. We barely ever get shown his actual feelings towards his mission in Mondstadt and towards Khaenr'iah.
The whole play ending of his hangout has to genuinely be my favourite, a very close competition to the "Our sun" ending. It's a thinly veiled metaphor for Kaeya's situation. Also, he drops the HARDEST lines during it bc woah wdym "unless freedom dies by my hands" and "I will not be a pawn in heaven's plan"? It shows that he doesn't WANT to be a traitor to.... anyone, really. And how he's willing to challenge Celestia herself to take matters into his own hands.
Brief mention of Klee!! He said that he admires her ability to experience that childlike wonder, and how he's enabled and supported a lot of her plans and doings. Because (paraphrasing) "to be able to grow up with worry is truly something precious" and then he PAUSED. LIKE HE WAS THINKING IF SOMETHING ELSE
AND IT WAS NEVER EXPANDED UPON AGAIN? HOYO COME ON.
Again, I LOVE the ragbros. I think they deserve to reconcile and I think they deserve the world. But Kaeya needs to genuinely break free from just the "brother" mold. Seriously, don't get me wrong at all, I LOVEE Kaeya being and older brother figure, I love Kaeya's complicated younger brother relationship with Diluc,
But he has so many loose threads that he genuinely needs his own focused event to at the very least explore his motives and character. Not one tied down to another. PLEASEEE BEGGING ON MY KNEES FOR MORE KAEYA CONTENT
last post complaining about genshin's writing for the month Anyway i think blorbofication happening in canon is the best way i could describe a lot of the problems i have with it ex. kaeya's relationship with diluc (or klee) is almost the only focus we get on him now, other than his brief appearance in the sumeru archon quest which was just saying his backstory basically with very little actual reaction or characterization on his part OR dainsleif's (also a problem i have in the albedo homunculus reveal in shadows amidst snowstorms). i haven't done his hangout because i. don't care enough to sit through an hour for each route with the quality of content hoyoverse puts out but looking at the ending options i feel like. they missed the opportunity to expand on things we already had for kaeya in favor of Oh he babysits klee! Oh albedo is here! Spend money to pull albedo!Venti cameo! What do you mean him and amber have a complicated dynamic. What do you mean he's apparently beloved by the elderly of mondstadt and the one who wraps up all the incidents there. What do you mean bennett trusts him as an omniscient big brother according to his official cn character profile. We made him talk to diluc again isn't that enough kaeya for you? and it sucks because kaeya feels like a rubik's cube with an onion's layers and like one of their best character personalities in content where he's actually kaeya and not just diluc's brother who is sad and also pretty! we never see anything about his relationship with jean, who he is the Most Trusted Aide of, or mondstadt at large! because every day we get closer to fanon kaeya being canon kaeya and it's just. You can have canon kaeya and fanon kaeya will follow but if fanon kaeya is at the forefront you're just immediately losing all that depth and it's going nowhere
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dxmoness · 2 years ago
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𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 | 𝐑. 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐧
ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs : Rᴇɢɪs Fʟᴏʏᴇɴ , Jᴜʙᴇʟɪᴀɴ Fʟᴏʏᴇɴ
ᴍᴀɴʜᴡᴀ : Fᴀᴛʜᴇʀ I ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴇᴅ
ᴀʀᴇᴜᴍ's ɴᴏᴛᴇ : @acuriousmoon ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ sᴀɪᴅ I ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴜᴛ I ᴡᴀs ʙᴏʀᴇᴅ sᴏ ʜᴇʀᴇ!
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SHE was a simple person. One that was just trying to work to survive.
Her job was not so simple, but it was fun to do. She was a nurse that cared for people with mental problems. Issues such as depression and anxiety. She worked in the local rehabilitation center that she had worked in for years now.
Her loving, caring personality led to many patients enjoying her as their company when needed. But, this was also the cause of the downfall of her health. Either way she continued overwork her body for those who suffered from such mental illnesses.
Though she was loved by different people, it didn't mean everyone in the facility loved her. For one particular patient did not adore her like the others do. In fact they loathed her with passion.
One day she was attending to some medicine that needed to be organized, and the crazy patient decided it was their chance to ruin the female who had worked hard enough to make them feel at home.
Creeping behind the female, they reared back making sure he aimed for the place of the heart. After a quick calculation of how their actions would go, they brought the knife down. Just as Name turned around.
The last thing she remembered was a knife heading towards her screaming figure, and a piercing pain that spread all over her body. Sending waves of pain, then everything turned dark.
"Miss?" Her eyes flung open as she bolted up, panting. A damp towel was on her head, and bandages covered her neck.
She was in a massive room, it screamed rich at her face. It seemed peaceful.. Befits it since it was supposed to be an infirmary.
She looked to see that there was a young male staring at her in disbelief.
When she tried speaking, the words came out all scratchy. Her throat felt parched. "Wa...ter...." She whispered, her head was killing her. Her pain could not possibly be worse right now.
The male was seemed even more surprised now, rushing to get what she wanted.
This place... This didn't seem like any of the hospitals in the town she lives in. Where was she?
"Good to see that you've finally awoke, Miss Arquette." Huh? Arquette..? That clearly was not her last name was this male mistaken. "Is something wrong?" The male asked, sitting down on the bed. He leaned down and brushed a bit of hair away from her eyes.
She found herself staring at a tall man with beautiful azure eyes. He looked like someone from an anime or manga of sorts.
The male's actions were gentle and friendly. Like he knew who she was that sat here, even though she had no idea who he was.
"I'm sorry who are you..?" The male's gentle kind eyes suddenly switched to a hardened cold look.
"You don't remember me?" He asked, clearly pissed off that she was unaware of who he was.
"No.." "Then, I'm going to kill that bastard who poisoned you." The male declared just as the young servant from earlier came into the room with water and tea for her.
"O-Oh! Duke Floyen." The servant bowed respectfully at the duke who stared at him with interest.
Floyen..? This name was familiar somehow. Then it hit her. Duke Regis Adri Floyen was a man from the novel she had been reading. The person whose daughter was mistreated by him.
So she had died and been reincarnated in this world as a noble of a different family. But, what was her relation with Regis Floyen?
"Regis..?" She whispered. She had hesitated on calling him by his name, but he seemed to relax when she said it.
He nodded at her state. "So you just needed a bit of recognition. I shall check on you tonight, after my training."
After a while of being bedridden, she was finally energized enough to take walks and attend garden parties.
This world was so different from her simple modern life. She was eager to see how it unfolds.
Currently she had no goal until she started recollecting her memories of the novel.
So far in this current timeline Regis has not met his wife, Amelia. So that was her current goal. To bring them together and at least make the storyline go as it should. As well as another thing, keep Regis from ignoring his daughter.
As far as she knew Regis and Jubelian had never made any affectionate actions towards one another therefore that was the second priority.
As she wrote the things down, she thought of another thing.
The main goal shouldn't be trying to keep the storyline together. It should be trying to keep alive. She realized that it was hard enough to do, yet it is necessary to live long enough to see Jubelian and Regis' relationship grow.
Now that the plan was made came the hard part. Keeping the plan in track.
A sigh escaped her lips when she finally put down the quill. She pushed her messy sweaty hair out of her hair.
Once she was in tiptop shape, the duke sent for her. From what she understood from the meeting, which wasn't much, was that she was supposedly something like Regis' therapist when he felt depressed or uneasy especially after battles.
Her replies were just nods and shaking her head since as far as she knew, lower rankings were not allowed to speak unless spoken to.
This was easy since it was basically her job before she died and got here. When she left, a feeling of excitement replaced her nervous feeling when she had arrived.
This could get her closer to Regis. The closer she was, the easier it'd be to convince him to love his daughter in the near future.
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ramzawrites · 4 years ago
Note
(Platonic techno x Piglin Hybrid Reader)
Imagine a 7-8 y/o piglin hybrid finds techno's nether portal and out of pure childhood curiosity decides to go through it and ends up in the snow biome. They almost immediately get frostbite and pass out due to living in the nether and usually being warm. Eventually techno finds the child by his nether portal and look's around to see no parents so assumes they are an orphan he goes to pull out his orphan obliterater but the voices get louder telling him to take them home and protect them eventually gives in wraps his cape around them and brings them home to warm them up
(Feel free to ignore if it makes you uncomfortable)
-Anon :)
Kin - Piglin!Child!Reader and Technoblade
GN
Pairings: none
Characters included: Technoblade, (mentioned) Philza
Warnings: n/a
Series: a request :]
Summary: Y/N was just too curious! This weird black frame with the purple light was surely not there before! Maybe they should look at it a bit further. The light just looked too inviting!
Words count: 3023
Authors Note: My first Techno fic! YO! I really love him alot! He is one of my favorite CCs and also favorite Character in the dsmp :) Wish I found a better way to cut this one off but I had so much fun writing this!
Y/N’s little Piglin hands slowly traveled up the rough Netherrack that they were hiding behind. Grabbing the edge of the rock as their head followed along, their eyes peaking over cautiously.
There was this weird black frame with what looked like a purple pool inside of it. It emitted a rumbling but kind of musical sound that seemed to call out to Y/N. In fact, they only found this weird portal only due to the sounds. Never in their young life have they heard anything like it.
They have only seen something like this here and there whenever their clan moved on from a region but usually those seemed to be broken. The frame only half finished without a light coming out of it. Elders and the adults would always remind them to stay far away from it since apparently it could be dangerous, but Y/n couldn’t understand how.
It just stood there playing its music that seemed to almost call out to the Piglin. Wanting it to get closer and listen to its magical melody.
How could be something so beautiful be considered dangerous?
Taking another look around, Y/N made sure they were alone. Secretly having run off to follow this sound they managed to pick up on. It’s not like their parents would look for them on account that their parents were already dead.
Now the Elders took care of them, but they were usually too busy with clan business to realize when they ran off on their own adventures.
Once again checking that there were no Ghasts or other dangerous mobs around Y/N climbed over the rock. Landing on what looked like a pathway that led to the black frame.
Closer to the structure Y/N took the time to get a good look at the rock that has been used for the frame. It was a deep black and yet it somehow seemed to have a purple shine. If it came from the vortex between or the rock itself Y/N couldn’t tell, nor did they care enough to figure that out. Too amazed by it.
The sound was now really loud, and Y/N could tell that it came definitely from the purple light. It seemed to swirl in of itself almost like liquid and yet it stayed in the air as if it were glass put between the stone.
Mesmerized by it the child slowly put their hand into the light, trying to figure out what the material was.
But the only thing they felt was how cold it felt and it seemingly pulling on them. Trying to pull them deeper in. Scared Y/N immediately pulled their arm away, holding it close to their chest. Warming the cold limb up with their own body and the temperature of the Nether.
They have never felt anything like this. It was interesting. They knew what cold was but never like this. Only having felt an occasional breeze from jumping around or running around and even then, it was nothing compared to what they just felt.
Was this vortex doing this? Was this the purpose? Is this the dangerous part? How?
Y/N was already so incredible curious, but this really spiked their curiosity. What would happen if they just stood in there?
With this question in mind the kid placed one foot in the frame, soon followed by the next. The vortex completely engulfing them. Purple being the only thing they were able to see. This cold feeling immediately hitting them like a brick wall.
With a surprised grunt with how huge the temperature difference was, the child jumped away, hoping to get back to the familiar warmth but as they did the cold didn’t disappear.
The portal was still there but suddenly there was this bright light all around them. White as far as they could see.
Now panicking the child desperately looked around but their body was still dealing with the sudden temperature drop.
The world spinning around making it difficult for them to get a good look at where they were. Darkness crept in at the edges of their vision which they desperately tried to fight against.
Without realizing Y/N crashed onto the white ground which seemed to be even colder than the air around. Sneaking into the thin clothing and prickling at the skin. Their heart beating incredible fast and, in their ears, and yet they suddenly felt so tired.
The coldness that was so uncomfortable before suddenly turning more comfortable. Their breathing calming down as their eyes fell shut. Submerging themself into the world of darkness.
Luckily for Y/N, Technoblade was on his way towards the Netherportal himself. He managed to run out of Blaze Rods and needed to gather more for his potions only to spot something or rather someone lying face down in the snow.
At first, he assumed that for some reason Tommy managed to knock himself out while wandering over for whatever reason but the closer he got the more he noticed that, no, the body was way too small for that.
Also, he was pretty sure the last time he checked Tommy didn’t sport similar pig ears like Techno.
The voices in his head were pretty calm until they realized “Kin? Our kin? Out here? Our or his kin? Is it our kin as well?”
Techno approached the small body. This child was shaking and wet due to the snow. The clothes soaked. How the hell did that child just survive the travel to the Overworld like that? It was more likely that Piglin’s die during that process and end up as just a husk. A zombie if you will.
Not a lot of Piglin are strong enough to survive this magic. Techno should know he almost died when he traveled over and only survived because he had Philza on his side who helped him through it.
Impressive and yet he didn’t particular care.
“Parents? Orphan? Are they an orphan? Oh! Blood for the Blood God? No! Look at them! They are already dying! They must be something special surviving the portal like that! Are they though? Aren’t they dying? More because of the cold than anything! What about their parents?”
Grumbling Techno stepped into the portal himself, ending up in the warm nether. Hoping to still the curiosity of the voices a tiny bit with this. A sense of nostalgia spreading throughout his body and senses as he looked around the red landscape.
The child’s parents have to be around somewhere. Rule number one in the nether for Piglins was to stay together no matter what. It was dangerous in the Nether and the relationship between blood kin was precious. They must be already around here. Picking up on the child’s scent to find them.
And yet. Nothing.
No Piglin, no anyone.
He wandered a bit in, but he didn’t even spot any close group of Piglin’s running around. Weird. Was that child really alone?
“Check on them! Techno! Check on the child! See if they are still there!” the voices yelled out, infuriating the warrior a bit.
“Alright, alright!” he gave in and once again stepped into the portal. The cold hitting him but at this point he was used to this and managed to reacclimatize himself pretty fast. Not immediately and it still took a few minutes, but he didn’t almost pass out every time.
No surprise there. The child was still laying in the snow.
Once again, the voices flared up in his mind. A few demanding blood while others still expressed their curiosity towards this orphan.
Too busy with his own plans and things to do Technoblade took out his sword aptly called “The Orphan Obliterator”. He just wanted to deal with this situation as fast as he could, so he could move on.
Moving the sword up in the air only for the voices in his head to suddenly erupt loudly.
“No! Stop! Do not! Don’t kill! No! Techno! Please!”
This was very much not like their usual behavior. Usually, they would welcome any chance for bloodshed. Calling for it even in situation where it was just inconvenient and unnecessary but now, they don’t want it? Okay, maybe he should listen in to the voices after all.
“What is going on, Chat?” he asked.
And the voices, even if loudly and talking over each other, answered “Save them! Take them with you! They are special! Protect them! They are your kin if you give them the chance! We are sure! A young child able to survive this? Sounds similar to you Techno! Take them with you! Save them! Please! They deserve the chance!”
The problem with Chat was, they sometimes knew more about the world than Techno and it has paid out listening to them, but they also liked to just follow their whim for fun. Though this seemed to be the former. They realized that the child was special and worth saving, even if only in their ,sometimes omnipotent, eyes.
Sighing Technoblade sheathed his netherite sword and pulled off his red cape.
Realizing what Techno was doing, Chat begun cheering. The voices that had demanded blood before now fully drowned out.
Technoblade knelt down and carefully heaved the piglin onto the cape, wrapping it around them. Their body was unsurprisingly incredibly cold. So cold that Techno worried they didn’t have a lot of time left. Well, worry was a strong word perhaps.
Holding the kid close to his chest he got a good look at their face. Their expression scrunched up in what he assumed to be pain. A few light scars on their face. It wasn’t unusual that Piglins sported a few scars but not that young. The parents were usually too protective over their young.
“Must be a real troublemaker, I bet.” He noted.
Scars already at that age and them running through a portal just like that? Yeah, that child must cross the line between brave and stupid a lot. Not that he could fault them. He wasn’t that much different as a child himself, though he would never admit it out loud.
“They are kinda cute! It’s a child. Children do that. What do we do with them? Save them first. Talk to them. Figure out if they have potential! Kin? Kin! We need to talk to Philza. Dadza! Grandza! Oh! Yes! Grandza!”
Techno shook his head, as if that would make the voices shut up “Chat, please. Don’t assume anything. I might just help them out and find a clan for them to get back to. We don’t have the time for a child to be around. Too busy with the Syndicate.”
While Chat wasn’t happy with it, they seemed to be glad enough that Techno was acting against his instincts to help this orphan out. If the others hear that the Technoblade has helped out an orphan, well, he hoped people won’t. Doesn’t want to be seen as a hypocrite and as someone who keeps his words, and threats.
With the kid in his arms, he made his way back towards his cabin. Apparently, the Blaze Rods had to wait after all.
As he walked up the stairs towards his cabin and walked in, he suddenly got very aware he had no idea what to do. Looking around his eyes fell on his fireplace but that somehow seemed dangerous. Probably bad idea to just lay down an unconscious child right next to the fire, right?
Instead, he remembered that he had a spare bed roll sitting around somewhere.
With the cape still wrapped around the little one he pulled out the bed roll and laid them inside the rolled-out bed. While tucking them in he made sure to let a bit breathing room in. Letting their body slowly warm up instead of instantly.
“Food. Food, Techno. Eat. The child as well!”
Ah, yes. What would he do without the voices reminding him to eat?
Normally he would just pop a potato in the furnace but not this time. If he is already cooking, he might as well cook for the both of them. Soup seemed appropriate. Now, if he only remembers the recipe and instructions Philza gave him way back.
Still a tiny bit annoyed he has to put off getting the Blaze Rods, Techno sat down and begun cutting up vegetables and heating up water. Putting the ingredients into the water and putting spice in after tasting it here and there. It definitely wouldn’t be a masterpiece but as long as it not tasted absolutely horrible and still warmed one up from the inside, this should be fine.
The child better not complain after he already went out of his way saving them from the cold. He really should have just killed them so he wouldn’t need to get through this trouble and could actually get work done but Chat really was acting weird.
The cooking process took longer than he expected. Long enough that his own pig ears suddenly heard some noises, groans, coming from behind him. Looking back, he saw how the small Piglin was moving around in the bed. Slowly sitting up. Their eyes still closed.
“You are awake.” He stated in Piglish. Knowing, that they probably couldn’t speak the common tongue of the Overworld.
They opened their eyes but were still squinting. Either in pain or not used to the light yet.
“Where am I? Who are you?” grunts coming out of their mouth that made up Piglish words.
For a second Techno had to hide his smile as he realized that it has been a long while that he spoke with anybody his native tongue.
“You are in the Overworld. In my home to be specific. You are lucky I found you or you would have frozen to death in the snow. Name’s Technoblade by the way.”
It seemed to be difficult for them to wrap their mind around this new information “Overworld? Technoblade?” they repeated as if this would give them more insight.
Not knowing what else to tell them, Techno turned around and begun pouring the soup into a bowl. Walking over to them to give it to them.
A bit wary the child pulled their arms out of the cape that was still wrapped around them. The white fluff tickling the back of their head. It seemed to be an old cape. The fluffy part not being as fluffy as you would have assumed anymore. The fur dirty and strands glued together. Things that just happened over time even if you washed it quite often.
“My, uh, my name is Y/N.” they spoke, grabbing the bowl and looking inside it.
“I’m not poisoning you, you can eat it. Warms you up and once you feel good enough you can get back into the Nether.” He then proceeded to pour himself a bowl and begun sipping it.
It was edible. That was something.
Y/N kept watch as Techno continued to slowly drink the soup out of his own bowl. Drinking some of the food as well, their eyes widened out of pleasant surprise when the soup seemed to warm them up from the inside. Craving more of this warmth they begun gulping the liquid down in seconds.
This place was certainly warmer then when they got out of the portal but it was still cold enough for them to shiver. Where in the world were they? Never have they seen any of these materials around them. Grey cold stone, dark brown wood, white walls decorated with colorful pictures? It seemed almost unreal to them.
