#picks her up off the floor and puts her back in all smug cause he knows he's won

[monty-glasses-roxy]

I dunno how long ago it was I was talking about it or if I ever did, but I was just thinking about the way some of the animatronics have unique ways of recharging separate to a recharge station.

Like I've had DJ and Roxy using special lamps for recharging for a while with recharge stations being a big risk to the systems, and this has developed a bit since then. Mostly just the reasoning behind why Roxy has it, and it's being given to a few other animatronics in Plex History stuff too. Then there's Chica with a biofuel stomach that converts all food consumed into a power source, and can be used with a recharge station (thanks @/phroggslayer!!) which is neat, even if I keep forgetting about it. Those were the only unique ones I had (I had something for the Minis but I don't remember it) but I've just had a thought.

Now, I don't have the game so I can't just wander around and have a look, but there's water in Gator Golf, right? What if the water has a current and Monty can charge via a fucking water wheel in his chest? Like a stomach hatch where it pops open while he's floating on his stomach like the gator he is and this wheel drops down so the current can turn it and generate power? Seems really inefficient ngl so maybe multiple wheels or something? I dunno I think that would be kinda cool but also kinda goofy???

An alternative could be that the water is electrified and whenever he goes in it, his body absorbs the power through the water. I feel like that would give him the side effect of slowly power draining some animatronics if he hugs them or something though which honestly could still be pretty fun?

Like, he can lie under the restoring lights with Roxy and DJ and cuddle with them (I'm thinking platonically but it doesn't really matter) to charge himself through them. They get to take an extra long nap because he's draining their power while they're getting it from the lights and they like their naps so they like this arrangement actually.

And then you could have Monty hugging Chica to drain from her while she eats, biofuel speed at maximum and they're testing whether or not Chica can eat faster than he can charge. That could be pretty funny. Some fun emotional stuff to look at too with him being unable to touch his friends without draining their energy, but if it's slow enough then it's probably not too big a deal. Even less of a big deal if he can turn it on and off at will.

The waterwheel thing is just so funny to me though??? It's like those cartoons where the robot opens their chest and there's a little hamster running on a wheel in there to power them lmao

But if he can drain power from electronics then he can grab your phone and drain it dry within a few seconds out of spite and I think he deserves that actually. Of course I'd let him be able to use the recharge station as well, but why would he choose to use that over floating around the Gator Golf water features?

[literaila]

he stole my valentine

gojo satoru x fem!reader

a/n: here. forgive me.

last part | next part

*

year two.

megumi is standing there awkwardly, holding something behind his back. his head is hung toward the floor, so you can't see his face, but you have no doubts about the pink twinging his skin. 

“what’s up, bud?” you ask him, shaking off your coat to hang on the rack. 

you’re unused to him being so tense around you. (seriously, you’d think after two years the kid would be a little comfortable around you and your never-ending affection for him). 

“i, um, i got—“ 

“oh, hey you’re here,” satoru peeks his head around the hallway, smiling brilliantly as soon as he sees you. “i think i broke the sink.” 

you blink. “what?” 

“i put some paper towels down there to wipe something up and i think they clogged it, or something.” 

“are you kidding?” 

“yes,” satoru says, but you don’t miss it when he turns briefly and mouths “no” to megumi. 

who only rolls his eyes in response. 

you don't say anything because satoru interrupts you with his smiling face before you can scold him. 

he wraps his arms around your torso, squishing you to him. because he’s clingy. “you’re cold,” he complains, his nose on your cheek. 

“i walked here.” 

“aww, did you miss us?” 

“not you,” you tell him, finally squirming away. “you interrupted megumi. what were you going to tell me?” 

“i—nothing.” 

you frown. “don’t let satoru stop you.” 

“yeah,” satoru smirks, “don’t let me stop you.” 

megumi flushes, but meets your eyes and tries to smile—looking like he’s in pain more than anything. then he pulls a little bear from behind his back, white and red. “happy valentine’s day,” he utters, holding it out to you. “will you be my valentine?”

satoru’s jaw drops, but you go over to the boy immediately, taking the bear and squeezing him to your side. 

“megs, of course i will! thank you,” you coo over him for a moment, pinching his cheeks in classic satoru fashion. “you’re so sweet. and this bear is so cute. i wouldn’t want anyone else as my valentine.”

a little part of your heart that you've let the boy into squeezes when his lip twitches, looking satisfied up at you. 

but satoru pulls the two of you apart, frowning at the boy. “this is not what we discussed.” 

megumi scowls, again, and pushes him away. “you snooze, you lose.” 

satoru’s eye twitches. 

you looked confusedly between the two of them. “what?” 

“we picked out two,” satoru tells megumi. “one for tsumiki, and one for—“ 

“you never said mine couldn’t be for her.” 

“‘cause i thought it was implied!” 

“what did he do?” 

megumi smiles at you. “i’ll go get tsumiki so you can give her yours,” he tells satoru, giving him a smug look before running away. 

“that little—“ 

“don’t name-call the children.” 

“he just stole my valentine!” 

“was this bear supposed to be for someone else?” you look down at it, frowning briefly. 

you will not get jealous of a tiny little stuffed animal. 

“no,” satoru snorts, with the grumpy face he must’ve learned from megumi on. “that brat picked it out.” 

“oh. then why are you mad?”

“he stole you,” he says it as if it's all encompanying and obvious. like you'd planned this beforehand. 

“he—“ you meet satoru’s eyes (glasses), brows raising in surprise. “oh. ha! as if, satoru.” 

he pouts. “you were supposed to be my valentine, not his.” 

you laugh. “he’s eight and he’s already more romantic than you are.” 

“i took him to buy the thing!” he complains. “he wanted to pick one out to give to tsumiki, and i wanted to pick one out to give to you.” 

“he probably got confused.” 

“he didn’t. he stole my valentine.” 

it would be lying to say you didn't find the possession--even the mere thought--a bit enticing. but you roll your eyes. 

“just by the way,” you tell him, finally walking into the house, where the kids sit at the kitchen counter, “i wouldn’t have taken yours.” 

“what do you mean you wouldn’t take mine—“ satoru follows you. “i picked it out for you. i got you a card!” 

not to mention the endless supply of flowers he replenishes for your house every week since he'd brought the first bouquet. the man literally teleports there every monday and throws away the drooping flowers, arranging a new--in-season--bouquet all under your nose. you're shocked when you walk into the dining room after work, and yet you can't quite find it in you to scold him for it (or tell him not to break into your house). 

really, it's the least he can do for all of the trouble he puts you through. 

“aw, i’m sorry, but i already have a valentine,” you tell him with fake sympathy. 

satoru glares at megumi. 

you go over to the boy, ruffling tsumiki’s hair in greeting, and cradling his face in your palm from behind. looking right at satoru. “just look how handsome he is,” you coo, leaning down to press your cheek against his. 

you are very aware that the only reason the boy is allowing this is to mess with satoru. 

“i taught him how to do his hair like that.” 

“and it’s so soft, and shiny…” 

tsumiki laughs at satoru’s offended face and you let megumi go, winking at the two of them. 

and then megumi coughs, pointedly at satoru. 

you and tsumiki share a look. 

a devious smile forms on satoru’s face as he turns around, grabbing something before spinning back with a flourish. “tsumiki,” he says, “miki, my darling girl,” he pulls another wear from behind his back, white and pink, and pleads, “you’re my favorite. will you be my valentine?” 

you raise your brow at the declaration, and tsumiki laughs, admiring the bear. and then she freezes, biting her lip. 

“what?” satoru asks. “you get offended by teddy bears? 

“no, it’s, um…” you both frown and look at each other. “sorry, gojo, but i already have a valentine.” 

cue satoru’s jaw dropping for the third time today. 

you can't hold back a laugh and megumi smiles victoriously at his sister. 

she smiles at satoru, sheepishly, patting his hand. “it's sota, from school.” you grin at her. “and i thought you were going to ask y/n.” 

satoru groans and falls against the counter. “hated by everyone in my family,” he whines, “i work so hard to provide, i plan the perfect valentine’s day—“ 

“i don’t think buying a stuffed animal counts as ‘planning.’” 

“and it’s all for nothing. no one loves me.” 

megumi goes to take the bear from satoru, and the man doesn’t even fight back, just lets the boy take it with no argument, probably not even noticing when it’s gone. 

you laugh at him, again. 

tsumiki pokes him, getting satoru to look at her. “there’s always next year,” she says, trying to be encouraging. 

satoru bangs his head against the counter again, and megumi slithers over to you, holding the bear out. 

“here, i got you two.” 

“megumi!” you say, mock surprised. “you have excellent taste.” 

satoru is going to have a concussion by the end of this night. 

* 

it’s several hours later when you’re tidying up the living room that you catch him. 

“satoru,” you glower, threatening. “don’t touch the ‘gumi bears.” 

he blinks. “are you kidding?” he makes a distasteful face. “‘gumi bears?”

tsumiki giggles from where she’s putting books on a shelf, and megumi turns from dusting the blinds, his brows furrowed. 

“it’s cute,” you tell satoru, shooing his hands away. “i don’t trust you with them.”

“why not?” satoru asks you, fluttering his eyelashes. the picture of innocence. “i’m only going to go burn them outside.” 

“no!” tsumiki says, running over to the couch to block him from them. 

“we won’t let you, satoru,” you say, hands wrapping around the little girl's arms. “you’re just a cynic.”

he pouts. “i’m being punished for my kindness.” 

and then there’s a tap on your waist. you look down at megumi, with his frown. 

“what?” 

“‘gumi bears?” 

“do you like it?” you ask him, teasing. “me and tsumiki came up with it.” 

he looks between you and his glowing sister—literally, her widest, most precious smile on—and finally sighs. 

“yeah,” he murmurs. though it sounds like a struggle to get the word out. “i like it.”

“‘gumi!” tsumiki squeals, tackling him onto the couch in a hug, giggling when he goes stiff but doesn’t fight her back. 

satoru taps your hand, and you turn to him with your brow raised. he does not say anything, just hums while smiling at you. 

“what?” you ask, amused. 

and then you turn to catch his hand trying to strangle the bears, and you tackle him onto the couch. 

but satoru, unlike megumi, acts like that was his plan all along, squeezing you into a hug you can't break away from. 

*

next part | series masterlist.

[skzfairyy]

6:15pm

Pairings: Han Jisung x reader!

Genre: fluff

Warnings: smug Jisung and the cutest cuddle in the world 🤭

Wc: 826 words

AN: Jisung in this one is just too adorable 🥹 Enjoy!! - Y2K

“Baby?!” Jisung’s voice hollers through the entryway.

A groan is heard from somewhere inside the apartment, causing Jisung to smile. He’s quick to remove his sneakers and tries his best to not sprint down the hallway toward Y/N’s bedroom. 

It’s been two weeks since the couple had last seen each other. With Jisung’s hectic schedule and Y/N’s job requiring her to travel more often than she wanted, they were finding it hard to meet up with one another. When Y/N’s job canceled her company trip at the last minute, Jisung was the first person to know. He had a light load of work to do today, and he, as well as a couple of other members, had the weekend off. The other members had originally planned to spend the day together, but Jisung had to decline, the overwhelming feeling of excitement to see his girlfriend was too much to push aside.

The brunette boy appears in Y/N’s doorway with a big smile, gray hoodie and black joggers fitting loosely over his toned body. His eyes land on the bed, Y/N’s body tangled in the sheets as her head lifts up briefly, sensing her boyfriend’s presence at the door. 

“You're sleeping?” He whines as he enters the bedroom, climbing onto the bed and over her body. Y/N’s whiney protests don't phase him at all. Instead, he kisses her pouting lips gently.

“I thought I had more time to nap before you got here…” Y/N’s voice is scratchy, finally beginning to wake up. Jisung gives her no personal space as he nuzzles his face in the crook of her neck, murmuring against her skin.

“I finished early. Had to come see my baby and tell you all about my day.” 

“Mm, what about your day?” Her hand moves to rub his back affectionately. Their voices are soft now, savoring this much-needed time together, relaxed and comfortable in each other’s presence.

Jisung rolls his body off of hers, settling on the other side of the bed beside Y/N. He rests his head on his palm as he looks at her. 

“We wrote some new stuff and recorded some guides. Minho hyung was teaching us the choreography for our new song-”

“Maniac right?”

He nods his head at her response before continuing. “And It was pretty easy. Seungmin kept saying it was because I’m an ace or whatever…” he shrugs nonchalantly, though his tone indicated how smug he really felt.

“Oh, an ace huh?” Y/N teased with a smirk.

“Why’d you say it like that? You know Stay even calls me an ace!” He glares at her playfully, making Y/N release a giggle of her own.

“I know you’re good at everything baby, I was just teasing you.” Y/N wraps her arms around his neck and pulls his body close to her.

Jisung’s entire argument he prepared in his head disappeared the moment she touched him. Usually, Y/N will tease him a bit longer, but the sudden affection isn't unappreciated. Y/N’s always been the most comfortable with Jisung around, so he knew their time apart was hard for her just as much as it was for him. 

“I’m basically a prodigy babe, you’re really lucky to have me as a boyfriend.” He says over her shoulder, causing her to laugh before pulling away. 

“Oh, of course. I can’t believe I ever considered dating Song Mingi when you were right here the whole time!” Y/N says casually as Jisung pauses and frowns at her.

“Mingi asked you out? And you chose me?” His face held a look of confusion that only caused Y/N to laugh once more.

“Will you stop putting yourself down? No, he never asked me out, I was just messing with you. But if he did, of course, I’d still pick you, dummy.” Y/N smacks his shoulder lightly as Jisung sends her an embarrassed smile.

“I’m just saying if he did-” Jisung counters, but Y/N’s hand covers his mouth before he can continue.

“If you continue to talk down about yourself when we haven't seen each other in two weeks, you’ll be sleeping on the floor tonight.” Her tone now leaves no room for jokes.

“Not even the couch?” His muffled voice comes through her hand.

“The floor, Jisung.”

He kisses her palm lightly before removing it and taking her hand in his. “Okay fine, what do we want for dinner?” Y/N smiles at the subject change before thinking to herself.

“Can we finish my nap, and then figure out food? I wanna just lay here with you for a while.” Y/N scoots into his chest as she speaks, Jisung welcomes her into his space before wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Okay, Jagi let's sleep.” He kisses the top of her head lightly before closing his own eyes, relishing in the warmth of her body against his.

masterlist

[xmads-omensx]

CHAPTER 3 - I'M THE ONLY FUTURE YOU'VE GOT

Word Count: 5,482 Content warnings: Swearing, angst, weapons, enemies to lovers, kidnapping, blood, fighting, mentions of a strip club type location, semi-nudity, violence, mentions of death, murder, mentions of torture but no actual torture Tag List: @dominuslunae

NOAH

“Get ready to run, princess.” I said menacingly.

Vania turned away from me and began running up the last three set of stairs. I waited the agreed twenty seconds, which were the longest twenty seconds of my life, then began to run after her, making light work of the stairs as I ascended them.

When I was approaching the last set of stairs, loud footsteps boomed behind me. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Alarm bells rang in my head. Fuck. Was Vania okay?

Before I had the chance to speed up and bound up the last set of stairs, a hand forcefully grasped the back of my tank top, pulling me backwards and causing me to land ungracefully on my ass with a loud thump.

Groaning, I looked up to see the one and only JT Cavey smirking down at me. Before I had a chance to react, he brought his heavy boot up and kicked me right in the face.

Pain shot through my skull as my ears rang. The smell of blood filled my nostrils as I brought my hand up to my face, only to be greeted with slick, red blood coating my hand.

Standing up, I pulled my right fist back and swung it right into JT’s smug face. The impact made him spit blood. Smirking to myself, I took a step back and readied my next attack. I installed electric gorilla arms a couple months back and hadn’t yet had the chance to put them to the test. A hum of electricity filled the stairwell as JT recovered from my punch. He turned to face me but I was quicker. I landed my fist right into his stomach. Electricity flowed through his body as he flew up the stairs. A crack echoed when he landed.

When he stood back up he grinned at me. Fucking grinned at me. Like what I had just done hadn’t affected him in the slightest. Then I knew why. His eyes flickered with an electrical current as his head cocked to one side. He had absorbed the shock. Fuck.

Before I could even register what was happening, JT grappled me and I fell to the floor. Pain shot up my spine as I cried out. Faster that lightning, JT stood up and picked me up by the straps of my tank top. He then proceeded to pick me up and throw me like a ragdoll. Fuck, he must have got some crazy upgrades since the last time I saw him.

I bounced off of the wall and landed on the stairs below. Agony shot through my body as I groaned in pain. JT just chuckled and turned and continued up the stairs.

Vania.

She was in danger.

I made to stand up to run after JT, but fell right back to the ground. The stairwell spun round me. The bright, white lights disoriented me even further.

I couldn’t move. I was helpless. Worse, I couldn’t help her.

If anything happened to her, it was on me. I was supposed to be the one protecting her. I failed her. Fuck.

Footsteps descended the stairs. I was still unable to stand. I looked up and saw JT smirking at me yet again, but this time with a limp Vania in his arms. Yep. Fuck was definitely the right word. I made a move to grab his ankle and trip him, but he noticed. My arm erupted in pain as he stomped his boot back down onto my hand. I screamed in agony, but to no avail.

“It’s no use screaming, Noah.” JT smugly laughed. “I killed that couple upstairs. No one else in this building will help a low-life like you, idiot.”

And with that, he whisked Vania away from me.

I managed to crawl over to the elevator and press the button to go back down, but it wasn’t working. Fucker really thought of everything, huh?

Sighing, I began to crawl my way back down the stairs. They seemed to go on forever. I felt like I wasn’t making any progress at all as I made my descent. I was in some form of purgatory. Everything looked the same. The same bright, white lights. The same white walls. The same white, marble stairs. The same sterile environment until I reached the bottom. I threw myself onto the floor after reaching the bottom step. It felt like heaven.

Hands reached under my armpits and pulled me up. Arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me forward. I was far too out of it to pinpoint who exactly had grabbed me. I was placed into some sort of vehicle. Then everything faded to black.

My head pounded as I tried to open my eyes. The dim red glow of the LEDs that illuminated my room comforted me. They were the like the ones I had in my room. Sitting up slowly and rubbing my eyes, I now had a chance to survey my surroundings. I was in my room. Great.

I moved to pull the covers from off of my legs and get out of bed, but my entire body screamed at me in protest. I ignored it and pushed through the pain.

I slowly dragged my body to the door of my room, before heading to the room at the end of the hall to try and see if I could find where the others were at. With Folio and now myself injured, this job was going to take a significantly longer time.

I was greeted by all the rest of the OMNS crew gathered around the table. It was good to see Folio on his feet, albeit that he was standing very tentatively.

“you should be in bed.” Matt scolded without looking up from the map.

“Whatever.” I replied. “What are you guys looking at?” I gestured towards the map in the centre of the table.

“Possible locations JT could have taken V to. We have narrowed it down to……” Matt’s voice trailed off as a sense of realisation washed over me. Holy shit. JT had taken Vania. I failed.

In a fit of rage, I turned and kicked a chair that sat nearby. It bounced off of the wall with a loud bang. None of the  guys flinched. This wasn’t the first time I had done that. The chair wasn’t supposed to be sat where it was, but it kind of became custom for it to be there considering how often I resorted to kicking it.

“Dude relax. We’re getting her back. Besides, it’s not like you really liked her anyway. If she short-circuits, more credits for us.” Jolly added with a scoff.

“Fuck you!” I screamed at him. “Sure she’s not my favourite person in the world, but we are stuck with her. She is one of us. She’s family now.” Silence fell upon everyone as the new gravity of the  situation sunk in. Whether she liked it or not, Vania was part of OMNS. She was family.

Regardless of how much she irritated the fuck out of me, she made me feel… I don’t know… different. I couldn’t shake her from my brain. Since I first met her six months ago when her old crew stole a job from under my feet.

SIX MONTHS AGO

OMNS was initially offered a job to go and take down the leader of Thousand Below, a much grittier crew that was causing issues with shipments of upgrade deliveries in the Underground. They were stealing deliveries and killing the guys who were making the drops. Generally causing chaos in the formerly smoothly running Underground.

We went to meet our job fixer, Ash, at Poppy’s but he was nowhere to be seen. We looked around the entire bar, but we couldn’t find him anywhere. Our attention was swiftly drawn to a large group of people in the booth in the far left corner. There, sat a well-built, man with long blonde hair pulled up into a low bun wearing a suit, who I would later come to know as Karius.

Next to him, on his left, sat a man with short darker blonde hair with a beard, tattoos covering his arms. He adorned a lot of cyberware that looked gnarly. It wasn’t done well, and his frequent twitches gave that away. The man looked like he was on the brink of going full-on cyberpsycho. I would later find out his name was Steven.

Next to Steven, sat a taller girl. She had dark hair with blonde pieces in the front. She had modified eye optic upgrades that glowed yellow in the darkness of the bar. She was called Alana. She had tattoos mainly on her legs. I couldn’t tell If she had any one her arms due to the leather jacket she wore. Her legs had clearly been upgraded. God she would have been fast. You would never be able to outrun her.

Opposite them sat tow figures, the one closest to the wall was a man with long dark hair, with two lighter parts be his ears. Much like the others, he also had tattoos covering most of his body. He wore dark sunglasses that covered his eyes. He must have an illegal upgrade, I thought to  myself. That was the only reason I could think of that would mean he would be wearing sunglasses inside the bar, especially one as dark as Poppy’s. Folio had told me that his name was Davis. He was the crew leader.

The last person sat at the booth was a woman. She was much shorter than the others. Her large black jacket engulfed her and I could barely make her out. Her pale blue eyes glowed brightly in the darkness that surrounded her. Those eyes were green now. She had long pink and black hair that was tied up out of her face into two high pigtails. Two strands hung down and framed her face perfectly. Her pale skin was smooth, save for the parts that had been modified by upgrades, which were perfectly fitted together like a jigsaw. Her cyberware wasn’t visible because of her jacket. All I could see was her optic upgrades. Since then, she had gotten Lynx Paws installed. She was beautiful. As soon as I heard her name, I knew it would plague me for the rest of my life. Vania.

We could hear them talking as Karius wasn’t exactly known for being quiet. His loud, booming voice carried over to where we stood about fifteen feet away. It was a surprise he was never caught. But then again, no one in Poppy’s would rat him out as there was always the risk that they would be caught themselves.

“They are messing with deliveries in the Underground.” Karius explained to the crew sat opposite him.

“So what, we take them out?” Davis questioned.

��Yeah. Thousand Below shouldn’t be hard to take out. They are relatively weak and have little manpower, but god they are sneaky.” Karius answered.

“Anything else we need to know about?” Alana asked, looking bored of the conversation.

“Nope. That’s about it.” Karius replied after thinking for a second.

That was our job. Our fucking job.

I stormed over to the booth without a care in the world. I was enraged. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I demanded.

“None of your fucking business.” Steven snarled.

Vania rolled her eyes at me.

“That’s our fucking job!” I yelled in frustration.

