#or maybe I'm injuring myself in my sleep again. i thought we were past that but what do i know

[ganja-hq]

Why must I always have a wound in my nose

[johnsamericano]

𝔖𝔲𝔤𝔞𝔯 ℜ𝔲𝔰𝔥 𝔧.𝔧.𝔥 •3•

I hope this ain't getting shitty. Thank you for reading, sexy people. Send me a message or an ask if you'd like to be added to the tag list.

warnings: hungover jaehyun, age gap, hospitals, nothing too extreme.

sugar rush m.list.

taglist: @thoreeo @trustmahluv @sunny-nyu @nanascupid @silent-potato @painted-hills

~

Yoonoh woke up on a strange bed, the mattress stiffer than the one he had back home. He refused to open his eyes, fearing that the daylight would worsen his headache.

Yoonoh woke up on a strange bed, the mattress stiffer than the one he had back home. He refused to open his eyes, fearing that the daylight would worsen his headache.

“Wake up, sunshine.” He groaned, all the memories from the past night hitting him like a truck. “Come on, I made breakfast.”

His eyelids finally fluttered open, frown softening at the sight of you in a messy bun and your cute pajamas.

“How come you look so fresh?” The dark circles under his eyes had deepened in the span of a few hours. Thank God he didn't have to work that day.

“I always look fresh.” You seemed to be more comfortable around him. Perhaps it was because you had to tuck him in last night. “Up.”

You tugged both of his limp hands, forcing him to sit up.

“What did you cook? It smells nice.” He scrunched up his nose like a little kid.

“Eggs, bacon, and hash browns.” Fast as lightning, he got up from bed. On his way to the kitchen, he noticed the blanket hanging from the edge of your sofa. Disappointment pinched his heart.

“Why didn't you sleep with me? You would've been more comfortable.”

You set two plates on the small table, pulling the pan out of the stove to serve them.

“You spread yourself all over the bed as soon as I laid you down.” You lied successfully. You didn’t have the heart to tell him you weren’t that comfortable yet.

You let the pan down on the kitchen counter, taking a seat in front of him.

“Do you still want to visit my father?” Sparkling orbs stared at him timidly, fearing his answer would be negative.

“I mean…” You hummed, trying not to give it as much importance. “I do want to go!” He quickly corrected himself, frantically shaking his hands. “It’s just that I don't want to meet your father like this.” He pointed at his bed hair, which had only become messier since he woke up.

“You’re acting like he's gonna see you.” There was a slight bitterness in your tone, along with a fake grin.

“Alright, let's do this instead...” Yoonoh sat up straight, clearing his throat as if he were about to give a speech. “We’ll have breakfast, you'll shower quickly, and then we’ll drive to my house so I can fix myself. How does that sound?”

“So I'm finally gonna see your mansion? How exciting.” You kicked his leg teasingly under the table, his cheeks inevitably dipping as he tried to suppress a smile. “I bet you have some peacocks in your backyard.”

“And there's also a dolphin in my pool.” He let out a hearty laugh, extending his arm over the table to grab your hand.

His house was most definitely not what you expected.

It was about the size of the one you grew up in, the decoration inside minimalistic. There were no expensive paintings framed with pure gold, only pictures of him and his family. There was a small backyard you could access through the French door in the kitchen. Half of it was occupied by a greenhouse.

“I had to donate the peacocks to the zoo.” He whispered as you looked through the glass door, squeezing your shoulders with his slim fingers.

“What a shame.” Hesitantly, he wrapped both of his limbs around your torso, letting his chin rest stop of your head. Your heartbeat was thumping loudly against your chest. Yoonoh surely felt it but decided not to comment on it.

“There’s a Tv in my room in case you want to watch something while I shower.” A hint of mischief adorned his honey-like voice. “Or you can come in and watch me instead.”

“Stop!” Your elbow connected with his ribs out of pure panic, making him bend in pain with his hands covering the injured spot.

“It was a joke...” He whispered, teeth gritting together.

I made him mad, you thought. Should you escape or face the consequences of his anger? All thoughts erased from your mind as he grabbed your calves, lifting you over his shoulder.

“Put me down!” You hit his back with closed fists, unable to see the expression on his face. “Yoonoh!”

He went up the stairs, proceeding to enter his room and throw you on his bed. Thousands of dirty scenarios crossed your mind before he threw himself on top of you, crushing your bones under his muscular body.

“My...ribs...”

“Oh, sorry, what is that?” To make matters worse, his fingers tickled your sides, provoking a fit of desperate giggles to escape your mouth. “I’m not hearing an apology.”

“Sorry! Sorry!” His hands finally stopped, giving you time to breathe. Nonetheless, he remained laid on your chest, using his forearms to lift his weight. “Aren’t you gonna shower?”

“I like you.”

The confession was so sudden, so raw it took you some time to finally react. But you had no words to give him an answer, instead, you combed your fingers through his long hair, massaging his scalp while waiting for him to speak up again.

“I never thought I'd be feeling more than friendly affection for you. Our agreement doesn't include love, after all. But I've started feeling like a teenager all over again. I can't help but get excited whenever you call me. Do you know how sweet your voice sounds through the phone?” He sighed, discouraged at your lack of response. “I guess you're not there yet.”

Instead of verbally answering, you planted a sweet kiss on his head, right where small, grey hairs had started growing.

“I’m not good with words.”

“That’s alright.” He snuck his hands under your back, holding you tightly as a sudden need to nurture you took over him. The mature image he had of you faded in less than a second, leaving behind a young, troubled woman. “I’ll shower quickly so we can go see your pops. I bet we’ll get along just fine, maybe even go golfing when he wakes up.”

“I forgot you're almost the same age. Creepy.” He smiled, though uneasiness started steering in his guts.

“Does that bother you?” He asked without giving it a second thought.

“I don't know yet.”

(...)

The man with high cheekbones and bruised skin laid limp on the hospital bed. Yoonoh had been working on his case for about a month, yet, it only started feeling real the moment he entered the room.

“This is my dad.” All emotions had escaped your eyes as if your soul wasn't there anymore. Only an empty shell.

“You look so much like him.” he was afraid touching you wouldn't be the right thing to do, so instead, he said: “He seems like a suitable golf buddy.”

Tension finally loosened its grip around his body as you snorted, pigment returning to your cheeks. Finally, he wrapped his hand around yours.

“He will wake up, y/n.”

“He’s taking his sweet time.” You glanced back at the laying figure, skinnier with every day he spent asleep. “I want someone to pay for taking away the last person that loved me.”

The last person that loved you. Would Yoonoh be able to fill that spot? Not yet, probably. He couldn't modify the depth of his feelings, but he could surely give you the vengeance you longed.

“Do you trust me?” With your eyes still glued to your father, you nodded. “Then I can assure you we’ll win the case.”

“I know we will.”

He sat silently with you, holding your hand without saying a word. The smell of alcohol and the beeping noise of machines made him nauseous. He hated hospitals. You noticed the change in his demeanor, his hand becoming cold while holding yours with strength.

“Do you wanna go?”

“No!” He smiled through the pain, scooting his chair closer to lay your hand on his lap.

He wouldn't agree to get his ass off the plastic chair. You had to tell him you were hungry for him to finally stand up, still clutching your hand like your father did when you were still a kid. His parental behavior caused several emotions to stir inside your guts, so mixed up you couldn't quite put a finger on any of them.

“What do you want to eat?” The tension finally left his body once out of the building.

“Soup.” You smiled while swiping your thumb on top of his knuckles. “I know a place, but to be honest, it isn't good. So we can go to the store and get the ingredients to- but you can't cook.”

“I’m up for a cooking lesson if you are.” He wanted to see your pretty smile again. Maybe making a fool of himself would help. “Let’s hit the road.”

“Wow, so cool.”

“I know.”

(...)

“Can you grab that can of chicken broth?” You pointed at the high shelf, letting go of Yoonoh’s hand to allow him to move freely

“I have a better idea.” He dragged you by the arm so you were standing in front of him, trapped between his body and the shelf. “I’ll lift you so you can reach it.” Matching his words, his hands grasped your waist, ready to carry you.

“Stop!” You slapped his hands repeatedly between giggles. Ignoring your complaints, he started lifting you. “Yoonoh!”

“Yoonoh?” A feminine voice had him placing you back on your feet in less than a second.

“Seryeong, I didn't expect to see you here.” His hands remained seated on the curve of your waist.

“Neither did I. I was surprised when Sungchan told me you'd left early yesterday.” She seemed a bit older than you but still younger than the man behind you.

“I had some matters to take care of.” She eyed you from head to toes with a smug grin plastered on her lips. Just by the look of her clothes, you could tell she was as wealthy as Yoonoh. You feared the scene would turn into a tv worthy drama.

“I’ll go get the chicken breast.” You tried escaping his grip, only to be pulled closer to his warmth.

“No need to. It's already inside the cart.”

Why am I so dumb?

“Does your father know about your little girlfriend?” She asked without hesitation.

“I guess.”

“And why didn't he tell me anything?” She cocked an eyebrow, his hands finally loosening around your body and allowing you to move from your position.

“Look, this is something you should talk about with him. Now, if you excuse us...” With a hand on your shoulder, he began pushing the cart to the next aisle, the chicken broth long forgotten.

“Is this some kind of arranged marriage situation?”

“Something like that.” His hands were tense while holding the cart, knuckles turning white from the strength used. “Before you start asking, I'm not really in the mood and I don't want to direct my bad mood toward you. Let's talk about something else, alright?”

Who was that woman that had the power to turn him into a literal raging ball of fire with just a few words?

[suganovakawa]

𝐒𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐄 .

PAIRINGS : tooru oikawa x fem! reader , slight hajime iwaizumi x fem! reader

GENRE : angst , romance

WARNINGS : cursing , car accident , recovery from amnesia

SYNOPSIS : tooru doesn’t understand how special you are to him until he comes close to losing you forever . as he struggles to comes to grips with his feelings and balance it with his future , you still have to recover from your own injuries , but without your memories to assist you .

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐗𝐈𝐈 < [ 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈 ] > 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐗𝐈𝐕

enough is enough; it’s time to give hajime an ultimatum.

word count : 1.3k

saudade masterlist .

SAUDADE

( 𝐧 . ) a nostalgic longing to be near again to something or someone that is distant , or that has been loved and then lost ; “ the love that remains ”

⠀"you've been silent ever since we got here." your eyes lazily met hajime's, which were strained with concern and confusion. "c'mon, if i'm paying, then you gotta at least tell me what's on your mind." he solidified his statement by reaching out to place his hand on top of yours, gently squeezing it within his palm. you enjoyed the warmth he radiated, though you remained silent and simply kept your hand there without reaction.

⠀you felt lost, more lost than ever before. more questions began to pile and stack up higher and higher, and not even a slimmer of an answer had shown itself yet. an endless labyrinth of mystery, that became worse with every turn you took. you were frustrated with yourself. you were frustrated with iwaizumi. you were frustrated with oikawa. you were frustrated with the world.

⠀"y/n." he said it more firmly this time, now getting impatient with your silence. "stop staring into space, i'm right here. you know you can tell me what's going on in your mind. i'll do my best to help or assist you in anyway i can."

⠀that was a lie, you knew it was, and he knew it was. you almost laughed. he'd tell you jackshit. he only wanted to help if it would make him look better in your eyes. why? did you hate him before everything happen? is he trying to make amends? is that why he refuses to tell you anything that would trigger any memories to clear up? what was he achieving by keeping your own life a secret? he had every answer you wanted, and wouldn't tell you anything from it.

⠀to make matters worse for yourself, now, you couldn't trust oikawa. there was something there. you felt it. your body, your nerves, your heart felt different. the atmosphere around the injured third year became different. your subconscious remembered something your brain hadn't picked up on yet. your body reacted on its own whenever tooru came into sight, your instincts telling you to flee, to get out of there as quickly as possible. you only had your instincts to trust at this point; instincts, and a gut feeling. even then, your gut feeling seemed to enjoy remain dormant.

⠀"it's nothing, hajime. i just didn't get enough sleep last night." you snapped at him lightly, your frustration building up as you sat back, removing your hand from his hold. "i'll be fine. thanks for taking me out today. i almost thought you'd forget."

⠀"never." his smile was almost arrogant, crossing his arms and sitting back in his own chair. "like i said, it's my treat. i wouldn't go back on my word."

⠀"right..." you were bored of him at this point. he was just fishing and hoping that you would praise him for his selfless actions. "it's friday, right? i've got nothing to do this weekend." you were partially talking to yourself, your thoughts still focused on finding ways to get your memories back. you had no leads, or clues; that wouldn't stop you from trying, though.

⠀"want to do something this weekend?" he shrugged. "not sunday, though. i'm a bit busy then. but saturday i'm free. i'll take you somewhere for the day. again, my treat."

⠀"you need to let me pay one of these days. i'm not entirely broke." you huffed and shook your head, before shrugging lightly to his suggestion. "i guess so. i've got nothing to do, either. i might sleep early tonight, though. i need it." that was a lie. you just wanted to get away from him for the rest of the day so you could do stuff on your own.

⠀"that's a good idea. sleep is important. you need your rest."

⠀you yawned to solidify the thought. "my thoughts exactly."

⠀"i'll text you tomorrow about it. for now, i'll just walk you home." you nodded, and in no time, the two of you walked out and as promised, he made sure to walk you all the way up to your front step. "here we are. i'll see you tomorrow, y/n."

⠀you took a chance. as he turned around to walk away, you grabbed his wrist, almost desperately, and pulled him back to turn him around. he was silent, but his eyes were fixated entirely on yours. you used this chance to look into his irises, to see any possible sign of him hiding something, anything from you. his eyes were completely unreadable. there was nothing there, but so many things all at once. like he had everything but nothing at his disposal. "please, hajime." you begged quietly, your lips quivering. "please, i just want to know something from before the accident. i want to remember. i want to recall. nothing has come back to me." he tried to pull away but you only grasped onto him tighter. "just one thing, hajime. that's all i ask for. tell me at least one thing if you can't tell me everything. stop hiding my life from me, please. i want to know what happened."

⠀he was considering it. you could see it as he moved his gaze away from you, now unable to maintain eye contact. he had stopped fighting your hand and stood there, almost defeated. you squeezed his hand one more time, as if to encourage him to say something.

⠀nevertheless, it failed. you wanted to cry as he quickly pulled his hand away from your grip, his jaw clenching as he seemed to be fighting something internally. "if you haven't remembered anything, it must be for a reason, then. maybe your conscience is trying to protect you from the pain your past self faced. you shouldn't fight it."

⠀"don't you get it?" you raised your voice at him, now just angry. "i don't care, hajime. i don't give a single shit. i don't care if it hurts me. i don't care how bad it was before the accident. i don't care if i killed someone before the accident, or committed any kind of crime. i don't give a shit. i just want to know! don't you understand? you have everything i want to remember, and you just dangle it in front of my face and mock me with it every single day. you have me wrapped around your finger and all i can do is pretend i'm doing fine."

⠀you pushed him away by the chest as he tried to step near you. "don't. don't hug me, don't touch me. i'm tired of you only painting yourself as my hero and knight in shining armor. you're keeping me in the dark, and i'm tired of it. i just want to remember, hajime." you pointed at him. "wouldn't you want to remember everything if you lost all of your memories?"

⠀he was speechless, but you were already done with today. you left the question rhetorical as you lowered your finger and turned around, opening the door hastily.

⠀"i'll think about it."

⠀you heard his voice, quiet and faint, like a whisper. "it's a lot to unpack, and i don't want to stress you out with it. but if you go out with me tomorrow, i... i'll think about telling you."

⠀"that's not how this is going to work." you snapped right back, your grip tightening around the doorknob. "if you aren't going to tell me, i'm not going with you anywhere tomorrow. the moment i find out you won't, i'm going home, and you aren't going to follow me. i hope i've made myself clear."

⠀you slammed the door in his face and watched him walk away from the window. once he was out of your line of vision, you took a deep breath. you did what had to be done. now, the decision was now in iwa's hands. it was an ultimatum. either he would come forward with the truth, or he could kiss your day, and friendship with him, goodbye. you were sick of it, this was your boiling point.

⠀you really hoped hajime would see your side.

a/n : i’ve got nothing. we’ll see what decisions are made in the next chapter :>

taglist ( closed ) — @ot127 @rena0921 @karlitabi-rrito @psychicpercyjacksonfan @crescentbitch @amelimiles @damnirina @pasta-warlord @blossomingbangtan @clinomanians @i-am-kinda-in-alot-of-fandoms @manq-fandoms @cirtruss @sugar-wara @haikoo @anime-simp @kairostatue @awkwardspontaneity @iwantapoptartqwq @aquariarose @softestdreamer @plantisnotplant @avylee @froppysgirl @that-animebitch @wisepandaslimeland @samanthaa-leanne @dumplingzumispam @0hakaashi @captain-janeway @afterglowkuroo @bellabelieveme @attixca @chickenrest @tycrackculture @ynjimenez @karaseijoh @lavieenblancetnoir @dabilove27 @cuddlesslut @crypto-s @keigosbitch@readeretal @shittykawaa @donghyuckster @adriloen @ella-solei @emiyummy @kukiisan@catyuyuyuu @sillykittt @dolan-mendes @kiritokunuwu @the-third-wall @yammerss @todohawki

[starneko123]

Butterfly Effect

Star's Note: So I finally got around to putting my main OC in the MK 2021 movie storyline and the first part is like a...songfic? Yeah so prepare for that and also Korë Nagako X Liu Kang is a crack ship, in general, please don't take it seriously lol.

OC Characters Involved

Nova Nagako

Mileena walked through the foyer leading to Shang Tsung's throne. Kabal and Goro were joining her it wasn't like she needed assistance for this. She preferred to do this one alone but the iron lung and royal brute refused. The trio reached Shang Tsung and once he gave Mileena the signal she spoke "She was spotted in Earthrealm far from Raiden's Temple as we speak. She seems to have...a different life with others around her. A caregiver." Mileena finished with an aggravated sigh "A caregiver?" Shang Tsung echoed in question.

Kabal cut his way into the conversation "She means her mother but with the description you gave it made it more difficult to find her. No white streaks in the hair, no pink eyes, and no magical powers. The reincarnation is shit." Kabal spat gesturing behind as if she was there. "Nova-" Shang Tsung began and Kabal cut him off once more. "News Flash she doesn't even go by Nova over there! Who the hell would name their kid Nova in this modern day. Her name is Korë. Not any better but it's different. Not fucking Nova." Now he was finished, and he put his hand on the hip for added flare.