“How are you feeling squirt? Good enough to go home yet?” There was a bit of hope in Techno’s voice. The sooner this passed the better in his book.
“Home.” Y/N once again repeated what Techno said only to hold the bowl up towards him. A shy but determined expression on their face.
It took Techno a second before he understood what they wanted “More? More soup?”
The child enthusiastically nodded.
Sighing Techno got up from the chest he was sitting on to refill Y/N’s bowl and as he pushed the warm bowl back into their hand Y/N opened their mouth again “Uh, Overworld? I am in the Overworld? What- What is that?”
“A different world to where you come from. It has hot places and cold places. Different things and different mobs as well. Very different but both places are connected. You came through one of the portals that lead to this place, it also leads back to the Nether. Now, tell me something. I haven’t seen your parents. I was looking for anyone but there was no one. Not even a random group walking around.”
Y/N first slurped more from the soup before they answered “My parents are gone. I live with my clan. I always run off and they get mad at me.”
Techno knelt down to Y/N and softly pressed his hand against their forehead which made Y/N freeze. Scared and confused with what he was doing.
He let out a deep breath, wincing as a few voices begun yelling inside his mind “Ah. Seems like you have a fever. Guess I could help you through it and in the meanwhile try to find your clan. Might as well show you a bit of the Overworld while we are at it. Not a lot of Piglin get the chance to see the Overworld after all. You certainly are a special case.”
Then he turned around and talked to the air “Happy now Chat?” Turning back around to face Y/N again “Are you okay with that, Y/N?”
It was still difficult for them to grasp the whole of the situation but to get the chance to explore this Overworld? With this Technoblade Piglin? Their curiosity was certainly piqued. Maybe they were still too tired, and their head was pounding but there was this little voice in their head that urged them on.
That told them “Go for it. You will learn a lot! He might be your true kin.”
So, they nodded silently agreeing in Piglish “Yes. I think I am okay with it.”
982 notes · View notes
buckybarnesdiaries · 4 years ago
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white wolf: “the show must go on”
first part — second part
third part — fourth part (soon)
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© gif credits to the author, i found it on google. if you're the author lemme know your @.
bucky barnes x reader. ⎢ masterlist.
Sam helps Bucky to ask you out for a date and it’s a disaster, but he gets it.
word count: 1'9k.
warnings/tags: none. bucky being so innocent gives me life. + he being so damn cute as always.
author notes: none of my stories contain reader’s body descriptions to be inclusive.
Join the tag list here.
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“Have plans with your girl tonight?”
Bucky clicked his tongue, putting down the weight to the holder, not turning to Sam still doing squats and an awkward noise out of breath. His partner couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and giggle while shaking his head, fast enough to steal the soldier's clean towel before he reached it.
“She's not my girl”.
“Not yet, you mean, uh?” He joked then, using the clothing like a whip to hit the metal arm. “But, you have plans or not?”
“Yeah, we have plans”. Bucky admitted eventually, glancing at Sam also stealing his bottle of water. “She invited me to watch a movie”.
It was the innocent and unworried tone of voice from him that made Sam choke, cough, and laugh at once.
“What?”
“Oh, man… Can't believe you're sinful enough to do what we do but too innocent to not see what that means”.
“It means we're gonna watch a movie”.
Bucky was confused at the laughter, trying to understand what he was referring to as he rested his back against the wall and crossed both arms over his chest. Expecting anything else from his wise friend.
“This is the twenty-first century, you ancient. We don't watch movies”.
“What d— What do you mean? You have Netflix, HBO, Prime Video… What's the point?”
Sam was deadpanned, staring in silence at the soldier, not believing what his ears were hearing. “We, guys, don't watch movies with girls, even less when they are the ones inviting us”.
Bucky squinted at him, tilting his head like a lost poppy would do, not being able to read between lines. His partner gasped exasperated, running a hand up and down his face.
“You know, man? Sometimes I feel alone, not having anyone to laugh with about that forties' manners of yours. Should I call Sarah, maybe?”
“Cut the show”. He hissed standing up and passing him away.
“Oh, no, no, no… the show has just started, man, and I have my popcorn ready”.
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Bucky had been beating around the bush the whole day, trying to let it out of his mind. Of course, it was something that would happen sooner or later, and —more than of course— he wanted it to happen. The mere fact of thinking about you and him, flesh against flesh, hearing you moaning his name and making you feel good caused him goosebumps and an awkward sensation beneath his black jeans. Suddenly, swallowing saliva turned impossible, biting his lower lip while ringing the intercom of your apartment. Your response didn't last more than a couple of seconds, opening the door downstairs and waiting for him at the entrance of your apartment.
The butterflies fluttered within your bellies when Bucky stepped out of the lift, showing you that charming smile that could make you kill anyone who dared to erase it from his face.
“Trying to get me drunk?” You joked as he raised the bottle of red wine in his left hand.
“Maybe?”
“Missed you today”. You whispered at the soft kiss on your lips and his arm getting wrapped around your lower waist.
“So did I”. He sighed, sounding a little tired, caressing your nose with his.
Yesterday he talked to you about a routine medical check-up the government used to do every six months until he earned his pardon. Four hours of intense exercise to make sure the supersoldier serum was still doing its effect, as he started to feel somewhat tired since he stayed in Wakanda. For Bucky, it was really easy to open up himself with you and talk about his past and some of the things he did. And he didn't complain when you helped him to take off his leather jacket, watching him rubbing his left shoulder.
“I, uh… also was this morning with Sam. Training”. He told you, following you to your kitchen to find a couple of glasses. Turning at him, you couldn't help but raise an incredulous eyebrow. “Don't look at me like that… I know to perfection what you're thinking”.
“You're a telepath now?”
“God, no. I have enough with the voices inside my head, to hear someone's else”. He chuckled resting against the fridge. “But you're very expressive and I was trained to read body language”.
“So, what am' thinking?” You asked driven by curiosity, entertained on opening the bottle of wine.
“Look at this guy… He looks hotter than a barbecue”.
You broke into a loud laugh, shaking your head as you grabbed the drink and the glasses. “Not even close, Sergeant”.
“Liar”. He blurted into your face, passing him away to the living room where the Thai takeaway was waiting for the two of you.
“I'm not lying! You're a lousy body reader”.
“So… you can do it better, uh?”
“Didn't say so, but… yeah”. You replied, placing the wine and the glasses on the coffee table next to the big green sofa.
“Okay, go ahead. What am 'thinking, genius?”
Standing in front of him, some inches away, you squinted at his eyes in advance of touring his posture from top to bottom with your orbs.
“Look at that girl… she's hotter than a volcano”.
“Not even closer, soldier”. Bucky repeated your words, kissing his teeth and causing you to laugh again.
“Liar”.
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The night went on, enjoying your dinner and watching the first part of Scary Movie. Since Bucky told you that he loved the horror genre, you thought that it'd be a good start. As you finished the Thai dishes, you two cuddled on your sofa, and it felt nice to be embraced by his muscly arms and had your head rested on his shoulder. He had never been that happier before, imagining for a moment —staring at you by the corner of his eyes— that he wasn't a retired lethal assassin controlled by a bunch of psychos, just a guy watching a movie with his girl.
For some reason that increased his pulse, having to clear his throat as the thought dried it. You couldn't let it go, wrinkling your nose with curiosity, raising your face slightly at Bucky trying to focus on the movie, and pretending everything was going okay.
“What?” He murmured about to laugh nervously, putting his head back a couple of inches to look better at you.
“Seems like you're gonna have a heart attack, what's the matter?”
The soldier breathed heavily through his nostril, expelling all the air in a sight through his parted lips. A lower giggle escaped them as your eyes widened a little more interested in his response to your question.
“Sam… Sam said something this morning”.
There it was. Your grimace turned skeptical, sitting up to borrow the control remote and pause the movie. Turning to face him and placing an arm on the headrest, you puckered your lips in a funny gesture watching him click his tongue.
“Things are different nowadays and… y'know, we used to watch movies”.
“And that's what we're doing”.
“Yeah, but… it's like… now there are some kinds of non-speak social rules”.
You knew exactly what he was referring to and seeing him somewhat troubled and tense just made your heart melt. It wasn't that he was scared, but it almost felt like.
“Is it your first time since the forties?” You dared to ask, clearly with no intentions of making fun of him.
“I've never really… y'know, I was in my twenties when I left Brooklyn. I me— mean, 'm not stupid, okay? I've done things but not… sex like… to the whole point”. Bucky didn't have his eyes on you when he made that confession, rubbing the bridge of his nose by inertia as his nervousness increased. “And now everything… is pretty different”.
“It doesn't have to”. You just replied, stretching a hand to his right one to intertwine your fingers. “Listen, Buck… We don't have to, okay? We don't have to do anything if you're not ready. We can watch the movie and then… you can go, or you can stay to sleep with me”.
“I'd like that”.
“Leave?”
“Yeah, totally, if you excuse me, ma'am… I gotta leave” He clearly joked, about to stand up until you pushed him down to the sofa bursting in laughter. “Nah, I, uh… I mean, I'd like to sleep with you tonight”.
“I'd like too, and to wake up tomorrow morning with you”.
“Yeah, would be very awkward if you go to sleep with me and wake up with another guy in your bed”.
Bucky smirked at you, biting his upper lip before leaning to press both on yours. He couldn't believe you were being so comprehensive with him, not making any other uncomfortable questions, nor kicking his ass out of your house. At that moment, he realized he was madly in love with you, bringing you closer to himself so he could embrace you tenderly between his arms. And you let him, not wanting anything else than to be with him.
At the moment the movie finished, you both stretched your hands to the ceiling with a yawn opening your mouths. You palmed his thigh to beckoning at him, urging the soldier to follow you as you rubbed your eyes using your knuckles, a little sleepy. Turning off the lights on your way to your room, you changed your clothes for a baggy Iron Maiden's t-shirt, as he stripped himself leaving his clothes on the chair in front of your bed, only wearing a pair of black boxers at the end.
You were about to ask him which side he preferred when the words died on your tongue, glancing at him with his flesh hand over his dark grey shoulder. It was the first time you saw the vibranium arm in all its glory and Bucky gave you the impression of being embarrassed. He'd never stop surprising you with plenty of emotions for things that for you didn't have any importance actually —like the fact of not having two real arms.
“Come here”. You murmured, kneeling on the mattress and palming the other lateral, observing every one of his actions till lying next to him, in the middle of the gloom of your room.
Covering both of you with the sheets and turning on your sides to face each other, Bucky took the initiative of wrapping you close to his chest, as he placed his head on your pillow. He couldn't help but take a soft breath from your heavenly smell impregnated in, provoking a smile to grow on your lips. Surrounding his neck with your arms, you sunk your fingers in his short hair, gently caressing his scalp while you started to spread tender short kisses all around his face.
“This feels good”. He purred with such a pleased tone of voice, closing his eyes as he adventured his warm hand under your shirt to draw invisible patterns on your back.
“So good”. You affirmed, peppering his cheek with a bunch of noisy smooches.
Bucky squeezed you between his grip, hiding his face into the gap of your shoulder and neck, causing you goosebumps because of his exhalation against your skin. He was comfortable being that close, with no distance separating your chests and your legs intertwined in a bundle. You saw how relaxed he was when he pulled his head back to the pillow, noses touching and his eyelids closed.
“Good night, Buck”. You whispered, still feeling his caresses on your back, leaning to kiss him one last time.
“Good night, doll”.
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a / n: i hope you have enjoyed the fluffiness of these three chapters because the fourth is gonna be... chaotic.
feedback is appreciated, please, leave a comment to let me know if you liked it.
and support writers with a REBLOG!!! 🤍
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astaroth1357 · 4 years ago
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Brothers React to a Demigod MC 
So, I've gotten some interest to do a Brothers follow-up to a previous request of mine (Undateables React to a Cute, Badass MC), however, I've thus far refused to write one. Honestly, this HC actually plays on a trope I personally dislike and had it not been a request I would have never done it to start with. I just can't see any reasonable way a non-magic human can beat a bunch of demons, I just can't, and that hinders my imagination quite a bit. …But someone who’s not so human? That I can get behind. Fair warning, I grew up with the Percy Jackson series so that’s going to paint quite a bit of how I see modern demigods. Ready for things to get super-ultra fanfic-y for a bit?
Intro:
The day to kidnap bring the exchange students to the Devildom has finally come and the demons have all gathered in the Council Room to open their portal to the human world. Really, things started without a hitch - the portal opened with and their future student dropped down out of it and landed on the floor… before they suddenly leapt up, pulled out a weapon, and lunged at them!
… This isn’t your normal human, it is?
Lucifer
Oh Devil, this couldn’t have been any farther than what they wanted… They were looking for a human and they managed to pull out a halfling! A divine halfling no less!! Why wasn’t this in their file?!
Look, Lucifer might not be on good terms with his father, but even he knows he had it better than any children of the pagan gods… The levels of petty vindictiveness that run through that bunch are literally the stuff of legends...
After he and Barbatos were able to restrain the MC before they hurt themselves or anyone else, Diavolo explained everything to them and gave them a pardon for attacking the Demon Prince on sight… After they identified themselves and their parentage, Lucifer knew they were in for some shit…
He and Diavolo had to iron out an apology letter to their godly parent for days just to keep from saying anything that could accidentally cause a second Troy or worse... It was a mess...
But on the bright side, the “human” came pre-prepared for fighting monsters and demons, which honestly took a bit of a load off his shoulders. That’s less responsibility for Mammon - and in his experience, the less responsibility Mammon has, the better things usually turn out.
… Though their ability to actually hold their own in a fight did make things complicated sometimes - like whenever he was their perceived opponent... 
He wasn’t expecting to have to manage a being that was actually capable of meeting him toe-to-toe on the battlefield and it did hinder his intimidation factor to some degree…It was hard to be threatening to someone who’s likely faced worse than you could ever offer.
In the end it probably worked out for the best, as a live exchange student is better for Diavolo than a dead one - but man did it get on his nerves until they made their pact together… Be scared of him, dammit!
Mammon
The first time he tried to threaten the human, they straight up pulled out a weapon and looked like they were ready to whip his ass!! Didn’t they know he wasn’t being serious?? 😫
He really didn’t know why he had to be on babysitting duty, anymore... This huma-er demigod could handle themselves just fine!
When he first ditched them with Levi, he later found out they managed to cleanly toss his brother over their head and make a break for it all by themselves! And Levi’s no pushover either!!
Later, he saw them getting ambushed on their way back from school and they soundly knocked out about five demons before he even caught up to them… and he’s, like, fast and stuff… 
Their strength is kind of unreal at times, but he could tell they were still far from a mindless killing machine. They were more or less a normal person, they had wants and dreams like anybody else, but they just happened to be a long stronger than the average mortals around them. 🤷‍♀️
After he eventually got to know them and a bit about how their life worked, he felt a little bad for them... Who wants to be hunted down just for being born?
After learning about their struggles, Mammon ended up resolving to help keep them safe (even if a part of him knew they didn’t need him that much).
I mean, if the whole world’s against you, then you can use all the help you can get... right?
Leviathan 
Levi found out exactly one thing about them within the first two minutes of meeting them… their reflexes were killer.
After Mammon ditched them on Day One, he tried to drag the human to his room to tell them his genius plan but they broke out of his grip and threw him flat on his back like was just second nature! 
He was stuck on the ground for a full minute, trying to process what just happened, while they ran off into the House all alone…
Did he just get tossed around… by a human?? Was he really that pathetic!?!
Finding out later that they were actually half-god certainly helped out his self-esteem because, man, if he had lost so easily to a human of all things... He might have just never left his room again…
Levi pretty much kept his distance from them until they finally made a pact together and then he discovered that the MC wasn’t so scary after all. If he’s being honest, being in the same house as a demigod was actually kind of cool...! 
Like, it was almost exactly the plot of the show: “Wait, I Thought I Was the Son of a Pagan God So What Am I Doing in a Christian Hell??” but their MC seemed to know a lot more about fighting than the protagonist of that show ever did…
Plus, because he never had to worry about their safety, he had even more excuse to never leave his room. Win-win!
Satan
A demigod, eh…? He had done plenty of research into human world mythologies in his spare time, frankly he thought the old gods had died out - but it seems they were still up and kicking… and making babies for whatever reason? Horny bastards...
Satan's original interest in the MC was purely academic. It’s not everyday that you get to meet someone of such a unique heritage and he fully intended to learn if all the legends about their greatness were true… and well...
He could say that the MC was certainly different than how he pictured humans being. He’d never met very many before, but from what he could gather they were a weak race that really got by on wit and persistence… However, nothing about the MC was weak.
Their aptitude for combat was surprisingly sharp, both in skill and reflexes. He had once blown up at them in anger and not only did they dodge his swipes but they got in a good few hits themselves with a nearby lamp… He never once thought a mortal could give him a black-eye but, somehow, they pulled it off. 🤷‍♀️
Combine their physical skill with what magical gifts were granted to them by their godly-half and they were a force to be reckoned with… Even Solomon seemed to hesitate and think more about his actions around them (which is saying something for a sorcerer of his strength).
It’d be fair to say a part of him grew to respect the MC long before they ever made their pact and that respect only grew afterwards. If he had to be bound to any master, human or otherwise, he’d rather it be one that he could right about consider an equal not only as a friend, but in strength as well.
Asmodeus 
A demigod…? Oooo, he hadn’t come across one of those since he bedded Aeneas all those centuries ago… Such a gorgeous man, got all his looks from his mother~! 🤭
Asmo was probably the most interested in their godly heritage, but it felt like he was treating them like a zoo exhibit for a while… Something pretty and new to look at, but not exactly someone he wanted to know personally...
He openly and readily admitted that watching their little demigod in action got him hot and bothered (or well, more hot and bothered than usual ) but it didn’t take him to see they weren’t interested at the time…
He decided that he just had to have a pact with them after they saved him from Henry 1.0! It was before he noticed the giant snake and he was lurching back to strike, but the human swept in to knock him out of the way. They probably could have made mince meat of the creature themselves if Levi weren’t begging for them to spare his former pet...
Post-pact Asmo treated them with a lot more respect… but also still fanboyed over their fighting skills hardcore. 
Like, their body had to be fit to keep up with all those monsters, right?? What was their training routine? Could he watch?? Oh please say he can watch!! He just can’t get enough of that fighter’s physique…! 😍
Beelzebub 
So… the human isn’t a human but only part human? And the other part is a god? Does that make them any sturdier than normal humans…? Call him curious…
Beel was probably one of the few brothers who was legitimately weary of the MC from the beginning… He can get a certain feel for a person pretty quickly and something about them just felt…frankly, kind of dangerous.
But they also intrigued him a little… Beel’s used to being one of the strongest demons in any room he walks into (not a boast, just a fact) so for him to get that feel from a mortal was pretty impressive. A part of him just wanted to test them… you know?
So. He did. He asked them to help him train his martial arts one day and even with his awareness, he was not expecting the results that he got.
The MC was strong. Very strong. They were not only able to keep up with him and dodge his blows, but they were able to predict his moves and counterattack in kind. They didn’t even need to tell him that they had actually been fighting for their life for years, he could tell. They had a skill you don’t get from practice matches...
After that point, the two would go to each other to train and keep their skills sharp… but also just to spar for fun. Their fighting styles made a pretty good match and they bonded pretty damn quick because of it. 
If anime tells us anything, when you find a good fight buddy, you stick with them. Even if one’s part god and the other is a demon. 🤷‍♀️ 
Belphegor 
A demigod is still human enough to hate, sorry MC. Not that he knew about their godly heritage at first…
Really, he should have been a little more suspicious of how easily they seemed to take to life in the Devildom... Weren’t demons supposed to scare humans? Why did they seem so comfortable down here...?
His confirmation only came when he tried to enact the final part of “Use the MC to Escape the Attic!” plan and take their life to seal the deal… but oh boy, was he outclassed real quick… 
The MC had already socked him in the jaw by the time he got his full demon form out and then they threw him across the room by the tail… the TAIL!! And it hurt like a bitch, too!! Even during the full blown fight that followed, he could tell they were holding back and it pissed him off something fierce...!
