#our safe space is there stomping grounds (literal)

[jrueships]

idk why but it always makes me giggle when i see professional athletes liking ig zodiac posts 💀 it’s like you know what, u sure are a fiery scorpio jaylen brown

hes fiery, he's a scorpio, and he's gay! and he needs EVERYONE to KNOW !!

[steele-soulmate]

Tattooed Wings, CHAPTER 361, Peter Steele & OFC, Soulmate AU

SUMMARY: Mary Claire Bradley meets her soulmate- literally- the famous Peter Steele of metal group Type O Negative. But will obstacles including trauma, stalkers, and toxic family members get in the way of their life?

WARNING: mentions of child rape (nothing graphic) PTSD, milk kink, soft smut, grinding, assault, fingering, hand jobs, blow jobs, 69, P in V sex, blood, noncon rape, blood, violence, death, vandalism, graffiti, attempted kidnapping, break-ins, wild animal attacks

WORDS: 1414

“Alright, we ready now?” I called out as I stood at the foot of the stairs, my fists planted on my hips as I waited for the girls to come charging back downstairs again. “Girls, please hurry up now! Your father wants to leave before traffic gets knarly!”

Sure enough…

 THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD

 “Here we come, mommy!” yelled Katie as she and Elizabeth, clutching at Jing and Elle in their arms, came stomping down the stairs, Daisy close on their heels and Mittens on their other side.

 “We ready now girls?” I clucked, holding out my hands for either girl to latch onto before we left the house, going downstairs into the garage, where the car was packed, with a slumbering Baby Tommy packed into his car seat.

 “Where’s daddy?” Katie asked as everyone got into the car.

 “He’s probably double checking that all the doors and windows are locked,” I shrugged, hopping into the passenger side and strapping on my seatbelt, excited to get on the road.

 Sure enough, ten minutes later, my handsome husband was clomping down the stairs and getting into the driver’s side, leaning over to kiss my temple before buckling himself in.

 “Alright, we ready now?” he rumbled out.

 “YES!” shouted the girls giddily, quieting down when Baby Tommy let out a quiet little whine.

 “Alright then,” Peter chuckled, carefully maneuvering the car out of the tight space with the trailer attached to the back hitch, holding the family tent, beds, and boxes of random faire miscellanies.

 Dolly Parton was singing about a redhead by the name of Jolene who tried to steal her husband from the speakers of the radio as Peter powered his way onto the freeway, driving the family car over to the faire grounds for the New York Renaissance Faire season.

 He was driving the car with one hand, his other hand holding my hand, pulling up from time to time to press affectionate kisses to my skin as he focused fully on us arriving at our destination in a safe and sound manner.

 I peeked behind us and chuckled at the sight of the kids, Baby Tommy in between Elizabeth and Katie, the three of them sound asleep, holding onto each other’s hands as they breathed lightly.

 “We’re going to need to set up our tent quickly and then tuck the kids in,” I hummed softly, kissing the heavy scarring that marked my soulmate’s failed attempt at taking his own life way back in 1989.

 “Okay sweetheart,” he hummed, utterly amused as he turned off the freeway, getting onto the road that led up to the faire grounds.

 “Hihi!” I greeted the security officers guarding the open gate after rolling down my window. “The Ratajczyk clan is reporting to duty!”

 “Peter, Mary Claire, Elizabeth, Elle, Katie, Jing, Thomas Joseph and Daisy?” she asked as she handed me wristbands to make coming onto the closed off property seamless. “Enjoy!”

 “Gramacy!” I rolled the window back up as Peter pulled onto the parking lot before making his way onto the furthest back lot, where the archers’ encampment was situated. Even at such an early hour, there was a thick cluster of cars toting faire necessities and people hard at work at setting up for week one of New York Renaissance Faire.

 Peter parked the car and at almost at once, there were people unloading the trailer and beginning to set up the Ratajczyk family tent. We both got out, me opening the back door on Elizabeth’s side to allow Daisy to get in and out as she well pleased while my husband and I got camp ready.

 “Gramacy!” I called out softly, peeking in on the kids.

 WOOF barked Daisy before settling down, her tail tapping the tree that she was stretched out underneath.

 Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap

 “Good dog,” I murmured gently, tapping her head before beginning to unload the back of the family station wagon.

 I was tugging out a plastic tub of garb when Tony, the guild president came up to me and opened his mouth to say something to me, only to be cut off by a dangerously terrifying sound.

 GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…

 “Well I was just sent over to tell you that Jojo wants to know if Elizabeth would like to help her with Saturday’s dinner,” he said, eyeballing the family pet.

 “Black away slowly,” I advised him. “Black away sloooooooooooooowly now!”

 I could not break free of the smile that stretched across my face, not even when the Great Pumpkinmobile itself parked next to my husband’s car, spilling out my two younger sisters.

 “Sisters!” The three of us met with giggles and huggles, chattering over one another as we took in how different we all looked to each other- Jackie’s skin glowed with a sun kissed tan while Sammi’s tits looked perkier than normal, making me wonder if she had a touch up.

 “Hey Sammi, is it me, or are your tits perkier?” I asked me, my face squished in between the subjects of my question as us triplets hugged each other.

 “No, but…” She took in a deep inhale of breath before bursting out with “I’m pregnant!”

 “Wow!” I took a step backwards to collect myself better. “Is the daddy in your life?”

 “It was honestly a crazy one night stand,” she shrugged giddily. “I checked with my insurance provider and I’m fully covered! I am going to love this little wiggle worm!”

 “How far along are you?” I asked her, trying to judge her due date by her physical well being.

 “Nine weeks!” she grinned happily. “I’m currently right in the middle of moving out of our old place on Sweetwater lane and I already have a place lined up for me to move into!”

 “Oh, this is so exciting!” I hummed joyfully.

 “I have a couple of potential roommates lined up to move in soon after lady sluts-a-lot moves out,” Jackie told me, her nose wrinkled up slightly, telling me what she thought of the wonderful news.

 “Mary Claire, do you mind if I tail after you and badger you with questions about pregnancy and being a mother?” My baby sister’s smile was happy with the tiniest hint of fear, and I knew what she needed.

 My baby sister needed her eldest sister.

 “Oh Sammi, you can do whatever you want,” I told her. “As long as it’s within reason, that is.”

 “Hey, wouldn’t it be something if us triplets are preggos at the same time?” Sammi giggled, her hands on her not quite yet popped out tummy.

 “NO.” The look on Jackie’s face was firm and repulsed. “Damn it Sammi- you know how I feel about romance!”

 “You don’t have to be in a romantic relation to have a baby!” The brunette triplet tossed her head back, rolling her eyes upwards into the back of her skull.

 “Well, as lovely as it would be if the three of us sisters were in fact pregnant at the same time,” I cut in smoothly. “My body is still healing up from Irish twins little girl and Baby Tommy. I do not want to do what mom did and yeet out seven kids one right after another.”

 “How did the fucking bitch even do it?” Sammi wondered before her face turned green and she was darting off towards the bathrooms.

 “I’ll go!” I yelled at Jackie before I tore off after her, getting ready to do my sisterly duty and support one Samantha Anna Bradley.

  Gramercy, thank you, Old French?

 TAGLISTS ARE OPEN/ ASK BOX IS OPEN/ REQUESTS ARE OPEN/ PLOT BUNNIES ARE WELCOMED

 If you liked this, then please consider buying me a coffee HERE It only costs $3!!!

 PETER STEELE TAGLIST

@starchild0985​

[fueledbysano]

𝟎𝟎𝟏 | she had the world

summary: in order to understand the end, you must go back to the beginning; ....quite literally.

content/warnings: this story contains major Tokyo Revengers manga spoilers, canon divergence setting, tenjiku arc setting, detailed writing of violence, weapons, blood, death, and strong language.

wc: 2.2k

series masterlist | prologue | next

A month prior the fight, February 2006.

In a deserted road under the busy highways of Tokyo, the front wheel of a red Dodge Challenger pulls slowly behind the checkered line mark; the plate reading “も12-23”

Play is pressed on an mp3 player and a rock track starts up, concealing the blaring cheer and screams of the audience on the pavement.

Young, beautiful [skin color]. [ hairstyle ] hair. Dresses flamboyant. Although sundown, cheap thrift store shades covered her orbs. [ Y / N ] was about to compete in the biggest street racing event of the year for the first time.

The track kicks in just as an opponent pulls into view on her right. Her eyes can’t be seen, but they expressed slight fear upon seeing the striped Dodge Charger’s owner. He is the number two of an opposing race gang, Roadkill.

He offered her a friendly nod in which [ Y / N ] politely returned, letting the frame of her shades fall to get a better view of his vehicle.

“All racers are in!” A guy announced through a crappy megaphone, stepping in front of the lined cars. “Before we start, I wanna hear who you all are rooting for!” Of course, the conventional audience cheers before the game. [ Y / N ] sure hoped she wouldn't disappoint everyone who bet on her team.

“Roadkill's Naoki?” “Pressure’s Fred?” He continued to go on for each gang's representative.

Nodding her head, swaying in her seat, mouthing the vocals. A prisoner to the rhythm. She doesn’t miss a beat, almost ignoring the world outside the two doors of her car.

“Lastly, Road Reaper's [ Y / N ]?!”

[ Y / N ] gave a small wave for the crowd, one hand remained still on the wheel.

“That’s everyone in the race for tonight! But let’s not forget our beautiful Eli here!” An alluring woman in skimpy checkered two piece comes in view, standing on the starting line which matched her clothing.

“The drivers will follow the track which goes around the area leading back here, approximately 25 kilometers in total. Bumper guards are prohibited. No speed limit is set. And lastly, the starting signal is indicated by the fire of a gun!” The race instructions were the only part [ Y / N ] bothered to pay close attention to.

“Drive safe, contestants!.... or not. Heh!” The host concluded the introduction, now heading back to the pavement along with the thrilled audience hooting for their betting team.

“3..2..1, Now!” POW!

[ Y / N ] revs in time with the chorus dropping as Eli fires the gun into the air. She pops the car into sports mode, then stomps on the gas hard.

The car screams back through the tight spaces between racing opponents, making a sharp swerve to overtake. [ Y / N ] drops into drive upon surpassing two cars, sailing into the flimsy, old road. The pop punk track blasting on the car stereo built in speed and energy, so did [ Y / N ].

Despite the velocity of the getaway, [ Y / N ] is calm behind the wheel, weaving through traffic like an android. The other racers had their chins up, desperate to surpass [ Y / N ]; sending her intense, striking looks.

One black & white cruiser overtakes her, zooming past plenty of meters away before making a full 180 right in front of her lane, leaving [ Y / N ] almost no time to react.

A solid trail of black imprinted on the ground and loud screeching of tires came from the Audi upon swerving hard, giving [ Y / N ] the opportunity to keep her spot on the race and just enough time to throw a middle finger up to the cruiser’s driver who had a bitter look.

Then she instinctively looked in the rear view, five cars were now racing behind. There were only three to focus on now.

Over distorted guitar riff playing, [ Y / N ] watched through the windshield, seeing the cars go head on head with each other. There was no window to overtake.

[ Y / N ] nears a hundred and ten mph, the track building with cracking snares. The lone Black and White cruiser managed to catch up and still dogs behind.

[ Y / N ] nears a hundred and ten mph, then a hundred twenty. Finally stilling at a hundred and forty, before slipping in the narrow gap between the two cars before her.

She hears a piercing noise from the rear end of her car, indicating it made contact with one of the vehicles. “Tsk.” She shook her head at the thought of having to deal with that scratch later on. The coating of this car is expensive! Well, she better win this race.

With one big step, [ Y / N ] accelerated the speed into a hundred fifty within a second, now surpassing the two cars on her tail just as they reached the sharp turn on the track.

“Whew, fuck!” She exhaled a sigh of relief, after genuinely thinking that she’d never make it past those two.

Now, focusing on the Charger before her.

145 BHP @ 4000 RPM. It’s going to be a close race, considering how similar their cars are.

The remaining cars are left behind and [ Y / N ] was past the twenty kilometer mark.

She weaved from lane to lane before disappearing under a tunnel, now going head to head with the remaining opponent.

“Hey.” He spoke, taking his eyes off the road for a brief moment. “I know you!” [ Y / N ] responded.

“I know you. We’ve competed before.” He answered.

“Really?” [ Y / N ] took her eyes off-track for a moment.

“Well, supposed to... Remember The Circuit?” He asks. The mention of the place itself was enough for [ Y / N ] to remember the event clearly as day.

The memory unfolded right before her eyes like a new book, every detail and aftermath recalling quickly.

She felt drawn deeper and deeper into a pit of enormous darkness as the light at the end of the tunnel seemed to shift further and further.

After all, who likes getting flashbacks from things they don’t want to remember?

“Right, your sis–” “Don’t.”

They continued to speed in silence, letting the roars of the engines of their cars echo through the dim tunnel. [ Y / N ] didn’t realize the pressure on the gas pedal started to come loose upon staring into the vast dimness.

While he was now slightly ahead of her, [ Y / N ] immediately notices, keeping up the speed and stilling at a hundred ten.

“Too soon, huh?” He spoke. “I said shut up, man.” She spat.

“I see she passed the car down to you, too” He pointed out. “Beat me in first place a year back.”

“Oh, yeah? It’s about to beat you for the second time then.” She jeered.

“Heh.”

“Watch out, they put a ramp!” [ Y / N ] quickly spoke. “What—?” And with her remark, the guy fell for her warning as he swerved aimlessly into the wall.

“Hm.” [ Y / N ] flared her nostrils upon the short chuckle, now reaching the light at the end of the tunnel. The outro of the rock track approached, closing her eyes in elation from greeting the cold air of the night, hearing the crowd’s cheer once again upon emerging from the tunnel.

And like that, [ Y / N ] was the first to finish the track, wheels surpassing the checkered line for the second time before slowly coming to a stop.

“And Congratulations to [ Y / N ] of Road Reapers for winning this year’s race!” She felt a numbing sensation spread across her skin like wildfire, goosebumps rising along her [ s / c ] skin upon letting her head fall onto the steering wheel.

Every breath she took began to grow into desperate gasps for air as her heart threatened to thump out of her chest, she’d won. And she carried the race so easily.

“I did it…” Her voice came out breathy, attempting to steady her breath from the intensity of the match. “I won, holy shit!” With her arms over the steering wheel and her head lifted gently, the starlight kept its familiar pattern. The constellations, who'd witnessed centuries and millennia, watched over her glorious moment of victory.

“Oh, yeah, coming in second is Roadkill’s Naoki!, and goes on to third place is Drift—” Shortly, her opponents arrived in speed, eventually urging her to step out of the car.

“Oh yeah! Road Reaper's [ Y / N ], everyone!” The host spoke, welcoming her to the roadside. Her teammates cheered in triumph upon [ Y / N ]’s entrance, sending a joyous wave to their way. Of course, there’s the audience who had sour faces on, bitter of her victory; mainly because they’d just lost their money from the bets.

Upon snapping a couple of photos, [ Y / N ] jogged off road, tossing the key of her car to her personal valet before carefully taking off the winning medal from her neck.

“There she is.” Draken’s notable gruff voice urged [ Y / N ] to look up from the pavement, excitement doubling at the sight of her friends.

“[ Y / N ] you did amazing!” Chifuyu cheered, as the guys behind him followed shortly.

“Hey, you made it…” [ Y / N ]’s eyes lit up upon seeing them. She wasn’t expecting them to show up at all tonight, recalling they had an important agenda with Toman that conflicted with the race's schedule.

“Of course, we can’t miss your big race.” Mikey spoke up, hands deep in his pockets and smiling from ear to ear. “Hi, Mikey.” She replied with a polite wave.

“Your car looks amazing, new paint?” Mitsuya remarked. “You noticed! Yeah, I got both of them done last night.” She answered.

“That guy from the start did you so wrong.” Draken remarked, handing her a chilled can of sparkling water, “I know, it's an ass move, I really have to work on my reaction time— I almost fell for that.” She replied before mumbling a quick ‘Thank You’ to the guy for getting her her favorite post-race drink.

“and I tricked this moron in the tunnel, talking shit about— dude crashed into the wall!” As she recounted the event to them, one of the race’s organizers excused himself in the middle of their conversation.

“Congrats, [ L / N ].” The dude looked a few years older than them, cigarette in between his lips, and hair styled by a poor bleaching job.

“Excuse me.” [ Y / N ] excused herself from the guys as she headed to the corner of the lot with the guy, only to be handed a single ten thousand yen.

“Get out before the cops come.” The man continued to count a stack of cash, letting the smoke disperse into the air.

“Ten thousand? The ads said a hundred thousand, y’all have been yapping about it too.” She was confused. “Look, that’s inclusive of the tax, the organizers’ cut, and the bets. You’re lucky to have that.” Tax?! I'm pretty sure what we're doing here is illegal...

“Hey, thanks!” The racer who came in third passed by, fanning the cash over his face as he waved the man goodbye.

“Then why is he getting the full prize of the third place?” [ Y / N ] pointed out. “Look, take it or leave it! You won first place, aren’t you happy with that?!”

“No, cause y’all totally profited off of my prize, but not theirs.” She bitterly chuckled.

“I said take it or get nothing at all! Just shut it you ungrateful brat!” He finally snapped, voice raising as did his heavy hands, going in to grip on [ Y / N ]'s wrist.

“What the fuck is your problem?” But she was quick to react, now blocking his attempt of harm.

“Tsk!” He huffed in pain, attempting to resist [ Y / N ]'s hold.

“[Y / N], is this guy bothering you?” Mikey calmly approached the scene, the rest of the guys followed behind in concern.

“Hey, bro. What’s your problem?” Draken spoke up, now walking ahead everyone else.

“Let go of him, [Y / N]. He’s in our hands now.” Mikey added.

“What do you think you’re doing, damn brat?!” The guy spat, causing Mikey to gesture his best friend to hold the older guy in place as [ Y / N ] stepped aside.

“What does it feel like to be the lowest of the scums?” Mikey stepped closer at him who attempted to resist Draken.

“And harming women? Tsk…” Mikey shook his head in disappointment. “That just makes you useless..” The thought of his disgusting behavior was the last straw before throwing a punch; almost personal.

“You’re crazy!” The guy spat.

“Give her the full reward or you’ll see crazier.” Mikey replied.

“Who do you think you are to just march in here?!”

“Hey. You heard him.” Mitsuya chimed in. “Right, [ Y / N ] won fair and square.” It was now Chifuyu's turn to step in. “Give the cash, man.” The lilac-haired boy added.

“Alright, alright!” The three guys circled the older dude, watching him like hawks as he counted the bills in his hands.

[ Y / N ] could only think about how they have gone above and beyond to defend her behalf. Things could've definitely made a bad turn if they weren't here tonight.

“Sorry about that, b.” She was taken out of her trance upon hearing Manjiro's now calmer voice.

He carefully rested an arm over her shoulders, turning her gaze away from the scene as they stepped away.

“Mikey, I got that.”

“You have us.” He assured.

Having grown up in a world where she only had herself, independence became [ Y / N ]'s strength. But, as cheesy at it sounds; upon meeting the gang, it's like finding the comfort she never had. Protecting herself from harm wasn't an issue she had to face anymore.

Before she knew it, the guy was now in front of her, handing her the full cash prize, and trembling in fear. “Sweet! Thanks, man.” She perked up, making sure to give him a pat on the back. “Ow!”

“Scram.” Draken demanded, watching the poor guy run for his life.

“Did you guys take your rides?” [ Y / N ] asked, now securing the money in her pockets.

“No, we figured you’d take us out after the race.” Chifuyu answered

“You read my mind then.”

“What are we feeling? Hot pot? Barbecue? Dinner’s on me…” [ Y / N ] rambled as they headed towards her second car.

“Shotgun!” Mikey sprinted before everyone else, heading for the front passenger seat. “No one’s racing with you.” Draken remarked.

“Mikey, you have to stop leaving stuffed toys in my car, they’re all gonna get in the way soon.” [ Y / N ] got on her seat as she let the guys squish in on the backseat, glancing at the various stuffed Sanrio characters seating at the back.

“Sorry.” Once settled, Mikey finally made himself comfortable on the passenger side.

“Yo, I burned new songs into our car tunes, put this on!” Mitsuya took out a CD case from his vest. “I got you.”

“As much as I’d love to listen to those, we’re getting off soon. The mall is like, three minutes away.” The car now headed off the parking space, making a turn to the highway.

Upon entering the player, the CD started playing a fresh track, accompanying them through the short ride.

“Sugar, we're going down swingin'! ” [ Y / N ] and Manjiro danced along the tune, as they had the most spacious seats.

“[Y / N], hands on the wheels!” Draken reminded, uncomfortably squished in between Chifuyu and Mitsuya.

“Sorry, Kenchin!” They apologized in unison.

“Anyone got spare change for parking?” [ Y / N ] asks as the mall building came in sight. “On it.” Mitsuya answered.

“Whew, that’s some good food.” Chifuyu sighed in content, as everyone else in their booths. Finished dishes mountained on their table as they finished up eating.

“He’s still going.” [ Y / N ] remarked, and everyone’s eyes were now on Mikey who quietly sipped on a large cup of soda with his back comfortably slouching.

“I’m done.” He perked, practically jumping out of the booth. “Come on.”

“Give us a moment, jeez.” Draken sighed.

“Oh, yeah, they have claw machines back there. Does anyone have coins?” He got a view of the party room where claw machines and games were held.

Everyone started to dig deep into their pockets, as Chifuyu was the first to slam a few coins onto the table. “Sick!” Manjiro mumbled a quick ‘thank you’ before sprinting off.

“I think we’re the only customers here, the waiters are giving us death stares.” Mitsuya noted, shifting on his seat.

“Seems like it...” Draken remarked.

“[ Y / N ].” “Yo?”

“I need to trim my hair, can you do it like… how you did last time?” Mitsuya requested. “Yeah, sure. After this?”

“If it’s alright…”

“Yeah, it’s fine.” She agreed, now preparing to leave. “Can someone take the bill?” Everyone shot each other silent glances, waiting for someone to speak up until Draken volunteers with a sigh. “Ma’am?” The waiter almost immediately marched to their table with the bill before stepping aside.

Chifuyu got a glance of their total bills, mouth slightly parting at how expensive their orders turned out to be. “Oh, wow.” “Damn. Should we pay Mikey and leave?” Draken remarked upon seeing the price himself.

“I told you guys, it’s my treat.” [ Y / N ] chuckled, stuffing the payment into the bill holder. “Alright, come on.” Everyone slid off of their booths and prepared to leave.

“I got a plushie ornament!” Mikey came rushing from the party place with a stuffed Keroppi frog keychain spinning on his finger.

“Dope. Come on.”

“Thanks for the treat again, [ Y / N ].” Draken privately spoke to her as the rest of the guys step off [ Y / N ]'s car.

“Thanks for having my back in there.” She replied.

“Anytime, B.” Mikey jogged up towards the two, resting a palm over his tall best friend's shoulder.

“We’ll be off now.” Chifuyu bid his goodbye.

“Have fun playing salon.” Manjiro gave [ Y / N ] one last smile before turning to the street .

“Will do, Manjiro. Bye.”

“Bye bye!” His enthused voice paint a smile on her lips. [ Y / N ] quietly leaned into the bricked gates of Mitsuya's house, observing Mikey get on Draken's back for a piggyback. The smile never left her lips as they disappeared down the road.

“Come in, [ Y / N ]. You’ll catch a cold out there.” Mitsuya called, now having unlocked the front door. “Coming…”

“Thank god my sisters are knocked out.” He remarked upon checking on their room, while [ Y / N ] prepared a seat in front of the mirror.

“Sit down.”

“You know what to do.” [ Y / N ] slung a cover over the boy as he settled on the seat. “Mhm.” She hum in agreement, plugging the clipper on.

She started on the area above his nape, carefully clipping off the grown out hair into a buzz cut.

“By the way, I’m gonna be out Saturday. Mom is taking me to visit some relatives.” Mitsuya spoke.

“Y’all taking the two?”

“That’s the problem, no. They’ll get impatient during the trip. Plus, they have school work. So we got a helper.” He explained.

“Oh, good.” [ Y / N ] continued to clip, gazing at the mirror from time to time. She now moved upwards,

“This reminds me of when me, you, and Kenchin would cut each other’s hair when I still lived in my car…” She laughed.

“Except— we didn’t have a good mirror.” She added.

“And a sharp trimmer. Plus, it doesn’t smell like car freshener here.” Mitsuya chimed, earning a giggle from his friend.

“True. Thank God I’m way past that.” She snort from laughing too hard from the memories.

“Hey, watch my ear!” He warned.

“Dude, trust me or I’ll shave it all off.”

“You won’t do that.”

[ Y / N ] shrugged, now continuing her work on his head.

“Wait, I thought you guys had business with Toman tonight?” She asks.

“Mikey canceled last-minute then said we’re watching the race instead...” He replied.

[ Y / N ] smiled at the thought, they did come to watch her indeed... “Awe.”

“Mhm.” Mitsuya watched her sheepishly smile through the mirror.

“Don’t nod!” She warns. “Sorry.”

[ Y / N ] went on with the remaining of his hair, throwing each other with random conversations as she evened out his buzz cut.

“Alright, you’re all done, man.” With one last clip, [ Y / N ] spun the seat around for Mitsuya to see his reflection.

“Dope, thanks!” He admired his fresh haircut through the mirror, while [ Y / N ] smiled from his satisfaction.

“Won’t you have anything done with your hair?” He asks, now dusting off the clipped hair off of his shoulders and face.

“Yeah, I’m all good. Plus, it’s getting late. I gotta head home.” [ Y / N ] finished up sweeping the cut strands of lilac hair from the floor. “Alright, alright.”

The boy made sure to walk [ Y / N ] to the door, “I’m on my way then, Goodnight.” She held her hand up for their own made up handshake. “Drive safe, goodnight.” He replied, watching her safely get in the car before locking up the doors.

[ Y / N ] quietly got on her car, careful not to wake the neighboring residents. She carefully placed her belongings on the passenger seat before securing her seatbelt, now going up to adjust the rear mirror.

“Oh, lord.” For a moment, she was frightened by the hanging Keroppi frog plushie.

Mikey's claw machine prize.

She chuckled to herself for a moment before sighing in relief, now pushing the keys into the ignition. Well, a new addition to the car.

She smiled at the little sentiment, giving the plush toy a small graze before pulling out of the driveway.

The best days of your life may vary from earning a big achievement; to simply just aimlessly spending the days with your friends.

But, whatever you do in this life, it’s not extraordinary unless your friends are there to see it.