“Not anymore pretty boy.” Alana smirked at me. Vania laughed. It was an intoxicating laugh that consumed my being. Bitch.

“Who are you anyway?” Davis questioned, leaning back in his seat and looking me up and down.

“Noah. I’m the leader of OMNS.” I replied. Also eyeing him up and down.

Karius burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny asshole?” I demanded.

“Ash gave you the job?” He grinned.

“Yeah. Why?” I asked bluntly.

“Ash is… let’s say… not working anymore. The job belongs to The Outsiders. Nothing you, or anyone else, can do about it.” He smirked.

“What do you mean Ash isn’t working anymore?” I asked.

“Asshole short circuited about two days ago. ERRA got him. It was only a matter of time anyway.” Vania finally spoke up. Her voice piercing my soul.

“What?” Nick then spoke up from next to me.

“Yeah dude. He’s gone.” Davis spoke.

Vania laughed at me. She fucking laughed at me.

“Something funny, Princess?” I sneered at her.

“No.” She shook her head rapidly.

“Then why are you laughing?” I angrily snapped.

Her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for a breath. She tried and failed to find the words that she needed to recover from what was happening.

Satisfied, I turned and walked away. The door to leave Poppy’s creeping closer and closer. Suddenly, I felt a small hand grip the bottom of my bicep. I turned around to be greeted by that pink-haired beauty who had just shoved red hot pokers not my chest.

“I’m sorry about your friend. I tend to laugh when I shouldn’t. Tension isn’t really my jam.” She giggled. To her credit, she did seem genuinely sincere in her apology, but I was angry. My friend was dead, and she laughed.

“Yeah, well, work on your timing, princess.” I huffed out before turning my back on her.

“Wait.” She called, grabbing my arm again. “I’m being serious. I don’t want to start shit.”

“Okay. What do you want?” I said bluntly.

“I don’t know. A truce? A start-over?” She suggested.

“Fine.” I agreed. “Let’s start over.” I stuck my hand out towards her. “I’m Noah.”

She grasped my hand in her much smaller one. “Vania.” She replied with a smirk.

 In that moment I knew, She was going to ruin my fucking life. And I was going to let her.

PRESENT

“Noah, seriously dude you need to chill.” Matt spoke calmly. “We will never find her with you flying off the fucking handle.”

He had a point.

“Okay. Okay.” I sighed.

“We don’t think JT took her back to ERRA HQ. It’s far too obvious, and besides, this doesn’t really seem like ERRA’s style.” Bryan explained.

“The going theory is that JT took her to a different location. One that isn’t connected to ERRA at all.” Matt continued.

“Cameras show JT taking her out the back door. Why we didn’t think of that earlier, I have no clue.” Nick glared at Matt. “Then he takes her and puts her in a purple car. Then we lost him.”

Matt pulled up the footage Nick was talking about. It showed a slightly bruised JT carrying an unconscious Vania over his shoulder and lifting her into a purple car that looked similar to my own. The footage followed the car for a couple of minutes before it vanished underneath a bridge and didn’t seem to come out the other side.

“So what, we just need to figure out what’s under the bridge and follow him?” I asked in a slightly frustrated tone.

“Well, that’s the idea. The only problem is that there are like three different entrances into the Underground under that bridge, and who knows what else is down there, let alone which tunnel he took.” Matt replied.

“Then I suggested we get to it. And fast. We can’t waste anymore time. We need to get her back asap so we can get into that party next week.” I snarled.

“Noah, I’m not too sure that you’re in the position to come with us. You’re pretty beat up.” Nick interjected.

Nick had been by best friend since we were young. He was practically my brother. But regardless, he worried too much, and usually for good reason. But reason isn’t exactly in my vocabulary and I needed to get Vania back. I need that one million credits as much as she does.

“Nick. I’m fine. Just a bit bruised.” I replied.

“Fine. But it’s on you if you fuck up because you’re in too much pain.” He caved. He knew not to fight me on this. I was far too stubborn.

“Alright.” Matt sighed after a beat of silence. “Let’s go get our girl back.”

The drive to the bridge was silent. Tension consumed the air around us as we drove. I felt like such a failure. How did I not notice that we were being followed? JT was hardly the sneakiest guy out there. Fuck. He must have been planning this for a while. But how did he know that we would be in the Martinez’s building? He must have been stalking us. But then ERRA would have taken us all out by now. Unless… JT wasn’t working with ERRA on this.

He was alone.

This was either absolutely brilliant news, or the worst thing that could possibly happen.

If JT was alone, he would be significantly more unpredictable. We had no intel on him. No tabs on his movements. We had nothing. He had everything.

I rested my head back onto the  window as it swam with the worst potential outcomes of what could have happened to Vania. Was she even still alive?

I started to regret the way that I had been treating her.

Had I been too mean?

Was the start-over worth it?

Did we really even start over?

The longer I sat and thought about everything I had ever said to her, the anger and rage also crept in. She was infuriating. Why did she never listen? Why was she so abrasive? Did she hate me? What did I do to her?

“Noah, dude. You good?” Matt called into the back, looking into the rear-view mirror.

“Yeah, I’m good.” I replied with a sigh. Knowing full well that I had not convinced him. “Just enjoying the peace of mind I’m getting before Vania comes back and kills it.”

“Noah. You are the one who pushed this rescue mission. What the fuck is going on with you?” Jolly asked.

Frowning, I shook my head. “Nothing. Just remembered how infuriating she is. That’s all.” I replied.

The guys responded with a mix of eye-rolls and sighs. They didn’t get it. Vania knew what she did. I didn’t need to justify my distaste for her to them.

“Okay guys. Cut that shit out. We’re here.” Matt sighed from his position in the passenger seat.

A small metal door embedded into the wall of the tunnel came into my view. It was relatively difficult to spot if you weren’t looking for it. If you were trying to hide, this would be the place to do just that. The Underground.

The Underground was home to every single illegal implant you could dream of. Most of us in this line of work went here to get our upgrades installed, simply because it was all off the books. No traces left behind. You didn’t have an identity here. You were just credits in the eyes of the many Installers who made a living giving people upgrades. Sure, it was risky getting one to install your shit well, but if you were willing to pay, you would be fine.

Jolly approached the door, and opened it slowly, emitting a loud creak as he did so. He would be taking the first entrance and would start the search for Vania here.

Nick was next. The second door was a ten minute walk from the first one, and was identical to the first.

“Wish me luck asshole.” He laughed as he opened the metal door.

“You don’t need it.” I replied with a grin.

“See you on the other side then.” He replied with a mock salute before entering the door and closing it  behind him with a loud bang.

The third door was another ten minute walk from the second one. I took a shaky breath before gripping the handle and pulling it towards me. The door opened with a loud creak. Luckily the cars passing overhead drowned it out. This really was the perfect place to disappear. We were greeted with a long, dark hallway that was illuminated by dim, flickering lights that hung precariously from the ceiling. The hallway was dirty and smelled like sewage. Sadly, this was the same for all three entrances. The less appealing it seemed, the less unwanted people coming in.

My footsteps echoed off of the narrow corridor as I ventured further into the darkness. The only thing I could think about was finding Vania in one piece. As much as I hated her, I didn’t exactly want her to be suffering. She’s human too. She doesn’t deserve that. As much as she hurt me, I didn’t want her to hurt more than I had.

Realisation dawned on me as I realised that if I found her, then it would be the first time we had been alone together since what happened between us. Obviously we were somewhat alone back at the house, but the rest of the guys were still nearby. We would have no one around but each other. Was that good? Probably not, knowing Vania.

I couldn’t let myself be distracted with anything other than finding her. Not now. Not when she was still missing. Not when she could be being tortured. God. This was all my fault.

 I was so completely lost in my own head that I didn’t notice that I had reached the end of the corridor and was now standing in front of the final door that stood between myself and the Underground.

This door was identical to the one at the other end of the corridor. However, the only difference was the small letterbox-shaped opening that sat about eye-level in the metal. I knocked on the door and the flap quickly lifted up.

“Name.” A voice demanded as two orange eyes glared through.

“Noah Sebastian.” I replied with urgency.

“Crew.” The voice demanded yet again.

“OMNS.” I answered flatly.

There was a beat of silence before the flap snapped shut and the door opened slowly. Noise filled my ears as I stepped through the entrance to the Underground. Music and singing blared loudly from the festivities that always seemed to be happening down here. There was always a part. Always some sort of festival.

Lights in various colours illuminated the space. Various garage doors lined the walls, some open some closed, which were home to the installers who surgically implanted upgrades. The floor was covered in an array of stalls and cars which other people were selling upgrades and implants out of.

The throng of the crowd pushed and pulled me in different directions as I tried to keep my eyes peeled for any possible places JT could have taken Vania to, or any potentially useful intel on their whereabouts. My eyes caught sight of a girl with black and pink hair. She was on the shorter side, and had her hair pulled into two high pig tails, her black jacket almost completely engulfed her as she fought her way trough the crowd. My heart leaped out of my chest as it started rapidly racing at an inhuman pace. That’s her.

I pushed my way through the crowd towards Vania. I reached out my arm and tried to grasp her shoulder, but missed by a hair. Fuck. I was so close. I picked up my pace as I fought forwards through the bustle of people towards the building in the middle of the cave that the Underground was situated inside.

Gaining closer yet again, I reached out to her. My large hand grasped onto her small shoulder, but something felt off. She whipped around, whipping me across the face with her hair.

“What the fuck are you doing!” The woman screeched. Too high pitched and nasally to be Vania.

I looked at her, my shoulders dropping in defeat when I saw black eyes instead of Vania’s enchanting green ones. It wasn’t her.

“What the fuck is your problem!” she screeched again.

“Sorry I thought you were someone else.” I replied, trying to regain my thoughts.

“Fuck you asshole! Don’t touch me freak.” She snarled before stalking towards the large building in front of us.

I looked in the direction she had walked in and beheld said building in front of where I was stood. The sign on its roof read The Drain, it was similar to Poppy’s in the sense that it was an escape for us criminal low-lifers, but much larger. I had been to The Drain only once before, I met Ash for a job there about a year ago. That was when I had first heard about Davis. One of Vania’s old crew members.

ONE YEAR AGO

The Drain was dimly lit, even more dim than Poppy’s. I could still make out where Ash was sat, mainly because of his glowing yellow eyes that always seemed too bright. He was sat by the bar which stood in the centre of the large space. He raised his hand in greeting as I walked towards him.

”Hey man, long time no see.” Ash greeted with his signature smile covering his face.

“Yeah it has been a while hasn’t it.” I laughed in reply.

“Yeah. Look, as much as I would love to sit here and catch up with you, I have a job.” He laughed back.

“Okay, what’s up?” I asked.

“You know Oli, from HORIZN right?” Ash began. “He has recently gotten himself into a bit of trouble with a guy called Davis. You know him?”

“No I haven’t heard of him before.” I replied with a shake of my head.

“He’s the dude with that illegal Sandevistan isn’t he?” Folio answered.

“Yeah exactly! Have you met him?” Ash responded.

“No, I’ve just heard stories. That dude is lethal. Plus that chick he hangs with is scary.” Folio replied.

“Yeah, she’s nuts. No one knows anything about her. Not even what she looks like.” Ash replied with slight disbelief in his voice.

“So what’s the job?” I interjected.

“Oli needs backup with getting Davis to fuck off essentially.” Ash replied. “He needs you guys to work his club, Kingslayer, and act as bodyguards for the night.”

“So what do grunt work?” I scoffed.

“Kind of. Basically, if Davis shows up at the club, get him to stay away. Beat the crap out of him. Scare him off.”

“What’s the pay?” Nick piped up.

“Two grand each, plus a month of free drinks at Kingslayer.” Ash replied.

“Sounds good.” I answered.

We showed up at Kingslayer that night, but Davis never showed. No one saw him at Kingslayer or anywhere near any of the guys in HORIZN ever again. We all thought he had died until we saw him again in Poppy’s six months ago.

PRESENT

The interior of The Drain looked exactly the same as it had a year ago. Sure, I had been to the Underground since then, but I hadn’t been back to The Drain. It was busy. Much like Poppy’s there was a stage against the right hand wall with cyborg women dancing up there. Men and some women had gathered around and were sitting on the stools placed next to the railing watching the girls on the stage.

The LED lights were bright enough to see what was around you, but faces were hard to make out, which was precisely the point of a place like The Drain. You came here to escape what you still couldn’t escape from in a bar like Poppy’s.

I looked around carefully, trying to make out JT or Vania herself. It was times like this when I wished that I had invested in some optic implants, but the idea of my eyes being removed and replaced always freaked me out.

I couldn’t make out either of them at the bar or in any of the booths. I was just about to leave to search somewhere else when a flash or pink hair caught my eye. On the stage dancing alongside three other women, wearing a tiny black lingerie set, was Vania. Her hair cascaded down her back and over her shoulders. Her eyes locked onto mine as her hips swayed from side to side. I had never seen her so vulnerable like this.

I moved towards the railing by the stage, not breaking eye-contact with her. She subtly shook her head and tipped it in the direction of the backstage area. Peeking round the curtain was JT. He was staring at her with no indication of stopping. He really was torturing her, just not in the way I has pictured. Luckily for me, he hadn’t seen me yet, so I still had time to come up with a plan before he noticed me.

I didn’t have enough time to call the guys for backup, and besides, that would draw too much unwanted attention if all of the guys showed up. Fuck.

Vania, luckily, hadn’t given me away as she continued to dance around the pole on the stage. Rage flooded my veins as I looked at all of the men watching her. Like she was an object. God, JT really was torturing her.

Looking further around the bar, I tried to come up with a plan. She couldn’t run through the backstage as JT would be there to grab her. The only option we had was for her to just jump towards me over the railing, so we could make a run for it. However, JT probably had a gun on him. And the railing was too far to jump from the stage, she would have to jump off of the stage onto the floor, and then jump over the railing. But that would give JT, or the security guards pacing the floor between the stage and the rail, enough time to grab her. Ut that was our only chance.

I stalked towards the railing as fear consumed Vania’s green eyes. I tried to blend in and seem like I was just watching the show in front of me, which a part of me was enjoying, but I would never admit that to anyone.

By the time I felt I was blended in enough, twenty minutes had past. I mouthed jump at Vania. She shook her head. Trust me, jump. I’ve got you, I mouthed at her again. She glanced over at JT then back at me. Still dancing. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion as Vania threw herself towards me. Thank god for her Lynx Paws, which I had forgotten she had, as she easily cleared the railing and landed in my arms. I put her down and told her to run.

With a hand gripping her forearm, we sped out of The Drain as gunfire tore through the bar from backstage. JT was trying to shoot us.

“Noah!” A dep voice called out to me. It was Jolly. I pushed Vania towards him as I began shooting back at JT and the security that had followed us out of the bar. Looks like we wouldn’t be showing our faces here again.

“Noah come on!” Vania’s angelic voice filled my ears.

“Go!” I yelled. “I’m right behind you! Go!”

Jolly grabbed her arm and pulled her after him.

Pain erupted in my shoulder as I ducked behind a stall to my left. I had been hit. Fucking JT. I peeked over the top of the stall and saw JT aiming his gun back at me. I hastily re-loaded my own gun and began to return fire at him. I got his bicep which made him briefly drop his guard. I took that chance to release another two shots, getting his knees. He fell to the ground with a grunt of pain.

I jumped out from behind the stall and ran over to him, shooting him in the stomach. I was going to kill this fucker.

I knelt above him after kicking away his gun and pressed my knee to his chest.

“What the fuck did you do to her!” I roared.

“What she deserved.” He choked out. Blood spurting from his lips.

“Why!” I demanded.

He didn’t reply. He only smirked.

“Answer me fucker!” I screamed, pressing my gun to his head.

“She’ll get what’s coming to her.” JT choked out with a strangled laugh.

“For what!” I demanded.

“It’s her fault. She ruined everything.” He said. He spit his blood in my face.

“Talk some sense you fucking idiot!” I demanded.

“V.A.N.” He spluttered. “Ask her about that. I’m sure she would just love to tell you all about it.”

“Go fuck yourself.” I roared. “If she wants me to know she would have fucking told me asshole.”

“You’re gonna regret not asking her fucker.” JT muttered before his eyes glossed over and his breathing stopped.

He was dead.

Chapter 4 Anything > Human Masterlist Main Masterlist

[hypocriticalspicewrites]

🦇Just some Fruitbats thoughts...🍒

Thinking about how the boys wouldn't be able to keep their hands off of Chrysta while she's pregnant 🙈

🦇Marko is setting stuff on her baby bump when it's big enough. Just to tease her. For example, if she's lying down, he'll put some takeout on her belly while he looks for his chopsticks or fork. Or he sets his funnelcakes on her bump so he can win her a prize from one of the games at the boardwalk.

🍒All of them completely twitterpated during her times when she was still human in pregnancy and going ham on some strawberries and watermelon, staining her blouse and mouth in red juice that looked slightly similar to blood.

🦇David is crazy about her in maternity jeans. He loves them in her just as much as he would on the floor of the cave-

🍒Dwayne offers her massages when her feet hurt and feel swollen, or her back hurts from standing too much.

🦇Those little moments when she has that glow, they're all completely SMITTEN. 🥺

🍒Helping her take showers since she can't reach her back or legs anymore. (Bonus points if while they're crouched or on their knees, they give her belly a kiss AUGH)

🦇Dwayne all over her pretty little stretch marks and extra chub, he thinks her mama body suits her beautifully...

🍒Paul having full blown conversations with her belly for some pillow talk or just spending a night in with his mate. Not talking to her. Her belly. He is going on a rant and feels a kick to his head or hand and be like, "THATS WHAT IM SAYING!"

🦇Marko is trying to make her giggle cause he likes the way her body bounces with her laughter - he just thinks it's darling.

🍒David thinks he is the shit cause he got her pregnant twice. Man is still smug about it to this day.

🦇Dwayne likes singing or humming songs his mother had used to sing him, rocking Chrysta in his arms or later on, covered in a bunch of sleeping baby vampires. 🥺

🍒She's not very tall, and if the boys (mostly Dwayne and Paul) hold stuff she needs over her head, she can't reach it- she can't even hop with the extra weight and how stubby she feels. 😭

🦇But their not as bad as David. At least they give it back to her. No, David will drop it on the floor and watch her struggle to pick it up, just so he can get a good look at her ass. Marko does the same, except he tries to get a peek at her bewbs. 👀

🍒LATE DAY ADVENTURES TO THE STORE FOR CRAVINGS FOOD WITH THE EMERSONS 🙏

🦇Both David and Dwayne LOVE pregnancy sex, but both for VERY different reasons. 👁👁

🍒Mannnny nights spent trying to convince their girl who is in hysterics that she isn't fat now that she can't fit into her size 3 jeans. 🤦‍♀️

🦇"Can I touch your boobs?" "No." "Can I suck ur titties?" "No." "Can I have some milk?" "No." "Can I touch yo-" "YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET SMACKED WITH THIS PUMP IF YOU KEEP ASKING"

🍒Baordwalk nights don't last long. Cause half the time, she's smelling booze or cigarette smoke and finding the nearest bathroom or trashcan. She cannot STOMACH strong smells - including blood. So, no kisses for the boys until they've cleaned up.

🦇Just touching her when she has hot flashes. They're naturally pretty cold dudes, so they just put a hand on her back or tummy and rub soothing circles till it'd over, or fan her.

🍒She will forever hate Dwayne and Paul for having so much hair and making her go through 9 months of heartburn TWICE/j

... Did give her super cute babies with a bunch of hair, tho.

🦇Omg if they could appear on film, they'd do sooo many stupid/funny maternity photos of her. The only one they have is snapped by Lucy, when she was still human, and doing some laundry at the Emersons, and she could barely fit through the doorway due to her tummy. 🩷

[inkedeye2345]

Got on the wrong foot pt.1

Rise Leo x OC

Warning: bad grammar,cursing,and at some point blood,and a bit of angst ciao anyways so pt. 1 am I not good enough

Oc/kyles pov:…today was so boring I already have done all of my missions even accepting the foot lieutenants/fathers orders but…there was nothing new to do even tho I was pissed off that Cassandra gets to go on more missions and I just stay indoors but hey might as well- I heard something fall off my shelf I got up and saw my death sickle on the ground.

I picked it up and set it back on my shelf “this is boring!”I groaned to myself and I looked at a mannequin on my chair I straddle on its lap looking at the face all scribbled and on it’s forehead, it said mom “only if I could hear your screams again…” I started to laugh uncontrollably I punched the mannequin face over and over and over again and I stopped my knuckles were bleeding but I didn’t care I got up and grabbed some bandages and wrapped it around my knuckles.

until I got an idea I went to my closet and put on something to make me look normal

(this is what Kyle would wear in a bit I’ll put some info about them) I got a black backpack with pins and I put my death sickles inside and zipped it up put some pillows in my bed so if Cassandra comes in, she’ll think I’m asleep and snuck out.