Why was the MC so strong?!? Humans weren’t supposed to be strong!!!
His brothers heard all the commotion and the Lilith confrontation ended up happening up in the attic between a somewhat beat-up Belphie and a barely-scratched MC. Had Beel not come to his defense on instinct, it might have turned out worse for him in all honesty… Something about that human just wasn’t right…
He only found out about their god-half after everything settled down and he promised not to try killing them again (not that anyone thought he could...) and that put some things into perspective. So the Lastborn Ruler of Hell isn’t as strong as one mortal demigod…? Ouch. Okay, fine then... Whatever...
He does think it’s too bad he missed them beating the crap out of the rest of his brothers, though (minus Beel)... That would have been fun to see. 😔
So I tried to keep this one God-parent neutral, but I’ve upgraded this to its own series! Check it out if you’re interested! 😊
Demigod MC Series: Intro, Aphrodite, Hermes
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thenovelartist · 3 years ago
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Mistaken Drink; Drunk Mistake - Tears of Themis
Up next in the "Drunk Wedding" series, we have Artem. Enjoy ;D
When Artem woke up that morning, he was in a shocking amount of pain. He didn’t want to move despite the fact he knew he needed to get up for work.
Regrettably, he forced himself up into a sitting position, only to instantly feel nauseous. He was going to have to call in sick wasn’t he?
“Artem? Are you okay?”
The sweet voice rung in his ears. Before he could even place where he’d heard that voice before, he felt a cool hand on his back. It took him far too long to realize that said hand was touching his skin, making him realize he wasn’t in a shirt.
Why wasn’t he in a shirt? He always slept in a shirt.
However, before he could think too much about it, a new wave of nausea hit him. He braced himself against the headboard of his bed, leaning his forehead on his arms in hopes that the feeling would pass.
“Do you need water?” the voice asked. A lovely, sweet, feminine voice.
“No,” he muttered weakly.
There was a pause, in which time the intense symptoms faded to manageable levels
“Are you dizzy?” the feminine voice asked. “Do you want medicine?”
“No,” he replied.
However, now he was very curious as to who the owner of that voice was. He couldn’t stand it anymore; he had to know. So, pushing past the pain, he slowly lifted his head up to get a look at the person who was next to him.
Oh, it was his work partner.
That was the only thought he had before he felt sick again and buried his face back in his arms, blocking the light from seeping in.
And then the nausea hit him like a truck.
“Artem? Are you sure you’re okay?”
He couldn’t answer. But he most certainly was not.
Fifteen minutes later, after a bathroom break that turned into him emptying the contents of his stomach and feeling all the better for it, he was laying back on his bed, eyes closed and arms draped over his face to keep the light out. He was still shirtless at the moment, but that was less because of choice and more because he could barely move from his spot to the closet to grab one.
As for work, he was fortunate enough to have realized it was a weekend. He had time to recover.
He heard a set of footsteps enter his room, and despite knowing better, he opened his eyes to watch Rosa enter, glass of water in one hand and something else in the other.
With his headache, he draped his arms over his face again. While it was originally to keep the light out of his eyes, it also doubled to cover his blush. The question of “why she was in his house” had yet to be answered.
So did the question of “why she was in his shirt”. But he could only think on everything for so long before his headache warned him to calm down.
“I brought you some medicine,” Rosa said. The space beside him on the bed sank under her weight. And while he wanted to warn her that her being here in a bedroom with him, he wasn’t particularly in a position to speak at the moment, figuratively and literally. “Are you feeling better?”
He paused to think on it. “Possibly.”
“Possibly,” she whispered to herself. Despite being out of it, he could hear the resigned smile in her tone. “Do you need anything? Or just rest?”
Honestly, he needed a lot of things. Answers, specifically.
Slowly, he removed his arms from his head so he could open his eyes and see Rosa. The light still seemed over-bright, but it wasn’t as bad as before.
She gave him a smile, and suddenly, he felt warm all over again. “Good morning.”
His heart gave a funny leap in his chest. “Sorry,” he muttered.
Her expression fell to a concerned one. “For what?”
He wasn’t fully sure. Everything, maybe.
Yes, everything.
But before he could say it, she reached forward to brush his bangs back from his eyes, and words died in his throat. “You don’t have to be sorry,” she said. “I’m sorry, too.”
His brow furrowed in confusion. “For what?”
“For last night,” she said.
He pursed his lips together, trying to think of anything she had to be sorry about, but his memories seemed too hazy to recall anything. “To be frank,” he said, voice hoarse. “I can’t remember last night.”
When her eyes widened in surprise, it took him a long moment to realize it wasn’t the good kind. And when she smiled, it was tense, which caused his own stomach to tighten up again. “Well…” she began. “Um… you really can’t remember anything at all?”
He paused, trying long and hard to think back to last night. “We were at a party,” he answered. “For the firm.”
“Yes,” she confirmed with a nod. “There was that.”
The more he thought on it, the more he could recall the scene. Themis Law Firm had decided to hold a party for its associates to celebrate a major court win for a big client. It had taken months of research and many staff members, but in the end, it had come out in their favor. It had been Celestine’s idea to throw a party for the sake of the employees, congratulating them and allowing them to have a moment to enjoy themselves.
Artem had been there, of course, enjoying the atmosphere and the company of Rosa, who had sat next to him at the bar while the others grew roudy around them.
But that was all he could recall.
“What happened after?” he asked, giving up his futile mission of recalling anything further.
“I think… my best guess is the bartender mixed up someone’s double-shot mixed drinks with your mocktails,” she answered.
Ahh, that would explain it. He grimaced, letting his eyes shut again as he dragged a tired hand over his face. How did he not catch that?
“Are you here because you helped me home?” he asked, already knowing what her answer would be.
“Well… I mean… yes,” she answered, hesitantly.
He opened his eyes again to look back up at her. “Why didn’t you go home?”
She turned bright red.
Oh no, that wasn’t his intention. He felt bashful just looking at her.
“I… kinda… was drunk myself,” she said, her blush not dying down as she turned her gaze away from him. “So, I fell asleep beside you.”
His face began to burn. Wait, she was beside him all night?
“Oh,” she said, looking down at her shirt which was actually his shirt which caused a second wave of embarrassment to crash down on him. “Sorry, I stole one of your shirts because my dress was stained from when someone fell and dumped a Bloody Mary on us. That’s why you’re shirtless, too. So you wouldn’t ruin your sheets. Which reminds me, are you cold? Do you want me to get you something?”
His mind had already come to a screeching halt hearing her explain, so starting it back up again so he could answer was a challenge. “I-I…”
Why was talking so hard?
“Yes.”
She gave him a nod. “Okay. I’ll grab one for you.”
With that, she turned her back to him, and he covered his face with his hands, silently wishing he could die and save him from this mortification.
When she returned, she helped him sit up again, and he slid on the plain shirt she’d given him.
“Thank you, for caring for me,” he eventually said, trying his very best to pull himself together. “If you give me a moment, I can give you a jacket to cover your dress and call a cab for you.”
She froze. “Uh…” She seemed to struggle to find words before turning a strained smile on him. “Well… there’s… actually another reason I hadn’t left yet.”
Artem’s brow knit together in confusion., but his gut sank like a stone with worry.
“Because…” The smile she gave him was overly-exaggerated, which worried him deeply. “We should really talk about what to do about our wedding certificate.”
Artem froze, the words somehow eluding him for a moment before registering in his mind all at once.
“I’m sorry. Our what?”
It seemed drinking wasn’t the only thing he did last night.
It was mid-morning now, and he was sitting at the table holding his second cup of coffee while he stared at the document in front of him. And he still couldn’t believe it. Because not only had he and Rosa had decided to get married while they were drunk.
But Celestine witnessed.
This had to be the most embarrassing thing he’d ever done and likely the most embarrassing thing he would do in his entire life.
“I’m pretty sure it’s legal,” Rosa said, taking a seat beside him. She was still in his shirt, slowly killing him at the sight of her in it, sipping on her own mug of coffee.
“It is,” he lamented. “Unfortunately.”
“You say that like being married to me is a bad thing.”
His heartrate skyrocketed as he struggled for words. “No! That’s not what I—”
Before he could finish, he took in the sight of her sniggering over her coffee mug. “I was just teasing.”
Despite that, he wasn’t fully able to relax. Because if given the opportunity, he’d love to be married to the woman beside him. However, that wasn’t likely, considering he couldn’t even so much as confess his feelings to this woman.
He cleared his throat. “I’ll start on the annulment, then. It should be granted easily seeing as we were both intoxicated at the time.”
“Do we have to, though?”
He froze, shocked, then confused. “What?”
She sighed. “Celestine warned me you were this dense,” she whispered under her breath.
While Artem was still processing those words, Rosa turned in her seat to face him head on, looking him straight in the eyes. “I love you.”
Whatever Rosa proceeded to say was lost on Artem. He was frozen, completely caught off guard by such a confession. He… he’d thought she wasn’t interested. She never seemed to respond to his advances the way he’d anticipated she would. So why…
How…
He was so confused.
“And I know you try hard to get my attention,” she said, her words finally registering in his mind. “I thought we were getting closer, too. But…” She looked down, disappointment written all over her face. “I must have been wrong.”
“You love me?”
She turned her wide eyes back on him, and suddenly, she was smiling again. “You really are dense, aren’t you?”
Back at work, Artem was working on the annulment.
It was… disappointing, in a way. He and Rosa had had a long talk about a relationship between them and where they each saw it going, and what they landed on was marriage in the future. She’d suggested keeping the marriage certificate just in case. However, Artem was adamant that this would notbe how they married. So, annulment it was until they saw fit to come together, sober, as husband and wife.
Which, Artem hoped wouldn’t be too far off in the future.
“So, how’s married life?”
Artem looked up to see Celestine grinning down at him. He fixed her with a stern glare as he picked up the wedding certificate. “You actually witnessed this sham of a marriage?”
“I did!” she cried, grin never leaving her face. “It was a sight to behold. I’m so proud of you for making the first move and asking her to marry you, even if you were drunk when you did. Maybe you and alcohol do get along after all.”
Artem sighed, suddenly feeling quite tired. “And how sober were you for the thought of stopping us to not occur to you?”
“Oh, I was perfectly sober.”
Artem nearly dropped the document. “What?”
With a laugh, she winked at him. “By the way, Rosa istaking on your last name, right? So that I know to give her the proper change of name paperwork.”
Leaning back in his chair with a heavy sigh, Artem wondered if a hangover could reappear days after drinking. Because his head was sure spinning right about now.
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robininthelabyrinth · 4 years ago
Note
Mo Xuanyu is banished from Koi Tower, but manages to take Wen Ning (or maybe a captured Nie Mingjue, your choice) with him. Now he has to figure out what to do with a well known fierce corpse. [🎶🎶 anon]
Crybabies - ao3
“Okay,” Xue Yang said, looking up at the ceiling with an expression that suggested he wanted to kill something and probably would, very soon. “What are you crying about now?”
“I don’t have any friends,” Mo Xuanyu explained. Xue Yang wasn’t allowed to kill him – Jin Guangyao said it would be politically inconvenient – so he felt moderately safe around the other man.
“What am I?” Xue Yang said. “Dirt?”
“Way too scary to be friends with someone like me.”
“…good point,” Xue Yang said. “You are kind of pathetic. A real crybaby.”
Mo Xuanyu was pretty used to statements like this.
“Actually,” Xue Yang said, and smiled. “That gives me an idea.”
-
Mo Xuanyu did not like Xue Yang’s idea.
“I don’t want these types of friends!” he wailed at the door, then, sniffling, turned around. “No offense meant.”
The two fierce corpses stared back at him.
“I’m sure you’re very nice,” Mo Xuanyu said, voice wavering. “Just very, uh…dead.”
Xue Yang cackled from outside the door. “I even took out their controls, just for you!” he sang out. “All the crybabies together in a single room. Have fun!”
And then his footsteps went away.
Shaking, sniffling, Mo Xuanyu turned to look at the two fierce corpses. It turned out they were chained to the wall, which was a bit of a relief.
“…are you the other crybabies?” he asked, curiosity temporarily overwhelming him. There was no one else in the room but them, but it seemed implausible.
Implausible, but apparently correct: tears started dripping down the face of one of the corpses.
“I want to go home,” he said, sounding genuinely miserable.
Mo Xuanyu looked at the other corpse.
“I want to go to his home,” he said, ducking his head and stuttering a little. He didn’t cry, but his eyes wrinkled up, like he wanted to but couldn’t. “It sounds nice.”
Mo Xuanyu had never heard of a home that sounded nice before.
“What’s it like?” he asked.
-
Mo Xuanyu really hated disappointing people.
It sometimes felt like he’d never done anything else: disappointed his mother when his father lost interest in him and stopped visiting, disappointed his aunt and her family by existing, disappointed his father after he turned out to be useless after he’d gone to all the effort of bringing him back to Lanling City, disappointed his teachers, disappointed his half-brother Jin Guangyao, disappointed – everyone, really.
So when he heard that he was probably going to get kicked out of Lanling, it wasn’t really a surprise. He’d long outworn his welcome, after all.
But then he also heard that they planned to send him back to Mo Manor and just – no.
He couldn’t.
He’d just have to disappoint everyone one more time.
“I’m pretty sure you’re not allowed to do this,” Wen Ning said, rubbing his wrists as if it would help return the circulation he didn’t have. “Friends or no friends.”
“They said I was going to have to go home,” Mo Xuanyu said, shivering from terror at the mere thought. “I don’t want to go back to my home. I want to go to his home.”
A-Jue wiped his eyes with his sleeve and sniffed. He was the biggest crybaby of the lot of them, but it wasn’t his fault; according to Wen Ning, he’d lost a big part of his memory and higher order thinking skills when he’d become a fierce corpse and spent any time that he wasn’t murdering people in a crazy frenzy of rage on Jin Guangyao’s orders at the mental age of about seven or eight.
It also didn’t help that, out of the three of them, he was Jin Guangyao’s favorite.
It was not a good thing, being Jin Guangyao’s favorite.  
“We’re going home?” he asked, looking between them, watery eyes and all. “Will Sangsang be there?”
“Maybe?” Mo Xuanyu said, and looked at Wen Ning, who shrugged helplessly. Neither of them had any younger siblings, and Wen Ning hadn’t known anything about politics long before he’d died; he’d been in the dark rather deliberately. “Hopefully.”
“We should try to avoid being seen,” Wen Ning said wisely. “I have an idea.”
-
“This cart stinks,” A-Jue mumbled, knees pulled to his chest. Even folded up, he was nearly as big as Mo Xuanyu was stretched out. “I hate radishes.”
“I hate radishes too,” Wen Ning said. He looked like he wished he could cry, looking at them, but then again he looked like that a lot; he’d been the first one brought back, so he hadn’t kept the ability to actually shed tears, which was awful and unfair and something they’d have to fix as soon as they had some time and weren’t being chased.
“This was your idea,” Mo Xuanyu pointed out.
“I said it’d work, I didn’t say we’d enjoy it,” Wen Ning said, and Mo Xuanyu had to admit he had a point. No one would look for two fierce corpses and one runaway teenager in the back of a radish cart, and the farmer driving them in the general direction of Qinghe had been more than happy to accept some gold in exchange for not saying a word about them.
(“How d’you know I won’t take your money and sell you out anyway?” he’d asked before they set out.
“Because if you did, we’d prioritize ripping your throat out before we got captured?” Wen Ning suggested. Mo Xuanyu elbowed A-Jue, who obligingly stretched out his hand to demonstrate the length of his reach, the strength of his arm, and the length of his sharp nails.
“…good reason.”)
The ride only got them a day or so of travel north before the farmer had to make a turn that led him further away from Qinghe rather than towards, but they were in the countryside, not a city, and that was already something.
“We can make the rest by foot,” Wen Ning decided, and A-Jue put Mo Xuanyu on his back so that he wouldn’t slow them down. It was surprisingly comfortable. “I hope you’re right about your sect, A-Jue.”
“I am,” A-Jue said. “Sangsang will be there. He’ll know what to do.”
“Isn’t he only two years old?” Mo Xuanyu asked suspiciously.
“If I’m big, he’s big,” A-Jue pointed out. “And if I’m dead, he’s sect leader. It’ll be fine.”
-
Mo Xuanyu was nominated to be the one to go in and try to get an audience with the sect leader of Qinghe on account of him being the only one not dead.
It was a very compelling argument.
He got into the main city without a problem, gate or no gate, and then walked up to one of the guards outside the main clan complex. “Uh,” he said, fidgeting. “How do I get to see the sect leader?”
The guards looked at him in pity.
“Tell us what you want him for and we can direct you to the appropriate person to help you,” one of them said, not without kindness.
“I’m pretty sure the sect leader is the appropriate person, though…”
“Maybe you haven’t heard,” the other said. “But Sect Leader Nie isn’t actually good at anything.”
“I’m supposed to find him,” Mo Xuanyu said stubbornly. “Just him.”
“Kid. Listen. It’s not happening.”
Mo Xuanyu knew he’d screw this up. “Can you at least pass on a message?” he said hopelessly. “Tell Sangsang that I have something he’d be interested in –”
“Hold up,” the first guard said. “Sangsang?”
“…isn’t that his name?”
The two guards looked at each other. “Maybe you should go in,” the second one said.
“In fact,” the first one said. “We’re going to insist on it.”
-
“Please stop crying,” the young man with the fan and the frills said. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“I’m under arrest!” Mo Xuanyu howled, tears and snot streaming down his face. “I’ve never been under arrest before!”
“I’m pretty sure that was just an overreaction,” the young man said soothingly. “They didn’t really arrest you, they were just being mean and exaggerating. Weren’t they?”
He looked at the two guards by the door, and Mo Xuanyu followed his gaze.
They both nodded.
“Sorry,” one of them said.
“Didn’t mean it,” the other said.
“Big mistake.”
“Won’t happen again.”
“Do you accept their apology?” the young man said, and Mo Xuanyu nodded. “Good, good. Now go – no, not you, them. You stay where you are.”
Mo Xuanyu sheepishly sat back down.
“Now,” the young man said, putting his elbows on the table. “You look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?”
“Uh, maybe?” Mo Xuanyu said. “I was at the Jin sect for a while, but they kicked me out.”
The young man blinked, then his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Oh,” he said. “I see. No wonder you’re scared of getting arrested.”
Mo Xuanyu wasn’t sure he understood the connection. Wasn’t being arrested scary everywhere?
“Different question,” the young man said. He was playing with his fan in his hands and not really looking at Mo Xuanyu directly, which was a relief; it made him feel like the other man didn’t really care that much about the answer. “The Nie sect leader…who told you he was called Sangsang?”
“Uh,” Mo Xuanyu said. “It’s a bit complicated. You see, he doesn’t remember things very well, but A-Jue said –”
The fan snapped in two in the young man’s suddenly clenched hands.
-
It turned out that Nie Huaisang – that was the sect leader’s actual name – was just as much of a crybaby as the rest of them, which he really should have made clear from the beginning. Mo Xuanyu wouldn’t have been nearly as afraid of him if he’d known that.
As it was, he was still hugging a somewhat confused A-Jue (mostly marveling at how large his Sangsang had gotten) and crying his heart out while blubbering a whole lot of incoherent things, so Wen Ning patted the ground next to him and Mo Xuanyu went to sit.
“Is this a good sign?” he checked, and Wen Ning nodded.
“The Nie sect is pretty strong,” he said. “They’ll be able to protect us. Well, the two of you, anyway, I don’t know about me –”
“I don’t think surnames are really the most important thing right now,” Nie Huaisang said, finally pulling away and wiping his red eyes. “You helped bring my da-ge back home; you can stay as long as you like.”
“It really is a nice home,” Mo Xuanyu whispered to Wen Ning, who looked a little impressed.
