#prepared’ AND I FULLY WANTED TO SHOOT MYSELF??? LIKE GIRL?? anyways the day rolls around and i intentionally run like 5 mins late bc yk i

[mqonlighting]

yeah i lied. missing her real bad rn so im touching on it in tags again! if u saw this heres an update if u didnt then do not read it!

will be burying this again after

real talk in the tags for a second because i have a crush on a girl and i. a hehe. ahehehe.

will be burying this in reblogs and never touching on it again

[elliesguitarstrings]

Silence (Part 5)

Masterlist//Series Masterlist

Peter Parker x Stark!reader

Summary: You and Peter have been best friends ever since he stepped foot into the avengers compound. After a year of being friends you realize you’ve developed a crush on him, but he doesn’t feel the same way… at least, you don’t think he does.

A/N: Last part!! I really enjoyed writing this and I hope you enjoyed reading it :) I may or may not do an epilogue to this but we’ll see bc I have a lot of other stuff I want to work on.

Warnings: language, angst with a happy ending

~~~~~~~~

You lay on your bed, contemplating how in the world you’re ever going to manage ignoring Peter on patrol. Truthfully, you know you won’t be able to avoid him, but you want to go as long as possible without talking to him, which will be nearly impossible since it’s just going to be the two of you. Why couldn’t you just go with Nat, or Wanda, or like… anyone else?

Then the dreaded moment comes when your dad calls you downstairs to suit up for patrol. You rush down to the lab before Peter gets there, slipping into the suit you’ve been working on for the past few months. It’s nothing special, just your average stealth suit with a little bit of tech incorporated, but it’s yours. And now you can finally wear it for something other than basic training.

You admire your suit in the mirror, excited to put it to good use. In the reflection, you see Peter walk into the lab, already suited up in everything but his mask. Presumably he already knew you were joining him on patrol, but he still looks surprised to see you nonetheless.

Luckily, before he has the chance to say anything to you, your dad steps in.

“Great, you’re both here! Pete, you know the drill. Station at a tall building, look for bad guys, be back my midnight.”

Peter nods, “Yes sir. Same as always!”

God, what a suck up.

Your dad turns to you, “Y/N, follow Peter’s lead. He’ll brief you on the basics of patrolling and what to expect. Tonight’s a quiet night, but still watch out for trouble. And please, for the love of god, behave yourself.”

You roll your eyes, “Yeah, dad, got it.”

“Alrighty then kids, get to work. See you later.”

You follow Peter out, trailing behind him at quite a distance so you don’t have to talk to him.

Peter starts lecturing you about the basics of patrol (which you already know) as you walk out onto the roof of the compound, getting ready to head to Queens. He offers to swing you there, but you cross your arms and shake your head, still keeping your silent streak. Thankfully, you had installed jet thrusters into your suit, and while they aren’t very strong, they are enough to get you through the short trip to Queens.

As you fly through the city, you contemplate just going off on your own, away from Peter. But you decide that the lecture from your dad when you come back wouldn’t be worth the trouble.

You loosely follow Peter and land on a tall apartment building in the middle of the city. He sits on the edge of the roof, looking out over the city, motioning for you to come sit next to him. Instead, however, you swiftly turn your back and sit on the opposite side. Luckily, he takes the hint and doesn’t come to you, and the two of you sit in silence for a while, with both of you surveying each side of the city.

It’s not until about thirty minutes in that something finally happens. Out of the corner of your eye, you see a man in a black hood sneaking into a dark alley. You know if you say anything to Peter, he would want to come with you, so you slip down the building as quietly as possible, going to see for yourself what’s going on.

At first it looks like an average drug deal, something you could easily stop in no time. But then, you see one of the three hooded men pull a glowing weapon out of his duffel bag, something you recognize as alien tech. You try to sneak further around the corner to get a better look at the weapon, but you make the mistake of not looking down and you step on stick, the crack audibly heard by all three of the men in the alley.

You try to turn and run, but it’s too late. They already have you cornered, each of them equipped with one of the alien weapons, so you prepare to fight.

One of the men slowly inches towards you, weapon in hand.

“Well well well, if it isn’t little Miss. Y/N Stark. Daddy finally let you join the team huh?”

You don’t answer him and reach for the gun in your holster, but stop when you feel another gun pressed to the back of your head.

The man speaks again, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you sweetie. One shot of any of these weapons would kill you in an instant, so I’d do what we say.”

“What do you want from me?” you ask, trying your best to hide the fear in your voice, while also trying to devise an escape plan from this unfortunate situation.

“We’ve been looking for you for a long, long time Miss. Stark. We have questions about your dad and his little gadgets, and you have answers. And you’re going to give them to us, whether you like it or not.”

You decide that it’s now or never, so you take action.

“No.” you state, and swiftly kick the man behind you in the stomach, dodging the blast of his weapon as he shoots it towards you. He’s too hurt to try to shoot again, so you steal the weapon from his hands and hit him across the face, successfully knocking him out.

Unfortunately, you fail to pay attention to the two other men advancing behind you. Before you can even process it, the weapon is knocked out of your hand and you are pinned to the ground, with the smaller man holding your shoulders and the larger one restraining you with his knee. You writhe and struggle to try and loosen their grip, but they are too strong.

“So, you wanna play hard, huh little girl?” the larger of the two men drove his knee further into your abdomen, making you cry out in pain.