(time skip) it was night already damn time does fly by but I went to an ally way to get to my appointments faster but I saw a group of teenagers looked like about my age and just decided to walk past them as I did some guy started talking “what do we have here looks like some doll~” I looked back at the guy ofc he had blond hair I swear to fucking shredder I will kill this guy but since I want to keep him proud I stayed like a normal teen girl “um I’m not a doll for your information vato” the guy started to get closer,man I wish I had my suit and mask back on cause I will kill this guy but if his friends see me I’m fucked

“So doll you from around here” he looked at me up and down “no im not from here but don’t come any closer I’m just a hopeless little girl” I said with sarcasm I see him look at his crew and nod his head one of them grabbed my arms

I had no other choice but I heard a male voice “unhand her!” I see a group of four shadows on top of a building and one of them jumped down “NO LEO I TOLD YOU WHEN I GIVE YOU THE SIGNAL”as the guy jumped down he wasn’t human he was a mutant turtle?

the rest came down as the group were just high as fuck I just elbowed the guy holding my left arm as i fought them off without showing my weapons I looked back at the four turtles they had bandanas with colors like blue,red,purple,and orange I heard the voices come to me again “don’t trust them Kyle” “Kyle~” “you’re smarter than this Kyle” “Kyle~” I hit my head with my palm “shut up shut up!” The turtles looked at me confused but I see the purple one giving me a look but I brushed it off

as I was about to look away I see the blue one in front of me with a smug look “hello who might you be” I look at him and raid an eyebrow “I am someone who is leaving goodbye” I walked past him until I heard “we have to stop them before they blow our cover” I kept on walking away and lost sight of them

(time skip) I got back in my apartment and pu some pjs on

I dropped my bag on the floor and plop myself down to my bed and sigh “Kyle do you miss me” “Kyle your mom is talking to you” “you are worthless just like your father” I kept hearing voices why…why do I feel like crying why I look to my right and see a doll that looked like my brother I sit up and put my knees up to my face as I grab the doll putting it in front of me “my name is Kyle…I used to be a normal girl but I had mommy issues my dad didn’t give me attention my broth-you were around a lot until I went bunkers I killed dad you…then mom…you guys haunted me for years and the foot Lieutenant adopted me he said that if I fallow his orders we can make the world a better place but I was left with Cassandra for some reason now she’s over here protecting me even though we’re the same age I think?…I skateboard draw fight ect ect” i look back at the doll “Kyle don’t talk that way to your brother” my head shot up “I’m not talking to you!” I mostly hear my moms voice

“you’re weak Kyle” “you disappointed us again” “you don’t know when to shut up Kyle” both of my hands go to my head grabbing hand full of my hair as tears fall “SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!” I look down she’s right I’m weak but then was was I made for…was it for to be controlled no…shredder would never do that he wouldn’t lie to me…right

(Leonardo’s pov)

I see her walk away I kept staring at where she left I didn’t see Donnie snapping infront of my face “earth to nardo hello!” I snap out of it and look back at them i decided to fallow the girl “hey Raph hermano mi amigo-“ “what leo” he groaned “so can i like…go” i could see Raph raise a non existing eyebrow “go where” “I’ll go uhm….buy shi-“ “language!” I look at him and then at Mikey and then back at Raph “okay okay I meant to say to go get groceries” he looked at me suspicious “you aren’t planning on fallowing the girl right”

“what noooooo…..maybe” I had a little smirk on my face “no leo” “come on raphhh pls pls pls pls pls” I kept on begging “I wont stop saying pl-“ “FINE FINE!” I started to do a little dance “ I’ll come back in a bit byeee” I left

(time skip) I got to the girls apartment her window was slitly open I heard her talking her name was Kyle and I heard everything I felt bad?,sad? idk i decided to open the window and I see her look at me with wide eye “meow hehe?..” I see her get her death sickles and she points them at me “whoa whoa whoa calm down” “what the fuck why are you here” wow idk I came here to fallow you and tell you that you look pretty “I just wanted to see if you’re kinky~” slick move Leo she punched me

“hey wtffff!” She cupped my face with one hand we both made eye contact she started to lose her grip and she looked down I see her hug me i didn’t know what to do so i wrapped my hands around her she held me tight I mean we just met but wow this is so awesome I sit down on her bed bed she was still hugging me I felt us falling and we lay down I heard her sniffling i stroke her hair feeling her soft hair against my fingertips

(Kyle’s pov) I feel humiliated i hugged him tightly “do…you think I’m worthless..” I waited for his answer “no you aren’t” I felt warm being close to someone “then what am I made for…was I meant for” we were in silence for a few thirty seconds until “I guess you were meant for living a life with friends and family…” “by the way my name is Leonardo but you can call me Leo for short” I look up at him and wipe my tears “my name is Kyle” I smile softly knowing that he also was meant for something

(this is my fist fan fic so pls don’t judge me ty and I got inspired by the song what was I made for from Billie Eilish and someone helped me gave me advice so go check her out tmntxthings ,god bless you all beautiful people)

NEXT

[feverinfeveroutfic]

Paradise | kinktober 2024 | “the cannibal”

prompt: halloween

pairing: alex/one of my many girls

word count: 5627

song: “seasons” by chris cornell

contains: student x teacher dynamic, halloween costumes, alex’s birthday, references to pulp fiction and the exorcist, cheating, secrets, a jewish graveyard, hearses

“On stage, I make love to 10000 people, and then I go home alone.” -janis joplin

Autumn had swept across New York City, and to the point that Christine had busted out her long green jacket as well as her gloves. The time of year to start wearing all black from head to toe once again, as well as her catching the fresh aroma of a freshly baked pie from the apartment across the hallway when she returned home. There was also of course, the matter of starting school again and with Alex teaching a fresh new batch of classes.

Lucky for her, she had second level music theory with him as well as second level French literature with him. Two classes with Alex and then two art classes to share with him after the fact.

The lengthening of the shadows and the feeling of rain in the air on that very first morning beckoned a feeling out of her. She hadn’t seen Alex since Captain Howdy had taken him under her dark wing for the better part of the summer. Christine knew that she had to start fighting dirty, especially when she remembered that her specter haunted those school hallways.

She had come close during the summer, the fact that she and Valentina had nearly gotten caught there in Alex’s apartment, and it was then she knew that Captain Howdy was onto her.

She held out not too far from his tree-shrouded street, but the ghost of Captain Howdy haunted her more than the ghosts of Chris and Ann. The way she was so withdrawn from the world, and yet she watched the world with such a smug smile carved onto her face. The way that Alex stared off into space and seemed like such a deer in the headlights whenever she came up in conversation or when he knew that she was around.

Christine brought him joy. Captain Howdy sank her venom into his body and dragged him under until he lay dried and torn against the hard stone floor of the cold New York subway.

There had to be a way to put her in her place, and all the while without causing so much of a stir.

The final day before school had started, Christine knelt down before the box she had uncovered from the depths of the closet, and she relished in those old memories. The dark shadows that wove their way through the tapestry of her memory.

Those old notes. The journal entries. That last phone call to the two of them. Chris drifted through her fingers like the sands of time. Ann wove herself into the threads of her heart.

She wasn’t afraid of her. She had faced the music more times than she could count, and thus, she vowed that Captain Howdy would never find her. She held out in the rafters of her apartment building and the school hallways like a bat in torpor.

Christine picked up the old photograph of Chris from the very bottom of the box. Though it had faded with time, she still made out the brown color of his eyes and the thick curls piled all around his head.

The ghost of Alex as he had lived in another time. And Captain Howdy had taken him from her, and she looked large with the threat of blood over her.

“You’ll never find me,” Christine said aloud, and she held the photograph close to her lips for a gentle kiss.

How she wished to kiss him again.

But then she remembered that she could kiss him again, and that chance came about when she stepped off the bus right outside of the school, and she recognized that little plume of silver even from up the street. He spoke to someone, probably another student, there on the sidewalk; as Christine came on closer to him, she realized that his belly had receded back into his body a little bit. He still was round and shapely, and the shape of his body was accentuated by his black blazer, and she knew that she could hold him in her arms and feel his softness, and yet she still recognized him.

The boy thanked him and stepped away from him, and he turned towards the street with a grave, almost sullen, look on his face and a blank look in his eyes. That is, until he spotted Christine up the street there, and it was as if the clouds had parted after a rainstorm.

“Christine!” She knew that voice anywhere. And he took out his glasses from his front pocket, which in turn made her giggle a bit.

“Christine! The Strawberry Girl!”

Christine threw her arms around Alex’s slightly plump body, and she slid her arms underneath the jacket just to feel him. His long fingers crept over her back and her shoulder, and he held her against him. She had missed his warmth and softness, and if anything, she liked how his body felt even more then.

She held back and gently felt his body.

“Oh, my god, did you lose weight?”

“I did!” He gently set a hand on his belly. “Not a lot but I did lose some in the last month or so.”

“Still with a little bit of a tummy, though.”

He shrugged his shoulders and he flexed his fingers over the fabric of his slightly snug shirt. “I know, I know, you like me with a bit of extra weight,” he assured her. “I had to start losing weight because my back was hurting me.”

“Oh, wow, really?”

“Yeah. That won’t stop me from eating well, though.” He showed her a wink as he put his arm around her, and Christine rested her hand on his belly again. He was still so very soft there, even if he didn’t have that full, rounded pot on him anymore; she still wanted to hold him there when they slept together, however. To hold him and feel him as she nestled up close to him.

“I like you no matter how big and round you are, or how slender you are,” she confessed to him, and she rested her head against his deep, warm chest.

“I missed you,” he admitted to her, right into her ear. She lifted her head up to find his face right over her own, complete with a quaint little smile. He had that twinkle to his eye once again, and she knew it was because she had run up to him.

“And I missed you,” she told him. Alex kept his arm around her as they began walking along the edge of the street, and back to the grassy edge of the campus. They hung out by the tree closest to the street when he spotted something on the newly erected bulletin board underneath the lowest branch.

“Halloween party next week,” he announced. “Halfway through September and we’re already planning Halloween festivities.” He chuckled at that, and then he glanced down at her, once again with a little twinkle in his eye. 

Then she remembered.

“That’s right!” Christine declared, and she gently patted his belly. “Happy early birthday, baby.”

Alex put his arms around her again, and that time he kissed her forehead.

“I wanna do something with you then,” he confessed to her in a soft whisper. “You and me. We weren’t able to in that last month of summer. There is nothing I want more than to spend the twenty-ninth, all day long, with you. My Strawberry Girl.”

“I hope that’s not a school night,” she pointed out in a singsong voice.

“It’s a Thursday,” he replied. “I have Thursdays off, so… I think I can do it.”

“Interesting, I have Thursday off, too, but then my three-hour drawing class is at ten on Fridays, but that’s it, though.”

“I can make sure you get home before class starts,” he assured her with a wink. “And it says the party is the next day on Friday, so what do you think we should go as? You wanna do matching costumes or two separate things?”

“We should do one of those coupled costumes,” she suggested to him. “Like… you could be Vincent Vega, and I’ll be Mia Wallace.” And he burst out laughing at that.

“You should have the syringe jutting out of your chest, too,” he joked.

“If I have the syringe sticking out of my chest, you should have the brick phone on your person, too,” Christine added.

“Oh, you know it!” He then checked his watch and raised his eyebrows. “Put a pin in that, and we’ll pick it up again later. When’s your lunch break?”

“High noon,” she replied.

“Okay. Meet me in the cafeteria at the usual place.” He gave her a kiss again, and she followed it up with one last gentle caress of his body, and he treated her to a shiver up his spine from the feeling. “I know it’s only been a couple of months, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss how sensual you are,” he confessed right into her ear.

Alex nudged his glasses up the bridge of his nose, and Christine watched him strode on up to the steps of the main building. Her heart swelled in her chest from the sight of him, a feeling that she hadn’t felt in what seemed like so long to her.

He was surprised to find her in two of his classes, such that he kept an eyebrow cocked up when he called her out during roll call before Eric’s name. He was even more surprised to find her following him to the cafeteria with her music theory book pressed right up against her chest.

“I was not expecting that,” he confessed to her once she started walking side by side with him.

“I wanted to surprise you,” she decreed, and he showed her a smile as he nudged his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“You certainly surprised me, alright,” he quipped to her. “Probably more than seeing you on the street earlier this morning.”

“So, do you wanna go looking for costumes later today?” she suggested to him.

“Today? Mmm, maybe, if you’re not doing anything.” He held the door for her, and she stepped outside to the cool, hazy morning sunlight first. Alex walked alongside her as they made their way to the cafeteria together for lunch, and he ran his fingers through his black hair.

“Yeah, I think I could pull off Vincent,” he declared, and he looked over at Christine with a bit of a squint to his eyes despite the soft sunlight around them. “And we could get you a wig to be Mia.”

“A wig and the fake syringe and a fake cigarette, too,” she added with a smile.

Alex made larger steps forward, and then he held the door for her once again.

“Such a sweetheart,” Christine remarked as she stepped inside the cafeteria first. They were greeted by the smell of fresh pies being made as well as chicken-fried steak. A young blonde stood at the counter with a smile and a pad of paper in hand.

“Wow, where’s Nelly today?” Alex asked her as they came within earshot.

“No clue,” she replied with a click of her pen. “It’s unlike her to be late or to even so much as miss a day.”

“Much less the first day!” Christine interjected.

“Yeah, right! She’s always here at six o’clock sharp on the first day of school. Anyways, what can I get you two?”

“A couple of slices of the Dutch apple pie and cups of coffee for me and my friend here,” Alex told her.

“And one of those Southwestern salads,” Christine added, and the girl scribbled it down on the pad of paper, and rang the bell for the line cooks behind her.

“Southwest salad, that’s a new one,” he remarked as they began their way over to the heavy wooden bar with the view out to the courtyard there the far side of the room. It was private enough just for the two of them as well as Chuck, Eric, and Valentina if they so wished.

“Yeah, I got into that a couple of weeks ago,” she explained to him. “I’ve been told the one here has got blackened sweet corn, black beans, grated cheese, pickled jalapeño, and stuff that’s a little bit spicy, too.”

“One of these days, I’m gonna start growing jalapeños out on my back step,” he suggested as they took their spots at the bar together.

“That’s right, you and your spicy food,” Christine stated with a chuckle. “So, I just have one more class for today and then I go back home. I get off at two.”

“Oh, okay! Well, my day ends at three, so if you wanna go over there and meet me, I think we can do it.” He showed her that lopsided little grin, the one filled with his little buck teeth.

“You’re gonna make me go into the heart of Chelsea all by myself and ask you to meet me at some creepy as hell costume shop,” she quipped.

“I promise to meet you there,” he insisted with a slight bow of his head, and then she chuckled at him. She held the side of his face with one hand, and then she leaned in to gently kiss him, but then she followed it up with a little lick of his ear. He held back with a raise of his eyebrows at her. “Whoa, where did that come from?”

“I’ve learned that no one’s looking,” she assured him. “Especially when Eric and Valentina aren’t here, either.”

“Valentina, how’s she been doing lately? I feel like the Sundaes just went off into the city and vanished into thin air.”

“Oh, she’s been rocking and rolling lately. All four of them have, actually. In fact, she told me that the four of them want to be one of those singing quartets at some point.”

“Like a barbershop quartet!” His face lit up at that.

“Yeah, I guess you could say that!”

“Wow!” He shook his head. “Goddamn it, why did she have to pull me out of public life like that. Not even two months goes by and everyone you know seems to be moving right along without you…” His voice trailed off, and Christine set a hand on his shoulder out of comfort. He fetched up a sigh, and then he took off his glasses and polished them with the hem of his shirt.

If only she knew what he was thinking right then.

“Well,” she began in a low voice. “It’s a brand new school year. Let’s have some fun. And let’s have some fun not next Thursday, but the one after. Your birthday. You and me.”

“You and me as Vince and Mrs. Wallace,” he stated in a soft voice, and she leaned into his shoulder to comfort him. The girl from the counter strode on over to them with their food, to which Christine held back from Alex and began on her salad and slice of pie. Even though he thanked her, he stayed silent all throughout their lunch break.

She wanted to believe that perhaps he was just relishing in the apple pie and cup of coffee, but he was usually vocal about these things.

When they doubled back outside afterwards, she looked up at him and the distant look on his handsome face.

“Is everything okay?” she finally asked him.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Christine set a hand on his shoulder, and she kept him in place. “Alex. Tell me the truth. Is everything okay… right now?”

He pursed his lips, and then he bowed his head a bit.

“No.” He said it in a voice so placid that he nearly breathed it. “Everything is not okay right now, because I have to go and teach a class. And then I go and meet you at the costume place. And then I go back home to die.”

“We need to be alone together,” she suggested, and she put her arm around him for a moment before she had to let him go and walk on over to her next class.

All the while, she thought about what she had said looking at that picture of Chris the night before.

“You’ll never find me.”

The words rang through the back corner of her mind even as she glanced over the syllabus for her art history class, and she thought about it even more as the class was released early. Captain Howdy could be lingering in the streets, but not if Christine beat her to it.

She took the next bus uptown, to the costume place, a spacious two-story shop already stocked up for Halloween. The sun had gone behind a veil of clouds, and a cool breeze welled up before her as she stepped off the bus and walked on up to the front. She decided to go in there by herself and begin looking about herself.

Christine was greeted by that familiar cinnamon and anise smell upon walking in, as well as the black cats and pumpkins decorated about the shelves of the room. She nudged some black and orange garlands out of the way to reveal a shelf full of fake bones, including a life sized brown skull, and little flowers.

She glanced next to her to find a shelf full of witches’ cauldrons and little black cats, when the door swung open behind her. Alex breezed in with his folded sunglasses tucked down inside of his shirt and that crooked smile plastered on his face.

“There you are!” Christine greeted him in a hushed voice. He then stepped over to the garlands, and he picked up the brown skull. He held it out before him, and she noticed that the crown was dotted with black and purple glitter. He nudged his glasses up his nose with one hand, and he examined the skull with a slight raise to his head as if he was undertaking an examination of an autopsy.

“Poor Merrick, he wandered onto the property and I turned him to stone,” he said in a low voice as if he impersonated a warlock, and Christine giggled at that.

“Although I do like the sight you with that skull in hand and while you’re wearing that jacket,” she told him.

“I’m like the bewitched professor,” he declared as he put the skull back onto the shelf.

Unfortunately for the two of them, they weren’t able to find the costumes they wanted, but that gave Christine the idea to improvise. They both looked for the white silk shirts and black trousers, and he found them way at the back of the room. He held up his hair with one hand at the back of his head while Christine tried on the wig of black smooth hair.

“Any fake syringes laying around?” she asked him, and he doubled back down the aisle next to them for props. He soon returned with a syringe filled with fake blood.

“I reckon you could probably tuck a lollipop inside your mouth to impersonate a cigarette, too,” he suggested, to which she nodded.

Christine was more than eager to show off their costumes as he suggested wearing them for his birthday on the twenty-ninth, especially when he revealed that he had a show with the trio at The Iridium that night.

“A late-night show, really?” she asked him as she tied up her hair into a bun and tucked it under her wig. She had come over to his apartment so they could try it out together before they took a cab ride over to the venue, and so she could treat him to a round of breakfast as well.

“Like ten o’clock, yeah,” he replied from down the hallway. “I’ll tell you this, though: you’ve got a front row seat and afterwards, we’re going to have cake courtesy of Matt and Nate.”

“Are we going to go out to dinner, too?”

“Absolutely! In fact…” He surfaced from down the hallway, donned in that same black blazer with the white silk shirt and a narrow black tie around his neck. He had just tied up his hair into the little ponytail at the back of his head, and he had a little fake blood splattered on the backs of his hands and the tie, too. The tie rested over the roundest part of his belly, which only made her want to touch him more, especially there.

“How do I look?” he asked her.

“Sexy,” she replied, and she smoothed down the wig with her hands, and he showed her a little smirk at that. “I’ll be down in two shakes of a lamb’s tail, Vince.” She then picked up the syringe and stuck the suction cup at the needle part onto her bare exposed chest.

“Don’t overdose on me, baby,” Alex told her with a wink.

“What were you going to tell me?” she asked him.

“Oh, yeah! Um…” He rubbed his hands together. “I figure that, since it’s three o’clock, we should go get something to eat right now. A late lunch, early dinner sort of thing.”

“You just want us to go and have burgers like in Pulp Fiction,” Christine teased him, and he shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes at that. She stood up on her toes and kissed his neck. “It is your birthday, after all.”

“Indeed, it is.”

The two of them took a cab to a small diner down near Coney Island, and she giggled at the fact that it had everything down to the burgers and the fries and the five-dollar milkshakes. Everyone in there looked on at them, either with hushed chatter or snickers, but Christine still relished in her early dinner with Alex. It was his birthday, and they had already spent a good portion of the day together.

“It’s my day, I deserve an Amos and Andy,” Alex declared as he stirred the red and white striped straw around in the thick chocolate shake. Christine, meanwhile, took a Martin and Lewis, and she gazed into his eyes all the while. She held the cherry up to his lips so he could have it for himself: he locked eyes with her as he suckled it off the pit and the stem with nothing more than his tongue. He then leaned back with the flesh tucked in his mouth, and he sipped on his chocolate shake right then.

“Guess I found someone special,” he confessed, and he hooked his free arm over the back of the chair.

“Don’t feel a need to fill the void,” Christine followed along as she adjusted the sides of her wig.

“Also, may I suggest that you color your nails red,” he told her.

“I knew I was forgetting something,” she stated with a shake of her head. He then raised his gaze to behind her, and the warmth in his face faded out to the color of old plain porridge.

“Oh, Jesus Christ Almighty,” he whimpered.

“What?” She was about to turn around when he stopped her. Something told her she had made a good move in being in costume, even a month before Halloween. He sipped on the rest of his milkshake, and then he held her hand and led her out of there.

“Shit,” he muttered. “Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit…”

“What?”

“She’s here. Goddamn it, son of a bitch. I’m glad we ate everything and paid for everything because we’re more Honey Bunny and Pumpkin than Vincent and Mia otherwise—!”

He clasped onto her shoulder, and he guided her out of there and out to the street. All Christine could think of was what she had said to the photograph of Chris.

“You’ll never find me.”

Alex guided her to the edge the street to flag down a cab, and she had no idea where they were going. She patted her head, only to find that her wig had blown off when they returned to the street.

“I lost my wig,” she said. “The syringe, too.”

“They can be replaced,” he assured her. “Halloween is a month away, too.” He clasped the crown of his head with one hand, and he let out a low whistle. “We can’t go home. We can’t go back to my place, she’ll see the costume and know it was me there. She knows this jacket and my streak is standing out like a sore thumb, too.” He looked over his shoulder and grimaced. “Oh, god, she probably saw us. She’s talking to the manager right now.”

“We can’t go back to my place, too, my mom will ask what we were doing dressed like this and with fake blood spattered on us.” It then dawned on her. “I know where we can go.”

“Nelly’s place?” he asked her.

“No. Someplace where we can be alone.”

“Will we be back in time for the show at The Iridium?” he asked her.

“I can make sure you get there before the show starts and the cake is out,” she vowed to him.

Christine guided him down the street to catch the subway back down onto Long Island. They caught a train full of people, and thus, they could blend in with the crowd. Captain Howdy haunted them, but Christine vowed that she would never find them. She would never find her.

They resurfaced at the rim of Brooklyn, where Alex flagged down the Long Island Railroad for them. Christine dared not to tell him about her connection there, but rather that it was a month out from Halloween. They reached the end of the line, where they were only a block away from there.

The cemetery. The Jewish cemetery where Chris was buried.

At that point, the clouds were beginning to collect across the sky and the sun had disappeared behind them. Night was upon them, but they were going to be in a place where they could be alone together.

The gates creaked and groaned against the incoming winds, but he held it open for her once again.

“I think my grandparents are buried here,” he confessed to her as they strode onto the grassy area amongst the tombstones. “We should come back here at Halloween with a glass of wine, some chocolate, and some old poetry.”

“We should,” she confessed to him as she inched closer to him. He peered over his shoulder to the gates. They had gotten out of there by the skin of their teeth, but she could still feel his fear. She had already broken into that back at the school, and thus, she knew that she had to talk him down from there.

“Alex,” she began. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

He raised his eyebrows at her, and he took his ponytail out: his long smooth black hair billowed around his head against the cold winds from the Atlantic. He tucked the ponytail holder into his jacket pocket; his long black hair fluttered about against the crests of his shoulders.

She had no idea if she could bear the idea of telling him the truth about Chris. He was going to find out soon enough.

But he had a look in his eyes. A look that he could not handle the feeling. They had escaped his fiancée, and they found themselves way out in the Jewish cemetery. Indeed, she remembered that Chris was buried not too far from where they stood there amongst the fallen.

His tombstone lingered behind Alex, even if the heart hadn’t beat in years.

Christine swallowed, and she rested her hands on his soft belly ensconced in that white satin shirt spattered in the fake blood. The idea of the wedding was going to be the thing that ripped her heart straight out of her chest, let alone the fact that Captain Howdy was after them.

She had to tell him the truth before the truth vanished with the induction of the wedding.