"She's not our Lady Nova but still she stands out." Prince Goro mentioned. Mileena may have sniffed her out but Goro tracked her down. He found her first his chest swelled with pride. "She has companions." Mileena groaned half-heartedly "A friend and a consort." Shang Tsung leaned forward standing up from his throne altogether. "A consort?!" Kabal spoke again, "Yeah, not very good looking or the sharpest tool in the shed but they're around each other." Too bad they couldn't see Kabal rolling his eyes because he was doing so every few seconds. "Are you the better option?" Kabal asked genuinely "She is my Queen, my better half." Shang Tsung's voice echoed dreamily and again Kabal rolled his eyes "That's what they all say." Mileena then stepped closer to Shang Tsung as if it was just the two of them. "She had the marking of a Chosen One." Shang Tsung smirked "All the better." He then snapped his head to the side to look over at Nitara perched on a block of stone petting her wings. "Kabal and Mileena...Nitara will assist you in retrieving Nova." Mileena had no problem with that, she got along with Nitara so far. "Yes, master." Nitara said slyly as she sashayed towards the two said kombatants.

"Kill or injure beyond repair whoever stops you from bringing back my wife!" His voice echoed into the maroon sky.

Korë herself was sitting in a chair next to her close friend and housemate, Soleil. "You know what I think I did a really good job on my eyeshadow." She said brushing it a few more times and facing Soleil to show her eyelids covered in white eyeshadow and silver outline. She also had glitter on her face it must have been from the perfume or another form of body glitter. "I think you did really good this time, you're getting better." Soleil put her brush down and stood up fixing her dress in the process. Korë and Soleil were wearing the same dress it was a short pure white dress with lace at the ends and at Korë thought it was plus since it also wasn't strapless.

"Korë Nagako and Soleil Zaveri... five-minute call out. Almost showtime." It was their manager, Soleil responded with an 'Alright' and Korë an 'Okay'. Soleil stood up from her rolling chair as she finished her winged eyeliner and Korë followed her as she finished putting on her lip gloss.

"Yeah, I'm at the place it's like this, singer stripper bar or whatever, I don't know but she's here," Sonya said as she entered the bar and took a seat in the back, and ordered a drink.

"Now, blessing us with their presence is the femme fatale duo is Korë and Soleil!" The response to the statement was scattered cheers. The duo walked onto the stage and the atmosphere itself changed when she saw Korë. Korë had a slight headache that she had been nursing for a couple of days and Soleil knew that but Korë was convinced that it had gone away and she was just dealing with the aftermath. They both cleared their throat and as the stage light shined on them, Soleil started harmonizing as the beat started playing and Korë started singing.

It's like you got superpowers

Turn my minutes into hours

You got more than 20-20, babe

Made of glass the way you see through me

You know me better than I do

Can't seem to keep nothing from you

How you touch my soul from the outside?

Permeate my ego and my pride

"I love you." Shang Tsung said as he wrapped his arms around Korë twisting her around so she was facing him and she gazed at him lovingly as a teasing smirk spread across her obsidian lips. She leaned in until their lips were ghosting over each other "Do you want me to say it back?" She asked jokingly "I think my heart will truly break if you don't." Shang said dramatically and she giggled "I love you."

I wanna love me (ooh)

The way that you love me (ooh)

Ooh, for all of my pretty

And all of my ugly too

I'd love to see me from your point of view

I wanna trust me (trust me)

The way that you trust me (trust me)

Ooh, 'cause nobody ever loved me like you do

I'd love to see me from your point of view

"If you stop moving it would hurt less Prince Goro." He growled again at her statement and she returned it with a cold, unmoving stare. His growls then calmed down to huffs and puffs "Thank you." She said to him as she finished wrapping the bandage around his arm. "The wound isn't too bad, you'll heal fast either way." She said as she stood up and gathered her healing equipment and before she left she was grated with a rumbling "Thank you." at least he had manners she'll give him that. Before she closed the door she sent him a smile. A kind smile. One to remember.

I'm gеtting used to receiving

Still gеtting good at not leaving

I'ma love you even though I'm scared (oh, scared)

Learnin' to be grateful for myself (oh, oh, oh)

You love my lips 'cause they say the

Things we've always been afraid of

I can feel it startin' to subside

Learnin' to believe in what is mine

"I wouldn't recommend it Mileena," Nova said as she closed her spellbook and stood to face Mileena and they were roughly the same height. "But to ensure my knowledge of it-" Nova sighed and grabbed Mileena by the shoulders "I don't want you to learning just yet, you must stick with the powers you were born with for now. I will teach you myself when you have elevated your powers. Understand?" Nova asked tilting her head for the effect and Mileena nodded. Nova brought her in for a hug and kissed her on the forehead and at that Mileena purred in comfort and delight for the slight praise she got.

I wanna love me (ooh)

The way that you love me (ooh)

Ooh, for all of my pretty

And all of my ugly too

I'd love to see me from your point of view

I wanna trust me (trust me)

The way that you trust me (trust me)

Ooh, 'cause nobody ever loved me like you do

I'd love to see me from your point of view

I couldn't believe it or see it for myself

Boy, I be impatient, but now I'm out here

Fallin', fallin', frozen, slowly

Fallin', got me right

I won't keep you waitin' (waitin')

All my baggage fadin' safely (my baggage fadin')

And if my eyes deceive me

Won't let them stray too far away, I

I wanna love me (ooh)

The way that you love me (ooh)

Ooh, for all of my pretty

And all of my ugly too

I'd love to see me from your point of view

I wanna trust me, ooh (trust me)

The way that you trust me, baby (trust me)

'Cause nobody ever loved me like you do

I'd love to see me from your point of view (oh)

Yeah

As they finished their performance they got a fresh round of applause and Korë finally let out a breath as she always did after a performance and smiled alongside Soleil. After giving a wave they went backstage and collected their money. Since they didn't feel like staying at the bar anymore that night they decided to head home. "Good night KoKo," Soleil said with a yawn as she kissed her on the cheek and closed the door to her room. Korë was outside on the back porch humming and looking up at the sky, enjoying the night breeze. Until she heard whispering and then shuffling in the bushes 'The fuck?' she said under her breath as she quickly grabbed the steel bat near her that they used for protection.

She walked closer to the bushes and beat them with the bat a few times before staring at them again. She sighed, maybe she was just tired that was more than likely the case. She let out another breath as she turned but then yelped as she was met with a woman who was roughly her size and height. Her eyes glowed in the night and her mouth was covered in blood and it looked almost stained on her face. "Mommy Nova! I have waited so long for you!" She grinned widely showing off her razor-sharp teeth and reached for a hug arms opened wide but Korë moved a couple of steps back, her back bumped into someone and she turned to see a man taller and lankier.

"Hey, sweetness." It sounded like a man, a man who had trouble breathing and could barely compose his words. Korë wasn't thinking straight that's all she could of. She swung her bat wildly at the two intruders causing the man to speed away and the woman teleport back a few feet away from her. But she knows that she has hit one of them by the blood on her bat and the scar that was made on her stomach. She shrieked as she held her stomach and she did a full 360° but she couldn't see them. She felt like she was going to faint from the loss of blood and the lack of sleep. She then heard gunshots and she fell to the ground hoping that nothing else would wound her.

"Get up and get in the car!" She didn't have to be told twice since she was living off of adrenaline at the moment. She ran past the woman who was still letting off gunshots as she got in the car and slammed the door as she leaned into the seat protectively. After letting off a few more shots that the duo continued to dodge Sonya ran back to the car as well and got into the driver's seat starting the car and zooming off as she saw beady red eyes staring at her in the rearview mirror. "Who the hell are you?" Korë asked with a hiss as the woman started looking at her up and down when she suddenly asked "Where is the marking?" She asked indignantly "What fucking marking?! What the fuck are you talking about?" Korë spat and Sonya rolled her eyes as she tugged Korë's hoodie upwards and ghosted her finger over the Mortal Kombat marking.

"You wanna explain that?"

[echo-three-one]

Whatever It Takes

Now safely headed home and rescued the hostages, Soap discovers something from the four corners of the infirmary. It's basically a chapter that happened inside the infirmary. Yeah.

Previous Chapter : Alex - Dé jàvu

Chapter 5 to another story made by Ray (echo-three-one) Comments and Reviews appreciated! I hope you enjoy! Love you all ❤️

"Reunited"

John 'Soap' MacTavish

Task Force 141

Task Force 141 Base - Infirmary

Soap grunted at the initial moment he felt consciousness. The faint tune of the radio started to fill his ears followed by soft hushes from within the room.

If I lay here… If I just lay here…

Sharp pain struck his abdomen as he tried to get up, making him wince ang grunt loud enough that the two ladies beside him noticed. He shot a pained glare at them and breathed heavily.

"Look who finally decided to get up." The pale brunette greeted him with a soft smile. This was Samantha, the Daughter of America's Head of Defense, she really looked different from her photos from the briefing and Soap thought maybe it's the continuous days of being unconscious draining her out.

"Hm." Soap muttered as he laid back on his bed. He wasn't strong enough to fully get up yet and it frustrated him that he let out a heavy sigh. He rolled his eyes to France who was giggled beside him. Guess she found his misery satisfying.

"What's funny?" he finally gave in and asked.

"Oh nothing. It's just no matter how fast we ran the bullets will always be faster, huh?" she joked, but there was a hint of grief on her tone, something Soap knew and realized just then. It was unfair, it was the harsh reality. They were both considered fit for those conditions but they were the ones who sustained most injuries.

"Heh." Soap chuckled and leaned to face Maxine. She had a few stitches on her forehead an bandages wrapped most of her arm. Her smile was warm and welcoming, but Soap knew what's hidden underneath. Samantha wore the same smile but hers was just happy to be away from her captors.

"So I assume your British, like the rest of the people here?" Samantha asked Soap.

"What made you ask that?" He replied, curious as to her assumptions.

"You sound different than the doctors and nurses around here. I was just curious." She replied almost intimidated.

"Don't mind him, Samantha. He's just grumpy he got injured because he thinks he's so good at everything." France mocked and they both giggled.

"So you two got something going on? I may have lost my memory but not my senses." She winked. France fell silent and Soap immediately replied.

"It's Scottish, Maam and no. We do not have something. If anything it's rivals. She wants to be better than me."

"Oh. I knew that accent stands out among the others!" she mused. Soap turned his attention to the glass window as Alex and General Shepherd passed by discussing something. Samantha caught up with his behavior and looked as well.

"Shit!" She cursed, loud enough to get the two's attention.

"What's wrong?" France asked, holding her arm.

"That guy… his face… looked familiar." she whispered, her hands covered her hands almost scared. 

"Oh him? General Shepherd. Basically our boss. Why, you met him?" France replied calmly.

"No.. those arm tattooes. I swear I saw those before… they're very familiar." she spoke softly. Soap and France turned to each other and nodded, agreeing not to force her too much on remembering things.

"Arm tattoes are the new thing now. I could get one myself anytime you know." Soap informed, trying to divert attention.

"Really? It won't look good on you. You got noodle arms." France retorted, mocking the Scotsman. This seemed to work as Samantha turned to them and laughed.

"You two are the worst liars." she giggled. Soap didn't mind this but he was glad that Samantha was okay.

Time passed by and Soap continued conversing to the two ladies, sharing thoughts and ideas on each other. For someone who's memory had been played with, Samantha recalls quite well. Her descriptions were very detailed up to the last dot. Soap wondered why this was the case and decided to consult Alex when he had the chance.

When it comes to talking, the girls really took their time, they were discussing a lot of things and Soap wasn't able to catch up with them.

"So, Why France? Is it because of the city?" Samantha asked. Soap gulped as he knew it would be asked to him next.

"It's actually short for Francine." She smiled, Soap just stared at her. 

"What about you, tough guy?" Samantha asked as MacTavish snapped back to reality.

"Got beef with someone back at the parachute regiment. Threw a bar of soap straight into his eye." he muttered, almost embarrassed.

"Quite the marksman…" France mused jokingly.

"Oh, bug off. Bet you can't do it square in the eye at a far distance." he boasted, finally getting up.

"I could try. Why don't you stand there so we can test it out." she retorted and Soap just rolled his eyes at her, convincing himself that arguing with her is a waste of time.

The doors slowly opened and a short blonde girl on a wheelchair was being pushed by a nurse. Everyone turned their heads towards the door and Soap noticed France's soft sobs.

"Maxine… I finally found you." she cried. Maxine just sat still, her eyes were open but it felt like she was looking at the vast nothingness.

"She's still recovering her memory lapses. She could hear you and see you but while her brain is still repairing itself, you couldn't expect any response from her." The nurse added and set her on the bed beside Samantha's.

"Sleep restores most minor brain damages we have. So I advise you to do it as well." the nurse patted Samantha and she nodded as the nurse made it's way out.

"How do you know her?" Soap asked, breaking the silence that occured since Maxine entered.

"She's my roommate." Samantha replied in unison to France's "She's my sister."

The girls turned to each other and started crying. Soap just sat there in awe, knowing nothing about calming the situation down.

"I'm sorry I dragged her into this." Samantha sniffled, wanting to hug France.

"You don't have to… It's not your fault." France replied.

~

The rest of the squad arrived when they were permitted to visit the infirmary, except for Price, who was busy about another upcoming move from Nero. In a small room, on a huge circle like formation. Alex was by the door, crossing his arms and staring momentarily at Samantha and turning back to the squad when she turns to him. Soap was aware they had a past mission together but something happened that made him act that way, another reason why he wanted to talk to him.

Ghost and Roach sat by the sofa, finally addressing his raccon story to the group.

"And so there I was by the dumpster. Spreading my arms establishing dominance toward him." Gary narrated, spreading his arms like that of his story.

"It's all over now Rocky Raccoon. I have you cornered. Now give me back my watch! I yelled and you know what happens next? The raccoon actually dropped my watch and scurried back to the forest! Isn't that amazing!" Gary continued adding sound effects and ambiance in the story. He was always the jolly one in the group. He turned to the girls who were laughing along Roach's story while Ghost and Alex forced themselves not to chuckle.

"What's the value of that watch?" Samantha asked.

"Oh about a few hundred British pounds." 

"No no. The sentimental value. The memories it holds. Why is it important to you?" She corrected. Soap caught Alex staring at her intently, his fists were gripping some sort of pendant.

"My mother gave it to me when I left home and joined the force. She said time is golden and I have to enjoy every second of it." he replied showing his watch to the group.

"Aww.. Roach.." France sniffed and Soap rolled his eyes. It wasn't that sad. He thought.

"Well, your Mum's right." Ghost patted Roach's back and he smiled.

The PA Systems rang again and alerted their little group. It announced about another briefing with the exception of those injured and Alex. Ghost and Roach bid their goodbyes at the remaining people, and they waved back except for Maxine who was still asleep.

As soon as the door closed the atmosphere began to shift as Alex slowly walks toward Samantha. Soap and France quietly trailed their eyes at the event and observed intently.

"You!" Samantha finally yelled and slapped Alex as soon as he was reachable.

"Ow! What gives!" he hissed in pain, rubbing his red cheeks.

"You were that creep I met by my apartment! What are you doing here!" she grabbed a pillow and gestured to hit the man. France tried to calm her.

"That's Alex. One of our allies." She whispered softly.

"Alex? Hmmm. Yeah. He looked like that creep who chased me to the supermarket. But that creep had longer hair and complete legs." she noted, calming herself down and lowering his weapon.

"That was actually me. Samantha." he muttered. Soap and France sat quietly as the drama began to unfold.

"You dropped this. That's why I chased you to give it back." Alex handed her a golden pendant. Samantha quickly recognized the thing and held it tight. 

"Daddy's gift." she sighed.

"You dropped it when you were walking home." Alex added and looked down on the floor.

"Thanks, Alex. I'm sorry if I slapped you." She smiled at him and Alex stared back. It was quite long and France whispered to Soap that "things are heating up'. Do these two have some history or something? Like Romantically? Cause, I can sense it." 

Soap shrugged her idea and looked back at Alex who was now leaving.

"It's okay, Maam. Afterall, I'm just nothing but a complete stranger to you." he smiled and closed the door shut, leaving the four of them in silence.

Next Chapter : A Walk to Remember

[one-leaf-grimoire]

“illusion”

Chapter 15

Hi! This chapter has some sad parts but MC finally stands up to a big threat. LMK what you think!

Warnings: none, this chapter is SFW

A03 LINK // SFW LINK

The true nature of my Illusion Magic is in the way that it effects the human brain. My magic can trigger responses within the mind of another, forcing their brain to release the hormones and electric signals necessary to conjure up what I want them to perceive. Images, sounds, feelings... but one spell does this better than any other; the spell I have only cast once before.

Fear Landscape.

This spell targets a single region of the brain, the amygdala. Stress hormones are released in a massive stampede, causing pupil dilation, heart rate increase, and restriction of breathing. All of these things compound upon each other until the body shuts down. 

The first time I used it was an accident. We were on a mission in the woods, and were almost done, when a massive wolf appeared out of nowhere. The spell manifested in that moment, probably triggered by my own fear. I don't remember it very well, since I blacked out in a similar fashion to today, into a warm, golden sleep. But according to Alice, the wolf collapsed into a whimpering pile, giving us enough time to escape.

I never really thought about what happened to that wolf. I wonder if it died, just like the dozen or so men that were unlucky enough to be around me today.

But now, lying silently in a hospital bed while the nurses checked up on me for the fifteenth time tonight, I have plenty of time to reflect.

I killed that man... the general. I killed all his men. 

The nurses and doctor keep talking among themselves. From what I've gathered so far, the slime mold penetrated my body much farther than they thought at first, and kept proliferating even after the caster was dead. It'll take a while for me to heal completely.

It's been around three days since the attack- at least, I think it has been that long. My mind has been foggy and disoriented, so I can't be quite sure. My only reference for time is the light coming in through the curtains, and the three times per day that a meal is brought to me. I'm barely able to eat, but it could be worse.

After all... someone was hurt much worse than me that day.

The door creaks open once all the nurses are gone, and none other than Captain Hervey and his two vice captains come in. My gaze flickers up to Julius's face first, catching a glimpse of his worried expression. I quickly look to Hervey next. "Captain..."

I start to sit up, but Hervey raises his hand to pause the movement. "Stay still, you're injured enough as it is." He lets out a heavy sigh, his eyes narrowing for a moment. "How are you feeling?"