The other man speaks up, “Since you won’t cooperate, we’re just gonna have to make you,” he motions to his partner, “get the needle.”

Your eyes widen as the larger man pulls out a giant tranquilizer needle, still keeping you down with his knee. Both of the men tighten their hold on you, trying to restrict your movement. Still, you kick and writhe as much as possible, keeping the man from stabbing you.

“STOP FUCKING MOVING” the smaller man screams, following with a hard blow to your face, drawing blood from your nose and cheek.

At this point, you are helpless, accepting your fate as the needle inches closer to your neck.

“Not so fast!”

Peter.

The needle is snatched out of the masked man’s hand, catching him off guard and making him loosen his grip enough for you to swiftly knee him in the groin. Peter catches the needle and uses it to stab the smaller man in the neck, immediately knocking him unconscious. The man who you had previously knocked out starts to stir again, so Peter runs to fight him while you still struggle with the larger man.

Although the masked criminal is much larger and stronger than you, you are able to use his own strength against him, throwing him to the floor (you learned that from Nat). Establishing control over him, you repeatedly punch him in the face until he is successfully knocked out. Once you are sure the man is fully unconscious, you glance at Peter, who is already webbing up the other two criminals.

You motion for him to web up the man you just knocked out, and you call your dad to explain the situation.

“Good job Y/N, we’ve been looking for those guys for a while now, so not bad for your first patrol. I’m sending agents to come pick the three criminals and bring them to the compound for interrogation, so just wait there with Peter until they show up.”

“Got it dad, thanks,” you say, still breathing heavily from your fight.

“Proud of you kid.”

He ends the call and you smile to yourself, happy that you made your dad proud on your first day as a part of the team.

And then Peter ruins it.

“You’re welcome,” he says flatly.

With all the adrenaline flowing through your veins making your blood boil, you decide to finally break your silent streak.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, would you look at that. She speaks!” he comments sarcastically.

You roll your eyes, “What am I supposed to be thanking you for, exactly?”

“Uh, for just saving your ass out there. Or maybe you didn’t notice that you were about to get tranqued in the neck and kidnapped by some of the city’s most wanted criminals.”

“Oh please, I could have handled myself just fine.”

To be honest, you know you wouldn’t have been able to handle yourself, and deep down you are grateful for Peter coming and saving you, but you don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

“Come on Y/N, we both know that you would have been fucked if I hadn’t come to help.”

“I’m not having this conversation with you Peter.”

“Yeah, okay. Go back to giving me the silent treatment. That’s what got us into this mess anyways.”

“I’m sorry what? How the fuck is this my fault?” your voice is rising increasingly in anger.

“If you had just stopped ignoring me for one fucking second and didn’t sneak off on your own, we could have handled this so much easier!” his voice rises as well.

“Why does it even matter anymore Peter? We took them down anyways, who cares how it happened?”

“Because you’re ignoring me Y/N! And I have no fucking idea why!”

Oh, so he wants to go there.

“Don’t play the innocent card here, you know exactly what you did.”

“Please, enlighten me, because I have no clue what the hell you’re talking about.”

“YOU’RE SHUTTING ME OUT PARKER!”

“I’M SHUTTING YOU OUT? YOU HAVEN’T SPOKEN TO ME IN THREE FUCKING DAYS! YOU’RE THE ONE SHUTTING ME OUT! WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING THIS Y/N?”

“BECAUSE I FUCKING LOVE YOU OKAY!”

Oh fuck, you just messed up. You didn’t mean to say it, but your mind kept wandering back to your conversation with Nat earlier and it just… slipped out.

Peter stares at you in bewilderment.

“What did you say?” his voice becomes noticeably softer.

Fuck it.

“I love you Peter. I’ve loved you since the first day I fucking saw you when you walked into the compound and we watched A New Hope on my bed and I fell asleep on your shoulder but I know you only see me as a friend and you like MJ and I just ruined our friendship but I-“

Peter cuts you off by pulling you into him and pressing his lips onto yours. After a few seconds he pulls away, resting his forehead against yours and taking your hands in his.

“I don’t like MJ, I like you. Fuck it, you know what, you already said it so why don’t I, I love you. I’ve always seen you as more than a friend but I never thought you felt the same way.”

So many emotions are flowing through your head, trying to process what the fuck just happened. The main one, however, is just plain confusion.

“But then- then why have you been avoiding me for MJ?”

“Is this about our friendiversary thing?”

You nod your head, still trying to get an answer out of Peter as to why he was being such a dick.

“Look Y/N, I know this sounds stupid, but I- I was avoiding you because when you woke me up and told me about our one-year friendiversary, it reminded me that we were just friends, so I got weird. It wasn’t just you that remembered it, I did too. And I was actually planning on telling you how I felt about you, but then I got scared and bailed. And then I invited Ned and MJ to come with us because I didn’t think I would be able to handle myself if it was just me and you. I’m so sorry Y/N, it was such a shitty thing for me to do and I hate myself for it-”

This time it was your turn to cut him off with a kiss, still holding on to his hands.

“I forgive you Peter. And also, I’m sorry for giving you the silent treatment for three days,” you laugh.

Peter starts laughing with you, “We’re both such idiots, aren’t we?”

“Yeah. We totally are.”

Both of you are still giggling as you kiss for a third time, this one more passionate. He wraps his arms around your waist and you move yours around his neck, drawing him as close as humanly possible. You deepen the kiss, the both of you completely getting lost in each other, and in this moment, its like you and Peter are the only two people on Earth.

You pull away from Peter only to rest for a moment and catch your breath.

“I love you Peter,” you smile.

“I love you too Y/N, so much.”