And you're beyond grateful that today, you’re lucky enough to have both.

tag list [ open ]; @haimyvu @rizakari @httpsplanetmarsdotcom @mitsurisupremacy @moontofu @psmslove @slutaholic69 @im-like-yeah-hes-fine @keomi-kimo @springtimewolf1995 @bebesanzu @imshittingforyelena @dailyakira @idunnomynamesince2005 @juanaisdead @emilymikado @haruu-l @keisaint @misinfe @fxshigurosbae @xxserenitysnow666xx @emyrl @xngelsau @melody005 @daichisbabymama @4leafcloverwithawhitecraneforyou @r-xochitl @sleezy-axeriix @pandabooster @amerillyss @tellynojelly @kenkenmaaa

dm me if you changed urls / to be added

[q-gorgeous]

Magical Girl Ghost

fanfiction

ao3

Paulina and Dash were the ones who dared Danny to wander into the ghost portal with the end goal of embarrassing him in some way for doing or not doing it. Now the only people who know Danny's secret are his bully and a girl who can't stand him. What happens now? Prompt by @ectopal 

word count: 2603

i dont know how to name fics leave me alone

“Come on, guys, we’re not even supposed to be down here. You guys are only here because we have to work on a group project together. Get out of the lab.”

“What, are you scared?” Paulina cooed meanly.

“No. It’s just dangerous down there.” Danny glared at Paulina and Dash as they looked up at him from the bottom of the steps.

Dash laughed. “Come on, how dangerous can it be? You’re parents aren’t even real scientists, what they study doesn’t even exist.” 

Paulina smirked when Danny fumed and started stomping down the steps. “They are real scientists. This isn’t the only thing they do.”

“Oh yeah?” Paulina says, turning into the lab and flipping her hair over her shoulder. “What do they do then?”

“Lot’s of things.” Danny walked up behind her. “Recently they helped some company come up with some clean energy machine, they did some secret invention stuff with the FBI so I don’t know exactly what that was, but they also-”

“What’s that one?” Dash interrupted.

He was pointing at a big hole in the wall that was lined with metal. Off to the side were knobs and buttons but it looked like whatever it was was off. 

“That’s, uh… The ghost portal.”

Paulina burst out laughing. “Really? They built a portal.. Trying to get to the ghost dimension?” She brushed a tear out of the corner of her eye. “Are you sure they are real scientists?”

“Yes!” Danny threw his hands up in the air. “They have hundreds of patents for their inventions and everything!”

Paulina put her hands on her hips. “That’s an inventor or engineer. You don’t necessarily have to be a scientist to be one of those.”

He growled. “Well they’re still scientists anyways.”

“Whatever you say.” Paulina looked away from him and started walking towards the portal. She had just stuck her head inside when she was pulled backwards. 

“Don’t go in there!”

Paulina squirmed around and once she was far enough away from the portal again Danny let go of her.

“Don’t touch me, you freak!”

“Yeah!” Dash said, getting in Danny’s face. “If you touch her again you’ll have to deal with this.” He held up his fist next to Danny’s face.

“I have to deal with that anyways.” Paulina brushed herself off, a disgusted look on her face, and turned back towards the portal. “What does it matter if I go in or not? It doesn’t look like it’s on. And ghosts aren’t even real.”

She looked back at Danny to see an uncomfortable look on his face. 

“You don’t believe in ghosts, do you?”

His eyebrows shot up. “No!”

“Then why don’t you take a look inside?” Dash pushed him towards it.

“No!” Danny turned to face him. “My parents said-”

“Your parents, your parents, blah blah blah.” Paulina mocked. “They’re not even here right now and it’s not even on. What does it matter?”

“What does it-” Danny stopped and shot a hard glare at her. “You know what? Fine! I’ll go in.”

Danny turned around and walked toward a big metal cabinet that stood on the other side of the room next to a table filled with beakers and notes. 

“Uh, that’s the wrong way Fenton.” Dash said.

Danny opened the cabinet and rummaged around until he found something. He closed the doors back up and scowled at something in his hands. He peeled something off of the fabric he was holding and his dad's face fell to the floor. 

“I’m just grabbing my jumpsuit. If I’m gonna be breaking all of my parent’s rules I might as well do it safely.” He unfolded it and began stepping into it and finally pulled up the zipper.

Paulina laughed. “Your whole family has matching outfits? That’s embarrassing.”

Danny shrugged. “I like to pretend it’s a space suit or something. Anything’s better than a ghost hunting outfit.”

He walked up to the portal, looking around the inside a little bit. “You know, I’ve always wondered what could be on the other side of this portal if it ever actually worked. 

“Yeah, okay, just go in.” Paulina waved her hands at him. 

Sighing, Danny walked forward and into the portal. It felt much bigger than it looked from the outside and his footsteps echoed in the small space. He was looking at the ceiling when he tripped and caught himself on the wall. Looking down he saw a giant cable running across the floor. 

“Why would they-”

The humming surrounding him startled Danny and as he lifted his hand, a on and off switch could be seen underneath it. 

Panic started rising inside of Paulina. “Dash it’s turning on!”

He scoffed. “It’ll probably just blow up or something.” 

“Danny’s still inside, you nitwit!”

His eyes widened and Paulina started running towards the portal. It began glowing a sickening, radioactive green. It was getting brighter and brighter and Paulina met Danny’s wide and panicked eyes before she was dragged away and to the side, a shout getting caught in her throat as she watched the portal flash with electricity. 

“Danny!” She slapped at Dash’s arms that were still wrapped around her waist. “What are you doing! I almost got to him!”

Dash pulled her further away from the portal, keeping a tight grip on her. “And watch both of you get burnt to a crisp? No way. Now let’s get out of here before the Fenton’s find us.”

“Dash-”

An echoey groan caught their attention and they looked back at the portal. A glowing figure stepped out shakily, holding its head. It looked up at them and opened its mouth like it was going to talk to them, but its eyes rolled back into its head before it fell onto the ground. 

“What is that?” Paulina screeched.

Just as Dash started trying to drag Paulina up the stairs, a bright flash, this one white, lit up the room. Two white rings appeared around the form's body and traveled up and down to leave Danny Fenton laying on the floor. 

“What the fuck?” Dash whispered, his grip on Paulina finally loosening. 

Paulina broke free and ran across the lab and slid on her knees towards Danny.

“Are you dead?” Her hands hovered over his burnt jumpsuit. “Please don’t be dead.”

He groaned and his body rose and fell with his breaths.

“Oh thank god.”

Dash walked up behind her, staring at Danny over her shoulder. “How the fuck is he still alive? That should’ve incinerated him.”

“I don’t know. I think something happened to him.”

“Well no shit!” Dash whisper yelled. “What are we supposed to do?”

Paulina looked at Danny on the hard tiled floor. “First we’re gonna get him up to his room. That can’t be comfortable like that.”

“You want me to touch him?” Dash shook out his hands at just the thought.

Paulina pointed at him. “You’ll have an easier time getting him up all the stairs on the way to his room. Besides, we’re just gonna leave him down here for his parents to find him? And tell them how we dared him to do this?”

Dash paled. “Oh man, they would kill us. I bet they’d literally kill us.”

Paulina shook her head. “Just grab him already.”

He picked Danny up gingerly with a disgusted look on his face. He adjusted the other boy to fit easily in his arms and turned to the stairs and started walking up to the kitchen. Paulina followed closely behind him and they were halfway up the stairs when the doorknob on the front door started jiggling.

“Go! Go!” Paulina ushered Dash up the stairs and she turned to see Jazz walk in the door and look up at them right as Dash’s back disappeared into the hallway.

Jazz looked at where Dash disappeared before turning her gaze to Paulina, a brow raised.

“Hi, Jazz!” Paulina greeted chipperly. 

Jazz narrowed her eyes. “Are you guys behaving?”

Paulina scoffed at the older girl and crossed her arms. “Of course we are. We’re not five.”

“Right.” Jazz said as she headed into the kitchen. “What are you guys up to?”

“Working on a group project. We got hungry and came down for snacks.” Paulina shrugged. “But we’re getting back to it now, so I’m going to go join them upstairs.”

“Have fun.” Jazz called as Paulina walked up the stairs. 

She hurried down the hall to Danny’s room and walked in, closing the door behind her. When she looked up, she was met with Dash pacing in the middle of the room. 

‘What if he doesn’t wake up?” Dash asked. “What if he has brain damage or something and he dies in his sleep? It’d be our fault. We killed him.”

Paulina fought back the panic. “We didn’t kill him. He’s right there. He’s breathing.”

“Why did he look like that in the basement then?” Dash stopped pacing to look at her. “Last time I checked, humans didn’t have magical girl transformations in real life.”

“I don’t know!” Paulina seethed at him, her hands in fists at her sides. “But he was breathing, he was making noise.” “What if he was pretending?” Dash whispered. “What if he turned into something, and he doesn't need to anymore so he was just pretending and-”

Both Paulina’s and Dash’s head whipped in Danny’s direction where he groaned, laying on his bed. He brought a hand up to his head and pried his eyes open. 

“Danny!” Paulina gasped. She rushed over to the side of his bed. “Oh my gosh, are you actually alive?”

He looked at her like she grew a second head. “Uh, yeah? I ache pretty badly though.”

“See, Dash.” Paulina turned towards him. “I told you he was alive.”

“Wait, wait.” Danny shook his head. “Why didn’t you think I was alive?” He looked up at where Dash stood by the door. 

“You were in the portal when it turned on!” Dash whisper yelled. “What was I supposed to think? And then you walk out of the portal all inverted and glowing with white hair and-”

“What? I couldn’t have had white hair.”

Paulina shook her head. “No, it’s true. You looked completely different when you walked out of the portal and then you just changed back to normal for some reason.”

Danny furrowed his brows. “You guys like to make fun of my parent’s intelligence but you’re not even making sense right now. There’s no way I could’ve-”

His voice suddenly died out as another bright ring appeared around his waist. He watched in both fascination and horror as it traveled over his body, leaving behind an inverted version of his jumpsuit.

Quickly, he jumped out of bed and ran to the closet door where a body length mirror was hanging off of it. He stared at his reflection in horror.

“What is this? What happened?” He turned to look at them. “Did you guys do this somehow?”

“No!” Dash shouted, lowering his voice as he was hushed by Paulina. “That’s literally how you walked out of the portal thing. Then the same transformation happened and you were back to normal.”

Danny’s breath started increasing. He started feeling around for his phone. “I have to call my parents. They’ll know what to do.”

Just as Danny opened his phone to call his parents, Dash swiped it from his hand.

“If you tell your parents about this you’ll have to deal with me.”

Danny jumped at the other boy, trying to grab his phone. “Like I said before, I already have to deal with you. That’s not much of a threat.” He tried to grab his phone again. 

“Listen here-”

“Oh, wait!” Danny said, malice dripping from his voice. “If I told my parents what you guys did and how badly it hurt me, you’d probably get sent to juvie. Is that what you’re worried about?”

Dash’s face paled and Paulina felt a chill crawl up her spine.

“If you don’t want me asking for my parent’s help you guys are the ones who are gonna have to do it.”

“What?” Paulina said.

“No!” Dash exclaimed.

“Yes!” Danny shouted right back at him. “It’s your guys’ fault!”

“Why don’t you ask your spooky girlfriend for help?” Paulina pointed a finger at Danny and put her other hand on her hip. “Isn’t she like a witch? Doesn’t she do like voodoo magic stuff? Maybe she’d know how to get rid of it.”

Danny’s eyes widened in panic. “No! I can’t tell them! They’ll think I’m some kind of freak! I’ll lose the only friends I have!”

“You are a freak though.” Dash said flatly. 

“Fine. Don’t ask Sam.” Paulina scrunched her nose up. “Why us though? Why do we need to be involved?”

“One, again, it’s your fault.” Danny lifted up a finger. “Two, I don’t care if you guys think I’m a freak because you already hate my guts. And three, I have leverage against you guys and I’m what stands between you guys and charges.”

Paulina shifted uncomfortably between her feet. “How are we supposed to help you though? We don’t even know what’s going on.”

Danny shakily lowered himself back down onto his bed. “I don’t know. Figure it out. I’d ask my parents. But. You know.” He motioned with his arms.

Paulina scowled. 

“Maybe start with trying to change back?” Dash said quietly. “I don’t know about Paulina, but seeing you like that is starting to get freaky.”

“How do I do that?”

“I don’t know!” Dash threw his hands into the air and dropped heavily onto the desk chair.

“Maybe start with thinking human thoughts?” Paulina suggested.

“Human thoughts?” Danny lifted an eyebrow.

“Yeah like.” Paulina paused to think. “Humans are warm and firm and not glowy, think thoughts like that or something.

Danny rolled his eyes, but closed them in concentration a second later. About a minute or two passed and Paulina could see Danny getting agitated, his hands gripping into tight fists. He opened his mouth. 

“I don’t think this is-”

Another bright flash of light filled the room and Danny was left to his normal self again. He looked at his hands and at the hair hanging in his face and smiled.

“Maybe this won’t be so difficult after all.”

Paulina had a feeling nothing could be that simple, but she ignored it. “Let’s get started on that project again. When’s it due?”

“Uh…” Dash said, balancing a pencil on his nose. “The seventh?”

She frowned. “That can’t be right. I thought we had until the ninth.”

“Nah, nah, I’m positive it was the seventh. I was paying attention in class that day.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah!” 

Dash and Paulina both took out their phones, scrambling to check their class site. 

“Uh, guys?” Danny said.

They ignored him, still bickering about the due date.

“Guys.”

“See, I told you Dash. It was due on the ninth. If it was the seventh we wouldn’t have had-”

“Guys!” Danny shouted.

“What?” Paulina turned her head to glare at him but her eyes widened. 

Danny was staring up at the two of them in panic, his body halfway through the floor.

“Help!”

“What the fuck?” Dash said.

Paulina rushed over to grab Danny by the hand and motioned for Dash to grab the other one. Together, they hefted Danny back out of the floor and were able to set him back down. 

“What was that?” Dash asked Danny, who was staring at his feet as if they’d betray him at any moment.

Yeah. It couldn’t have been that simple. 

[alchemabotana]

Horoscopes for the Full Moon in Capricorn June 24th 2021

Antonina “Little Thunder” Whaples

@whaplesantonina

If you enjoy these horoscopes, please consider supporting by voting for me as Ms. Health and Fitness 2021 for Muscle & Fitness Hers Magazine. You can vote once every 24 hours for free. If I win, I am donating the proceeds to herbal medicine school scholarships. To vote: https://mshealthandfitness.com/2021/antonina

Strawberry Moon - Pen & Ink Sketch by Antonina Whaples 

Horoscopes for the Full Moon in Capricorn June 24th 2021

Strawberry Moon

This lunar Opening in Capricorn June 24th 2021 is a cry of righteousness on the hilly planes of our spiritual landscapes. With this meregoat’s lunation, we will experience the inherent benefits of the systematic work we’ve done since 2018, with a special emphasis on decisions made to change personal system errors. The Gods of karma are smiling at our intentions and efforts, and rewards will be reaped by those who invest in self discovery. Our ritual work has been seen and blessed in the Summer Solstice shifts by the spirits of the Land. If you listen closely on this strawberry moon, you may just hear the call of the Cosmic tricksters as they work their mojo on the psychopomp of Earthly frustrations. When you’re feeling the pull of your natal oppositions this moon, tune into the tendons of your actions and see where the motion stems from. You may be relieved to find that the strings that once pulled your puppet are made of finer ancestral threads and your permission to be free was always there. When you check into the Cosmic Chess Board you may find something of a rubix cube has emerged in your new dimensional awarenesses. Instead of throwing yourself into the equations necessary to unlock this next level, revel in the achievements that brought you to this very moment. In a cosmic landscape where the processes of life and death have been hyper focused in our collective consciousness it feels rebellious to change the font and type settings of the ancestral notepads in our minds. Representing the waters that run deeply within the Earth, Capricorn’s fullness in the night sky will illuminate various Spirits whose presence have been well established, but not necessarily recognized. A sign of the power of mental affirmation, your thoughts and words will hold a special magic in this moment. Remember that your Guides, Spirit Animals, Power Totems, Good Medicine Ancestors, and the Spirits of the Land are excellent translators, and with Mercury about to pop out of retrograde (watch out for its shadow til June 30th), its final lesson is one of the personal spiritual variety. When what we seek is Truth & Justice, we allow our souls to attune to protective forces that help us autocorrect, fold into origami, and transcend with temperance.

Aries:

It’s no surprise that an old tune holds the secret code from that earlier recording of the master tape your memory has been searching for in the old filing system. In these moments you realize just how deep and densely tracked the highways and byways of your mental system are. You’re the original wayfinder of your own uncharted territory of the mind. This state of curiosity opens you up to spiritual healing that aligns your personal ideals and values with the actions a person desires to embody. When your actions meet your words, you tend to feel the most at home in the grander machinations of Spaceship Earth.

I’m not sure if I’m feeling funky or groovy, jazzy or bluesy? Does it jive with you? Is it feeling all right? What songs have got you buzzed on this full moon night? I’m enjoying the humour of the human experience, and I find ways to incorporate positive sources of enjoyment into my daily routine. I recognize that I can be sensitive to the frequencies I consume mentally, and I’m manifesting sources of comedic gold into my awareness. I can be my own clown, and enjoy an inside-inside joke anytime my mind decides that laughter is the best medicine. I love to laugh, and allow myself this simple pleasure in life. 

Taurus: 

Saturn in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus has been creating a nuanced ping-pong table in your mind. This influence has been upon your daily life for sometime, and shall continue on through the rest of the year, with another exact square in December 2021. Accept the exactness of this T-squared engineer level measurement on the corners of your ascension blueprints. It’s ok to look at the world from your own angles, and you may be happily surprised by the moments that unfold joyously when you use your sharpness to hone the hedges of your self doubt. There’s a special magic in this moon for you, as the meregoat lights a part of the puzzle we wanted to get done anyway. This refocused energy gives you the internal resources to wait to make your next move, even though the ones you’ve planned are quite clever already, when mercury rx clears you’ll have fine tuned your intel.

I give in to the epic bonestructure of my cosmic face in the universe. I know that on these edges are where the hedgerows grow. In these sanctuaries of my boundaries, I give spaces for things I truly want to cultivate to be engendered. I find which spaceships are allowed to dock at my intergalactic port of plenty, and make sure that my shields are up when psychic frequencies intend to disrupt my qi. When I breathe, I give space to the energy around myself, and I feel permission to let go. When I let go, I allow myself to accept instructions in the forms of feelings and intuitions. I do not allow the opinions or voices of others to upset my internal compass. I feel centered and grounded and know I will continue to make positive choices and believe in myself. I choose to honor myself, and that makes me feel good. 

Gemini: 

You’ve been carefully funneling resources into a variety of investments. Financial and interpersonal projects and alliances deepen, although it is not a time to throw caution to the wind. Caution and planning is what has allowed you to learn to trust the ebb and flow of the cosmic money winds, and you’re trying to siphon your own renewable sources, not steal from the Gods. When you place yourself in alignment with your internal resources, you can learn to embody compassion to provide yourself when feelings of self worth or insecurities prod you to feel guilty about the ways you regenerate. Let your conscience be your guide, and allow others to do the same. The path of self acceptance is most rich for you at this juncture, and it would be wise to use the Full moon to clear the psychic debris of your aura through ritual bathing, sound healing, and aromatics. 

I can sometimes turn my mirrors askance to the equations I cannot seem to readily solve. But, in doing so I lose reflections that empower me. I accept that it's time to look at some of those patterns again and see if they even deserve a place on the chalkboard of my mind. When I make space to use my memory card to run programs that make me have feelings I actually enjoy, I look into my secret box of fantasies and realize I may have already realized many of those experiences. In these moments of clarity, I hold a space for myself to enjoy what I may not have allowed myself to in the past. In this way, I take back my energy and transform myself in the present. 

Cancer:

In this moon you are finally able to feel that rebound-snap! Ka-bow! sh-zing! of Mars’ exit from your cozy airbnb. You’re reminded that you should be charging premiums for your ability to stay level-headed when the Gods and Goddesses war in the Heavens, and on Earth. You enjoy a good ritual bath, but to stay out of hot waters, this crab needs a cool-down. This Capricorn Moon is just what the doctor ordered, and something about the good medicine flowing through you can’t help but seep into certain streams where the mojo is most needed. This is an excellent time for you to pause in your personal space and take a moment to feel the beauty of your domain.

My soundtrack of life is a high luxury five star bathhouse of the Spirits. I’ve been Spirited Away to lands of emotional remembrance. The roots of my ancestors have spoken to me, and I have heard their instructions. I need not fear the judgments of others, because I am a sacred part of creation. I will not allow negative voices to infiltrate my consciousness, but instead, I will choose to believe that my work has been blessed by the Cosmic Super Computer and shall continue to have its content prioritized. In this space of trust, I allow myself to turn my consciousness to what I’ve relegated as “frivolous artistic pursuits”. I find the time and space to make something just because. When I experience this energy releasing through the act of creation, I realize why it mattered in the first place. 

Leo: 

The grass is pretty green in your patch. Both career aspirations and spiritual wealth appear to be presenting itself to you in all new fashions. You may literally be feeling called to new ways to express yourself externally, and this exploration of your presentation to the world helps you heal. You’ve been feeling called to healing in general, feeling like it may be a good time to start a new way of moving, or to add a healing ritual to your daily experience. If you happen to use stone medicine, Turquoise will be especially healing in nature during the transit of Mars through Leo, and can be just the cooling mechanism you need to keep your Roar without the bite.

Sometimes I’m just feeling high octane. When I find the right stomping grounds to release my charge I am able to do so safely through friendly communication strategies, good topics of conversation, interesting objects within my spacial periphery, and calming colors. It’s ok to turn the volume all the way up, but when the outside world adjusts its tone to match, I can switch to a different groove. I’m in awe of my co-creative power to engage my environment and use my influence therein to bring forth collective healing experiences.

Virgo: 

Something about this moon in Capricorn feels familiar to you, and perhaps it's the quiet watch you’ve held & the prayers of your heart being answered. Your physical being is finding ways to heal through your insights to your movements in daily life. As your mind/body/spirit awareness grows, you find new ways of expressing yourself. This ability to shift and transform might seem like deja vu, but it's your memories finding their way to the surface. When our minds give us abstract feelings and visions, we can move mountainous emotions safely within our systems, without harming ourselves or others. Breathe deeply and find a place to scream loudly if you need that release.

I have crossed some barren deserts, but I have not died of thirst. I am blessed with the life I have co-created in the spiritual planes of my intelligent manifestations. My awareness of the barren corners of life have given me compassionate reflective capacity and a recognition of my gifts by those whose opinions matter to me. I am enjoying the small moments of joy and call them precious to me. I forgive myself for any moments where I’ve expected too much of myself while I was grieving a loss. My heart is tender, and my spirit gentle. I wish to live in harmony with myself and others. 

Libra:

This Capricorn moon you are more annoyed than usual at laundry, other people’s messes, and scapegoating. Your sensitivity to physical objects is heightened under this Full Moon and it may feel overwhelming to be in the midst of the messes others leave for you to clean up. It’s more than frustrating when you acknowledge how your time/energy has been appropriated. Instead of letting loose the fire brigade when the bridge seems to be burning, walk away from the moments today that feel like a temptation. Make sure to find objects that reflect healthy energy back to you, and sit amidst a tiny oasis of your creation, and pay no attention to chaos of the Gods. You deserve a Full Battery, and the spirits are conspiring to recharge your battery banks this lunation.

I gather strength from my service to my community. When I have been unbalanced in the past, I allow my weight to ground in all directions through the sacred communions of my own secret tabernacles of the human experience. I make new covenants with myself and the way I speak and treat myself, so that I no longer need to suffer under the weight of the past. I don’t need to feel any guilt in laying down my load, and don’t need any permission to do so. When I feel safe, I will allow those who I trust to provide the respite necessary for me to heal my visions of my life and expand into an abundant awareness of how truly loved I am for being myself, and how needed my cosmic ray of intellect is to this world. 

Scorpio:

Known for your secrets and depth, you’ve been hiding like the Cosmic Sphinx between the pillars of the temple gates. You’ve been allowed to watch the clashes of the Giants unscathed, and your insight will outlast this passing phase of planetary tensions. You’ve been sending alien text messages to Neptune’s work phone, and the intel has been legit. Your attraction to Art, Color, Shape, Form, Music, and Theatre are encouraging you to make insightful investments in your own dreams. This Full Moon beckons you to create with abandon and let the waves of inspiration quench your desire for pleasure. 

I feel like the whole choir singing in one unison. I weave through the soundwaves, key changes, and rhythm switch-ups as I keep time with the sacred union of celestial sounds. I am aware that the tunes of the planet herself offer me a sacred respite from the cacophony of the cosmic movements. When I ground myself into the soothing waters of my spiritual essence I define for myself how my energy is used for the goodness of my own healing. 

Sagittarius: 

It feels like you’ve been getting along pretty well with the planetary forces, and everyone secretly enjoys the protection that your bow provides for the tribe. You may be feeling a bit cramped in the yellow submarine of the pandemic, dare we say you could have cabin fever? The Trines, Sextiles, and satellite signals of the skies indicate that you can find a special type of relief from the feelings of squished with mandalas, botanical drawings, and spirographs. When you take the time to let your mind journey in these ways, it lets your hunter’s mind relax for the next best chance. And no worries, you’ve got plenty of chances ahead, Sagittarius. 

Life is good. I do my hair toss, check my nails - baby how you doing? Hey, life is good. He’s got his eye on the sparrow and I guess that’s me? I’m playing with the chemistry... cause that’s how I be? When I look into the mirror I see a babe, a real dude of the neighborhood - my sister, mothers, daddy, and the community. I guess when I see you, I see me. And when I’m in that light in me, and you are in that light in you. There is only one of us: namaste my bissssssch 

Capricorn: 

This Full Moon in Capricorn you endeavour to ask outloud: “What Giant’s Bones Have We Built Ourselves Upon?” Your Full Lunation is opposing the Sun in Cancer, shining a shadow on our collective exoskeleton. This Full Moon feels like an archeological discovery when proverbial bones rattle out of the closet to give us a hoodoo prayer’s chance for self liberation. You’ve been waiting for a moment like this, and it's OK if you’re not ready to take that leap of faith. But should you choose, the moon lights up an emotional healing around the concept of “home”. You really want to know if you’re believing the right thing from one moment to the next, but keeping your head out of the secret sauce is key to giving your subconscious the space it needs right now to send out signals to the future. Soon enough you’ll be receiving confirmations of cosmic flavors right into your spiritual inbox.

I called Stephen Hawking and he called me back. My voicemail said: “Hey friend. I know this is a hard time on planet earth. I think people are doing better than they believe they are. It’s hard to be a human. I remember the constraints of the body, and I understand when you want to just fly away somewhere. I believe in you. Capricorns get a bad rap sometimes. I can see your progress, and I hope you take the time to see it too. By the way, we always have the time to say how much we matter to each other. Thanks for being, and enjoy this life, you deserve it”. 