"As good as I can." I motion vaguely at my right arm, where green mold veins still linger under my skin. "The doctor said maybe two more days before my system gets flushed of this stuff."

"I see." Hervey nods a little. "It'll be good to have you back on your feet..."

I gulp nervously, scared to ask the next question.

"Captain... is Alice-"

"She's still in her coma."

I fall silent. 

"The doctor doesn't think she's going to wake up."

... she's... not going to wake up? 

"Like... not today? Or-"

"Not ever." The words come out sharply, freezing my heart.

I was told as soon as I was conscious enough to listen. The other Shining General was a powerful ice mage. He managed to trap Julius in Ice before making a break for it. Hervey took off in pursuit, but it was too late; The general ran into Alice's group, and in the fight... 

"People don't recover from a frostbitten brain." Hervey muttered, a little callously. I'm too weak to even summon tears, but I feel every part of my soul being shredded apart. 

Alice... you have to wake up... you have to.

"But I told you; My ice magic countered his. I killed that Bastard... both of us felled Generals in this battle. That's why I'm here today."

I look back up at Hervey as he walks to the side of my bed, producing what looks like a small plaque. "Captain, what's this for?"

"It's a special commendation from the Wizard King himself," Hervey explained, giving me a strained smile. "You've been promoted to Senior Magic Knight."

"Congratulations," Malota says, giving me a rare smile of her own from the other side of my bed. "You're basically at the top now."

"You've impressed all of us. Well done."

I look at the foot of my bed, where Julius still stands, and he gives me the same smile as the others. He's happy for me, I can tell, but that tenseness is easily explained; today feels like no time to celebrate, while Alice lies unresponsive in another room.

Impressed... congratulations...

The words feel bitter in my mind.

"I... I'm getting this now... because I murdered someone, right?"

My voice is numb, cold and emotionless. My head falls back onto my pillow, and I stare blankly up at the ceiling. 

Hervey exchanges a glance with the other two before clearing his throat. "NO! Well, yeah... but don't think of it that way. You defeated an enemy of our Kingdom, and now he will never harm anyone again."

That general... his magic hurt. I remember how Giles writhed in pain, and how my mind snapped as he pushed me past my limit. But, I saw something in his eyes. He had a family... there were things in this world that he loved. But me... I can't love anything. Love was ruined for me, so I ruined it for all of them, too...

"I didn't even mean to do it." Slowly, my eyes flicker close. Maybe if I pretend to be asleep, they'll leave me alone. "I was trying to escape..."

"Our bodies do unexpected things when we think we're about to die."

Julius's voice pulls me out, and my eyes open again. I can't bring myself to move and look at him, but I'm listening... I'm listening.

Julius...

"You did what anyone else would have done... but you deserved this promotion before that, trust me." 

Even from where I lay, I can hear the smile on his lips. This time, there is no tension.

How many people have you killed, Julius? You've been to battle far more than I have... and I've heard the stories of your terrifying power. That power scares me, too, but at the same time... I know it protects me.

If I had any less restraint, I would have reached out to him, begged him to take my hand, pleaded for him to stay. I don't care who sees, I don't care who disapproves, I just want him here with me, forever.

But there's just enough restraint within me to keep me still. After that awkward moment, Hervey leads the others out, leaving the plaque on my bedside table.

------------

It's not until later that night that the full gravity of the situation dawns on me. Alice, my closest and oldest friend, was going to die, and I could do nothing about it.

"You're in my group, right? So I'll protect you! No matter what. And you're going to protect me too!"

Alice said those words to Cecelia. She promised that she would live.

Alice... I'm sorry I ever doubted you. You're my friend, nothing less, and I know in my heart that you could never hurt me. As sure as the sun rises, as sure as it sets... you would have never betrayed me.

But why...

I roll over in the dark, my delirious mind breaking down as tears and wet sobs rip from my throat.

Why did I have to realize that after it's too late?!

I clutch a pillow tightly as I cry, holding onto it for dear life. And maybe it's just my imagination... but I feel it hug me back, warm and soft.

-----

When I wake up the next morning, there was no large pillow that I could have been curled up into. The side of the bed next to me is warm; at least, I think it is. But I can't see anyone there, and my fever makes the entire world burn.

Maybe that was just my imagination.

-----

"There you are! Oh, god-"

Two days later, I'm sitting up in bed, feeling good enough to eat. I look up from my soup to see the door open, and two very familiar older people come rushing towards me. I drop my spoon in surprise.

"Mom? Dad?"

Indeed, it's my parents, and a moment later they both tackle me in a hug that's definitely more rough than they should be giving me right now. I let out a hollow gasp as the air is knocked out of my lungs, but I quickly get over it and smile. "Hi... It's good to see you two."

I hug back, burying my face into their shoulders, and am suddenly overwhelmed with... nostalgia. Both of them pull back and start fawning over me, telling me how proud they are of me, and how worried they were before they could visit. It's bittersweet, and it takes everything I have in me to keep from bursting into tears. 

All the pain and trouble I've gone through, I did it for them. For the hope that I could free them from the path they think they're trapped on. Marrying a Kira will give us status for life, but now that I'm a Senior Magic Knight, we don't need that status. By myself, I can support them, and then...

"Oh!" My mom's eyes suddenly lit up. "Look who insisted we bring him with us!"

"Huh? Who-"

I look around her shoulder, and my blood runs cold.

"Hey."

Lawrence Kira stands there in the doorway, not even the faint ghost of a smile upon his face.

My heart starts to pound.

He's here... oh god...

"Congrats on your promotion." He walks inside, and I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. "Looks like you got pretty hurt, though..." He comes to a stop at the foot of my bed, and I resist the urge to scoot back further. My grip on my mother's hand tightens slightly. "How long are you going to keep this up?"

Uh oh. I open my mouth, not sure what to say. He better not use this time to confront me... he's evil. I look over at my parents, who also start to look worried. In front of them, too! He knows that if he pressures me here, my parents will join them. They're looking forward to the wedding, and they don't want me to get hurt again... I start to panic. SHIT!

Finally, I manage to cobble together a response. Play dumb! "Um... well, they should let me out of bed tomorrow-"

"I'm not talking about that-" Lawrence snaps. "I'm talking about you playing Magic Knight for years and years. Face it, you're not cut out for this." He motions at my fading injuries. "You almost died, I don't want you to face something like that again before our wedding."

"He has a point, Darling," Dad pipes up innocently. "If you died... I don't know how I would go on living."

"I know, but I'm not going to die." I tighten my hold on my mother's hand again. She doesn't say anything, but I see something flicker in her eyes. I look back over at Lawrence, his stone cold grey eyes staring right into my soul. "Lawrence, I killed a General. A Diamond General. And I just got promoted. Do you think I'm weak or something?"

"Not weak..." He crosses his arms, and I see his cool exterior waver for a moment. "But you're not strong enough to avoid this type of injury... you Captain knows it too." His confidence returns, and he points at my plaque. "Have you ever heard of a pity promotion? It's not unusual for a weak magic knight to receive a big promotion right after they sustain a bad injury. It's supposed to convince you to leave, because you've done enough. And that's true for you." 

I feel my heart sink. No, I've never heard of pity promotions before, but that adds up.

Am I... am I really that weak?

"I... I- er-"

"FILLER WORDS-" Lawrence snaps, shutting me up immediately. He calms himself after the momentary outburst. "Stop using filler words, remember?"

I nod, my hands shaking.

"Listen... you're not being disgraceful." Lawrence offers me a shallow smile, stepping forward. I feel my heart jolt again, like a deer cornered by a hunter. "But it's time to leave this path and become what you're meant to be..."

I... I can't... I have to... I-

"My wife-"

"No."

The word slips out, and Lawrence freezes. His eyes widen a little, somehow getting colder.

"What did you just say?"

Shit, shit, shit! My heart pounds, but it's too late to go back.

"I- I said no." I take a shuddering breath, ignoring my parents' shocked faces. "I don't want to marry you, Lawrence, and I'm not going to."

The words don't quite register for Lawrence, ricocheting around between his ears. But once they do, it's obvious. His cheeks start to redden, and his wide eyes crumple with rage.

"You... you can't just say no now! We've been engaged since I was ten!"

"Honey, what on earth are you thinking?" Both of my parents look scared. Their whole lives, they placed their entire future on this marriage, not considering any other way to protect us. But now, I've found another way.

Yes... through my own strength, I forged a path! With the help of Alice, I created a fate far different from what Lawrence tried to create for me. I won't let Alice's work go to waste! I found a life I can live with pride... and I found someone that I want to love with all my heart!

"I am a Magic Knight, Lawrence." I sit up, shaking off my parents' hands, and point accusingly at the man who's caused me so much pain over my entire life. "You are the lowest of the low. You forced me to do things I wasn't ready to do. You hurt me, and manipulated me- and I'm not going to just lay down and take it any more!"

My voice raises steadily in volume, and so does my courage. Somehow, a smile starts to grow on my lips, and I clench my fist as I say the words I've always wanted to say.

"For my family, and for my own pride, I reject you, Lawrence Kira-"

Just as I utter his name, I see something in his gaze snap.

Oh- God-

Instantly, mana caves in around him then shoots out at me. I don't have time to finish my sentence. Poisonous, thistly grey vines hit my throat, wrapping around it and blasting me backwards. My parents both scream, and I hit the wall above the bedframe with a resounding CRACK. My mouth opens with a silent scream, the thistles pricking my skin and drawing blood. My back hurts, my legs kick helplessly, and my fingers claw uselessly at the tight chords that choke the life out of me. But at the same time...

That's it Lawrence. Show the world what a monster you really are.

"YOU WENCH!" he basically gargles, still overcome with indignancy and rage. A vein starts to pop out of his temple. "Do you think I'm going to just let you leave? After all the work I put into you?! YOU'RE NOTHING BUT AN UNGRATEFUL SOW WITHOUT ME!"

The thistles tighten, and I start to taste blood too.

More... more... show me more of your hate!

Lawrence looks unhinged as he clenches his fist, controlling his magic. "So... I'm going to teach you a lesson... and then you're coming right back to the castle WITH ME-"

He's cut off suddenly. I crack open an eye to see both of my parents on their feet, hands and Grimoires up. Both are already forming magic in their hands, Eye magic and Memory Magic, and both are targeted at the prince. Lawrence's eyes widen. "What- What do you think you're doing-"

"Let go of her." My dad's voice is deadly soft. Both of them aren't freaking out, but I can hear the urge to tear into Lawrence in his words. "Now."

"I don't care if you're a prince. You don't touch her ever again." My mother's voice holds the same quiet threat.

Lawrence opens and closes his mouth a few times, and I feel his thistles weaken slightly. All I can do is hold my breath and stay still as the edges of my vision start to blur. 

yes... both of them stood up for me... Mom, dad, I promise this wasn't a mistake!

"If you defy me... your status will mean nothing. Society will ostracize you," Lawrence threatens. "Are you really going to throw everything I gave you away?"

"Status means nothing, now that we know what you really are like," my dad's voice starts to waver. "Let her go before I show you what I'm really like."

After one more tense moment, the thistles disappear. I let out a deep gasp before collapsing back down onto my bed, a trembling mess. My parents immediately retract their magic and rush to my side. "I-I'm fine-" I wheeze, sitting up with their help.

Lawrence still looks mad, but that calculated coolness in his eyes returns.

"You... you'll regret this."

Without another word, Lawrence turns dramatically and storms off, slamming the door behind him.

The nurses are called back in, fixing up the wounds on my neck. They aren't deep, but Lawrence's Thistle Magic leaves millions of microscopic wounds. It hurts like a bitch, too.

But the whole time, up until my parents leave, only one thought circles through my mind.

I did it...

I'm free.

[kaeyas-beloved]

I Believe In You {Midoriya x Sister!Reader}

*Was Listening To The Sad OST While Writing This*

*TW: Mentions of Death & War. Also sad Izuwu T_T*

"I'm sorry Izuku!" My mother cries, falling forward and bringing my crying little brother into a hug. Now they're both crying while I myself just lean against Izuku's bedroom door frame, a few tears leaking from my own eyes.

Izuku just found out he was quirkless only mere hours ago, that's all it took to utterly crush his life dream of becoming a hero. A sorry was not what Izuku needs, I know this and I know mom knows this too... but yet that's all she could do, apologize for something that was in no way her fault.

I'm not sure how much time has passed with just my brother and mother embracing each other and crying but mom soon breaks the hug, standing up. She starts to walk out of his room, sniffling, but stops beside me and leans in so only I could hear what she had to say.

"Can you talk to him, he needs you now more than anything (Y/N)" she whispers. I glance at her and nod, knowing I need to take up the roll of talking to him since she couldn't at the moment. "Thank you..." mom whispers, continuing to walk away, probably to the couch or to her room.

I take a small inhale of air, trying to think of what to tell Izuku. My mind races for something I could tell him put ultimately I just say screw it and walk over to stand beside him. Just as I'm about to open my mouth to say something, Izuku presses the pause button on his video, stopping it at the part where All Might's face takes up the whole screen, sniffling.

"I-I can become a h-hero like y-you r-right (Y/N)-chan? I-I can be a g-great hero like you too r-right?" My heart just shatters at his heart broken voice and I suppress the urge to cry. I spin Izuku's computer chair around so he's facing me only to be met with a still crying Izuku. I frown and pick him up off his chair, carrying him over and setting him in my lap as I sit down on his bed.

"Of course you can Izuku, I see no reason why you can't be" I whisper to the small, fragile boy. He gazes up to me with tear stained cheeks, no longer crying, but with a confused look.

"B-but I'm quirkless, I can't be a hero like All Might or you..." he whimpers out, lowering his head as tears start to form in his eyes again. I lift his head so he's looking at me, chuckling a little while wiping his small tears away.

"Who said you can't become a hero?" I question, though I know who but I just want him to answer.

"The doctor, Kacchan, everyone in my class... They all say I should give up, that I should stop trying, that I can't do it..."

"Are you going to listen to them?" I inquired. Izuku gives me a quizzical look so I restate my question, "Are you going to listen to them? Are you going to give up?"

Taking a moment to think over what I'm asking him, Izuku just shrugs, "maybe..."

"Nope! Wrong answer Izuku!" I smile down at him, "do not let others lead your life, it's your life for a reason..." I pause a moment, debating whether or not I should let this information slip past my lips or not. Maybe I should, Izuku needs to hear this...

"I want to tell you something Izu. People are going to tell you that you can't do it, whether it's because your weak or quirkless or not smart enough. I know you know this, but listen, you can do it. Want to know why I think you can?"

"Why..." he whispers.

"Because when I was your age... I was told the exact same thing, that I could never be a hero, but look where I am now! I proved them all wrong, I became the hero that I wanted to be! I did that by not listening to those who told me other wise. I pushed through, I set goals for myself and I set morals that I would stick by and every time I did I became stronger, more confident in myself, and so can you! You can become the No. 1 Hero that you want to be Izuku!"

When I finished my little motivational speech, my small, 4 year-old brother is left speechless with floods of tears streaming down his eyes, but in no way is he sad. Embracing me tightly, Izuku stands up on my lap and leans his head into the crook of my neck, crying but I can hear him say something, something that puts a smile on my face.

"Thank you (Y/N)-chan, you're my hero and the best sister ever..."

We stay like that for a little bit until Izuku finally lets go, wiping his tears away. He hops off my lap and goes to the head of his bed, climbing under the covers and laying his head on the pillow. He lets out a tiny yawn and I chuckle, the poor boy having tired himself out. I stand up from where I was sitting on the edge of his bed and walk over to his computer, shutting it down. Pacing back over to Izuku's bedside, I turn on his All Might nightlight, lean forward and give his forehead a kiss.

"Good-night Izu, sweet dreams little hero-to-be" I murmured. Turning to his bedroom door about to head to my own room to retire for the night, I halt in my steps by the quite call of my brother.

"(Y/N)-chan, I have a question..." Looking at him, I nod to him as a way of saying that I was listening and to ask his question. "W-what's a moral? You said you have those but, what are they?" I hum in though as I walk back to kneel beside him, pondering the best way to explain this to him without confusing him. What the hell am I talking about, he's a smart boy, he'll understand.

"It's a little hard for me to explain but it's like what a person believes is right, it's like something they live by." I try to explain. A small 'oh' leaves Izuku.

"What's a moral that you have?" If I'm being honest I was a tad taken aback by him asking me that. I nevertheless smile and think of my answer.

"Well, I actually have a few. Like a villain is not born, they're made. No one is born to be evil, something has to happen to them or they were raised that way, and were never showed the light and beauty of the world around them. But two of my favorites have to be that a true hero isn't measured by his strength or how many villains he defeats, but by the strength of his heart and his will to be a hero. The second one is that a hero isn't born, they're made, meaning that it takes hard work for them to get to where they want to be, which is to be a hero of course. I know for sure that I had to work hard to get to where I am now, but you, you'll have to work extra hard, but I believe in you Izuku and when you become a hero, you'll be letting the world know that you did it. But to do that you need to go to bed silly!" I flash smile at him and he smiles his big, bright, pure smile back.

"Will you train me when I'm older (Y/N)-chan!? Please!?" Izuku pleads and I laugh.

"Yes Izuku I will and I'll be with you every step of the way, I promise. But you gotta go to bed first!"

"Okay! Good-night (Y/N)-chan, I love you!" Izuku laughs with a smile as he closes his eyes, falling asleep within moments. A smaller smile crawls onto my lips and I stand up once more to my full height, tip-toeing so I don't wake Izuku up. Just as I'm about to close the door I whisper out,

"I love you too Izuku, my little brother. I believe in you..." What I didn't know was that he heard what I said and that those words would stick with him on his journey to becoming a Pro Hero.

--------(Time Skip, Izuku is now at UA and 15 years old)--------

The words my sister said to me when I was told that I couldn't become a hero 11 years ago has got me through so much and has gotten me to where I am now, at UA High, the prestigious school for heroes-to-be. Even while she isn't here with me now, I know that she is watching over my every move.

"Settle down students" Mr. Aizawa sighs, hopping into class dressed in his favourite yellow sleeping bag. At the sound of the very, and always, tired teacher's voice, Class 1-A did as told and settled into their seats as they all ended their conversations and such, ready to focus on the lesson for the day.

Well, all but one. That being Izuku Midoriya.

"As some of you may know," Aizawa began, "today is the anniversary of the War of Pros, a war between many Pro Heroes and Pro Villains worldwide. So, as some of you can guess, that'll be the lesson for today."