“I told you,” A-Jue said proudly. He still had an arm wrapped around Nie Huaisang and wasn’t letting go – they’d offered to help Nie Huaisang out of his grip earlier, but he’d politely refused – and he seemed to be settling in very well to his older brother role. It was a bit strange to adjust to, but he was still A-Jue in the end. “I have the best home.”
“It’s nice enough,” Nie Huaisang said, still a bit teary-eyed. “Right. Enough feelings. I need you to tell me everything you remember about your time in Lanling.”
“…everything?” Mo Xuanyu said.
“Everything relevant,” Nie Huaisang clarified.
“You’re not going to like it,” Wen Ning said.
“Probably not, no. Tell me anyway.”
-
Mo Xuanyu patted Nie Huaisang on the back as he started trying to throw up again – it was all bile and dry heaves by now. It was a human failing that they shared, and the fierce corpses didn’t, although they were sympathetic enough.
“It’s not that bad,” Wen Ning offered. “We’re not really – awake, during much of it. The worst parts.”
That didn’t seem to help.
“He mostly only got mad at me,” A-Jue said, hovering anxiously. “He didn’t like that I didn’t remember him. Said it was no fun. So he didn’t spend that much time with me.”
“I hate him,” Nie Huaisang said. His voice was raspy, his eyes red, and he looked a little bit scary. “I’m going to destroy him.”
“Okay,” A-Jue said at once, because he was a big old softie as well as a crybaby. “We can destroy him. No problem. Just don’t be sad, Sangsang.”
Nie Huaisang’s lip trembled, which rather destroyed the scary effect. “Okay, da-ge,” he said. “I won’t be sad. You’re going to stay here at home with me, and then we’ll focus on making you better, okay?”
“Uh,” Wen Ning said.
“Not the corpse thing,” Nie Huaisang clarified. “The – memory thing.”
“You can fix that?” Mo Xuanyu said, surprised. “How? Senior Jin and Senior Xue both tried really hard and couldn’t manage it.”
“Yes, well,” Nie Huaisang said, and rubbed his eyes. “They don’t know that da-ge was a little kid the first time he picked up Baxia. I think that dying cut off his connection to her, and that she kept everything that was – you know – after. So maybe reconnecting them…”
“That means you’ll be grown up again!” Mo Xuanyu said to A-Jue, who seemed pleased. “That’s great.”
“I’m going to need your help, though,” Nie Huaisang said. He was mostly looking at Wen Ning. “No matter what da-ge says, you helped do – a lot of things, and if we’re going to bring down Jin Guangyao…I’m going to need help.”
“We’ll help you,” Mo Xuanyu said, and Wen Ning nodded. “I mean, we’re not – really helpful. We’re kind of all a bunch of crybabies. But whatever we can do, we will!”
“I appreciate that,” Nie Huaisang said. “Also, don’t underestimate crybabies.”
He smiled.
“We’re a lot more dangerous than you might think.”
424 notes · View notes
tangledstarlight · 4 years ago
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...i said i was going to make it and well, here we are i guess. im so sorry for this.
Carlos Molina’s to Guide to Ghost Hood (title subject to change) 
welcome to the 1st edition, maybe i’ll make a 2nd if i get inspired enough but also, this is such a mess already i don’t think the world needs a part 2 dfghg
Link to the power point is in the first reblog. (i’d highly recommend watching it for the full experience dfgh)
Link to ao3 also in the first reblog. 
below the cut is the accompanying fic and description of the rules/guide.
The tape recorder lets out a low buzzing sound as Carlos presses a button on the side and stands it up between them on the dining room table. Julie shoots an amused glance at Reggie who’s taken up residence in the chair next to him, the two of them flipping open notebooks and clutching pencils. 
“Where did you even find a tape recorder?” She wonders, stretching out a finger to touch the silver rectangle only for her hand to be swatted away by Reggie.
“Found it in a box of moms stuff and dad said we could order some tapes from amazon,” Carlos replies matter of factly, straightening up in his chair once he seems to have found the page he was looking for. “Right. Let's start off easy, shall we?” 
He looks at her expectantly and Julie rolls her eyes, waving a hand at the two of them, “Lets.” 
“Question one,” Carlos taps his pencil at the top of his page before squinting at her, “Did you conduct any séance related activities before the ghosts showed up?” 
Julie blinks at him, wondering if he’s joking but the pair of them just look back at her, heads both slightly tilted and it’s at that moment that she realises how serious they’re going to be about this. It was going to be a long afternoon of questioning apparently. 
“No, I didn’t conduct any séance related activities. I just put on their CD and they y’know, fell out of the sky.” 
“Interesting, interesting,” Carlos mutters as he looks at Reggie’s notebook as the older boy writes her answer down, underlines something and taps it with his pencil that makes Carlos let out a small hm. “So you don’t know anything about the dark room? Didn’t make any wishes?” 
“No,” Julie shakes her head, watches Reggie write something else down and tilt his notebook to Carlos. It’s weird, watching them communicate like that, like they’ve created a shorthand between them and don’t even require her presence to have a conversation. Which is obviously true because they’ve clearly discussed all this beforehand. 
“You walked through Luke right? What did that feel like to you?” Reggie’s question catches her off guard and she looks between them, but Carlos is already looking at her, waiting for her answer. 
“It was um cold? But also not. I--” she frowns, trying to think back to that first night in the kitchen when she’d turned around and walked through him. Back when she’s barely known any of them and was more annoyed by their presence then comforted. “It was weird. The first few seconds after I walked through him I just felt cold but then it was like a rush of warmth? You know when you get one of those random shivers that runs through your whole body? It feels all weird and tingly but also kinda nice? Like that.” 
“Did it feel like you got a feel of Luke?” Carlos asks and Julie shrugs, a slight blush on her cheeks and somehow, despite the fact they can’t see each other, the two of them share a look. 
“What’s the next question,” anything to move off the topic of walking through Luke and how it felt. 
//
“Oh Julie is gonna be so pissed at you guys,” Alex mutters but makes no move to step in and stop the ‘experiment’ currently going on. He watches as Reggie tries to put a hand on Carlos’ shoulder, fingers phasing through the younger boy's jacket with a frown. 
“She won't be pissed if it works,” is all Reggie says, face morphing into one of concentration as he slowly lowers his hand on to Carlos’ shoulder again. 
For his part, Carlos bounces slightly on his toes, eyes fixed on the notebook in Alex’s hand in case they need to tell him something. And okay, Alex might not fully agree with the way the two of them are going about this whole thing, but he can’t say he’s not on board with it. Their whole stint as ghosts has been nothing but confusion after confusion that not even Willie has answers for. Does he think Reggie and Carlos are going to uncover some fundamental thing that makes them the way they are? Probably not. Will they maybe get him some kind of answer? God he hopes so. 
Especially since there’s been small moments in the last few weeks where Ray and Carlos have been able to hear them even without them playing music or Julie nearby. Which had scared all of them. Thought it was nothing compared to Ray’s reaction when he’d apparently walked into the kitchen to find Julie and Luke hugging, only for him to vanish when they suddenly let go. It was a hell of a way to find out they could be seen if they were touching her. 
“Oh!” Carlos suddenly exclaims, head whipping to look at his shoulder where Reggie’s hand is resting solidly on the fabric of the jacket. Alex feels his eyes widen a fraction and watches Reggie’s smile widen as he squeezes slightly on Carlos’ shoulder. “Oh my god! I can feel that!” 
“Holy shit,” Alex whispers, grip on the pencil in his fingers growing. 
“Hey! I heard that too! Quick! Write it down! 30 minutes and- and however many attempts it took!” Carlos grins, face turning towards him and Alex doesn’t even have time to feel guilty about swearing before he’s scribbling in Reggie’s notebook.
//
“Thanks again for taking me,” Carlos says as he pulls his seat belt across his chest and clicks it in, eyes drifting from his tia in the front seat to the little notebook resting on the back seat and the pencil that’s hovering just a few inches off the paper. Subtly he sees it tap on the page, once, twice, and he bites down on his grin, tucking his hands under his thighs to stop from bouncing in his seat. They’re ready. 
“Of course mijo,” Victoria smiles over at him as she turns on the engine, fingers already messing with the buttons on the radio to find her favourite station. “I have to say I’m impressed. Planning ahead for your dad's birthday.” 
“Mhm,” he agrees, his eyes on the notebook that he can just see in the rearview mirror. The pencils resting between the creases in the pages and he holds his breath as the radio jumps to a different station. 
Victoria frowns slightly, her eyes darting from the road to the radio and back, hand reaching out to change it back. When it jumps to another station. And another. Carlos feels his eyes widen a little, legs bouncing on top of his hands as he watches the radio cycle through station after station, only lingers for a few seconds on each before moving on. 
Finally it stops, the words of Despacito ringing through the car and it’s lucky they’re at a red light he thinks, because when Victoria tries to change it it jumps right back. 
“What the f-” she starts, the furrow between her brows growing deeper and the knuckles on her hand that’s still gripping the wheel turning white. 
“Can we leave it? I like this song,” he looks over at her with a smile, blinking in what he hopes is a completely innocent way. He’s pretty sure she’s too distracted by the radio to question it. 
“Sure, sure,” she mutters, not even looking at him, eyes going from the road to the radio. 
The song ends and from the corner of his eye he can see the pencil in the back moving, Reggie or Willie writing something down and he has to stop himself from turning around to see what it is. Instead he watches as tia starts changing the radio station again, her fingers never leaving the touch screen as if that was the problem. But the second she lands on her favourite 80’s classics station and is moving her fingers away it changes. Skipping through stations again until Despacito is once again filling the car. 
It’s probably lucky that they’re at another red light and that there’s no one behind them because her eyes widen and she’s suddenly saying words in Spanish that he knows he shouldn’t know and is pulling over to the side of the road. 
“We have to get out! The car is being possessed! Out, out Carlos! Come on!” Her seat belt is off and her door is open before Carlos even has a chance to process what’s happening. The notebook from the back is pushed in front of his face and he tilts his head a little to side to read Reggie’s familiar handwriting, 
Too far? 
“Maybe,” he whispers back, taking the notebook out of the ghost's hand as he starts to get out of the car, plucking the pencil out of the metal spirals and making a note about not pushing tia in a moving vehicle and to wait until after they’ve gone shopping first. 
She’s got her phone pressed to ear when he joins her on the sidewalk, pacing up and down. Carlos is pretty sure there’s going to be a family dinner story time in their near future. 
//
Luke watches as Carlos sets his tape recorder up, idly plucking out a half finished tune on his guitar in order to be seen and heard. He doesn’t really get the other boys interest in figuring out their ghostly state of being. The same way he doesn’t really care about finding answers to all of Alex’s questions. 
They ate some bad street dogs. They died. Julie brought them back and then she saved them a second time. They can play music and sometimes be seen. He already has all the answers he needs and it’s two words: Julie Molina. 
Would it be nice to know what the black room was? Sure. Did he sometimes wonder why they could be seen but other ghosts couldn't? Sometimes. Did he want answers? Only if someone was going to give them to him without having to do the work. Was he going to sit here and answer all of Carlos’ questions because it was important to him and to the others? Fuck yeah he was. 
“Does that think pick up our voices even if we’re not playing and not near Julie?” He nods at the recorder on the table after Carlos hits a button. 
“Yeah! It’s so cool too. You sound like, all static-y and I have to listen really hard sometimes because your voices fade in and out but they’re there!” 
Okay, Luke can admit that is pretty cool, “That’s wicked. Maybe we should start using that to communicate instead of writing.” He was really sick of people commenting on his handwriting. 
“Dude that’s genius! It would be like leaving each other voice notes!” He gestures in the air with his pencil the same way Julie does when she’s realised the issue with a verse and Luke smiles softly. He doesn’t know what voice notes are, but he’s glad he could contribute to the communication issue. 
“What questions have you got for me then little dude?” He raises an eyebrow at Carlos as he flips through his notebook. 
//
When he’d first knocked Alex down Willie never thought it would lead to him sitting in the Molina’s family living room, a whiteboard resting on his knees as a twelve year old shows him bar graphs and pie charts of information on ghosts. 
There was probably some kind of domino-butterfly effect going on that had led him here. But he’s too busy trying to fit all his know ghost knowledge onto a whiteboard so Carlos can fill in the gaps in his knowledge. 
Over the years Willie has met a lot of lifers, has interacted with a handful at the HGC but he’s never met a family like the Molina’s. Who found out ghosts were real and instead of running, or trying to profit off of them, had just...welcomed them into the family. Arms wide and hearts open. 
And more than that, here was Carlos trying to get answers to questions that none of them really had an answer too. 
“Black room, yes or no?” Carlos asks, holding up a flash card and a clothes peg, ready to add it to the line of string stretching across the room. It was already littered with other cards in an order that Willie really didn’t understand but seemed to make perfect sense to the younger boy and Reggie. 
Not for me, or anyone I asked at the club, he scribbles down, turning to the board around. 
“Just like we thought,” he nods to himself, taking two steps to the left and reaching up to attach the card, “An anomaly.” he whispers it to himself and Willie has to bite his lip to stop from smiling before remembering that Carlos can’t actually see him. 
“Hey,” Alex’s voice from the doorway drags his gaze away from the lifer and the smile he’d been trying to stop spreads across his face, “How’s it going?”
“I don’t think we’re even half way through,” he chuckles, gesturing with one hand at the stack of flashcards and the charts he hasn’t even seen yet. “Do you understand this system?” 
The exasperated laugh that leaves Alex’s lips is answer enough before he’s even shaking his head, strands of blonde hair dipping into his eyes and Willie wants to reach to move away, “Not a clue. They’ve tried to explain it to us but it makes zero sense to anyone but them.”  
“Hey, Alex, stop distracting him, we’re working here!” Carlos’ voice makes him jump, head turning back to where he’s standing with his arms crossed and shaking his head in disappointment in the vague direction of where Alex is standing. 
“Wait, can he see you?” Willie frowns, mind trying to remember if he knew this or not. 
“No, he’s just really good at sensing us these days,” Alex sighs, but there’s a fond look in his eyes as he looks at Carlos, “He says it’s his ghost powers kicking in from how often he hangs out with Reggie and from all the failed teleportation experiments.” 
“The failed what now?” 
“Oh, you’ll find out. I think it’s section 7?” Alex grins, pushing off from where he’d been leaning against the doorway and waving.
Willie turns back to Carlos feeling a little more confused than he had minutes ago but also much more intrigued about teleportation experiments. And if he could help get some answers for any of the many questions Alex had, that was cool too.
//
Carlos Molina’s Guide to Ghosting. So you became a ghost, huh?
 (working title, subject to change)
By Carlos Molina, with special thanks to Reggie Peters and Willie Skateboard. 
1st Edition. 
Dedicated to Alex Mercer, so he can stop asking so many questions. We’re working on it buddy.
1. Tangibility 
They can walk through anything (except my sister now, reasons still unclear). 
Works especially well with walls, doors and locked vaults (see exhibit a) 
When they walk through people it “allows them to get a feel for the person” – Reggie Peters. “It’s weird” – Alex Mercer. No comment from Luke Patterson as he was too busy staring at Julie. 
2. Souls
Objects can be attached to their souls. 
Still unclear if it has to be an object that they were close to in life, or if they can attach their souls to any object once a ghost. 
Experiments with Reggie Peters are still ongoing. Updates will follow.
3. Being Seen
Can be seen by “lifers*” when they play music with Julie. 
This is the first rule which only applies to our ghosts. 
They can be heard when they play music without Julie. This is also unclear as to why, working theory is “Our music is just so awesome it transcends deaths!” – Luke Patterson.
Mr Willie Skateboard was quick to point out it’s “weird” and “ghosts aren’t supposed to be seen by lifers.”
4. Touching
Our ghosts can now touch Julie. The biggest change in their afterlife. 
Still no explanation for it. Experiments are ongoing (see exhibit b) 
Have witnessed Julie hugging the air many times only for Alex or Willie to appear. Same with hand holding. (see exhibit c for dads reaction) 
5. Magic
Some ghosts have powers and abilities. 
Willie* can control different types of technology. Appears to work best with cars. This we believe correlates with who a ghost dies. 
In our expedition to test his skills he skipped through 15 different radio stations of Tia’s car until he found one playing despacito. Test was a success. Tia does think her car is haunted now however.
6. ???
There was a dark room. 
All other ghosts interviewed had never heard of it before. 
All our ghosts agreed it was weird and creepy. 
We are choosing to pretend it didn’t happen. 
Working theory: a hole in time that they fell through. Must find a way to test.
7. Teleporting
part 1)
Ghosts can teleport wherever they want in the world. 
Only the most powerful can teleport a lifer with them (will keep attempting)
part b) 
Our ghosts can pinpoint Julie’s exact location wherever she may be in the world. 
Will be helpful if she is ever kidnapped, Julie however wishes they would stop using said power to find her in gym class.
“I already have find my friend activated” – Flynn had to say on the matter. 
part c) 
Julie can summon the boys to her if she concentrates hard enough. Came in handy when an evil magician tried to kidnap them.
Also possibly how they escaped the dark room, no way to prove or deny this as dad won’t let me eat a bad hotdog to become a ghost.
Working theory: magic of music and family 
See Exhibit d 
See Exhibit e  
548 notes · View notes
thebluesideofmyworld · 3 years ago
Text
A Good Guy - A Solangelo One-Shot
Summary: Will might be a lot of things. And among those things, Will would dare to say that he’s a good guy. But when it came to Nico di Angelo, would he ever be good enough, though?
Word count: 3900 words || Rating: Teenage and Up Audiences || Read on AO3
Notes:
1. Based on the song "good guys" by LANY 2. My contribution for @after-everything-pjo-zine project. Check out other fics (each fic is accompanied by great fanart so you just HAVE to check it out) in the zine here.
***
Will might be a lot of things. And among those things, Will would dare to say that he’s a good guy. And he would proudly say that it’s because his family raised him to be one. His Mama made sure that he never forgot to say please, sorry and thank you, and his grandma taught him to respect people. Even though Apollo wasn’t around to be an ideal father as Will was growing up in Tennessee, his grandpa showed him how to be a Southern gentleman.
So yeah, he might come across as a young man who with a sassy attitude. But heck, Will knew that he was a good guy. And he’s proud of that.
But here’s the thing. Here’s a thing about being a good guy. Being a good guy might sound like it’s a good thing to do. But being a good guy also sometimes meant that you’re almost as invisible as a wallflower. Because even though you’re good, there were always be better guys. And one thing that Will learned about being a good guy? Good guys never win.
***
“It’s been almost two weeks, you know,” Will said as he kept his eyes at the monthly medical report that he (pretended) to be reading.
“Two weeks since what?” Kayla asked, but didn't bother to pretend that she's actually interested.
“Since Nico went for that quest, remember? Something about Persephone’s parrot or something?” Will said, still trying to keep his eyes at the notes. Because he knew that Kayla might still see the worry in Will’s eyes. (Sometimes it’s almost scary, how his siblings knew him too well).
“Oh? Really? Has it been two weeks yet?”
“Almost,” Will said, decided to leave the detail that it’s actually has been 11 days and since Nico had left the camp early in the morning and now it was almost dinner, it’s been almost twelve freaking days since Nico left the camp for that stupid quest.
“I mean, of course, it might be nothing but well, I thought it was supposed to be a short, simple quest?” Will continued. “Usually if it’s just this small quest, it never took him this long before. Usually it would just be like, three days, five, at the most, and like, a week if he took a detour to impulsively do something unnecessary, but never this long.”
Will lifted his head and turned to look at Kayla, who didn’t seem to share the same worry as Will. Her eyes were still fixed on the glossy pictures of the magazine that she was looking at. A non-committal hum coming from her was the only sign that she was (kind of) listening.
Will tried to focus on the lines of writing in front of him, but the letters were all jumbled and he couldn’t make himself try to read anything. His mind was too busy thinking about different reasons and scenarios of why Nico wasn’t back yet from the quest.