Aquarius: 

There have been a lot of light bulbs going off in your spiritual laboratory. This Full Moon when the light shifts, your awareness of the dimensionality of the objects and purpose of your life is heightened. You may be experiencing some grief and loss around feelings of closeness with others. Recently you’ve been asked to hold a deep stability for the collective’s growth. Your actions haven’t gone unnoticed, and you’ve been receiving opportunities for advancement in your career. However, you are feeling uncomfortable with commitment while under a deep pressure to perform. These archetypal struggles are up for healing on the altar of the Full Moon. Your magic fairy dust works the best when you sprinkle it on yourself. You are learning the ways of Illuminated Prosperity.

My voice is a symphony of grace within a cacophony of sound. I breathe in the knowledge that my very existence is a miracle of my own embracing. I find myself at home in my surroundings and know I belong. Whoever “They” are, I know I can be myself around “Them”. I trust that my instincts are perfected beyond doubt. I’ve taken all the tests and quizzes and my insights are showing precision on whichever experiments have survived my tests of time and spirit. When I tune into my highest self it's because I’m recognizing my ability to be in that place no matter what surrounds me. Even when my circumstances deny me, I do not deny myself. I believe that I am worthy of the life I am living, and anticipate my surroundings shifting to match the unique vibrational fingerprint that I offer planet Earth. 

Pisces: 

You’ve been holding down some major spiritual territory during the recent seasonal shifts. The light of the meregoat acts as a lighthouse beacon for the whales and whistleblowers of your waters. You’re not particularly interested in that island, and prefer to spend this Lunation in Capricorn Gardening, Cleaning Out the Car, Writing about your art, Feeding the fairies, Calling in positivity, Releasing the Past, Testing New Grounds, and let’s just say it: looking pretty guuuuuuud while doing it. So good. You might want to tune into some whale call noises, or turn on a beachy video. The seas are definitely calling your name, and your inner explorer could watch Moana a few times through the eyes of the grandmother, the eyes of Moana, and the eyes of Te Fiti. 

I am a sound rising on the waves of creation. I turn my eyes to the heavens and I’m in the medicine nation. I forgive myself for all my wavering, I know my power lies in my cravings. I can wish upon the starry skies, and watch the birds where e’er they fly. I’m curious to know the names of all the fairies, and their games. I want to know what games I’ll win when I’m laughing with a cheshire grin. I know what gods have sent me here, I know which path I’m meant to clear. And when the waters run to quickly, or the bushes get too prickly - I can lay my spirit down. My minds’a palace, my head a crown. You could call me king or queen, but my magics’still unseen. I’m so much bigger than my titles, or whichever ones I didn’t get. I’ve given all at my recitals, and I’m my own best bet. 

[bluesylveon2]

My My, I Could Never Let You Go

Summary: Sasha Zoe just wants her dad to walk her down the aisle. There is only one problem: she doesn’t know who her dad is! Sasha invites 3 men in hopes of finding out which one is her father. What could possibly go wrong?

Pairings: Levi x Hange, Sasha x Niccolo, and other background relationships

Disclaimer: This is a Levihan Mamma Mia au. This fanfic is inspired by Mamma Mia which is directed by Phyllida Loyd, written by Catherine Johnson, and uses music from the pop group ABBA. Attack on Titan is a manga/anime series written by Hajime Isayama and published by Kondasha

A/N: Sorry for the wait! Next chapter might take a while. I have finals starting next week and then I’ll be done soon! 😁 Now back to our regularly schedules programming...

***** - listen to Super Trooper here (go to 0;07) to get an idea of the scene. 

Need to catch up? Catch up here!

Ch 9: Super Trooper

Sasha dances on top of the table to her heart's content. She dances along to the song Moblit plays while her friends, now in party clothes, were hyping her up below. 

As the song ends (ironically, it was the same song the guys sang to her earlier. She is a big ABBA fan), Sasha lets herself go and falls back so her friends can catch her. She laughs with glee as her friends cheer for her performance. 

Sasha's bachelorette party was held in the hotel's courtyard. There was some space for dancing and a bar to get drinks. Of course, no boys were allowed except for Moblit. Hange had approved for Moblit to be the DJ for the night. He only agreed to it just as long as Sasha's friends did not force him to become a male stripper. 

Hange and her band were preparing behind the stained glasses French doors for their big performance. This performance was a callback to their old days when she and her girls used to perform together. They had even dressed the part!

Sasha's friends set her back down on the ground safely as Moblit taps his mic to get everyone's attention.

"Ladies and no gentlemen! Except for me, of course." Moblit gestures to himself before continuing.

"Presenting for one night and one night only-" he gestures to the French doors, so the girls can take their attention off of him.

"Because that's all we got breath for!" Nanaba yells from behind the door. Everyone laughs. 

"The world's first girl power band," Rico yells out from behind the door with excitement to hype the crowd. Some smoke starts to appear behind the doors. 

Sasha screams with excitement and shakes Mikasa, who was the closest to her.

"Hange and the Survey Corps!"

Moblit plays the piano as Hange, Rico, and Nanaba enter in their 70's-inspired outfits. It looks just like the ones they used to wear from the old pictures Sasha saw of her mom's room. Meanwhile, the bachelorette party squeal with excitement as Hange's band takes position. Hange was front and center, Nanaba was to her left, and Rico was to her right.

Hange taps the beat with one of her block-heeled boots on the stage. All three members of the Survey Corps raise their left arm to point up to the sky, look up at the night sky, and begin to sing the first line.

Super Trouper lights are gonna find me.

But I won't feel blue.

Sasha and her friends laugh at how ridiculous her mom and her aunts sounded without the accompaniment.

Like I always do

'Cause somewhere in the crowd, there's you

Hange looks away to glance at Sasha and gave her a quick wink. 

Sasha looks at her mother expectantly and with amusement. There was an awkward silence as no music played, and Hange's band was still in position.

Hange, noticing the silence, looks away to look at Moblit. She motions for him to play the song.

Moblit, realizing his mistake, presses the button on the speaker to start the performance. The melody to Super Trooper begins to play. Sasha and her friend cheer as Hange get back to position, so the band can go to their signature pose. 

*****

She raises her hand up and looks up at the sky. Rico turns around, so her back faced Hange. She leans back a bit and raises her microphone up to her lips to pretend she was singing. Nanaba copies Rico's position, except she faces the opposite direction; her back was facing Hange. 

Hange brings her arm down as she sings. Rico and Nanaba face the crowd and move to stand next to Hange. All three of them begin to sway and move their arms to the beat.  

Sasha and her friends laugh and clap along to the performance. Occasionally, Rico and Nanab would sing along to add harmony and more vocals. 

The trio then raises their right arm to the sky and brings it back down to briefly touch their heads. Rico and Nanaba move to face Hange as they sing along. Hange would also turn to face her best friends one at a time to make it look as though she was singing to them. Eventually, the trio stands in front of one another, leans back slightly, and moves their left arm back while holding out the note before literally jumping into the refrain. 

---

"Are you sure this is where Gelgar said Sasha's bachelorette party is going to be?" Erwin asks with a hint of uncertainty.

Mike laughs a bit, but it could have been drowned out by the music and the cheering nearby. Who knows if the guys would be able to hear each other the closer they got.

"Of course. Sasha is pretty famous on the island, so word gets around easily. Plus, she practically invited the whole island."

"Yeah. Sasha practically invited all the girls on the island." Levi adds with a hint of annoyance. He can hear the singing nearby and can recognize her voice anywhere. It reminded him of the times she used to sing to him. Hange's voice would help him fall asleep.

"Relax, Levi," Mike says reassuringly as they climb up the steps to the plaza. "Sasha would be happy to see her dads at her bachelorette party!"

They stop at the very top step and watch Hange's performance.

"Hey, look at them go! It seems her friends never lost their talent either, especially Nanaba!"

Levi looks at Mike and raises an eyebrow. "You know them?"

Mike laughs. "Of course I do. I met all three of them together," he says with amazement as he watches the performance. 

"It seems as if Hange never lost her singing talent after all."

Levi glares at Erwin, who stood behind him. Erwin, noticing Levi's glare, chuckles now that his uncertainness is fading away. It was as if he could read Levi's mind.

It seems that Hange's singing has started to calm him down enough to laugh at how silly Levi looked.

"Sometimes Hange would sing while I played the guitar. This song is actually our song." Erwin says without breaking his gaze from Hange singing and smiles. 

"It does bring me back." He adds with sincerity.  

Levi's heart skips a beat as he heard Hange sing. It was a lot different from earlier when he heard it from a distance. It was in person this time. Levi can even see the big smile and the bright eyes Hange had as she sang. It reminded him of the times he would fall asleep on her lap as she sang to him and played with his hair. 

Call him a lovestruck fool, but Levi always slept better every time Hange sang to him. 

Heck, Levi could even say with 100% certainty that he was falling for her all over again.

---

Hange continues singing and dancing with her friends. She has not had this much fun in a long time, and she can tell from Sasha's face that she was enjoying it too. In fact, Hange was having too much fun to notice Levi, Erwin, and Mike approach the plaza. 

She dances to the song's beat while adding some arm movements and stomped her boots to create an effect. Sasha and her friends cheer from below.

Like I always do. 

Hange places her hand on her forehead and scans the crowd.

Cause somewhere in the crowd, there's you. 

It was only for a brief second, but her light brown eyes met with Levi's steel gray ones.

Hange's eyes widen with shock and a little bit of hurt. He was not alone! Erwin and Mike were with him too!

Nevertheless, Hange steps forward to sing her solo while trying her best to look normal. She did not want to freak out on stage and have Sasha meet her dads. She glances over at Levi, praying it was a dream.

It was not. Levi was still there.

This time he was smiling.

Great. Just great.

Hange ends her solo with a silly dance to bring up her excitement and keep Sashas's attention solely on her. The crowd loved it! She steps back to join her band. 

The Survey Corps sing the refrain while pointing towards the sky in front of them, bringing their arms down and repeating the process all over again. They stop in the middle of the refrain, and Hange glances over at Levi again.

They were still there!

She scoots close to Rico and subtle grabs her arm before doing the same with Nanaba and brought them close to her. 

"Look, look, look, look," she says while pointing her head towards the men off to the side. She then spins around so Rico and Nanaba could see who she was looking at. The song continued to play in the background.

Oh no! Nanaba looks at the men in shock.

Why are they here at the party? Rico questions.

Rico briefly places her microphone away from her mouth. "Stay calm," she whispers loudly enough to get Hange to hear.

Nanaba imitates Rico after Rico goes back to performing. "Act normal," she whispers as well.

Both of them tried their best not to speak loud enough for both of their mics to pick up.

Meanwhile, Erwin was smiling at the performance, Mike was dancing a bit to the song, and Levi even was dancing a bit too. Just not as much as Mike.

Hange glances over at Moblit before getting back into position with the girls. Moblit, noticing the distressed look on Hange's face the entire time, turns to where she has been looking at this whole time. It did not take long for him to figure out who the three men dancing in the corner were. He had heard enough stories and helped comfort Hange when she was sobbing alone in her room to know who was who. It was a secret between the two, and Moblit was ready to take Hange's secret to his grave.

They stick their hand out to make a one and move their head in the 1 position on a clock before repeating the refrain. They move in a circle on the stage, stop to look at each other briefly, and place their hands in the center before moving it up together. 

Hange made sure to step up in the front and give Sasha all of her attention as she sings the song's last note. Rico and Nanaba sang the rest in the background before giving their final pose.

Everyone in the audience cheers for the performance, even the guys who everyone could hear cheering loudly from the back.

"Excuse me!" Moblit's voice comes on from his spot next to the stage. Hange and her friends head back inside to get changed. "This is a bachelorette party except for me. Moblit. Thank you!" he finishes before changing the song.

"That's the asshole," Levi whispers to himself without thinking about it and glares at Moblit. 

Erwin and Mike laugh at Levi. They can hear the jealousy in his voice. Levi wants what Moblit has: a life with Hange where he can watch Sasha grow up. No responsibilities or worries. Just peace.

Moblit, although he cannot hear him, feels a shiver go down his spine. He turns around to find a short, bored-looking guy glaring at him.

That must be Levi; he sweatdrops before returning to the music and praying that Levi stops glaring at him. 

Levi tsks in annoyance and starts heading out. Mike and Erwin steer in a different direction towards the bar.

Sasha follows Levi out to wherever he went. Meanwhile, all the girls in Sasha's bridal party watch as Mike and Erwin head towards the bar area. They huddle up and put their heads together to create a plan.

"We need to do something before Mike and Erwin leave," Hanami panics.

"We need to think of something now," Mina adds.

Historia thinks long and hard for a solution. What is something crazy they could do without raising suspicion? Suddenly, an idea pops up in her head as she listens to the current song Moblit was playing. It was bound to work 100%.

She silently thanks Sasha's love of ABBA songs and for hosting many karaoke nights at the hotel. The girls could sing ABBA songs with their eyes closed.

She smirks and clears her voice. Everyone stops discussing to turn their full attention to Historia.

"Ladies. I have a perfect idea,"

---

"Why are they here?! Do they want to ruin Sasha's wedding?!" Hange yells out in frustration.

"I thought you were keen about this wedding," Nanaba asks in a calm tone.

Hange takes a deep breath to calm herself down. "I just don't want them to spoil it." she sighs.

"They have no right to show up like this. What have they done for Sasha? Huh?"

"Hange. They didn't know she existed." Nanaba reasons with her. They continue making their way back to Hange's room. 

"Well, they didn't need to know. I did so well with Sasha all by myself, and I refuse to be muscled out by an ejaculation!"

---

Erwin and Mike were getting some drinks at the bar since Levi had mysteriously disappeared from them. They decided to stay for a bit until Levi comes back, but far away from the party. They could still hear the music, though.

Except the music was progressively getting louder, and it was not from the speakers. They can hear female voices heading in their direction. 

Both men turn around to find all of Sasha's bridal party walking towards them while singing the song. The girls start running towards them the moment Erwin and Mike turn around. Different girls grab both men and start pulling them into the dance floor.

Mike was excited to be surrounded by so many girls. This was life for him. On the other hand, the feelings were not mutual for Erwin. He just wanted to get a drink! Now he is getting dragged onto the dancefloor! What a rollercoaster of a day.

Except the girls did not drag them onto the dancefloor. The girls push Erwin and Mike against a pole and surround them. They tie up the men's hands behind the pole and begin their second operation. The first operation was to locate the men and tie them up. They proceed with the second part, although Levi was absent. This part was a bit more intimate. 

It was all a blur for Erein and Mike. They could not tell who exactly was feeling them up, running their hands across their chests, or even tell who was pushing up their clothes. Mike enjoyed all the attention he was receiving; Erwin was flustered and heating up.

This was definitely a strange day for everyone.

---

Sasha stops running when she finds Levi leaning against the wall, looking out at sea.

"Hi."

Levi notices Sasha's voice, leans back, and faces her. "Hey."

He clears his throat. "I think I should explain to Hange that I come in peace." he starts walking up to where Sahsa just entered from.

"Oh no." Sasha stops Levi by placing her hands out in front of him. "You should wait until she has a few drinks first, really." 

Levi nods in agreement. "Good idea."

He looks around the place and thinks back on their interaction in the boat. The fact that he never came back or how Sasha was a prodigy with weapons. He chose to speak about the latter. The first topic can come up another time. 

"That story about you being a natural at archery…." He trails off and looks at her dead in the eyes. Her eyes were obviously a different shade of brown, but it reminded him of Hange.

"Why don't you pursue it? You could even participate in events such as the Olympics?"

Sasha looks away nervously and raises her hands up before dropping down on her sides. She sighs.

"I have enough to do here." 

"Is that really your dream? Running the villa with Hange?" Levi asks. He could recall when she first met Hange. She was a woman with huge dreams. All of it was driven by her curiosity and intelligence. Yet, it was not evident for Sasha's case. 

Sasha shakes her hands out in front of her with frustration. Why wasn't Levi getting it? It was so obvious why she wanted to stay. 

"She just can't do it by herself."

"But she has Moblit." Levi counters.

"She just can't. Please understand that." 

Levi sighs. He was not getting through to her at all. Yet, Levi still thought back to Sasha's memory from earlier. He chuckles a bit.

"What's so funny?" Sasha asks with some curiosity. Ah, there it is. The Zoe curiosity lives on.

"You know, my uncle once taught me how to use a knife. Apparently, he worked in one of the intelligence agencies in Germany when he was young. He thought it was a necessary skill for me to have. Of course, I managed to excel in it, but my mom had a heart attack when she noticed me practicing it with my uncle. I always made sure to keep a pocket one if any situation goes south." 

He walks to stand where he was initially. He turns around to face Sasha. "I even taught it to Hange before. I mean, she trusted a stranger pretty easily, but you never know if things ever go south. You have to be prepared." 

He looks up at the sky and smiles at all the fond memories he had of Kalokairi.

"I always wanted to come back here…."

"What kept you from coming back?" Sasha interrupts him. 

Levi looks at Sasha and gives her a sad smile. Her eyes soften up after seeing Levi becoming vulnerable in front of her. 

"What has your mother said about me?"

"She never mentioned you," Sasha confesses. She watches for Levi's reaction but finds nothing.

Finally, he sighs. a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Sasha?"

"Why am I here?" He asks. He began to doubt his purpose here now that Hange wants nothing to do with him.

Sasha was ready to speak when the door from her mother's room opens suddenly, startling the two down below. 

"I need some air!" they both hear Hange's voice cry out.

She immediately ran off and out of sight as if she was never there.

Levi looks up at Hange's room. His eyes linger at Hange's disappearing shadow. He felt a strange but somewhat familiar feeling in his chest. 

He knew what he had to do, and he can't leave just yet.

---

Hange, Rico, and Nanaba all flop on Hange's bed in exhaustion. Nanaba was lying next to her, while Rico's boots were next to Hange's head. 

"Somebody out there is out to get me. I bet it's my mother." Hange says while glaring at the roof as if it decided to bring Sasha's dads back into her life.

"Wasn't she a ray of sunshine?" Rico adds sarcastically. 

Hange feels a sudden burst of determination. She needs to get them out now. She begins by attempting to untangle herself from her friends. 

"Oh no, you don't!" Nanaba exclaims and pins Hange down.

"If you go in there guns loaded, there's gonna be questions," Rico says as she attempts to get up but fails. It's all because of the dang boots!

"Help me out of these boots!" she complains while lying on the bed. Hange and Nanaba make a move towards the end of the bed to help. 

"All of your yoga made your feet bigger." Nanaba comments, and Rico groans in annoyance.

Suddenly, Nanaba gets serious and pulls on one of Rico's boots. "Listen up. The plan is to get all the guys drunk tonight-"

"Uh-huh," Hange says and pulls on the other boot with the same force as Nanaba.

"-and then tomorrow, Rico and I will keep them distracted."  

Rico shoots up from the bed and raises her hand. "Dibs on Erwin!"

Nanaba rolls her eyes. "Of course, you would say that," she mumbles. 

---

Erwin luckily manages to escape the crowd of girls by crawling under the table to escape. Sasha's bridal party had finally untied him and Mike from the poles and brought them somewhere else to dance. Erwin last saw Mike dancing on top of the table with some of the girls. He was having the time of his life.

Sasha ran back to the party just in time to see Erwin escaping from her friends.

"Hi," she sighs in relief.

"Hello," He greets back. He was still traumatized from earlier.

Sasha grabs Erwin's arm and seats Erwin at the barstool. 

"You ok?" she asks as she sits down as well. Erwin's hair was a bit disheveled, his shirt was unbuttoned and untucked to reveal his chest, and he looked a bit flustered. 

Erwin sighs instead. He reaches over to a nearby pitcher and pours himself a drink.

"I'm surprised Hange has a grown-up daughter." He confesses and briefly glances over at Sasha.

She leans one elbow against the bar and faces Erwin. "Do you have any children, Erwin?" 

Erwin chuckles. "Well, I only have my dogs, Hiroshi and Romi. They are staying at a friend's house right now." 

"I'd love to have a daughter. I'd spoil her rotten," he adds with a smile and takes a sip of his drink. 

That caught Sasha off guard. She didn't expect Erwin to say that. She opens her mouth to speak but closes it instead. She imagined what life would be like if Erwin was her father. How he would spoil her, shower her with much love and attention.

Erwin notices Sasha's silence. He briefly turns around to look at the crowd before turning back to Sasha.

"Is your father here?"

"I don't know." She admits. Erwin looks at her with confusion. Surely her own father should be here for his own daughter's wedding, right?

"I don't know who my father is." she clarifies.

Erwin's eyes widen with shock. He opens his mouth to ask more questions, but one of Sasha's friends grabs her and brings her back to the dance floor. He could only watch as Sasha's figure disappears into the crowd.

---

Erwin sat with his hands covering his face. A few minutes had passed since Sasha left, and everything was beginning to come together. What if he was Sasha's father? He was too conflicted to notice the footsteps heading his way.

"Give me two tequila shots. One for me and one for this guy." he hears a female voice say. His head shoots up, ready to decline the offer but stops. Sitting down where Sasha last sat was a woman with long brown hair and blue eyes. Her hair was half up, half down, she wore a simple blouse and some shorts, and she also wore sandals on her feet.

She notices Erwin's stare and turns to him with a smile. Erwin looks away and blushes from embarrassment. 

The woman laughs instead. She extends her hand out for him to shake.

"My name is Marie Fournier, and you are?"

Erwin extends his hand out to shake Marie's. "Erwin Smith."

The bartender comes back with the shots. Marie grabs her and holds it out in front of Erwin for a toast.

"Cheers." she smiles.

"Cheers," he says with a small smile. Erwin tries to hide his earlier conflict from Marie.

"So how do you know the Zoe's?" Erwin asks after the both of them drank the shot and set their glasses down on the bar."

"Well, we went to the same college and for the same major. I was more of an acquaintance with her, but we still kept in touch after I moved to Canada. I consider myself lucky that she invited me here since we weren't that close."  

She looks at Erwin with a smile. Erwin was taken aback by it. There was a dormant but familiar feeling growing in his chest after seeing Marie smile at him.

"She is a nice person, though. I came here once before for vacation. She showed me around the island and even brought Sasha along too."

Erwin felt another feeling in his chest, and he slightly flinches in his seat. The shock and realization of what if Sasha was his daughter. It seems Marie does not notice any difference in Erwin.

"So how do you know Hange?"

Should he tell her the truth? Maybe a short and sweet version?

His eyes briefly glance over at the bartender walking by. He is going to need some more drinks first.

---

Hitch drags Sasha from the bar and pushes her to dance onto a table to dance with Mike.

"Hey!" Mike cheers once Sasha joins him on the fun. Both of them start dancing together.

"This is fantastic! How did your mom get money to buy this place?"

"She was left some money by an old lady she looked after before I was born," Sasha yells back with all the music and the dancing happening at the same time.

 "Alexandra, that I'm named after."

He looks at her suspiciously. "My grandma Alexandra?"

"I guess?"

"I always heard she left her money to her family…" his voice trails off.

Suddenly, everything hit Mike like a tone of bricks. His grandmother, the hotel, Sasha…

He looks at Sasha, who was still dancing and smiling at him.

"How old are you?" he needed to know.

"I'm 20."

That was the final piece of the puzzle Mike was missing. He stops dancing and looks at her with shock and panic.

"Will you excuse me for a minute?" He looks around his surrounding with confusion, shock, and a bit of disappointment. It's not that he is disappointed at Sasha, but himself. What kind of dad (if he actually was) was he for missing out on 20 years of his daughter's life?

"I'm sorry," he says and leaves Sasha, who stands there with sadness flashing in her face. She was determined to get to Mike again. She runs off to chase after him.

---

"Mike!" Sasha calls after Mike, but he continues walking down the steps and towards the shore. 

"Mike, wait! Why did your grandmother leave my mother money?" She asks as some tears began to fall down her face. Mike was running down the steps, and it was hard for Sasha to catch up.

"I don't know. What do you want from me?" He replies hastily without turning back and quickens his pace. Mike was too confused with everything that he decided to run away instead of confronting Sasha. Sasha can feel her heartbreaking even more now.

"Mike, please!" Mike stops moving. "All my life, there's been this huge unanswered question., and I don't want any more secrecy!" she cries out, and her voice begins to crack. She can feel tears now that began to blur her vision and some snot running down her nose. 

Mike turns around to face Sasha ultimately after hearing her voice crack and the sadness in her voice. Although the only light source was moonlight, Mike could see the tears staining Sasha's face and her body shaking a bit. He felt guilty for making Sasha cry.

Sasha was ready to ask the age-old question. "Are you my father?"

"Yes. I think so." Mike says immediately. He has all the pieces to the puzzle, except he sounded unsure. He looks at Sasha's face. The same face that has Hange it in and him. He is not running away from his problems. He looks at her with determination and smiles.

"Yes," she says softly that it was almost hard to hear it.

Sasha smiles and laughs with pure joy. More tears were running down her face, but it was tears of joy and not sadness. She felt relief rush into her body because she has now found her father—the man standing in front of her, Mike Zacharias.

She smiles brightly at Mike. The smile Hange always had. "You know what comes next?"

"Oh, you're not telling me you have a twin sister, are you?" Mike asks lightheartedly.

Sasha shakes her head and laughs lightly. She steps closer to Mike.

"Will you give me away tomorrow?"

"Give you away?" Mike asks with a bit of perplex.

"No! Our secret until the wedding." 

Mike laughs. He has been on many adventures all of his life, and now life presented him with a new one. He may have missed the first 20 years of Sasha's life, but he was not going to lose more. Especially with something as big as his daughter's own wedding.

Mike smiles and opens his arms out for a hug. Sasha immediately runs in and gives him the biggest hug she's ever given.

"Of course. I will do it for you." He whispers and plants a small kiss on the crown of her head. After all, giving Sasha away tomorrow is the least he could do for her. 

Sasha smiles as she rests her head against Mike's chest (or more like her dad's chest). She felt a rush of emotions today from happiness, sadness, and fear. It did not matter to her now that Sasha found her dad and was not letting him go. She felt whole as the new father-daughter relationship began to form between the two. She finally has everything she could ever dream of.

Sasha was now experiencing another form of happiness. A form she was missing for 20 years.   

©: This is where I insert all rights reserved stuff. This story belongs to me. Do not modify or republish

Big father reveal!!!!! 🥳

Yeah I know Moblit is the only guy at the bacholrette party, but I needed him to do something lol

Marie is now here!

Erwin’s dogs names are the names of Levi and Hange’s Japanese VA’s

[gkingoffez]

2020 RvB Valentines Exchange uwu

@rvbgiftexchange

My partner was MentalMaterial but I think they’ve changed their name to @linklebard ?

Anyway, here’s ur Tuckington mutual pining bed sharing as requested. Enjoy!