As Mr. Aizawa was setting up the projector to show a slideshow featuring some notes, videos and pictures, his dark and sleep-deprived eyes made eye contact with Midoriya's. At that moment, the usual stone coldness of Aizawa's eyes shifted to one of sympathy. Midoriya could tell what his teacher was thinking, so he merely nodded, letting the Pro Hero know he was okay sitting around for the lesson. Nodding back, Aizawa continued with the planned lesson.

"The war ended quickly, with it only lasting 3 weeks, and some of the greatest heroes served in it. Who knows what heroes from Japan fought in it?"

Right away, Midoriya's hand shot up, making it quite known to the class that he knew what the answer was. Aizawa was quite surprised but didn't show it.

"Midoriya?"

Clearing his throat, Midoriya answered, "All Might, Endeavor and... (H/N)." Many caught the hesitation with the last Pro Heroes name, but paid no mind to it. Except Bakugou and Aizawa, because they knew the reason behind it.

When I was 10, (Y/N) was assigned to partake in war overseas along with All Might and Endeavor. At this time, my sister moved up the ranks to be the No.3 Pro-Hero in Japan, meaning she was one of the strongest there was and one of the more fit ones to go to battle. This war was classed as a triple-S level war, so Pros from all over the world, such as America, came to assist as well. It was chaos and destruction between villains and heroes alike, many were injured but only one Pro-Hero was killed.

My sister...

"Right..." Aizawa replied in a monotone voice, like always.

Aizawa was the same age as (Y/N), they went to school together and were in the same classes. As for Bakugou, despite being the nerds older sister, Bakugou still knew the Pro deserved respect.

As the dark haired teacher continued on with the lesson, Izuku Midoriya was stuck in his own thoughts about his sister and the day he and his mother were told of her death.

The day my mother and I found out was the worst day of my life, it greatly out weighted the agony and sadness I felt when I found out I was quirkless. My mother cried for months and wouldn't even go anywhere close to her room, avoiding it like the plague, but only because every time she would be near it, she would burst into tears.

When my mother was finally ready to go into (Y/N)'s room we found letters in her desk drawer. One was addressed to mom, one to All Might, one to Mr. Aizawa, one to President Mic. Then there was a stack of 7 addressed to a group that (Y/N) was apart of called the RFA. The last letter was for myself. Mom mailed the other letters after she read her own, but I read my letter later that night.

When I read the letter it seemed to have meant to be for me to read before she left, (Y/N) must have just forgotten to give it to me before she left, she did leave 2 days earlier than she was originally suppose to.

~~~~

Dear Izuku,

Hey there little buddy! I know you don't like that nickname all that much but meh :P

Now onto some serious things... I know, I know, there's no fun in serious things but I gotta! As you know I have to leave for a little while to go overseas, but I'll come back as soon as I can! Then we can go back to our usual of training and goofing off okay! I promise, pinkie promise Izuku!

And if you ever miss me you know what to do right? Yell out the window as loud as you can so I can hear you 'Goddess 606 help me!' or you can call on my friend God 707, he'll be there for you too if I can't be :)

Like I said Izuku, I'll be home as soon as I can be, so just keep training while I'm gone, then when I get back I'll test you, so be ready!

You can do it Izuku, go beyond, Plus Ultra! I believe in you!!

~Love your sister, (Y/N) Midoriya~

~~~~

"Even though a life was taken that day in battle, her sacrifice was not in vain. Can anyone tell me why?" Zoning back into the lesson, Midoriya hears Aizawa ask the class another question, and with no one else raising their hand, whether it's because they don't want to answer the question or no one actually knows, Midoriya reluctantly raises his hand once more.

Hesitantly, Aizawa calls on him, "Midoriya..."

With clenched hands that tremble slightly, Midoriya answers through his teeth, "Her sacrifice wasn't in vain... b-because her finally attack won th-the war..." Midoriya couldn't hold them back any more, his tears of sorrow and hurt. Hurt because his sister promised to come home, yet she's not here, with him and cheering him on! Not here with him sparring, not here helping him grow, not here with him every step of the way like she said, like she promised!

The sudden noise of a chair scrapping against the tiled ground caught everyone's attention, except for Midoriya, who's still crying in his seat while his fellow classmates gave him sympathetic looks before the noise occurred.

"Oi, Deku..." The rough and raspy voice of Katsuki Bakugou sounds out in the quiet classroom. While the pitch of Bakugou's tone seems to not have changed, to everyone that knew the young boy, they would catch the softness in it. Marching over to his desk, Bakugou lifts Midoriya by the back of his collar and sets him on his feet.

Calming down just enough to talk coherently, Midoriya mutters out "w-what is it Kacchan? I-" before being pulled into someones embrace, Bakugou's. Class 1-A and their teacher are shocked to their core, no one expecting him to comfort his childhood rival. Before Midoriya could sputter out anything, Bakugou began to talk.

"Now listen here shitty Deku cause I'm only saying this once, (Y/N) wouldn't want you to be this upset over her, she'd want you to continue living your life and become the hero she knew you could, no um, become the hero that you can be. Don't think I didn't see you and her training all those years ago! Now don't let her hard work go to waste shitty nerd and brighten the hell up, it's what she would have wanted!" Bakugou's tone held so much sincerity and truth that Midoriya couldn't help but cry more, not in sadness, but in content. He should have realized that if his sister was still here that she would have been disappointed in how he's been living his life, in sadness and despair.

"Th-thank you K-Kacchan!" Midoriya cried, hugging his friend just a little tighter, Bakugou returning the tight grip.

"No problem nerd..." He whispered, tone gentle.

The class sat shocked yet eternally happy that Bakugou dropped his pride to comfort the very emotional green haired teen, showing a side of himself that very few would ever get to witness and experience. Smiling faces filled the quiet classroom as 1-A just let everyone calm down, to regain composure of their feelings so they could return to the lesson.

Suddenly, frantic and heavy footsteps could be heard from the hallway just outside the classroom, catching many off guard. Bakugou and Midoriya parted, positioning themselves into a fighting stance, ready to defend themselves and those around them.

As the classroom door slides open with much ferocity, the entire of Class 1-A is thrown into shock, but in three of them, other emotions bubble in them. Aizawa, Bakugou and Midoriya all hold a sense of sadness, relief, confusion and pure joy at the face that has appeared before them.

Lowering their fighting stances, Izuku staggers forward, tears beginning to brim his emerald coloured eyes.

"(Y-Y/N)...?"

(Y/N)'s POV

"(Y-Y/N)...?" Izuku whispers, voice shaking though thick with emotion. As I lean against the door frame to the classroom, clutching the side of my stomach, I can see the tears in his eyes. In my little brother's eyes. Eyes that I thought I'd never see again along with his atrociously messy green hair, his distinctly familiar voice that despite him being older, is still recognizable.

"I-Izu-uku, I told y-you I'd c-come home" the arm that wasn't holding my injured side reached out to him, my body leaning off the only support I had at the moment. Izuku rushes forward, the tears that had been accumulating finally running down his cheeks as he wraps his arms around me, myself doing the same as I let go of my injury momentarily.

His tears start to soak my tattered, torn and slightly burnt shirt but I could care less. All I care about is being here, home, with part of my family.

"H-h-how a-are you-u he-here. Th-the n-news said you were d-dead" the small green haired boy hiccups, clutching onto me tighter, like if he even loosened his grip a fraction I would disappear forever. His fingers claw slightly into another wound of mine, causing me to wince though Izuku doesn't let up.

"I know, I know. I never died, I was kidnapped by those I was fighting back then and only now was I able to escape. But I promise, I'm here, I'm okay and I'm never leaving you again. And hey, I see you made it into UA! Told you that you could make it!" I smile.

Izuku only seems to sob louder and harder. His tears aren't tears of sorrow any more but more like tears of happiness.

In that moment, we both knew that everything was going to be okay. That neither of us would be absent from each other's lives ever again.

I was home and someone I care about most is happy.

Everything is finally alright.

[scribbles-spills-the-ink]

3 AM |Luna x Reader|

A/n: All of my x readers contain a reader with a disability, sometimes the disability is important, other times it’s just an extension to the character. Abled bodied readers can still read/like/comment/ and reblog, of course.

Genre: Fluff!

Warnings: Light cursing, injured animal, mentions of blood, reader takes medication.

It was 3 am when my eyes shot open and I arched my back in pain. I cursed to myself as I grabbed at my frozen legs, and groaned when I realised there was no feeling in them. My labored breathing was one of the only sounds in the sparkling Ravenclaw dorm room, along with the light snoring and sleep talking.

I inhaled the chocolate mocha scent through my enchanted pillow, and sat up with a grunt. Then I rubbed my eyes through my tiredness, and admired the moonlight that was reflecting on various silver items, and the stained glass window. 

As I downed 4 pills with the water on my bedside I stole a glance at Luna Lovegood, and my face warmed. Her flowy platinum blonde hair was sprayed over her flower scented pillow, and her arms were wrapped around the big white wolf plush I got her for Valentine's. I smiled as I wrapped my fingers around the cork charm she made for me. Damn did I love that girl, since my 2nd year. However, I could never work up the courage to tell her. 

I sighed and tried to rest again, only to realize moments later that it wasn't going to happen. So I accioed my broomstick wheelchair over to my bed and slid into it. The chair hovered about 6 feet above the ground and floated over to the larger stained window. 

I looked out the window and suddenly had a taste for some hot chocolate. Though I ignored it and continued to gaze over to the forbidden forest. As I admired the school grounds I saw the flutter of big, skeletal wings. It was the thestrals. My heart swelled, and I looked at the creatures that had brought Luna and I together.

However, the warm feeling faded when I noticed one of the thestrals wings never returned to its side, and it was stomping on the ground in panic. My heart ached as I watched it thrash around in agony, as it tried to free it’s captured wings. It was a fruitless effort.

I hurriedly grabbed my wand and floated out of the dorms, and out of the common room. The best thing about my chair is that, since it was floating, it didn't make any noise. I pushed forward the toggle that moved the chair forward, and looked around the corner for Flich or Ms Norris. 

Once I realised I was in the clear, I sped down the steps, and to the entrance door. Though I had only cracked it open when I heard a cat's meows. My heart stopped, and I turned slowly on my heels. 

Ms. Norris's red eyes narrowed into mine, and I racked my brain for a solution. Though my heart began to beat even heavier when I heard Filch's footsteps coming down the moving staircase. 

Then I thought of something crazy, so crazy that it just might work. I mean, she's just a cat right? So, I thought of a cat toy, and tried to focus completely on the object I want to transform my wand into. Then, when I lifted my wand again there was a fuzzy end to it and bells. 

I shook it and the bells jingled. Ms. Norris's eyes focused on the sound and pounced at it. 

"Good kitty," I whispered as Filch's steps got closer. 

I pulled my wand back, to pretend I was going to throw it, and then flicked it forward. To my joy, she fell for it, and I quickly slipped through the big doors just as Filch was at the archway. 

I sighed in relief and pushed the toggle forward and the chair sped quickly across the grass which shimmered with dew. Past Hagrid's hut, which smelt of small flames. I noticed the lights were all off, and Hagrid's loud snores echoed through. Then into the forest where the thestrals cries where louder than ever, and more heartbreaking. 

I grabbed my wand tighter and rushed toward the cries. My heart was beating widely but the sounds of the forest edged me on. From the howls of werewolves, and the hoof thumps of centaurs, my arms were covered with goosebumps. 

But then I saw him, the poor thestral, whom since I last saw him, had been left alone by his herd. I rushed toward him, and carefully slid off my chair; opting for crawling rather than scaring him.

I approached him slowly and gingerly placed my hand on his nose, "It's okay, honey, I'm here to help." and stroked his head to calm him.

Once he had stopped thrashing and crying, I raised my wand to the vines that entangled his large wings. "Difindo!" I whispered. 

A small light shot to the vines and a couple fell to the ground. I repeated this action a few times over until his wing was free and all the vines were limp on the ground. However, before I could let him fly off, I cooed him still, and held his wing in my hands.

My heart dropped when I noticed the large gash in his wings that was bleeding a dark red. I casted the ferula spell that expertly wrapped a gawse around the wound. Then, I took a couple vines and tied them each loosely around his neck which created a makeshift leash.

So the as frogs croaked, fairies hummed, and the huge trees creaked, we walked peacefully through the forest. I continued to stroke the thestrals muzzle as I tied him to the fence on Hagrid's garden. He neighed and pawed at the ground, which I took as a sign of thanks, and rubbed his neck before I handed him a piece of raw meat from the bucket outside.  

"I'm glad you got here in time!" Exclaimed a sweet, dreamy voice that I instantly recognized. 

"Luna!" I yelled as I turned the face the pretty blonde. "What are you doing up?" 

She chuckled and I had finally noticed the multicolored patched jacket in her hands as she came closer. "I heard you leave, and when I saw what you were doing, I thought you might be cold." 

Truth be told, I hadn't given the cold a signal thought, for I was too occupied with everything else. Now, however, I have taken notice of it. My arms were spotted with goosebumps, and my nose was freezing at it's tip. I wrapped my arms around myself and meekly said, "Maybe a little smidge."

Luna shook her head with a giggle, her hair swaying beautifully with the movement, and began to walk closer to me. I reached my hand out for the jacket, but instead she slipped the sleeves on for me and fixed the collar on me. 

My face flushed as she let her dainty, princess like hands rest on my shoulders, and hoped it could be mistaken for the cold. Then she smiled with her brilliant blue eyes focused on mine. I never wanted this moment to end. I just wanted her to keep looking at me, like I was one of her day dreams that she would get lost inside. 

I couldn't help but smile at her, and before I even realize what I was doing, I placed my hands on her waist. Though, when her eyes fell to gaze at them my whole body felt like it was on fire and I quickly removed them and backed away.

"I’m so so sorry, I shouldn't have done that!” I stuttered out and twiddle my fingers with my head down. 

She giggled again, and I couldn't help but smile to myself. Her hands grabbed mine and brought me even closer to her than we were before.

"You're cute," She said so assurly with her hand now caressing my cheek. "but you don't have to be nervous around me."

"Well-" I gulped and went to hold her hips again but shyed away. "-I suppose I just get that way around certain girls."

"Yeah?" She kneeled down to my height, and her free hand rested on my thigh. "What kind of girls?" 

What was I doing? I felt nauseous, not in a sick way, but in the way of all this happiness is bubbling in my stomach, and I don't know what to do with it!

"Um well... she's- they're! No, she's-” After stuttering like an idiot, I took a deep breath and said “-she's so ethereal, like she really did come from the clouds. She’s a daydreamer, whose eyes glisten in the moonlight, and she's so very confident in who she is. She loves to draw and paint, and she believes in everything, even the impossible." 

I looked back up to her hesitantly, and swallowed my breath as I finished, “And all she has to do is look at me...and...I’m hers.” 

Luna’s eyes softened, and her body was relaxed, and at rest. Her hand on my cheek fell to my hand, which she intertwined her fingers with. Her head was down, so I couldn’t see her expression. Among those things her silky hair fell in waved that curtained her face. 

My heart was beating rapidly in my chest, and I wondered if she could feel my hand trembling in hers. My thoughts raced in a dangerous cycle of anxiety and embarrassment as I watched her think. Though, there were moments when seeing her tonight under the pearl shaped moon invaded my mind.

Like how her soft and sweet her lips must taste, or how her warm skin against mine felt like falling asleep next to a fireplace on a cold night. I recalled every adventure I imagined for us, like how much I would like to hold her in my arms, or fall asleep reading her favorite book. Oh, if only I could run away with her, I’d never look back. 

"That sounds like you were talking about me?" Her voice was so soft I barely heard it. She has slightly raised her head, just enough to see her brilliant silver eyes that flickered with worry. 

I swallowed a breath and pushed the hair that curtained her face behind her ear. How was it possible that there were stars, and moon above us; that there was a brilliant thestral behind us, and mysterious forest beside us, and yet she was more beautiful than it all. 

"Of course it's you Luna," I chuckled and cupped her jaw in my hand. "Who else could it possibly be?" 

"There's hundreds of boys and girls here, anything is possible." Luna’s eyes wandered to the ground. “Besides, I’m Looney Lovegood, and you’re...well…”

As she trailed off, I felt something spark inside me.

For a moment, I looked up to the sky and was mesmerized by all the stars. However, there was one that shined the brightest, and just like that, every thought dried. Because I realised, it was just me, Luna, and the stars.

I smiled and tilted her head a little higher, and tucked the hair hiding her face behind her ear.

“Hey, you said it first-” I brought my other hand up to cup her face. “-I’m just as sane as you.”

“And I love you, Luna, more than anything.”

Saying those words that had been trapped in my brain for 6 years felt like taking a breath of fresh air, but had no comparison to what came next.

Luna brought her hands up to pull down on the coat she gave me, pulling me centimeters from her face. One hand wandered to the back of my neck, while the other rested on my shoulder. I took a deep breath and held onto her hips, as she lifted herself on her knees.

Not a moment later, her lips were on mine.

I closed my eyes, and it felt like floating around in an empty earth with only her. I could feel her hand trailing up and down my back as our mouths pieced together like perfect puzzles. And I couldn’t help but smile everytime she hummed against my lips.

Kissing her, however, was better than I could have ever imagined. We were going slow, and her lips were light as she controlled our kiss. She tasted like birthday cake, and she smelt like the beginning of fall. 

Slowly, she began to back away, though I wanted nothing more than to keep kissing her forever. I took a second to open my eyes, but when I did, it was because Luna’s hand rested on my cheek, and her thumb caressed my bottom lip. I couldn’t help but stare at her as she did this. 

Then I placed my hand on top of hers, and turned my head just enough to kiss her hand. Then I intertwined our fingers and put our hands in my lap. 

“I love you, Luna.” I said again, though this time with my head down.

But Luna hooked her finger under my chin and brought my gaze up to her. Then she placed a short peck on my lips, rested her head on my shoulder, and whispered:

“I love you more.”

[otome--fantasy]

Of Demons and Dragons

Ikemen Sengoku Imagine: Being able to turn into a dragon.

Ch.4

Warnings: Swearing, MC is comfortable with her sexuality, things get a little saucy because two can play at that game.

"Just what were you thinking!?" Hideyoshi practically shoved you into your room, closing the door after he and Mitsunari had stepped in, "Actually scratch that, your weren't thinking! You couldn't have possibly been!"