“Do you think I should ask Chiron about it? Probably he’s heard from Nico, y’know. Like, maybe something came up and I don’t know, maybe Chiron knew or maybe even Rachel got a vision or something, or-“
“Or you could have just contacted me, Solace. Pretty sure that it doesn't hurt to try IM me”
Will stood up and spun to face the direction where the voice was coming from. He did it so fast, he got dizzy because of it. It took him two seconds before his eyes could fully focus on Nico di Angelo, who was staring at him. His face looked nonchalant, but his eyes glinted with amusement.
“Uh, hey,” Will greeted, gripping the desk as he suddenly needed to get a hold of himself. “You’re back.”
Nico gave him a single nod, brushing away some strands of hair from covering his eyes. “Yep. I just got back.” He shrugged his shoulders before continuing. “Thought I’d drop by here before I report to Chiron.”
Will tightened his grip on the desk, trying his best to hold himself from closing the distance between him and Nico just to pull Nico into his arms.
“And uh… What brings you here?”
The emotional part of him wished that he was the reason why Nico came straight to the infirmary after the quest. But the rational part of him shushed him. That damned rational part of him told him that hey, it was him who wanted to see Nico, not the other way around.
Nico kept his eyes at Will and there was something in those dark eyes that Will couldn’t really put his fingers on.
“I thought you wanted me to have a check-up every time I got back from a quest?”
Of course.
Will tried to ease the dull pain in his heart by giving Nico a small smile. “Yeah. Of course. Need to make sure that you won’t fade into the shadows again, huh?” Will let out a nervous chuckle. “I mean, I am your doctor, and a doctor only wants the best for his patients.”
This time Nico stayed silent as he nodded. Will gestured to a nearby cot with his chin.
“Now, if you could just sit down over there, please?”
Still saying nothing, Nico strode to the cot and quickly sat there. Will took a deep breath, mentally telling himself to be professional, and let it out in a long exhale. He made his way to where Nico was waiting for him.
The check-up was a regular one. And there was nothing new about how touching Nico made stupid butterflies do some stupid dancing in his stomach. He ached to ask Nico questions about what happened in the quest and why it took so long. He wanted to know whether Nico ever thought of him while he was on the quest the way Will kept on thinking about him while he was away. He wanted to listen to Nico talk to him, with that slight accent that made his voice so melodious, almost like he was singing.
But it would only scare Nico away.
So he kept his eyes at the board where he jotted down the notes about Nico’s vitals.
“So, uhm… This quest was a bit longer than usual, huh?” Will asked, almost proud of himself that his voice sounded normal.
Nico hummed as he put his jacket back on. “Yeah, we had an unexpected encounter with some empousai. Luckily, David is unexpectedly good at fighting.”
At the mention of the name, Will lifted his head up. “David? You mean the new camper? That Athena kid?”
Nico nodded. “Yeah. For someone who never held a sword before, I have to say that I’m impressed.”
A strange, nauseating heat flared inside Will’s stomach. “Really?”
“Yup. In fact, I promised to give him an extra lesson in sword-fighting tomorrow.”
That strange heat swirled even more inside Will. He stretched his lips into a lame attempt to smile at Nico.
“Oh,” Will said. “Nice.”
“In one way, he strangely reminded me of Percy, you know? The way he held his sword.” And Nico continued talking for a while about that stupid new guy. Will listened, humming every now and then just to show Nico that he’s listening.
Half of his mind wished that the harpies would find that David kid to be a nice target for their dinner. The other half of his mind scowled at him for having that kind of evil wish.
“Okay. Everything looks good. Just make sure that you drink enough water,” Will said as he wrote the date and signed his name on the bottom part of the report.
“So I can go now?”
Will nodded. “Yeah, you’re free to go now,” he answered as he walked back to his desk to put the record in the folder.
“And you’re not even offering to walk me back to my Cabin like a good Southern gentleman?”
Will spun on his heel quickly. He stared at Nico with wide eyes, thinking that he might have been hallucinating.
“What?”
Nico snorted and slid down from the cot. “Never mind. I need to report to Chiron first anyway.”
Will blinked, and it took him a full two seconds before he had his voice again.
“Nico-“
But Nico was already one step away from the door. He stopped and looked at Will over his shoulder. The left tip of his lips curled up, just slightly, forming a ghost of a smile. He gave a two-finger salute to Will.
“I’ll see you around, Solace.”
Not waiting for Will to answer him, Nico stepped away. And just like that, he’s out of sight.
Will stared at the open door. There is this hollowness inside his heart that he couldn't explain. Like he just missed a chance.
He always thought that he’s a good guy. Or at least, he’s trying to.
But would he ever be good enough, though?
***
“What are you doing here?”
Lou Ellen’s voice startled Will.
“Me? Uh…” Will scrambled to pick up the book that he just dropped and showed it to Lou, like he was trying to prove something. “I was reading!”
Lou Ellen stared at him with a glint of amusement in her eyes as she gave Will the Look. The ‘don’t-give-me-bullshit’ Look.
“What, am I not allowed to read in peace?” Will said, a bit defensively.
“Hey, it’s cool dude,” Lou said. “In fact, it was nice to see you somewhere else aside from the infirmary,” she added.
Will relaxed a bit, going back to lean his back on the tree.
“I can see why you choose this spot. It’s much quieter than the infirmary on your busy days,” Lou said.
Will hummed.  His eyes flickered to the far left, to the clearing a few yards away, just for a split second before he opened his book.
“And the view from here is also… decent.”
Lou Ellen’s tone made Will quickly look up again at the daughter of Hecate. She’s now grinning at him, like she just figured something out.
“How long have you been spying on those two?” Lou asked, gesturing with her chin to two demigods in the clearing who seemed to just finished sparring.
Will gaped at her. He blinked and quickly shook his head. “What? No! I’ve told you, I was reading here!”
But Lou Ellen didn’t seem to care about Will’s reaction as she waved at the demigods in the clearing.
“Hey, Nico! David!”
Will’s eyes widened in horror this time as he turned his head around, only to see that Nico and the new Athena kid walked towards them.
“Lou!” he hissed in annoyance.
Lou Ellen just gave him a teasing smirk. “What?”
Will groaned and quickly stood up, his book abandoned on the grass as he unconsciously ran a hand over his wild locks.
“Hey,” Nico greeted. “What’s up?”
Nothing’s up aside from his heartbeat, Will would like to answer. But of course, he kept it to himself as he tried his best to school his face into a relaxed, nonchalant, I’m-just-chilling-here expression.
“Nothing much,” Lou Ellen shrugged her shoulders. “You two are sparring together here? Why? Is the arena too mainstream for you?”
The new Athena kid gave a half-smile as he brushed off some hair from covering his eyes. “It was my request, actually,” he said. “I just want to have a...” he waved his right in a vague circular motion, like trying to find the exact word to say. “A more… realistic view when fighting a monster?”
That didn’t really make sense to Will. But it seemed to be an acceptable reason for Lou Ellen as she nodded at him.
“And has Nico been a good teacher for you?” Lou Ellen asked.
Will didn’t miss the way Lou gave him a quick glance.
David’s half-smile turned into a full one. “He is!” He turned his head to Nico and smiled at him, like he was pleased at Nico. “Thanks for teaching me, Nico. You are very good at sword-fighting.”
Nico returned David’s smile with one of his small smiles. A smile that could have filled Will’s chest with warm air. But since he’s not at the receiving end of that smile, it turned Will’s chest into lead instead.
“Anytime. It was a pleasure.”
“You will teach me more, yes? And ah… We also need to talk more. About football.”
This was the first time for Will to really listen to David talking, and he couldn’t help but notice how David’s voice had quite an accent. Especially when he pronounced football, the way he stretched some syllables.
Nico’s face lit up. “Yeah! We should! I know that Cecil played football! Right?” His eyes darted from Will to Lou Ellen, like asking for confirmation.
“Cecil? He does. I can take you to talk to him. Come on,” Lou Ellen quickly pulled the sleeve of David’s shirt and led him away from the other two demigods.
Will watched the backs of Lou Ellen and David who were walking away from them. He could feel nervousness starting to creep in on him as their voices slowly faded away, as he realized that he’s now alone with Nico.
Not that he hated to be with Nico. It’s just… this wasn’t his plan. He wasn’t prepared. And Will hated it when things didn’t go as he planned. He hated it when he was unprepared.
“David played football,” Nico said just when David and Lou Ellen disappeared from their sight.
Will angled his neck to look at Nico. “And when you said football, did you mean soccer?”
“I mean football,” Nico answered, turning on his heels a little so now he was facing Will. “The real football.”
Will snorted and slid down to sit on the grass. “They’re the same,” he said, leaning his back on the tree.
Nico followed Will, sitting on the grass. “It will always be football for me,” he said. There was a melancholic tone lacing his voice. And it made Will wonder, maybe it’s something that Nico used to play. In the streets in Venice, when he was just a kid who had no idea that Greek gods and goddesses were real.
“We, David and I, we were talking about playing here. I mean, it would be great, you know? David said he played midfield. I’m usually,” Nico paused, but quickly continued. “I mean, I used to play as a striker. If we can connect well, that would be really cool.”
Will closed his eyes while his stomach churned with a strange, unpleasant feeling. So, not only was this David kid good in sword-fighting, he’s good in soccer too?
“Do you play too? I mean, you can be the goal keeper. I guess you would be great. I mean, you’re tall and it would be a great asset for a goalkeeper.”
Will huffed. Stuck between the goalposts while watching Nico and David scoring goals? Yeah. No, thank you.
“We’ll see about that,” Will said, still with his eyes closed.
For a while, none of them said anything. Will opened his eyes when he heard Nico sighed. He turned his head, watching Nico stand up. Nico brushed his pants, and gave Will a small smile.
“I’ll see you around, Solace.”
Will wondered why that smile looked a bit strained, but returned it anyway. “Yeah. I’ll see you around.”
He watched as Nico walked away.
Someone would be a good guy for Nico, he thought. And even though Will was a good guy, maybe he just wasn’t good enough. So of course, someone would be a good guy for Nico. Someone else. Not Will.
***
Will didn’t even know why he was here, standing awkwardly near the table where the food and drinks were.
Oh, yes. Because Cecil and Lou Ellen practically dragged him here, to this stupid Halloween party organized by the Aphrodite Cabin.
It’s not that Will disliked Halloween. And it wasn’t like he hated Halloween parties either. What he didn’t like, was seeing Nico talking with David at the other corner of the room. Just looking at the sight made a strange, nauseating fire flame inside of him.
“Pining over di Angelo again?” Lou Ellen nudged him on his shoulder.
“Yeah. How long are you going to act like this Will? Playing it cool while we all know how you wish you’re the one talking to di Angelo instead of David?” Cecil joined Lou Ellen in interrogating Will.
Will only rolled his eyes. “I don’t know what you guys are talking about,” he mumbled, and took another sip of Coke from his cup. He tried to watch the campers who were dancing in the middle of the floor. Some kids from the Hermes cabin somehow got a hold of speakers. And of course, with a little help from the Hephaestus kids, the party had a cool sound system that was now playing pop music.
Lou Ellen sighed. Will stole another glance at where Nico was standing. David was leaning a little to whisper something at Nico. The proximity between those two made it a little bit harder for Will to breathe. He wondered what it was that David was telling Nico. But then Nico turned his head to Will. And no matter how cliché it might sound, Will’s heart skipped a beat when their eyes met. Will quickly looked down to the floor.
Next to him, Lou Ellen clicked her tongue.
“You know what? I can’t take this anymore. It’s been MONTHS. This has got to end tonight,” she said. Ignoring Will’s protest, she grabbed Will’s wrist and pulled him along with her, walking towards Nico and David.
A few seconds later, Will was standing with a flustered face in front of Nico and David.
“Hey, Nico, David! You guys enjoying the party?”
David gave that half-smile again. “Ah, yes. The party is nice.” He angled his neck just a bit so now he was looking right at Will. The half-smile subtly transformed into a knowing smirk. “And you? You… You are the healer, yes? Will?”
Will forced himself to smile politely at David. “Yeah. That’s me.”
David gave a single nod. “Nico talked a lot about you. A lot of good things.”
Will blinked. His eyes darted to Nico, but the raven-haired boy looked away from him. Still, his cheeks were a dark shade of red.
“Is that Cecil over there? I think I want to talk to him,” David suddenly said as he pointed at Cecil with his chin. “Lou Ellen? Come with me?”
Lou Ellen grinned as she nodded and made a 90-degree turn on her heels. “Yeah, come on, David. Let's leave these two idiots.”
And just like that, they left Will again, standing awkwardly less than two feet away from Nico.
“Uh… I didn’t expect to see you here,” Will said.
Nico turned his head at Will, an eyebrow slightly raised up. “Oh? I thought you were the one saying that I need to work on my social skill.”
Will gave Nico a small smile. “Yeah. So. Good to see you here, then. I mean, for your social skills and all.”
Nico stared at Will. And there was just something behind those dark eyes. Something that Will couldn’t put into words. Something that made him unable to look away.
“Aren’t you going to ask me to dance, Solace?”
The question got Will off-guard. Of all the questions in the world, it’s probably the most unexpected one.
“Huh?”
Nico held his eyes at Will’s for another second, but then he looked away. “Never mind,” he said, half-mumbling. His cheeks blushed again into dark cherry color.
“But… do you want to, though?”
Nico’s head turned back to Will. “Want to do what?”
“Dance? Do you…want to?”
Nico bit his lower lip and he looked down for a second. When he looked up back at Will, his charcoal eyes were soft.
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“On who’s asking me to.”
Will’s heart started to jump around in his chest.
“What if it’s me asking you?”
The eyes that were staring back at him were now smiling.
“Then I guess, it depends on the song, then.”
Will’s heart was probably doing some crazy somersaults right now, but his lips curled up without him even thinking about it.
“Well, it’s my favorite song that they’re playing right now. I hope it suits you?” he asked, carefully offering his hand.
Nico’s smile was as soft as the look in his eyes. And the moment their fingertips touched, Will’s heart soared high and suddenly his chest was filled with warm, light air.
As Will led Nico to the floor, he thought about how long he has been wanting to do this, to hold Nico’s hand in his.
They swayed along with the music. Nico’s left hand felt perfect in his right hand. Will’s left hand rested on Nico’s hip and Will couldn’t care less about the other people dancing around them.
“Your dancing is better than your singing,” Nico said, a playful smile on his lips.
Will chuckled. “My grandma said a real Southern gentleman must know how to dance. And I remember my Mama dancing with me when I was a kid.”
“Your Mam raised you well, I have to say.”
Will hummed. “I’m a good mama’s boy, I can promise you that.”
“I can see that, Will. Everyone can see that.”
“See what?”
“That you’re a good guy.”
This time Will held his eyes at Nico. “I try to be,” he said. “But… Would I ever be good enough for you?”
Nico huffed. “And you said I was the dense one.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean…” Nico stopped, but his feet kept on moving. He sighed. “Gods, do I really have to spell it out to you?” He asked, sounding exasperated as he looked away from Will.
Hope bloomed inside of Will and he grinned and oh, how he wanted to shout and laugh. He took his hand off Nico’s hip so he could gently cup Nico’s cheek, guiding him to face him back.
“Do you mean you like me?” Will asked.
“Well, do you like me?”
Will chuckled and he could feel a stupid smile creeping in. “Why do you even have to ask?”
Nico shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Because you’re nice to me but you’re also nice to everyone? Because you don’t seem to care even if I talk about someone else? Because you…” Nico stopped again and shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe because I just…don’t know?”
Will squeezed Nico’s hand just a bit tighter. “I was just… I was just afraid that I’m not good enough for you.”
Nico rolled his eyes. But his lips twitched, like he tried to hold back a smile.
“You’re a good guy, Will. You’re a good guy to everyone. But sometimes I hope that you can be my good guy.”
It’s like a thousand birds were singing inside of Will now as he felt like he was floating in this bubble of happiness.
“Then I’ll be yours, Death Boy.”
Will wrapped his arms around Nico, and pulled him into his embrace.
“I’ll be your good guy, then. I’ll be your everything.”
Nico pulled himself a little away from Will. He looked up at Will and the light in his eyes was like the most beautiful star in a dark night.
“Everything?”
“Everything. Anything you need.”
***
Additional Author's Notes: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it :). Reblogs, replies or any other feedbacks are much appreciated. Also please don't forget to check out the zine!!!
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helloalycia · 4 years ago
Text
girl next door [one] // wanda maximoff
summary: somebody new moves into the flat next to yours and you feel the need to introduce yourself, only to learn she's not very talkative
warning/s: none i don’t think??
author’s note: first part to a three-parter i’ve been working on, hope you like it! (also the masterlist needs to be updated so soz about that)
part two | part three | part four | part five |masterlist | wattpad
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Shopping bags in hand, I returned from the supermarket to my flat when I saw the usually-vacant flat next door to me in use. The front door was slightly ajar, with several moving boxes in front and the sound of someone moving about inside. Huh, so someone moved in. It had been vacant for half a year now – it was nice to finally have a neighbour!
I headed to my own flat, my nosey self taking a peek through the door to see if I could have an idea of who was moving in, but I couldn't see anyone, so I continued to go into my own place and unpack my groceries. After doing so, I decided to head next door and introduce myself, excited to meet someone new in the building.
The boxes from earlier were gone now, probably all inside, and the door was shut like I usually saw it. I sucked up a breath before knocking on, a friendly smile reserved on my lips for whoever would open.
It took a moment, but the door finally opened and revealed a brunette with bright hazel eyes and a mildly confused expression on her face. She seemed strangely familiar, but I couldn't quite pinpoint it.
"Hey! I just wanted to come 'round and introduce myself. I'm your new neighbour." I pointed to my door next to hers and added, "I saw you moving in earlier. I'm Y/N."
She pursed her lips, eyes glancing around subtly before looking me up and down. "Er, hi... I'm Wanda."
I detected a slight accent in her voice with the few words she spoke and became immediately intrigued since everyone in this building was usually the same old American. I didn't ask about it though, as I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable at our first meeting.
"Nice to meet you, Wanda," I returned with a smile. "I've been living here for a year now, so if you need a hand with anything or need pointers for where to get the best Chinese, I'm your girl." I paused, expecting some sort of reaction, but she didn't move a muscle. Swallowing awkwardly, I added, "Of course, if you just need a hand with unpacking or anything, I'm also happy to help."
She still didn't reply, and in fact, she looked a bit peeved with my presence which made me realise that maybe she just wasn't a talkative person.
I cleared my throat nervously before finishing with, "I'll, er, I'll leave you to it. Sorry to disturb you..."
I chewed on my lower lip as I avoided her piercing gaze and went back to my own place. Not everybody was interested in befriending their neighbours, I got that, so I respected her decision and decided not to bother her in the future. It didn't make me feel any less embarrassed at my intrusiveness though.
I didn't think much of it until the following morning when I was watering my plants out on the fire escape. My fire escape was joined with the neighbour's – the neighbour that usually didn't exist but was now Wanda. The brunette was stood there, drinking some coffee and staring out into the distance. I debated wishing her a good morning, but decided against it as I recalled her being quite introverted. Instead, I awkwardly watered the several plant pots I had, opting to stay quiet so I could be in and out without bugging her once more.
To my surprise, she spoke up and it took me a second to realise she was talking to me.
I held my watering jug upright as I glanced in her direction. She was already staring at me, deep set eyes darkened over the rim of her coffee cup.
"What's that?" I asked, not sure what she’d said.
She cleared her throat, eyes flickering to the plants to distract from her discomfort. "I'm sorry. For being strange yesterday. You were being warm and welcoming and I just..." She paused, releasing a shaky breath. "I've had a bad past few weeks. I didn't mean to take it out on you."
I definitely wasn't expecting that, then realised how many bad days I'd had and taken out on random strangers. I didn't blame her and instead felt bad for her – moving into a new place was supposed to be exciting, so I couldn't imagine what had ruined her past few weeks.
"Well, apology accepted," I said with a small smile. "And I hope things begin to look up for you soon, Wanda."
Her lips twitched into the tiniest of smiles and I noticed how different she looked when she wasn't down in the dumps – she was quite beautiful.