~~~~~~~~

Taglist: add yourself to my taglist here!

Strikethrough means I couldn’t tag you :(

All: @pxkajesus @hollanddolanfangirl @roseke @agentsofparker @lifeasjazzz @damnrancidchicken @loopyolivia @iwannabekilledtwice @rafehogwarts @non-eexistent @rosiexx8 @nearlydanger9 @realityisabitch07 @midgardassassins @jbreenr @cap-marvxl @ellesmythe @deepestcolorgiantopera @that-one-person @clandestine-nerd @nevertrustapanda16 @ohabbyoh @rxmanxff @bubbleskz @quinn-spn58 @baby-pogue @strangebouquetqueen @thatforgottenangel @pjmjams @tiredstudenttrinity @isabella-bby @i-will-take-care-of--you @hollandprkr @ladykxxx08 @white-wolf1940 @runawayolives @geekgirleve @thathurtbrolol@heyiheardyouwereawildone36

Peter Parker: @blizzardbabe @ifyouwereanybraveryoudbealioness @newsies-yeet @zosia-cichoracki @elismacleod @parkerpeterparker2004 

Series: @t-hollanderr  @allycat449-blog @haley-talks-too-much

[supernaturallyobsessedchic]

Say My Name

[Really have been forgetting to credit gif creators, my bad, totally spaced it a few times...credit for this one, due to @zombiepenguin334]

Square: Quote C ("Say my name over and over again and, once you think you’ve said it loud enough, scream it. I want the whole neighborhood to know who’s making you feel good.”) ( @supernatural-jackles​ tell me a story bingo)

Word Count: 2,334

Warnings: Smut (NSFW, P in V, Oral fem receiving, unprotected sex (use protection), creampie, rough sex, possessive kink, slight bondage, first times, use of the pull out method, slight voyeurism, overstimulation, squirting, trying for baby, talks of trying for baby), strong language, possessive Jensen, loss in virginity, fluff end.

Pairing: Jensen x Reader

Summary: Jensen decides to teach the reader that she is his and no one else’s.

Bingo Masterlist

Masterlist

Mobile Masterlist

A/N: This is very smutty, please, be over 18 to read. Otherwise, enjoy, feedback much preesh.

A/N #2: italics is a flashback.

~

She heard the mower outside when she woke.

She looked at the clock seeing she slept in till almost noon. Not only was it her day off but it was her two weeks of vacation off. Just her and Jensen home, spending some quality time together.

Her last vacation she took she went to Vancouver, she always wanted to visit the most popular place in Canada when it came to shooting movies and TV.  What she didn’t expect was to run into, and ruin a shot of the show Supernatural.

She had walked on camera, totally oblivious to the warnings and signs from the production teams letting people know that they are filming in the area.

Sam and Dean were walking down the street in their fed suits, she turned the corner bumping into Dean.

Apologies turned into conversation, and those conversations turned into numbers exchanged. He stuck by her side since then.

Now almost a year into their relationship, they have since moved in together. She could even remember her first time with him.

Making out on his couch like horny teenagers.

 His hands roaming her body, combing through her hair as his lips consumed her with his tongue dancing with hers.

She hums against him, encouraging him to continue on more.

“Sweetheart,” he says, pulling away, panting for air.

“Hmm.”

“I love you, but if we keep this up, I’m not gonna be able to stop myself.”

“I don’t want you to stop, I want more.” She says lowly, thick with lust.

“Cool, I didn’t want to stop anyway.” He says, stifling a chuckle.

“I want more.” She pants, before his lips captured hers once again.

She felt his finger peak under her shirt, her skin feeling like it was on fire.

His kiss kept her occupied as his hand worked its way up, cupping her breast, giving it a harsh squeeze. As if it squeezed a moan from her lips.

He smirked against her in the kiss.

His hand continued until he pulled her shirt over her head. And she did the same to his shirt.

“You intend on having sex with me on your couch?” she asks, panting.

“Bed?” he asks playfully.

“Bed.” She nods with a smile.

His lips crashed into hers once more before picking her up, wrapping her legs around his waist. While walking to his room, he unhooked her bra with her throwing it off behind him.

With her back against the bed, he works her panties off of her as she climbed in further to rest her head on his pillows.

From her lips to her hips he trails kisses all along her body until he met her wet core. Giving it a broad lick through her folds, flicking across her clit growing ever more sensitive.

“Oh, god.” She moaned, rolling her hips wanting more.

He kept lapping his tongue around her clit, building her up quickly. Hearing her breathing pick up, holding her hips down to prevent her from moving. Causing her to whine.

“I’ll get you there sweetheart, don’ you worry.” He says, his voice almost as low as Dean’s.

Just as when she felt herself ready to snap, she felt him pull his lips away. And felt something with a lot of girth enter her soaking pussy.