"What Lord Hideyoshi means, Milady, is 'what you did was incredibly dangerous and could have ended very badly'," Mitsunari attempted to clarify, not wanting you to think that Hideyoshi's words came from a place of malice.

"We trust you enough to give you just a little bit of breathing room," Hideyoshi is pacing your room now, "And you go and pull a stunt like this!" You suddenly remember that there were no guards at your door when you left for the bathhouse. Till now, you had assumed it was because training was at the top of their list.

"Are you saying you no longer think I've been sent here to kill Lord Nobunaga?" You tilt your head slightly to the side in question.

"What?" He stopped his pacing to look at you, thrown off by your question. "No, you do too many stupid and reckless things for me to think that you could ever pull off killing Lord Nobunaga."

Well if that wasn't a big middle finger to you, but you didn't do the things you did because you were reckless- okay maybe running away from the castle was a bit of a stupid move, but like every other time before that, you knew you would be okay.

"I'm sorry."

Hideyoshi yet again ceased his pacing to look at you when he heard the apology leave your mouth. Mitsunari also seemed a little caught off guard as he turned to give you his full attention. With an exasperated sigh and a roll of your eyes you continued on, "I'm sorry. What I did was stupid, and reckless, I didn't think it through, and it could have ended badly for everyone involved...and I'm sorry about the castle gate."

"Yes, what did happen to the gate?" Mitsunari's brows furrowed as a perplexed look crossed his features. They already had someone working on repairs, but neither they nor the repairman could understand just how the whole gate had flown off the hinges.

"Well I know I really wanted to get out and was prepared to use myself to ram the gate open," you shrugged your shoulders, "Maybe the hinges were already loose and that's why it flew off so easily?"

Hideyoshi turned to look at his vassal, as if to ask if that were possible. "I mean it isn't impossible," the silver-haired tactician reasoned. Hideyoshi turned to look at you, like he was making sure this was the story you wanted to go with. His silent question was answered when you gave him a wide smile, and he sighed in defeat, "Okay then." He stepped away from you headed towards your door, and motioned for Mitsunari to follow him, "I guess we will be on our way then."

You held your smile and waved, following them to the door so you could shut it when they left. With a sigh of relief you slumped against your door before locking the inside latch and walking over to your mat. Perhaps you should just nap the rest of the day away... Your body told you 'No' when the biggest growl rumbled from your stomach. Right. You woke up late, and hadn't had breakfast yet and it was surely already way past noon. You made your way back to the sliding doors, and reached to unlock the latch, but froze midway. What if you ran into Mitsuhide again? Do you really want to deal with his incessant snooping if you do run into him? You could always ask a maid to bring you food... As if your thoughts had summoned it, there was a knock at your door that caused you to jump.

"Hello? Milady, are you awake?" Ah! A maid! You smiled and silently thanked the universe before unlocking the latch and opening the sliding door enough to pop your head out, "Yes! I am!"

"Oh," the woman smiled at your excitement, "Well I am Kinu, I'm one of your maids!"

Excellent.

"And I am here because Lord Nobunaga has summoned you."

Not excellent.

You stood there for a moment, not sure how to respond, "He does realize I am injured and as such should not leave this room, correct?" You physically turned up your nose at having to answer to Nobunaga's every beck and call. The maid laughed nervously, "Yes well, I did tell him that, and our Lord said you might decline, but he insisted that you were well enough to come to his chambers if your are well enough to run off castle grounds and wander about the village."

You huff and retreat back into the room, closing the door to think for a minute, before stepping out of your room, "Fine, I'll go," your face softened as you looked back at the maid. She wasn't to blame for this, she was only doing her job, "Though you will have to escort me since I don't know the way."

"Of course, Milady," she bowed to you, polite smile returning to her face before she turned to lead you down the hall. You followed her silently, taking in everything as the two of you walked. For the most part, everything looked the same, with the only notable differences being in the halls that had windows showing the outside. You were about to go up the first flight of stairs when something bumped your leg. With a small start, you turned to look behind you, only to find nothing there. Then the sensation of something pulling at the hem of your Kimono got your attention.

"Hm?" Your eyes widened when you saw a tiger cub trying to play tug-of-war with your clothes, "Excuse me!" The maid was suprised to hear your outburst and turned to look at you, nervous that she had done something wrong. She sighed in relief however, when she saw you pick up the baby tiger.

"Princess!" She gasped, "I am so sorry!" She moved to take him, but you stepped back and out of her reach. Mine.

"Many apologies, Milady," she bowed, "That's Lord Masamune's pet tiger, Shogetsu." She looked to the cub in your arms and then to you, "He has the habit of wandering off Lord Masamune's manor and exploring Azuchi."

"Is that so?" You turned to look at the orange and black feline in your arms before poking him on the nose and smiling, "What an irresponsible father you have." The maid was suprised as you baby talked to the tiger cub, "Perhaps I should keep you." The baby let out a small 'mrowl', attempting to wrap his massive paw around the finger that poked him, and gently batted at it, before giving up all together and just settling for mouthing the appendage. The maid smiled before she continued on her way up the flight of stairs, looking back every now and then to make sure you were still following.

You did fall behind however, when the tiger cub bit down a little too hard on your finger. You didn't cry out or pull your hand away, instead you stopped walking while Kinu continued on and once she was far enough, you looked down to the tiger cub and produced a low growl. The baby feline stopped and looked at you with wide eyes, before deciding it better to lick the finger it had hurt as opposed to challenging you back. You smiled, glad the cub had taken to your correction well before you began walking again to catch up with Kinu.

Several hallways and flights of stairs later, you and Kinu finally reached Nobunaga's quarters. You could tell it was possibly one of the fanciest rooms in the castle just by looking at the sliding doors - they were large, larger than even the council's sliding doors, and as opposed to the normal off white color the hall walls and doors had, this one was colored red with a painting of a dragon around the edges, and demons and men seemingly at war with each other in the center. It took everything in you not to laugh at the irony of the situation.

How fitting.

Kinu bowed to you before walking off back in the direction you both came, and you readjusted the tiger cub so you were carrying it like a human baby before knocking on the double doors, "Nobunaga?" You stepped in and briefly glanced around, finding the immediate room empty with the balcony doors wide open. The view was a beautiful image of the village at sunset, and better than the view in your room of course since it was higher up

Asshole, calling you and then having the gull not to be here when you arrive.

"Why are you standing there? Come closer." The sound of his voice got your attention, and you stepped in, closed the door behind you, before following it outside to see him sitting on the balcony just around the edge of the doorway.

Damn it.

He stood placing a saucer-like cup on the railing before turning to face you. You huffed as you made your way to him, gently placing Shogetsu on the floor before you reached the raven haired warlord.

"It appears you have a shadow." You looked back only to see that, instead of walking the room to find something to chew on, the cub had decided to remain by your side, "Never mind him, what did you want?"

"I was unable to sleep."

And?

"You arrived at just the right time."

What does he want you to do about it? Read him a bedtime story-

"You will warm my bed."

"Excuse me, what?" Your brows raised in suprise. For a moment you wondered if that statement ment what you thought it ment before he clarified for you.

"What's so confusing? I want you to be my partner tonight." Yeah that's what you thought he was asking.

To be fair, Nobunaga was fairly handsome, you couldn't deny that. You also thought that the two of you in bed together would be absolutely wicked. Perhaps you could finally put him in his place, but you knew what sex in this time period often marked, especially to someone like Nobunaga. In the old days, women were often viewed more as property or a commodity than anything else, and sleeping with a man ment that had some sort of a claim on you, and that was something you were 100% not down for.

"No," Your answer was simple and sharp.

"Why? Is there a problem?" There was a small tenderness to his voice, but you highly doubted it was genuine and thought it was more of a tactic to seduce you.

"I'm not your play thing."

He smirked at this, "No one ever said you were."

"You don't have to say it," you took a step closer to him, "It's written between the lines."

"Well, well, it seems I have acquired a most outspoken woman," Nobunaga began to approach you, and for a brief moment you contemplated taking a few steps back, but then it would have looked like you were actually backing down. You stood your ground and allowed him to slowly place a hand on your shoulder before gently lifting your chin with his index finger and thumb. Out of suprise from the forwardness of his actions thus far, you raised both your brows - one going slightly higher than the other, before your expression changed and you gave him a smirk when an absolutely delicious idea came to mind.

"Why don't we share a drink then, instead of all this inane complaining?" He was actually trying to flirt with you.

You broke your gaze with him to look towards the sake cup on the railing as he reached for it and brought it to your lips, but before he could tip the sake you gently pushed it away with your finger, "I haven't eaten, you aren't supposed to drink on an empty stomach."

"Well if that is the only issue," Nobunaga walked around you, cup of saké still in hand, and he pulled on some sort of red tasseled cord that hung next to a rather lavish chair. You tried to maintain you snickering, he has a throne in his room? He pulled the tassel a second time consecutively after the last, and your brows furrowed in confusion. What was he doing?

"Now we wait," he moved back to the balcony and sat back down on the floor. Should you leave? You would like to, but then again he would probably either [try to] stop you or just have you called back up, "Come."

His voice rang through the air and snapped you out of your thoughts. You huffed, wanting to leave even more now just to spite him and show him that he can't tell you what to do, but you end up joining him on the balcony - claiming a seat on the floor a couple feet away from him, "Just for the record, I'm not sitting with you because you told me too."

"Hm?"

"I'm sitting because I am bored and have nothing more interesting to-" on that note the sound of metal clattering to the ground, followed by the sound of a distressed animal caught your attention and you immediately turned to look beside you. When you found you seemed to be lacking one tiger cub, you shot up to find the feline you almost forgot about. You found him attempting to wriggle out of some armor piled on the floor that you had never seen before, and helped the poor creature out from underneath before scooping him up like a baby, "No! Bad boy!"

Nobunaga remained seated at the balcony, head turned to watch you interact with the animal before making your way back over, tiger in your arms, "Sorry about that," you apologized, "I would try to fix however you had it displayed, but honestly I would probably just make it worse."

The raven haired warlord waved off your statement, "It's fine. It's just an old armor that I no longer use."

He took a sip of his saké and watched you as you played with the small cub - first placing it in your lap and petting it before the tiger thought it would be more entertaining to try and chew your fingers. Shogetsu, thinking he had you, started attempting to tug your hand till you adjusted it so you could grab his lower jaw. The cub quit chewing your hand and was now trying to get it un-stuck from your grasp, pawing at it and trying to push your hand out with his tongue. Finally, with a small growl, Shogetsu sat on his haunches with his head low in defeat - looking between you and Nobunaga rather pitifully.

For the first time since your arrival, you heard the warlord let out a genuine laugh, "You even exhaust a wild animal." With a chuckle you released Shogetsu's lower jaw before patting the cub's head, "It might teach him that not everything is a chew toy."

The sound of a loud knock on the doors made you jump slightly and you quickly turned around to see who it was. Shogetsu was also alarmed by this, but instead decided to hide behind the pile of armor he knocked over.

"Come in," Nobunaga called without even glancing back. The sliding doors opened to reveal a maid with a large tray full of several different types of onigri, sushi, fruit, vegetable sticks, and a new bottle of sake.

"The food you rang for, Lord Nobunaga," the maid placed the tray between the two of you and bowed, before taking her leave and closing the sliding doors behind her. You were a bit suprised. That must have been what the hanging cord was for...

Nobunaga reached for a pair of chopsticks and began eating, you however, without thinking reached for a piece of chopped carrot with your hands and ate it. Nobunaga gave you an odd look.

"What?"

"Do you not know how to eat properly."

You chuckled at this, not wanting to verbally admit that you still struggled to eat with chopsticks having been much more accustomed to forks and spoons all your life, "What are you talking about."

He looked down at second pair of chopsticks on the tray, "Eating with proper utensils separates us from the barbarians."

You again, chuckled at this, "If you put a suit on a monkey, does that make it a gentleman?"

"A what?" Now it was his turn to be confused.

"If you put fancy cloths on a monkey, does that make him royalty?"

"Of course not."

"Well then how is eating with chopsticks any different?" Silence. "I'm well spoken, educated, and, when not aggravated, well mannered. I don't need to eat with two sticks to know I'm not a 'barbarian'."

Silence again.

"Besides," you reached for another carrot and ate it, chewing, and then swallowed before continuing, "My hands are clean, I know I washed them, and I know where they've been. Do you know where your chopsticks have been?"

He eyed you skeptically.

"Maybe someone dropped them on the trip here, and then they got on the floor, where all your maids, servants, and vassals walk with their dirty feet-"

"Stop!" He put the chopsticks down onto the tray and picked up a piece of sushi with his fingers before eating it. You bursted out laughing, having thought about how you just talked a powerful warlord into eating with his hands because the chopsticks might have more germs.

Wanting nothing more than to change the subject and stop you from laughing at him, Nobunaga picked up another piece of sushi with his index finger and thumb, "Have you ever had sushi before."

You snorted, "Of course."

"Ah, but have you ever had the sushi made in the kitchen of Azuchi castle?" Oh yes, of course Nobunaga would insist on having all the best cooks, so naturally he figured the food made in his kitchen must be the best.

"No, no I haven't," you admitted before he moved the hand that was holding the sushi closer to you at mouth level. Your head recoiled slightly and you instead tried to take the food in your hand, but he pulled it back to keep it out of your reach.

Ah, he wanted to feed you. Was he still trying to seduce you? Was this him trying again, but without making it so blatantly obvious? Well two could play at that game, and you could play it better. For a brief moment, a mischievous glint reached your features before you leaned your head forward, acting as if you were unsure of what he was offering, and when he moved his hand towards you again, you easily took the sushi and his fingers into your mouth.

It took everything in you not to break your bearings or eye contact to laugh at his wide-eyed expression. You rolled your tongue, effectively brushing it against the pads of his fingers while moving the small piece of sushi to the back of your mouth so you could gently suck on his fingers at you pulled away - making sure no steamed rice stayed stuck to him.

You gave him the most smug expression you could muster while chewing with you mouth closed and his eyes narrowed at you, "You tease."

You swallowed your food and quickly covered your mouth with your hand as you had a small fit of giggles, "Nooo."

After that the two of you ate in silence till the tray was nearly empty, leaving a few sushi, onigiri, and celery sticks. The quiet was broken however, when Nobunaga poured more saké in his saucer, "Now you have no excuse."

You snickered, "What if I just say 'no', for the sake of saying 'no'?"

Nobunaga took the bottle of saké and placed it on the hard wood floor on the other side of him, before sliding the tray a bit away from the both of you. He moved closer to you, "Fine, then just let me drink-"

You shrugged your shoulders.

"From your lips."

What.

He placed the cup to your lips, and you let him. He tipped the sake slightly, and you let him- not only did you let him, you parted your lips so you could drink some. The saké was warm, and the alcohol burned your tongue as well as your throat when you swallowed it. He placed the cup down before leaning forward.

Should you stop him? Turn him down? Go back to your room? It took a lot to get you drunk, and you weren't even feeling a little warm or buzzed, but you would blaimed it on the saké when your brain decided to say 'Fuck it.'

You tangle your fingers in his hair with one hand, using your other to help support you as you leaned forward to meet him half way. He let out a pleased humm and put the cup down gently on the food tray, thinking he had been victorious in regards to the small argument you both had earlier, but oh how wrong he is.

You took his lower lip into your mouth, gently biting it and dragging your tongue across it, which caused him to let out a pleased grunt, and move both his hands up to caress your face. You pushed yourself up with the hand that was supporting you and pulled your other hand from his hair to crawl into his lap. An action he showed his appreciation for by sliding his hands down to your hips to help keep you steady.

You caught him by suprise when you grounded your hips against his and with groan he broke the kiss to look at you, "You are unlike any of the other women I have been with."

You chuckled a bit breathlessly, caught up in the moment, "Oh believe me I know," you kissed him on the lips once more before leaving a trail of them down his neck, "In more ways than you can imagine."

In an effort to gain control, he completely wrapped his arms around your waist and rolled the both of you over so you were below him, though you quickly countered by rolling you both over again so you were back on top, before continuing to assault his neck with kisses. He growled, determined to be the one in charge, but he was once again suprised when you answered with a growl of your own and a firm bite to the junction between his neck and shoulder. His breathing hitched - not quite sure how he felt about the sensation, but his train of thought was quickly thrown to the wind when you rolled your hips against him again and trailed your kisses up to his ear.

"You want me?" You whispered, your breath hot and heavy on his ear as you nipped and sucked on the lobe. He squirmed underneath you, finding the feeling both pleasurable and a bit irritating - definitely because he so desperately wanted to be in control, and not because he was ticklish (or at least that's what he would say if asked). He placed his hands on your shoulders before trying to push you so he could roll over on top, but you stopped him by pulling back, grabbing his hands and pinning them to the floor, "Answer the question!"

"Of course!" He growled in frustration, "I said from the beginning that as my lucky charm I wanted you at my side, always."

Your eyes narrowed and you leaned down to nip and bite at the side of his neck, making him produce a groan, "You know that isn't what I ment," you spoke lowly in his ear, "being your 'lucky charm' is one thing, but what does that have to do with you wanting to sleep with me?"

You wanted him to admit it - admit that you would simply be another notch on the proverbial bed post, so you would have more reason to despise him. He struggled against your hold, before letting out a huff and going limp on the floor. You raised your head to look at him with a grin, "Gave up already?"

"Why are you so strong?" He looked at you with a suspicious glare.

"You answer my question, I'll answer yours."

"I've already answered one of your questions, so answer mine," his retort was quick, and you frowned at it.

"I'm special," it was a simple and vague answer, not at all what Nobunaga had wanted, "now answer my question."

"I have not given up yet," he gave you a sly smirk. Fucking asshole. You growled, and once again assaulted the side of his neck, stopping at the spot just under his ear as it seemed to get the biggest reaction out of him, "You know that isn't the question I wanted answered," you nipped at him and his body arched against you.

"How are you special?" He grunted out between gritted teeth.

"I'm not like most people," another vague answer, but as a consolation prize, you released his hands and allowed him to roam you, "Why do you want to sleep with me so bad?"

One of his hands slid up your back, past your neck and tangled into your hair. For a brief moment he couldn't decide whether to pull you closer or pull you off. He made his decision when he pulled you off him, "It is because you are different," now he could look at you in the eyes, "you peaked my interest, so of course I want you."

Was that it bragging rights to say 'she was different'? You would play along for just a little longer.