I finished watering my plants before giving her a final smile. I was about to head back inside, but I hung back curiously.
"Er, Wanda, if you don't mind me saying," I started randomly, "you seem familiar. We haven't met before, have we?"
She raised her eyebrows with surprise. "Oh, really? You don't kn–?" She tilted her head to the side, as if expecting me to understand, but I wasn't sure what she wanted. "I... I guess I just have one of those faces."
I studied her curiously, trying to figure it out. But nothing was coming to mind, so I hummed in agreement. "Yeah, I guess so... anyway, enjoy the rest of your day."
She nodded. "You, too."
The next time I saw Wanda was probably a week later, just after I collected my mail from the mailroom. I'd received one of those random free trial boxes for a subscription I must have accidentally signed up for – a box of different flavoured trail mixes – and felt bad throwing it out since it was still food at the end of the day. There were nuts in the mixes, which I was allergic to, so I decided to knock on Wanda's door and see if she wanted them.
I hadn't spoken to her since she moved in, except for the occasional good morning on the fire escape if we saw one another, so I hoped she was a little happier compared to when we last spoke properly. Maybe whatever had bothered her was resolved now.
When she opened the door, she seemed surprised that it was me, probably not expecting me to stop by again after last time.
I offered her a smile. "Hey, Wanda. I, er, hope this isn't a bad time."
She shook her head after recovering from her surprise. "No, no, it's not. Is everything okay?" She paused, glancing around, unprepared. "Do you want to come in or...?"
"It's okay, I'm good here," I said when I saw how uncomfortable she seemed. I wasn't just about to invite myself into her flat because she felt she needed to ask. "I just stopped by because, well, do you want this?" I handed her the box, adding, "I got a free sample in the post. Didn't wanna throw it out because it's food, y'know? And I'm allergic to nuts, so my throat will probably puff up and stop me from breathing which isn't good."
I laughed awkwardly, internally cringing at how I spoke utter nonsense because of her lack of her words and my stupid need to fill the silence.
"Unless you're allergic to nuts too," I added as an afterthought, when she glanced at the packaging with no readable expression. "In which case I should probably throw them right away and this whole thing is stupid."
After what felt like an eternity of me not shutting up, she lifted her gaze, eyes softening with a hint of amusement.
"I'm not allergic to nuts," she assured me, before nodding. "Thank you, Y/N."
I relaxed, not even realising how tense my shoulders were. "That's– that's good... so, how are you settling into your new place? All good, I hope?"
Subconsciously, I chewed on the inside of my mouth, wondering why I was so eager to speak to somebody who clearly didn't want to speak to me. She was so quiet, not a woman of many words, yet I couldn't help but feel responsible for welcoming her.
"It's nice," she said, glancing around thoughtfully. "It's quiet. Private."
I nodded in agreement, eyes falling to her doorframe as I said, "Yeah, that's true. Nothing eventful ever happens here."
She hummed, acknowledging my words. I figured the conversation had ran dry and I'd stayed a little too long, so I tried to think of a way to end it without her feeling forced to. Instead, she spoke up next.
"I like your garden."
I furrowed my brows, wondering what she was talking about.
"The flowers on our fire escape," she clarified, small smile tugging at her lips. "They're beautiful."
I stifled a laugh. "I mean, thanks, but it's barely a garden. I've always wanted a proper space to grow stuff, but obviously I can't have that here."
"Well, you've done a great job with what you have," she complimented, and I was sure it was the most she'd spoken to me since moving in. I suddenly didn't feel like she disliked my presence as much as I once thought.
"Thank you," I said gratefully. "Maybe you can start your own alongside mine some day."
"Maybe," she shrugged, "but probably not. Everything I touch–" She paused, life leaving her eyes momentarily, and head looking down to her shoes. "Everything I touch dies."
I pressed my lips together, not expecting the awkward silence to follow. Wanda seemed stuck in thought and I wasn't sure how I'd managed to bring the conversation down so suddenly, especially with the talk of flowers.
"The lovely thing about flowers," I began, earning her attention and hoping to brighten the mood, "is that they only require a little love, some sunlight and some water to keep going. They tend to take care of themselves. Perfect for even the blackest of thumbs."
She let out a breath through her nose, a half chuckle and half acknowledgment of my comment. It was the closest I'd get to a response, so I ran a hand through my hair and took a step back.
"Anyway, I'm glad you're settling in okay," I concluded with a kind smile. "Again, if you need anything, I'm just next door."
"Thank you," she said, returning the smile, and her eyes sparkled as she did. "Have a good afternoon, Y/N."
"You, too, Wanda."
The apartment complex I lived in rarely had people entering that I didn't recognise – I'd lived here long enough to know who was who, even the postwoman and maintenance guy. So, when I was leaving for the supermarket and saw a suspicious-looking man walking down the hall, eyes checking every door, I grew curious.
"You okay there, sir?" I called out to him after locking my front door.
He looked my way, readjusting his cap lower on his head, casting a shadow over his face. "Er, yeah..." He hesitated, glancing at his phone before looking to me again. "Actually, maybe you can help me. I'm looking for Wanda Maximoff's apartment. Do you know which one that is?"
I narrowed my eyes at the tall stranger. "I'm sure you can understand my concern when I ask who's asking."
"Oh, no, I completely understand," he said with a nod, and I could swear I had seen him before. "I'm an old friend of hers."
I quirked a brow. Strange man who claimed to a woman-who-lived-alone's friend? That had trouble written all over it. And from one woman to another, I was concerned, even if I didn’t know her very well.
"That's not saying much, sir," I said, biting back the annoyance. "I think that maybe you should–"
I stopped speaking when Wanda's door opened and she popped her head out. She looked to me before spotting the tall stranger, shoulders relaxing.
"I thought I heard you out here," she mumbled to the stranger, before stepping out fully and giving me a reassuring look. "It's okay, Y/N. I know him."
I nodded, glancing at the man, before meeting Wanda's eyes knowingly. "If you're sure..."
She seemed comfortable as she crossed her arms, hugging herself. Smiling reassuringly, she nodded. I relaxed when I saw she knew the suspicious stranger.
"In that case, sorry 'bout the interrogation," I apologised to her friend. "But, you gotta understand with the whole getup you have..."
Her friend chuckled deeply, looking to his shoes with amusement. "Yeah, sorry about that, ma'am. Didn't mean to worry you. It's nice to know Wanda here has thoughtful neighbours though."
"I'm twenty-two, not a ma'am," I said with amusement, before shaking my head. "Anyway, I should get going. Sorry again."
Wanda and her friend nodded as I left them; I was just glad it wasn't some creepy perv stalking our building – that had happened once.
I headed to the supermarket to do some shopping when I saw Wanda again, this time in the milk aisle. Well, she actually saw me, her trolley stopping before mine as she got my attention.
"Oh, Wanda, hey," I greeted her with a smile. "Fancy seeing you here."
She cracked a smile. "Yeah, well, I needed to pick up a few things. Milk, actually," she grabbed some from the fridge to prove her point, "when I saw you."
I nodded, before remembering earlier and feeling a little embarrassed. "Hey, er, sorry about before with your friend. I hope I didn't offend them or anything."
"No need to apologise," she said with a shake of her head. "It's actually very nice of you to have my back like that. I mean, we don't even know each other that well, but you watched out for me. I appreciate it."
"It's the bare minimum of a neighbour," I joked, before settling into genuine smile. "Besides, I'd like to think you'd do the same."
"Of course," she agreed, nodding slightly, before her eyes drifted to the fridge.
I noticed that every conversation we shared felt unfinished, like there was more to be said but neither of us had the guts to say it. Like now, for example, I wanted to check in and see if she was okay, but I felt like I was overstepping since, as she'd put it, we didn’t know each other very well. So, I changed the subject instead.
"So, just milk then?" I asked, nodding to her trolley which had a few bits and bobs in.
She was confused for a moment, zoning back into reality, before it registered in her mind and she answered, "Along with a few other things. And you?"
"Pretty much same," I said with a shrug.
Her eyes lingered in my trolley as she stifled a smile. "That looks like a lot more than a few things, Y/N." 
I almost laughed. "Technically, yeah, I guess..." I met her curious gaze, explaining, "I'm having a meal with my sister, her boyfriend and my boyfriend at my place tonight. Cooking a lamb roast." She raised her eyebrows with mild surprise, making me shrug dismissively. "It's not that big of a deal, but there's a lot to prepare and I like things to be perfect, so yeah."
She licked her lips and nodded. "It sounds great. Good luck, I guess. I'm sure it'll turn out wonderful."
"Fingers crossed."
She chuckled, glancing at her shoes, making her dark hair fall in front of her like a curtain. When she looked back up, I couldn't help but smile at how cute she looked.
"I'll leave you to it then," she said, before redirecting her trolley around me. "See you whenever."
"See you." I nodded as she walked past me, shoulder brushing mine and leaving me startled at the weird effect she had on me whenever we spoke.
It didn't last for long though, so I brushed it off and continued to do my shop. The evening couldn't come soon enough, and I soon found myself entertaining my boyfriend, my sister and her boyfriend at my dinner table.
"So I was cooking us a nice meal, as we planned, and she ended up having a go at me because of the mess I made afterwards," my boyfriend, Teddy, was explaining to my sister and her boyfriend, Caleb. "That's why I don't try to be romantic anymore."
I paused from sipping my water, looking over at Teddy with an are you serious? look on my face. Y/S/N and Caleb laughed at Teddy's story, but I wasn't as amused as they were.
"Aw, c'mon, babe, don't be pissed off again," Teddy pleaded teasingly from beside me. "It's a joke. I'm joking."
"But that's not how it happened," I corrected him, before looking to the couple before me. "What Teddy means to say is that I had just cleaned the kitchen and told him that when he cooks, he should try to clean as he goes along so it's easier, but of course, he drops cream everywhere and I had to clean it out of the crevices of the counter. All over again."
Y/S/N and Caleb laughed at my retelling of the story, and Teddy frowned playfully as he looked my way.
"And that's definitely not the reason you're not romantic," I said to him promisingly. "When was the last time you even got me flowers?"
He tried to take lead of the conversation again, straightening up and asking, "When was the last time you got me flowers? Feminism, Y/N. It goes both ways."
He was never usually this obnoxious and it was irking me. Y/S/N and Caleb assumed it was all a joke, so were laughing it off, but I was starting to get frustrated. How could he try and make me look terrible in front of my own family?
"I bought you flowers two weeks ago when you got your promotion, remember?" I answered him with a raised brow.
"Damn, she got you there, Ted," Caleb said like it was a burn.
I subtly clenched my jaw and distracted myself with sipping water. Teddy sighed and tried to wrap an arm around me, but I pulled away slightly.
"Oh, come on, you're not mad, are you? This is all in good faith, babe," he said lightly.
I downed my water and looked between them all. "I think I'm gonna get some air. You guys enjoy your drinks."
They all chorused their disagreements, but I couldn't be bothered dealing with them when they were tipsy and annoying, so I ignored them and headed to the fire escape for a breather.
When I reached the railing, I sighed immediately, feeling like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Until I heard a creaking noise and jumped with surprise before seeing Wanda sitting on her side of the fire escape, drink in hand.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," she said apologetically.
I breathed out, turning around and leaning my back against the railing so I could see her better. "It's okay, it's not you. I just– I forgot you could be there. Used to living without a neighbour. It's taking some getting used to."
I forced a small smile to reassure her, before looking down and taking small breaths of fresh air. Teddy could get under my skin at times, tonight being one of those times, and it was happening more and more lately. Why couldn't he just be less... annoying?
"Is everything okay?" Wanda asked, and I looked up fo see her green-gold eyes glowing in the dark under the moon light.
"Yeah," I said with a nod. I glanced inside, seeing my three guests laughing it up like I was still there. I collapsed on my chair and stared into the bustling city ahead. "Why wouldn't it be?"
Wanda hesitated. "Didn't you have that dinner tonight?"
I leaned in the palm of my hand, mumbling, "Yeah. It's still going on. I just needed some air."
Wanda must have sensed there was more to my words – it didn't take a genius to see that – but to my relief, she didn't push on. All she said was, "Oh, okay," and stayed quiet.
The two of us sat there, in a comfortable silence, staring into the city and revelling in the moon's presence. It was beautiful out, though not a single star could be seen because of the city's pollution. Instead, the moon hung high above our heads and conflicted with the many street and building lights of New York City, thriving even past dusk.
I probably could have stayed there all night, preferring Wanda's silent yet comfortable presence to whatever was waiting for me back inside. But to my dismay, I was called back in and sighed quietly to myself. 
"I should head back in," I excused myself, standing up to leave. But I lingered by the door, asking Wanda, "Have you eaten dinner yet?" She seemed puzzled with my question, and I continued speaking anyway. "I made a lot of food and have loads of leftovers I can't finish myself."
She seemed to understand what I was implying and shook her head. "That's okay, Y/N, thank you."
"Wanda, I insist," I said with a small smile. "It'll just go in the bin otherwise."
She was still reluctant. "Honestly, it's fine."
i wasn't taking no for an answer though. "I'll stop by in a bit to drop it off."
"Y/N, I–"
"See you then!" I exclaimed before heading back inside and leaving her no choice to deny it.
"There she is," Y/S/N called out to me when I returned. "You feel better?"
"Perfect," I said sarcastically.
She laughed. "C'mon, we're all sorry. Besides, Caleb and I have to go now, so we want to end on a good note."
Was I being too butt hurt? Probably.
"Right, sorry," I said, looking to them all, before saying, "Do you guys want any food to bring back with you?"
"You guys enjoy it," Caleb said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "It was delicious though, Y/N. Thanks for the lovely evening."
"Anytime," I said with a tired smile, before leading them to the door and looking to my sister. "Let me know when you're home, yeah?"
She hummed in agreement, before pulling me into a tight hug. "Love you, Y/N."
"Love you, too," I returned with a playful eye roll.
After bidding them a goodbye, I was left alone with Teddy, who was surprisingly washing the dishes.
"This your way of apologising?" I joked, stopping by the sink.
He glanced at me with apologetic eyes. "Depends. Is it working?"
As I met his brown eyes, I thought back to how frustrating he was acting earlier. He must have been acting out in front of guests for some reason, but he wasn't always like that. Maybe I was overreacting. 
"I'll let you know when you're done," I retorted, making him smile with amusement.
As he did that, I worked on filling some containers with leftover dinner for Wanda, being sure to include a generous amount of everything.
"Who's that for?" Teddy asked, noticing what I was doing.
"Wanda, my new neighbour."
"Never heard of her."
I gave him a knowing look. "Hence the word 'new'."'
He returned the stare. "What I mean is, I've never seen her around."
I shrugged, finishing packing the containers and stacking them to carry. "She prefers to keep to herself."
"What, like a weirdo?"
I rolled my eyes. "No, Teddy. She's just private. Introverted, if you will."
"Sounds like a weirdo to me..."
I chose to ignore him as I left the flat and headed to Wanda's. She opened up quicker than usual, probably since she was expecting me this time.
"Bon appétit," I joked, before holding out the takeaway containers. "It's lamb roast with veg, potatoes, some gravy and bread."
"You really didn't have to," she said, though accepted the food. When she glanced down at it, she added, "This is a lot for one person."
I couldn't help the smile on my face. "Enough for second's. You'll have to let me know if you like it. It's my best recipe."
She snickered, eyes meeting mine. "I'm sure it's delicious... do you want to come in?"
Stepping to the side, she looked to me with what I think was a hopeful expression. I felt bad when I smiled sadly, shaking my head.
"I'd love to, Wanda, but I've actually still got my boyfriend over and I can't really, y'know..."
"No worries," she was quick to reassure. "It's– no, it's okay, honestly. I just thought I'd ask."
It was the first time she'd ever asked and meant it, which meant she was finally getting comfortable with me. I would have preferred to go in, but I couldn't just leave Teddy, nor kick him out.
"Maybe we can hang out tomorrow?" I asked hopefully. "If you want, that is. Because I want to. But I don't want to just invite myself over."
She seemed amused as she nodded. "Tomorrow sounds great. Maybe I can make you dinner, as a thank you for this food."
I grew a little excited at spending a bit more time with the quiet, reserved brunette. "I'd like that."
She nodded, lips pursed into a suppressed smile, and glanced at the food in her hand. "Great. Well... have a good evening, Y/N. And thank you again for the food."
"Good evening," I returned, subconsciously memorising the rare smile she gave me, before leaving her to it.
When I returned to my flat, all I could think about was the next night and getting to know Wanda.
626 notes · View notes
spideyspeaches · 4 years ago
Text
Roller-coaster ↬ p.p
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gif’s not mine
A/N: My take on What if Peter was in Wandavision? But with a twist ;) Beta read by my wifey @stars-aligning​ 🥰🥰
Warnings: canon typical voilence? mentions of death. Also the timeline doesn’t really make sense, just pretend everyone is of the same age. OH and Wandavision spoilers :)
WC: 9k (longest one shot I’ve ever written 😭)
Pairing: Peter Parker x ex!Reader 
Masterlist || Taglist
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"Ben? What's wrong? Why are you looking at her like that?" 
"I- I don't. I don't know. She seems familiar." 
"Familiar? Familiar how?" 
"Like her and I don't belong here. Like we're from another world." 
Working with Tony Stark as his intern, then head of the R&D and now working in the labs as the head of the department felt surreal, a fresh breath of air every time he looked at his desk, with his name written on it. It had been Peter’s dream to meet Tony Stark, maybe work with him too.
And then he got bit by a radioactive spider, giving him super strength, super eyesight and apparently super luck too, because though he liked to think that he was working in SI due to his intelligence, the spider bite did play a role in becoming his mentor’s favourite intern, without which he might have not had a chance to meet him hands on.  
Tony kept reminding him that even if Peter had not been bit by the spider, he would have still secured a high position in Stark Industries, with his disarming intelligence that rivaled Tony’s own and charmingly trippy personality. 
Peter begged to differ. But then again, he wasn’t one to look a gift horse in it’s mouth. Ever since he was a bushy haired, rosy cheeked jittery teenager, he had always worshiped the ground Tony walked on. 
Peter remembers the day he got an anonymous letter, which turned out to be SHIELD's handiwork, asking him to join them in their base in New York, even if he insisted that he wasn't interested in being a superspy wannabe. He was skeptical at first, why would the most paranoid of paranoid agents send him a letter in mail? Him, twenty three years old Peter Parker, who lives in a shitty one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn with termite issues and smokes weed like the government is going to ban tobacco and is barely able to take care of himself with the overload of work. 
Maybe it was just his Parker luck, or the fact that he was a freelance vigilante who looked after New York in a skintight spandex suit, because the safety of the people was apparently second in priority to the government. They'd rather have people die than have an illegal protector. 
Yeah so Peter was salty, and what about It?
Slinging his satchel higher, he saw the sleek black car in confusion, trying to get a look at the number plate before the lift binged on arrival, walking into the open door. He swore he was either hallucinating or in midst of an intense flashback of the events that lead to what people dubbed as the 'Civil War', back to when he had been shaken out of his mind watching Tony Stark eat his aunt’s homemade walnut date loaf that had more salt than sugar.
His thoughts were put to a halt when he entered his and his aunt's old apartment in Queen’s after a long week of Spidey on mission and nearly getting (illegally) fired, footsteps coming to a pit stop. It's not like it's everyday you come face to face with Agent Coulson, Nick Fury and your ex not- really- girlfriend, somehow all in one day all together. 
"So… um. What are you- What are you guys doing here again?" he asked, folding his hands on his chest defensively, leaning into his aunt's side as he whispered, "how long have they been sitting here?" from the corner of his mouth.
Fury raised a non-existent eyebrow, looking at him with a dagger for eye, making Peter shift nervously. Agent Coulson looked uncomfortable and You, You looked strangely in your element, sitting on the couch with one leg over the other, a neutral expression on your face. 
Back when he was still in high school, when he'd first met you, he used to be in awe of how outgoing you were, seemingly adjusting in whichever situation you were thrown in. You had always accommodated to your surroundings, but with a start he realised that he had never seen you so… You in a while. 