“I never want to stop loving you,” was all she could confess to him. “You are the one true love of my life. I never want to let you go. I don’t know what I’m gonna do…” The tears welled up within her, and she bowed her head. Alex rested his hands on either side of her face, and he lifted her up for a kiss on her lips. His skin was as light as a feather, and as soft as silk; when combined with the chilled breeze coming on from the ocean behind her, she could feel the seasons changing, the warmth of summer into the decay of autumn, the seasons graying, the rush of death. But his skin up against her kept her heart alive.

He let go and they gazed into each other’s eyes, her own into those steely, deep-set blue pools that caught her attention on that first day of school. His long fingers caressed down the sides of her neck onto her chest, and then he stepped away. He turned toward the rest of the tombstones, and she could see that Chris’ stone remained in the shadows right there right behind him. All he had to do was turn around by about three inches and then he could see the ghost that haunted her.

“Here we are, amongst Jewish souls as they’re resting, amongst my own people… let my people go…” A gust of wind welled up behind him, and his hair fluttered even more across his face. Alex directed his attention away from that side of the yard back toward the strip of a driveway that led into there. Christine glanced about to see what he was looking at but he didn’t appear to be looking at anything in particular.

“Let my people go,” he repeated, that time in a soft breathy voice, soft enough to sound as though it was filtering in on the wind behind him. There was something so primeval about his saying that, especially as he looked over his shoulder to the rest of the sprawling tombstones behind him once again. There stood one stone with Hebrew inscribed on the face, and one she had never noticed before upon her first visit to the cemetery.

He returned his gaze to her as his gray streak twirled before his forehead like a ribbon.

“Let my girl go,” he said in his regular voice, and he linked his fingers with hers. He tugged her close to his body, and she put her arms around him.

“Let’s part the sea,” she declared to him, and he held her face in his hands. It was his most passionate kiss up to that point, a feeling that she never wanted him to share with Captain Howdy, even if it meant writing their names in blood.

“Be with me,” he whispered to her. “Be with me forever, dearest Christine.”

Alex ran his fingers through her dark hair, only to lift his gaze over to the other side of the graveyard. He then pointed behind her.

“Be with me in the back of that hearse,” he then stated.

Christine directed her attention back there, to which she took him by the hand and guided him over to the black hearse parked on the stripe of pavement that led in behind the wrought iron gates to the graveyard. There appeared to be nobody there, and thus, she took advantage and parted the sea for the two of them.

The back door of the hearse stood open only by an inch, but an inch was better than being shut and locked. Alex lifted the hatch, and Christine climbed in first. The back part of the hearse was big enough for the two of them, and yet she still huddled up behind the two front seats as if she was freezing cold: the front seats were raised up like theater seats so any coffin loaded up in the back could be out of the driver’s line of sight. Alex followed suit right in with her, and he tugged the hatch closed only part of the way. He lay down next to her, and he wrapped his arms around her.

Christine slid her hands down his chest and his belly, and she gently wriggled her fingers on his belly. It was like holding a big teddy bear.

“God, I hope no one finds us in here,” he whispered to her as he ran his fingers through her dark hair and locked eyes with her.

It was right then she thought about her parents. She had to get him and herself out of that hearse and back to the safety of her parents, back to the warm aroma of the spice cake in the hallway, back to Kenny’s arms ready for her.

She had to tell her parents about Alex.

She had to tell her parents about him after she tasted him yet again.

“You know where to find me,” Christine whispered into his full cherry lips.

“Forever and always, my love,” Alex whispered back to her as he lightly touched her lips. She was about to kiss his neck when the front door of the hearse opened and closed. The engine fired up, and the parking lever lifted. Christine put her hand on his hip: he may have lost some weight, but he was still soft. Still soft and she could still hold him there as if he still had that potbelly.

“Hold me,” she whispered, and he put her arms around her, and he rested his hands on her upper back.

“I’ll always hold you, even when we go.” He bowed his head against the crown of her own. “I’ll never let you go.”

[thebrokendigitalcircusau]

A Near Disaster

Pomni barely got any sleep the previous night.

Ugh, I shouldn't have played with that fidget toy.

She rolled out of bed and picked up a fidget toy off the floor. She always hated organizing her stuff, so she'd just leave it on the floor. Her hair was a mess. She put the fidget toy in her pocket and staggered down the hallway.

"Hey, kid. Didn't get much sleep, did you?"

It was Jax in his usual mocking tone. Pomni facepalms.

"What do you want, Jax?"

Jax had a smug expression on his face.

"Kinda rude, Pomni. I was just saying hi."

"Hello, residents of the digital circus!"

Pomni winced. Caine was always really obnoxious. She was tired and she didn't feel like putting up with anything today.

"Caine, can you... tone it down? You're a bit loud."

"Nonsense! I'm not loud!" Caine exclaimed.

Jax groaned, annoyed. Pomni could've sworn she heard him say something under his breath.

"I'm blind, hut I wish I was deaf right now."

No, she must be hearing things. Jax isn't blind. He can see... right?

"Well, come on now, you're just in time for our digital adventure!"

Doof, who had heard everything, came out of her room.

"Shut up, Caine!"

Her tone came off sharp, surprising both Pomni and Caine. Even Jax was a bit surprised. Doof was kind of grumpy, but she was never usually the type to get angry enough to yell.

"Woah, a bit aggressive there, huh, sis?"

"Shut up, Jax."

"Whatever, Doofy."

"I told you to stop calling me that!"

"I don't care."

Doof looked like she was ready to tear Jax apart.

Pomni was watching Jax. Once again, his pupils didn't seem to focus on what he was 'looking' at.

"Jax, can I speak to you?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, whatever."

He put his hand underneath Doof's chin.

"See ya later, sis."

"Don't put your hand there. It makes us look like a couple."

"Yeah, so?"

"We're siblings!"

"So? It's not like we're actually dating or anything. Not to be dramatic, but I'd literally rather die than date my sister."

He finally left Doof alone and followed Pomni.

"So, what'd you want to talk about?"

Pomni sighed. How should she go about this? Should she just be blunt about it?

"Jax, this might sound a little bit random, but your pupils never focus on whatever you're looking at."

"Yeah, because I can't look at anything."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm blind. I can't see anything. That's why my pupils don't focus."

Pomni was completely taken off-guard. If Jax was blind, how come she's the only one he told? Why was he acting so casually about it? That's impossible, isn't it? Wait, now that she looked closer at Jax's eyes, she noticed his pupils were kind of foggy, almost gray instead of black. As if reading her mind, Jax answered those questions.

"I know you have ADHD. I may not be able to see, but I can still hear. I keep hearing you either talking about it or playing with fidget toys. I mean, I know I'm not really a rabbit, just a human inside of a video game, but rabbit ears are pretty sensitive."

Pomni's heart sank. Jax is the type of person to tell everyone someone else's secrets.

"I won't say anything about it, kid. I hide my blindness from everyone, so I can see why you hide your ADHD, no pun intended. It'll be our little secret."

Pomni was taken aback. Of all people, Jax was the one she could trust?

"What do you say, kid?"

"Alright, it's our little secret. Thanks, Jax."

"Well, we better get back before everyone gets suspicious."

"Good idea."

As they headed back, Doof glared at them.

"Where were you? You missed most of the digital adventure."

"Eh, not my fault, sis."

Doof groaned, annoyed.

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

The entire adventure was disorienting for Pomni. She was absolutely exhausted, but oddly enough, still restless. This caused a spark of suspicion from Zooble, who was next to her at the moment.

"Pomni, what's with the restlessness? You're always like this."

Pomni couldn't think of what to say. Out of panic, she took out her phone and flashed the light at Zooble, which made her really twitchy.

"Hey, don't do that! What the hell's wrong with you?!"

Gangle was quick to step in front of Zooble to prevent the lights from flashing in her eyes. This was really unusual. Gangle usually had some loud outbursts, but she was never the type to yell.

"You almost gave her a seizure!"

"Hold on, she gets seizures?"

"Yeah, she's epileptic! Only I know about it!"

Pomni froze with shock. She had no idea Zooble was epileptic. Were flashing lights that big of a threat to her?

"Zooble, Gangle, I'm so sorry."

"I'm sorry too," Gangle said. "I should've never shouted at you like that. I don't know what I was thinking."

Zooble sighed.

"No, no, it's okay. You couldn't hear your own voice."

Pomni was a bit confused. What did Zooble mean by that? Why wouldn't Gangle be able to hear her own voice?

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

Any guesses as to why Gangle can't hear her own voice? I also posted THIS on Wattpad, but I decided to put it on Tumblr too.

[mochidreambubble]

Winter Wishes

[I originally wrote this for Xmas 2022. It also uses the pen pal premise from my other OL fics. Ao3 link here.]

{Winter party plans don't go as... Well. Planned. But that doesn't mean there won't be merriment and fun.}

You wait as you bounce back between toe and heel. Your Ma hasn’t said a word since you showed her the sparkly invitation. It had been personally delivered by the one and only Baxter - though not because he wanted to personally deliver it to you specifically . You saw him from your room window as he arrived in the late morn in some super fancy car (the driver came out to open the door for him and everything! Like in the movies!) and he had beelined for Qiu’s first, likely handing Tamarack’s and yours personally too just cause it was convenient that he was already there. Not that it was surprising he picked to go to Qiu first, or that he came all this way to hand the letter in person. The Boys Club was a tight unit, and while Qiu had extended the invitation to you…

You were initially excited to see him, as outside of Boys Club days where the invitation was extended to you, there were never really a lot of chances to just hang out with Baxter. So, maybe you were a little sad that him handing the invitation to you was just because he was in the area anyway. But you try and shrug it off, Qiu had more memories and friendship bonding stuff with him that you did not.

“Well, Baxter did come all this way to give you this invitation,” Your mom speaks up at last and you perk up from your rocky gaze on the floor.

“So I can go?!”

“Seeing as how Qiu and Tamarack were invited as well, so long as you’ll be going together-”

 You tackle her in a hug before she finishes, then rush to the door. You made sure to grab your scarf and earmuffs and yell back to Ma, “I’ll go ask them right now!”

She calls back, though it sounded muffled by the time the door had shut. Maybe it was to not run, seeing as how snow and frost covered every inch of Golden Grove. Like in autumn, everything looked like it leapt straight out of the painted pages of your favourite storybooks. You still picked the comfy oranges and reds of the previous season to be your favourite, but winter in Golden Grove certainly beat out the dreary grays and stone of the same season back in the city. 

You make your way as quickly as you can, your winter boots crunching as you first etch closer to Qiu's. It was always more of a gamble to see if Tamarack was home, cause even in the cold it be a coin toss if she was bundled up in quilts or back out in the forest out back. You play a little song of knocks on Qiu’s door and you hear some scrambling within the home.

“Mr Qiu Lin, what did we say about running in the halls?”

An airy laugh in response, and, “So long as I’m not tracking mud or running in socks, it’s ok?”

Qiu greets you at the door. There’s always this weird buzz of butterflies and warmth you get when you see Qiu. You haven’t told Ma about it, not really. “Hey there neighbour,” he still smiles with confidence and mischief, it always feels like days never quite go so simply when he does this. He tries to balance on one foot, hopping in place as he puts on the other red sneaker.

“Morning Qiu!”

“Morning? I’m sure it’s almost noon, silly.”

“That means it’s still morning. Do I need to get you a watch or something?”

Both shoes on, at last, he asks if you’re giving away what you’re getting him for Christmas, and you try your best to sound as mysterious as possible. The line of conversation continues, and to any outsider it may even sound like the two of you were bickering, but there wasn’t even a hint of animosity between the two of you.

“Speaking of Christmas, what do you think about Baxter’s winter party invitation?” You ask as you both make your way over to Tamarack’s. 

“Of course I’m going. And hey, and told ya you’d get your chance to go over to his big house eventually,” He still has his smug smile in place, and between the strange butterflies and the laugh you’re fighting down, you still manage to roll your eyes.

“You haven’t always been right since we met I have you know, “ and you tap the notebook in his grip. “I think I have a track record for the number of times I had to save your pages Mr I don’t lose anything .”

“And that’s where you’re wrong,” he winks. “Thanks to you, I really haven’t lost anything!”

“ Qiu.”

He laughs as he slides over to the Baumann household door, knocking rhythmically as he always does. Granny answered the door. “Oh, hello dears.”

The two of you greet her simultaneously, as well as - as best two differently posed questions could make it out to be - ask her if Tamarack was in. She stops to ponder for just a second, eyes glittering. You always think everyone in Tamarack’s family, even the kind of scary Mr Baumann, seemed to have sparkles on them. “She’s still warming up from her morning escapades,” a word you note to either ask mom or look up in your dictionary later. “But I’m sure she'll be happy to see the two of you.”

Qiu and you both take a complimentary candy from the glass bowl once you’re in the Baumann’s cozy hallway and make your way to Tamarack, and as one of your guesses, was comfortably wrapped in a nice thick quilt and sipping hot chocolate. She almost spills the mug entirely when she sees the two of you, getting up in haste. You huddle in with her, and Qiu joins in, smushing you in the middle. You didn’t know what was so funny, but Granny had to rush off to get a camera. It gave the three of you a moment all to yourselves, and you ask her about the invitation.

“Ohhh. Oma told me about it, but I can’t say I feel like going,” she shrugs. It may have been months since she met the other members of Qiu’s Boys Club, and while it wasn’t that she didn’t like Baxter or Darren, she didn’t feel like she wanted to hang out with them as much. The most is if you said you were going to, which maybe convinced Tamarack to do the same once in a while.

“Qiu and I will be going,” and you see Tamarack’s eyes light as she reconsiders. “And it’s a fancy rich people party right? There’s going to be things we maybe don’t see at regular parties, it may be fun!”

The three of you discuss possible what ifs and could be, after Tamarack decides that she’d like to go as well - and nothing could make you happier as you didn’t like leaving Tamarack out of anything. Qiu explains that, sure , he has been over to Baxter’s quite a number of times, but never for the fancy parties. You personally think it be fun to go so you get the chance to dress up. You didn’t really have the chance to, maybe once in a while if you had to tag along to one of Ma’s work parties for things like the company’s Christmas or New Years gathering, but those were so boring . Qiu insists it was a grand affair , especially stressed in his noble fancy voice that never failed to make you and Tamarack laugh. He then insists that all of you would need the whole day to prepare, like in the TV shows, so it was only natural that…!

“We all sleep over at your place!” Qiu presents you like a grand finale and you give him a quizzical look. “Look, we can all stay over and spend the next day preparing at your place and all go together, it’s the perfect plan .”

He then admits it’s mainly because by this point, you’ve all stayed over at his and Tamarck’s place at least once, so by default, it was sort of your turn to host. But it should be perfect, since the idea was for the three of you to go together anyways. When you explain this all to Ma later, she could only laugh that, despite living next to each other, it apparently wasn’t close enough for the three of you.

All the grownups didn’t seem to mind, especially since this was the third time you were all having a sleepover.Qiu even tried to extend the invitation to Darren. Your little adventuring group of three dropped by to see if he wanted to join but before he could even say it was over at your place and that he was saying Tamarack was going to be there, you saw the face he made. Even if you and Tamarack were watching from the sidewalk, you could guess what the answer was. Tamarack didn’t really seem all that bothered, saying that just you three was the right amount anyways. 

So when the night before the big party day approached, your room had two guests carrying fluffy sleeping bags and their belongings. You all broke the sleep early rule, of course. The moment you hear Ma’s door click shut for the night, flashlights came on and the cards and hand puppets came out. You all even managed to silently build a grand pillow and blanket fort, big enough for all three if you to sleep in side by side.

Once the games had stopped and the three of you lay there, not quite in the dark as your glow in the dark stickers illuminate the room, Tamarack giggles and asks if you think you’d meet your prince or princess at the party. “You know, the one ? Like people do when they go to these rich people's parties? Like a mysterious stranger who asks you to dance with them?” 

You hear Qiu muffle a squawk beside you, and unsure what that was about but you shrug and turn to her. Truth be told, this wasn’t the first time Tamarack has asked you about dancing with mysterious strangers. Not since you told her you took dance classes. Not ballet like Qiu, but like Baxter. You weren’t in the same classes exactly of course, as Baxter was ahead of you, but it was one of the few things Baxter and you could bond over. Thinking about Baxter, it was always a little funny. He was always friendly, but there was something in your gut that told you he was kind of disappointed that you were there too, and he always tried to hide the sulk that would quickly disappear. You told your mom about it, and after a hug and a comfy place cuddled by her side, she explained that sometimes you couldn’t make everyone like you, no matter how hard you tried. Which you thought kind of sucked, since you saw Baxter as Mr Cool and Mysterious. Maybe this party would be another chance to be closer with him.

“Well?” Tamarack giggles softly as she gives your cheek a poke.

“I much rather dance with my best friends.”

You hear Qiu let out a breath and laughs as well. You nudge him to be softer. “Course you would, since we’re going to be the coolest people there.”

“Mmmm. But I guess I’ll ask Baxter for one too, since he invited me.”

“R-Really?”

“Ooooh, yeah. I guess you would want to,” Tamarack thinks aloud. “Cause you think he’s Mr Cool or something right?

“Y-You do?!”

“Awww Qiu,” Tamarack giggles. “I guess there’s some things I know that you don’t huh?”

“Hey! No fair!”

Half-way through sharing more “secrets”, your Ma comes in to ask you all to go to bed. Whoops, guess you all became too loud after all. Hilariously, despite all that speculation for the night for how the part would go…

»»————-　✼　————-««

Dear Mermaid Friend

I hope this gets to you in time just so I can say Merry Christmas!! 

❄️🎄❄️

There’s a bunch of sticker packs I picked out for you, I hope you like them. Ma packed some homemade jam for everyone in your family too. Ma’s jam is the best, and you should tell me if you want Ma to send more over, not just as a Christmas present.

This year I’m probably going to spend Christmas cooped up at home if you can believe it! It’s been snowing pretty bad the past few days. I was actually invited to a fancy rich people party a few days ago. But…

Dun Dun Dun!! Suspense Music!! 

On the day I was supposed to go, everything and everywhere got snowed in. 

<there's a drawing of a huge sad face in a Santa hat>

Guess it wasn’t all that bad though, as I had Qiu and Tamarack with me! We just spent the day making cookies with Ma and playing board games and watching silly Christmas movies. I hope your winter days have been going better than mine. Wish I could hop on a plane to visit you in Sunset Bird but Ma says I’m still too small to do that. When do you think she’ll say I’m big enough? It’s not fair.

Wait. I remember you said you hated Winter most right? Cause your moms don’t let you play at the beach as much. Sheesh. I’ll never understand why you and Cove like the sea so much. Maybe one say when I visit, it’ll be like magic, you’ll turn me into a mermaid so I can explore the sea with you or something. Would that be fun!! 

🌊🐚 🐬 🐚 🐬 🌊

↑ I made sure to get ocean themed stickers like those 

Anyways, Ma said I could invite everyone over inst

-

“Sweetie, your friends are here!” Ma calls, and you stop writing halfway. Since the whole party at Baxter’s didn’t happen, you decided to invite him and Darren to spend the day over at your place instead. Darren took a lot of convincing, and what you thought was a rather stern look from Mrs Murray (Tamarack whispered to you conspiratorially how odd it was to see your teacher on winter break). As expected though, he stuck to Qiu like glue the whole time, oh well.

Baxter was genuinely delighted to have been invited, and Ma and the other adults said it was precious he dressed up all formal for the small party. He told the lot of you that he actually liked this more, as the fancy party was really his parent’s party and he usually found them boring so he was glad the snow came in and saved him.

Huh . Guess all grownup parties were just boring. 

Tamarack’s grandparents brought over some really old, really big disks and your Ma brought out a really big CD player (they’re vinyls and a phonograph, she explains later). Turns out you got to dance with Baxter after all. You’re not sure how or why; Tamarack would tell you one fine day when it was just the two of you a few days after the party that  she saw Qiu whispering to Baxter right before he asked you. Though soon after everyone danced with everybody, except Darren who shuffled exclusively with Qiu and Baxter but oh well.

And funnily enough, you got to visit Baxter’s big house that very winter after all. He invited everyone over again, everyone’s parents and grandparents too, for a Christmas dinner that was just him and his parents this time - no fancy dancing or partying involved.

Baxter got you new dancing shoes, and Darren - or more specifically Mrs Murray you were betting - got you those cool pencil cases that opened up to have more than one compartments. Tamarack a cute box for treasure and a secret compartment for notes, there were already some she had written just for you it seemed. Qiu gave you a notebook, matching his own. You felt like it belonged with the paper airplane in your keepsakes box, too precious to use.

All in all, it was a wonderful first Winter in Golden Grove.

[boldlyvoid]

No Longer Alone Together: Part 5

Part 5 | Masterlist

December 17th: Museum Party 

Laura sits on the edge of her bed with a smile as she rubs her belly, watching Y/N put her earrings on after helping her pick a full outfit for tonight. They went with a bright colour, much like she picked every year since meeting Spence, this year it was Purple. It hugs her form, with long sleeves, a slit in the skirt (easy access) and a deep V-neck… (again, easy access) It’s very hot. Sexy even, which is exactly what she’s going for. 

“You’re extra dolled up today… any reason in particular?” Laura smirks, knowingly.  

“We haven’t had sex since he got home,” she shares with a whisper, staring back at Laura through the mirror. 

Emily was downstairs with Spencer and the kids, the two women offered to watch all the kids so mom and dad can go to the annual Christmas Party at the museum and get their rocks off in her office like they do every year. 

“The day he got home?” She’s extra curious, “that was 17 days ago…” 

“Believe me, I know,” she sighs. “I’m either sick or sleeping by the time all 3 of the kids are tucked in, and if we do get up to anything, someone always wakes up before it can get too far.” 

“Bummer… I have sex every night now that she’s home,” Laura brags with a smug smirk. “I want this baby out of me, so…” 

“I know the feeling,” she manages to laugh, turning back to her when she’s done her last earring. “Ta-da?” 

“Beautiful, stunning, immaculate,” she teases, “I can go on?” 

“It’s okay,” Y/N laughs, waving her off. “Thank you… it’s so hard to feel pretty when I feel like I’m dying every day.” 

“Do girls just make you sicker?” She wonders, purely curious because she wasn’t this sick with Atlas and Laura never felt that sick with PJ. 

“Wait, are you having a girl?” She picks up on it, Laura’s been keeping it a secret for so long that Y/N just gave up trying to get it out of her. “Oh my god?” 

She nods, “we are… we have one of each and now we’re done.” 

She rushes to Laura and wraps her up in a big hug, “oh my god!! Now our girls can be best friends too!!!”

“Have you told Noa and Luna about the new baby yet?” She wonders, keeping her voice down just in case. 

Y/N shakes her head, “no, Atlas knows though, he wants to tell them on his birthday.” 

“Oh, thats cute,” Laura swoons. “How’d you make the sweetest boy on earth?” 

She shrugs, “I think it’s all Spencer's fault… so you have one too, now.” 

“Does it ever weird you out that your husband is my baby daddy?” She teases, “cause I’ve thought about it a little too hard and we share everything like most friends do but… we’ve shared literally everything.”

She manages to laugh at that, “I mean, it’s not that weird? If you went with Will, you guys would’ve had carbon copies of Henry and Rosie, 'cause you know… you’re like JJ’s twin.” 