You rolled your hips against him, and he thrust his own upwards before leaning up to once again lock lips with you. You restrained your strength, letting him roll you both onto something soft - his sleeping mat. Neither of you broke the kiss unless you needed air. His hands roamed you body up and down before settling on your hips and roughly pulling you against him. You chuckled at being able to feel him through his clothes.

"What?" He pulled back to look at you, very obviously aroused - his cheeks were slightly flush, pupils diolated, and his breathing was heavy.

"Nothing," you replied breathlessly as you ran your hands up and down his clothed chest, before shutting him up with another kiss. He was becoming a bit rough as he once again pressed his hips against yours and attempted to slide a hand up your leg. While this all was beginning to excite you, maybe this was a good stopping point. You placed your hand on his chest and gently pushed him away - causing him to cease his ministrations.

"I think that's enough for now, your bed is warm enough." You smiled and propped yourself up with your hands, before sliding out from underneath him to stand. He looked at you with that expression of slight suprise on his face again as he watched you head towards the door while you straightened out your robe and the kimono Hidayoshi had given you in town.

"Shogetsu," your voice was firm, catching the attention of the tiger cub who had been busying himself with the leftovers from your food, "Come."

The feline let out a small 'mrrrowl', before jumping over the tray and scampering out behind you before you closed the sliding doors. Meanwhile, Nobunaga remained kneeling on his sleeping mat, just staring at the red painted doors till he barked out a small laugh, "That Vixen."

Shogetsu followed you as you wandered the halls and went down the several flights of stairs, till you ran into a familiar face.

"I thought I told you not to wander the halls late at night by yourself?" Hideyoshi called after you as you passed a hall he had been walking through, "Honestly, you're like a troublesome little sister." You back tracked from around the corner to verify that it was him and looked at him with slightly wide eyes.

"You did, but a persistent thorn at my side summoned me to his room and finally let me leave," well he didn't necessarily give you permission to leave, but he didn't stop you either. He eyed you skeptically before deciding to let it slide, "Well here," he joined you at your side, "I'll escort you back to your room."

"No need," you were quick to try and decline, bending down to pick up Shogetsu from next to you in an effort to find some sort of excuse, "Unless you wanna' help me take this little guy home?"

Please say no.

Hideyoshi's brows furrowed as he examined the small beast in your arms, "Shogetsu?" He 'tsked' and disappointedly shook his head, "I've told Masamune several times to keep better watch over him." Hideyoshi reached for the cub, but for the second time that night you found yourself backing away from prying hands to keep the baby tiger near.

"I want to take him," another lie. You wanted to keep him, but now you've dug yourself a hole in trying to stay out of your room longer, so you're going to lay in it. Hideyoshi sighed, "Fine, follow me."

The warlord walked ahead of you and turned the corner you had previously disappeared behind when he first spotted you to lead you to the entrance of the castle, "Where even would Masamune be?"

Hideyoshi turned to look at you for a brief moment before continuing to exit through the main entrance of the building, and walking down a path that lead to the left, "You haven't been allowed to explore the entirety of Azuchi's grounds yet, but next to Lord Nobunaga's castle on either side are several large manors where I and the other warlords and our vassals stay when visiting."

You hummed, "I had wondered where the lot of you stayed," you looked towards Hideyoshi, "But if that's the case, then isn't staying in the castle just to watch my door a bit inconvenient?"

"Not at all." You shot him a look, not quite believing him, but you weren't going to question him further as the two of you walked on.

Shogetsu was getting impatient with being carried, and began to squirm. You didn't quite trust the cub to not wander off if you put him down, so you rustled with the feline - readjusting your grip on him whenever he tried to climb or slide out of your grip.

"Mraah!" He growled and hissed in frustration and you glanced once more over at Hideyoshi before responding to the noise with a snarl of your own. You stopped when Hideyoshi stopped and looked at him blankly as he turned back to you.

"Was that Shogetsu?" Ah yes, your noise had been louder and lower pitched with a lot more grit.

"Yes," you sighed, feigning exasperation with the little ones antics, "He's getting antsy with me carrying him, but I don't trust him to follow us home if I put him down."

Hideyoshi chuckled at this before he continued walking, "I did offer to take him for you."

"I know but I'm fine," you sped up in your stride to catch up with him, "Children can just be fussy."

Hideyoshi smiled at this, thinking you must have experience with children -you don't- and must be very patient with them -probably not. "Well don't worry," his golden gaze turned away from you to look at the large building just ahead of the both of you, "We're here."

The two of you went up all three steps of the manors porch before Hideyoshi took it upon himself to knock for the both of you since your hands were full. A man dressed in a light uniform with patterns and colors akin to Masamune's armor answered the door, opening it only enough for him to squeeze through. Must be one of his vassals.

"We're here to return, Masamune's child," the Vassal looked at you confused till you held up a squirming tiger cub to him, "Shogetsu."

He looked at the cub a bit dumbfounded, "Oh yes!" He spoke as if he remembered something, "This must be what Lord Masamune had been talking about."

You pulled the cub back to your chest and both you and Hideyoshi turned to eachother with a raised brow, before directing your attention back to the vassal. "He said he was expecting you to come by with something that belonged to him, though he might have been expecting you sooner..."

That fucker, he planned this, "Yes well," you hugged the tiger closer to you, half wanting to go back to your room and definitely not give him Shogetsu back out of spite, "I apologize, Lord Nobunaga had requested a meeting with me," Hideyoshi glanced at you with those words. That's right, you hadn't mentioned who wanted that meeting with you, "And it went on longer than expected."

"It's no issue, Milady," the vassal nodded with a bow, opening the doors all the way and revealing two rows of vassals standing at attention on either side of the doorway, "Our Lord awaits you inside."

You blinked, a bit caught off guard before you regained in your barings and stepped inside. Hideyoshi was about to follow you, till you turned and placed a hand to his chest, "You should go check on Lord Nobunaga."

"Hm?" Now he looked at you suprised, "And let you walk back to your room in the dark? No way."

Your brows furrowed. Was he concerned about your wellbeing? No, he couldn't be. Probably just worried you'll go sneaking off and get into whatever trouble it is he thinks you get into. You snickered, "Oh c'mon," and lightly elbowed him, dismissing his worries, "I saw the way you looked when I said I met with your Lord." You turned to completely look at him, "We both know your worried I tried to do something."

"That's not the point-"

"I'll walk her back, Hideyoshi." The both of you snapped your attention back inside the manor at the sound of Masamune's voice. You gave him a sly smile before turning to Hideyoshi and sent him a small wave as you entered. Masamune's vassals slowly closed the doors behind you, leaving the chestnut haired warlord to stand outside and collect his thoughts before deciding it best to leave and check on Nobunaga as you had suggested.

Each pair of vassals bowed in sync with your steps as you passed them till you were mere feet in front of Masamune, "Looks like Shogetsu's found a friend," the one eyed man smiled cheekily at you as he stretched out a hand, offering you to come closer.

"He doesn't usually let people hold him," He explained as he wrapped an arm around your shoulder when you got close enough, and led you to his office room, "Scratches and bites, he does, the impudent kit."

You snickered at this, "He and I have come to a...mutual understanding."

"Oh?" He went to go sit on the pillow behind the low desk, "And how is that?"

"Some things," you followed behind him, gently placing the tiger cub in his lap when he sat down before placing your index finger under his chin to make him turn and look at you, "Just require a womans touch."

Now it was his turn to blink - not quite sure of how he should respond, but your actions brought a mischievous smile to his face as you continued talking, "It isn't wise to let wild animals roam the town or the castle so freely." You dropped his chin and walked around to the other side of the desk across from him, "Today he was trying to rip apart my Kimono- tomorrow it might be someone's leg. You should keep a closer eye on him, less you wish for someone to snatch him away from you."

You, you were talking about you.

"I see." His smile widened and moved into something more akin to amusement, "You suprise me again. I knew I wasn't wrong about you."

"What?" You found yourself asking that question a lot since you got here.

"You scold me before even saying hello," he clarified, "I like that boldness. It's not the only thing I like though." Masamune leaned forward, propping himself up on the desk with his elbows.

Wonderful, another flirt. You had been hoping you would be wrong about Masamune, that perhaps he wasn't as flirtatious as his Oda ally, or at the very least it was a ruse just to mess with you, but if anything you had their personalitys swapped. He reached over the table and reached for you, your eyes narrowed in suspicion but as you attempted to back away he caught your wrist before pulling you around the small desk and down next to him.

Yous studied him with a small glare - his cocky smile, his eye patch, and one vivid eye. There was a glint there that he didn't try to hide, and the second you saw it you once again attempted to move away, but Masamune held you firmly. To use all your strength, or not to use all your strength? That is the question.

"Its all right kitten," your eyes widened at his words, "I won't let you stray." Suprisingly in your state of shock, you didn't miss the sound of paws padding out the room as Shogetsu once again wandered off. With a huff you came back to your senses and twisted your wrist so your hand went up and over his hand, allowing you to both free yourself from his grip and grab his own wrist in the process.

"Thank you for the offer, but I can watch myself," you stood and released Masamune, "I was talking about your tiger. You know, the one I had to bring back to you and just now wandered off again?" You stood and turned away from him to walk towards the door. If you see the tiger cub again, you're keeping it. Besides, a normal human shouldn't have that kind of animal as a pet.

"Wait," you heard the shuffling and thumping of clothed feet on wood behind you, "Let me walk you back. Kojuro! I'm going out!" You turned back to give him a look, "You guys watch the place while I'm gone!"

"I'm comfortable with the castle now," you weren't, "I can get back on my own," eventually.

"Don't be shy," he approached you and once again wrapped an arm around your shoulder, "Come on. I promise I don't bite," and lead you out of the room, back into the hall, and out the manors front doors.

Yes he doesn't bite, but you might. At first you were going to go along with him, till you noticed him taking a detour towards the gate instead of the main castle. Perhaps now was a good time to practice being injured. You struggled against him, trying your best not to go along with him, and when he inevitably tried to pull you along harder, you hissed in pain. The sound immediately made him retract his arm and look at you with a stirn concerned expression, "I almost forgot about your injuries, what are you doing out of bed?"

"Well I was trying to rest, but Nobunaga summoned me, and then I found your tiger and had to return him." Not completely a lie.

"You carried that fussy kit all the way here in your condition?" His eye narrowed at you quizzically.

"He was a sweetheart with me," after you put him in his place, "and Hideyoshi did offer help," but you didn't take it.

Masamune tsked, "And here I was hoping to take you into town," he shrugged, before walking back in the direction of the castle- you following close behind, "Perhaps another time then?"

You oddly found yourself in another hole you'd dug. You wanted to explore the town and the castle, but you had decided to act like you were still injured to stay off Mitsuhide's radar. Now you are going to have to lay in that grave too.

"Yes," you caught up so you were walking side by side and gave him a charmingly sweet smile, "A rain check would be wonderful."

[aliceslantern]

Beyond this Existence: Atonement, chapter 5

Ansem always had a penchant for strays, so it's not at all surprising when he takes in the orphaned child Ienzo. The boy's presence changes everything, far more than Even is willing to admit. Ienzo's brilliance seems promising, but the arrival of a young Xehanort pushes the apprentices onto a dark, cruel, inhumane path which will affect the future of the World. And even once it's all over with--once Xehanort is dead--they still must pick up the pieces, forgive one another, find a way to atone for their atrocities, and struggle to accept the humanity which has been thrust upon them.

Or: Even's journey from BBS through post-KH3

Read it on FF.net/on AO3

---

“How is he? Has he yet stabilized?” He recognizes the deep voice almost instantly. Lexeaus. Ah. So I lived.

He can’t open his eyes, can’t, in fact, move at all. But the moment he’s conscious pain invades, his innards feeling vaguely liquified.

A second voice, hoarse, almost inaudible--”No. Not yet.”

“You needn’t speak, Ienzo. I know it’s still painful.”

Ienzo?

“I’m fine,” the second voice mumbles. He doesn’t sound fine; he sounds very ill, or worse. “You should--” A cough, one not full of phlegm but inflammation.

“You’ve been taking good care of me. I’m back on my feet. You, on the other hand, need to rest. And to avoid talking for a little while.”

“Okay.”

A warm hand grasps his wrist, taking his pulse. A pen scribbles numbers. He must've been given painkillers; he sleeps.

This time he's able to open his eyes.

He recognizes the space instantly; it's his old med bay, in Radiant Garden. Why on earth is he here, not in his sterile, pristine facilities at the castle?

Lexeaus had called Zexion Ienzo.

Oh dear.

Was it possible? Had they--regained hearts somehow? Had they found the answers in Kingdom Hearts? And how was he still so injured if it's been that long?

He hears the door creak and slits open his eyes.

He sees the boy--the young man--rummaging in his cabinets. He looks much the same as he ever did, though, he notes, the boy (Ienzo?) Is dressed in white, apprentice garb. The boy turns and Vexen quickly shuts his eyes again.

The boy clears his throat. "I'm not sure if you can hear me," he says, haltingly. His voice is much clearer, and certainly the same timbre as Zexion's, but it carries something soft and alive in it Vexen's never heard. "Even… it's me, Ienzo. I'm sure the old names are a shock to hear."

Old?

"We're human again. We found out… once a person’s Heartless and Nobody have been vanquished, they reform in the place they were split, whole. But with our Nobody's injuries. Which is why you're so hurt. I… I've no idea what truly happened to you, but you're rather unstable. You and Dilan both. But I'm tending to you."

Human?

"If you could speak… open your eyes… twitch your fingers… the EEG machines are broken and I've no magic. I'm not even sure you're in there."

Human and powerless.

"I--" He exhales thickly, and Even (the name fits again like a glove) realizes he's upset. Twelve years of emotion battering him, he presumes, child to adult in one instant. The concern wells up in him, consumes him; the pain sears him, and he's no idea whether or not it's physical.

---

Again, Even wakes. He can feel motion returning to him bit by bit, and he can close his fingers into weak fists. The physical pain is less potent now, but instead one thing floods him, sickly and constant.

Guilt. Rivers of shame, streams of remorse. Guilt for the way he stopped caring about Ienzo, guilt for all he did to the people of their experiments, agony about Ansem. Darkness can only excuse so much.

"Hi, Even."

Ienzo's back. Even can't bear to speak to him, though he's sure he can. He feigns unconsciousness, slitting his eyes open for glances of the young man.

Ienzo looks pale, thin, the boyishness gone from his face, but the change makes him look unhealthy. His hands, when they feel Even's pulse, are clammy, oddly warm without gloves. Even can't remember the last time he's actually seen them. He's aching to look the boy in the eyes. He chances it, once, while Ienzo fusses with the bandages on his chest; gone are Zexion's steely, empty blue eyes. The humanity is back, soft, opening.

He can tell from a glance that Ienzo is in agony.

More horrifying yet, he can just see below Ienzo's collar when he leans over--thick bruises surround his windpipe, along with an angry red scar.

He'd had difficulty speaking.

Who dared do this to him?

Unconsciously, the boy pulls his collar up. Even forces his eyes shut. "I'm afraid there's a lot to catch you up on," Ienzo says in that same frighteningly gentle tone. He explains about Xehanort, about the time travel, about the vessels, the hearts the Nobodies are regrowing, the Organization's real goal, the Keyblade War from the old times. "I… I could really use your help, Even. I know I was so dreadfully cold to you. I… I am sorry. You were always kind to me when I was small. You were there when Master Ansem was not--" His voice catches. "Excuse me, I am feeling unwell."

Even hears him sit and chances another look. Ienzo sits with his head in his hands, rocking slowly, trying not to cry.

No, boy, cry. It's alright.

"I… forgot how much this hurts," he says, with a dark laugh. "I am… so unsure of who I am… you'd doubtless find it fascinating. Can you imagine the psychological journals, Even? What happens when you try to give a twenty-year-old man an eight-year-old's heart?" A sob. "I'm so sorry. I… am trying to pull myself together. They need me. But I could never let them see me like this."

Cry it out, little one.

For a time, Ienzo does just that, a sound that makes Even's heart (heart) ache, triggering another vein of remorse.

I should have protected you.

"I'm sorry," he repeats. Even shuts his eyes again. He feels Ienzo take his hand. "This is most unbecoming, isn't it? I bet you'd say I'm making a disgrace of myself. I have to… check on some things. Get some rest."

For a long while Even lies reeling. His physical pain lessens  into a throb, while his heart seems to grow heavier and heavier with regret, the I should'ves and that's my faults. Ienzo and Ansem take center stage, his abuse and dishonesty towards them pounding in time with his heart.

Ienzo comes and goes every few hours. Even is too much of a coward to talk to him.

"It's… bizarre," the boy says. "Your body… is healed. Why aren't you awake?" Even hears a click, sees bright light; he wills himself to flinch as little as possible as the boy forces his eyes open. "Even, if you're pretending, it's alright. We can work through this."

Don't move. Don't move.

"If only we had a replica for you… or one in general…"

Why do they need one?

"I miss my old friend. Come back soon."

He's gone again, and Even aches for him. The loneliness is nearly as potent as the guilt.

He can't lie like this forever. He needs to make a decision, needs to talk to the boy, needs to begin to figure out where to go from here--

"You're so full of shit."

It's the voice that startles him. Braig. Of course the man is back too. He opens his eyes. Unlike Ienzo, he's in the Organization coat still.

The true vessels.

The fool.

Even stares at him. "Is there a reason you're here?" His voice is hoarse from disuse, but clearer than he thought. "Perhaps to put an old man out of his misery?"

Braig smirks. "You wish," he says. "I've been watching these tender scenes play out between the two of you. Who thought Ienzo would be such a softie? To think, he was wanted."

"By Xehanort, I presume?" He spits.

"Who else?" Xigbar shrugs. “He's good. So quickly. A heart and instantly everything changes. But there's no point getting rid of him. Xemnas is sentimental. Who would’ve thought?"

So callous. Even scowls.

"How's humanity feel?" he asks, with a smirk. "You look like death. Bet you feel like it too."

"Is there a reason you're here?" he repeats.

"Let's just say I have a proposition for you." He scowls a little. "We could use you. He could use you."

A spark, an idea. "Why should I? What do you have to offer me?"

"We're closer than ever to Kingdom Hearts. If that doesn't intrigue you, I don't know what will." Xigbar comes closer, his footsteps almost silent. "Would you rather stay here? Crappy place, overworked and underappreciated… reminders of the past everywhere. Doesn't it just hurt. "

He has to restrain himself from rolling his eyes.