Drawing out a wanton moan.

He started a slow steady pace, for a few thrusts, getting her adjusted to him. And he started a fast and rough pace. Building her back up again.

“Oh, god, Jay…” she moans.

“Go right ahead baby, I’m almost there.”

She felt that fiery coil snap in her abdomen. Her back arching off of the bed as she ground her hips into his. His hips bucked out of pace, as he felt his end he pulls out completely. She could feel his warm seed hit her belly as he jerked himself through his high.

“Smart babe.” She pants.

“Didn’t want to take any chances just yet.” He says, laying down next to her.

She smiles with a hum as she turned to him, curling into his side as the two cuddled the rest of their night away.

 She hopped up out of bed, with a content smile, she has an idea of what she wants on this morning.

She hops into the shower, making it a quick cleaning up with washing off the sleepy feeling, shaving her legs and other regions on her body.

Once she was done, she quickly dried and put on her robe with nothing on under it. She can’t wait for him to finish mowing.

She headed to the kitchen to get her a cup of coffee to start her day. She heard the door open and a sweaty Jensen came into view.

“Hey baby girl, how’d you sleep?” he asked.

“Good, when’d you get up?”

“Around nine, so not too terrible long ago.”

She nods.

She moved from her spot, undoing her robes tie, trying to make it seem she didn’t tie it all that well.

He caught glimpse of her very naked form under the robe.

He followed her to their room. Pushing her against the wall. Lips close to hers.

“Giving our neighbors a show, huh?” he asked, his voice just like Dean’s.

“I don’t know, maybe?” she says playfully.

“Maybe I should teach a certain someone a lesson. Or maybe I should make it known, to everyone in this neighborhood that you’re mine.” He growled. Brushing a finger across her jaw.

She felt her walls clench around nothing. Making her squirm under his touch.

His lips crashed into hers in a very heated and possessive kiss. It was almost needy. She whined into the kiss, already wanting more.

His hands find her hair, and he forced her away from his lips.

“Ever since our first time, I’ll get you there baby. Don’t worry.” He says lowly.

Kissing her neck, sucking at her pulse point, even nipping at the skin. She whines and moans, Jensen already knowing she just wants more.

He roams his hands down her shoulders, pulling her robe off of her. It falling to her feet.

He puts her arms around his neck and shoulders and picks her up with ease. She puts her legs around his waist as he carried her back to the bed.

Practically dropping her on the bed, he walks around the bed to open up the curtains to their room more.

“Time to show everyone, that you are mine.” He practically growls.

She licks her lips, preparing for his assault.

He takes off his belt to his jeans, and he wraps the strap of leather around her wrists, restraining her to the headboard.

He works his clothes of giving her a show.

“Jay come on, put me out of my misery please.” She whines.

“Oh don’t worry, I sure will.”

He works himself between her legs, lining up his hardening cock to her entrance.

He slowly pressed the head between her soaking folds, slowly entering her, inch by inch.

She bit her lip to hide a moan.

Once he was fully seated, balls deep, he pulls completely out and slammed back in earning a yelp from his girl.

“Better hang on baby, this is going to be rough.” He growls.

“I want it rough.” She pants.

He gave another harsh thrust before starting a fast pace. His hips moving at what seemed like impossible speeds for her to meet up with.

Her hands squeezed and pulled against her restraints as she felt a fire build up in her belly, enough to cause her eyes roll.

He landed a hand to grasp the headboard to give him leverage and more force with each thrust. She had adjusted her hips slightly to help him out, it gave him a whole new angle, a squeak escaped her throat.

“J-Jensen,” she pants.

“Almost,”

He gives her a few more fast and harsh thrusts before her walls clamp down around him, hard.

He let out a grunt at the force of her orgasm as it squeezed his out of him. Milking him through his high. But he had kept up his pace just slightly. Not as rough, fast and harsh as what he started with but enough to build her up again.

He worked the belt off of her, seeing a strip of red from her squeezing and pulling against it.

But before she knew it, he pulled her up to him, pulling out of her quickly.

“All fours.” He demanded.

She did as told. And he slammed his way back into her, she let out a yelp at the sudden stretch.

“By the end of the day you will be screaming my name.” he growls.

He began delivering more thrusts, growing fast and harsh.

He pressed a hand on the back of her neck, pinning her down on the mattress.

They were facing the window, and Jensen caught a glimpse of a couple walking by the house.

He pulls her up, having his arm around her chest, pulling her back flush against his chest.

“I want them to see this, see how good I’m making you feel. See how you are mine.” He growled in her ear.

She let out another strangled moan before her walls began to flutter against him.

“Jay,” she moaned.

With his free hand he wrapped his arm around her, his finger rubbing harsh circles around her clit. Her back arching against him as she let out a moan, growing louder as he kept pounding into her. Her legs trembled as her orgasm went on.

“Ride me.” He practically growls in her ear.

She pulls off of him as he laid down on his back, she straddled his lap, lining him up to her entrance again. She sat down on him with ease, and she started moving with a slow and easy pace.

He had his hands just placed at her hips, not applying any force, just there rubbing circles against her sore muscles.

She was so sensitive, she felt herself growing close again.

That was when he gripped her hips, forcing her to go at a snails pace. Up and down, up and down.