Not during your visit to the Avengers tower, not during the first time you came into his bedroom, all alone. Not when he had seen you take down a mugger on your way home from your first date without even as much as batting an eye.
"They were here ten minutes or so before you came home. It's creepy, as if they knew you were visiting," May answered with a whisper, wearily eyeballing them before moving towards the kitchen, leaving Peter unattended to Your and Fury's piercing gazes. 
"I'm sure they know my monthly schedule before I do," Peter said, turning to look at the aforementioned agents. "So... you like, work for SHIELD, too?" He asked, wringing his hands to abate the tension in them. 
"Yes, she does, but that's not what we're here for, Mister Parker," Fury said in his gruff voice, sitting back with a sauve expression. Peter gulped as Agent Coulson looked him in the eye, finally noticing the thin file he held in his hands. 
"Well what are you here for?" Peter asked, mustering up some confidence as he tried not to look at You or the eye that Fury had that wasn’t covered by the patch.
"We need you to come to Westview, New Jersey with us," You said, a final no nonsense undertone in your voice. He shuddered when he heard you, remembering how soft and sweet you used to be. But that was before you disappeared out of nowhere, and apparently that nowhere was with SHIELD. 
"Me as in Peter Parker or Spider-Man?" he asked, looking behind his shoulder to make sure May wasn't listening. It's not like she didn't know about his… nightly whereabouts, he just wasn't comfortable with making her worry. She already had too much to deal with, with the nephew by day and vigilante by night thing he had going on.
It was also a little concerning that the three in front of him knew that he was visiting her today. He wondered if his apartment was bugged (well, more than the daily roaches and ants) or if SHIELD had been keeping an eye on him after he had denied their offer, instead opting to stay in SI.
It was probably the second one, although the first one was entirely a possibility. He was going to need to talk with Mister Stark about debugging his shitty one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. 
"We need Peter Parker and his tech skills for this one," Fury said, before shoving the file in Peter's hands and crossing his own, “and my offer still stands.”
"For the last time, I'm not joining your little murderous boy band," Peter grumbled, scrunching his eyebrows as he looked at your twitching lips, as if holding in laughter. "I'm perfectly content with working with Dr. Connors in his little laboratory in SI." 
Fury didn’t look convinced and opened his mouth to probably threaten Peter, when Aunt May came in with a tray of cookies. They smelled amazing, too good to be made by her, she probably brought them from Delmer’s.
“Oh- Were you…? I just thought you guys might want to eat something,” She said awkwardly, looking at Peter with pleading eyes.
“That’s very thoughtful of you, May! I would love to eat some of those, I’m famished,” You butt in, taking the tray from her with a smile.
“Um, May, you can um- you know?” Peter gestured, shifting on his legs, hoping that May would get the message before she stood for a minute too long. He didn’t like the way Nick Fury’s eye was looking at him, his tranquilizer gun suddenly visible from his leather jacket.
“Don’t be rude Pete, here May, I’ll help you get that.” You smiled, winking at him and dragging May by her arm, who was mouthing “she’s such a sweetheart” behind her shoulders. 
"What if I told you that his man accidently got evicted due to some legal issues? And that now you're legally unemployed with severe financial issues that need to be looked after because the government suspects something illegal brewing?" Fury continued, looking him dead in the eye.
"Are you seriously blackmailing me? Threatening to unemploy me after all that shit you put me through with Mysterio?" Peter defended, raising a disbelieving eyebrow, watching you strutt back into the room, distracted by the sway of your hips in your mom jeans. He tried to shake the image, rolling his head to crack some tension that had built at the base of his skull.
"Mysterio was a mistake, Parker. This one is not; and we really need you for this one. Besides, remember that you're still a vigilante that hasn't signed the Accords of Sokovia." 
Peter stiffened that the mention of the Accords. He thought the government was over it after the second amendment after the arrest of Thaddeus Ross, but apparently not.
"You said that last time and I almost died! My ex-girlfriend almost died, my best friend nearly died, heck half of Europe almost died because you Director Fury, apparently trust some superhero wannabe in a green and purple costume and overlook facts that could potentially harm someone. So the answer is clearly no!" he retorted, flopping the file on the table as he resisted the urge to sit on the floor flat on his back. 
The three agents were looking at him with an unreadable expression, making him uncomfortable in his skin. 
"Well, it's all up to you then." His voice had a finality to it, one that irked him to no end.
"Do I have a choice?" He sighed after a beat, looking at the three of you with a forlorn expression. 
"Get your equipment ready, Mr. Parker. We'll be leaving for the camp tonight. You can read the details in this file." He heard Agent Coulson say (he was pretty sure his name was Phil), trying to make sense of how fast everything was going past the chronic tinnitus in his ears.
"It's Dr. Peter Parker," he muttered fruitlessly, blushing under your raised eyebrow. 
***
"So, I didn't know you got a PhD. I knew you were smart, still are, considering that you're a PhD at twenty two," You said, sipping on your virgin mojito, and placing the mug in front of you. 
Peter had taken you to a cafe after the confrontation, wanting to know more about your whereabouts and how he had not noticed that you were a superspy all of his high school years. You had retorted with a simple "I'm a spy, that's why,” which he found pretty badass.
"Well, yeah, I did my undergraduate and PhD together." He shrugged casually, looking out of the window to avoid looking at you. 
You had always been beautiful, but somehow, you had become even more beautiful than the last time Peter saw you. 
"That sounds brutal. Only you can manage that," You joked. You weren't going to admit it, but you had missed being with Peter, joking with him and watching his beautiful side profile as he blushed under your scrutinizing gaze.
"So, um. This thing, what is it about?" Peter asked, snapping you out of your daze. 
"Huh? Oh it's a long story. Like really long, if this was a TV show it would take five episodes for me to explain." You gestured, dismissing his scowl. "Okay, so you remember that time when that super high security facility was broken in back in december 2019?" 
"Which super high facility? There are a lot of break ins happening in high security facilities in America, and it's more than concerning, considering they're supposed to be super high security." He said, fiddling with his own drink. 
"Okay, Yeah that's true. It was a S.W.O.R.D facility, and long story short, Wanda Maximoff kidnapped her corpse husband to reenact the dad-knows-best suburban lifestyle with an entire town held as her hostage." You said, looking over your shoulders to make sure no one was listening. 
"Wanda stole Vision's corpse? Wait, is this about Westview? 'The Town that ceased to exist'? Is that what happened? Is this some sort of mind control thing? Cause I know she can make people believe what she wants them to..." Peter whispered, leaning in to show that he was interested. You took a moment to admire his front profile, his broken nose and dimpled chin, rosy lips and sharp cheekbones, accidently zoning out on his theories.
Leaning forward, you brought a hand up his face, pushing a stray curl behind his ears, cutting him short of his rambling. 
"W-what?" He stuttered, his breath hitching, making the table shake with a wince. 
"You have nice hair." You commented with a smirk, caressing his hair one more time. 
"You said that in the senior's party too, and well, there's no sex happening anytime soon." He said, rolling his eyes, sitting back in his hair with his hands folded on his chest.
"I like being optimistic." You rolled your own eyes, heart beating a mile a minute at the reminder of your relationship- ex relationship with Peter, "so what were you saying about Westview? I kind of zoned out." 
You watched him roll his eyes again, trying not to let your eyes wander around his biceps and the little bit of his collarbones peeking from his shirt, unbuttoned from the top, also exposing the thin chain that he always seems to be wearing. With a start you realised that it was the one you had gifted him on his eighteenth birthday.
"So this town, Westview, it just disappeared right? Behind a barrier of sorts? Is it like, coming from an energy source? Was it created by Wanda?  " he asked, ever his inquisitive self.
"Yeah, apparently she's created an alternate reality, sitcom style, with the people of Westview trapped in it." 
"So she's basically starring in a fanfiction alternate reality of sorts but a sitcom format? Wouldn't blame her, poor woman's been through a lot." He nodded, shifting in his seat. He could feel your eyes burning a hole in his skull, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. "Are you staying in a hotel? Or a shield facility?" 
"Nope," You answered, leaning back on your chair. "Am I still allowed to stay in your room? With the doors open?"
He watched you with narrowed eyes, tilting his head with a smirk, replying to you with a nod, "alright." 
*** 
"Did you pack your mittens? The extra warm ones with a built in heater? You know you're susceptible to frost bites-" 
"May! I packed my mittens." Peter murmured, ducking his head in embarrassment as he raised an eyebrow at your amused smile. 
"Okay, okay, that's great. Socks? Painkillers? Extra pair of glasses?" she asked, fumbling around the room like she did whenever he went on field trips. 
"Yes, May!" 
"Great. Stay safe, okay?" Her eyes softened, holding his cheeks in his hand like he was a seven year old, living with them with a knowledge of death no seven year old should have. Sighing, he leant into her palm, holding his own hand encompassing her small one. Giving her a smile, he kissed her cheek. “Ti amo, May. I’ll call you once I get there, okay?” 
She nodded, pulling him into her embrace, though she knew full well that he’s going to forget to call her, too excited to be in the vicinity of multiple certified geniuses and other figures of authority. 
***
"Is there anything I should know about? Like anything unexpected?" Peter asked, looking at the camp in awe as the jeep pulled over makeshift gates, a bunch of soldiers surrounding them. 
Peter was used to seeing the hustle and bustle of camps, considering all the missions he had gone through with the Avengers, back when Steve wasn’t retired and the newer generation of avengers hadn’t entered. 
“Your blood’s radioactive, right?” You asked, turning to face him with a smile. 
“Yeah. Why? Is that relevant?” he replied, raising an eyebrow as he saw someone carrying his bags before he could protest. 
“Well, Dr. Lewis found out about this hexagonal anomaly, no one really knows what it is, but the source seems to be emitting huge amounts of radiations,” You said, getting off the jeep, pulling Peter out with you. Walking towards the crowded camp, you came face to face with the tent where everything was set up.
“Doctor Darcy Lewis?” Peter said, looking at the place in awe. It wasn’t extravagant, but the technology surrounding the tent, the vans and what seemed to be a broadcasting antenna were all way beyond the regular one used in tech companies, which is funny, considering he’s been working with Mr. Stark his whole teenage life. 
“Yup, that’s her, nerd.”
“So, what exactly is this Hexagon? Is it, like, a barrier of sorts? Can everyone go in?” He asked, looking around with glinting eyes, lips twitching in a smirk as he saw the barrier in question. His super hearing caught the static sound it emitted, wincing at the sharp noises. His boots crunched under the snow as he felt the thing pull him towards it, your voice muffled by the noises of the hex. 
It was something he had never seen before, like the static of a TV with a lost signal, glowing red in places as if reaching out to him. His senses seemed dull, the world greying around the way it had before he was bit by the radioactive spider. The spider bite had enhanced his vision in a way that he saw colours not visible to the human eye, a technicolour wonder that even Bruce couldn’t solve. 
He felt a tug, looking down at his shoes, wondering if he had just imagined it. 
“Mom and dad have been, not fighting, just like different.”
He swore he felt a white light flash in front of him, his spidey sense buzzing at the base of his skull, tingling all the way to his spine as he straightened up to dissipate the feeling, shifting awkwardly.
“Only Captain Rambeau has gone in and come back intact so far. It’s emitting a colossal amount of cosmic microwave background radiation, also known as CMBR, and once you get into it, your mind doesn’t really stay your own, so no one has volunteered other than her. Everyone knows the risk,” You said, startling him, a sharp contrast to the voices that seemed to have suddenly accumulated in his brain. 
“If you’re going to break the sound barrier, please just take your brother with you!”  
‘Sound barrier?’ he thought, looking back at the hex as it flashed red, the tug strong enough to make him stumble in his place. You looked at him weirdly, asking if he was okay, but he wasn’t listening, turning to ask you what the red flash meant, distortion evident in the barrier.
“Captain Rambeau? The daughter of the director of SWORD?” he asked instead. 
“Yeah, that’s her.”
“Damn.” He sighed, running a gloved hand through his hair, and dragging it down his face. 
Walking inside the tent, Peter was hit with a face full of cold air, and the hundreds of monitors nearly gave him a sensory overload. The people running around didn’t help, either. “Where do I keep this?” He asked, pointing to his bag full of equipment that Fury had asked for. 
“You can set up over here, newbie,” A new voice said chirpily. Turning around, he came face to face with the Darcy Lewis, eyes widening as he took in her smiley presence, another human who he didn't recognise standing behind her. “Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself! I’m Doctor D-”
“Darcy Lewis, I know- I’m a fan!” 
“Aw look at you, you have a fanboy at your hand,” Captain Monica Rambeau said, strutting in and keeping a hand on her shoulder, confidence radiating off of her every pore. 
"And… You are?" he asked awkwardly, looking pointedly at the FBI agent. He saw Darcy hide a snicker behind her hand, patting his shoulder and shoving him forward. 
The man fell forward, steadying himself on the table before he flicked a card seemingly out of nowhere. "Agent Jimmy Woo, FBI,” he said proudly, a smile on his cute little baby face. Peter was left staring in awe, wondering how he had done that.
"Wait, can you do that again? How did you do that?!" 
"It's cool, isn't it? I could teach you if you want." 
"Yes, of course, but how did you do it? It appeared out of nowhere and if you take in consideration the law of conservation of mass, it can neither be created nor be destroyed and it just seemed to have accumulated-" 
"It's a trick of illusion. You see, when I opened my palms, I-" 
"Peter, let's set things up shall we?" You interrupted their session, a smirk on yours and the other women's faces, shaking your head.
Ditching the bag on the counter, he nodded, willing his heart to stop beating out of his chest. This was the coolest thing that had ever happened to him next to Tony Stark sitting on his aunt’s old futon. And the magic trick.
“This is the coolest day of my life,” he whispered, shrugging when you chuckled at his excitement. “Ned’s going to freak out.” 
“Wait until you see the schematics and control panels.” You smirked, making him raise an eyebrow as he blushed, the flush apparent from his neck to his ear. The others scattered just as he finished setting his station up, fidgeting with the radio, when the voice of Hayward boomed across the cubicle. 
“Ah, Mister Parker!” he says, a faux smile on his face as he looks at the station, making Peter shift uncomfortably. The weird tingling of his spidey-sense came up again, his hand automatically reaching there to scratch at the itch.
“Here we go again,” Darcy muttered, patting Peter’s back, her eye roll loud enough for him to glance at her. 
“It- It’s doctor,” he muttered, hearing a “he gets me” from Darcy.
“Very well, Doctor Parker it is, then. I’m Hayward, welcome to SWORD.”
“SWORD? I thought this was a SHIELD thing?” 
“...Fury didn’t brief you?”
“He did! He was just very vague, hence why I’m asking. What exactly have I been called here for?”
The silence that took over was palpable, with you shifting awkwardly as Hayward eyeballed them all, looking at the five of them morosely before saying, “Brief him Monica,” and leaving.
“God, is every higher official such a dick here?” Peter grumbled, watching him retreat, shaking his head as he threw the ball of paper he hadn’t noticed he had been fidgeting with.
“See? He agrees, I like him.” Darcy nodded, pulling him with her towards the briefing table. 
“This all started when the town of Westview disappeared after the second blip,” Monica said, pulling up holographs that showed the image of people reappearing from the snap, his breathing increasing in pace as he remembered vaguely of his own reappearance. 
The whole situation was fucked up. After stealing Vision’s corpse, Wanda had basically resurrected him, holding and controlling thousands of people, an entire fucking town. Looking at the list of all the missing people, his eyes zeroed on to one particular face. He racked his memory to remember who exactly it was, mouth hanging open when he realised who exactly she was.
“Is that… is that Agatha Harkness?” Peter said, pointing at the woman who had no name written under her photograph.
“You know her real name?” Darcy asked, looking at him with raised eyebrows as he nodded, wringing his hands around.
“Yeah, Wanda told me about her, she’s the witch from the Salem trials!”
“How is she significant to the plot, though?”
“She... she mentored Wanda, before she went to the dark side." 
In the time he knew Wanda, she had been the sweetest person ever. She was like an older sister he didn’t know he needed, empathising with him on a cosmic level. They had come close before the events of Thanos happened. She was his person, and they shared a lot of secrets, this one being one of them.
“That’s one connection to her. What about the others? She keeps telling Vision that she doesn’t know what’s happening, but when the drone strike happened, she looked straight at the camera, like she knew,” Monica intervened.
“He tried to deploy a drone strike? In front of her children, after knowing very well that she saw her parents die in the Sokovian attack when she was ten? Is he fucking insane?!” Peter seethed, nearly crashing his fist on the table hard enough for cracks to appear on it. 
“Peter, hey, calm down! You breaking things is not going to make the situation any better, okay? He already tried to chuck us out of this, you don’t go around breaking things now!” You said, holding him still as his body shook. You had never seen him this angry, and frankly, you would never want to see it again. 
Peter was a sweet person, respecting people’s boundaries and always so understanding. He was the embodiment of good, even after living a fucked up life, he never projected his trauma on the other. He wore his emotions on his sleeves, and your heart clenched every single time, seeing him in pain. 
"Listen, that's my sister in there, and she has no idea what she's doing. She needs our help and I'll do anything to help that woman and if you guys even think of hurting her I will make sure each of you regret it," Peter hissed, staring daggers at the silent team members of the room. 
“Is there any way to reach there?” he asked, more softly than before. Darcy exchanged a look with Agent Woo and Monica, opening her mouth before knowing better and shutting it. “What?! Is there a way to communicate with her?”
“Follow us,” the brown woman said, breathing deeply as she looked at the other two silently. 
"Where are we going?" Peter asked, fidgeting with your fingers. He hadn't noticed himself holding your hands, your lips twitching when you realised he had done that unconsciously.
“Trust me, I don’t know half the things these ladies do,” Woo whispered, and Peter nodded along seriously. 
“Whoa, I feel like there’s a secret underground base here! Is there a secret underground base?” 
“Well, it’s not underground, and not really a secret anymore,” Captain Rambeau said, unravelling a curtain, revealing a small space with a million monitors and a wooden desk littered with laptops and too many empty coffee cups. 
“This is so cool,” You whispered, watching in awe as Dracy lit up the screens, revealing various codes and stuff you didn’t really understand. Peter was already invested, babbling about codes and addresses and hidden files within hidden files, things that flew over your head at the speed of Darcy’s fingers on the keypad.
Leaning on the table with one hand, Your eye caught a flat round metal looking thing on the ground, picking it up and tracing it with your fingers. “Is this… a bullet?!” 
“Yeah, it was hit on that suit, which turns out to be 87% kevlar. That happened when Captain shot at it,” Jimmy answered, giving you a smile as you dropped your jaw. 
“She went in wearing a bulletproof vest right? Wanda just… manifested a dress made of kevlar?” You wondered, your words interrupted by Peter’s yelp.
“So, remember how Director Douchebag ordered a drone strike on Wanda?” she said, contemplating her words next as everyone turned towards her. “Turns out he’s been planning something else.” 
“What’s that?” Jimmy asked, pointing at the screen, which displayed two boxes full of what seemed like cells.
“That’s Monica’s blood work, he’s been tracking it the whole time. The first time you travelled to the hex? It changed your cellular structure on a molecular level, twice.” She said. 
A sombre expression took over the older woman’s face, pursing her lips. “He thinks I’m gaining powers.” Monica nodded.
“I may not be a genetic engineer, but from what I’m seeing here, he’s most likely right,” Peter interrupted, a silence taking over everyone. “He’s keeping track of the enhanced, if I’m not wrong.” 
Shaking his head, he clenched his eyes when he heard another voice. You watched him weirdly, reaching to ask him if he was okay, before retracting your hand.
“Chill out sis, it’s not like you can kill your dead husband twice.” 
“You’re right. He’s been tracking everyone who’s enhanced, including Vision.” Dracy said, typing something on the screen to show you the map of Westview, pulsing red and blue dots appearing in your sight.
“Do you know what his endgame is?”
“Yeah. Rebooting Vision.” 