“Yeah, I know… yet still somehow PJ looks like baby Henry?” Laura teases. “I wonder if his hair will darken as he gets older like Noa’s did.” 

“I miss her strawberry blonde baby curls,” Y/N swoons, thinking back to her perfect little girl. “But the brown suits her way better, she looks like Diana’s sister when she was younger…” 

“You’re stalling now…” Laura reaches her hands out for Y/N who takes them and helps her up off the bed and to her feet, “you ready to go now?” 

“I think so, do I look okay?” 

“Stunning, remember?” Laura gives her a wink. 

She helps Laura back down the stairs to the main floor where everyone else is, to find the cutest little scene ever. Spencer is already in his suit, sitting on the couch talking to Emily with all their kids together on the carpet. PJ is in Atlas’s lap, the girls on either side of him as they watch Elf on Netflix, giggling away as Will Ferrell eats pasta with sweets on top. 

They’re in matching Christmas pyjamas, and they have a big bowl of popcorn and a smaller bowl of m&m’s that they’re all sharing from, completely content. There’s no fighting, no hogging, no shoving… Luna picks up an m&m and puts it in Atlas’s mouth so he can keep holding PJ. It’s unbelievable how sweet they are with each other. The new baby will be so loved, she knows it already. 

“Look at you!” Spencer stands from the couch and makes his way to her, taking her hand and making her spin around (slowly though so she doesn’t feel sick) and making sure the kids see her too. “Look at how beautiful your mother is, kids!” 

Noelle gasps when she sees her, “So beautiful, mama!” 

“The prettiest!” Atlas agrees, “right Lulu?” 

She stands up and runs over with sticky fingers ready to touch the velvet of her purple dress. Spencer grabs her just in time, holding her back, “no touching, use your words.” 

“It’s so pretty mama, you look like a princess?” 

“Thank you,” she kneels down to be on her level, “can I have a kiss before we go?” 

Luna nods, leaning in and giving her a quick kiss. Y/N moves her brown hair out of her face and boops her nose with a smile, “be good for aunty Em and Laura, okay? Remember Santa and the elves are still watching right up until Christmas.” 

“I know,” she hurries off back to her spot in front of the TV then. 

Y/N follow her over, kneeling once more to press a kiss to the top of the other 2 kids' heads, “same goes for you, be good, please?” 

“I’ll make sure they’re good, mom,” Atlas gives a sweet smile, “look how good I am at holding Peej…” 

“You’re the sweetest big brother and cousin,” she ruffles his hair, “I love you, guys.” 

“Love you, mom,” he smiles at her once more and then turns back to the TV too. 

They’re all preoccupied and happy, the perfect time to slip out, so they take it. 

Spencer opens the passenger door for Y/N and she notices the car's already on and has been warming up for the last few minutes. It’s nice and toasty warm when she sits down, the seat warmers on and everything. 

Spencer holds her hand on the drive, caressing her with his thumb, “I meant it… you look absolutely amazing tonight, my love.” 

“Thank you,” she’s a big ball of smiles and love. “It’s all for you…” 

He practically growls, lifting her hand to his mouth to kiss her knuckles, the top of her hand and her wrist… if he wasn’t driving he’d be covering her in kisses and moving her to the backseat. But he can't. Not yet, at least. 

“You have to behave for at least an hour before we can sneak away… so many of my colleagues have asked if you’re coming this year because they love your books.” 

“Really?” He can’t believe it. 

She nods, “oh yeah, all those copies I had you sign last week were for their gifts.” 

“Okay that makes sense now, I thought those were for the auction?” 

“Some were, and they’ll probably make a lot tonight so thank you,” she glances over at him lovingly. “I love going to these stupid parties with you.” 

“You know I’d follow you anywhere babe.” 

—

Spencer spends more time than he’d like answering questions about his book and mingling with strangers. He signs copies of books people brought knowing he’d be there, his Wikipedia page does say that his wife is a curator at the museum, so even a few fans are outside waiting for photos with him. 

It’s so weird to see people swoon over him now, he’s her big celebrity husband now that he’s been on so many interviews, podcasts and talk shows. He takes more photos inside the party, people already want to know when he’ll publish the third book but he hasn’t even started it. 

He wasn’t going to until next summer… now he’s not so sure if he’ll write it at all with the new baby coming. His family takes priority over his publishing schedule. But he lies and says soon to anyone who asks. 

When they do finally manage to sneak away, however, they giggle as they run hand and hand, down the tunnel from one museum, all the way down to the Natural History building. 

She got a bigger office earlier in the year and her first thought was “a couch would make Christmas Party sex easier…” 

They come tumbling through the door and she’s shoved against it almost immediately, his mouth on her neck and his hands working on the tie of her dress to let it fall open and expose all of her. His big, warm hands slip inside her dress, feeling up her hips and stomach, all the way up to where he cups her boobs with a groan, “fuck, I’ve missed getting to touch you like this…” 

“Mommy’s been busy,” she teases him, holding his head in her hands while his kisses travel lower. “But, wait, Spence, wait a sec…” 

“Hm?” He pauses to look up at her, “you okay?” 

She nods, “look,” she points behind him at the couch, “I thought it would come in handy…” 

“I don’t wanna cum from a handy,” he whines, making her laugh with his stupid joke. 

“Come on,” she pushes him over to the couch and straddles his lap. Her dress draped open like a robe, her nicest bra and underwear on display for him. 

Once again he runs his hands up her thighs, over her hips and tummy. She’s so much different now from the first time saw her naked… different in a good way. A great way. The best way, actually. With every stretch mark and scar, it tells a story of where she’s been and Spencer knows every tale. Her wonderful body has carried his children, his pride, his joy and all his love for the last 9 years now. Next year it will be a whole decade of them being hopelessly in love with each other, which felt insane. Insane but right. 

“How’d you wanna do this?” He whispers, “are we making it last or—

“I want to make it last,” she could cry she misses him so bad. “I wish we were in our bed but I can’t take not having you anymore, it’s been too long, Spence.” 

“Say no more,” he knows the drill. He picks her up and sits her down on the couch instead, dropping to his knees between her legs. “You locked the door right?” 

She shakes her head, “I don’t think so…” 

He takes just a moment to get back up and lock the door, using his time to shake off his jacket and place it on her desk. He unbuttons the cuffs on his shirt, rolling his sleeves up while looking at her with a smug smirk. He knew she thought he was the sexiest man alive, and as he gets older it’s just getting worse for her… he’s going a bit grey, he’s a lot thicker than he was when they first met, he looks so grown up and mature and sexy. The real definition of DILF. 

His tie comes off next, he undoes a few buttons and then he’s dropping to his knees in front of her again. “Ready, pretty girl?” 

“Mhm,” she melts into the couch, spreading her legs and lifting her hips so he can start pulling her panties down. He loops his fingers around the fabric hugging her hips and pulls them off ever so slowly until they’re off and he’s shoving them into his pants pocket. 

“I bet all those girls out there screaming your name would die to be here right now,” she teases. “What’s it like, rock star?” 

He kisses the side of her right knee, dragging his beard-covered cheek down her freshly shaven leg with a hum, “strange… I only want you… I mean look at you?” He groans again when he gets a look at her now naked pussy. 

His wedding ring is cold against her skin, his big hands soothing down her thighs to hold them open and makes her shiver. Her nipples harden under her bra and her breath hitches as he leans in and kisses the crease of her leg where her groin meets her inner thigh. He tugs her towards the edge of the couch more, arms wrapped around her thighs, and he digs in. His tongue is broad and hot and skilled with almost a decade of pleasing her under his belt. 

She grips his long, wonderful, curly locks tight with her back arching and eyes closed, enjoying the pleasure his mouth brings. “It’s been too long…” He hums against her, sucking on her clit just right, she caresses his head and pulls his hair into a little ponytail as he slips a finger inside of her, “fuck…” 

She’s just getting into it when her phone starts to ring. “Let it go,” she waves it off, “if it’s important they’ll call you too…” 

Spencer looks up at her, still sucking on her clit while he fingers her, trying to be quick just in case they are being called home for something. She closes her eyes and tries to get back into it, her phone stops ringing and eventually the room is silent again. Then Spencer’s coat starts to buzz on her desk. 

“Fuck,” Spencer pulls away, face glistening with her desire as he sighs. He hurries to his desk and gets his phone out of his pocket to see Emily’s calling. “What’s up?” 

“Woah, okay, sorry for the blue balls buddy but my wife’s water just broke on your kitchen floor,” Emily explains and Spencer’s phone is loud enough for Y/N to hear too. 

“Oh my god,” Y/N starts to panic, standing up from the couch and wrapping her dress back around herself and retying it. “Give me that,” she takes the phone from his hand, “have you called Will? Have him come stay with my kids while you head to the hospital and we’ll head right home. Is she okay?” 

“Will’s on his way, Laura’s okay, she thought it was just Braxton hicks… I cleaned up the kitchen floor—

“I don’t care about the floor, really, it’s okay. Do you need us to go to your place and get anything?” She asks, watching Spencer put his tie back on and fix his selves. 

“No, everything is in my car and ready to go… we’ll text you and give you updates and everything. Don’t rush home, the roads are getting bad with the snow that’s falling so be careful,” Emily warns, protective as ever. 

“You too then, good luck and tell her I love her— we love you both,” she says just for good measure. 

“She knows,” Emily smiles, “I’ll let you go, Will just pulled in the driveway.” 

“Bye,” Y/N hangs up and hands the phone back to him. “Looks like we’ve gotta make it quick after all.” 

“What?” Spencer was about to put his jacket back on, thinking they were done for the night. “Are you serious?” 

She nods and drops the tie on her dress again, letting it slip off her arms and onto the floor, “bend me over the desk for old time sake…”

He doesn’t need to be told twice. 

[selfless1978]

MAD DASH FOR LOVE

ok, I feel like I should explain a few things before I throw my AU stuff out there. first off, my OCs Vicky and Cris live in "this" world. They go back and forth between dimensions by using a portal Donnie made. Second, Vicky and Leo share a mindlink. That happened after she got mildly mutated. This Particular story takes place "here" where the turtle lair is "there".

I hope this doesn't confuse too many folks lol

.

.

My eyes narrowed as I took the situation in. It wasn't a good one. There were a large amount of bodies between me and my target, and I didn't have much time. I ended up cursing my typical bad luck as I scanned the area, trying to plan the best course of action in this situation. Almost immediately I came to the conclusion that a frontal rush would be the best solution here. I took a deep breath to steady myself, then took off in a run.

Using the agility I had spent countless hours training, I easily dodge through the mass of bodies in front of me. The old lady pushing the shopping cart was a bit of a problem but I solved that by just vaulting over it, to her opened mouth shock. I ignored it as I kept going. I had more important matters on my mind. That buxom blonde bimbo was getting too close and I had a lot of ground to make up. She knew I was coming too but she got hung up in her own rush of bodies. I smirked at her as I pulled ahead, and that promptly earned me a faceplant with an end of aisle display that I didn't see. Of course if I had been watching where I was going...

I rolled back to my feet leaving the tipped over shelving unit and it's contents where it fell, flipped over another cart pushing customer and hit the floor running. Cursing the mistake of talking on the phone on the way in about what I was wanting to get. And then seeing even from across the store that there was only one left. And this bitch thought it would be a good idea to get it too all of a sudden. Dumb broad...just couldn't come up with her own idea and had to steal mine. I knew that's what she was wanting to do as soon as I saw her eyes light up. And with a "Hell fucking no!" the chase was on.

Great...now there were two carts in front of me, both spaced out a bit apart. I would lose time if I tried to do a double jump or tried to weave my way around them. In a split second I chose another route. I flipped up onto the top of the shelves, my feet knocking everything over off of the cluttered thing, running along it to the delightful squeal of the toddler in one of the carts that caught sight of me. Of course by the time his mother turned to see what had him giggling away I was already past them.

My eyes narrowed when I noticed that smackaho was closer than me and I put on some more speed, stepped off of the edge of the shelf and landed in front of her right before she reached out to grab it. With an immense feeling of triumph my hands landed on it first and I picked it up and held on tight. Then I turned and gave her the most evil grin I could before I sauntered off to the checkout counter. This was my Valentine's present dammit and I was going to give it to Leo.

I quickly lost my smug feeling when I turned and noticed the destruction I left behind me. Ooops... I took the long way around, hit the self checkout counter and hauled ass outta there right about the time a few cop cars pulled in. Well...I wasn't coming back to this store again. Didn't bother me a bit though as I clutched my prize and slipped into my Jeep and headed home before they even got out of the patrol car. I'd have to ask Donnie, on the sly, to see if he could erase all the evidence this little mishap caused. You know, the video feeds, police reports...shit like that.

It was with a large feeling of relief when I finally made it home, to find Cris and Marina waiting for me by the door. Both of them were looking at me as if they had just spent a large amount of time laughing at me.

"What?" I asked my chuckling friends as I slipped out of the Jeep.

"Did it ever occur to you to hang up the phone before you went on your rampage?" Cris asked me back.

"Huh?"

"We heard it all." Marna laughed. "Cris put it on speaker phone. Donnie is already working on cleaning up your mess."

"Oh..." I blushed. Ok...so I wouldn't ask him on the sly. "Leo doesn't know...does he?"

"No." Cris grinned. "He was in the lair meditating. Still is actually. You're off the hook on that one...for now. Well, let's see it. It better be worth the effort you put in to get it."

I sheepishly opened the back door and carefully pulled it out.

"Oh Vicky... It's perfect for him." Marina's eyes actually misted up a little and Cris quietly nodded her agreement.

I blushed again at their reaction as I carefully brought it into the house. "I'm...going to bring it to him now. Nowhere really to hide it for later and he's in the right spot for me to give it to him."

Cris smiled. "You go do that."

So I did. I walked through my house, trying not to pay Donnie any attention as he gave me a quick glare as he muttered and worked, and into the lair. My footsteps carried me towards the dojo, through it and to the little room adjoining it where he usually meditated when he didn't sit in his father's room. I hesitantly brought up a hand and knocked on the doorframe as the other held the present close to me.

Leo sat cross legged on a mat in the dim room, his eyes closed and his face softly lit by the scented candles that flickered on the low table in front of him. "Come in dear one." His blue eyes opened.

I looked around the room that was otherwise bare of furnishings. Leo never really did need much so his meditation area was just as bare as his room was. "I have something for you."

His head tilted curiously as he noticed the item I was carrying. "A picture by the looks of it." He got to his feet.

I nodded and turned the large frame around so he could see as I held it out to him. "Happy Valentine's Day. I know it's not the typical Valentine's gift, but I didn't want to get you some cheesy ass teddy bear stuffed in a mug... I wanted to give you something special."

His eyes grew wide as he took it from me, then they took in every detail of the Japanese painting I had found...and trashed a department store to get. He held it with one hand and ran the fingers of the other over the pristine landscape pinned under the glass, the colors mixed perfectly to highlight the mountains in the background, the forests on each side and the quiet little village tucked in the middle field. Even the clouds were perfect and seemed to float across the painting. Then those eyes looked at me.

"I...I thought it would be nice to hang it in here... Give you something pretty to look at if you can't sett-"

He cut me off with a kiss after he pulled me too him, careful to keep the painting out to the side. That went on for a minute or two. Was a little busy to keep track of the time there.

"Thank you Vicky." He told me when he finally gave me a chance to breathe again. Leo then turned and carefully placed it on the low table between the candles and leaned it against the wall. Then he stepped back to look at it as his arm wrapped around my shoulders. "It's perfect."

"I did good?" I smiled the question at him.

"Very good." He smiled back. Then an eyeridge came up. "But did you really have to destroy the houseware section of the store to get it?"

My jaw dropped open. How did he...

'You forgot to shut some memories out dear one.'

God damn it...

His laughter filled the room then as he turned me to him and pulled me into a hug. "Oh Vicky... I do love you."

"I hope so. Otherwise I'm going to end up on America's most wanted for nothing..."

Leo chuckled as he shook his head in amusement.

"I'll go pester Donnie for a hammer and nails." I tried to leave the room, only to have him pull me back to him.

I squeaked in startlement as he spun me back around, then I shivered when I noticed that look in his eyes. "That can wait..." He murmured. His mouth came in again for another kiss even as his hand reached behind me to close the door. Right after that Leo guided me to the mat, the first churr of many filling the room.

Leo's meditation room was used for something besides meditation that afternoon. The painting bearing silent witness to our love making as our candlelit reflections mirrored off of the glass. A perfectly beautiful painting that was almost as perfectly beautiful as the love we shared for each other.

@turtle-babe83

[eccentricallygothic]

|| The Storms ||

Description: A day in the life of the Storm family. 

Pairing: Dad!Johnny Storm | Mom!You.

Disclaimer: I (unfortunately) do not own Johnny Storm. 

Warning(s): None of the explicit sort. Fluff, Johnny and his spawns being proper little menaces, stressed out human mom Y/n, mild marital affection, authoritative father!Johnny towards the end, d/s undertones. 

Note: Yes, this is very much a coping fic lmfao. The reason why this doesn't have a teaser is because it was supposed to be a drabble. Feedback is much appreciated 🩷

Read the nsfw part 2 here.

MASTERLIST 

Getting to trust and then dating Johnny storm was one thing. But marrying him and having kids with him?

One word. 

Chaotic.

And as your youngest (at the moment) burst into the scorching flames all of your others had also done at her age, you had to step back before pinching the bridge of your nose to attempt composure. The smell of burning cloth and wood hit your nose before the alarm went off and water sprayed out, causing you to close your eyes as you focused on your breathing to remain calm. 

You liked to believe you had rather mastered your ability to cope with your little superhuman family's antics. 

"Hey, little Princess~" you heard your husband's much proud and smug coo from behind you before you could call out for him. Good. Your daughter who was still very much orange and in flames giggled and clapped her chubby little hands at the sight of her father, the fire control system having extinguished everything around her but not quite the source. 

"Dada!" The little ball of fire reached out for Johnny, the cause of all of this, and cackled along with the man when he easily picked her up as she was, unfazed by the heat. And though he absolutely adored his kids anyways, your husband was especially sweet right now.

Because it was a triumphant moment for him.

Ever since your eldest had inherited his power, you two betted everytime you got pregnant whether the next baby would be like you or him.

And you had just lost yet again.

It seemed your genes did not even try against your husband's extraordinary ones.

"Ohhh look at this here little Bree Storm following into her Daddy's footsteps!" You rolled your eyes and sighed, spinning on your heels before trudging to the kitchen while your husband baby-talked to your daughter. 

Great. 

You loved your family and were very grateful for them. 

But it would be nice if at least one of your kids took after you and your ordinariness.

Because five hyperenergetic, extremely naughty and robust superhuman children along with their father who was honestly no better than them at times were a tad bit much for a very human you at times. 

And as you stepped into the kitchen, the scene unfolding before you pushed aside any guilt regarding the annoyance that you were feeling in this moment. 

Because Torus, your eldest (8), who had recently learnt how to fly was bolting across the expanse of the kitchen as he urged his successor, Axel (6), to follow into his stance, instructing her on how she could trigger the flight. 

The son you had had after them, Sonny (5), was happily sitting on a counter and swinging his legs back and forth with the marshmallow jar placed next to him as he fished one out, s'mored it and then put it in his mouth. 

The older of your youngest ones, Jacqui (4) was 'drawing' on a fine, much expensive canvas (if you said so yourself) that Johnny had gotten her when he had realized her artistic edge. The girl was seated in the safest spot as opposed to her siblings; on the floor. Only, she was using her hot red index finger to trace the patterns into the surface of the canvas instead of on it. 

You willed your widened eyes into closing again as you did another breathing exercise, the water from the fire extinguisher system still dripping down your nose that was so accustomed to the smell of fire that you didn't even mind it much anymore. 

Now your mind contemplated whether or not to call Johnny for help. Because it was a running challenge between you two that all of Daddy's babies needed him, which included you; the original one. But you liked to deny and prove that you could manage it on your own without him and did not need his constant help to handle your own kids. 

Except you did, but you would never admit it.

Though when Torus hit one of the lights that hung from the ceiling like the brat he was -something Johnny said the boy inherited from you, like he himself was any better- and almost knocked the cover and his own eye out, you decided pride could wait for now.

"Johnny!" You bellowed, causing the little deviants to look up with a startle only to start giggling when they realized that it was just you. A pout made its way on your lips as you huffed. Unbelievable! 

"Yes, sweeth…" Your husband appeared in the doorway after having put Bree in one of Jacqui's old rompers.

Your kids' clothes were all made of the same material as that of Johnny's uniform that they had managed to recreate at the lab. This was done to prevent wastage of the expensive baby clothes that he liked to personally shop for every child independent of your buyings.

But this time around you had only bought regular clothes as you had felt sure Bree was like you. 

Oh, Johnny was so gonna tease your futile confidence for months!

The bratty lot squealed and bolted past you to hide behind their dad, pretending to cower from your nonexistent wrath. "DADDY, SAVE US!" They cried in unison, drowning out your husband's voice in their playful cries that had a mix of knowing giggles and plotting hushed whispers in them. 

You crossed your arms over your chest as you pursed your lips tightly, shaking your head while eyeing them with an unimpressed look. 

This was routine. 

They would cause all kinds of chaos known to man and then the moment you tried to put your foot down -which was hard enough for you as it was because their faces that were such a perfect and synchronized mix of the one you loved so much in addition to your own were very hard to stay mad at-, Daddy was being summoned and put between your bodies like a rock. 

Oftentimes a traitorous rock for you, if you said so yourself.  

All their personalities were variants of his and Johnny made his pride and support for his naughty little clones very obvious. 

"Ho, ho, ho!" You heaved another sigh as you shook your head at the comical way your husband widened his brilliant blue eyes. "What is this that I am hearing?! What is going on?!" Johnny deepened his voice to mimic an authoritative one. "Daddy demands an explanation for this cruel commotion!" As the brats cheered, your annoyed eyes turned to him and his playfully puffed out chest deflated fast. 

Pushing one hip out, you raised an eyebrow and put a foot out to tap against the ground, cocking your head to the side. "You do, do you, Daddy?" The firmness in your tone had him spring up and turn to the kids to shush them like the most obedient husband ever. 

"That was for you little miscreants!" Now it was your turn to be smug as you smirked and jutted your chest out proudly. "You know the rule! No one misbehaves with Mommy and everyone obeys her!" The kids whined and tossed themselves left and right, the little lot now shuffling away from him and in your legs to be saved from the cruelty of their father. 

"Sorry, mommyyyyy!" You could not help but snicker as you shook your head at the wailing cuties, nodding at Johnny to stop when he went to reprimand them further only for your sake as you knew he did not like doing it on his own account. 

"To the breakfast table, all of you!" As the group shuffled before marching to their ordered destination like the most well-behaved little superhumans ever, you knew there was strength in numbers. 

"So you see, Mommy…" A silent gasp escaped you when your husband's huge and hot hand crept along your waist from behind before grasping one of your hips, mouth against the shell of your ear. "All of Daddy's babies need him" Bree, who was still enveloped in one of his arms, giggled and clapped as if in agreement. The baby girl loved to see you two just existing together in marital bliss. 