“Jensen,” she whined.

“Not yet, but love it when your so sensitive.” He smirked.

She reached back, fondling his balls. His head hitting the pillow, a moan escaping his lips as she worked him up so desperately.

“Such a needy little thing, aren’tchya.”

“I can’t help it.” she smirks.

She braced her hands on his chest as she tried to work a faster pace. His hips meeting hers, the force hitting her clit building back her up after that slow tease.

“Ah, Jay,” she pants.

“Keep going,” he grunts.

Her hips and rhythm spasm as her walls squeeze around him once again with such force she couldn’t keep moving through the high.

His grip on her hips tightened as he moved her up and down to work her through her high.

She collapses on him, panting hard against him.

“You good sweetie?”

“So good.”

“You up for more?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I’m not done yet.” He growls.

He pulls her off of him, and lays her back on to her stomach. He lines himself up again, and enters her once more. And begins a slow pace.

He had a thought come to mind and pulls out quickly before returning again with a vibrator, turning it on, on its lowest setting.

“Lift up your hips baby.”

Without saying anything she does as told. Her hips buckle at the sensation and she let out a yelp.

“Nope, keep it right there.” He says.

He reenters her, and begins a slow pace. Laying on her back, holding her close to him.

Kissing and nipping at her neck and ear while his member hits all the right places within her.

“Jay,” she pants.

“Say my name,” he growls.

“Jay,” she says, a bit louder.

“Say my name over and over again and, once you think you’ve said it loud enough, scream it. I want the whole neighborhood to know who’s making you feel good.” He growls, slamming harder.

“Jay,” she moans, a little louder.

He kept delivering harsh thrusts, the vibrations from the vibrator building her up fast.

Her breathing quickened, he pulls the toy away, propping himself up slamming his hips against her, going faster and harder.

“Jay, Jay, Jay!” she shouts.

“Say my name!”

“Oh god, Jensen!” she screams.

Her walls slam around him, his hips buck out of rhythm against her once again. His forehead pressed against her shoulder as he let out a guttural moan.

He could feel her legs tremble at the sheer force of her high, and he saw a wet mess below her as he pulled out. Seeing his accomplishment spill out of her.

She had gone limp from the pleasure.

He had worked her in the bed, resting her head on the pillows rather than the edge of the bed. He stayed with her, brushing the sweaty strands from her glowing face.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open.

“There she is.” He says sweetly.

“I wasn’t too rough, was I?”

“Oh god no, I love rough and possessive Jensen.” She giggles.

“Well, glad you enjoyed yourself.” He chuckles.

With a free hand he had drifted a finger across her sore and achy muckles, drawing nonsense patterns. Lulling her back to sleep.

“You just woke up, and I just put you to sleep.” He laughs.

“I had no plans today anyway babe.” She says, turning towards him, cuddling into his chest.

“Think they actually saw?”

“No, but I bet they heard me.”

“I bet they did too sweetheart.” He says, placing a gentle kiss atop her head.

“Think, that maybe…” he trails.

“That I might get pregnant?”

He didn’t say anything, but his answer was a nod.

“Maybe, I am ovulating, so maybe. You’d make a great dad.”

“And you’d be an amazing mom.”

She smiles as his lips found hers in a loving kiss.

Quality time well spent.

~ A/N: Did you have to take an ice bath? Did you enjoy? Feedback is always appreciated! Preesh! :)

Tags:

@pandazombie69, @luci-in-trenchcoats, @supernatural-jackles, @becs-bunker, @evansrogerskitten​, @jayankles​, @jeaniespiehs20​, @mlovesstories​, @winchesters-favorite-girl​, @lyarr24​, @akshi8278​, @moonlight-on-her-skin​, @backseat-of-deans-67chevy​, @salt-n-burn-em-all​

~

Copying and reposting someone else’s content is plagiarism and illegal. This work is property of supernaturallyobsessedchic. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. These works contain material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of these works may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. An electronic reference link to the original posted work may be provided for purposes of promotion or assistance of publication by the readers discretion, if proper credits are given to the author in the re-post. 3/12/2021

[harrysgoldenline]

Birth Anxiety

“Up we go.” Harry chuckles, gripping his wife’s hands and helping her up from the yoga mat, her large belly bumping into his making him chuckle, “this was a good one, yeah? Felt like I learned a lot.”

“Me too.” The girl nodded, one hand resting along her stomach as the other intertwined with his, thanking the instructor before they left the building, soon entering the warm car.

Harry and Y/N have been attending birthing classes now that she was seven and a half months, knowing they will never feel fully prepared but just wanting to feel a little more ready.

Y/N has always known and dreamt of having children, but now she was pregnant and about to give birth and it was all she could think about.

She was terrified.

The couple had been reading all of the books, attending classes, watching educational videos, doing their research and asking their doctor every single question that has ever passed through them. She knew what to expect and she knew how to prepare. But she has never felt more scared in her life.

She looked over at her husband, seeing him sing along to the radio with a smile, it growing when he caught her staring and getting impossibly bigger as he glanced down at her stomach.

Harry was ecstatic, already so in love with their baby boy. He also has always known he wanted kids and he felt ready, granted he wasn’t the one pushing it out. Of course he was a normal person, feeling the occasional doubt and worry about not being a good parent but he knew with Y/N by his side he could do anything.