"If you can barely look at Ienzo…" He clucks his tongue. "Why don't you think about it? I got the impression you never liked humanity anyway."

"Nor you," Even says softly. "This life just doesn't suit creatures like us."

Xigbar smirks and disappears into a dark corridor.

---

An idea comes to him slowly, fettered by guilt and headaches, and Ienzo's surprisingly loose tongue. Zexion was verbose but careful; Ienzo talks almost constantly, with little ability to stop himself.

"I'm… almost at my wit's end," the boy admits. "I'm inundated by what we did… I knew it, factually, but Zexion made my memories so cold. To feel it…" He rumples the curtain at the window. Even's glad he doesn't look at him; it means he can watch him. "How could we? I… I don't understand how we made the leap. Was it all the influence of Xehanort, or darkness? Why did they let me--do this?"

The weight of it might just choke him. They'd started this darkness, made it spread faster than it would've naturally; they upended a balance just to see what would happen, with little care who or what was lost.

I took an oath.

Even's a bloody hypocrite.

"I've been trying to help them," Ienzo says. "Sora, the restoration committee. They've been so terribly gracious about it. It truly is the least I can do. I've given them everything that I had, but you classified and encrypted so much. They have a right to know what really happened. Maybe if they know… their outside perspective can help us put a stop to it. I… wish you were here, Even. There's so much you never told me, things that could be of use. We… need a light. I don't understand a whit of your research, the small bits I've managed to decrypt. I wonder if this reformation process has given me some form of brain damage." A wry laugh. "These emotions do make me feel… much clumsier. Doesn't help I've been using you as a captive audience. But the others… truly cannot understand what it is I'm going through. I wish I were able to find it fascinating. Mostly it is hampering my ability to be of use."

He's silent a long time. When he speaks again, it's much more quietly, to himself. But Even's always had good hearing.

"If I can break the code… find Roxas… it could change everything. But the bodies… I need to know what Even knew."

He hears Ienzo leave. Slowly, Even sits up. He feels weak from being so still for so long, but otherwise functional.

It all makes sense. Everything.

Yes. This would be how he can atone.

---

Xigbar returns soon after. Even's already sitting waiting for him. "I'll go," he says tiredly. "Seems to be the only way to further my research. I've no need for such... paltry emotions."

Xigbar's grin is killer.

---

The transformative process is just as painful the second time. Again the emptiness. He feels his mind wander, tempted again by darkness, by the ability to set bonds aside, but he reigns himself in each time. Thinking of Ienzo, his devastation, of his betrayal of Ansem's trust. He doesn't feel quite hurt anymore, but it weighs heavily on his conscience. No matter.

He can fix this. He will fix this. No matter the cost.

He acquiesces to the New Organization’s demands, because they, too, need replicas. All the more excuse to perfect what he knows, to leave the most flawless in stock for Roxas and for Xion--though he can barely remember the latter. All he has of it-- her --are his own reports. But if she were with Roxas long enough, she’ll be important. More convenient yet, Xemnas wants her, her easy mimicry of power.

There are too many familiar faces in this New Organization--Organization Rehash, Larxene calls it, and Vexen can’t help but agree. Xigbar, Saïx, Xemnas, the four neophytes.

Saïx is initially welcoming to him, and visits him again.

“To what do I owe the pleasure,” Vexen says evenly.

“I wonder if you feel it too,” the man says.

“Feel what, nostalgia? That’s all this Organization is.”

“You gave up your new life. That says a lot about you. Was this truly about research?”

Vexen turns, sorting the lies he could tell.

Saïx knots his hands. “I gave mine up too.”

Vexen rolls his eyes, turning back to the new replicas, still forming in their chambers. “Yes. And?”

“I wish to… put an end to this nonsense. I sense you may feel the same.”

Vexen looks at him, his gold eyes (so like Vexen’s own, now--he tries not to think about it more than necessary) somewhat unreadable. Is this a trick? Are they trying to lure him out?

Saïx leans in a little, drops his voice. “Let me help you,” he says softly. “Together, we can put an end to this Organization.”

Vexen feels the gut punch; caught. Yet, he reads earnestness in Saïx’s tone.

“You were once my teacher,” he continues. “I know what you’re capable of, and vice versa. I think--if we’re careful and clever--we can give the other side what they need.”

“How am I to know you won’t merely turn me in to Xehanort?”

“It matters not to him whether you fill out the ranks so long as he gets his bodies. Not since you and Demyx have been… ah… retired. He’s spread himself too thin, shattering his heart so. He wouldn’t notice a thing.”

Vexen inhales.

“I don’t want to be this way. I don’t want this to be my legacy. I’m sure you feel the same. We must end this suffering.”

“And how do you propose we do that?”

Saïx smiles. “Simple,” he says. “We do what he asks--and have a third party ferry a replica over to Radiant Garden. One whose movements are hardly ever noticed--because that’s the way he likes it.”

Vexen has an idea where this is going. “...Do I even want to know who you have in mind?”

The smile becomes even larger.

---

Demyx agrees to meet him in Radiant Garden. To be so close to Ienzo but unable to contact him is a sensation that sits oddly in his breast. Vexen explains it as simply as possible, but Demyx’s reaction is relatively theatrical.

“What? ” He’s making much too much noise--Vexen clamps a hand over his mouth.

“Quiet, you dunce,” he hisses.

Demyx swats his hand away. “But dude, why would you pick me?”

“I cannot let the chosen catch wind of this, understand?”

Immediately he gets defensive. “Oh, I see, it’s because I got benched.”

This is more frustrating than he could have hoped. His tone is much shorter, and louder, than he intended. “I got “benched” too.”

“What! Hey, quiet.” Now it’s Demyx’s turn to try to silence him.

They both look around and see nothing, though admittedly this is meaningless. Vexen turns away, trying to think.

“Okay, man, look. Real talk? Backstabbing those guys would be stupid.”

Vexen rolls his eyes. As if this life is truly worth anything.

“If they find out, we’re yesterday’s toast. I mean, what’s in it for me?”

Vexen wonders if this angle is the right one. “Forgiveness.”

He seems genuinely surprised. “Huh? For what?”

“Men like us--in the pursuit of science, we sometimes make terrible mistakes. Lose sight of our mission to help people. But now I can help someone with my research. Now, I can atone.”

The boy’s been listening with interest, a calculating gleam in his eyes. But what he says next is only further disappointment. “I’m not a scientist.” He turns to leave, with a dismissive wave.

Something very like panic overtakes him--if the chosen heard of this--”Wait, wait, wait!” He grabs Demyx’s shoulder. The younger man shrugs him off with ease.

“C’mon, dude. I’m useless, I’m chicken, we’re not friends. I can count the amount of times we’ve hung out on one hand--less than one hand. I didn’t even know you in the old life!”

Enough of this. For a moment, Vexen wishes he had more patience with Demyx in the past, if only to make this encounter easier. “Fine, fine. But listen.” He pulls the boy close. “This is Saïx’s doing.”

Demyx’s eyes widen almost comically. “Huh? No way.”

Good. He has his interest. “It’s true. The whole thing was his idea.”

“Huh… no fucking way…”

“He wants to atone too. But, he is one of the chosen, so his hands are tied. Hence my actions on his behalf, hence my need for you to act on my behalf should all go awry.” He’s listening intently, Vexen notes. He could use Xehanort’s callousness towards Demyx to his advantage. “As you said, we are far from friends. No one would ever suspect you.”

“So I’m not doing any fighting?”

“Correct. And more importantly, no benchwarming.”

He smiles, and Vexen knows he’s won. “Yeah baby! Sign me up! Yes! Demyx time.”

Vexen sighs heavily. This certainly would be interesting.

---

He’s more than a little alarmed when he catches wind that the “chosen” are seeking Ansem. Apparently, the man’s been spotted in Twilight Town. Xehanort’s Heartless intends on intercepting him. The man is too dangerous.

Vexen doesn’t hesitate. He’s abandoned Ansem once; never again.

He’s been mostly ambivalent to his status as a Nobody, but it does grant him a certain strength he didn’t have before. He’s able to stop Xehanort’s Heartless, to let Ansem escape. It comes to him, in a flash--the chosen hardly ever watch him, now that they’ve gotten their bodies--perhaps he could let Ansem know, to get the word back to Ienzo and the others. Perhaps he and Demyx could rendezvous, with the replica. Ienzo would need his help. Doubtless the reunion would be… dramatic, but he knows the boy is capable of completing the task at hand.

It’s time to shore up. Time to stop being a coward. Time to apologize.

But he is glad that, as a Nobody, he cannot feel much.

Ansem looks as though he’s aged much, much more than twelve years, despite the fact that he could not age in the realm of darkness; it seems as though there are many more years between them than merely five. He’s with some teenagers, those friends of Roxas, those assisting, albeit in a very tertiary manner.

Even struggles to find the words, to assuage them all he means no ill will. “My dear Master,” he says slowly. “You are safe.” It’s a lame, tone-deaf beginning. Because they are anything but.

“Who’s there?” one of the teenagers yells.

In a shockingly even-keeled voice, Ansem asks, “Even, is that you?” A beat. His expression barely changes, all coldness and indifference--not that Vexen anticipated anything more. “So, those Nobodies were your doing.”

Vexen lets the Dusks appear. Then, very deliberately, he bows. “I have been waiting for this,” he admits. “Gave up a normal life in order to plant myself in the Organization. And when I heard Xehanort had gone looking for you, I realized it was my chance to find you as well.” And keep you safe. “For you see, I, too, wish to atone.”

Ansem’s expression is closely guarded, but he very nearly smiles. “Is that so?” he asks slowly.

“How could I not? To be human for those days again… made it all so real.”

The teenager who’d yelled gave him a once over. “You’re one of them, aren’t you,” he spits. “Sora told us about you.”

Vexen ignores him. “I wish to help. I… realize you have no reason to trust me.” He chances taking a few steps forward. “I also realize any apology I offer could never possibly be enough.”

Ansem is silent for several moments. “Am I not at fault, as well?” he asks.

“You…” He wants nothing more for these teenagers to disappear. “You still didn’t deserve the fate you received.”

His eyes are empty--so empty. He turns to the children. “Thank you for all your help, but this man will not harm me. Come, Even. Apparently we have much to discuss.”

Vexen wills the Dusks to disappear. They walk for a long time in silence, the two of them, in this perpetual sort of twilight.

“We cannot return to the mansion. It’s being watched for now,” Ansem says. “Keep your voice low.”

“We seek to take down the new Organization,” he says. It’s beyond odd to be this close to him.

“We?”

“Myself. The man you knew as Isa.”

Ansem smirks. “And how do you propose to do this?”

“In these intervening years… I did perfect the replica program. More or less.” He doesn’t feel pride any longer. “We have a… third party willing to deliver one directly to Radiant Garden, for Roxas’s heart. To Ienzo.”

Ansem’s calm exterior slips, for just a moment. “How… is my boy?”

“I did not see him for very long,” Vexen says. “He is… well. Whole again.”

“You hesitate.”

“Of course I do.” He takes a breath. “He’s received his humanity after years of numbness. The adjustment… I fear it’s not been easy. But I have faith. His brilliance has only grown with him.” He sighs. “With this replica, and our ally, I wish that you, Master, will go to him.” Ansem says nothing; his face is stony. “I realize the feelings you have are complicated. But he needs someone to help him, and I must keep my cover.”

“...Yes. Quite.” He nods. “However could I face that poor boy?”

“With the warmth and grace you’ve always had,” Vexen says softly. “Once this is all over… humbly, I would like to return as well.” If he survives the process. “That is, if you’ll have me. I wish to do nothing more than to ease the pain I’ve caused. I should like to regain your trust.”

Ansem nods once. “This is a good start.”

---

It pains him, to not be present for all this, but his own feelings and notions are irrelevant. He dresses the replica in a coat to protect it, wraps it up further in a blue blanket--almost like an infant.

Demyx arrives--on time, for the first instance that Vexen’s ever witnessed. “So, here we go, right?” He’s smiling.

“...Quite.” He touches Demyx’s shoulder. “I must… thank you for doing this.”

He shrugs. “I’ve been thinking about it. It’s not right for Xehanort to use us for his own stuff, you know? It kinda bites.”

Vexen chuckles. “Indeed. I’m afraid I must ask one more thing of you.”

He rolls his eyes, but his tone is affable when he says. “For pete’s sake, what now?”

“You and I must lie low, once this is through. We must wait and hope for Xehanort’s defeat.”

Demyx glances down at the replica, in its swaddling. “...And then what?”

“Whatever you like, I suppose.”

He bites his lip. “Yeah… that might be nice.” He hefts the replica over one shoulder. “This thing is hollow, huh?”

“Not for long. You know where to go?”

“Yeah, get the old man. I hear you.”

Vexen sighs. “Good luck, Demyx.”

For just a moment, before he disappears into darkness, Demyx smiles, and it’s the most genuine expression Vexen’s ever seen him wear. “You, too.”

---

He can’t be certain that Ienzo receives the replica, can’t chance checking. He goes to an anonymous world, hides in the wilderness. He waits, and to a degree he prays. Weeks pass. He wonders if he should chance contact, should see how things have gone--between Ienzo and Ansem, and along with Dilan and Aeleus, there shouldn’t be any issues with the procedure.

Then he feels an ache in his heart--the heart he doesn’t quite have. The piece of Xehanort. Without hesitating, he returns to Radiant Garden, knowing that he will not have the ability to travel for long.

Because it’s withering, and dying; he can feel the sickly pain, the feverishness, inexplicable agony in his whole body. It must’ve worked. They must’ve beat Xehanort.

It’s all over. At last.

[life-has-killed-the-dream]

Oh my heart

I confronted him and he just stared at me and I'm so hurt and broken and just staring. And I. Heck his phone later that day and 2 videos a girl in a tiny school girl uniform and a pink haired girl with boobs

I'm so hurt. I cry everytime I think about it.

Today I decided to look at his tiktok again and no likes but I go on his fyp and it's all girls I was blocking them then I decided to I don't want post like this and kept doing it u til it stopped showing girls

He came home with an erection and I was like wierd but now it makes sense

I hate this feeling of not being enough. It's been over a year or 2 I don't remember. It breaks my heart. I'm so broken over it. He says he cares and he takes care of me but I want more then that and small kisses and things. I want him to want me in that way. He says no girl is good enough for him and they're just girls online. It hurts it really does.

When I confronted him. He goes I told you to find someone else. I hate that do you want me to do that so you can do the same. I don't want anyone else I want him. I always praise him. I've never embarrassed him. He has to me. He's told me mine look different. Im to loud. I'm so sensitive. I'm gross. What does he expect after hearing all that in the past.

I'm so heart broken. He shattered what was left of the illusion and now I want everything gone even more. It hurts so much. I'm so sad. I'm more depressed. I'm sorry I'm not the person you thought I was. I'm not happy and not bubbly. You've also told me that you hate that. You've hurt me so I can be sad or pass out. You've liked it when I was weak.

The last time was when you came home from camping and it was so different. You were a different person but that was it. Never again.

I've told you I thought you cheated on me because it was so different.

Oh it hurts so much. I've done everything for him. My family has done everything for him. I've wasted my life away I feel. I'm lonely and don't want him gone but it's feeling more and more that I need too. I also just want to be locked away. I'm so angry at him. I hate him. I'm not enough and constantly reminded. It hurts. I hate everything. I'm sorry I'm not who you thought I was and I wish I could knock you down. I did when you. Choose your mother over me. That hurt. I thought when we get married she's screwed but do I want to be married to you. The person who looks at girls online and in rl even when he says no. It's a lie. I do want to get married but I want to be happy. He's said we can maybe get an apartment but why. I don't see us in the future anymore. I mean nothing to you. I'm so hurt. I don't want emotions anymore. You call me weak because I can't pick myself up anymore. But it's been rough. And being injured doesn't help. I think that's why you don't like me. Anymore either. I'm sorry I'm broken. I'm not weak I'm just broken and tired of patching myself up or ignoring everything. My heart hurts. I hate my life. Always have and it keeps getting harder. I want to be happy. I want us to be happy.

All my life I've been told I'll be alone. I'm not enough and I cried and told you last year all of this and you comforted me and told me no. We became homeless and we've had nothing and yet to you. You will run away.

I was broken and asked you to get a job. No you didn't and we had no money and nothing and I was broken. I went against drs orders and walked because I had no other option yoi got mad but I asked of you something basic and nothing.

I praise you when you do great things. I only critize when your lazy and need to get stuff done. Do you want someone dumb and young like the married couple that is now divorced... Idk.

Im so hurt. Is all I can type is all I feel. Just a hole and the pain. You get mad I can't sleep how. I have to much. I'm trying to go to school. Get consistent work and take care of a but you say you help to you still say you feel nothing yet defend her when I get angry. That hurts too. She loves you.

I asked you if you agreed and you guys clicked so why are you broken now. I hate feeling I hate emotions when you met me you called me a robot because I had mi imal emotions and eventually I found them but they're to strong. At times I want to go back to that way but I was so numb.

I keep asking you why but you have no answer. That's a lie. I don't want a heart anymore. I don't want a life. It's to hard and I've been so tired. Never thought I would live past 18 and here close to 10 years after and I yet want the same. Since a kid. Since I first cut myself. I thought life ended at 18. Thanks to tiktok I'm not the only one who thinks that but it doesn't make it better. Almost 20 years later and still yern for death. The theory that when I die I wake up and I'm happy now I think i have to live another life. I don't want that. I much rather be in nothing. I just want to be happy that's all. I hurt. I don't want pain anymore. I have scars already and it was so hard to stop but I think I'll pick it up again. It'll keep my numb and I can keep going that way. He won't notice. I don't care just have to hide it from her. Oh you're so happy. Yes because I yern for that happiness fake it till you make it? I will never be so just stay afloat but I want to be happy. We're a little family of our own. We're broken but we try right?

Hit me, yell at me but don't leave me.

Im so broken

[camsthisky]

Ah, I hope you have a fantastic trip to Italy, I'm sure you'll have a blast! I'm actually planning to study abroad there myself, but next semester 😄 And if you're still looking for prompts to wile away the long plane ride, maybe an alternative pov of someone Dick works with in the police department reacting (maybe unintentionally eavesdropping on?) to seeing his father, billionaire and apparently very concerned parent Bruce Wayne, when he's seriously injured on the job

Thank you! I’m having fun so far, for the most part. Today’s the first day I’ve had that I can finally take a break and breathe, and I’m finding that I’m feeling just a tad bit home sick. Still, this whole experience has been amazing.