You snorted and rolled your eyes -a habit that had gotten you in trouble with him a handful of times- before holding your hands out for your toddler who gladly eased down and into your hold. "Well then," you paused to peck at your daughter's feather-soft rosy cheek. "Daddy should sit his big butt down and eat up so he can remain strong for his babies" your daughter cackled when Johnny clicked his tongue in disapproval after doing one of his dramatic gasps only for you to pinch him by the ear before dragging him behind you and towards your spawns.

"Language, please– wooaaah!" Bree's siblings joined in on the giggling and you couldn't help but follow suit when Johnny's big body awkwardly flailed as it bent downwards in your direction to keep up, plopping down in the Daddy chair at his end of the table when you finally approached it.

"Now, honey" you said after putting your toddler in her high chair and placing her baby plate in front of her, approaching your husband's seat as you waited for him to finish serving the kids. Your hands rested on his broad shoulders as he went along joking and scooping. 

"Yes, my sweets?" That earned him collective cringed out retches from the older kids and you. "Hmmm…" You could just imagine his conspiratorial smirk. "I don't know why but it smells like grounding season in here" Bree unknowingly blinked at her siblings' denying whines as she chomped on her baby food. "That's what I thought." You rolled your eyes at Johnny's smug snicker as he reinforced his authority, reveling in the apologies that were presented to him.

You waited for the commotion to die down before speaking. "Hun, would you be so kind as to tell our superkids about what we have decided?" Johnny took a bite of his toast that you shook your head at since he offered it to you first, nodding with a hum and clearing his mouth out with a swallow before he continued on with your request. 

"Of course, dear" he twisted a little to give the first forkful of his eggs to you as you weren't eating yet. "Okay, now." Facing your extraordinary lot, Johnny began. "Mommy and I have been discussing this for quite some time now and we have come to a mutual agreement" if it were not for Johnny now using his dad voice, you could just imagine Sonny asking him what mutual meant and then Torus calling him stupid only for Axel to defend her favorite brother and the conversation fading into chaos. 

But no one messed with Daddy when he meant business. 

A blush crept up your cheeks at the thought. 

The contrast between his usual bubbly self and authoritative father when it was needed was something even you had to admit was impressive.

And extremely attractive. 

You were more the pushover parent, helpless at the hands of your maternal impulses and the softheartedness that you had for the brats. But Johnny… He could play around as the fun parent all day long and then put his foot down as a strict father like it was nothing. 

Only he could have your deviants all line up in place like it wasn't his spoiling them that turned them into the little brats that they were in the first place.

But you did not actually mind their natures because, not that you were the sappy pro-birth kind of a weirdo mom, they were the best thing you had ever done. 

For they were the product of the love and bond that you shared with the best man you had ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Johnny. 

Your Johnny. 

You slightly jumped as Jacqui squealed at something your husband said only to lower her head and mutter out an apology when Johnny glanced at her, the ordeal breaking you out of your reverie. You could swear your kids had better intelligence and coherence than other kids their ages. 

"Thank you, Jacqui" he firmly nodded at the girl who could pass off as his literal doppelganger because of how alike their faces were, only hers had a femininity to it. "Now, back to the discussion; house rules" though none of them whined, the scowls on their faces made you snort. "I am sorry, Mommy" you bit your lip as he only half turned his head to look over his shoulder. "But will you care to share what was so funny about that?" Your cheeks pinked and suddenly you were nothing but his little girl again. 

"N- Nothing, sir" that was the name he was called by the one who misbehaved. 

"I see" the edge to his tone made you mirror Jacqui until he turned away. "So, as I was saying before I was interrupted by two of my best girls…" He shot you both one last firm look before continuing. "Torus, no more flying in the house, buddy. We have been over this a couple times already at this point and…" The boy peeked up at his father through his thick blonde fringe as he munched on his cherry tomato. "Not cool" Johnny shook his head for emphasis. "It's a safety hazard."

You hummed in agreement, nodding authoritatively like you hadn't just been handled in a similar manner. 

"And everything that is dangerous like showing cool little tricks to the neighbors' kids" Axel lowered her head as her father's gaze set on her to make her feel called out. "Or making s'mores yourself" Sonny hid his face behind his plate when the older man leaned towards him. "Or using anything other than paints and colors to draw" Jacqui was pouting exactly like the man speaking to her did when he was annoyed, playing with her eggs quietly. "Will get you in serious trouble" he paused momentarily. "But above all, misbehaving with or disobeying Mommy, who looks after you all day long and loves you all so much, will earn you a talk with me from now on" they visibly shuddered at the thought. 

Johnny clapped his hands in a concluding manner now. "So I advise we all be good from now and respect her" then his stern tone changed to a more heartfelt one. "Because we can seriously hurt her if we're not careful" you softly pouted and squeezed his shoulders a little, feeling a bit conscious of your differences all of a sudden. "Now you guys don't want to hurt your Mama, do you?" The way they vehemently shook their little heads at once made your heart swell and you cooed, forgetting all about your momentary insecurity.

"No, Mommy!" Torus and Sonny reassured you. 

"We love you so much!" Axel, being the most emotionally intelligent one, looked nearly concerned. 

"Never wanna hurt you, Mama" Jacqui's earnest words made your heart melt and you were enveloping her in your arms before you knew it. 

"Oh, sweetie. I know you don't" kissing her forehead, you reached for Sonny as he was making grabby hands for you from beside her. And before you knew it, Axel and Torus came rushing to you from across the table, the bunch wrapping around you as kisses and reassurances were showered on you. 

Though you couldn't see it, Johnny was smiling at the sight before him with pure adoration in his eyes as your giggles rang in the kitchen that had been witness to nearly every sound of your lives.

Disagreements, chatter, laughter, cries, make ups, retches, moans, coos, wails, chuckles and love. 

Pure, concentrated, genuine, tender, ever-strong, unconditional love. 

"SUPERHUMAN SANDWICH!" As Johnny did his loud and deep monster voice before jumping up to collect Bree in his arms to collapse on you all to create a tangle of limbs, you craned your neck backwards to look up at his billion dollar smile. Your husband's laughter mixed with that of your kids as you held them tight, feeling your heart swell but only momentarily since you had to break into a series of alarmed shrieks when he turned the sandwich into a tickle fight.

Yes, your family was a fireball of superhuman menace. 

But the chaos made them who they were. 

Yours. 

And there was not a thing you'd change about it.

[writingpaperghost]

Without You (Chapter 6)

Chapter 6: Proof of Strength, Enter Aguilera!

Hana's training begins and a new Rider enters the stage.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/43371954/chapters/110597247

“Are you ready, Hana?” Sakura asked, as she and Hana stood in Sakura’s room.

Hana held the Bee Vistamp in her hand, regarding it warily. She knew what it would do, in theory, but this was still… new. And she’d seen what it had done to Tamaki, and maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for her, but it still frightened her. Finally, she pries her gaze from the Vistamp, turning it towards Sakura, “It’ll hurt, won’t it?”

Tilting her head, Sakura answered, “At least a bit. I’m afraid I can’t give you much of an answer, but if it hurt for your brother…”

Closing her eyes, Hana asked, “You’ll be with me until I’m better?”

Sakura smiled, standing and walking to Hana, “Of course.”

Taking a deep breath, Hana attempts to activate her Vistamp, hand shaking. She thought of Tamaki, how he’d passed out and was stuck resting for so long. Not all of that was from Jeanne’s venom, some of it was the side effect of using the Vistamp. But he also said that it wasn’t a pleasant experience – that it burned and his heart, the heart he didn’t even have, pounded.

Before she realized it, the Vistamp fell to the floor.

“Hana?”

Still shaking, she opened her eyes to see Sakura regarding her with worry. “I- I’m sorry, I…”

Leaning down, Sakura picks up the Vistamp, holding it out to Hana, “You can do it, I know you can.”

As she reached out to take it, Hana’s hand continued to shake. “I… I can’t. Not myself.”

“Not yourself?”

Looking at Sakura, at the red eyes that seemed to stare into her soul, Hana said, “…You do it for me.”

“Do it for you?” Sakura asked, “What do you mean?”

“I… I want you to do it for me. To stamp me.”

Sakura searched her expression, like she was trying to determine if she was serious or not. Frowning, she seemed to find it, before twitching into a smile, small but there. Taking Hana’s hand, she places the Vistamp in Hana’s hand, her own over it. “If that’s what you want,” Sakura moves closer, reaching out with her other hand to wrap it around Hana’s waist, pulling her the rest of the way.

A blush creeping up her face, Hana nodded, “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t,”

Holding the Vistamp to Hana’s chest, Sakura smiled, “Then I’m happy to oblige, my bee.” Leaning down, Sakura kissed Hana – less urgently than the first time, at the ceremony. Less smug, somehow warmer, causing a flutter in Hana’s stomach. Then, the stamp activated, and Hana gasped, the stamp causing a heat in her chest that spread like a wildfire. Burning through her veins as her heart pounded in her head – Sakura’s lips on her own meant nothing in that moment.

With a gasp, Hana tries to pull away, but Sakura’s hand was still wrapped around her waist and kept her in place. “S-Sakura…” Her voice sounded off, it was strange. Still her body burned.

“It’s alright, my bee,” Sakura wrapped her other arm around Hana, pulling her to rest her head against Sakura’s shoulder. “I’m here, just for you, and I always will be.” Even though Hana’s head was so close to Sakura, she couldn’t hear a heartbeat.

“You won’t leave?”

“Not if I can help it,” Hana was satisfied enough with Sakura’s answer, and she didn’t have the energy to worry much more. Suddenly she was exhausted, putting more of her weight on Sakura. Relaxing, she closed her eyes and fell unconscious.

---

Tamaki frowned when he arrived back at Happy Spa, noting even less people than usual, especially with Yukimi still in the hospital. About the house, was Genta, surprisingly fidgeting around and trying to organize things. He wasn’t usually the one to do much of the housework, particularly without Yukimi’s prompting, but Tamaki suspects he’s preparing for her return. Makoto is in the kitchen, quietly, though not so quietly Tamaki can’t hear, cooking with occasionally moments of slight swears. Makoto had only just started learning to cook since beginning to live with the Igarashis, and somehow, he still couldn’t cook anything with finding the need to swear at it a little. It was almost amusing to see Makoto actually lose his cool a little, even if it was only at food. Makoto was, after all, probably the calmest of the three of them.

Ducking into the kitchen, Tamaki asked Makoto, “Where’s Hana?”

Startling a little, Makoto gripped the handle of the pan he was holding, tighter than it needed to be. Then he glanced back and saw Tamaki, his grip loosening. “She’s spending the night over with Sakura, remember?”

“She is?”

“She told us at breakfast this morning.” Makoto sighed, “She’ll be back in time for Mama to come home tomorrow, don’t worry.”

Frowning, Tamaki said, “I’m not worried about that,” He crossed his arms, “I don’t like that she’s suddenly spending so much time with this Sakura.”

Though Makoto returned his attention to cooking, Tamaki suspects he rolled his eyes. “You’ve never even met her. I think Hana will be fine.”

“You don’t know that. We don’t know that much about Sakura, and given the timing-“

“What? Do you think she’s apart of the Deadmans or something?” Makoto laughed, “If it makes you feel better, we could invite her over for dinner or something, and see what we make of her.”

Sighing, Tamaki responded, “That doesn’t make me feel better at all.”

Tamaki decides to leave Makoto be while he cooked – it wasn’t like he couldn’t hear Makoto talking to himself about it, anyway. As he moves farther from the kitchen, he can hear Genta mumbling to himself as he dusted off some pictures. Something about how he wants to make sure everything is perfect when Yukimi came back. Typical Genta – Tamaki was always amazed by his parents, and how much they adored each other.

When Genta noticed him, he smiled, “Oh Tamaki, welcome home.” He sets down a picture – a very old one from long before Tamaki and his siblings had ever come to Happy Spa. When the youngest of the Igarashis children had been born, a picture of her eldest brother holding her, while the middle brother looked at her with amazement. It reminded Tamaki, in that moment, that they were never the original children to the Igarashis. It was something they were all reminded of, occasionally.

It was alright, though. The three of them were very good at ignoring the past. So much so Tamaki didn’t even know much about Makoto’s, had said little about his own, and all they knew about Hana’s life, before she ran away, was that she lived in an orphanage that she didn’t think was quite right, and certainly not safe. Thus, it was easy to ignore the Igarashis’ past. There was so little reminders of it, anyway.

Genta spoke again, snapping Tamaki out of his thoughts, “You know, I told Makoto this already, but I was thinking once Mama’s come home, we could all go on a nice trip together to celebrate.”

He gave a smile in response, “I think Mama will like doing pretty much anything as long as we’re all together.” Yukimi just adored her family, after all. That was something that they could all see, even Makoto and Hana, who had limited experiences with family.

---

When Hana wakes up, her first thought is that there was something nice and comfy beside her, like a stuffed animal. She doesn’t think much of it, at first, instead stretching her sore arms to wrap around the seeming stuffed animal. It’s big, far more than she thought, but so very soft.

“Love love!”

The stuffed animal talked.

Hana pulls away, prying her eyes open, shocked. Beside her in what appeared to be Sakura’s bed was a large, blue and yellow plush snake. It stared at Hana with seeming happiness.

“Hana! Hana!” the plush snake chanted, “Hana love love kovu!”

It also knew her name, somehow. Hana scrambled to sit up, moving away from the plush snake. “What… what the hell?”

The plush snake sits up properly, reaching into the yellow pouch around its waist and pulling a container out. It holds it out to Hana, “Kovu kovu love!”

Hesitantly, Hana creeps closer, taking the container from the plush snake. Eyes whipping between the plush snake and the container, so warily opens it, finding a sandwich and some sliced fruit inside. She frowned, looking back to the plush snake. “Is this… for me?”

Nodding a little, the plush snake answered, “Love Hana love!”

Though she’s still wary, Hana begins to eat the food from the container. The plush snake didn’t seem dangerous, but she was still confused as to what it was, and why was it here, with her? The plush snake slowly slithers closer to her, before cuddling up to her. As she eats, Hana finds herself leaning against the plush snake.

A while later, as Hana dozed off leaning against the plush snake, Sakura enters the room. She coos at the sight, “Aww… Hana and Lovey are so cute…” Opening her eyes, Hana looked over at Sakura – dressed in her Jeanne outfit – who looked happy to see she was awake. “Oh, Hana, good, you’re up. How are you feeling?”

“I feel fine, a bit sore but…” Hana responded, moving away from the plush snake – Lovey? – turning her attention towards it. “but, uh… what is this?”

“Love love?”

Sakura laughed lightly, “That’s just Lovekov – my demon. She’s harmless.” She walks towards the bed, sitting down on it. “She wanted to keep you company.”

Lovekov certainly looked harmless, that much was true. All squishy and plush and soft, only able to speak through her name and… well Hana’s name, at least. Though there was something about it all that didn’t quite makes sense, namely that Lovekov was… “Your demon?” Hana echoed, “I thought we were like you, though? And according to Karizaki, we’re fused with our demons.”

A frown of confusion comes to Sakura’s face, “You’re… fused with your demons? Hmm… well, I’m afraid I don’t know much about it all, but I know for us… our demons are still present, in their own ways.”

Well, the idea that she and Sakura were exactly alike had never quite felt right to Hana, so maybe she shouldn’t be surprised. “Well, I guess there’s not much we can do about it.”

“Don’t worry too much,” Sakura insists, “Just rest, transforming like that will take a lot out of you.”

It had been such a strange feeling – Hana didn’t hate it, but she wasn’t entirely sure she liked it. She’d felt strong, but then she’d collapsed so soon… “It was tiring, you’re right.”

“If it makes you feel any better,” Sakura began, seemingly sensing Hana’s unease – or maybe it was just more obvious than she thought. “I thought you were absolutely beautiful.”

Unable to help herself, Hana blushed, “You always seem to think that.”

“Well it’s true,” Lying down on the bed beside Hana, Sakura looked up at her, “I’ve never seen anyone or anything even close to as beautiful as you.”

In order to keep her even stronger blush from being seen, Hana hides her face in Lovekov, prompting her to respond, “Love love?”

Hana’s words are slightly muffled by Lovekov, “You really think so much of me. I can’t see why.”

Though she can’t see Sakura’s face, she can hear the frown in her voice, “I haven’t said anything about you that isn’t true.”

Sakura had said a lot about Hana – all good things, really, but that only made Hana further doubt that they were all true. Still, it made Hana wonder why Sakura said so many kind things to her, that she complimented her so much. The part of her that had a very unsubtle, undying, raging crush on Sakura wanted to think that it was because Sakura felt something similar, at least. The other part of her, the one what felt much more rational, or perhaps just nervous, was much more comfortable thinking that Sakura felt no such things towards her.

There was only one real way to know for sure what Sakura’s feelings towards her were, as much as Hana hated it. She had no choice but to ask, at least if she wanted to know. One part of her wanted to, to have answer and just to know for sure what that might be like, but the other part of her was more… afraid, she thinks. It’s easier to accept the answer if she doesn’t know it.

Slowly prying her face from Lovekov’s side, Hana asked, “What am I to you?” her voice was quieter, meeker, than she’d wanted it to be.

Taking her hands, pulling them from around Lovekov, Sakura answered, her voice dripping with adoration, “You are my bee, my dearest Hana.”

The way that Sakura looked at her felt so… strange. Hana doesn’t think she’s ever quite been looked at like that. Like she was the most magnificent thing on Earth. “Am I really yours?”

“If that’s what you want,” Sakura crawled closer to Hana, “I don’t want you to feel like you have to, but I want you to be my queen.”

“Your… queen?” Hana felt breathless, unsure if it was from Sakura’s words or her proximity.

“I am the Deadmans’ king, and it’s only right I have a queen at my side.”

It was all a lot, more than Hana was really sure how to process. Did that mean what she thought it did? Or was she misunderstanding what Sakura was saying? Sakura was so close… not physically any closer than she’d been before, but something about it all felt different, now.

Taking careful breath, Hana answered, “I’d like that,”

A beautiful smile came to Sakura’s face, “I can’t express how happy I am to hear that.” She leaned closer, causing Hana to fall backwards, with Sakura now over her. The smile on Sakura’s face, now, felt… different than the ones Hana had seen before. Not particularly more genuine, but it certainly gave her a different, wonderful feeling. A flutter in his chest that caused her to blush. Maybe the reason why the smile felt so different was the blush dusting Sakura’s own face. “I love you, my queen.”

Hana’s blush grew, though relief spread through her chest, knowing that Sakura felt the way about her that she most desired. Sakura loved her – loved her with this adoration that amazed her. “Sakura…” She wasn’t entirely sure how to make her thoughts into words, how to tell Sakura what it was she wanted to.

For her part, Sakura seemed content without it. Instead, she leaned closer, a few loose strands of hair dangling and tickling at Hana’s face. Staring into Hana’s eyes, Sakura kissed her again. It startled Hana less, this time, than it had the previous two times, instead, she closed her eyes and relaxed. Something about it felt so right.

“Love love!” Lovekov cheered, and Sakura pulled away, though still hover over Hana. “Sakura loves Hana!”

Sakura laughed – and oh, wasn’t Sakura’s laugh just musical? An amazing sound Hana wanted to hear over and over again. “That’s right, Lovey. I love Hana.” Rolling off of Hana, she puts an arm under Hana and maneuvers her back closer to Lovekov. Then she slipped under the blankets, cuddling close to Hana. “I hope you don’t mind me keeping you company here.”

“N-not at all,” Hana nearly relished in how close Sakura was. In the arm that wrapped around her midsection as Sakura’s chest was to her back.

“Kovu kovu,” Lovekov, across from her, made cheerful sounds as she too slithered under the blankets, curling over the two of them.

Hana felt so very warm – she’d never much liked the cold, not since her fuzz had appeared, but the cold had never been a worry for her for a long time. Not since moving in with the Igarashis. Before, though, the cold had been her mortal enemy, leaving her sick and unable to do much, save for curl up and try to stay warm. Though it wasn’t a problem now…

The warmth in this bed reminded her of the first night she’d spent at with the Igarashis, after she’d recovered from her sickness. A warmth that felt fearfully temporary, because she had no way to know how long it would last. How long it could chase the cold away. Hana hadn’t realized that she’d begun to feel cold again – feeling like her brothers had moved to some new point in life and it wasn’t that she was left behind, but that they wouldn’t allow her to join them.

That all changed now. Sakura had chased it all away and Hana felt so relieved. So loved and adored. So warm. Unsurprisingly, Hana found herself quickly drifting back to sleep.

---

Hana hurries into Happy Spa just as Makoto and Genta were preparing to leave to pick up Yukimi, “I’m sorry I wasn’t home sooner,” She was out of breath – she must have run home. “I overslept…”

“We were starting to worry a bit,” Makoto gave a wry laugh. It was probably for the best that Tamaki was working, otherwise he’d be worrying even more about her, just because she’d taken so long to come home. “Anyway, Papa and I were just getting ready to go get Mama.”

“It’ll be nice to have Mama home,” Hana said, adjusting her headband, it having become skewed on her way home.

He nodded, “Yeah, it will.” As he and Genta pulled their coats on, Makoto asked, “Did you have fun with Sakura?”

She had a smile unlike one he’d ever seen before when she answered, “We did – we ended up staying up a bit late last night.” That would explain why she’d oversleep. Well, regardless, he was glad she had a good time. “Now, let’s go get Mama!”

At dinner that night, everyone made sure to keep Yukimi updated on what had happened, though they’d already told her a lot at their frequent visits. Tamaki had probably been the one to see her the least, if only because he was also the busiest. Obviously she was still a bit hesitant about the whole Rider thing, with Makoto and Tamaki, but for the most part, she seemed to have accepted that it was how things would be, sooner or later.

There is one topic that Yukimi asks about that Makoto is a little less sure of. “So, Hana, you and Sakura spend a lot of time together, don’t you?”

Hana blushed at the question, “I guess we do.” Makoto didn’t like that blush – Hana only blushed even close to like that around Hikaru, and certainly not that obviously.

“You should invite her over for dinner soon, I’d like to meet her for myself.”

“I can ask her if she’d like to,” Hana said, suddenly very interested in her food, “next time I see her.”

Makoto suspected that Hana’s feelings towards Sakura were more than the friends she’d repeatedly insisted they were. At the very least, that was how Hana felt – whether Sakura felt the same was unclear, at this point.  He thinks regardless, Tamaki isn’t going to learn to like her anytime soon.

Well, Tamaki would probably be able to deal with it, it would be good for him to learn how to, at least. Besides, Makoto thinks that Sakura isn’t nearly so suspicious as Tamaki does, and frankly would like, as Yukimi does, to really properly meet her and get to know her a little. If she was Hana’s friend (or more) he wanted to know her, just like he knew Hikaru.