Words: 1833

Pairing: Tuckington

~~~

Tucker was fucked. He had to be- fucked in the head or the heart or the mostly healed stab wound in his side from that fucker Felix. Something had to be wrong, despite the fortified walls of Armonia around him, the Chorus truce, the energy sword in his bag and especially the ex-Freelancer standing beside him in the confined corridor who he hadn’t expected to be there.

“I’m sorry, sirs!” squeaked the young woman in front of them, a civilian wearing a military lanyard, pulling at her frazzled hair with one hand and frantically scrolling on her data-pad with the other. “There must have been a glitch in the program- you should have been assigned your own private rooms. I’m so sorry, our equipment is so outdated and it does stuff like this sometimes-”

“Please stop apologising, it’s not your fault,” Wash insisted gently. “We understand that this was just a mistake, but we’re tired and just want to go to bed?”

“Are you sure there’s no more spare rooms on this floor? A secret penthouse with a jacuzzi maybe? I’ll take it if there is.” asked Tucker.

The woman shook her head, frowning and tapping away. “I’m sor- I mean, no, not here, in fact there’s nothing else on this floor. “This hotel was only converted into officer accommodation a few days ago, and Locus was confirmed to have stayed here while in the city,” she explained.

“There are empty rooms further along that way, but we haven’t had time to do the same level of security sweeps on them.”

The woman gestured at the plain black door behind her, completely identical to the myriad of other ones lining the narrow corridor.

“This room does have a queen bed, sirs. The easiest solution might be that you can share it for the night and one of you can move tomorrow? I know it’s not ideal, but it’s better than a possible security risk.”

“What?” spluttered Tucker. “Why aren’t there enough rooms? And What happened to all of us getting private-?”

“Thank you, that’ll do us fine for tonight,” interjected Wash loudly, glaring at him. “We don’t want to cause too much fuss this late in the evening, and definitely don’t want to stay somewhere that’s not secure. Don’t you agree, Captain Tucker.”

Tucker gaped, words escaping him under Wash’s gaze.

He was fucked. Because once the adrenaline had worn off discovering a manufactured civil war, transmitting that info globally, being betrayed and stabbed by Felix, confronting Hargrove and whatever else happened in the less than a week since he’d snuck off the New Republic base, Tucker suddenly had time and space for… thoughts.

Thoughts like how much he’d truly missed the man standing beside him.

Wash, who’d been a hardass in the canyon like he was being fucking paid for it, who’d kept them all fed and alive and together, and then he’d gone and done the heroic sacrifice play, like an idiot, and suddenly he was gone. It felt like all Tucker had thought about for the last several months was whether Wash was okay, whether he was in pain or alone or dead. At points he’d almost wished they’d swapped places, that he was taking the (in hindsight, non-existent) punishment from the Federal Army, and Wash was the one training the Lieutenants.

Then out of the blue, Wash was back. Wash was fine. Everyone was fine, and like a circle, the whirlwind of betrayal, civil war, stabbing yada-yada unfolded. Tucker had only just caught his breath again and was looking forward to actually relaxing for once, only to end up in this corridor, standing awkwardly in front of a room they’d both been assigned to.

Wash was staring pointedly at him with those stupid clear blue eyes that made Tucker’s heart jump, and it was clear something must have been wrong, because that wasn’t right. It was physical and mental exhaustion, not love. He wasn’t some hormonal teenager, he was a grown man who wanted to go to fucking bed and not have to deal with his fucking feelings.

“Yeah, whatever, let’s just go then,” Tucker said offhandedly, adjusting his sack over his shoulder and stomping into the room without another word.

It was small but glamourous compared to normal military quarters- the hiss of the sliding door muffled against thick looking carpet, one door presumably leading to a bathroom, a single kitchen cabinet with a sink and a lowboy with a television mounted to the wall above it.

The bed took up the bulk of the space in the far end of the room. Behind it hung thick mustard coloured curtains, although Tucker knew even without having to move them that they’d been covered barred with a bullet proof covering as part of the security sweep. What was the point of being a heroes of Chorus, after all, if a well-placed sniper could take them out through a hotel window?

“Home sweet home, I guess,” Tucker shrugged, ignoring his jumping heart as he unceremoniously dumped his stuff on the ground near the kitchen space.

“Thank you for stopping to help us. We’ll be fine.” Wash was saying as he backed into the room. “Good night.”

“Good night sirs!” the woman said, “And again, I’m so-!”

The door hissed shut, Wash’s hand on the button.

“What the fuck, dude,” cried Tucker, rounding on him. “You didn’t have to immediately say yes. I could have pawned Caboose onto someone else and taken his room or something.”

“Oh don’t bother Caboose, he’s probably already asleep and you’ll never wake him. It’s late. All we need is a bed and everything will be else sorted in the morning. One night in the same bed won’t kill us.”

Wash crossed the room and carefully deposited his own knapsack on the lowboy.

“Besides, I wanted us to stay together a little bit longer. To be safe, you know,” he added quietly, glancing Tucker’s way.

Now, of course, Tucker’s eyes had also joined the ‘fucked party’. Was it a trick of the LED lights, or was that a blush on Wash’s cheeks? There was no way to double check, as Wash quickly turned his back on him.

Tucker crossed his arms haughtily, huffing and shaking his head to reset it.“Whatever. I’ll take the right side.”

“Fine by me,” replied Wash, unzipping his bag and rustling around in it, still turned away. “I’m going to change in the bathroom. Oh, and Tucker?”

“Yes?”

“I swear to god if you sleep naked, I’m going to suffocate you with a pillow.”

“Not if I suffocate you first, asshole.”

Maybe ten minutes of bathroom time, brushing teeth and other general night activities later (Tucker was fully clothed in loose borrowed sweats), they were both lying in bed back to back in the queen bed.

“Well,” said Wash. “Good night.”

“Yeah, night.”

As soon as the light turned off, Tucker’s brain switched on like a fucking Christmas tree.

He was not in love with Wash. Love was for girls and people who hadn’t spent literal years on the shittiest military posting ever, then got knocked up, then spent years in the desert, then got dragged on a mission to kill the Freelancer Director, then crashed landed on a planet- well, anyone would get the point. Sure, he acted like a stud and a lady’s man, but truthfully, it had been a long, long time since he’d really loved anyone like that.

Wash had been a fucking Freelancer. Caboose and the Reds talked about him like he was the most capable, badass guy around (barring the time he’d apparently gone evil and shot Donut, of course). Not to mention, he was kinda hot. Sandy hair with streaks of grey, blue eyes, even the criss-cross of scars across his pale skin did things for Tucker. Like he was this put-together, experienced and handsome man next to Tucker’s immaturity and recklessness.

The sheets were feeling too tight and stuffy for his brain, and the slow pattern of Wash’s breathing next to him was not helping. He flipped over onto his back, pulling and rearranging them, staring up at the shadowed ceiling.

“Hey Wash, you asleep yet?” he asked quietly

There was a beat.

“If I was, how would you expect me to answer that?” came the annoyed reply

“I dunno. Snoring?”

Wash snorted. “Just go to sleep, Tucker.”

They were in the same bed. They were in the same bed. Wash was inches away, the kind of distance where Tucker could touch him and then easily brush it off as an accident of movement. Wash’s hand was right there, he’d only need to reach- but no. He couldn’t do that, it wasn’t right.

When Caboose first suggested putting the ex-Freelancer in Church’s empty armour, it hadn’t really mattered to Tucker that much. He was just a guy who’d been an asshole but switched sides in time to help them take out the Meta, may as help him not go back to jail after all. Months in the crash had changed that, and all that time of training and bickering and surviving together had made them friends. He’d bitched and bitched and then watchedWash sacrifice himself as a rockfall separated them had been devastating, throwing into perspective just how goddamn much he cared about all of them despite the fact that they were a bunch of Red and Blue idiots.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder or however the shit went. And Tucker had spent months wishing Wash was ok, wishing he was there, wishing a lot of things.

Maybe he had fallen in love with the man in that time. Maybe it wasn’t as fucked up as he was making it out to be, he’d always been pretty dramatic, after all. Dudes fell in love with dudes all the time, especially when they’d been through a lot together.

Oh for fuck’s sake, none of this matters! There’s no way in hell that he likes me too. Just go to sleep, idiot.

Tomorrow, Tucker could wake up and blame it all on stress, exhaustion and the computer system that had fucked up room assignments. For that moment, however, he felt himself drift off, eyelids heavy and breath evening out.

They had work to do tomorrow rebuilding Chorus and tracking down mercenaries, and the more sleep he got, the better.

The last thing he registered that night was the vibration and rustling sound of Wash twisting in place. However, he must have dreamed about the gentle, tender touch he felt on his face as he was just on the precipice of sleep.

That couldn’t be right.

~~~

A snapshot of the future- tangled limbs in a queen bed, dark on pale and scattered scars. A data-pad hanging limply in a man’s hand, the other gazing at him with an adoring expression. The first glances at the rapture in his lover’s face, and snorts.

“You’re fucked,” he says, jokingly.