I hope you have a wonderful trip abroad yourself! Thanks for the prompt!

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Heand Grayson had taken all the necessary steps to make sure everyone would comeout of that situation unharmed, and yet—and yet it had been Grayson who’d taken that bullet. Thatbullet that had been meant for Officer Derek Wilhelm’s heart.

Because if Grayson hadn’t pushedhim aside, Derek would have been leaving the hostage-held bank in a body bag. Graysonhad said they were lucky. That just because Grayson was the only one in thehospital things were better.

But it should have been Derek. NotRichard Grayson. Grayson had saved his life, and all Derek could think to do torepay the man was sit in vigil at his bedside, just waiting for Grayson to wakeup from the anesthetic.

He’d expected it to be a quiettime, spent in silence and self-hatred. What he doesn’t expect is for the doorto bang open and a man dressed to the nines to come storming in, an old man ina weird suit and an angry doctor trailing behind him.

“I don’t care how rich you are,”the doctor is saying. “This is a hospital. We have rules here. And you can’tsee Mr. Grayson until he gives permission for you to visit him. You’re not onhis contact list.”

“Check it again,” the man says, barelygiving the doctor more than a glance before he’s striding towards the bed.Towards Grayson. Towards Derek.

Derek stands up, hand creepingtowards his belt. “Excuse me, sir, but the doctor said you don’t havepermission to be in here.”

The man’s face doesn’t change, butthere’s more than a hint of anger in his voice when he speaks again. “Screwpermission.” He points to the bed. “That’s my son, and you can’t keep me fromseeing him when he’s just been shot—”

“I’m sorry,” the doctor says, a bitquieter and with somewhat more empathy. “But you’re not exempt from the rulesMr. Wayne. Especially since Officer Grayson was on duty.”

“Bruce?”

Derek starts, whirling around tosee Grayson blinking away the last dredges of sleeping. He isn’t looking atDerek, though, or the doctor or the old man. No, he only has eyes for who Derek’sput together to be Bruce Wayne. Richard Grayson’s adopted father.

Derek stands down, and Bruce Waynewalks right past him to Grayson’s bedside.

“How’re you feeling, Dick?” Wayneasks, brushing back Grayson’s hair from his face, the man’s voice gentle and—fatherly.Never, ever, would Derek have thought that Mr. Wayne—billionaire and the guyDerek sometimes heard Dick tell Rohrbach about occasionally when Grayson wasstressed—sound anything like that.

Dick hums softly, eyes flutteringshut. “I kinda feel floaty.”

“You just got out of surgery,”Wayne says.

The doctor behind Derek sighs andshoots Wayne a pointed look when the man looks up. “I’m still waiting for hispartner to show up, so you have until then, Mr. Wayne. Don’t stress out mypatient.”

Wayne nods, and then he looks backdown at Grayson. “Still with me, chum?”

“You haven’t called me that in awhile,” Grayson says, sounding just the slightest bit more coherent when hespeaks this time. “Not since Jason.”

Derek’s heart skips a beat, and hethinks that maybe he really shouldn’t be here for this conversation. While ithadn’t been quite as big a topic here in Blüdhaven as it had been in Gotham,everyone still knew about Jason Todd. The otheradopted son of Bruce Wayne. Derek had heard about his death, and he really hadn’trealized how much it had probably affected his partner.

Because, yes. He can put two andtwo together, especially since Derek used to live in Gotham. He knows who Richard Grayson really is. He knowsabout Bruce Wayne and Richard Grayson and Jason Todd, even if most of thepolice force seems oblivious about it.

He’d just never told anyone else.He hadn’t thought it was important.

But now he realizes that he reallyhadn’t thought through how much Jason Todd’s death had affected Wayne andGrayson, and he feels like this is one topic he shouldn’t be listening to, evenif Wayne doesn’t seem to care that he’s still in the room.

Still, Derek doesn’t leave. Maybeafter some sort of loyalty or duty to his fellow officer, but he just can’tmake himself walk out that door.

The other man in the room stays,too.

Wayne looks impossibly sad, and ithonestly makes Derek feel uncomfortable. There’s so much emotion in thatexpression, like nothing Derek’s ever seen. “Sorry, Dick. I know you’re stillangry with me.”

And then Grayson’s face crumples,his breath hitching slightly. “I’m not mad at you. Not anymore. I just wish you’dcome and see me every once in a while.”

“You like your independence,” Waynesays, but it doesn’t seem like he’s arguing as much as stating a fact. “You don’tlike when I come to Blüdhaven.”

Grayson closes his eyes. “I didn’t,”he confirms. “I was angry, though. About Jason and my name, and about youtrying to keep me from moving on.” Grayson pauses and there’s a silence thatovertakes the room before Grayson’s sucking in a sharp breath. “That doesn’tmean I don’t want you here now, though. You’re my dad, Bruce.”

And Derek thinks that he reallyneeds to get out of here, so he mumbles some excuse and slips out the door, nobodyeven giving him a second look.

There’s a part of him that wastouched in there, he thinks, because now all he can think about is his mom andhow she must feel living all alone in that retirement home, and how it’s been weeks since he’d last visited. Is shesad? Lonely? Worried that he hasn’t done more than call a few times?

He ends up staring at hiscellphone, not being able to help it when he dials his mother’s number and putsthe phone to his ear.

Richard Grayson is an orphan, thepapers say, but Derek doesn’t think that he’d been lacking any parentalsupport. Bruce Wayne doesn’t seem as bad a father as the papers make him out tobe, either, looking at Grayson like he’s seeing his whole world in front ofhim, and Derek wonders if his own father used to look at him like that beforehe died.

[angelschallenge]

Love in a Minor Key

Title: Love in a Minor Key Author: @TinaBean37 Warnings: Mentions of blood/fighting/slight Pairing : DeanxReader Prompt: Love in a minor key - welshly arms

You can do what you want to You can play this game And you can change every single rule It’s gonna end the same

You looked down at the blank page on the desk in front of you. Putting pen to paper, you hoped the words would just appear. When you thought back to the night before, you couldn’t form the words you needed to say.

He said he was protecting you, but that’s what he always said. He tried to be noble, but you knew why he did it. He wanted the kill. That ghoul was buying your “injured sheep” routine perfectly. While you were laying on the dirt covered floor of the old abandoned cabin, you were just waiting for him to get close enough for you to pull out the machete you were hiding underneath you and end him.

That is when Dean showed up. You told him you had it. You told him to wait outside in case anymore ghouls showed up. But there he was, rushing in right as the monster was close enough for you to reach. You heard Dean call out for you. He didn’t know you were faking it. That caused you to blow your cover and receive the lovely shoulder to elbow gash you now sported on your left arm.

After a brief fight the ghoul was brought down. Dean saw to that. He got just what he wanted. But you, you just got more pain. Dean was supposed to be your partner. You were in love with him. But Dean, he couldn’t love you back. He told you that time and time again. He told you loving someone is against his rules. Everyone he loves gets hurt. He said he was protecting you by not loving you.

That damned phrase: protecting you. You were tired of hearing it. It didn’t stop you from getting hurt. It didn’t stop him from sharing all those moments with you. Sharing your bed. Sharing this life. No, it didn’t stop you from getting hurt at all. It made it worse.

That’s why it had to end. That is why you were sitting at your small desk in your small room in the bunker, pen in your hand, trying to say goodbye. You didn’t want to leave. Dean and his brother Sam were like family. They kept the loneliness away. But you knew this is what you had to do. You knew the deeper you got with Dean, the harder it would be to find your way back out.

Startling you out of your thoughts, you heard a light knock on your door. Glancing at the clock, and noticing the early hour, you knew that there could only be one person there.

“Come in.” you squeaked, your voice hoarse from unshed tears. You glanced towards the door to see Sam’s handsome face peek in.

“I saw the light under the door, so I figured if you were up, maybe you want to join me on my run?” Sam’s voice grew quiet as he scanned the room and saw your packed bags on the bed. When his eyes met yours again, they were filled with confusion and sadness.

“Sam, I'm…” you started. This was going to be hard to say goodbye to your best friend. This was why you were writing Dean a note. You couldn’t handle the way he would look at you. “…I’m so sorry. Last night was the final straw. He made it very clear that he doesn’t trust me. How can I hunt with someone who doesn’t have any trust in me?”

“But y/n, I trust you. Completely. I know your relationship with Dean is complicated. I get why you would be upset with him. But you’re leaving me too. Please, stay for me.”

“I wish it was that simple.” you sighed. “I love him Sam. I’m sure you guessed it already, but I do. And I keep falling for him over and over. I let my guard down around him. I let him flirt with me, and sleep with me, and ‘protect me’”, you added the air quotes for that last point, “and all because I keep hoping he will change his mind. But he keeps telling me he doesn’t love me. He can’t love me. That the hunt is the only thing he has room for. And after last night, I think I finally believe him.” Sam sat down on the bed and took both your hands in one of his, while he used the other to wipe away the tear that escaped.

“Y/n, this is his game. He says he can’t love anyone. That everyone he loves gets hurt. But you’re different. I see it. He may not be able to say it, but he does love you, in his own way.” You managed a small smile at Sam’s attempt to get you to stay. You were really going to miss him.

“Sam, you know I can’t stay. I want to. But I can’t. This is for both myself and Dean.” You rolled up your sleeve and pointed to your bandages from last night’s hunt as dramatic effect to your next statement. “This happened because we cannot work together. Dean may have rushed in because he thought he was saving me, but I gave up my angle because I thought I had to save him. Please tell me you understand what I’m saying.” You pleaded towards Sam with your eyes. You needed him to understand. As if he could read your thoughts, his lips raised in the slightest smile as he pulled you in for a hug.

“I’m really gonna miss you. And I know he is too. But please, don’t just leave a note. He needs to hear this from you.”

“I can’t do that. If I see his face right now, I will stay.”

You stood up and walked Sam to the door of your bedroom. After he engulfed you in a longer, more desperate hug, he left with a sad smile as you shut the door behind him. Walking back to your desk and the sad, blank page sitting on it, the conversation you just had with Sam came rushing back to you. Something he said stuck out. He called this a game, Dean’s game. All of a sudden, the perfect words began to come as you quickly scribbled them down.

Folding the paper in half, you carefully wrote Dean’s name on the front, and grabbed your bags from the bed. You took one last look around the room that had been your home for the past 3 years, and quietly closed the door. As you passed Dean’s room on your way out, you bent down to slip the note underneath. You knew it would still be awhile before he woke up and saw it. You just hoped you were far enough away by then. As a final gesture of goodbye, you stood with your hand on his door, willing for him to understand why you had to leave. Then sadly, you turned towards the front door, and left your home behind.

~~~

Dean jumped awake, his nightmare pulling him from his sleep. He could still smell y/n’s blood as it gushed from the wound on her arm. He will never forget seeing her lying there, the ghoul going in for the kill. He had to jump in. He had to protect her. How was he to know that she was faking? He knew she was a good hunter, but she was so small, so graceful, so beautiful. He stopped his thoughts there and shook his head. He needed to stop thinking of her like that. He had taken advantage of her long enough. She was in love with him, she had told him that. But all he could give her was an illusion. A few steamy kisses here and there. A few nights of passion and waking up in each other’s arms. He was wrong to do it, but he couldn’t deny that it felt good to have someone love him like that. Too bad he couldn’t give it back. It just wasn’t in his nature.

Pushing back the covers and swinging his socked feet over the side of the bed, he tried to rub the sleep from his eyes. Or was he trying to rub away that horrible image of y/n? He couldn’t dwell on it too much because it was then that he noticed the small white piece of paper on the floor near the door. He left his bed and bent to retrieve it. He saw his name written in y/n’s familiar handwriting, and his stomach began to knot. A note slipped under the door? This couldn’t be good.

He sat back down on his bed and unfolded the note. It wasn’t very long at all. He read the words twice before he recognized them as lyrics from a song y/n had shown him awhile back. She kept telling him how much she loved it, but he just kept making jabs about how it wasn’t his taste, and the words were too depressing. But now, re-reading them again for the third time, he got it. ‘You can do what you want to. You can play this game. And you can change every single rule. It’s gonna end the same.’

She added a goodbye at the bottom, as well as a tear stain, but that was it. Goodbye? Was she really gone? When had she left this? Maybe she was still in the bunker.

Dean ripped open his door and ran towards y/n’s room. His throat grew tight when he saw how empty it looked. Turning towards the kitchen, he heard the sound of a mug being put down on the counter. He was slightly less hopeful when he turned the corner, only to be met by his brother. Sam turned towards Dean, noticed the paper still clutched in his hand, and looked back down with a sigh.

“Sam, this says goodbye. Y/n is gone.”

“I know. I caught her right before she left this morning, about an hour ago. I tried to make her stay man. I really tried. But she was so set in her decision. I’m sorry.”

“You knew she was going and you just let her leave? You didn’t even wake me up? What the hell?”

“I told you, she was set in her ways. And I didn’t wake you up because she didn’t want me to. She said if she saw you she would change her mind, and she couldn’t do that.”

“That’s what should have happened. I should have changed her mind. You really blew this Sam.” Dean shot at his brother as he stormed to his room. He had to get dressed, to get on her trail. It was only an hour ago. She couldn’t have gone far. Behind him in the hallway he heard Sam’s footsteps bounding after him.

“Don’t you put this on me. She left because of you.” Sam caught up to Dean in his room frantically searching for his boots, and he turned him around by the shoulder. “She loves you man. She loves you so much. But you kept telling her you couldn’t love her back. But you can. You do, for Christ’s sake. But you won’t admit it. To yourself or her. She thinks you don’t trust her. And she can’t work with someone who doesn’t trust her. And now she’s gone. This is not on me. This is on you.”

“But I do trust her. Why would she say that?”

“Because you keep busting in and “saving her”. Haven’t you noticed she doesn’t need it? Hell, she got hurt last night because you couldn’t just trust her to make the kill on one lousy monster. She told you to wait outside. She told you she had a plan. But you couldn’t listen.”

“Sammy, you don’t understand. I will never get the image out of my head of that thing stalking her. Leaning over her like that. I didn’t know she was playing possum. All I saw was y/n about to get it. And I couldn’t allow that. I couldn’t lose her.” Dean’s voice began to crack as he got choked up by the memory. Sam laid a reassuring had on his brother’s shoulder.

“I’m afraid you already may have man.” Dean threw off Sam’s hand and grabbed his boots.

“No! I will not accept that. I need to find her. I need to make her see.” After his shoes and coat were on, Dean ran to the library to his computer. He just hoped that y/n hadn’t turned the GPS off on her cell phone. And after typing a few keys on the laptop, he released a sigh of relief that she hadn’t thought of it. Lucky for Dean, she wasn’t far away either. She was only a few towns away at a cheap motel. Without missing a beat, Dean grabbed the keys to his Impala, and headed out the door.

It only took Dean 30 minutes to drive to the motel, and 15 seconds to recognize her car. He parked his Baby next to the silver Honda and started knocking on doors, unsure of which particular room Y/n was in. After 3 wrong rooms, he was starting to get discouraged. At the 4th door, however, his stomach did a flip when he saw those familiar y/e/c eyes staring back at him.

“Dean, what are you doing here? How did you know where to find me?”

“You never turned your GPS off. You knew I wasn’t going to just let you leave without even a word.”

“I can’t be doing this right now. I need you to go Dean.” Y/n turned away and started to close the door, but Dean shot out his hand to stop her.

“Oh no you don’t. You cannot leave with no more than just a note, and turn away from me when I drive all the way out here. We are going to talk about this.” He pushed open the door, and made his way into the hotel room without being asked in. Y/n slowly closed the door, and took a deep breath before turning to face Dean.

“Fine. You are here, so talk. What do you want to say?”

“Are you serious? What do I want to say? I want to say why. Why did you leave? Why didn’t you say goodbye?” Y/n took a seat on the dingy motel bed, as she prepared herself.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye. I know it wasn’t fair, but you have to understand how hard this is. You and Sam are family. Sam is like my brother, and you, well. It broke my heart to leave. But I had to. Dean, last night opened my eyes.” Dean put up his hand to stop your train of thought and sat down next to you on the bed.

“Last night was on me. I messed up. You told me to wait outside, but I was getting impatient. When I walked into that cabin, and I saw you laying there,” Y/n’s face paled as she saw the terror still in Dean’s eyes. “I will never get that image out of my head. And then when you got slashed, man I can still smell the blood.” She put her hand on the bandage, the images rushing back to her. Dean took her hand in his, needing to get his point across. Getting nervous at the closeness, afraid that she will lose her cool, y/n took her hand back, and stood up from the bed. But Dean wasn’t done, and he followed her up.

“Y/n, I know you think that I don’t trust you, that we can’t work together, but we do. We work so well together. Not just on the hunt. You mentioned games and rules in the note. And I know that it’s from that song you kept playing for me, but you’re right. I did have rules, and I pulled you into a game you shouldn’t have been playing.” Dean took y/n by the arms, careful of her injury, and looked into her eyes. “But the rules are already changed. They changed the first time I kissed you. It was game over for me.” Confused, y/n backed away.

“Dean, I don’t know what you’re talking about. These rules of yours, you always made them very clear. What we had, it was fun. That is all you said it could be. Just fun. Well, fun time is over. I needed more, so I needed to leave.”

“You’re right, fun time is over. I think…” Y/n exhaled deeply as she stepped back. Hearing Dean agree with her was harder to hear than she thought.

“Well, now that we are in agreement, you should go.” Dean looked confused, and shook his head vigorously.

“No, you misunderstood me. I don’t want this to be just for fun anymore. You leaving tonight, it made me realize something. I don’t ever want to lose you again.” He grabbed y/n’s hands and demanded eye contact.

“Dean, what does this mean?”

“You are going to make me say it, aren’t you?” He flashed his sly smile that y/n loved so much. She couldn’t help but smile back as she nodded at him. “Y/n, I love you. I think I always have, but now I know it. I…” Dean couldn’t finish his sentence as y/n suddenly jumped into his arms, causing them both to stumble and fall onto the bed laughing.

“Y/n, does this mean I can take you back home with me?” Dean didn’t get his answer in words. Y/n flashed him a dazzling smile and nodded before covering his lips with her own. They both tried to convey all their emotions in this kiss, the pain, the loss, the reunion, and the love. Mostly, the love. Love is always the biggest game changer.