---

Hana’s training with Sakura had begun in earnest, now that she could begin to learn to use the power of her Vistamp. It wasn’t so scary to stamp herself now, and Hana was finding that it wasn’t nearly so terrible of a feeling as the first time. Still, her heart pounded, and her blood felt like it was on fire, but now it was less so unpleasant as it was motivating. It only made her want to become stronger.

Sakura didn’t go easy on her, not that Hana wanted her to. But sparring with her was different than sparring with anyone at karate practice, or even Tamaki or Hikaru. With Hikaru she had to hold back, and while she didn’t have to hold back with Tamaki, it sometimes like a fruitless effort to try to win against him. He always won. But that was going to change, now, Hana was determined to make it change. She’d beat Tamaki, and she’d get strong enough to do it with Sakura’s help.

With a particularly hard punch, Sakura knocks Hana to the ground, the Vistamp clattering beside her as she groaned, from the punch, hitting the ground, and the sudden lack of the Vistamp’s power all in combination.

Crouching beside her, Sakura commented, “Well, you’re getting the hang of your demon’s power,”

Like Hana didn’t know that was about all she was doing. As it was, she wasn’t really getting any stronger, Sakura kept beating her just as quickly. Still, Sakura insisted that she’d have to get used to her demon’s power before she’d actually be able to improve. Hana was choosing to believe her, despite her doubts.

Pulling herself up and onto her knees, Hana panted, trying to catch her breath. That was another thing, keeping up with Sakura, even in a spar where she’s certain she’s going easy, was a taxing effort. Hana’s limbs were beginning to feel a bit too sore for comfort her head was beginning to pound in a much more unpleasant way. Probably from getting knocked down so much.

“It’ll get better, with time,” Sakura takes Hana’s hands and pulls her up, so they’re standing. “I think this is good for today.”

Stumbling into her a little, Hana nodded, “Okay,” She didn’t really want to stop for the day, but she doubted Sakura would allow her to continue. So, she lets Sakura take her back to the seeming living space that the three Deadmans used. When Sakura sat her on the couch, she reaches for Hana’s bag and retrieves Hana’s jacket on top of it, draping it over her shoulders.

Sakura pursed her lips into a frown upon seeing Hana’s still sullen expression. “You need to give it time, Hana.”

“I know,” Hana sighed. It was like this when she started karate, but at least then, she had her brother at her side, equally as terrible at it. Now it was just her and Sakura, and Sakura was far stronger than she was.

A glimmer comes to Sakura’s eyes, “Oh, yes, of course. I have something for you.”

“Something for me?” Hana wondered if it was more clothes, like last time. Hana didn’t mind them, but she was going to be incredibly embarrassed if she had to tell her family again that Sakura had given her clothes.

“A gift,” Sakura said, as she reached into her pocket. “Or, well, Daiji got it a few days ago, but I think it’ll be of best use to you.” She pulled out a familiar looking belt – the colors were a little off, but other than that, it looked exactly like the Driver Makoto had.

Hana takes it from Sakura’s hands, “This is…”

With a smile, Sakura finished the thought, “Karizaki’s newest Driver, yes.” Sitting down beside Hana, she continued, “Since you currently have your Vistamp, I thought it would be good for you. This way, you can begin to show your brothers how strong you are.”

Staring at the Driver intently, Hana frowned, “I don’t want them to know, yet. Mama… Mama’s just gotten home and if they know then I can’t stay there.”

“You don’t have to let them know, not yet. The Driver will disguise your identity well, so long as you remain transformed.”

“Then… then I guess you’re right,” The idea of transforming while using the Driver wasn’t nearly as scary as the idea of stamping herself with her Vistamp was the first time. She’d seen Makoto do it with little repercussion other than exhaustion – and some of that was surely because Makoto wasn’t used to much physical exertion.

Sakura pulls Hana closer, so she’s leaning against her, an arm around her waist. “And, I’ll admit… I’d like to begin to show everyone my queen. What better start than to introduce Fenix’s Rider, first?”

Unable to help herself, Hana laughed, “Well, I don’t mind, I guess.”

---

Makoto hurries to the location Tamaki had given him – Jeanne had appeared, apparently accompanied by someone else that the Fenix members couldn’t identify. It was probably whoever Jeanne was planning to stamp, given the lack of demon currently present. He had no reason to think anything different.

Thus, when the person with Jeanne appeared to be a Rider, one wearing what Makoto suspects is George’s missing belt, it’s a bit of a surprise. The Rider’s armor was primarily white, with red and orange, plus a larger area of yellow on the chest. She was standing next to Jeanne, the two appeared to be quietly conversing, since he could see Jeanne’s lips move, but Makoto couldn’t make out the words.

When they see him, they stop talking, Jeanne regarding him with a smile, “You’re finally here, Olteca. Perfect, there’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.” She gestured to the white and red Rider, “This, is Aguilera. And she’s rather interested in fighting you.”

Aguilera, still silent, raises the two red kunai in her hands. It was clear she was prepared for a fight, and given the lack of demon like previous times, Makoto figured she would be his main opponent. Quickly, he pulled out his Driver and Vistamp and transformed as Aguilera ran at him.

She slashed at him with her kunai, which he managed to dodge, though barely. Her attacks are quick and ruthless, giving him little room to fight back against her slashes, stabs, and kicks. When she kicked, it at least gave him an opportunity to block the attack instead of dodge, though that didn’t save him from having to try to dodge her kunai, too.

“Makoto!” he hears Tamaki call his name, though he can’t wrench his attention away from Aguilera. “Huh, who’s that?”

Jeanne frowned, taking a step towards Tamaki, “And now the little wolf is here, does he want to meet my queen too?”

It’s then that Makoto is thrown, tossed between the two by Aguilera and sent into a wall. He manages to stay transformed, at least. Hurrying over to his side, Tamaki pulls something out of his pocket – a Vistamp, red with a yellow creature depicting on it, some kind of fish. Makoto takes it, confused.

“The Marlin Vistamp,” Tamaki said, “Karizaki said that it would help you fight. And given this Rider…”

Makoto was going to need it.

With Aguilera back at Jeanne’s side, Jeanne smiled, “I see you’re finding my queen to be a formidable foe.”

“You’re queen?” Tamaki inquired, looking between the two, “I thought the only other Deadmans you cared about were Evil and Revi?”

Jeanne rolled her eyes, “I adore my queen. You just haven’t met Aguilera, until now.” She looked back at Aguilera, “Now, why don’t you show Olteca and the silly wolf how strong you are, with Karizaki’s little invention.”

Before Aguilera can attack again, Makoto activates the Marlin Vistamp and stamps it on the Driver. This time, instead of causing armor to appear, it caused a strangely shaped weapon to appear in his hand. The handle was curved, and it and the body of the weapon looked like an umbrella, though at the end was a blade that reminded him of a harpoon.

Swinging his weapon, he blocks Aguilera’s kunai. Having the added weapon, even if he wasn’t entirely sure how to use it, gave him a big more confidence fighting her. As he and Aguilera fought, Jeanne turned her sight to Tamaki.

“Would you like to fight again, little wolf?”

Tamaki growled in response, “I’m not losing to you again,” He activated his stamp and used it on himself. Again, he transformed, and Makoto hoped that he would be better off this time than he was the first time. Though George had said that it was likely that it would be less exhausting after the first time, Makoto was still worried.

Not that Makoto could really focus on Tamaki and Jeanne’s fight, given Aguilera was fighting him fiercely. He isn’t sure why, but there’s something about how she fought that felt… not unfamiliar, at least. Especially with how she used her kunai. Though he again couldn’t think much about that, not while he and Aguilera were still fighting.

Then Aguilera knocks his weapon out of his hand and grabs him. Next thing Makoto knows, he’s been knocked out of his transformation and flung past the nearby pier and into the ocean.

---

Tamaki first figures out something’s wrong when Aguilera returns to Jeanne’s side. Strangely, Makoto is nowhere to be found, prompting Tamaki to worry. Makoto had been struggling against Aguilera before, his absence now that she’d returned was not a good sign.

Jeanne looked at him, a sharp sort of smile present, “Oh, I suppose this isn’t a good sign for you and that brother of yours.” She took a step back, “Aguilera, would you like to finish dealing with the little wolf, too?”

Aguilera takes a step towards Tamaki, indicating her answer. Since she was able to defeat Makoto so easily, Tamaki didn’t think he’d fair much better, but he’d be damned if he didn’t try to fight her. He lunged at her, which she dodged, slashing at him instead.

He quickly realized that the way she fought felt familiar, like he’d fought her before. The kunai were throwing him off a bit, but he quickly felt like he knew far too well the manner that she fought. Like he knew what to expect. Likewise, he suspected she knew how he fought better than he’d like.

At least with that, he couldn’t rule out that she’d been watching him and Makoto fight, but he’d only fought with the Vistamp once before, and not even that publicly that often. So he doesn’t think that’s the case.

Like he expected, Aguilera sends him to the ground and his Vistamp clatters beside him. Jeanne leans over him, a smug smile. “You lost, little wolf.” Though he was out of breath, Tamaki growled, then tried to sit up, only to be ignored. Taking Aguilera by the arm, she laughed. “Oh, my queen, you were so beautiful today. I can’t wait for the whole world to see your beauty.”

With that, the two are gone.

A few moments later, he hears footsteps hurrying over. “Tamaki?” It’s Captain Kadota, and Tamaki rolls over to face him and Captain Akaishi. “Where’s Makoto?”

Tamaki pulls himself up, “Ugh, I don’t know. He was fighting that Aguilera,”

“Aguilera?” Captain Akaishi parroted.

“She’s got Karizaki’s missing belt, Jeanne seemed very uh… fond of her.” Tamaki explained, “I don’t really know where Makoto is, though. Somewhere, I guess. I think he and Aguilera were over by the water.”

As Captain Kadota helped Tamaki stand, he looked over towards the water, “Then let’s look over there. We’ll find Makoto and then share what happened with Karizaki.”

“Karizaki will be pissed,” Captain Akaishi said in a moment of uncharacteristic amusement in his voice as he began to flick his finger. The flicking stopped just as quickly as it began as he regained his usual seriousness. “Though we had already suspected that the Deadmans had been responsible for the Driver’s disappearance.”

The three head towards the water, searching for Makoto. Then a splash in the water prompts Tamaki to look into it. He surprised to see Makoto, bobbing in the water looking around, a bit confused.

“Makoto!” Tamaki called.

Looking up towards him, Makoto responded, “Tamaki! Hey! I, uh, think I found something weird. About me.”

Curious as that was, he was still floating in the water, “How about you get on dry land, first?”

“That’s fair,” Makoto hurriedly and easily swam and soon climbed out of the water. When he was back on dry land, though his clothes and hair were still sopping wet, he elaborated on his previous statement. “I think I can breathe underwater.”

With a curious expression, Captain Kadota asked, “What makes you think that?”

Pulling off his sweater and beginning to try to wring the water out of it, Makoto answered, “Well, I was definitely underwater for a while. And I definitely opened my mouth quite a bit. And I definitely didn’t drown, so…”

“You are using the Squid Vistamp,” Captain Akaishi reminded, “And it’s possible squid wouldn’t leave you with visible mutations like Tamaki or Hana.”

Though the worst of the water has been wrung out of his sweater, Makoto regards it carefully, before glancing at himself and sighing, carefully tying it around his waist and beginning to wring his hair out – surely regretting letting it grow to the length it was at. He tries to wring the excess water out of his shirt and pants, too, though he’s still rather wet overall.

Captain Kadota regarded him, “Perhaps you should stop at home and change your clothes, at least. Then come back to the base.”

“That’s probably for the best,” Makoto agreed, “Otherwise I’ll just get water everywhere.”

Despite his best efforts, Makoto was still dripping water.

By the time they get back to Happy Spa and Makoto had gotten changed into dry clothes and toweled the worst of the water out of his hair, Hana entered, Hikaru at her side speaking with concern. She was supposed to be with Sakura, so he must have ran into her on the way home.

“Hana, are you sure you’re okay?” Hikaru prodded.

Hana sighed, “I’m fine,”

Makoto looked at the two, moving closer, “What’s going on?”

For a moment, Hana seemed conflicted, before answering, “Well, er, Sakura and I were on a walk today and- well…”

“Well?”

“Well Jeanne showed up and-“

“Jeanne showed up?!” Makoto paled and Tamaki hurried over.

Seemingly annoyed at being cut off, Hana continued with an irritated tone, though that may be because of what she said happened next, “Yes, and she was able to take the Vistamp I had.”

Quickly, Tamaki asked, “When was this?”

“Earlier in the day, I was just- well-“ She seemed hesitant to continued, but Tamaki and Makoto gave her expectant expressions, which seemed to push her to do so. “I was a bit shaken, okay?”

Placing his hands on her shoulders, Makoto assured, “No, no, it’s okay. It’s alright, Hana.”

“We’ll tell Captain Kadota, Captain Akaishi, and Karizaki about it, we have to head there now, anyway.” Tamaki said.

She frowned, “Right…”

Letting go of her shoulders, Makoto gave her a smile, “We’ll see you in a bit, after we get back.”

Soon enough they head to George’s lab, where he, Captain Kadota, and Captain Akaishi waited. George looked, unsurprisingly annoyed.

The moment Tamaki and Makoto enter the room, George quickly asked, “So the Deadmans have themselves a Rider using my Driver?”

“Yeah,” Makoto answered, “Aguilera… I think she’s using Hana’s Bee Vistamp.”

“Apparently Jeanne found Hana and took it, earlier in the day.” Tamaki added, quickly.

That seemed to only upset George more, as he quickly turned heel and hurried back to his desk, grumbling all the while. Makoto seemed off put by the behavior, as he often seemed when it came to George, but Tamaki knew that was just how George was.

Captain Kadota frowned, “That’s not good, especially if Jeanne still has that interest in Hana.”

“It may have faded,” Captain Akaishi added, “But you’re right, it’s likely Hana could still be in a degree of danger.”

“We won’t let anyone hurt Hana,” Tamaki insisted.

“You can’t be with her at every moment, I think today is a good example of that,” Captain Akaishi, “We’ll consider how to assure Hana’s safety, until we can determine whether or not she might still be in danger.”

Tamaki wasn’t pleased with that, but didn’t say anything else. He couldn’t wait to be able to properly transform himself. Then, he could better help keep Hana safe, then he could be a Rider, he’d stand a chance against the Deadmans. He wouldn’t let Jeanne near Hana.

---

“Hana, do you want to hang out, tomorrow?” Hikaru asked, his voice awkward. He couldn’t find a better way to ask her, he just wanted to spend time with her again.

To her credit, Hana at least seemed apologetic, “Sorry… But I’m supposed to meet with Sakura…”

He doesn’t mean for it, but his next words came out harshly, “It’s always Sakura, what’s so great about her?”

Hana stiffened, “It’s not always about her. Besides, she’s wonderful, you’d see if you spent as much time around her as I have.”

“She’s suspicious, that’s what she is. That smile of her’s is all wrong and she’s stealing you away constantly,” Hikaru argued, “Can’t you see she’s trying to take you away from your family?”

An annoyance crossed her face, “That’s not what she’s doing.”

“Hana…” Hikaru’s hands balled into fists. His tone gets quiet, “If that’s not what she’s doing, why does it feel like I’m losing you? That she’s taking you away?”

Her expression softened, “Hikaru, I’m not leaving you in anyway. I’m sorry that I haven’t been spending as much time with you, I’ve just… I guess I’ve let Sakura take up my time.”

Sighing, he looked away, his shoulders slouching. “You… you mean a lot to me and I miss you. You’re my friend. I guess I’m just a bit jealous that she’s suddenly taking up so much time, like she’s more important.”

“No, she’s not more important,” Hana took his arms, “I guess I’m just bad at managing my time now that I have two people, now that I have a…”

“A…?”

“Girlfriend,” Hana finished, a blush on her face as she stabbed a knife to Hikaru’s heart.

He supposed that it was only a matter of time, and maybe it was wrong of him to ever assume he had a chance. “Oh…”

Hana peered up at him, concerned, “Hikaru? Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, yeah,” He felt a bit out of it, now. “I… should get home. I don’t want to worry my parents.”

Though she lets go of his arms, she instead takes ahold of his hands, “I promise we can hang out in a few days, okay? I’ll text you some times and we can find something.” Despite himself, Hikaru finds that he’s blushing.

“Right, thanks,” He pulls his hands free and hurries home.

God, he had it so bad, and she wasn’t even interested in him.

[cherrycheridarling]

tic-tac-toe | mcu

marvel cast x actress!reader

warnings: one swear, fluff, no plot

summary: you play aphrodite in the MCU and it's time for the press conference for infinity war. based off of this press conference

wc: 2.7k

"Tom Hiddleston!" Jeff Goldblum introduced the man who was sitting on your right.

Everyone applauded before Jeff moved onto you, "Y/N Y/L/N!" more applause rang through the room.

"Sebastian Stan!" you looked to your left where Sebastian waved to the crowd as you clapped with everyone else.

"Anthony Mackie!"

After Jeff finished with the introductions, he explained how the panel would work. He would pull a ping pong ball out of a container and it would either have a name or category. The audience would be able to ask a question to that person or a person in that category after Jeff called on them.

As he pulled RDJ's name out of the container, Tom leaned over towards you.

"Does your water taste funny, too?" he whispered making you stifle a laugh.

You nodded, "Kind of like lemon, right?"

He shook his head, "Mine tastes like mint. Can I taste yours?" he held his hand out as you passed him your water bottle. He took a sip and spent a moment analyzing the taste, "Yours does taste like lemon! Why does mine taste different? Here." he passed you his water.

You took a sip and were hit with a strong mint flavour, "Woah. I think they're trying to drug you." you joked making him laugh.

"As I am answering this question, Tom Hiddleston and Y/N Y/L/N are discussing the flavours of the water behind me." Robert exposed you and Tom to the audience making the room burst out into laughter.

"They have fancy water. Mint and lemon." Tom spoke into a mic drawing more laughs. "Sorry. Carry on!"

As Jeff pulled the next name, you adjusted your dress. A white, long sleeve, blazer dress with gold buttons down the middle, the dress ended mid-thigh. The v-neck cut showcased your subtle gold necklace. Black stiletto heels covered your feet.

You unconsciously began bouncing your leg up and down in a fast motion. Sebastian placed a hand on your thigh, stopping your movements, "You're gonna drill a hole through the floor, Y/L/N." he chuckled.

"Sorry." you laughed quietly.

Sebastian pulled out a notepad and pen, "You need a distraction. Tic-tac-toe?" he offered.

You smiled with a nod before making your move.

"You absolutely suck at this." you chuckled as you won the third game in a row.

Sebastian scoffed, "You can't suck at tic-tac-toe."

"And yet, you do." you smirked.

He rolled his eyes playfully before you continued playing.

After two more rounds, your attention was back on Jeff as he pulled a new ping pong ball. "Ooh! You can ask a God or Goddess." Jeff announced, "So, Tom Hiddleston, Chris Hemsworth or Y/N Y/L/N." he reminded the crowd, "Okay, yes, you!" he picked a woman in the front row.

"Hi, I'm Alexis with Forbes. My question is for Y/N." the room applauded as Jeff tossed the ping pong ball at you and you caught it with one hand.

"See, Robert! It's not that hard!" Jeff exclaimed making everyone laugh.

"Screw off, Goldblum! You chucked that shit at my head." Robert joked back. "Sorry, Alexis, go ahead."

"Um, I wanted to ask about Aphrodite's powers. We all know that she is the Goddess of Love and can seduce anyone with her beauty. We see in the trailer a small clip of her seducing men. How many people did you seduce in the film and were there any funny moments filming those scenes that you can share?"

Her question drew a mix of reactions from the cast. Some laughed, some furrowed their eyebrows and others were just confused. You took in the question before opening your mouth to reply, until you remembered that you weren't wearing a body mic. The cast laughed again before Sebastian passed you a mic.

"Sorry. Um, how many people did I seduce in the film? None." you stated drawing more laughs, "How many people did Aphrodite seduce? All of them." you chuckled, "I'm kidding. Although, I'm not sure what I can share because I don't know what's in the trailer." you confessed, "Kevin, Joe, Anthony, what's in the trailer?" you asked them making everyone laugh again.

Kevin picked up a mic, "I believe it's you seducing Spider-Man, Starlord, Drax and Iron Man."

You nodded, "I do have a funny moment that I'm sure Mister Holland will kill me for sharing, but it's too good to not tell." you smiled thinking of the memory.

Tom immediately grabbed a mic, "You wouldn't!" he exclaimed making the audience and cast laugh.

"I would," you retorted, "We were shooting that scene and, as you know, they have to act like they are falling in love with me. Like I'm putting them in a trance. Well, Tom took that a bit too seriously." you paused at the laughter that your sentence caused, "They're all on their knees in front of me, looking at me as if I'm their queen, because I am." you joked, "And then Anthony calls 'cut' and Dave, Chris and RDJ all get up and start chatting, but as I'm turning away, Tom doesn't move. Still on his knees, looking at me as if I hold the world in my hands." the room filled with amused laughs and chuckles as Tom covered his face with his hands.

"No, it was so bad because I just looked like a creep that couldn't stop staring at her!" Tom laughed at himself.

Robert grabbed a mic, "Very true. I was watching and it honestly had me convinced that Y/N had real powers."

"I have to say, I understand the kid's reaction. Y/N's costume for Aphrodite and the way they transform her only enhances how gorgeous she already is." Anthony Mackie spoke up causing the crowd to gush and clap, "I'm pretty sure we all had the same reaction when we first saw her while filming Civil War." he looked around as the cast nodded.

Scarlett picked up a mic, "Yeah. I remember her walking on set in this stunning white dress which made me extremely jealous," she confessed, "Because, one, it's so gorgeous and she looks absolutely amazing in it," the crowd and cast applauded again, "And two, it's made of the softest silk while my suit is leather and spandex!" everyone laughed at her comment.

Benedict picked up his mic, "Although, it wasn't Tom's first time seeing Y/N as Aphrodite. He was in Civil War and still could not contain himself." he teased making the audience and cast laugh again.

Robert spoke again, "Yeah, he did that during the filming of Civil War, too." the room hollered with laughs.

Tom's face was bright red, "I'm just a very committed actor. I really give all of myself to my work." his comment drew more laughs.

"That's why Sebastian despises Tom. It all started when Tom couldn't take his eyes off of Y/N." Chris Hemsworth added making everyone double over in laughter.

"I feel so loved," you held a hand to your heart as the room chuckled, "These are genuinely the best people in the world and I guess you could say I seduced one person during filming." you joked as the crowd continued to laugh, "Sorry, Tom. I'll buy you some juice, don't be mad." Anthony and Benedict laughed loudly. "Thank you for your question!" you thanked the lady as the cast clapped before Jeff picked out the next ping pong ball.

Next was Scarlett. You sat back and silently judged the man who asked about fashion. Scoffing with Sebastian at his question and laughing at Scarlett's sarcastic and witty responses.

Sebastian leaned over again, "I have to piss."

You stifled a laugh at his abrupt confession, "Go to the washroom, then." you nodded your head towards the exit.

"We're not allowed to leave." he frowned.

You chuckled and reached over, patting his thigh with your hand, "Don't piss yourself."