“No, you fucked me,” replies Tucker. They laugh.

~~~

Ya’ll let me tell you about the absolute stress rollercoaster I’ve had these past few months. So first up, I completely forgot I’d signed up for this exchange, and was surprised when I got the message. Then I proceeded to have a family death, my birthday and the stress of having to search for a new place to live and start packing up my stuff, all while working my shitty full time job and being exhausted from it.

So to my exchange partner, I’m sorry for not reaching out at all, but my anxiety levels are pretty high these days. This was written pretty quickly, at the last minute and after not writing for probably a year, but I hope you enjoy.

I might have another editing run through it before posting elsewhere but it’s done somewhat on time so I’m happy (Valentine’s was actually yesterday for me and I have to leave for work in like five minutes.)

Anyway, happy love and bed sharing and mutual pining guys. Love ya.

[redhawtriot]

Caught in The Act (Bakugou x Reader x Todoroki)

Tip Jar ☕- Not expected but always appreciated💞

Thanks so much to all of you who have followed this story! I remember that I started this series this month to celebrate my first 100 followers, but now I am up to 1000 of y’all? The fuck?

You guys are so supportive! I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to share my art with! Again, thank you so much!

HnM💕

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Finale:

She did not just call you crazy. And a bitch.

Fae’s eyes wildly flashed between you and her sister, “C-crazy bitch? I—"

“FIRST OF ALL, who the HELL do you think--” you cut yourself off before gently inhaling a pocket of air. You were sounding way too much like a certain explosive disgrace for your liking. You closed your eyes as you breathed out all of your frustrations.

“Hey, hey! What’s going on?!” Fae protectively shifted to fill the space between you and her little sister, “Farrah, there must be a mistake. This is my roommate, Y/N.”

Farrah.

A pretty name forever ruined by a slut.  

God, you wanted to beat her ass more than anything. It was as if all of your nerves were on fire and screaming a you to just do something.

Was this what Katsuki constantly felt like?

The violent beating of your eardrums was deafening and your vision was beginning to blur as you scowled at Fae’s sister.

Everything in your being yearned for you to switch to “instant kill mode”, but you couldn’t physically move. It was as if a small piece of you held your fury under control like a rabid dog on a chain-- or a parliament of higher beings had voted for you to keep your cool.

You sucked in one more time as your heart began to slow down. You gave one last, gentle huff as you continued to glare.

Farrah sent a scowl of her own back at you, “She is the one who—”

“This is the trash that slept with my boyfriend,” you deadpanned very flatly as your eyes slightly narrowed at her.  Fae’s jaw fell immediately at your words, but you continued talking despite her shock, “I just don’t see how she, of all people, could be upset in the situation. If you're upset at all, it should be at yourself. You have no class or self-worth, sleeping with an engaged man,” you crossed your arms as you reprimanded her and dared her to say something else as you intensified your stare.

You felt your heart jump as she stepped forward towards you, past Fae. It was as if it were excited by the idea that she may attack you so that you thoroughly beating the snot out of her would be justified.

Shit. What was wrong with you.

You kicked the persistent, animal-like thoughts off your leg as you continued to eye Farrah.

“You’re psychotic!!” she gasped as she threw her hands up, “I totally didn’t know Ground Zero even had a girl! psycho ass!”

Bull shit. You and Bakugou had both been plastered everywhere since your first sports festival at U.A. when you were fifteen. Since then you had both been in the eye of the media. It was pretty common knowledge that he wasn’t single. Your face scrunched up in disgust at her blatant lies as she continued, “She kicked me out of the apartment with nothing but my bare ass!!!”

“Yeah, you left your cheap ass, ratty ass clothes and your dignity that night too,” you rolled your eyes as the words flew out of your mouth.

“Woah, woah, woah! Calm down, everybody,” Fae looked as if she was on the brink of crying, “Farrah, I think you should leave for now, Okay?” She fiddled with her fingers.

“Yeah, I think so too.” As you pettily used your dancing fingers to wave, astonishment flashed across Fae’s expression. Honestly if your heart wasn’t thrumming against your chest so crazily right now, you would be horrified at how you were acting too, but the adrenaline that coursed throughout your body at the sight of the whore in the room numbed your mind.

Farrah struggled against her older sister as she tried to lead her away from the would-be battlefield, “No!! She is the one that needs to leave. You’re the one who pays rent around here, Sis!”

“Farrah, stop it!” Fae pleaded.

“WHY??” Farrah blurted before throwing a finger in your direction, “Newsflash, she is the one who is stealing your man from you now!” her voice raised an octave as she screeched, “Talk about hypocritical!” All of the color drained from Fae’s face as she threw horrified glances between you and her sister. Her mouth stumbled over itself as she tried to find words.

Your eyebrows congregated to the middle of your forehead as you tried to decipher the meaning of Farrah’s words.

Todoroki? Is that Fae’s man?

As if on cue, the front door to the house casually slid open, revealing a tired Todoroki.

All of the chaos that had been ensuing inside immediately halted as Todoroki froze in the doorway. His eyes snapped around as he saw the loose papers from Fae’s books that you hadn’t even noticed that you had thrown around with your quirk in your frustration, your completely furious expression and defensive stance, and Fae’s horrified form struggling to hold onto her crazed sister.

It was a lot to interpret.

“What… is going on,” he calmly questioned before he was assaulted with a boom of feminine screams.

“TELL HER TO LEAVE!”

“NO, TELL HER TO LEAVE! SHE DOESN’T EVEN LIVE HERE.”

“FARRAH, STOP!”

“NEITHER DO YOU, WHORE.”

Todoroki blinked in shock at the words that flew out of your mouth. He had never heard you used such a tone or choice of words with anyone—not even when you were against villains at U.A.. He hated to see you so upset, but he had no idea what to do with all of these women yelling at him, “Uh, Y/N...? Should we talk?” He questioned, causing Farrah to roll her eyes before she mouthed the word “see?” To her sister.

You huffed once more as you stormed towards the man, “Okay...” You begrudgingly agreed as you walked outside of the door, not even bothering to look him in the face. You couldn’t bring yourself to. Something just didn’t sit right with you.

As soon as he shut the front door behind him and walked down to the driveway a bit to meet up with where you had stormed off to, you threw a curve-ball at him,

“Just what is Fae to you?”

The question completely caught him off guard, but he immediately answered anyway, “Our roommate?”

“Obviously. But like. Did you and her… ever you know…” the thought alone made you feel queasy, “have something romantic.” You could have thrown up right then and there.

But his lack of reply made you feel a different type of sick. You blinked in surprise as the silence ensued before you spoke up, “You’re kidding,” you blurted.

“It’s not at all what you are thinking. There was chemistry for sure, but nothing ever happened. It wasn’t strong like you and I. When you came back there was no doubt in my mind that me and her were nothing.”

“That’s not what I’m upset about,” you threw pinched fingers to the brige of your nose and shook your head, trying to clear your thoughts, “Jesus, that poor girl.” So you really were just as much of a homewrecker, huh?

You thought there was one whore in that house but there were two.

“Fae is fine,” Todoroki moved to place a hand on your shoulder but you shifted away. He looked a bit shocked as he continued, “She had been dating here and there. She’s unaffected by the situation,” he calmly argued.

“God, Todoroki. That’s not the point,” you searched around your jacket pocket for your car keys. You had to get out of here. Even if you were in your house shoes.

“Im sorry, did I do something? Where are you going?” Todoroki’s calm demeanor slightly cracked as panicked undertones filled his question.

“I need to think,” you simply replied. Upon seeing his worried expression you immediately changed your answer, “I’ll… be back, okay? I just need a drive. We are still cool, okay? Friends,” you tried to sound enthused at the word.

“Okay… be safe.”

You slightly nodded at him before getting in your car and driving off.

You couldn’t believe it. You were slowly becoming everything that split you an Katsuki apart.

Your phone violently vibrating against your leg sent you flying out of your thoughts. Jesus, Kiri. He always called when you were trying to drive your frustration away—literally.

You groaned as you answered the phone.

“Hey!” His chipper voice had a slight undertone of panic to it, but your frustrated mind completely ignored it,

“What,” you deadpanned.

“Oh god, this isn’t a good time is it…?” he nervously laughed, causing your face to instantly shrivel up into a scowl,

“Just tell me what the fuck you want, Kirishima!” you blurted. A long silence filled the line, causing you to breath out heavily in a deep sigh. Way to go.

It was as if you were taking notes straight out of Katsuki’s book today. You just cursed at the sweetest guy on the planet. I mean, you might as well have just stomped on a puppy with both feet, “Look. I am sorry. I didn’t mean that... it’s just a long day…”

A pathetic excuse really. You realized this as soon as it came out of your mouth.

Kiri, being the happy souled fool he was, wholeheartedly accepted your pathetic excuse, “Maybe I should call back then...?” he suggested kindly.

“No, its okay, Kiri. What’s up?” you tried to smile as if he could see you—as if this gentle gesture would make up for how much of a colossal bitch you had just been.

“Well...” he dragged,  “Don’t you think maybe that it is about time you picked up your things from our apartment?”

You sighed, “…it’s really not a good time for me. I just..”

“WE CAUGHT THE HOUSE ON FIRE,” he cried out suddenly.

You held the phone closer to your ear as if you hadn’t heard him correctly, “Um. W-hwhat…?”

As soon as you spoke it triggered a tangent from the redhead, “Bakugou was really mad because he found out about you and Todoroki a few hours ago and he came home and wanted to vent his frustrations out, and we both know what that means, so we got to fighting and I punched him really hard, totally not manly of me by the way, and I pissed him off and then he exploded me and we set the house on fire!” he gasped for air, “I am so sorry!!” he exclaimed in a higher tone.

Your mind spun as you tried to take in all of the information that was being thrown at you at once. Finally it settled into your brain, “Oh my god!” you gasped, “Is he… is Katsuki okay?!”

“Yeah he is fine. He’s is in the hospital,” he brushed off.

“What!?! Where?!”

He quickly corrected himself at the sound of your heartbroken voice, “No, no! Not like that!” For some reason the concern in your voice for Bakugou made him happy, “He just needed a few little burn treatments! Anyway, we will probably be released tomorrow morning or night from the hospital, but—”

“We?!” you screeched.

“Yeah, I—”

“Kiri please tell me you did not just call me from a hospital bed,” you shook your head furiously.

“I just wanted to tell you that you should go pick up your things while Bakugou isn’t there, well what’s left of it anyway,” he gave an uneasy chuckle.

“Isn’t it still hot?”

“One of the firefighters had a cold quirk so everything turned out okay after they showed up. No other apartments were affected at all actually!” You still couldn’t believe this was all happening. You honestly hadn’t planned on grabbing your things from the apartment so soon. Then again, it had been months hadn’t it?

“So, are you going?” Kirishima snapped you back to reality.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll head over there right now,” you absentmindedly nodded even though he couldn’t see you. You hung up the phone after the two of you had spoken your farewells, but you could hardly remember the rest of the drive as you stood in front of your old home.

Your mind felt entirely numb as you gawked at the tall, polished building.

The crime scene—where the dreams that you had been building since you were fifteen years old came to die a gruesome death. You swiftly ducked under the fitting yellow tape as you made your way into the scorched portion of the home—your old room.

It was pretty much the only area that had been affected by the disaster as the rest of the home basically look exactly as you had remembered it to be—well minus the manly mess that Kiri tended to leave behind. You assumed Katsuki had been more strict on house rules since you left.

You walked up to what was left of your grandmother’s dresser and traced your fingers along the crumbling edges of the wood. You ended your trail as your fingers found their way onto an old frame. You couldn’t tell if picture was okay since a film of ash painted the fractured glass, but the frame seemed fine, as it resided in an area that hadn’t been touched by the inferno.

So then why was the glass cracked?

That’s when it hit you—it must have been the object that you had thrown at Farrah that night. You remembered that you threw something at her that shattered, but you never bothered to find out what.

Why the hell didn’t Katsuki fix it?

You curiously, but cautiously wiped the glass with the edge of your shirt.

What was revealed was the first picture the you and Bakugou had ever taken together. He was tied to a pole with a muzzle on at the U.A. sports festival award ceremony your freshman year. You had been standing next to him as he stood on the first-place podium on your very own third pace spot.

The memory quickly flooded into your mind.

That day when you fought him was the first time that he had ever acknowledged you. He actually congratulated you in his own way you supposed. He told you that you put up a really good fight. You couldn’t help but to shake your head at the recollection as a smile dared to pull the corner of your lips up.

“Y/N?” A loud, rough voice caused you to jump suddenly before you whipped yourself around. What you saw surprised you,

Katsuki? But he’s not even supposed to be here! Especially with bloodied bandages placed throughout his scratched up body!!

He looked just as surprised as you, “What the fuck?!” he exclaimed.

“That’s my line, you ass! I thought you were in the hospital!” you cried out as you hurriedly dropped the frame into a bag you had been using to gather some of your things.

“I’m fine,” he quickly readjusted his face from the previously shocked expression, “They’re crazy if they thought I was gonna stay overnight.”

“Jesus, Katsuki,” you shook your head in disappointment.

“What?!” he barked.

You simply continued to shake your head as you attempted to rush past him, “Nothing. I’m leaving.”

“Wait! Don’t,” he suddenly reached out to grab you but you harshly shrugged him away before sending a glare at him,

“Why? Have something to say?” Of course he didn’t. He hadn’t reached out to you in all of this time. Not since the day everything went down. But then again, he hardly talked with you when you lived together, so why would he even bother speaking to you after you broke up.

Still, a piece of you yearned for him to care about you enough to speak up as you searched his eyes for an ounce of affection. You saw none—just hurt and a splash of his usual flavor of rage.  

“That’s what I thought,” your voice surprisingly croaked as you spoke. You turned away from him and began to walkaway, halting as he called out to you once more,

“You and Icyhot? REALLY?” he roared behind you, “I bet you were just waiting on me to fuck up so you’d have an excuse to crawl back to him, weren’t you?”

You whipped yourself back to furiously scowl at him. Of course that’s the first thing he wants to talk about after all this time, “You have zero right to judge me for moving on quickly even if I was fucking him!”

“So you’re not?!” he didn’t sound very convinced as he stormed up to you.

“Bakugou, that’s none of your business!” you didn’t back away as you challenge him. He hated it when you used his last name, “So what if I am?!” you exclaimed as tears pricked the backs of your eyes.

“I gave you a damned ring—we were getting married next fucking month!!” as his voice cracked your eyes were drawn to his arms that he intensely held on either side of him. His hands were quietly quivering in rage as he continued, “Of course it’s my fucking business!”

You snapped back regardless of his dangerously pissed off state. He is still trying to defend himself like he did nothing wrong after all this fucking time, “I gave you my ENTIRE being Katsuki!! I gave you my trust and my whole heart and everything else I could muster up and more!!!” You screamed at the top of your voice. Tears freely rolled down your tired cheeks at this point,

“So fucking what if you gave me a hunk of metal with a few gems?! What else did you give me? Huh?! What else did you offer up to me? Affection? Consideration? Loyalty??” your voice heavily cracked on the last word as you stared at the seemingly unphased man in front of you.

He held a glare as if it were permanently plastered onto his expression, yet he didn’t say anything in return, so you continued speaking after shakily gathering up a spare breath,  “God, I still think about you in practically everything that I do…” you cried as you pathetically stared at the ground in front of you. Bakugou’s fierce red eyes continued to burn holes into your image as you spoke,

“…but you probably only care that some other man is stomping around on your territory. You haven’t even reached out to me past the initial weekend when shit hit the fan,” you looked back up to see him still glaring at you intensely. You couldn’t tell if he was judging you or if he hated you. Probably a mix of the two.

What a condescending asshole.

“What?! Stop fucking looking at me! Say something dammit!” you pushed him away from you and was surprised by how good it felt, “Anything!!” you pleaded as you pushed him back again towards the living room.

He still said nothing as he threw his glare away from you and toward the ground. You groaned in annoyance before shoving him back again. Why was he always so damn quiet when you actually wanted him to speak up?

“Fight me back, dammit!” you didn’t even care that you sounded like him anymore. Maybe it’s what he wanted from you the entire time as his mastermind meticulously chipped away at the persona that you had been building all of your life. Well, if it’s what he wanted, you would be more than happy to oblige in this case, “You like to pick fights don’t you?!” you screamed as you used your entire body and shoved him once last time, actually tripping him.

The two of you fell and you toppled on top of him as your tears transformed into sobs, “Just do something, you grimy ass bastard! I know you want to!” you weakly pounded against his chest as sobs continued to tear themselves from your throat.

Bakugou truthfully had no words to speak as he watched your heartbroken form collapse on his chest.

He wanted so desperately to say something.

He wanted to tell you everything that he was feeling, and more than anything he wanted to hold you close to him and comfort you.

But it was as If something in the fibers of his being stopped him from doing so as you laid broken on top of him.

It had always been that way with you.

Every time he had opened his mouth to say something affectionate to you, something vile and downright disrespectful would fly out instead. Every time he wanted to reach out to you and touch you gently, all of the wrong muscles spasmed and he would do something completely erroneous.

It had been easier to neglect you at the time, rather than face you and hurt you, or fix himself even. But it was beyond fixing himself now.

Even so, he wanted to show you at least once that he was capable of doing something fucking right.

He owed you at least that.

He closed his eyes and he sharply grabbed your face and pressed it down onto his own as gently as he could. His hands were still shaking, not from anger as you had assumed, but from fear. He was terrified that you would completely abandon him without ever knowing how much he cared about you.

You whimpered into his mouth out of pure surprise as he continued to move his lips against your own, but you almost instantaneously settled down against him as relief surged throughout your body.

It felt as if a weight had been lifted from your being.

You found yourself kissing him back for only a moment more before you yanked yourself away from him, “No… no, no Katsuki….” You softly cried with wide eyes as you scooted away from him, “What are we doing!?”

“I know it’s over,” he said very flatly, “Between us, I mean.”

The sentence unexpectedly sent your heart falling deeply into your chest, “Wha—”

“Just shut up a moment and listen to me,” he interrupted you sharply. A thick silence enveloped the two of you for a beat as he seemed to internally kick himself for his harsh wording before he awkwardly shifted himself to sit next to you. His arms struggled to find their way around you as he lamely gathered you into his arms and pulled you close to him, “Just…. don’t look at me,” he grumbled, “I won’t be able to say the shit that I mean if you look.”

You couldn’t even find the time question what he had meant as he quickly continued,

“You... are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I know I didn’t always act like it, but it’s true, dammit. I know that I couldn’t show it to you. It’s like my mind and my body were split on what to do. I wanted to hold you like this every night, but my body just wouldn’t let me… It’s just so damn confusing,” he finished with a croak.

He shook his head at himself before continuing, “I should have fucking done it anyway. I should have woken up early to make you breakfast more than just the once. I should have worked less so you wouldn’t have to spend days without me. I should have given you that ring sooner. I never should have slept with that woman. Drunk or not—but that goes without saying. I am so sorry, Y/N. You did not deserve this.”

You couldn’t help but to look up at him, but your heart broke as you saw heavy tears falling from his eyes.

He could feel your eyes on him but he found the resolve to continue regardless, “Anyway, I know it’s over now. I can feel it. What we had is over,” he fought himself from sobbing, “I’ll never see that ring on you again, and I don’t deserve to either. I didn’t deserve a lot of things I got growing up, but I definitely didn’t deserve you,” he sounded as if he was trying to convince himself, “I don’t think I can change who I am to be what you need me to be. You deserve more than what I can give you right now. And....” he tried to pull the words out of himself, “if Half n’ Half can do it, then I should let you go that way.”

He sighed. You weren’t sure if you had ever heard him sigh before. It shocked you as he continued, “I used to think you were keeping me from winning, and I was stupid to think that,” he rested his head on top of yours, “I’m just dragging you down onto my level at this point,” he shook his head, “but I won’t let that shit happen,” he finally dropped his face to look you in the eyes, “I love you so much, Y/N,” he whispered to you before pressing a painful kiss onto your forehead.

Was this even the same man you had known for almost half of your life?

“I-I love you too. I really do,” you stuttered as astonishment enveloped your body. The two of you sat in a bittersweet silence for a few moments before his gruff, substantially more put together voiced sounded once more,

“As much I hate to say this,” he lowly began as he moved you over and stood up, “you should go,” he held a hand to you to help you up.

Your hand faltered toward his own before you reluctantly accepted his gesture, doubts filling you mind. Bakugou, ever perceptive, noticed your reluctance and immediately cleared the air as he opened the front door for you,

“If Mismatch ever treats you half as bad as I did, I will set him on fire,” he lowly stated. The Bakugou you grew up with suddenly reappeared.

“He has a fire quirk… I don’t think that will work,” you tried to joke, but honestly your heart was hurting so much.

“Fucking watch me,” he smiled at you.

Genuinely smiled.

Your heart melted at the rare scene in front of you and your weak legs could barely make it out of the door.

After moments of staring at each other, you returned a small, sad smile at him before you walked out of the apartment and shut the door behind you.

What... just happened? You turned back around to face the door and placed your hand on the knob. You let it sit for a moment before you slowly retracted it, cursing under your breath.

On the other side, Bakugou knew that he had made the correct decision letting you go to Todoroki, but the pain in his heart begged him to follow after you.

However, the doubts and reluctance to do so further solidified his decision. He wasn’t ready to be the man you needed. Yet.

He had a lot of maturing to do before he could truly love his soulmate.

Soulmate.

The thought sent flutters into his worn down heart.

A reminder of the faith that he had that you two would find your way back to each other one day.

[s-creations]

Return the Flames - Chapter 11

All at Dead Bird Studios knew of Amos' (The  Conductor's) ability. How the owl could suddenly erupt into flames if  angered enough. When the studio first opened, Dominic (DJ Grooves) was  told that Amos had his ability under control. Nothing to worry about. No  possible loss of anything from an open flame.

A few years later however, and that control seems to have lessened to a dangerous degree.

It should have just been a simple, week long drive to fix the problem. It really should have been.

Dominic should have asked a lot more questions and should have been prepared for a twist ending.

_________________

Fandom: A Hat in Time         Rating: General Audience         Relationships/Pairings: The ConductorXDJ Grooves       Warnings: Eventual depictions of violence, slow burn relationship, named characters, attempt of an accent, being hunted down, a race against time (sort of).

Author's Note: This was the chapter I've been waiting forever to write. This is what got me to write this story. This deals with backstories for both characters, so I hope you enjoy it! 

Amos was not happy with the pounding headache he woke up. Sure, he was honestly used to it. Still doesn’t mean he liked it.  He let out a groan, silently berating himself for drinking so much once again, and moved to get up. Only to have something hold him in place. It took a while for his mind to put together that he was pressed against Dominic. The penguin snoring softly, hair a bit of a mess and his sunglasses askew on his face. An arm wrapped around the other director, Amos unable to move away. The owl felt his cheek becoming warmer. Realizing he felt the familiar warmth in his chest growing once again. 

 “And how are we feeling this morning?”

 Further awake and startled into action, Amos was able to break free. Feathers puffing up in embarrassment upon seeing the Elder in the doorway. 

 “...What happened last night?”

 “Ah ah, I asked a question first.”

 Amos really did not like this goat.

 “I have a peckin’ headache. But ‘m honestly used to that. The flame is back. So, whatever was put in me is gone. And ‘m ready for this whole thin’ ta be over with.”

 “That’s a fair assessment. As per your question, you became drunk last night after which you shared a rather… ‘intense’ dance with Dominic. And when you couldn’t support your own weight, you both retreated here. Where I’m going to assume you two just went to sleep.”

 Amos groaned, rubbing his forehead. Why did he feel like a teenager being caught by their parents? “Sounds like it was quite the party.” 

 “You certainly made it one. Now, you made mention that the flame has returned.”

 “Aye.”

 “Then you two will need to finish the rest of your journey. It will only be a one to two day treck. I would recommend you leave as soon as possible. Your car will remain here and you can retrieve it after you’ve returned to the village. But walking would be best in order for you to avoid unwanted attention.”

 Amos sat up further at that. “Do you think they’re here? The agents?”

 “I doubt a pursuer who’s done what they have so far would give up at the end of the line. While the jungle will provide coverage, you two will need to move carefully.”

 “Right...right…”

 “I will have a few packs put together for you. Wake Dominic, you will need to leave soon.”

 Amos merely nodded at that. He attempted to wake his companion as soon as they were left alone. The penguin seemed unconcerned at sharing a bed with the owl when he woke up. More upset about supporting his own headache than anything else. It took awhile for them to collect themselves and join the outside world. Bags waiting for them when they finally emerged.

 “Just head straight for the mountain. You can’t miss it and there are no natural obstacles in your way. Be careful you two.”

 Those were the Elder’s final words before they departed.

 The trek was quiet. Amos caught up in his own head to think about conversing with Dominic. It was both a joy and a strange sorrow in the thought that this ordeal was almost over. 

 He was tired of being chased, being hunted down, being in constant pain. To think it was almost over raised his spirits slightly. Only for it to be stomped back down in fear of what was going to come after. Was he going to survive this? Were he and Dominic an ‘item’, as his daughter liked to say. Were these emotions only being created because of the situation? Did he want it to be real? Was he willing to let someone get close again?

 “It’s getting dark.” Dominic’s voice cut through the buzz in Amos’ mind. The owl looked up to see the sky painted in that familiar colors of sunset. 

 “Uh...yeah, it is…”

 “I’m not a huge fan of tromping through the jungle in the dark. We should set up camp.”

 The owl’s ears twitched. Looking between the sinking sun and the mountain. It was a lot closer than before, they could honestly make it there before tonight fully arrived if they wanted to. But if Dominic wanted to sleep, Amos wasn’t going to argue.

 “Sure… One more night of peace?”

 “Yeah, something like that.”

 They fell quiet after that. A small, smokeless fire was soon burning away between the two. The sky a deep purple with stars starting to dot the night sky. With how wide and ever expanding space seemed to be out here, Amos was becoming nervous. There was no coverage of a hotel or a hut to keep the night sky away. The constant reminder just hanging over his head.

 Letting out a sigh, Amos reached over and dug further into his bag. Another sigh, this time of relief, sounded as he pulled out a familiar fermented fruit. “Maybe the old goat wasn’t too bad. Heads up Dominic.”

 The penguin fumbled slightly as he caught the said fruit, voicing his frustration with a deadpan, “Really.”

  “One final hurrah.”

 Dominic frowned as he watched Amos take a large bite of his own fruit. The penguin let out a soft sigh, deciding the owl may have a point, and took a bite as well. While he was able to hold his own and cut himself off when he needed to, Dominic was soon supporting a flushed face and a drunken owl. Laughing and beaming as he joined the other in singing shanties that they both only knew a few words to. Or that their drunken mind was making them forget the words. 

 As they belted out the final note, they collapsed onto the ground. Lying head to head as they laughed, slowly calming down as they stared up at the sky. Even with what felt like impending doom was on the horizon, Dominic was happy at that moment. He wasn’t sure how this was going to end. But, at the moment, he just wanted to enjoy the atmosphere. The calm, the quiet, the false peace with the possibly threat being mere steps away from where they lied. 

 He let out a yawn, feeling himself starting to drift off…

 “Ma couldn’t have kids.”

 Dominic flinched slightly. He rolled his head to the side to look at Amos. “Pardon?”

 “She couldn’t have kids,” Amos repeated, “No matter how many times she tried. Or how badly she wanted it. Nothin’ worked. Married three times. Got the reputation as a bed hopper. ...I think she thought that havin’ a kid would brin’ her some kind of happiness in her life…”

 “In a final desperation, she prayed for a higher power to help. And the Celestial Phoenix appeared… She was pregnant the next day. Ostracized the day after. Who ever heard of a God appearing before a divorced and ‘bed warmer’? She told me she didn’t care because she was so happy ta be carryin’ me. Then I was born and… I honestly think I made everythin’ so much worse.” 

 “Amos…” Dominic frowned, unsure of what he could say.

 “Ya can’t look at this ugly mug and tell me this is a solver of problems. I honestly believe I made things worse. I was the demon child created from wedlock with a mother who’s insane. We had to leave the backwash of a town when our house was burnt down. Ma was mentally broken when I was a teenager and only became worse with her age. ‘M pretty sure she was gone before she finally passed away.”

 “My wife left when Amelia was born. She...the wife...married me in a sort of novelty. A stab at her stuffy family by havin’ a monstrous thing be her husband instead of nobility. But when Amelia held more of my features then was ‘acceptable’, the wife had to leave. She couldn’t handle it. I raised Amelia the best I could. I was hopeful she could have a happier, easier life than what my childhood was.” 

 “Only for her husband to leave. Because Amelia fell ill after givin’ birth to all the kids. It was too much responsibility for him. ...She’s always smilin’. I do wonder sometimes how she turned out so perfectly. When she has a...a curse of a father. Because that’s what I am. ‘M a curse. I shouldn’t even be here! Only divine intervention brought this monster into reality. So the laws of nature themselves had to be broken. And all it produced was a cursed, hideous creature that is me. My own body is even tryin’ to tear itself apart. I’ve been tryin’ to destroy myself since I was born and no one is safe. ‘M a walkin’, tickin’ bomb of destruction.”

 Dominic swallowed weakly, feeling sick as he watched Amos breakdown. What was he supposed to say? What could he say?

 “My father is an ice tycoon.”

 Amos slowly looked over to the flushed penguin. 

 “What?”

 “Ah, so… That largest commodity from the Moon is ice.”

 “I know that.”

 “Right, well, it only comes from three different families. Mine being the top company, run by my father. We’re the typical high brow, snooty people you’d think of. Appearance is everything to us. We have to be as clean as the ice we produce.”

 Amos sat up slowly, swaying slightly. “Ya can’t control the creation of ice that closely. It’s ice.”

 Letting out a small huff and sitting up as well, Dominic laid his hand out flat, palm up. The owl let out a chirp of shock as a chunk of ice was formed. Resting directly in the center of Dominic’s hand. “We can make our own ice. Quite literally.”

 “No peckin’ way… Wait, did ye make that wall of ice before? When those government goons were chasin’ after us?”

 “Uh...yeah. I really only intended to make the road slick and trip them up. I was a little on edge at the moment.”

 “That was peckin’ amazin’.”

 Dominic laughed softly. “It...just comes naturally.”

 Amos laughed this time, almost falling back onto the ground if Dominic hadn’t kept him upright. “Peckin’ amazin’... So, yer loaded right? Ice companies make a lot.”

 “No… I’m disowned,” Dominic’s feathers puffed at the owl’s raised brow, “Parents weren’t happy that I wanted to become a movie director. I’m the oldest of four and the only male. I was supposed to take over the business. But I made it very clear how I wasn’t interested with it in any way. So, I was given a choice. Join the business or never talk to them again. And...here I am…”