Y/N just didn’t know if she could do it. Of course everyone has always called her a natural after seeing her babysit or playing with her nieces and nephews but this was going to be so different. Not just a few hours or a few days, this was forever.

And she had to push it out of her.

That was something that also weighed heavy on her mind, hearing all the horror stories of the ripping, tearing and excruciatingly endless hours of labor... she just truly believed she won’t be able to do it.

Soon, the Styles family returned home, Y/N wobbling close behind Harry after he open her door from her, helping her out of the car (her tummy made it quite hard for her to move around).

“What you wanna do now, my love?” He smiles, leaning on the counter and staring at her proudly, “I’ve got nothing planned except loving on you.”

“You’re awfully cheesy today.” His wife softly smiled, hobbling her way over to the couch and sitting down, quickly putting her feet up and resting both hands on her stomach, “can we watch movies?”

“Of course we can.” He smiles sweetly, “want me to get you or the little bugger some snacks?”

Y/N nodded quickly, explaining what she was craving which Harry happily created for her, soon arriving into the living room and giving her the plate and a kiss on the cheek and stomach.

They soon selected a movie, the lovers cuddling close together as they both watched it peacefully. Harry had one arm around her shoulder and the other resting on her tummy, gasping quietly every single time he felt a soft kick. He had never felt so happy.

Unfortunately, much to Y/N’s surprise, this movie had a birth scene, making her breathing stutter as they showed the actress cry out as she laid on the hospital bed.

“Are you okay?” Harry quickly asks, sensing her off breathing, “Are you in pain?”

She shakes her head as the tears start rolling down her face, her hormones making her break within an instant. Harry instantly turned the TV off and slid off the couch, kneeling before her. The man gently reached up and softly taking her hands and pulling them away from her face, pressing soft kisses on them.

“Talk to me.” He begged, “I want to help, please tell me what I can do.”

She shook her head faster, breathing picking up as panic filled her, every possible thing that could go wrong flashing through her, sobs racking through the pregnant woman’s body.

“Baby, please.” Harry choked out,”you gotta breathe, okay? Take some deep breathes, I’m not going anywhere. We gotta breathe.”

Harry absolutely loved pregnant Y/N, except times like this. He hated seeing how much her extreme changing hormones affected, the girl breaking down over the smallest things and struggling to feel better.

Something he hated even more, was all of the pains he went through. The morning sickness, the too rough kicks and all off the other turmoil her body has been going through. Harry wanted so desperately to be able to take it away and put some it on himself, seeing the love of his life going through such a hardship for their child while he wasn’t experience any of it. It tore him apart seeing her cry.

“I can’t do it, Harry.” She cried, desperately clawing at his shirt as she tried to get him closer, but getting more and more frustrated as her belly gets in the way, causing her to cry more, “Im so scared, I-I can’t do it! I can’t! It’s gonna hurt so badly and birth class today just made realize I really can’t do it!

“Yes you can, if anyone in the world can... it’s you.” He whispered, leaning his forehead against his and pressing a soft kiss on her nose, “you are the strongest person I’ve ever met. I wish I could take it all away and give all of the pain to myself.”

The girl sniffled, pulling Harry onto the couch and cuddling into him the best she could, “What if I’m not strong enough?” She squeaked, “what if I can’t do it? What... what if something bad happens to me o-or the baby?”

“Nothing is going to happen.” He whispered, “I’ll make sure of that.”

“I just-“ She whispered, “I wanna be a good mom and I’m so scared I’m not gonna be, isn’t it a bad sign if I’m that scared of j-just having him?”

His heart melted as she looked up at him, her big eyes he fell in loved with filled with worried tears. He softly gripped her face, pressing their lips together gently. Harry had been her absolute rock since they’ve been together, but neither of them had any idea it was possible for them to grow even close when she got pregnant.

Y/N has always been the type to hold back, keep in her emotions to herself for a while before sharing if she ever did. The husband and wife were both very private people, but Harry was much better at sharing his emotions, something Y/N’s been working on, but has gotten much better since the pregnancy.

Harry just made her feel safe, she knew he could tell him anything and he would never judge her, he would always be there for her and never make her feel stupid for anyway she’s feeling, always telling her to never apologize for her emotions. She truly looked at him like he hung the sun, moon and stars.

“You, my love, will be the best mother in the world. There is nothing wrong with being afraid... I’m afraid too.” He explained, Y/N’s eyes shooting up at his confession, “Were gonna learn what this little guy likes and doesn’t like but we’ll figure it out.”

Y/N nodded, smiling softly as Harry lays back on the couch and pulls the girl into his lap, her back pressing against his chest and his arms go around her, his and her hands resting on her stomach.

“And as for the birth process” he slowly began, “I’m never gonna leave your side, gonna give you my hand to squeeze and break if you need. Birth is a big thing, of course it’s normal to be nervous. You’re gonna be a fighter, the best mum ever.”

As soon as Harry finished talking, they both the strong kick of their son, the both of them softly smiling and Harry presses soft kisses onto her shoulder.

“I think the little one agrees.”

[fallingstarnovel]

Chapter Three

That Monday, when he got to the lecture hall, he glared at Aliya for the entire time. She was visibly avoiding his gaze, tugging down her hair so she wouldn't make eye contact with him.