He rolled his eyes playfully before Jeff called out the next name.

"Anthony Mackie!"

"Hi, I'm Tiffany with Times Magazine. With such a star studded cast, do you find it difficult or any obstacles in developing your character with all theses amazing stories being told and struggling for screen time? Like, are there any obstacles or special difficulties or is it all just amazing?"

Before Anthony could answer, Joe Russo picked up his mic, "Are you asking Anthony Mackie if he has a hard time getting attention?" his comment caused the whole room to erupt in laughs.

Anthony nodded slowly as the laughter died down, "Touché, touché. Uh, well, Tiffany, a wise man once said that some men need an hour to make their presence felt and some need thirty seconds." there was an uproar of laughter and hollering at his comment as he dramatically dropped the mic on the table.

"Who are we asking next?" Jeff squinted at the ping pong ball, "Ooh! Back to the Goddess of Love herself, Y/N Y/L/N!" the room applauded for you as Jeff threw the ball to you.

Sebastian intercepted the toss and caught the ball himself with a smug smirk. You rolled your eyes, but smiled as Jeff picked a lady out of the dozens who had raised their hand.

"Hi, I'm Amy with Esquire and I wanted to ask about the relationship between Bucky and Aphrodite. We see in the previous films their awkward tension from their past history. They have a very special romance and their love story is a fan favourite in the Marvel fandom. What was it like building that bond and relationship on screen? And what do you think of the choice to match the two characters together, how did you react when you found out? Did the pairing of the two help build your bond off screen?"

Jeff spoke again, "I said 'one question', that was at least twenty." he teased the lady drawing laughs from the room.

You chuckled and nodded slowly as the laughter died down, "Excellent questions. Umm, I honestly really like the pairing of the two. I think it gives a great dynamic to both characters and reveals sides of them that we never would've seen without their relationship. It's a very 'good girl falling for the bad guy' trope. And if I'm being honest, I've always wanted that." you confessed causing the room to chuckle, "Their relationship is, without a doubt, one of the most complicated ones in the MCU, but I think that's what makes it so loved by the fans since there's not a dull moment between the two. It's nice to see Bucky have a sentimental side, in his own awkward way of course. And you get to see Aphrodite fall for someone who's not a God or a Titan." you turned to Sebastian, "What do you think?"

You offered him the mic, but he didn't take it, letting you hold it up for him, "Yeah, I agree. I never thought Bucky would have a love interest, if I'm being honest. But I'm glad he does because Aphrodite brings out the soft side in him and he brings out the fighter in her. They really balance each other out and Y/N portrays the character in such a unique way, it really brings a whole new fresh persona to Aphrodite and it's amazing having her as a partner on screen." the audience applauded at his words, "When I first found out about Bucky having her as his love interest—"

"—He called me screaming about how hyped he was." Anthony Mackie cut him off making the room laugh. "Anthony! Anthony! Bucky is gonna be with Aphrodite! That's gonna be sick!" Anthony mocked his voice as you were hunched over with laughter.

Sebastian nodded with a smile, "I did. Won't lie, I did. It's a really refreshing relationship and I'm glad that the fans love it as much as I love playing it. Back to you, you haven't talked about the development and our bond." he gave you a lopsided grin.

You chuckled, "I feel like I'm rambling, but yeah. Their development is definitely," you paused, trying to find the right words, "A development?" you settled on drawing more laughter. "Well, as I said, it's very complicated, but awkwardly adorable at times. Since Seb complimented me, I feel obligated to say something nice about him," you joked making them laugh again, "Kidding. He really does play Bucky with such passion and commitment, it's truly inspiring. And working with someone who loves what they do as much as Seb, it definitely motivates you tremendously and yeah. Um, I won't lie, I honestly was dreading working with Seb," you confessed drawing laughs and a gasp from Sebastian.

"Why?!" he exclaimed making you laugh.

You sighed, "Not because I think you're a bad person or anything, but you come off as very intimidating to people who don't know you very well. And I knew nothing about you before filming other than the films you'd already done, so you scared me." your confession caused everyone to laugh loudly.

Sebastian smirked jokingly, "I am extremely frightening. I understand." he shrugged.

You scoffed with a laugh, "I caught you sleeping with a stuffed turtle and whale noises playing." the room roared with laughter again, "That's when I knew you were a big softy."

Sebastian rolled his eyes playfully, "She's joking. I am the toughest man alive." he deepened his voice.

You shook your head with a chuckle, "Sure. Thank you for your questions." the room clapped for you as you set the mic down and relaxed back into your seat.

"Nailed it." Sebastian held a hand out for a high five and you chuckled before hitting your hand against his.

For the rest of the press conference, you sat back and listened to your friends answer questions. Laughed at jokes made and clapped when appropriate. Small tic-tac-toe games went on between you and Sebastian. Your attention was fully on your nails when Tom Hiddleston got called on.

"Hi, I'm Samantha with Daily Mail and I was wondering, since Loki is a very closed off and mysterious character, we never explore the aspect of him having a love interest. So, if you could choose anyone from the MCU for Loki to end up with, who would it be and why?"

You turned to look at Tom as he pondered on the question, crossing his arms and rubbing his chin, "Very good question. Umm, who would I choose for Loki? Let's see," he paused again and looked around the room until his eyes landed on you, "Ah, I'd steal Aphrodite from Bucky." he answered making the room laugh and Sebastian chuckled with a nod.

"Why Aphrodite?" Jeff asked.

Tom chuckled again, "Well, it's Aphrodite." he simply answered drawing more laughs, "They are so different yet similar in so many ways. Loki is never fully evil nor fully good, but I think Aphrodite has the best chance of turning him good. And who wouldn't want to end up with the Goddess of Love?"

The cast nodded understandingly before Chris Pratt grabbed a mic, "If you were to ask any person on this stage that same question, I guarantee the answer would be Aphrodite." the whole cast nodded.

"They're all trying to steal Sebastian's woman." Jeff teased.

Sebastian scoffed jokingly, "They're all jealous." he wrapped an arm around your shoulder.

You chuckled with a shake of your head before Robert spoke up, "Adding onto the conversation. Miss Y/L/N, who would you want Aphrodite to end up with?" his question drew excited reactions from the crowd.

You let out a bark of laughter before looking from Tom to Sebastian, "Hmm, excellent question, Mister Downey." you rubbed your chin, "Stop doing that, Holland." you chuckled as you saw Tom point at himself in the corner of your eye.

He raised his hands in surrender before Anthony Mackie spoke up, "Spidey is five years old, kid." everyone laughed at that.

"I'd have to stick with Bucky. He is her true love." you shrugged as the crowd cheered.

Sebastian smirked from beside you as the men of the cast faked disappointment.

As the panel came to a close, you looked around at the family you were surrounded by. Friends you love more than anything. Hundreds of memories with the most amazing people you'd ever met. Your home.

[little-fics]

Bee

Fandom: Marvel

Pairing: Stucky x Reader; platonic!uncle!Tony

Summary: Reader is teetering the edge of a slip when her buddies Sam and Clint are mean to her, daddy stucky to the rescue

Warnings: age regression, scary bees, bottle, pacifier, anxiety, a little violence, angry!Steve (not at you), mean!sam and mean!clint, I may have missed some, read at your own risk

Word count: 2.2K

A/N: I had fun with this one! I hope you like it!

Disclaimer for my blog!

Life with Bucky and Steve was great, you'd officially been together for about a year, and they'd been your daddies about half that time. You didn't always regress, just when the world got a little too big and you needed to leave it all behind. The avengers didn't know about your coping mechanism, at your own request, save for Tony who has programmed Friday to detect when you're little and were about to do something that babies shouldn't do, such as cooking or showering because babies makes messes and get hurt. It was something you'd kept private and to yourself for a long time, and it took months to feel comfortable enough to talk with Steve and Bucky about it. You weren't always feeling little, and had the capability of being a very vital part to the team, but on your days off, it was easy to find yourself slipping into that headspace.

That's how you got to sitting on the balcony, slowly slipping into that headspace after a difficult mission. You'd woken up between Steve and Bucky, crawling out of the bed quietly, not quite feeling small but you know it's coming. Clint and Sam find you outside, sunbathing and staring at the clouds. Sam is the first one to come outside, Clint following close behind.

"Mornin' sunshine," Sam sits next to you, Clint moving to the other side of you, relaxing in his seat, Sam holding out a glass to you, "want some lemonade? I know that coffee makes you jittery on your days off." You take the glass, smiling at the yellow straw poking up from the top, "Thank you! And a straw!" You twiddle with it gently, pulling it out to take a sip. "Gosh," your shoulders sag and your head leans back in ecstasy, "Clint's lemonade is the best, thank you." Clint pointedly looks at Sam, smug, "Why thank you Y/n, I'm blushing." Sam scoffs, "You wouldn't have even made it if I didn't beg!" Clint shrugs, "I made food," he looks to you, "speaking of," he has you a plate with a sausage and egg biscuit. You tentatively take it from him, "Oh thank you, are you sure?" Clint laughs, leaning back in his seat, "Yeah, honey, me and Sam already had some."

Once you finish your biscuit, you're back to staring at the pretty sky, sipping on your lemonade listening to Sam and Clint bicker back and forth. A bee comes out of nowhere, eliciting a small yelp from you and you're quickly standing from your seat. They're laughing, which hurt your feelings, the fear of the bee causing you to slip fully. You try to go inside but hear Sam speak to the AI, "Friday, lock patio doors under code Falcon," before you make it to the door. When you pull on it the door won't budge. "Sam," your voice is meek, "that's not funny," you whine and shake the door again, getting nervous over the buzzing around your lemonade on the table. "Friday, open the door." Clint laughs again, "It's just a bee, you've been shot before and you can't handle a bee?" A tear slips down your face, and you feel your heartbeat pick up.

You shake on the door, trying to get away from your mean friends, wiping a tear away, "Open the door Sam." He's laughing, he thinks this is funny, "It's just a bee, it'll be gone in a minute Y/n, it's fine." You shake the door more violently, and it's clear Sam wasn't going to open the door. You bring your hand to the bracelet that lays around your wrist, a fail safe if something is wrong, to immediately notify Steve and Bucky that you need them. You find the tiny sun charm, pressing the tiny button that notifies your daddies of your state of mind and that you're in trouble, different from the other charm, a moon, who notifies your boyfriends of an emergency.

Bucky is the first one to hear Friday, "Mr. Barnes, Mr. Rogers," he groans groggily, "Friday, it's too early for this, what is it?" Bucky reaches over to find just Steve, no tiny baby to love on as he hears Friday once more, "I am sorry Mr. Barnes, but it seems munchkin has requested your presence with signs of distress." Bucky's eyes snap open at the use of the programmed name for when you're in your little space, throwing the covers off and slapping Steve's shoulder. "Bucky, what the-" Steve stops when he realizes that Bucky is already out the door, he's quickly behind him, not bothering to put a shirt on, as Bucky hadn't.

"Friday, where is munchkin?" Bucky spits, FRIDAY speaking up once more, "Munchkin is on the patio with Mr. Wilson and Mr. Barton." Their brows crunch together in confusion, Steve finally speaking up on their way to the patio, sleep still heavy in his voice, "Is something wrong?" Bucky shrugs nervously, "Friday said she was showing signs of distress." The system speaks up once more, "That is correct. Munchkin's heart rate seems to be elevated and she is showing signs of high stress. She notified me by her emergency contact Sun Ray." At this, Bucky and Steve speed up, trying to get to you as quickly as possible.

The bee is still there, attracted not only to the lemonade, but the brightly colored pajamas keeping its attention as it flies back and forth between you and the lemonade. When it flies towards you, you hide in the corner of the patio, screaming, running to the other corner to hide from it when it follows you, a tear streaking down your face. Sam sees the stray tear, immediately his stomach sinking while you're piddling with your bracelet, ignoring the tears on your face, not hearing Sam when he stands and calls out gently, "Friday unlock the doors." Sam's in front of you, "Let's go inside, come on." When he reaches for you, you flinch back from him, causing his heart to break a little. You're now frantically pushing the button on your charm.

"Mr. Rogers, Mr. Barnes, munchkin has sent a distress call 13 times, up to 17, 23," and then they're at the doors to the patio, slinging them open.

Bucky takes in your appearance, you look afraid, tears freely streaming down your face, now surrounded by Clint and Sam, who are violently moved by Bucky. He's lifting you by your thighs, bringing them around his waist, glaring at Sam and Clint before carrying you inside. When you're back inside, feeling the rush of AC, you let loose, heavy thick tears falling with sobs. "Shhh my little bunny, I've got you."

Steve remains on the porch, staring at a shell shocked Sam and Clint, "What happened?" They shrug, "It was just a bee, we didn't know it would scare her so bad." Steve rolls his eyes at the men, following Bucky back to your room. When he gets there, you're straddling Bucky on the bed, hands tucked under you, fists balled up tightly, hiccuping sobs. "'S mean," Bucky is rubbing your back, shushing softly while you try to explain what happened, "wouldn't let me 'nside daddy, I try." More sobs erupt from you, Steve's brow furrowing, wondering what you meant.

"Friday, show me what happened with munchkin on the patio before Sun Ray was activated." He watches as the TV screen starts playing the scene, fury creeping up in his bones, while Bucky continued to console you, but matching the fire Steve has in his eyes. Steve saunters out of the room when the TV shuts off, heading straight for Sam and Clint. Bucky holds you closer when you whimper, "Oh doll, dada will be right back, he's just gonna go get you something to drink." You continue to sob, you refused to take your pacifier, dropping it out of your mouth every time he tried to put it in, sobs not allowing it to stay. "Baby baby baby, you're okay, that little bee isn't gonna getcha in here, only daddy." He tries to tickle you, but you just sob louder. He's thankful for the soundproof walls, knowing you don't like to draw attention.

Steve finds Sam and Clint in the common room with Nat and Tony. Tony stands when he sees Steve, anger on his face still shirtless. Steve comes up from behind Sam and Clint, grabbing their shirts roughly, pulling them up and off the couch, feet dangling a foot above the floor, turning them to face him. They're shouting, trying to get Steve to let go. Tony is trying to pull Sam away from him, Nat trying to hit his weak spots so he will drop Clint but he doesn't budge.

"Did you think it was funny?" Steve spits, bringing his face closer to theirs, "Did you? You think it was funny when she cried? Think it was funny when she screamed and pulled on the door? How would you feel huh? If someone laughed at you because you were scared? If your friends laughed at you?" Tony and Nat are confused, "Steve calm down, what happened?" Steve scowls, overpowering the men easily as he turns them around, still holding them in the air. "Friday, pull up the patio clip and my bedroom feed on the common room television."

"Voice identification confirmed. One moment." The video starts playing, but all they can hear are your sobs, not able to hear the small consoling your daddy is trying or the talk from the patio clip as it plays. "Is it still funny bird boy? Is it still funny when you know you're the reason she's like this? No? Good." Steve throws them down on the couch, Tony is furious, Nat is scolding them, and Steve's on his way into the kitchen.

Tony follows Steve after shutting off the video feed, Nat still scolding the two perpetrators. Steve is piddling around, heating up some milk in the microwave. "You okay man?" Tony asks, placing a hand on his back, when Steve glares at him Tony sighs. "Man you can't go back to her seething like this." Steve lets out a huff, "I've never wanted to throttle someone like I do right now." He grabs the milk from the microwave, mixing some hot chocolate power in it, something that frequently happens when you're having a very bad day. Tony hands Steve a bottle, hidden in a thin cabinet, only unlocked by four people in the tower; Uncle Tony, your daddies, and you. "She's your baby, and she hasn't stopped crying because her buddies were mean to her and she doesn't understand, if you go in there angry, she will think you're mad at her." Tony chides, Steve, resonating with Tony's words, takes a deep breath, filling up your bottle and continuing to shake it. "Want me to come cheer her up with you?" Steve sighs, "Let us calm her down a bit, get her feeling right and we'll play some games later yeah?" Tony starts to rummage through the fridge, "Have Friday notify me." Steve nods, leaving Tony and going back to his baby.

When he opens the door, you're still crying, but when Steve sits he pulls you into his lap, holding you like a baby and rocking you. "Shhh, it's okay baby, I know they were mean, but papa's here now. It's okay," he's rubbing your face gently, your sobs turned to weak whimpers. "That's it baby, you want some milk?" You nuzzle into his chest, Bucky taking a sip of the bottle making sure it's not too hot and gives it back to Steve. He holds the tip to your lips, you instantly wrap your lips around it and hum happily.

"There she is, sweet girl," his fingers tangle in your hair, massaging your scalp gently while Bucky rubs your legs with a feather light touch. You hiccup on the milk, Steve moving it away from you and wiping away a stray tear. Your fingers clutch around his shoulder, whining, "Papa." He coos at you, "Drinking too fast aren't we love?" You let out another whine, your bottom lip wobbling, "Pease papa." He traces your jawline before bringing the bottle back to your lips, "Slower, you hear me dove?" You nod gently, closing your eyes and continuing to drink the bottle.

You're teetering on the edge of sleep, Steve wiping away a drop of milk that finds its way to the corner of your mouth. He takes the bottle very carefully, stopping when you suck on it a little harder, trying to hold it in your mouth. "Bunny," Bucky's voice sings to you, "let daddy have that, okay?" Steve tries to pull it away again, this time with no fight, Bucky pressing your pacifier to your lips, which you take happily. He clips it to the top of your pajama shirt so if you drop it, it'll stay relatively within reach. "Friday, put on munchkins lullaby playlist."

Soft music starts playing through the room, bringing you all the way under, soft snores against Steves chest alerting them to your slumber. "Mr. Rogers, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Barton are outside, requesting entrance." Bucky rolls his eyes as he slides back down into the bed, "Friday, decline entrance and leave us be to nap for an hour." Steve moves you to Bucky, your sleeping form habitually wrapping around him and his warmth. Steve huddles behind you, wrapping his arm over you and resting it on Bucky, rubbing small circles. "She's gonna be a handful today," Steve comments, letting Bucky know that he thinks today is going to be one of those days where you regress further than usual. "She's gonna have such a good time with Tony." Bucky laughs, his eyes flutter shut, "Don't count her daddies short."

[rozcdust]

I know how this story goes

pt. 8

Pairing: Rindou Haitani x f!reader x Haruchiyo Sanzu

Genre: Crack, SMAU, Fluff

Word count: 600ish

Warnings: Violence, substance abuse, profanity, irresponsible behaviour, reckless driving, reader is a cocky bitch, rindou hates her guts

Synopsis: Bonten needs a driver for a job. You just so happen to be Rindou’s fuck buddy with a talent for speeding and knowing the map of Tokyo’s back streets like the back of your palm. Rindou hates you.

pt. 1 | previous | next

Waking up to a phone ringing, you wanted to punch a wall.

Picking it up, you let out your best disappointed mum sigh, adjusting your tone to be as passive aggressive as possible.

“What?!”

“Y/n, darling, loveliest of all, for fuck’s sake don’t be so fucking loud.” Ran whined through the phone, and you could practically see him holding his head, eyes closed.

“You hungover?” You couldn’t stop the lazy grin that spread across your face.

“Yea… Rin is too, and we have work… Come pick us up? Please?”

“What am I, a fucking chauffeur?”

“Technically…?”

“I will run you over.”

“So… That a yes?”

Sighing, you pinched your nose.

“Yes.”

“You’re the best! See ya in an hour.” Cringing at his screech, you hung up, letting your face plop back into the pillows.

“Don’t move, you’re so comfy.” Sanzu mumbled, shamelessly nuzzling the back of your neck.

Turning your head to look at him, annoyed, you raised an eyebrow.

“How did I end up on my stomach and why are you on top of me and how in the fuck is my spine comfy?”

Sanzu planted a small kiss on your neck instead of an answer.

“Do you enjoy cosplaying as a baby koala?”

“Mhm.”

“You’re clingy.”

“And you love it.” He said in a smug tone as he gently trailed kisses down your jaw to your neck.

“I will exercise my right to remain silent, officer.”

“You’re no funnnnnn.” Whining, he rubbed his nose against your cheek, his finger drawing patterns on your shoulder blade.

You allowed yourself to enjoy his somewhat concerning need for physical affection, before forcing yourself to get up, throwing him off you onto the floor.

“YOU ARE RUDE!”

Grinning as he grumbled about hurting his back, you leaned down to kiss his forehead.

“Get up and get ready, we have to pick up Haitanis.”

“I have no fresh clothes.”

“Walk of shame.”

“I’mma just take yours.” He stuck his tongue out, revealing a piercing.

Curiously, and without much thinking, you grabbed his tongue.

“Didn’t know you had a tongue piercing.”

“Ughuh.” He mumbled, swatting at your hand to let go.

Letting go to open your closet to get him something that would fit his lanky ass, you threw a hoodie at him.

“…Haru, why are you blushing?”

“Gooooooooood morning!” Sanzu’s voice was annoyingly loud, even more so than usual, and you were sure he was doing it for no other reason than to cause Ran and Rindou pain.

“What the fuck is he doing here?” Rindou groaned, slipping into your back seat.

“My fucking car, my fucking choice in passengers.”

“You have shit taste.”

“Which is why I’m fucking you I guess, everything suddenly makes sense.”

Kicking your seat, causing you to flip him off, Rindou crossed his arms.

“No, seriously darling, what is he doing here?” Ran asked this time.

“I slept over.”

Rindou, who was certain moving faster than snail’s pace would cause him incredible pain less than 20 seconds ago, now was sure could ignore his hangover in order to punch Sanzu.

He restrained himself because he could see the knowing look Ran was giving him.

“And why’d you sleep over?” Rindou hoped his voice didn’t sound as bitter as he felt.

“Had to pick her up from a police station last night.”

Ran bolted up from his comatose state to stare at you in disbelief.

“You got arrested?”

“Yep.”

“How?”

“They put handcuffs on me and said to call them daddy.”

“No, no, for what reason?”

“Public indecency.” Sarcasm dripped off your every word, letting Ran know he should drop it.

“I mean, with how much of a slut you are, it tracks.” Rindou smirked.

You wildly swerved into the opposite lane as a warning, enjoying his panicked screeching.

“…Sanzu, is that her hoodie?”

“Yep!” Sanzu smiled as he scrolled through your phone, searching for a song.

That was it, Rindou was knocking his teeth out the first chance he got.

And with Sanzu making sure Gasolina is blasting at an offensive volume, scrambling Rindou’s brains, he had a reason to.

Taglist (open)

@rindous-wife @marrymemanjiro @kampfkuchen85 @camilosa @shadoweepingscream @1818cigarettes @gulfkfl @youpieceofwasabi @bxnten @lovelybimbo @babu-haitani @tsukkisukkii @ihateuguys @kenma-yuuu @yukihime-mikeys-girl @lagrimasdeglitter @pirana10 @hana-patata @reapersimps @sammcaav222 @brokencoinlocker @graythecoffeebean @waywardzonkprofessorpainter @own-it-baby (bold can’t be tagged, sorry! 🤧)

a/n: naming this “i know how this story goes” was a fatal error because i do not, in fact, know how or where it’s going. AT ALL 🤧