 It fell quiet for a moment. Dominic had never told anyone this before. Not even his Moon Penguins knew his full story. They were just aware that the director wasn’t on good terms with his family. But, if Amos was sharing the sacred life’s story, why shouldn’t Dominic?

 “I didn’t know ya had siblings.” Amos eventually voiced. 

 “Well, I didn’t know you were part mystical fire being. So I guess we’re even.” Dominic teased, smiling hearing Amos laugh at that.

 “That’s fair. Ta be fair to myself, however, I never thought I would be in a situation like this.”

 “We were also never on good speaking terms with each other before either.”

 “Aye, another fair point. Did ya ever think how weird it was that we both were given the same studio?”

 “Oh absolutely! We really should have gone to the main office to complain about that.”

 “But then we would have argued about who would be kicked out first.”

 “It would have been you for sure.”

 “As peckin’ if!” They shared another laugh at that. Amos eventually leaned over to rest himself against Dominic. The penguin welcomed the contact. “...Tell me about your siblings.”

 “Three sisters.”

 “Oh, fun.” 

 “Hey, how do you think I came across this amazing sense of fashion?”

 “Thought you were color blind to be honest.”

 “How rude.”

 Amos chuckled before pushing Dominic gently. “Anyway, three sisters?”

 “Abigail is only one year younger than me. We were very close growing up. She had a backbone sturdier than I could ever hope for and stuck up for me when our parents started their ‘talks’. As far as I can tell, she’ll be taking over the business… I hope she’s okay with that.”

 “She sounds like a business woman.”

 “I think you’d get along with her. Shila’s next. If you think I’m a diva, you need to meet her. If attention wasn’t on her at all times, she would throw an absolute fit. She was actually one of my first actresses. Gave me my first headache too.”

 Dominic paused to listen to Amos laugh softly. He really loved that sound. “Last is Bethany. I don’t really remember much of her. She was only two when I left. I do remember she was very quiet. With wide curious eyes. I really hope she was able to keep that curiosity…”

 “Abigail made sure to do so, no doubt in my mind. If she was as determined to keep ya safe, ‘m sure that focus went to Bethany as well.”

 “I hope so… I hope they’re all okay…”

 “‘M sure they are.”

 The penguin hummed softly, attention on the large, luminous sphere that was above them. Amos shuffled closer, his chin resting on Dominic’s shoulder. His attention going to the same place. “...Do you miss them?”

 “Every day.”

 “Have you tried to find them? Talk to them?”

 “I think they’re on the Moon still...and I’m not overly fond with contacting that place.”

 “Honestly, that’s fair.”

 Giving another hum, Dominic reached up and scratched behind Amos’ ear. The owl let out a small chirp as he pressed closer. “...Did you ever think your life would end up like this?”

 “I knew I would eventually have to travel here. Another burden to carry because of my birth right. But I wasn’t expected to be hunted down…or the company… I know I don’t say it. In fact, I’ve said the opposite a lot. But…’m glad you came.”

 “More of I berated you to let me come because you’re so stubborn.”

 Amos laughed. “Ya got me there…”

 “...I’m glad I came along as well. I would have been worrying the entire time.”

 “I’d probably be dead at this point if you hadn’t come.”

 “That’s frightening to think about,” Dominic frowned, wrapping his arm around the other. “Do you think we could call this feud over? I’m...honestly so tired of it.”

 “Yeah… ‘m too. It should have ended a long time ago…”

 “We’re both just two, old, stubborn fools.”

 “Oi, easy on those adjectives.”

 “I’m describing both of us. Calm down… How do you think the crew will react?”

 “Shocked but absolutely thrilled. I think everyone's more over this than we are.”

 Dominic laughed at that. “Yeah, probably. We should make a movie together. After all of this.”

 “Ah...kind of a big step.”

 “But I think it’s an appropriate one.”

 “...Yeah...yeah, I think it is too.”

 They fell quiet once more. A warm, happy buzz falling over them. Dominic’s eyes on the dancing fire while Amos’ remained on the Moon. Both falling asleep curled next to each other as the luminous orb traveled over them.

[tlou2holland]

Joel x reader ( Pt 8 )

Summary: Dina and Ellie come over for a movie night

warnings: none, slight cursing 

You can read the previous parts here 

To say the following weeks have been stressful, is an understatement. You packed all your stuff, realizing its more than originally calculated. Joel pulled a muscle in his back while helping you and couldn’t move properly for at least a week. Dina and Ellie messed with your stuff and laughed at your secret stuffed animal collection that now wasn’t so secret anymore. Maria and Tommy came over for dinner as soon as Joels home became your home too, and you had to cook for someone else for the first time in your life. You burnt your finger and poured way too much salt onto the meat, making it almost uneatable. Nevertheless, you loved every minute of your new life. Not that everything drastically changed, but you found yourself getting used to sleeping next to someone that snores and almost crushes you in their sleep. You came to like the lazy mornings in bed, and late evenings on the porch. You don´t mind sharing your private space with someone else, and miss Joel terribly when he’s not around. You never thought you’d be able to say this, growing up in a literal apocalypse, but you settled down. Found a place to feel safe and comfortable and a person to call your home. Is this how people used to live before everything went to shit? You wonder. 

Tonight would be another night were you’d experience what a normal life used to be like. Ellie and Dina are coming over for a movie night, and you watch Joel as he excitedly prepares some snacks. It’s been months since Ellie actually talked to Joel more than she’s been forced to, but she slowly starts to come around again. You think it’s because of Dina, she has a positive impact on Ellie. Now that the two are officially together as well, life in Jackson almost seems cliché like. So much happiness feels too good to be true. “What got you smiling like that?“ Joel nudges you with your hip and you turn to look at him, dropping the knife in your hand. “Nothing in particular.“ You hand him a piece of the carrot you’ve been cutting and eat one yourself. “It´s the first time you’re hanging out with Dina, right?“ You ask, swinging your carrot in front of Joels face. He chuckles and eats the piece you gave him, sliding a bowl over to you. “Yeah, I mean she’s not my friend. A bit too young for that.“ Joel gives you a funny look and you scratch the carrots from your cutting board into the bowl. “It´s like a double date.“ You giggle and clean the knife with some water. “A weird double date, but still.“ Joel rolls his eyes at you and carries the snacks into the living room, his boots clinging against the hardwood floor. “Don´t remind me.“ He grumbles but you barely hear him. After you finish cleaning up, you join him in the living room and adjust some pictures on the shelves. Joel found an old polaroid a couple of weeks ago and it was still working, so you took pictures with your loved ones and framed them to decorate your home. The one with Ellie, Dina and Jesse you like the most. You are all sitting on the bench, Jesse´s arm around your shoulder while Dina gives Ellie and you bunny ears with her fingers. You smile into the camera and even Ellie laughs, showing off her white teeth. You have more pictures upstairs, private ones, and bite your lip as you think about them. Joel made you pose in your prettiest underwear, sprawled out on your bed, hands reaching towards the camera with a big grin on your face. You were embarrassed at first, but Joel loves the picture and keeps it with him at all times. He said it’s his little reminder of you for when he’s gone on patrol, and you couldn’t help it but laugh at that. You took pictures of him as well, tho. You like the one where he sits on the porch, guitar on his lap and a steaming mug next to him. He was so lost in his playing that he didn’t even realize you took a picture until he saw the bright flash. Another one was taken when you and Joel where cooking together. Tommy visited you two and secretly snapped the picture when Joel was hugging you from behind, a huge smile on both of your faces. “You´re not moving them around again, are you?“ Joels gruff voice pulls you out of your thoughts and you look at him confused. “Huh?“ Your hands fall next to your sides and Joel nods his head towards the frames. “You moved them around at least fife times. You still don’t like the way they look?“ He leans himself against the staircase railing, arms crossed. “Oh no, I was just looking at them.“ You step away from the shelves and push past him to go upstairs. “You should change as well.“ You say over your shoulder as you feel Joels eyes on you. “What´s wrong with what I’m wearing?“ He follows you and swats your bum, making you climb the steps faster. “Your shirt smells, old man.“ You jokingly pull a face and Joel grabs you from behind, trapping you in his arms. “Joel!“ You grab onto the railing and try to break free but Joel simply turns you around and holds your face against his chest. “mmh you smell that?“ He asks, chest vibrating with every word. You scream with laughter and wiggle in his grip, hair getting static from all the friction. “Eww you’re disgusting!“  You tickle his sides to make him let go of you, and dodge out of his arms when he goes to hold his sides. “I just wanted to give you some love, baby.“ He opens his arms for you but you quickly walk into your shared bedroom, shaking your head. “Nah-ah. You can give me love after you put a clean shirt on.“ You pull your own sweater over your head and change into a new one that still smells strongly of soap. “I´ll take you by your word.“ Joel picks your old sweater up from the floor and puts it into the bathtub along with his shirt. A small pile has collected and you groan when you think about having to wash it tomorrow. “Is this smelling alright for you?“ Joel throws his green shirt at you and you fist the material in your hands. “this will do.“ You walk up to him and rest your hands against his chest, briefly playing with the hairs there before leaning up on your toes and kissing him. “and now get ready, we don’t want Ellie and Dina walking in on that, do we?“ Your hand wanders down Joels stomach and he exhales at your touch. “Yes ma´am.“ He quickly pecks your lips and you walk down again, lazily playing with the strings of your hoodie. You look outside and see a thick layer of snow covering the ground, new flakes falling down at a rapid speed. Thinking about all the winters you had to spend outside without a proper roof under your head, you shiver and wrap your arms around yourself. “You don´t hear them knocking?“ Joel skips past you and you break out of your haze, following him to the door. Dina and Ellie come inside, stomping their shoes against the threshold to keep the snow outside. You quickly shut the door behind them to keep the cold air out, and take their jackets to hang them onto your wardrobe. “Next time you’re coming to one of us, outside its fucking cold.“ Dina shakes her arms and Ellie rubs her hands together, blowing into them. “Don´t worry, we have some blankets for you.“ You wave your hand and guide them to the living room, Joel following closely behind. You point to the couch and hold your hands in front of you. “Sit, I’ll get you something to drink.“ You gesture to the empty seats and are about to turn around when Joel kisses your temple. “Sit with them, I’ll get the drinks.“ Ellie awkwardly watches the interaction and loudly plumps down onto the cushions. Dina giggles and sits down next to her, quickly covering the both of them with a blanket and looking at you. “Thank you.“ You smile at Joel and take a seat at the other couch, feet moving to rest on the coffee table in front of you. “help yourselves.“ You gesture to the snacks and Dina sequels when she spots the cookies you made. “God it’s been ages since I last had cookies!“ She reaches into the bowl and gets two, handing one to Ellie. You laugh at your friends eagerness and take one yourself, liking how sweet they taste. “You still like hot cocoa?“ Joel returns from the kitchen and holds four steaming mugs in his hands, talking to Ellie. Her eyes widen and she takes one from Joel. “Shit Joel, where’d you get that?“ She sniffs at the liquid and watches Joel as he gives another mug to Dina and you. “Well, there’s this store on our new patrol route. They still had the powder. It’s long expired, but powder can’t get bad right?“ He takes a sip and curses slightly when he burns the tip of his tongue. You stifle a laugh and blow on it before drinking from your mug, licking your lips afterwards. “You know when I last had this?“ Ellie raises her mug and shakes her head. “It´s been years, I don’t care if its expired or not.“ Ellie shyly looks at Joel and he clears his throat. “I´m glad that you like it.“ Joel presses his lips together and you happily cuddle into his side, throwing a blanket over the two of you. “What movie are we watching?“ Dina rests her head against Ellies shoulder and Joel stares at Ellie and her blushed cheeks, so you elbow him. “Curtis and Viper 4.“ You push yourself away from Joel to grab the remote and turn the TV on. “Sounds old.“ Dina laughs and Ellie lowers her mug from her lips. “It´s Joels favorite.“ She looks at him and gives him a crooked smile. “I like it, too.“ She shrugs her shoulders and you feel Joel tense next to you, trying to hide a smile. “You have no other choice, given how many times I made you watch that.“ Joel wraps his arm around your shoulder and you gently pat his leg under the blanket, happy for him that he can talk to Ellie without it being tensed. “You read savage starlight, I’d say we’re quit.“ Ellie mumbles, quickly eating another cookie to end the conversation. Joel nods and takes the remote from your hands, starting the movie and holding you tight against his side. It feels weird to cuddle Joel in front of others, but on the other side it also feels normal, just a bit foreign. Dina can´t stop staring at you two, and you have to throw some carrots at her to stop her from eying you the whole time. Even Ellie casts a look at you two from time to time, but looks away every time Joels eyes meet hers. „I quite like this.“ You mumble against Joels chest as he starts playing with your hair. “Me too.“ He keeps his eyes directed to the screen and silently mouthes the lines from time to time, thinking you won’t notice. 

The movie goes on for what feels like forever, and when its over, Dina and Ellie are softly snoring on the sofa next to you. You nudge Joel and turn off the Tv, lazily stretching yourself. “Should we let them sleep?“ You whisper. Joel looks at Ellie and collects another blanket, standing up and softly laying it over her. You never heard him walk this quiet before and hold onto your chest, a smile evident on your face. “They had patrol this morning, let them rest.“ Joel grabs the mugs and winces when they bump into each other and make noise. Dina simply scratches her nose and mumbles something inaudible, leaning more against Ellie. You grab the bowls from the table and put the contents into a container to keep them fresh before walking up the stairs with Joel. “When was the last time you slept under the same roof with three women?“ You joke, stifling a yawn with your hand. “It´s the first time I will be sleeping while three women are under my roof.“ Joel teases back, and you look at him with wide eyes. “I´m joking baby.“ Joel laughs at your shocked impression and lays an arm around you. You quiet down his laughing by kissing him, tasting chocolate and cookies on his tongue. “You better be.“ You peel yourself away from him and get ready for bed, sighing heavily when your body connects with the mattress. Joel grunts and lays down next to you, bed squeaking under his weight. You lay on your side and open your arm, inviting Joel to snuggle closer. He rests his head on your pillow and hugs you close, your own arms wrapping around his neck. “Maybe they’ll come around more often.“ You mumble as you stroke Joels thick hair. He closes his eyes and draws small patterns on your back. “I ain´t complaining, house is big enough.“ His hot breath fans your chest and you scratch his neck, nails grazing over the skin. “You´re not going to ask them to move in as well, are you?“ You close your eyes and hear Joel chuckle beneath you. “Don´t worry, you won’t have to share me with anyone else.“ He pinches your side and you swat his hand away with a giggle. “Good, you don’t want to see me jealous.“ “Oh I think I’d might like that.“ Joel bites the exposed flesh of your collarbone and you gasp, hands moving to push him away. “Stop it.“ You give him a warning look but he can’t see your face in the dark, continuing to roam his hands over your body. A shiver erupts along your spine as his hands move under your shirt and towards your breasts, brushing over the sensitive flesh. “you really want me to stop?“ His breath hits your ear and he attacks your jaw with kisses, moving down to your sweet spot. “We have Ellie and Dina downstairs.“ You say weakly, hands stopping to push him away and resting on his shoulders instead. “You have to stay quiet, then.“ “Joel.“ Your voice is raspy and you finally find the self-control to grab his hands and keep them trapped in yours. “No funny business tonight.“ You say in a stern voice, although your smile says otherwise. “Fine.“ Joel sighs and pulls his hands out of your hold, dramatically turning around, his back facing you. “Oh come on.“ You giggle and snuggle closer, hugging him from behind. Joel reaches for your hand and pulls your arm under his, keeping your hand close to his chest. You lean your face against his strong shoulder and kiss his shirtless form, feeling how warm his skin is against your lips. “Good night, baby.“ He kisses your hand in return and you tangle your legs with his, warming your cold feet on his warm ones. “Good night.“  

 Your sleep doesn’t last long. A gentle kiss to your forehead wakes you up, and you open your eyes. Outside its still dark and the only lightning is coming from downstairs, together with hushed voices. “Tommy and I have to clean some infected areas, Maria wants us to do it before you guys go on patrol.“ Joels voice is still groggy from the lack of using it overnight, and you sit up, covers sliding to your hip. “You have to leave now?“ You ask tiredly, rubbing sleep from your eyes. Joel nods and you realize he’s already dressed, jacket and backpack laying by the end of the bed. “Be careful, okay?“ You cup his cheek and pull him down for a kiss, lips lazily moving against his. He pulls away and gets up to strip on his jacket. “Always.“ He pulls the covers back over your sleeping form and you watch him leave, before dozing off for some more minutes. Sleep won’t come back, you’re too worried for that. So you get up after some tossing and turning, and decide to start your day. Dina and Ellie have already left, probably awoken by Tommy or Joel. You eat breakfast in silence and clean a bit afterwards, washing the dreaded laundry and hanging it all around the house to dry. After you got ready yourself, you prepare your backpack and make your way over to the butcher where you’d meet Jesse. You’re assigned for patrol this late morning, and he’s your partner. You already see his slender form leaning against a wooden pole, chatting away with Marcus. You sigh and approach the two, boots sinking into the snow. “Morning guys.“ You awkwardly wave at them and dodge Marcus gaze. “You´re early for once.“ Jesse teases and salutes at you, while Marcus looks anywhere but to you. “Well, eh-“He scratches his neck and slowly backs away, fingers pointing over his shoulder. “I´ll get going, I´m needed somewhere else.“ He quickly bits goodbye to Jesse and stumbles down the few stairs, hurrying along the streets towards god knows where. Jesse looks at you and raises an eyebrow. “Did he ever apologize to you?“ Jesse asks. You nod and slip your gloves on, breath thick like a cloud in front of your face. “Once, but he couldn’t even look me in the eye. I don´t mind tho, I know it was an accident. It’s Joel he needs to apologize to.“ “Yeah that’s never going to happen.“ Jesse shakes his head and you chuckle, following him towards the gate. “I know, Joel won’t apologize for pushing him either. He´s one hell of a stubborn man.“ You kick some snow from your feet and Jesse shrugs his shoulders. “He´s not the only stubborn person here.“ Jesse gives you a look and you roll your eyes. “Oh cause you’re so much better.“ You laugh and shove Jesse further away from you, his chuckle ringing in your eyes. “I´m just saying, you’re almost as stubborn as Dina. And that means something.“ He points his finger at you and you ignore his comment, changing the topic. “Why did Maria sent Tommy and Joel on an early patrol? Isn´t it way more dangerous?“ You frown and Jesse rests his hands on his hips, stopping at the east gate. “There´s been a lot of infected sightings lately, Maria simply wants them to clear the path for us. They’re experienced and can take a look at how bad the situation really is. Don´t worry, they’ll be fine.“ He briefly looks at you as you guys wait for your horses. “You better be right, I don’t want to become a widow.“ You mumble gloomily. “Don´t you guys need to be married for that, first?“ Jesse jokes and you shoot him a glare. “Not funny.“ You gladly take the reins from the stables boy and greet your horse with a quick pet when they approach. Your legs feel stiff as you swing yourself on top and get seated into the saddle. Jesse does the same and gestures for the security people to open the gate. “We´ll be fine, the same goes for Tommy and Joel.“ With that his horse picks up speed and runs over the snowy fields, you following close behind. You cringe at the cold wind clapping against your face and pull the hood of your sweater over your head to keep your ears from freezing off. “You know where we’re going?“ You shout over the loud whistling of wind. “Yeah, just follow me!“ Jesse guides you through some abandoned villages and to the next lookout, hidden inside an old tower. You breathe out relieved, happy that no infected crossed your path so far. You bind your horses onto a pole and climb up the rusty ladder to get inside. “Here, look around for any infected while I write our names into the book.“ Jesse hands you field glasses and you position yourself in front of the big window, overlooking the small town. “I see nothing.“ You state as you scan the area, spotting nothing of danger or matter. “You checked the woods too?“ Jesse asks as he scribbles something into the book, probably that your lookout was still safe and nothing ordinary happened. “Yeah, no lights, no infected. Nothing.“ You lower the glasses and hand them to Jesse when he walks over to you. “Hmm, we should keep looking for a bit. Maria said a horde was spotted here some days ago.“ “A horde?“ You shiver at the thought of having dozens of infected roaming through the woods. “Yeah, they’re inside some buildings. We need to clean them on the next group patrol.“ “Jeeze.“ You cross your arms in front of your chest and step back, watching Jesse from behind. “Yeah, it’s going to be interesting for sure.“ Jesse stops looking around and puts the glasses back onto the old tray he got them from. “The weather is changing for the worst, let´s head back, Joel and Tommy should also be on their way. We can prepare everything for the next patrol and pick our team.“ Jesse slides the backpack onto his shoulders and you grab yours, blowing a last puff of hot air into your palms before following him. “I can´t wait.“ You say sarcastically, climbing back onto your horse and making your way back to Jackson. Today’s patrol was unspectacular and quick, and you are grateful for it. Next patrol will be hard enough… 

[itawonka-creates]

This Jewelry Will End Up Killing Me - Prologue

So guess who decided to make the first chapter to a Daminette Konosuba AU. I’m using the world and rules of it more so than the characters, but this would definitely be more comedic than my other two fan fictions. If I get good feedback, I might continue it. This is just the world set up. 

Damian stirred a bit and struggled to open his eyes. The light coming from below him made him flinch as he struggled to adjust to the brightness. “Oh good, you’re coming to.”

“Huh?” His vision began to focus a bit more and he noticed he was in a dark space with no one around but a lone woman. She sat in a throne and folded her hands over her lap. She smiled kindly at him, but her eyes were filled with pity. “What?”

“Do you know who you are?”

He thought for a moment and nodded, “My name is Damian Wayne.”

“Anything else?” He thought a bit more before she asked, “Do you remember how you died?”

“I died?” Suddenly memories came flooding back to him. He was with his family. They were on a mission. Something went wrong. Terribly, terribly wrong. He noted how he was still wearing his uniform but was surprised it was undamaged. He placed a hand over his abdomen and shuttered, “I don’t think my body was intact.”

“No, but you died quickly. It was merciful and for that I am thankful.” She placed her hand over her heart and sighed, “You left your world too soon. You have transformed so much. You’ve grown to be such a fine young man.” She frowned, “I’m so sorry for you and your family’s loss. They are still fighting, but they mourn.”

Damian tensed, “Wait! My family! They need me! I need to go back!”

“I cannot do that.” She held out her hand, “Damian, I am the goddess of creation. My name is Tikki. I am here to assist you in your passing.”

“My passing?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not ready to go yet!”

“I may reincarnate you, but you would not remember your past life. You will start anew.”

“I can’t do that either! I have to get back to them right now!”

She bit her lip, “There is one way, but I do not recommend it.”

“Tell me.”

She waved her hand and a book appeared before it floated down in front of her. The book opened and pages started flying out of the bindings. The pages flew around the two before lining up in front of him. “In another world, one very different from yours, we have had a problem with who we call Hawkmoth. The people of the world call him a demon who controls people through their emotions, but we gods and goddesses know the truth.” He noted how her fists clenched as she spoke of him, “The Demon King was like you, but bitter. The Demon King stole the powers of one of our own and now we can no longer stop him. We haven’t even been able to watch over him. Our information on the Demon King has been significantly restricted.”

“How restricted?”

“Our line of information and communication to Nooroo was severed 18 years ago.”

Damian grimaced, “What can I do?”

She bit her lip before proceeding, “Us deities have decided we would grant any wish to the hero who brings this man down. This is your only chance at resurrecting at the exact place and time when you died.”

“I’ll take it.”

“Damian-”

“I’ll take it. I’ve faced aliens, magic, and literal demons from hell. With my history, I can do it. I can’t leave my family.”

Tikki nodded and pointed at the pages between them, “You may take one thing with you to this new world. Along with this, you will continue to have your memories and will gain knowledge of the language to help you integrate better.”

He looked at the pages and noted how odd each of the items were, “What kind of world is this?”

“In your world, the best comparison is what your people call ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ or ‘RPGs’. This world is older, magic and monsters run amok, nobles and monarchy are the norm leadership, and leveling is the only way to power up in your classes.” She chuckled, “It may be an exciting world for you to learn new skills and magic you never would’ve in your world.”

“Magic? Monsters? Sounds like a bad videogame, but something I can work with.” He turned his attention back to the pages in front of him. He examined each one; a sword, a staff, a suit of special armor, and much more. Still, despite all the perks and charms, nothing seemed quite right. “I can’t use any of these.”

“Hm?”

“I can’t use any of these.” He pushed the pages away to look her in the eye, “If I’m going to take on someone using a deity’s power, I’m going to need a deity’s power too.” Damian sighed, “I need your power.”

Tikki smiled and hummed, “You were always a smart one. Always one to look at all the right angles.” She sighed and looked at her lap, “I cannot give you too much for obvious reasons but what I can give you is a tool made by my power.” She held out her hand and a glowing orb appeared in her palm. She placed her other hand over it and squeezed hard before opening her hands. She blew onto the orb and Damian watched as the orb faded away until what was left was a pair of earrings. “If you use this, you will be able to transform and use some of my power. However, if you find one of my direct decedents, they will be able to tap into my true powers and you will never fail.”

She hummed a sweet tune and the ground below him started glowing, “Damian Wayne, you will awaken in the town of crossroads where you will be guided by a fairy of my own essence. Keep her safe and she will guide you both to glory and to reliable party members. I will speak to the others. More tools of our own creation will fall before you as you continue your quest.”

He nodded and noticed how the floor below him began glowing. A wall of light circled him and he began levitating, “Tikki?”

“With the blessing directly from the goddess of creation, I send you off. Please, Damian, do not die.”

He nodded, “I’ll do my best. Watch over my family.”

“Of course.” The light became blinding and he felt his body fade away as he reincarnated. The last thing he heard was a simple “good luck” before he woke up on a bench. He looked around and Tikki was right, this really was a Dungeons and Dragons type of world. Horse-drawn carriages passed him by along with men and women all in medieval-looking armor and clothing. No real technology, but the world’s civilization seemed advanced enough for him to grasp the probable concepts and rules. He noticed how some people began crowding around him and whispering. He looked down and realized his clothing was probably making him stand out, “Right. Now, where do I go?”

He felt a tap on his side and opened up his cape slightly. A large red and black fairy hid behind the clothing but smiled. He was comforted by the company and began walking. “Okay. Where do I go fairy?”

He felt the creature travel up to his hoodie and it whispered in his ear, “You can call me Tikki. I am part of her after all.” He nodded and she peeked at the town around her, “Okay, you will want to go to the adventure’s guild. Receive your class and skillset and register yourself as an adventurer.”

“Should I hide my identity?”

She shook her head, “You do not need to hide your identity here. This is a new world and your real name will be on the registration card. Besides, with your standing and background, you may pass as some kind of noble. You could use that to your advantage as you work your way through this world and gain skill points.”

“Skill points? Are you serious?”

“Yes, it is the only way for us to gain enough strength and resources later.” He rolled his eyes and followed her directions while taking in the sights. The place came out of a storybook and it seemed the currency resembled gold. He’d need to ask Tikki how to get money. He felt someone staring at him and looked around before noticing a girl staring at him outside of a bakery. Once they locked eyes she visibly tensed. “I sense someone of great importance.”

“Huh? Where?”

“I don’t know.”

He scanned the area some more, but his sights kept locking back onto the girl staring at him. He could tell his fuse was getting short and it was obvious she wasn’t going to stop any time soon. He grumbled and finally stomped over. She flinched and stepped back while turning her attention anywhere else. “Hey! What do you want from me?”

“Eh? I wasn’t- I mean, I didn’t- I mean, what are you talking about?” She laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her neck, but he clearly wasn’t buying it. When she realized that wasn’t going to work she started apologizing profusely, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I don’t usually stare at strangers! I’m sorry!”

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, “What do you want?”

“It’s just-”

“Spit it out!”

“I’ve never seen anyone with your clothes before and I’m a designer and-”

He snapped at her, “Then take a picture!”

She blinked, “A what?”

He flinched. A camera may not even be a concept in this world yet, “Ah, um, right. Never mind.”

She nodded and smiled, “May I draw it at least?”

Tikki tugged at his hoodie and he shook his head, “I need to register as an adventurer right away.”

She perked up, “Wait!” She stepped forward and leaned in, “You’re going to the adventure’s guild?” He stepped back but she continued to be persistent, “Can I come?”

“Now why would a little girl like you want to go?”

She puffed up her cheeks, “Hey! I bet we’re not even that far apart in age from each other! Just because I wear pigtails doesn’t mean I’m little!”

“I didn’t say anything about your pigtails.”

She blushed and pulled at them slightly, “Sorry. Everyone mentions them so it’s a habit.” She shook her head, “But, please! I want to look at the armor of the new adventurers! My lady-”

“MARINETTE!” The girl in front of him flinched. The two turned to see a blond girl strutting towards them. She was pulling another blonde behind her with a trail of servants. The girl next to him, presumably Marinette, hid behind him.

Her voice wavered, “Oh, hello Lady Bourgeois. Mister Agreste.”

The boy being pulled around laughed, “Sorry Marinette. I tried to hold her back.”

Lady Bourgeois stopped in front of him and seemed to size him up, “And who are you? Where are you from?”

If this was a noblewoman, to get anywhere with her he needed her to see him as an equal. Tikki continued to vibrate meaning the person of interest was extremely close. Right now, he needed to level with this girl. “I am the only blood son of the Wayne enterprises in a land called Gotham. I set out on my own to help my family. My name is Damian Wayne.” He bowed and silently thanked his father and mother for teaching him to speak as a nobleman. Business meetings and galas were incredible practice for this. The man seemed to buy it, but the lady seemed skeptical.

“I have never heard of Gotham.”

“Chloe, please. He seems genuine.”

“Adrikins-”

“Please don’t call me that.”

“I’m looking for the adventure’s guild. If you could, I would be grateful for any help.” He hated the helpless act but if these people were noble then they had money. He needed money.

“Gross, why go to a building filled with a bunch of sweaty filthy warriors?” She sighed, “But alright. Fine. Marinette!”

Marinette stood as stiff as a board, “Y-Yes?”

“You’ll be his guide.” Chloe snapped her fingers and a servant ran up to her with a small pouch in his hands. She pointed at him and the man presented the pouch with a bow, “As an offering between one noble to another. I hope to see you soon and out of those awful clothes. Honestly, my goddess would smite you down if you showed up at her temple like that.”

“I don’t know. I like them.” Adrien grinned and sent him a thumbs up, “Don’t you think, Marinette?”

As soon as he addressed her she jumped, “Y-Yeah! His awesome are clothes! I mean, his are awesome clothes! I mean-”

Damian closed his eyes and sighed, “Let’s go, Marinette.” She nodded and looked at him with complete gratitude. She mouthed a silent “thank you” and he nodded. This was easier for both of them. “Once I’ve registered I’ll find you. I’d be honored to learn more about this land from you all.”

Chloe seemed pleased by his manners and he turned away with a simple wave. Adrien sent him as salute and wink before turning back. Once they were fully departed, he relaxed a bit and sighed. “Marinette was it?”

She nodded, “Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

“If you come with me to register and answer my questions I’ll let you measure, write, and draw every little detail of my uniform. Got it?”

She looked stunned at first, before grinning and nodding furiously. “Yes!”

“Then let’s go. I need to do this quickly.”