After it ended, he quickly walked over to her, coughing loudly from behind his fist.

"So. Judas comes to face his crimes."

Aliya turned and gave him a pitying look. "I'm really sorry! I completely forgot I had a revision session in the morning and I had to prepare for it. I felt so guilty."

Evan glared at her for another second – before rolling his eyes with a smile. He was a benevolent kind of person when he wanted to be. "It's fine."

"You sounded like you had a good time," Aliya teased him. “Your texts were indecipherable.”

"Uh. I think I did." He pulled a face as he failed to remember literally anything about how he got home. "It’s all kind of a blur. There was this girl..."

Aliya's eyes went wide. "There was?"

"Ah, shut up, she just said a bunch of stuff at me and then... Hm. I don't remember much after that, but clearly nothing weird happened since I got home safe and fully dressed."

Aliya tutted. "This is why I don't drink. Sounds kind of scary."

Evan opened his mouth to say something like "you get used to it", but then he remembered that he was trying to be normal and closed his mouth again. "Yeah. Haha, a little. I'm not sure you would have enjoyed the party. It was loud and everyone was off their faces."

"Maybe. I'm glad you were okay, though. And you got home safe."

Evan smiled. By now, they were long outside the lecture hall and were walking through campus. Students were rushing from building to building, or walking in groups and chattering away together. So many people who were meant to be here. They all looked like they were right at home.

There was a flash of black in the corner of his vision. Evan turned his head automatically, only to see the black cat from a few days ago sprawled across a wall. It was staring at him with green eyes, unblinking and imperious.

"Oh, it's the university cat," he said to Aliya. "Look."

"Aww. I'm more of a dog person," she said bluntly.

The cat's eyes narrowed in disgust.

Evan was about to go over and pet it when he heard someone say his name over his shoulder. He looked behind him, only to see a boy with curly blond hair and an angelic smile. He was looking at the cat with a strangely intense gaz, before snapping back to smile at Evan.

"Ruth!" he said. "Hey!"

Ruth waved. "Hello again. You look like you've recovered from Friday night."

Wait. Wait a minute... Evan squinted at him, before feeling his face flush red. Was Ruth there as well?! He didn’t remember seeing him at all!! He laughed awkwardly. "I am. So sorry. I don't remember a lot. I was... very drunk."

Ruth nodded. "I was. I thought you might have difficulty remembering."

Aliya's eyebrows inched up her forehead, right into her hijab. Evan realised that he had been quite rude, and quickly introduced her. "This is my terrible friend from Astro. She invited me to the party and then left me to die."

"I'm Aliya," she said, elbowing him in the stomach subtly.

Ruth gave her a polite nod, before turning his attention back to Evan. "I hope you don't mind that I let myself into your house. You seemed very worried that I was going to harvest your organs."

"You were the one who took me home?!” Evan yelped, feeling the blood rush all the way to the tips of his ears. “Oh, haha, what? Haha, so weird," Evan said, feeling himself dying of mortification again. "Thank you so much. I don't mind at all. That was really nice of you. Usually I just stumble home by myself, you know? God, sorry, I must have been so annoying to handle."

Ruth shook his head, his hair tumbling around his ears. "You weren't annoying at all. You were very sweet, like a well behaved child."

Evan wanted the ground to swallow him whole. "Haha, that's good. Still, I'm so sorry. Thank you. Augh."

How was he so bad at this?

An idea occurred to him. He quickly started rummaging in his pockets. "Wait, wait, I think I owe you a coffee for saving my life twice now. I don't have a lecture for a while, so..."

Ruth looked at him in surprise. There was a yawning moment of silence in which Evan questioned everything that made him ask that question and wondered if it was too late to change his name and move to Mexico.

But then Ruth smiled. "I think I owe you one instead. You spilled yours last time."

"In that case, I'll pay for yours and you pay for mine, and we can call that even," Evan laughed, feeling relief flood through him.

There was a polite cough from behind him. "Well, I have a study group to get to, so," Aliya said, shooting Evan a knowing smile. "I'll let you two go have fun. See you, Evan."

Evan felt a little bit guilty at accidentally muscling Aliya out of the conversation. He waved her goodbye and turned back to Ruth, and all his guilt was forgotten. Ruth's smile was blinding. There were two little dimples in his cheeks. Wow, he didn’t know anyone in real life with dimples.

"Let's go," he said, inclining his head in the direction of the coffee shop, and off they went.

Evan watched Ruth over his coffee while trying to look like he was doing no such thing.

Ruth was fascinating. He had a very handsome face, with eyes that could have been carved into one of those old statues they kept in the museums of Rome. His movements were all graceful and deliberate, from the way he stirred his coffee to the way he unwrapped his blue scarf from around his neck.

He was also tall. Evan wasn't short – okay, he was kind of short – but Ruth made him feel like a god damn manlet.

"So," he said, because he felt the need to fill the silence with something, "what course are you on?"

"Actually, I'm a part time student."

"Eh, no way. I didn't know you could do an undergrad part time!"

Ruth smiled and shrugged. "I have a job on the side. It takes up a lot of my time. I suppose the university understood I had other commitments."

Evan blinked. "Wow. Must be an intense job."