Peter inhaled sharply, trying not to let his face show the anger inside him as he looked at Monica with wide eyes, both of them looking at each other dangerously, both of them realising same thing.
“Then, I’m going in. Someone needs to tell her,” he said, looking at the others for affirmation.
You took a step back, gulping in anticipation of his words. Reaching out with a hand, you stared at him, hoping he wouldn't lash out. "Peter, you have to know, the hex is a dangerous place. You won't even remember who you are so there’s no point in you going in. You won’t be able to convince her to magically leave her hostages, she’ll just see you as an outsider and throw you out-" 
"Captain Rambeau went in and she was able to get out!" he argued.
"Peter, I was tossed out because she saw me as a threat. She might not do that to you but going in that thing is dangerous, especially with your mutations-" 
"I don't give a fuck about my mutation! You of all people should know how it feels like to lose family, Monica," Peter said, looking at her. The fire in his eyes spoke volumes. No one dared to intervene. 
"Peter, your mutation could potentially kill you. You know the risks of going past the barrier due to your enhancements. The radiations are altering DNA to a molecular level, your cells-”
"-are already metastasizing! My spider DNA is going to get me killed some day because my body won’t be able to handle it anymore, so I don't care, I'm going and that's final." He nodded, puffing his chest to show that he wasn't going to step down. 
"Fine, I'll come with you then," You said, looking at him as you said that. A lump formed in your throat as you realised that he was so willing to sacrifice himself, and blood pumped in your veins as determination set in along with a rush of adrenaline. 
"Do as you please." He shrugged, pursing his lips, but his eyes were a different story. You felt sick, insides tearing themselves up as you took a good look at him and his pallor, the artificial lights illuminating the scar tissues on his face. Ones that you knew were inflicted by his years of being the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. 
***
“Maximoff is never gonna negotiate with us,” Hayward said, circling the table as Monica looked at him with disbelief in her expression. “We’ll need all the guns we have here to stop her.”
“We can’t outgun her, but what we can do is try and talk her out of this. Antagonising her is only making things worse. If Wanda is the problem, she has to be our solution!” Monica argued, looking forward.  
“She’s already killed thousands during the Sokovian attack. How do you guarantee that she won’t kill another person she finds threatening?!”
“She was guilty about it. It wasn’t her fault, do not bring that into this.” 
“Yeah? Well, the guilt isn’t going to bring back the dead children is it?” 
"The dead children aren't coming back, but those people trapped in Westview? They can, if you fucking let us!" 
"Fine. But someone will be monitoring you."
Negotiations with your boss and commanding team of SWORD concerning the ship was a tough feat. you had finally convinced them to let you and Peter go across the border, but Darcy and Monica were to be on the radio in case everything went amiss.
Sitting in the (illegally acquired) van, you watched Jimmy, who was trying to teach Peter the card trick, invested in the trick yourself. Leaning forward to get a better view, you tried not to let the rush of blood in your cheeks get to you at the close proximity with Peter, heart pounding with every step you took closer to the hex. 
“I did it! I finally did it, Y/N, look!” Peter said, showing you the trick, smiling at his childlike enthusiasm. 
“That’s great! You should show it to Morgan, she’ll like it.” 
“How do you know about Morgan?”
“I know everything.”
You may have been bluffing, but he seemed to have caught on your cue, the awkward tension reappearing as he shifted in his seat, twisting and turning and going back to the magic trick. You tried not to smile, but your mouth never did coordinate with your brain. 
“We’re here,” the driver said, parking the van. 
“Okay let’s go through this again: Captain Rambeau and Dr. Lewis will be on the radio while you try and get in, stay near a radio as much as you can so we can try and communicate, and do not try to meddle with Wanda,” Jimmy said, going over your checklist. 
You were skeptical of the plan, thinking about how successful your mission was going to be, considering how powerful she had become in her own little sitcom. You had heard of her expanding the borders just after you had started driving near it. 
“You ready?” Peter asked, taking your hand as you nodded, and wrapped your fingers around his knuckles, before taking a deep breath.
“I’m ready.” You nodded, looking over your shoulders to see the FBI agent giving you a thumbs up, muttering something into the comms. Looking back at Peter, you felt dizzy with the buzzing anxiety, the pull of the barrier strong. 
Stepping close to it, you felt electricity buzz in your veins, shuddering at the chilling sensation and sudden exposure to stimuli, your gut twisting the more your hand went in the hexagonal anomaly. You swore you felt your physical being tear apart, your life flashing in front of you in a white hot light, your brain was practically mush with how much force you needed just to get in. 
"I thought we would be able to get in easily!" Peter shouts, his screams echoing in your eardrums, mixed with your own screams. 
"She's becoming more powerful the longer she stays inside, and so is the hex," You replied, gasping for a breath as you tried to move forward.
With a final scream, you closed your eyes at the static sound bombarded your ears, you couldn't fathom how loud it must be for Peter, sending a look towards him. His eyes were scrunched, hands curled around his head and ears to stop the sound. Before you could comment on his state, your own vision doubled, bright green and magenta lights appearing out of nowhere, the coiling of your gut intensifying, and before you knew it, the strong force pulled you inside, throwing you off on the hard concrete of the road, and everything went dark.
***
“I’m okay. I’m okay. Everything is alright,”  Wanda said, repeating the phrase like a mantra as she sat on the couch. 
She repeated the phrase like clockwork, just like being a mom to two half synthezoid pre-teens and the gatekeeper of Westview. Snapping out of her daze, she felt something in her brain stir, realising with a start that something had been messing with the barrier-- or, rather, someone.
Closing her eyes, she willed her powers, similar to the ones Tommy had, to look past the barrier, opening her eyes with a flash when she saw a familiar face.
“Peter,” she muttered, the brown eyed boy who she had come to think of as a brother materialising in front of her, dropping on the carpet with a thud as his unconscious form fell on top of Yours. Wanda remembered you from all the stories Peter had told her about. 
Crouching down, she reached out to touch you both. Her eyes glowing red as she held a finger to your and his forehead, scrunching her eyelids as she navigated both of your heads.
A lonely young girl was seen sitting on a rock, the wind blowing wisps of her dark hair along with her dress. Suddenly, the noise of clucking of horseshoes could be heard, a woman coming into view as she got off her horse. 
“Feeling lonely and afraid at the middle of the night when you’re a young and beautiful teenage girl?” the woman in the cowgirl shoes said, holding her hip as the girl nodded. “Well, don’t worry, every young girl must have a sword at her disposal!” 
“A sword?” the young girl asked, tilting her head as she took the object in her hand.
“Yes, a s.w.o.r.d, my dear. Fear not, for the sword will protect you from all the hexes around you.”
The girl smiled, looking at the camera with the cowgirl’s hands on her shoulder. “A sword to protect the young!” 
Buy now at your nearest convenience store, terms and conditions apply.
“What are you two doing here and not at school?” Wanda chortled, startling the two who were now very much conscious. The boy moved, fisting his eyes, and he curled his hands to stretch the kinks that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, the varsity jacket scrunching underneath his fists. 
“Babe?” the boy groaned, messing up his hair, looking at the general direction of the girl. 
Putting on a smile, Wanda folded her arms, biting her lips at how adorable the two of you were.
“Ben? Is that you?” the girl asked, looking at her disheveled frock with a confused expression, finally noticed the woman standing in front of her. “Oh my god, babe, I swear we were at the bleachers not long ago. Did you manifest teleportation powers now?” 
“Miss Maximoff! You’re Billy and Tommy’s mom! Babe, we’re in Billy and Tommy’s house!” The guy, Ben said, his voice rising up an octave as he looked at his surroundings. 
He couldn't remember much about the Maximoffs, except that his neighbours talk about the weird mom and dad almost everyday in the gossip sessions. Whatever, he wasn't interested in them.
"She turned them into teenagers." 
"Well there goes our plan. Do we still have back up ready?" 
“That’s right, kids. Now, what were you two naughty children doing out of school?” Wanda asked, helping the two kids get up as the boy blushed, stuttering an apology.
“We- we weren’t ditching, I swear, Miss Maximoff! We were just-”
"-Doing homework! Because… because Ben's a nerd and he doesn't like that he gets behind because of the baseball team!" the girl said, stuttering as Ben nodded along with her.
“Yeah! We weren't making out or anything! Even if we're totally dating." 
Their relationship wasn't exactly your normal relationship. It was more of a… mutually beneficial relationship. 
Well, so far they had the entire town fooled, having them all think that a guy such as Benjamin Fitzpatrick would ever date a girl like her, who liked her books more than her siblings. 
"Hmm, well, thankfully, I'm a cool mom and I will not tell your parents about this… thing. Whatever it was. Anyone want cheesecake?" Wanda smiled, clapping her hands once as she looked at the two teenagers. 
Ben's stomach growled at the thought of food. "You don't have to do it, Miss Maximoff, but I would love some," he said, sheepishly looking at the ground, and wincing at another growl. 
Wanda chuckled, patting the boys back kindly. "Oh honey, it's alright. Come on, don't be shy, the both of you!" she said, looking over her shoulder and saying, "and it's just Wanda! Miss Maximoff makes me feel old, you know." 
They followed her to the kitchen, taking in the interior of the house. Ben's eyes caught something from the corner, it was almost as if it was… flickering? Shaking his head, he dug his fingers in his eyes, wondering if he was still feeling the effects of the time he had hit his head during the baseball practice. 
"You okay?" the girl asked, keeping a hand on his shoulder to steady him. 
"Yeah, probably the aftereffects of a concussion." He nodded, burrowing his brows in confusion. 
"Hmm, should probably get that thick little noggin of yours checked by the nurse." She snickered, hitting his shoulders playfully. Her heart was beating fast, he noted, wondering how he could hear it so clearly. The thought that he would have to leave her after she gets a date for prom made him sad. 
They may be faking their relationship, but he had caught on very fast and realised that he wanted it to be real. As real as the town of Westview.
Wait, what?
"You know we don't have to pretend anymore, right?" Ben said, looking at the girl as she came to a halt. Miss Maximoff was nowhere in sight, the house eerily silent with her heartbeat echoing in his ears. 
"This is the best ship SWORD could ever make." 
The awkward silence was interrupted by the opening of the front door, a loud jingle as Agnes came strutting in, a big smile on her face. It made Ben's neck sting weirdly, slapping his hand at the base to nullify the feeling. 
"Hello, children! What are you doing, skipping school like the little troublemakers you are?" She grinned, pinching each of their cheeks as her voice took a baby-like tone to it. Ben took a step back, grimacing as she continued pinching his cheeks. 
"Um, we weren't- we have no idea actually-" 
"Agnes! Oh, what great timing! Were you here for Billy and Tommy?" Wanda came in, a plate full of cheesecake and crackers in her hand. 
"Oh, Wanda, Wanda, Wanda! Your little troublemakers are already in my house, or did you forget?" She chuckled, the sound of her laughter taking a higher pitch. 
Wanda furrowed her brows, opening her mouth to say something, before closing it, a grin taking over. "Right. Yeah, of course! They really love it there with you, huh?" 
"That's right, everybody loves Auntie Agnes!" 
Ben looked at his girlfriend again, feeling strangely out of place between the two women. 
"Um, Miss Ma- Wanda? C-Can we go now? I feel like-" 
"Oh, Ben, don't be ridiculous! Why don't you sit down and take a breather? You look pale, hon." Wanda smiled, setting down the plate and ushering the two kids on the table, both of whom looked at the table with hunger in their eyes. Well, it had been long since lunch break. 
"Thank you for the cheesecake Mi- uh, Wanda, we appreciate it," the girl said, promptly digging in after the affirmation. 
***
Vision knew something was wrong the moment Agnes showed signs of knowing what was going on. The first time it happened, he was sure his paranoid wife would do something, but she had continued to act as if nothing was wrong with Agnes' behaviour. 
Walking down the road in his ridiculous costume, he nearly sighed in resignation, before he realised that he wasn't capable of such human actions. 
One more thing that perplexed him to no end was his strangely human behaviour. It was as if someone was forcing him to act more human, some weird force that was so unlike Wanda's warm presence, something more foreign and way out of his realm (like the gum incident. He sure did remember Wanda chastising him for doing this atrocity, surely she couldn't have been the one controlling him? Right?).
His mechanical heart ached for his wife. She had gone through a lot, from what he had read from her thoughts; losing a brother (twice, if the absence of Pietro was anything but a confirmation), and then him (it didn't bother him much. He was a synthezoid, there was entirely a possibility that he could be revived). 
He just really missed her, he realised. Their relationship had been strained ever since the boys were born. He didn't blame the drift on his boys, of course. He loved them to no end, would sacrifice himself for them, but he couldn't help but notice the change it brought in Wanda. 
The arrival of Pietro 2.0 didn't help either. 
His thoughts were interrupted as his feet halted their movements, and with a snap he realised that he had somehow made it to Ellis avenue, the border's static buzzing through his entire being. 
"You look lost, buddy," a strange man said. 
Looking at the man, Vision tilted his head, looking through the database of Westview to see that the man seemed to be nowhere in the records. How had he made it here? 
"I- I'm sorry, who are you?" He asked, leaning against the car door to peer inside, the man sitting rigid. It was only then did he realise that the man's eyes seemed… glazed, almost like he wasn't aware. Looking back at the barrier, Vision gaped at the view in front of him. 
The man's car was half inside and half outside the barrier, the slow moving particles seemed to be disintegrating the vehicle, watching in awe as sparks flew the closer the barrier came to the man. 
"Listen, you have to get out of here before that thing destroys you." Vision tried shaking the man, but to no avail. His attempts were in vain as the man simply grunted. "Listen! Can you hear me? What's happening? Why is the barrier moving?" 
He tried opening the door, but it was shut firmly. Groaning, he punched the door, nearly falling to catch the falling man, who was mumbling some incoherent mumbo jumbo. 
"Wanda, what are you up to...?" Vision muttered to himself, realising with a start that the barrier was expanding and the man had come from outside the barrier. 
Looking at the muttering man, he quickly moved them both away from the barrier, propping him up against the grass.
"I'm sorry," Vision said, his hands gliding yellow as he touched the man's forehead, his own circuits being bombarded with incoherent noises. 
"Oh god! I'm sorry, please save me! Please, this hurts, this- you- you're the Vision!" the man screamed. 
"Yes, I'm the Vision! Now, can you stay still? I'm trying to help you!" 
"-Please! She's in my head!" 
His hands lit up again, the yellow light smothering the man's forehead as he went still again, as Vision retracted his hands regretfully. Opting to leave the man there, he stood up again, startling once again that day when he heard a shrill cry, the body of… Geraldine? Appearing out of the barrier. Shaking his head, he was convinced that he was hallucinating, if that was even possible for a droid, and turned around to walk back home. 
(Agatha gave a satisfied chuckle, purple sparks erupting from her fingers as she turned back to Wanda, pretending that that didn't just happen.) 
***
"Do you think our school is a little… solitary?" Ben asked, inhaling a puff of smoke from the blunt in his hands. His girlfriend and him were sitting on the rooftop of Westview high, their feet swinging against the edge as she clutched at Pe- Ben for dear life. 
Peter? Who was that?
"Did you see that?? Peter was right, that was Agatha Harkness and she's been the one manipulating the people, it never was Wanda! It was meant to be a plot twist, but I totally predicted it."
"Um…"
"What? I'm invested." 
Peter? 
Y/n? Can you hear me? Please say yes if you can hear me.
She noticed the static sound of the radio speaking to someone. The static noise increased, and Ben didn't seem to have noticed the small portable radio malfunctioning. Shrugging it off, she went back to passing the blunt from her boyfriend. 
Boyfriend. The word ignited a flame in her chest. Ben, who she faked her dates with once upon a time, now was her actual, real boyfriend, who she was ditching homework to smoke a blunt with, uncaring of her nearing curfew. Her parents would have her head if she found out.
"Do you hear that?" She asked, exhaling the stale air from her lungs. She knew it was more of the deep breathing than the weed, but it made her feel serene. 
"I've been hearing a lot of things lately." He croaked, clearing his throat, sniffing the air as he leaned back, his Adam's apple bobbing with every gulp. His glasses were sliding off his face. She reached to push them back up, smiling at the flush of his face.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked, slipping her fingers through his, rubbing a hand on his back. His life had been difficult, she knew about him being an orphan, but she didn't know he was having a hard time with life at the very moment, her heart aching for the poor boy.
"I don't know, I keep hearing these voices in my head. Children screaming, people crying, and this… this buzz at my neck, I can't ignore it anymore! I feel like I'm going insane and I can't keep them quiet! I've tried, but it's like they're trying to communicate with me." 
Her eyes softened, hands running through his thick, straight hair as he leaned his head on her shoulder. Suddenly, the height at which they were sitting on didn't matter, she had him in her arms. 
"He broke the fourth wall. He's been hearing things, just like Billy." 
Wiping away his tears, she kissed his forehead, rubbing her hands gently on his back. 
"It's gonna be okay. You're okay, they'll go away soon." She reassured, folding her legs to get up, and pulling him up with her. "It's getting late, and mom will have my head if I'm later than curfew." 
"You've broken curfew before." He chuckled, stepping closer to Her, his hands on her hips.
Moving forward, she enclosed her hands around his shoulders, intertwining her fingers at the nape of his neck. Standing on her highest tip toes, she crashed her lips into his, their bodies swaying with the cold wind. 
"Awww, they're so cute! Exes to lovers, I like it."
"I agree. Didn't see the fake dating coming though." 
"Right?! Wanda should start a production company." 
"If Agnes lets these people go." 
***
Meanwhile, Monica had managed to find an abandoned shack in the backyard of Wanda's neighbour's house, her body buzzing with a familiar tension. 
Opening the shack, she saw the trails of purple, vein like thing running their tracks until they reached somewhere she couldn't see. She didn't notice another person creeping up on her, too busy looking at the trails. 
"Snoopers gonna snoop," the voice said, making her jump out of her skin, and keeping a hand on her heaving chest to stop her from hyperventilating. 
"Pietro?!" She startled, looking around to see if anyone had heard her. The neighbourhood was eerily silent, leaning against the wall, before deciding against it and squared her shoulders, looking at the man in front of her. 
"Yeah, that's me. But who are you? And what are you doing in Margie's backyard?" he asked defensively. She would have found the expression comical if it wasn't for her racing heart and adrenaline filled brain. 
"I could ask you the same thing," she said, folding her arms to show a defensive stance. 
"I'm here because… I live here?" he muttered, borrowing his brows as his eyes glazed over again, "Yeah, wait, no... I live with my sister! Who lives two houses from here! What am I doing here?"
"I don't know, you tell me." 
"God, this is so weird. First Wanda was being weird, now I am." 
"What do you mean?" 
"Nothing." 
***
Billy was afraid. He knew that he should be stronger and braver, if not for himself, then for Tommy. His momma always told him that the only thing to fear was fear itself, and he didn't know what that meant, but he knew that he had to be braver to get back to his mom and dad. 
"Billy, I'm scared," Tommy whimpered. "I'm hearing voices again." 
"It's gonna be okay, Mom and Dad will be here soon," he reassured, just as scared as his brother. They were only twelve minutes apart, but he still felt a responsibility for him.
Mom said that they both reminded of her own brother- Uncle Pietro. 
Hearing the door open, he felt a chill crawl up his spine. 
"She's here! Billy, she's here!" 
"I know! I know! Shh!" 
Her footsteps came closer, the cackling of her laughter making his heart pound. His brother buried himself in his shoulders, both of them huddled next to each other, as if the inevitable could be avoided. 
"How are my best boys doing?" Agnes' shrill voice rang, making Billy breathe faster.
"We want Mommy," Tommy whimpered, sounding as small as Billy felt. 
"Oh, I'm sorry honey, that's not happening anytime soon." She tsked, sounding as apologetic as the villains in the action movies his mom forbade him from watching.
"Why's that?" Billy asked, squaring his shoulders as much as he could. 
"You didn't hear? Mommy's dead." 
And his world crashed, his brain crowding with darkness.
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A/N: Lemme know what you think! 😁😁
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