“Right!” Something told him this journey was going to be a long one.

[charincharge]

Cruel Summer, Part 4

cruel summer masterlist

AN: Sorry about last chapter’s tag list! It seems like only half of you got notified, so, if you did not read Part 3 (it was posted Sunday), go back and read that one first, and apologies for my lack of Tumblr tech skills. I think it is fixed. FINGERS CROSSED. Okay, onward. 

Aelin sips her coffee and silences her phone as it buzzes continually on the kitchen table. It’s been going off for the last two days with texts from Dorian. She lied and told him she wasn’t feeling well to give herself some space. But she knows she can only fend him off for maybe one more day or so.

Park today?

His latest text reads. It’s not that she doesn’t want to spend time with Dorian. She does. She really does. But, she’s just not feeling up to going to the park yet. She knows he’ll want to spend all day there, and she’s feeling less than enthused about that. And she’s sure that has absolutely nothing to do with a tall silver-haired employee she spent the better part of Monday avoiding. Nope. Nothing at all.  She replies quickly.

Still sick. In bed with a fever :(

“Liar!” Dorian calls, rounding the corner to the kitchen.

Aelin grumbles as she takes a large bite of her toaster waffle. “How’d you get in here?”

Dorian slides into the kitchen chair next to her and lays his head down on the table, looking up at her with the saddest, biggest puppy dog eyes he can manage, and innocently holds up the small gold key that usually resides under the flowerpot next to the front door. Aelin grabs it back and lays her head on the table next to him. They stare at each other, their faces a few inches apart, Dorian’s eyes wide with wondering at Aelin’s frowning.

Dorian smirks and brings his hand up to boop her nose softly. Aelin scrunches her nose, but she can’t help but crack the smallest of smiles at her best friend’s efforts.

“You’ve been in a mood since Monday. What’s the deal?” he asks. “It wouldn’t happen to have to do with the red lipstick fiasco? Don’t think I didn’t notice you went back upstairs to put it on.”

“No,” Aelin scoffs, her false bravado kicking in as she pushes herself upright. “Of course not. I just remembered I had a matte stay all day lipstick, and it went better with my outfit.”

Dorian lifts himself up and stares at Aelin, his brow furrowing as he goads her, “So not wanting to go to the park has absolutely nothing to do with the hot hot silver-haired staff member you were making eyes at all day?” Dorian sighs. “Come on, Aelin. Tell meee,” he pleads. “I already know.”

Aelin flips her hair over her shoulder as she places her mug into the sink. “I’m sorry, Dor.”

“You’re the one who’s going to be sorry,” he says. “Because if we’re not going to the park, I’m going to need full details on your hot piece. And the side dish he brought with him.”

It suddenly clicks for Dorian. “Ohhhh, you’re disappointed he brought a date?” Dorian smirks. “Aelin. Not everyone can be single at your behest.”

She crosses her arms, annoyed. This is why she wanted one more day to herself. She didn’t want to talk about Rowan and his stupid rude girlfriend with her dark hipster makeup and beautifully inked skin and brightly dyed hair. If that was Rowan’s type, she had no shot of getting his attention. Not that she hadn’t tried. With the white bathing suit, and playing rough with the boys in the deep end and overzealously clinging onto Dorian’s back. Still, he hadn’t said a damn thing to her until the party ended, and only by accident.

“No,” Aelin lies. Dorian looks at her, unblinking. “Stop that.”

“You can’t let one little staff member prevent you from going to the park. It’s Ashryver Playland, and you’re Aelin fucking Ashryer. It’s your park. Let’s go reclaim our stomping grounds. Please?” he begs again, his sapphire eyes looking up at her through his thick fringe of lashes. “I promise I’ll shield you if we see him.”

“Fine.”

Dorian’s blinding smile is almost worth it. She tells him she’ll be right back and runs upstairs to get dressed for the day. She might put a little more effort into it than she would for just Dorian, but there’s no harm in looking cute. She braids her hair into two French braids and wiggles into a hot pink crop top and her overall shorts. She dons a full face of makeup, finishing with a pink lipstick, and finally makes her way down to where an impatient Dorian is waiting.

He holds out his arm for her, smartly not commenting on her outfit, and Aelin slips her arm through, linking them together for the fifteen minute walk down the beach to the Playland.

They’re greeted at the ticket booth by Fenrys, who is working behind the counter. He blushes upon seeing the approaching pair, and it makes Aelin smile. He hasn’t been quiet about his crush on both her and Dorian, which she thinks they would both be all over if he weren’t four years their junior. He’s shockingly good-looking with deep tanned skin and shoulder-length golden hair. He flashes them a toothy smile and Aelin can’t help but grin back, her mood lightening.

“Ah, the king and queen of Playland.” He pulls out unlimited wristbands for them. “Happy Summer.”

“Hey, handsome, happy summer,” Aelin says with a wink as he tapes on her wristband.

“Aelin, when are you going to let me take you out and make me the happiest man in Terrasen?” Fenrys asks, and Dorian snorts.

“Man? You’re not even old enough to grow facial hair,” Dorian teases, rubbing his thumb against Fenry’s bare cheek. It blooms with a rare blush under Dorian’s touch.

“I just turned twenty-one, so, who knows? Maybe this year is the year,” Fenrys says as he puffs out his chest. He bursts into laughter. “Yeah, yeah. I know you’d never date a staff member anyway. No shitting where you eat and all that.”

“Sure,” Dorian smirks. “That’s the reason.”

Aelin grabs at Dorian’s hand, pulling him away and waves goodbye to Fenrys, ready for the day.  Aelin leans her head on her friend’s shoulder, her heart feeling ten times lighter. She’s buoyant, actually. She skips into the park, pulling Dorian along as she makes her way toward their first ride.

They make their way toward the biggest ride in the park – the Firecoaster, a rickety wooden rollercoaster built nearly a century ago. It’s Aelin’s absolute favorite ride in the park, so they do it first every single time, despite Dorian’s constant criticism of it (it’s too shaky, it’s too old, why haven’t they replaced the cars in a literal hundred years?).

But as they arrive at the ride she sees a short crop of silver hair at the entrance, letting people onto the coaster. Naturally.

“Maybe we should come back to the coaster later,” Aelin suggests, and Dorian’s eyebrow lifts in question.

“You know I won’t go on this ride in the dark,” Dorian replies, and Aelin nods. She really wants to go on this coaster. But with Rowan letting people on, there’s absolutely no way to avoid him.  “Is he up there?” Dorian whispers and tugs at one of Aelin’s pigtails.

Aelin doesn’t answer, still unsure of how she’s going to handle the whole situation. Dorian grabs her hand and pulls her into the line. With people piling in behind them, they’re immediately stuck.

“What the hell?” Aelin hisses, but Dorian simply shrugs.

“You’re taking back your ground!” he says exuberantly.

Aelin knows he’s right, but her stomach still feels like she ate a box of rocks with how heavy it is suddenly. She watches intently as Rowan performs his job, dutifully ushering everyone into the wooden coaster cars and making sure they’re safely secured before they take off. He’s not particularly friendly, Aelin notices. He's not the kind of staff member who smiles at each person with a customer service grin, but she does take note that at he makes sure to help the smaller kids in and out with one of his steadying hands.

The line moves far too quickly, and within minutes they’re at the top of the line. Aelin knows she should look away, but as she makes her way onto the platform, she keeps her eyes trained on Rowan. When he finally turns and meets her gaze, his dark green eyes widen slightly with surprise. Aelin swallows, her mouth suddenly feeling completely parched as they share a charged, wordless stare.

It’s interrupted by the last coaster coming to a stop suddenly on the tracks before them, and Rowan scrambles to attention to help the group exit the car. Dorian pushes Aelin into the first row of the empty car, and she stumbles forward, throwing her best friend a dirty glare.

Aelin straps herself into the cart, pulling the seatbelt across her lap and clicking it securely in place.

“Everyone, hands up,” Rowan says, and he starts from the back of the car, tugging at the seatbelts to ensure the passengers’ safety.  

By the time Rowan reaches the front row, Aelin’s heart is pounding in her chest, and it has absolutely nothing to do with her excitement to ride the rollercoaster.

Rowan squats down and leans his torso across Aelin, his arm lightly brushing against the front of her overalls as he reaches over her to tug on Dorian’s seatbelt. Satisfied that it’s in place, Rowan pulls back slightly, his brows furrowed and his lips twisted into a thin straight line. His head is so close to hers, she can feel his breath fan across her neck as he exhales. Despite the hot sun overhead, goosebumps break out across her arms. What the hell?

“Hey, you’re Rowan, right?” Dorian pipes up, and Aelin sends him a murderous glare as the silver-haired man looks up with a suspicious frown on his face.

“Uh, yeah. I am,” Rowan says, turning his attention to Aelin’s lap.

“Aelin’s told me so much about you,” Dorian continues, ignoring his best friend’s death stare. “Maybe we could all go out soon? Since we didn’t get to meet at the party.”

Rowan looks perplexed as he adjusts his position again to check Aelin’s seatbelt. “Um, maybe? I’m kinda busy… with work.”

Aelin is going to kill Dorian. She shifts in her seat to question him, right as Rowan reaches down to tug at her seatbelt, and she accidentally throws him off balance. Rowan falls forward a tiny bit and his hand darts out to brace himself. It comes to rest on Aelin’s knee, the rough pads of his fingers clutching against her bare skin, and if Aelin weren’t restrained, she thinks she may have jumped out of the car in shock.  

“Sorry!” Rowan apologizes, snatching his hand back in pain, as if she were on fire and he’d just burned himself.

“It’s fine,” Aelin says, her voice sounding breathy to her own ears. She’s positive she’s blushing all the way down to her chest, but she refuses to look.

“Sorry,” he says again, his voice filled with apology.

She’s about to reassure him again, but he’s already walking back to the controls. Aelin looks over her shoulder to get one more look at the man who literally took her breath away with a single touch, but she can’t think about it for long.

Because soon she’s flying forward. The wind rushes across Aelin’s face, swirling around her with each twist and turn of the coaster. Laughter bubbles up from her chest, and she squeals loudly as they hit the first drop. She closes her eyes and lets the ride take her up, up and away, making her heart race.

Just as quickly as it took off does it come to a halt. Aelin unclips herself quickly and runs as fast as she can on her unsteady legs, away from Rowan’s prying gaze. As soon as she’s far enough away from the ride, she whirls around and socks Dorian in the arm. Hard.

“OW!” He clutches at his shoulder.

“Maybe we could all go out soon?” Aelin parrots his words back at him. “What the fuck, Dor?! What happened to being my shield?”

Dorian rubs his arm, slowly stoking the pain out of his dead arm. “I was doing recon. Notice he didn’t say he had a girlfriend.”

“I hate you,” Aelin says, going to punch his other arm, and Dorian runs, cowering from her absurd superhuman ability to find the most painful spot to punch.

“You love me!” he shouts as he sprints toward the log flume.

The pair chase each other from ride to ride, making the most of their day in the park. Aelin only spots Rowan once more, after his shift change, taking tickets at the Skyflyer – a ride she and Dorian have sworn never to go back on after they both tried it in high school and puked their guts out afterwards. So, conveniently, she doesn’t have to deal with that whole situation again. Which is good, because it’s starting to stress Aelin out. She’s never this strung out about a guy. Ever. Especially one that isn’t single and is definitely uninterested.

By the time the sun is setting, Aelin is more than ready to go home. She could use a long soak in the bath and a good night’s sleep. But Dorian insists on one more ride. Aelin agrees, but only if Dorian promises to buy her fried dough with Nutella on it for dessert after.

Dorian’s smile lights up his face as he pulls her towards the bumper cars. Aelin might have a little too much fun crashing into his car over and over again.

With a scoop of Nutella in her mouth, Aelin sees a shock of silver hair, finally coming in for the end of his day. She watches as he crosses the field and makes his way into the employee break room, her eyes following the motion of his lithe body. God, now that she knows what he looks like without a shirt on, she can’t stop imagining the way his tattoo crept up his taut abs, over his wide shoulders, and trailing down the side of his muscular back. It’s not fair. Why did he have to be in a relationship already? She licks her lips, tasting the warm chocolatey hazelnut spread and hums in pleasure as she imagines licking it off other places…

“Elide!” Dorian shouts, calling over their friend and breaking Aelin out of her hormone-induced trance. Elide runs over with a smile on her face for the pair.

“I’m sorry I barely saw you both at the party,” Elide apologizes immediately, but Aelin and Dorian wave her off.

“You were celebrating. With Lorcan, right? Please say yes,” Aelin says with a cheerful smile and offers a bite of her dough to Elide.

“I actually spent most of the time with a friend of mine I hadn’t seen in a few years,” Elide admits as she takes the piece from Aelin. “She used to be my RA. She’s the best. I hope you met her.”

“Really?” Dorian asks. “That’s so much fun. Who?”

“Manon Blackbeak?” Elide continues, oblivious to Aelin stiffening next to her at the table. “She came with a new guy, Rowan. She’s his roommate. Isn’t that such a crazy coincidence?” Elide rambles.

Dorian looks to Aelin and mouths “roommates” with a smirk.

“Roommates?” Aelin asks, her voice tight. “Is that all they are? Because I got kind of a datey vibe from them.” Aelin tries to keep her face impassive, but can’t when Dorian snorts at her. Aelin has forgone subtlety today, apparently.

“No, that’s impossible,” Elide says resolutely with a shake of her head.

“Because roommates have never gotten together before?” Aelin asks, her voice haughty with ridicule.

“No. Because they both like women,” Elide says with a laugh. “Or at least Manon does.”

Dorian bites his lip and looks at Aelin. His eyes frantically connect with hers before looking back at Elide, who is completely unaware of the bomb she’s just dropped.

“Is that so?” Dorian asks, and Elide nods.

“Oh yeah. Manon is a gold star and proud of it.” Elide looks at her watch. “Shit, I have to clock out. But I want to catch up with both of you later, okay? Find me next time you’re in the park?”

“Yuppp,” Aelin drawls. “Bye, babe!” Aelin waves as Dorian practically drags Aelin out to the parking lot, his torso doubled over in laugher.

Aelin frowns. “It’s not that funny.”

“It’s hilarious,” he says, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “Here you were all worked up about your prince Charming having a girlfriend and she’s gay. What gave you the impression they were dating?”

“I don’t know. He brought a hot blonde to my house?” Aelin sighs. Rowan did introduce Manon as his friend. “Oh my god, I get it,” she squeaks.

“What?”

“She said this thing about keeping two of her nails short, and… I’m am so stupid.”

Dorian laughs at her, hard, and wraps his arms around her shoulders. “So, what now? Want help reeling in your man?”

Aelin smiles as she sees Rowan climbing into a beat up truck halfway down the parking lot.  “No,” Aelin shakes her head as she links arms with Dorian again. “I think I’ve got it.”

~*~*~*~*~

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[hyperpsychomaniac]

Who Says You Can't Go Home - Chapter 5

Darkwing Duck (90s series) fanfiction

Sequel to my recent fanfic The Other Side of Me

Summary: Down on his luck, the Negaverse Launchpad crashes at Launchpad’s parents looking for help. Launchpad, who has avoided visiting his family since he started working with Darkwing, returns in a panic to ensure his double isn’t causing trouble. And then it gets awkward.

Chapter 1

***

“Why aren’t the rivets with the rivet gun?”

“Because they’re fasteners. Not a tool. And you think you’ve got it hard? I think he’s arranged the sealants by… viscosity?”

“Viva what?” Launchpad slammed the doors to the tool cupboard he’d been riffling through, and moved onto the next. Despite the organisation of their parents’ hanger, finding the right parts they needed, without leaving anything behind and as quickly as possible, proved a challenge. “And what ever happened to using chewing gum?”

“Wrong viscosity. Hurry it up. We’ve got to get out there, rivet back up the strut, seal the wing and let the sealant dry…”

“It can dry as we tow it. This would be easier if we could just bring it straight back and fix it in the hanger.”

“Do you want to explain what happened?”

Launchpad gritted his teeth. “Finally, fasteners! And no, I don’t.” He jammed his hand into the box containing the right sized rivets, and pulled out a fistful. A couple bounced out and found their way into nearby containers. He stepped back and pushed the rivets around in his hands, counting to make sure he had enough along with a couple spares. “I wish you’d never convinced me to fly through that damned canyon.”

“You flew where?!”

Launchpad spun around and threw himself back into the cupboard, slamming the doors closed behind him. The entire thing rocked under the impact of his weight. Inside, the clatter of hundreds of airborne fasteners bounced around and off the metal walls. The rivets he’d held scattered across the floor.

Ripcord McQuack’s gaze trailed one of the unfortunate rivets across the floor, then snapped back up to Launchpad. “You went to… the canyon?”

Loopey sidled up beside him. “Told you. Deja vu.”

“Launchpad! Answer me!”

“I… yes?” What else was he supposed to say?

Ripcord’s chest heaved. “I told you kids you were never allowed to fly there.”

“Dad, calm down,” said Loopey. “We’re not kids anymore, remember?”

“Then how come I find you two riffling through everything like a couple teenagers and creating a mess?”

Launchpad exchanged a look with his sister.

“Launchpad!”

“Why am I the one getting yelled at? We just had a… minor…”

Ripcord looked around the hanger. “Loopey, where is your plane?”

“At the bottom of the canyon. Its fine,” she said quickly. “We’re just going to have to tow it out.”

“You’re here for five minutes and you take your sister…”

Loopey pushed past her brother. “Launchpad didn’t take me anywhere. I’ve been to the canyon before. You know, when I come and visit and go out flying by myself and decide where I’m going like an adult is supposed to?”

Ripcord swallowed hard. “You’ve… Launchpad could’ve, you could’ve… don’t you think I told you not to go there for a reason?”

“Yes, but what reason?” Loopey threw her arms out wide. Launchpad let her talk. She was getting through to Dad a lot better than he would’ve. He was taking her more seriously too. Launchpad should’ve been mad but he just wanted this to be over. “You’ve told us not to go there, but you have never, ever, told us why. We’re adults now. If you don’t want us to do something just tell us the reason. We’ll listen to you. But you can’t expect us to do what you say, with no explanation.”

“Okay, fine, I’m overreacting. Just tell me what happened.”

“I broke a strut on the canyon wall. We figured we…”

Ripcord paled. “What?”

Launchpad wasn’t letting Loopey get in trouble for this one. He stepped up and put a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Dad, it’s not her fault. I got too close on top of her; she didn’t have room to move.”

“You were right on top of each other? What the hell were you doing in there?”

Launchpad swallowed. “Racing.”

Ripcord squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. “You have no idea how stupid that was. Anything goes wrong in there and there is nothing you can do…”

“That’s not true. Loopey landed the plane just fine, and…”

“Enough! Just forget it. If you’re going to act like children, you’re both bloody grounded.”

Launchpad rolled his eyes. “You can’t actually ground us anymore.”

“Want to bet? I’m not talking about sending you to your rooms. I mean literally. These are mine and your mother’s planes. We decide who flys them. And for the rest of this visit that doesn’t include either of you.” Ripcord stomped over to the jeep and began rearranging the tools the siblings had already haphazardly packed. “Don’t worry about your mess. I’ll clean it up myself.”

Launchpad felt heat rise in his cheeks, but he kept his beak firmly shut. He was way too old to be grounded. But arguing would just make him sound even more childish. He was done with that for this visit.

Beside him, Loopey folded her arms across her chest. She also looked a little flushed. “What the actual heck? We’ve all flown in tight spaces plenty of times before, done dangerous stunts... And I thought I’d never have to hear another grounded pun again.”

Launchpad watched his father rifle through the jeep with his back to his kids. He was going to go get that plane all by himself. However bad he was reacting, that wasn’t his fault. And however innocent it had been, racing through that spot had been pretty dumb. “I’ll go out with him. It’s kind of my fault.”

“Not completely.”

“I know,” he smiled at his sister faintly. “Speed demon. Go on, don’t worry about this. I should spend some time with him anyway.”

“Thanks, big brother. Good luck.”

Launchpad sidled over to his father. “Dad, I’ll come with you. You’re going to need help.”

Ripcord straightened, rubbed at the corner of his eye, then turned to face his son. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? You want to fly like a maniac, that’s your business. But when you’re flying with someone else you’ve got a responsibility for them too, especially if they’re family.”

“I know, I’m sorry. Do you want my help or not?”

Ripcord swallowed. “It’s going to be a long drive. Sure you want to spend that amount of time with me?”

That look in his father’s eye. It was trying to be anger, but there was something deeper, more desperate. He’d definitely put this off way too long. “Yeah, Dad.”

***

The jeep bounced and rattled across the dirt track as they started the trek out to the canyon. Ripcord drove, one hand on the steering wheel. He was the first to break the silence. “I should probably let you know, Gosalyn was mucking around with… Launchpad… she hit her head. She’s okay!” he said quickly, when Launchpad jerked up from his slouch in the passenger seat. “I’m pretty sure her dad can take care of her. Just thought you should know.”

Launchpad huffed. “It wouldn’t be the first time she’s done it. What did Launchpad do?”

Ripcord shrugged. “Whatever it was he felt pretty bad about it. He wouldn’t have meant to hurt her. Kids… stuff happens… it’s not his fault.”

“As long as she’s okay.”

“You really care about those two, don’t you?”

Launchpad groaned. “We’re not dating!”

Ripcord smirked. “I know. I think your mother does too. But can you blame her? You’ve been so secretive.” The smirk slipped from his beak. “Me and your Mom, we’re sorry for lying to you. It’s just that we haven’t seen you in so long. And you’ll talk to your Mom on the phone. But you always seem to manage to hang up before I get there. And, well, I kind of wanted to talk to you about something anyway and I wanted to do it in person.”

“I’m not trying to avoid you. It’s just… complicated…”

Ripcord glanced across at him, and Launchpad dropped his gaze to his lap. His father smiled faintly. “It’s okay. I’ve got a pretty good idea what’s going on.”

“I’m pretty sure you don’t.” How was he supposed to tell his parents about Darkwing Duck? He had to tell them something. But he hadn’t talked to DW about this, so he didn’t even know what would be okay to share. He didn’t want to put his friend in a spot. He had his secret identify for a reason.

“Launchpad, I get, it really, I…” Ripcord huffed. “Okay. You don’t think it was weird for us having a guy that looked exactly like you crash onto our doorstep, bleeding and begging for help?”

The Negaverse Launchpad. It was certainly a safer topic. “Yeah, what happened to him?”

“He crashed in here with a broken arm, near exhaustion. Told us, once he’d woken up, that he’d gotten involved with air pirates. He was a bit of a mess. When he woke up he was throwing punches at doctors and I thought I was going to have to sit on him or something. Until your mother calmed him down. I guess he didn’t expect us to take him to a hospital and all that attention actually scared him. Since he left Saint Canard he’s just been butting around, not knowing what to do with himself. He didn’t just come to us because he was hurt. He was at the end of his rope and he needed someplace where he’d feel safe, with people he knew he could trust.”

Launchpad had set him up with a plane but then he’d left him to his own devices. Those two weeks they’d spent together, his double had been an wreck for most of it, as he’d progressively worked up the courage to tell him more stuff about Negaduck. He’d only started to pull himself out of it once the plane had started to come together. It had been naive to assume he’d be alright out here by himself. “I told him to stay away from Saint Canard. I guess he thought he had no place else he could turn. Guess I didn’t help him as much as I thought.”

“Son, he can’t stop talking about how much you helped him and how you made him that aeroplane. Its weird, one moment he’s trying to fight your mother’s plants, and then he’s getting all excited about that scrap heap you built. You helped him plenty. But he was on our doorstep, hurt… I think, at that point, seeing him like that, we…” he gulped, then shook himself a little. “We thought of you. We just went into full blown parenting mode. But after, well, we started asking questions. He told us about the Negaverse.”

Launchpad nodded. “And Negaduck?”

Ripcord’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Oh, yeah. And Negaduck. I tell you, if I ever get my hands on that manipulative piece of work…”

“Dad, do not mess with Negaduck.”

“You’d know, wouldn’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Follow what I’m saying here. Launchpad explained where he came from. That he’s your twin from another universe. He told us he works for Negaduck, and that Negaduck is the twin of Darkwing Duck, you know, infamous vigilante from Saint Canard.”

“Yeah…”

Ripcord sighed. “He had to explain how you guys met. Launchpad, I know you’ve been flying a plane for Darkwing Duck.”

It was everything he’d been trying to figure out how to explain and he hadn’t known how to tell his father and then it was just… done… over… and… he still didn’t know if too much had been revealed. Launchpad sunk into his seat and put his face in his hands.

“That’s why you haven’t come to visit, isn’t it? Look, I get some of its got to be secret stuff. But if this Darkwing Duck has been bullying you, or…”

“Wait, wait,” Launchpad jerked up in his seat. “He only told you that I worked for Darkwing… that’s it?”

“That you were his pilot. I think he caught on pretty quickly that we actually had no idea that’s what you were doing. So, yeah, that’s all he said. And I get that there’s identities that need to remain secret, assuming you even know that…”

Some of the tension left Launchpad’s shoulders. The Negaverse Launchpad had to tell them something. He should’ve figured that. But it looked like he’d been smart enough to keep Drake out of it. His parents knew about Darkwing Duck. They just didn’t know he was also living with the guy and doing his groceries.

“Launchpad, look at me.” His father grabbed him by the shoulder, his fingers digging in, and the jeep rumbled to a halt. “You don’t have to share everything about this. It’d be the same if you were working for the government, or any other place where there might be confidentiality agreements, or… we don’t expect that of you. But I just want to know one thing.”

Launchpad put his hand over his father’s, if only to loosen his grip. “Sure, Dad.”

“The whole Negaverse thing, there’s parallels to it.”

“You mean how everyone’s opposite?”

Ripcord shook his head. “No. Not opposites. I see a lot of you in that other Launchpad. I think you did as well. And, I guess that’s why I’m worried. You and Launchpad. Negaduck and Darkwing. You’ve both worked for them. But, some of the stories Launchpad has told me about Negaduck…”

“He told them to me as well. I know.”

“I just want to know if Darkwing has ever hurt you. Because if he has I’ll pack up my shotgun right now and…”

“What? No…” Launchpad pulled back. “he’s not Negaduck.”

“He hasn’t forbid you to come see us? Or just made you feel that you can’t? Or threatened to hurt you if you reveal to much about him, or… anything, Launchpad, you just have to tell us.”

“Dad, I said no!” said Launchpad, a growl creeping into his voice. “DW’s a good guy, and besides, he’s my friend. He’s difficult, and he’s got an ego, but he’d never do anything like that.”

“Then why haven’t you said anything about working with him before?”

“He never told me I couldn’t. I just… I never brought it up properly with him.” Launchpad slumped back in his seat as he heard his own words. Yeah, DW was difficult. And any conversation about him telling his parents anything would result in DW stressing out, probably overreacting a bit, but… he would eventually come around. And he would’ve told him exactly how much information he was comfortable for his sidekick to share. He’d never actually stopped him. In fact, every time his mother had called, Drake had always pushed Launchpad to talk to her.

“Oh. Okay.” Ripcord put the jeep in gear and pulled off. After a few moments, he spoke again. “It’s alright if you don’t want to talk to your dad about what you’re doing anymore. But, we’re still proud of you, okay? Even without the superhero sidekick stuff. Drake and Gosalyn… being a single parent is tough. The fact you’re helping Drake around the house, and being there for Gosalyn, not a lot of people would do that. And after how bad the other Launchpad hurt you,” he reached out, and gently squeezed Launchpad arm, “to still go and help him when no one else would, that took a lot of guts.”

Launchpad rested his head against the window, unable to look at his father, and watched the rocks and withered trees rumble by. Sure, he’d been there for Drake, and Gosalyn, and the other Launchpad. But he hadn’t tried hard enough to just do something as simple as have a difficult conversation with DW, so they could get their story straight, and he could come see his Mom and Dad.

“I just… wish I didn’t have to lie to you to see you. I miss you.”

Launchpad squeezed his eyes shut tight.

***

The doctor arrived within half an hour, pronounced Gosalyn ‘mostly fine’, and then told them to keep an eye on her and not let her nap until it was evening. Then Mrs McQuack pulled Launchpad aside and asked him what had really happened. He told her the truth. About the potato gun anyway. He wasn’t really lying, leaving out Negaduck. Negaduck hadn’t had anything to do with what happened to Gosalyn.

Birdie patted him on the shoulder and told him he needed to ‘be careful with that thing’, especially if he was playing with a kid, and that maybe it was best if he left it alone until the Mallards left. Heck, she’d been angrier about her stinking rose bushes. But that was probably more to do with the mood he’d been in at the time.

Truth be told, Launchpad had expected everyone’s reaction to what he’d done to Gosalyn to be much worse. Even Drake, though he’d been shooting him glares all day, had eventually left him alone in front of the television with his daughter. Although, Launchpad was pretty sure that was because he’d finally got stressed out sitting with his daughter most of the day, and couldn’t take watching the cartoons she’d pronounced were the only sure fire way to keep her awake.

It was the longest, most stressful afternoon of Launchpad’s life. And not because Gosalyn kept trying to bully him into bringing her snacks. Negaduck’s ultimatum hung in his mind like heavy fog. It wasn’t that he was conflicted about the choice he had made. He just wasn’t sure he was strong enough to pull it off.

Launchpad tapped his foot on the ground; he needed a cigarette. Mrs McQuack had been trying to get him to cut down and the one he usually had in the morning had lately been enough, but not today. Besides, he’d left them all in a heap outside his shack after Gosalyn had startled him.

“You’re as bad as Launchpad.”

“I am Launchpad.”

“No, I mean the real one. You’re shaking the whole sofa.”

“I’m keeping you awake.”

“Hello, that’s what the cartoons are for?” Gosalyn waved at the television.

“This drivel? It’s unrealistic. You hit a cat with a hammer it doesn’t make little stars, it just…” Launchpad folded his arms with a harrumph.

Gosalyn leaned forward to check no one was in the next room, then lowered her voice. “You’re worried about Negaduck. We should tell Dad.”

“We can’t. Don’t worry. I’m going to take care of it.” Launchpad stood to his feet. It was nearing sundown; Negaduck’s decision time. But first, he was going to collect some tools from the hanger. He’d give Negaduck his decision alright, and he was going to make it bloody clear.

Gosalyn glared up at him. “I should come with you. But I still feel a little dizzy so it might not be a good idea. Just be careful. If you get hurt, I’m going to be mad. And if you take too long, I’m telling Dad. I don’t care what I promised.”

Launchpad waited for a second. “Aren’t you going to ask what I’m going to do?”

“Is what you’re going to do appropriate to tell a kid… oh, are you going to hit him with a bat or something, or just punch his face in? Or, you know, worse?”

Launchpad huffed and rolled his eyes. “I meant about… he asked me to join him. He wants me to kill your dad. Which I already tried to do once.”

“But you were different then. And you told me that story…”

“I could’ve been lying.”

“I don’t think you’re smart enough to make up a story like that.”

“I…” Launchpad’s shoulders sagged. “Aw, kid. You know how many faces I’ve smashed in for calling me stupid?”

Gosalyn stood up on the sofa so she could look him in the eye. “I know he’s hurt you. But you can still beat him.”

Launchpad swallowed hard. Damn this kid. “How do you know that?”

Gosalyn grabbed him by the collar. “I know because you’re Launchpad McQuack! And you’re not going to let anybody hurt your family!” Her beak was pressed almost to his, and she glared into his eyes so earnestly, almost angrily.

Launchpad’s gaze hardened. “Cover for me? They won’t be suspicious. I do this sometimes; wander off at night.”

“I’ve got your back.”

“Good on ya, kiddo.”

Launchpad made his way over to the McQuack’s hanger. A crowbar was always a good go-to. But maybe he should find something bigger, and sharper. You never knew with Negaduck. Sometimes it didn’t matter what weapon you had.

Inside, the lights were on. Launchpad made his way straight to the tool board. At first, he’d found the place nauseatingly tidy. But after helping the McQuack’s out with some repairs, he had to admit, it was nice to be able to find stuff. That would’ve been the last thing he needed today, stressing about digging through tools when he just wanted to grab what he wanted and go deal with Negaduck.

There was the ping of metal on metal. Launchpad spun around and brandished the crowbar.

“Oh, Launchpad, sorry, I thought you realised I was in here.” Loopey sat on the floor, surrounded by a half dozen containers filled with bolts and fasteners. The noise had just been her pegging a bolt into one of the half filled containers, and it was absolutely ridiculous that it had startled him. He really was on edge. She jumped to her feet, picked her way amongst the containers, and came over to him. “I was hoping we’d get a chance to chat.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Loopey frowned at the crowbar. “Now, what are you doing with that?”

“Er…” He’d almost forgotten that most people in this dimension didn’t routinely carry around weapons, and here he was waving a crowbar in the McQuack’s daughter’s face. Still, most people in both dimensions wouldn’t bounce right up to him when he had a weapon in hand. “Um… was going to knock some… heads off flowers. Sometimes I need to blow off steam.”

“Ah,” said Loopey, as if that had been a perfectly rational answer. “Just don’t mess with anything in Mom’s garden.”

Launchpad winced. “Yeah, I’ll only make that mistake once.”

She had her arms folded, looking at him, trying to figure him out. She seemed far too calm. His own sister would’ve been swinging her fist in his face, just like the last time he’d seen her.

“You burned your planes? For him.”

He’d caught her fist. Laughed.

“I am so glad Mom and Dad aren’t here to see what you’ve become.”

“They were weak. Negaduck isn’t.” And then he’d thrown that punch right back.

Loopey lightly brushed his sleeve. “Hey, you okay?”

Launchpad shook himself. He had to deal with Negaduck. But he wanted to talk to Loopey. It was just like what he’d felt with Gosalyn; he wanted to connect with her. It wouldn’t make up for anything with his own sister. But, shit. He missed her. “Er… what are you doing in here anyway?” Launchpad waved the crowbar towards the containers.

“Launchpad crashed into the cupboard, typical, and messed them all up. But he’s out with Dad and…” Loopey rubbed at her arm. “We crashed one of the planes. They’re out there now to bring it in… and… well, Dad seemed a bit upset. I didn’t want to leave this for him to clean up. So, you got a spunky little sister over in this Negaverse place?”

One who hated him so much he’d never be able to speak to her, like this, again. “We haven’t spoken in years.”

“Oh. What about your parents?”

Rougher around the edges then the McQuacks he’d spent the last two months with. Still good people, by Negaverse standards. He and his sister would’ve never hit each other like that when they’d been alive. You only fought if you’d both agreed you were sparring, because a family had to have some way to blow off steam when they were pissed at each other. Other people? Fine. If you knew you needed to smack them one you just did it. But not family. They were your backup, your protection. You treated them with some respect. “They’re dead.”

Loopey winced. “Oh, did this Negaduck guy…?”

Launchpad shook his head. “Nothing to do with him. The Negaverse is just a rough place.” And he’d actually been angry with them, just for not being tough enough to take on the air pirates that had challenged them for their air space. It had been ridiculously immature of him, and he’d figured that out, as he got older, before he even left the Negaverse. When things had come to a head, two planes had taken down nearly a dozen pirate fighter planes between them, until the pirates finally shot down the Negaverse’s Ripcord McQuack. And then Birdie McQuack had flown her plane straight into the main engine of the pirate airship and brought the whole thing down with her. What his parents had done had been borderline legendary.

But they were still dead. And Launchpad had decided that was because they hadn’t been strong enough. Despite how much they relied on and protected each other, when they’d been outnumbered, it wasn’t enough. Allying in yourself to just anyone, no matter how much you trusted them, was not enough. You needed to ally yourself to someone strong. Like the guy who had singlehandedly brought the chaotic and dangerous Negaverse to its knees and declared himself its ruler.

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re Mom and Dad didn’t even know me. But they’ve been everything I needed right now. Them and your brother…” Launchpad gulped at the lump that had risen to his throat. Negaduck hadn’t given him the safety he’d been looking for. How he’d treated him had been a poor exchange for his protection. Then he’d come over here. And the McQuacks may not have had the strength he thought he needed, but they’d given him what Negaduck never had and didn’t ask for anything in return. Apart from refraining from ripping up their garden.

Now Negaduck was here to take that all away from him. Launchpad’s fist tightened around the crowbar.

“They’re pretty great, aren’t they? Look, if you want to talk some more, you don’t have to go assault plants. You could help me, er…” Loopey’s shoulders slumped. “Sort fasteners.”

Launchpad forced a smile. “Raincheck?”

“Pft. Coward.” Loopey blinked as she caught herself. “Um, sorry. I talk like this to my brother all the time. You realise this is very confusing, right?”

At least he wasn’t the only one getting mixed up feelings about his actual family mixed in with the ones he was starting to develop for this one. “Yeah, I get it. But we can talk later. I really just need to… blow off some steam.”

“Later.”

The Gator was parked outside. Launchpad swung himself in, grabbed the seatbelt, then let it slide back as he remembered he wasn’t riding with Mr McQuack. He put the machine in drive and tore down the hill as fast as he could.

They might not be his family. But he was attached. And for once, that no longer felt like a weakness. If only he’d worked that out back in the Negaverse with Gosalyn, and with his sister. He may have blown his chances back home, but he would not fail this time.

Negaduck was going to pay.

***

Chapter 6

[lunnanunna]

Promise

SF9 Extra Member AU

Summary: Dawon and Rowoon help Miyoung set up her new room, and promises are made.

Warnings: slight mentions of past abuse

Taglist: @hyunmijung​ @galacticstxrdust​​ @gay-jesus-official​ @precious-seungwooya​ @helladead-hellaradical​ @giant-puppy-yunho​ @kimonmars​ @soobinssmile​ @chagi-nana​

A/N: Sort of, kind of nearing the end. 🤷‍♀️ Hope you enjoy!

Requests are open! Please let me know what you think.

Miyoung laid face down on her bed, feet in the air and ankles crossed. She quietly read one of her favorite books as she waited for Seokwoo and Sanghyuk to come. Today was the day that they’d help her set up some furniture in her room. Finally she could say her room!

In all the years that Miyoung had lived with the boys, she had never once asked for her own room. It was offered to her on many occasions, but she always turned it down, not minding the idea of rooming with someone (Though it did sound tempting to be alone). But with the events of this last month, Miyoung thought it might be a better idea to finally get her own space.

So after talking to Seokwoo and Youngbin, her wish was granted. Juho had agreed to take Seokwoo in as his new roommate, and soon Miyoung was helping him pack up (As well as she could with her cast) and move down the hall.

Now it was her turn to get help. She had ordered a few things, like a desk, and some floating shelves for her many books, along with some wall decor. Seokwoo and Sanghyuk were going to disassemble the bunk bed and turn it into a single, then help her assemble her desk that would double as her vanity.

“Hey, Mimi.” Miyoung turned her head and found Sanghyuk poking his head in. She smiled at him as he entered, with Seokwoo behind him.

“Hey,” she greeted, waving them in. “Just let me finish this page. It’s literally the last page of the chapter.” Miyoung held up her index finger then turned to her book to finish off the chapter.

“Okay,” Sanghyuk chuckled, coming to sit on the end of the bed.

Seokwoo sat on the ground near her head. “Whatcha reading?” he asked, trying to look at the cover. He frowned when he saw that it was in English.

Miyoung didn’t answer him right away. She read the last paragraph and then saved her place. Setting the book down next to her, she sat up and looked at Seokwoo. 

“It’s called The Summer I Turned Pretty,” Miyoung said. She grabbed the book and hugged it to her chest, smiling.

“I thought you already read that. I remember that cover,” Sanghyuk said, tilting his head to the side.

Miyoung smiled knowing that Sanghyuk noticed what she read. “Yep. I read the series once a year. I have, ever since I was sixteen,” Miyoung nodded, getting up to place the book on the overfilled bookshelf in the corner.

“Is it that good?” Seokwoo snorted, smiling up as Miyoung walked back to him.

“Yep!” She stood by his head and ruffled his hair. “Okay, let’s go!” Miyoung exclaimed, softly drumming on his head.

He chuckled, getting up. “Then let’s go,” he laughed, scooping her up and placing her in the corner.

“No! I want to help,” Miyoung whined, moving towards the boys.

Sanghyuk placed his hands on either of her shoulders and pushed her back towards the corner, her socks sliding on the floor. “Just let us take the bed apart first, okay?” He tilted his head down, raising a brow. She stuck her tongue out at him when he smirked at her.

“It won’t take long,” Seokwoo said as he began moving towards the beds, then stopped to look at the blonde. “Unless you keep distracting us,” he snickered.

Miyoung rolled her eyes at him, then stomped over to the beds, quickly pulling the sheets and pillows off and throwing them in the corner. “Here I helped. Now you boys can do your thing,” Miyoung said, shooing them and then she plopped down on the pile.

She brought her knees to her chest, and watched as the boys took out the tools and began to dissemble the beds. She laughed as they bickered about which steps to take, who was the strongest, etc. Miyoung snorted at the typical behavior of her boys.

The three talked for the next few hours as things were taken apart and put together. Miyoung began to move things around, helping Sanghyuk move things out into the hall, ignoring all the snide remarks from Chanhee. The maknae had popped his head in a few times to annoy the three. He dodged the shoe that Miyoung threw at him.

“Okay, so everything is all set. All you gotta do now is fill your new shelves with you many, many, many books,” Seokwoo said, slowing his words as he stared at the four stacks of books that came up to his waist. Miyoung grinned.

“Come,” Sanghyuk waved Miyoung over. She grabbed a few of her books that she had organized in alphabetical order, and felt Sanghyuk place his hands around her waist and carefully lifted her up. She laughed as she placed the books on the highest shelf.

“Are we gonna have to come in to help you grab the books on the highest shelves every time?” Chanhee asked, leaning against the door, arms folded over his chest.

“Nah, she’s got that step stool over there,” Seokwoo pointed out. It was white and hidden underneath the bed. Jaeyoon had gotten it for her as a joke, but the group all laughed even harder when they saw that she actually carried it around the dorm to grab things that all of her members, who were 5’10” and up, loved to place up high. 

“Next, please.” Miyoung ignored the maknae who shook his head and walked away. Seokwoo passed more books over to her while Sanghyuk still held her up. The pattern continued until the top two shelves were filled. She was placed back on the ground to fill in the other shelves.

“So am I putting these on these hooks?” Seokwoo asked, taking the frames that rested against the walls. Miyoung had hammered nails strategically on the walls to mark where she wanted each one.

“Yep,” she answered without looking up. Sanghyuk sat on the ground, handing her books. “Thanks,” Miyoung smiled at him as she took the books from him.

She loved this. It had been a while since she’s been able to just hang with the boys. Between prepping for their comeback, the promotions, and then everything with Jin, Miyoung had barely spent any time with them other than for work. Though of course, her getting her own room may make it harder for her to spend time with them.

“Ya know? I’m kinda bummed that you kicked me out. I thought we were best friends,” Seokwoo pouted, crossing his arms. He sat on Miyoung’s new bed, hugging one of her pillows, after hanging up the last frame.

“I didn’t kick you out. Please stop saying that,” Miyoung whined as she fell face first on her bed. She had finally finished shelving. All that was left was organizing her vanity and filming equipment, but she’d do that another day. She was too tired.

“But that’s what you did,” Seokwoo said, poking her arm with his foot.

“No. You have all offered me my own room ever since I first joined. I’m just taking you up on that offer,” Miyoung shrugged into the bed, speaking into the sheets.

“Stop. You’ll suffocate,” Sanghyuk said, turning her over to lay on her back. She rolled her eyes at him, then watched as he sat down, back against the bed. He brought his knees to his chest and took a breath.

“Miyoung?” he asked, and Miyoung held her breath. She could tell that they both noticed her tense, but they didn’t say anything.

“Yeah?” she asked quietly.

“What’s the real reason you wanted to have your own room? Like why now?” Sanghyuk asked, looking at the wall on the opposite side of the room.

Miyoung Looked at her cast, a reminder of what she was really hiding. “I don’t know. I just thought it was time,” she said, curling up by Seokwoo’s legs, as he stretched them out.

“You’re not hiding anything from us, right?” Seokwoo asked, hesitantly.

Miyoung felt herself tense. She tried to look for the right words, but apparently she took too long to answer.

“Mimi?” Miyoung looked up and saw Sanghyuk facing her, his chin resting on the bed. “We know that there’s something up, but-” he began, pausing to look for the right words.

“We want to make sure that you know that you can come to us. For anything,” Seokwoo finished for him.

Miyoung turned on her back, facing the ceiling. “I know,” she said. She needed to play it cool, they couldn’t know. Not yet.

“Then talk to us,” Sanghyuk begged. He reached his hand out and poked her cheek.

“I promise you. I’m fine, okay?” she smiled at him, then looked up at Seokwoo, sending him a smile as well.

The two looked at each, and Miyoung knew that they didn’t believe her. She didn’t blame them. She wouldn’t have believed herself either.

She sat up and hugged her knees to her chest. Miyoung could feel their eyes on her as she spoke. “I prom- I-” she took a deep breath as a lump formed in her throat. “I’ll tell you. All of you, but I can’t right now,” she whispered.

“You need time?” Sanghyuk asked, and Miyoung was surprised at how soft the words were. She had half expected them to get angry at her. They knew she was hiding something and yet they weren’t pushing her.

She nodded, then looked at them. Opening her mouth to say something, Miyoung felt a tear slip down her cheek when the words wouldn’t come out. Why couldn’t she tell them?

“Hey, hey,” Seokwoo said leaning over to wrap his arms around her. He pulled her towards him, pressing her against his chest. “This is a safe place. We’ll be here when you’re ready,” told her, holding her tight as she curled into him.

“Just know that we’re never going to judge you. You’re our Miyoung. Our Mimi,” Sanghyuk said, climbing up on the bed and reaching over to cup her cheek.

She chewed on her lip, forcing a smile. After a few minutes of silence, she spoke up. “My bed’s big enough for the three of us,” the blonde said quietly.

Seokwoo’s arms tighten around her. “What was the point of kicking me out then?” he chuckled.

She punched his chest, chuckling herself. “I didn’t kick you out,” she whined, then she turned to Sanghyuk. “Oppa, tell him,” Miyoung told him.

“No, you definitely kicked him out,” he laughed as she sat up, kicking him.

She’d tell them. She’d tell all of the boys. She just needed to find the right time and words. But she promised herself that she would.

Miyoung’s Masterlist

[vannahfanfics]

Last one, I promise! 😜 I’d like to request an Alucard/Seras fanfic with “Swans.” Maybe have Alucard compare Seras to swans because of how beautiful, yet vicious they are? (Swans are mean in real life. 😭) It’s a dumb idea of mine, so you don’t have to use it. I’ll take anything as long as it’s romantic AluSeras. 😊 - Gaanon 🌵🏜🤎

It’s not a dumb idea at all, Gaanon! I really enjoyed the premise, and also finally getting to write for Hellsing and my best girl Seras Victoria! (P.S., if you request some Pip/Seras from me, I will literally die of happiness. OTP.) I hope you enjoy it, Gaanon, and thanks for participating in the event! <3

Pretty and Fierce

Category: Mild Romantic Fluff

Fandom: Hellsing

Characters: Alucard, Seras Victoria

Requested by: Anonymous User

Seras’ eyes sparkled with delight as she trotted down the small hill leading into one of the many picturesque parks tucked away in the London sprawl. Her shoes crunched on the little bits of gray gravel making up the winding path that branched in three directions to disappear into groves of luscious trees. Seras paused at the bottom of the hill to suck in a deep breath, enjoying the scent of earth and grass and aromatic flowers tickling her nose. Then, with an excited squeal, she threw her arms in the air. 

“This park is absolutely beautiful! Oh, it’s so good to get back to nature every once and a while; don’t you agree, Master?” she asked while glancing over her shoulder. She immediately balked, for it seemed her master Alucard did not share the sentiment. Though the powerful vampires were invulnerable to the sunlight— unlike their lesser kin that had been stalking Britain of late— Alucard apparently still preferred the dank dark of his dungeon; he was wrapped up tight in his burgundy cloak with the brim of his hat pulled down over his eyes. Seras pouted at his complete lack of enthusiasm. Thankfully, Integra shared her zeal for the rejuvenating outdoors. 

“Don’t mind him, Seras,” the sophisticated platinum-blonde hummed as she strode down the path. “You are quite right. There is simply something refreshing about a nice trip to the local park, isn’t there, Walter?” 

“Oh, yes,” the butler agreed as he scrubbed pollen off his monocle. “This venture was a lovely idea, Sir Integra.” 

“‘Refreshing’ and ‘lovely,’ my ass,” Alucard grumbled. “It’s a waste of time. Why did you drag me out here when I could be doing something more useful?” 

“There’s more to life than maiming your enemies, Alucard,” Integra tutted as she sauntered past Seras, wagging a gloved finger at the disgruntled vampire lord. “As a centuries-old being, I would have thought you’d have figured that out by now. Besides, look how excited our dear police girl is; do you really want to break her heart by dragging her back to the manor when her little adventure has just begun?” 

Alucard winced as the wily woman used his adorable subordinate against him. To accentuate Integra’s ploy, Seras batted her lashes in the best rendition of puppy-dog eyes she could muster, completing the pleading look with a pitiful pout. 

“Please, Master? I grew up in the countryside, you know, and I do so miss it sometimes.” 

Alucard grumbled something unintelligible and sunk further within the recesses of his thick clothes. When Seras meekly inquired as to what he said, his red eyes flashed within the darkness as he barked, “Fine! But don’t blame me if I get antsy and snack on a civilian or two.” 

“Attack anyone here and I’ll cut your head off, Alucard,” Integra sniffed before looping her arm daintily with Seras’. “Now, police girl. Would you like to accompany me to the pond?” 

“There’s a pond?!” 

Chuckling at the vampiress’ simply adorable zeal, the refined head-of-household for the Hellsing family led her down one of the small paths towards the center of the park. The gravel road then bifurcated, stretching on in a wide circle to ring a large pond. Wood-and-iron benches were spaced out evenly along the pathway every few yards; it seemed this was a popular area, as nearly all of the benches were currently occupied. Seras spotted a young mother watching her children splash in the shallows, a businessman enjoying a coffee break as he read the newspaper, and an old woman tossing dried corn to a family of ducks. Seras scampered closer to observe the fluffy yellow ducklings as they hobbled around their mother’s dappled brown bulk to peck at the little yellow niblets. 

“Ahhhh!” she admired and glanced fervently at Walter. “Look! Aren’t they adorable?” 

“Oh, yes,” the butler appreciated, adjusting his monocle to closely inspect the ducklings as they curiously wobbled over to Seras to peck at her shoes, apparently mistaking the material for sustenance. He smiled warmly as Seras giggled and enjoyed the wee birds waddling around her in a circle, their tiny tail flittering all the while. “Now that I think of it, we have a small pond on the grounds. Perhaps we should invest in a small flock of ducks to liven up the place, eh, Sir Integra?” 

“Oh, I’m sure they would make quite a home of the gardens. However, I’d be concerned about our guard dog getting a little peckish,” she joked with a sidelong sneer at Alucard. The vampire growled, which caused the old lady to release a shocked gasp and hurriedly take her leave. Seras whined as the ducks realized there was no more food to be had and trekked the short distance down into the pond, hopping in to glide gracefully among the reeds and lilies. 

“Master! You scared them away!” she sulked and stomped over to beat on his arm a little. “Why must you be so grumpy? Surely even your cold, dead heart can enjoy something as cute as a duckling, right?” 

“Why has this trip turned into a competition to see who can insult me the most?” the vampire huffed, pulling away from his discontented aide to flop down on the bench. He stretched his arms out over the back, crossed his long legs, and tipped back his head, peering disinterestedly at the rippling surface of the pond through his unkempt bangs. After a minute, he quirked a brow. “I prefer the swans, actually.” 

“Swans?” Seras gasped. She whipped her head around so fast that a few of her vertebrae popped; it was a good thing that she was undead because she really could have broken her neck with how vigorously she whirled about. She keened in bliss as she spotted the poised, long-necked birds drifting serenely across the pond toward them. “Oh, I’ve never seen a swan before!” she gushed, picking her way down to the water’s edge to get a close a look as possible. 

Seras’s sky-blue eyes glittered with wonder as she remained still, watching the sleek white birds slowly approach. Integra and Walter, apparently not charmed by the swans, wandered further down the path discussing what café they should visit on the way home for afternoon tea. Alucard remained on the bench, regarding the young vampire as she slowly sank into a crouch. Seras stuck out her hand to the swans, who stopped swimming to inspect her with suspicious black eyes. She clicked her tongue to entice them over, trying not to vibrate with excitement as one of them decided it was safe enough to venture within her vicinity. 

“Yes… That’s it…” Seras crooned as the swan tentatively encroached, zig-zagging a little as it deliberated how close it wanted to come within the woman’s touch. “I won’t hurt you, pretty thing!” 

She waited with bated breath as the swan timidly grew closer. The rippling water kissed the tips of Seras’s shoes as she knelt among the reeds, stretching as much as she could to try and reach the gorgeous white bird. The swan stopped mere inches from her fingertips, cocking her head as it eyed Seras curiously. The vampiress whimpered and stretched her arm impossibly more, her neat nails just barely skimming the orange-and-black beak of the pond-dweller. 

With an affronted honk, the swan chomped down on Seras’ fingers. 

“Aiiiiiieeeeeeeee!” she wailed, free arm flapping in duress and snapping the reed stalks in half. The swan clamped further down on her hand, mimicking her actions by flapping its wings angrily. “Master, Master, help me!” she sobbed, looking back at him with tearful eyes, only to find him cackling like a maniac on the bench. After some vigorous tugging, Seras yanked her hand out of the swan’s beak and shimmied up the shore, cradling her injured hand and sniffling. 

The swan, however, was not pleased with Seras’ retreat. Still honking and beating its wings, it charged up the small slope, nipping at her bottom as she ran around in circles trying to escape. Her pleads for aid fell on deaf ears, as Alucard was still howling with laughter, holding his belly with his other hand over his face. Curious passersby watched the grown woman flee from the irritated swan, her pigtails bouncing wildly as she jumped the bird’s snaps at her uniform skirt. 

“I’m sorry I disturbed your afternoon! Please, Mr. or Mrs. Swan, I beg you to leave me be!” 

The bird stopped chasing Seras, contented by her apology. The vampire trotted to a stop, hunching over slightly as she fought for breath. The swan ruffled its feathers haughtily before waddling back the pond, tail wiggling as it swam back to its comrade who had watched the entire exchange with interest. Once her assailant was a safe distance away, Seras sank down to her knees with her legs splayed out on either side of her, sobbing petulantly. 

“So mean… I thought swans were supposed to be regal, graceful creatures… It damn near took my hand off and then went for my bum!” she lamented, tipping back her head as tears of embarrassment and disappointment streamed down her cheeks. She heard the distinct crunch of boots on gravel and turned to see Alucard leering over her, arms crossed and smirking amusedly. 

“Now you see why I prefer the swans,” he joked. Seras pouted up at him and smacked his leg, making him chuckle with that deep, rumbling voice of his. “Oh, don’t be like that. It was quite entertaining.” 

“For you! I thought I was going to die!” 

“Seras, you’re an immortal. A swan can’t kill you.” 

“Are you kidding? That swan had murder in its eyes, I’m telling you!” she insisted, crossing her arms with a huff and looking back to the lake. The swan was now serenely gliding over to some young children throwing dried corn into the water as if it hadn’t just tried to take a bite out of Seras’ rump just a minute before. Seras’ bottom lip wobbled as her fantastical illusion of swans crumbled before her. “How can something so pretty be so cruel?” 

“I’m sure some ghouls could ask the same thing about you,” Alucard snorted. Seras’ back straightened like a rod, and a pink blush shot up from her neck to paint her face all the way to the roots of her hair. Alucard was gazing at the swans with a wry smile. “Some of the most beautiful things on Earth are some of the most deadly.” 

“Come now, Master… Don’t tease me…” Seras groaned, hanging her head as she anticipated the inevitable punchline. However, the tall vampire only leaned down to gently pat her atop the head; as his gloved fingers nestled into her fluffy blonde hair, she felt a shiver of excitement crawl through her body. She peered up at him through her lashes to find him smiling, a rare true smile that she seldom got to see. 

“Me, tease? I would never dream of it,” he hummed before turning and heading back to the bench. Seras picked herself up, brushed the first off her stockings and skirt, and trotted over to him as he settled himself back on the bench. He tipped his hat forward to block the harsh rays of the sun, just his crooked smile poking out from underneath the brim. As Seras sat down beside him, hands pressed between her thighs, she gave him a bashful smile. 

“Do you really think I’m like a swan, Master?” 

“I wouldn’t have said it if I hadn’t meant it,” Alucard replied in a low voice laced with drowsiness. He stifled a yawn before tilting his head, his glowing red eye twinkling at her among his shadowy mess of dark hair. “It rather reminded me of you, running around a building screaming and flapping your arms as you hunt down ghouls…” 

“Master! You’re so mean!” she gasped and slapped his shoulder while he laughed heartily. Seras slumped into the bench, cheeks puffed out in a pout and shoulders hunched as she watched the swans. Maybe they were kind of mean, but they really did look so pretty sailing over the water and shining in the sun. “I suppose there’s nothing wrong with being pretty and fierce,” she smiled with a satisfied wiggle. Alucard grunted in agreement, dozing off beside her. 

Similarly, Seras reclined against the hot wood of the bench and closed her eyes, enjoying the kiss of the sun against her pale, undead skin. Just as she was drifting off into sleep, she recalled a line from a play she had read in grade school. 

“Though she be but little, she is fierce,” she recited sleepily. Now that she thought about it, the line served as an appropriate motto for Seras. She had always been small, the underdog in many situations, but she had always maintained a determined ferocity— for better or for worse. Like a graceful swan circling the pond of life, she was ready to meet any and all perceived threats with undaunting intemperance. A smile spread across her face as the verse continued to echo in her head and she drifted into the pleasant twilight of half-sleep. 

Though she never would have imagined she would end up like this, a servant of the strongest vampire in the world, Seras couldn’t say she regretted her choice. Though she be but little, she was fierce, and she would face even the legions of Hell to protect this beautiful little space where they could safely doze in the sun, if only for a little while.

Enjoy this oneshot? Feel free to peruse my Table of Contents!

[gregorygerwitz]

hitchhiker’s guide to the shrike invasion

for Hauntober 2020. day ten: “forest”

In which Deke uses the jump drive and ends up with a stowaway.

"What do I have to do to get a little respect around here?"

"Deke, wait-!"

He'd felt the tug to his sleeve in the moments before the jump drive activated, and the weight of a whole extra person affecting the targeting system landed him on the opposite side of the room from where he wanted to be, and the day just got worse from there.

They hadn't gotten any better at controlling the jump over the short span of time they had to practice.

Deke stumbled when the dirt appeared under them but managed to stay upright, trembling with something close to relief that they managed to get as far as they did. There had been some doubt, when he pushed the button, that they'd even make it out of the temple itself, and he was quick to grab the walkie talkie from his other shoulder. "We did it! We're in the... forest? Thing? Is this a forest or a jungle?"

Meanwhile, Trevor was on the ground, trying to catch his breath while he squeezed his eyes shut. His landing, so to speak, had been less steady, and it was easier to just sit and get his bearings than to try to actively be a part of the conversation. If he tried to interrupt just then, he'd probably get yelled at, and he wasn't entirely sure he wouldn't deserve it.

"It looks like the quinjet is closer than Z1. We can guide you there if-"

There was the loud sound of footsteps coming from behind them, something that was almost like running and stomping, and it probably wouldn't be a good idea to stick around to find out what it was. Scrambling to shed the jump drive and get moving, they didn't manage to even speak into the walkie talkie again until they had turned around a corner. "We're not safe! Not alone!"

"To get to the quinjet, run west." Fitz's voice came through the walkie quickly, calm while conveying the seriousness of the situation. "It's not too far from you, and it's safer than being out in the open."

"What's west?"

Trevor moved quickly, grabbing the sleeve of Deke's jacket to tug him in the right direction and moving his hand to the other man's back to push him forward - the habit of putting himself between his friend and danger hadn't faded in the weeks since they'd been at the Lighthouse. "Toward the sun. Move."  

-

Dropping down onto the floor of the plane, Deke immediately looked around to make sure the space really was safe and empty before stepping out from under the opening above his head so that his accidental companion could drop in behind him. He stepped toward the front of the quinjet to look out the windows while he held up the walkie again, trying to get any sign of life or advice. “Bobo? Come in, Bobo?”

Trevor moved around to check a few things before stepping over to the cockpit and sliding into a seat, his shoulders setting into an unconsciously professional position. "As soon as I know exactly where we are, I can fly us back to the Lighthouse and help you clean up all of the tech and people you brought in."

There was a scoff from behind him, the other man on the small plane glancing over at him with a frown - some combination of fear and anxiety and anger that he couldn't keep contained. "I'm pretty sure that's the least of our worries, right now. Maybe we should be focusing on the literal alien invasion, Agent Kahn." He scowled before turning his attention back to the walkie in his hand. "Can anyone hear me? Hello?"

Shaking the walkie as if that could make it cooperate, he turned around again and watched while Trevor flipped a switch. When the throttle was pulled back...

Nothing happened.

"Shit."

"I know I'm still learning about what words mean, right now, but I've never heard that one used positively."

Trevor moved quickly, getting to his feet with a small scowl of his own and taking a deep breath. "Something's up with the quinjet. The most direct way to all of the components is outside, and it would be the easiest to see what's going on from out there."

"But," Deke cut in, stepping toward him with a pointed shake of his head. "We could be surrounded by zombies at any moment. If you go out there, unarmed, you'll die."

"Deke, I'm not trained to fix this kind of thing." There was a lingering moment of tense silence between them, and then: "But I would never let you go out there alone. And if neither of us is armed... we're either going to have to hope it's something that can be fixed from in here, or wait around for extract."

Opening his mouth to respond, he flinched and looked toward the front of the plane again when something hit the glass. That something was one of the very zombies they were running from in the first place, but he also had something in his hand, and the immediate fear quickly faded into something else. "That's the electro hydrostatic actuator."

"Is it... important?"

"It's what's keeping us from getting in the air, so I'd say so." Deke was nodding while he moved, looking around the small space to get the feel of the dimensions before kneeling down and pulling up a panel from the floor. "I know this is probably old news to you, but there's a reason the game was so accurate was because I stole a little bit more than old tech." He was already working, reconnecting wires in a different arrangement to fix the problem at hand. "Go back to the pilot's seat. You were always way better at flying in the game, anyway, and we need to be ready to go as soon as I'm done with this."

He glanced up in time to see the lingering hesitation in Trevor's eyes before he moved, going through what steps he could so they were ready for take off. "Just be careful. I think that leads outside, if you go deep enough."

Scoffing, Deke stopped working to look over at him, his frown more in annoyance and frustration than the fear it held, before. "And you suddenly care if I'm in danger? I thought I was just a mission to you. When did that change?"

"Are we really going to do this right now?" The SHIELD agent in the cockpit turned around enough in his seat to look back at him with a frown, taking a deep breath. "I'm pretty sure we can talk about this once our lives aren't in immediate danger."

There was a quiet moment while he focused on the wires again, only speaking up again when a hand shot up past them and grabbed his wrist. "Trevor, go, now!" He tried to tug his arm free, the grip only tightening around him until he took a deep breath and bit down hard on the fingers that had been all but holding him in place. Slamming the panel closed again, he pushed himself to his feet to scramble to the cockpit, the co-pilot's seat the furthest away from his near doom in the small space.

Neither of them spoke until they were safely in the air, the danger far enough below that Deke's trembling slowed and all but stopped while he watched the trees pass by under them. "I think... we're probably better off waiting to talk about anything until we know the zombie apocalypse is over."

( the flight was longer than either of them were really prepared for, and eventually, the not entirely uneasy silence between them had to break.

"How did you get the zombie to let go of you, anyway?"

"I bit him before he could bite me."

"God, you would not survive a horror movie." )