"You have no idea," Ruth said, something steely glinting in his grey eyes. "But it's rewarding."

"Is it why you skip so many lectures?"

Ruth nodded. Evan couldn't hold back his curiosity.

"Then what is it?"

Supermodel? Secret agent? Government official? What was important enough that the university would let him mess around with the schedule like this?

Ruth just winked at him, and Evan immediately upgraded all his guesses. Eldest son of a mob boss. Heir to the CEO of a huge corporation. A superhero in disguise as a student.

"That's fine. I didn't want to know anyway," Evan lied. "I bet it's something boring like business management."

Ruth ran his finger along his cup, his eyes flickering down to the table. "In a way, I suppose you're not far off."

"So... why astrophysics?"

"No reason, really. I just felt something pulling me here. That's all."

Wow! Such a free spirit! This guy was definitely some kind of billionaire. Only a rich person could afford to come to university on a whim and then spend half his time doing something else instead. Evan, who thought coffee was a fancy treat, tried to contain his jealousy and failed.

They drank their drinks in companionable silence. Evan was full of questions, but he didn’t want it to seem like he was interrogating his new friend. He was just curious!

“Do you... go to a lot of student parties?”

Ruth shrugged. “Not generally.”

“Oh. Aside from last night, I guess. Um... actually, about last night... I was wondering about what exactly happened.”

Ruth went still. “Yes?”

“Was I... alright? When did I go home?”

“I found you upstairs in someone’s bedroom with a few people. It looked like you were playing some kind of game that involved kissing,” Ruth replied. “You seemed very uncomfortable with the situation. Did I misread that?”

A kissing game. What the hell. Evan hadn’t played one of those for years. He wondered who he was smooching when Ruth discovered him. So deeply, horrifically embarrassing.

“I have no idea,” Evan replied with a shrug. “I don’t really remember if I was comfortable or not.”

There was a faint frown colouring Ruth’s pleasant smile. “Then I’m glad I was there regardless. There should be no room for doubt with things like this.”

“Hah, in an ideal world. In my experience, there’s always doubt. You just kind of have to move on afterwards.”

Ruth’s throat bobbed, but he didn’t say anything else. His coffee was steaming so much that it fogged up Evan’s glasses, and he took them off with a chuckle to clean them. “Wow, look at that,” he said, desperate to change the subject. “It’s that time of the year where I go blind every time I enter a warm room. You don’t wear contacts, right?”

Ruth, still speechless, shook his head. Oh, this was awkward. Evan got the horrible feeling that he had messed up somewhere.

“So lucky. Well, hah, look at the time. I should start heading to my next lecture.”

He didn’t have a next lecture. That was a lie. But he really didn’t want to hurt the poor guy’s feelings. He started gathering his stuff slowly, trying not to look like he was rushing out of there. Ruth let out a deep breath, before reaching across to lightly touch Evan’s wrist. His skin was very hot from where it had been holding his coffee cup.

“The next time you go to a party,” he said quietly, “take me with you.”

“Sorry?” Evan said, certain that he misheard.

“Take me too. I, ah.. I’m actually quite nervous around people. And I find it difficult to go alone. It would be... nice to have a friend to go with.”

“Oh, dude, me too,” Evan said, giving him a reassuring smile. “I have mad social anxiety. I actually don’t get invited to a lot of things like that anymore, but if I do, I guess I’ll text you and see if you’re free?”

Ruth nodded, his hand slipping off Evan’s wrist.

“Thanks.”

“It’s no worries. We can be anxious buds together.”

With a slow incline of his head, Ruth signalled that he would like that, and Evan felt some of his nervousness settle somehow. It was a surprisingly soothing gesture.

“Well. See you at the next one.”

“See you then.”

And then Evan rushed off to hide in the library for a couple of hours so Ruth wouldn’t see him walking around campus when he was supposed to be in a fake lecture instead.

Evan was getting out of the shower when he noticed something black flash in the corner of his vision. He whirled around, rubbing shampoo out of his eyes, visions of getting murdered by some opportunistic shower murderer running through his brain.

However, when he looked around, there was nothing there. He swore he saw something, though. Something in the reflection of the bathroom tiles near his back.

When he was done, he stopped by the mirror in the hallway and checked his body just in case the black thing had been a huge house spider or something. It wouldn’t be the first time that he had a spider fall on him in the shower. Usually they washed down the sinkhole, leaving Evan shivering and feeling strangely violated, but what if this one managed to cling onto his naked skin?

There was no spider. Instead, sprawling across Evan’s lower back like a trampstamp was a sprawling, intricate black tattoo, formed from archaic lettering and symbolism that he couldn’t read.

“Hey, what the fuck,” he said into the empty house.

Having no housemates meant that he couldn’t run into anybody’s room and ask them to read whatever the hell it now said on his back. He tried rubbing at it, but nothing happened. It didn’t even feel weird or raised. It just felt like skin, and it didn’t budge.

Not even soap or nail polish remover got it off his back. It was like ink had sunk into his skin and stuck there overnight.

Evan was, understandably, more than a little freaked out.

> HEY UHHH SO > sent: image_5473843.jpg > ???

wow, that’s a really interesting tattoo!! when did you get it? <

> well you see that’s the thing aliya. i didn’t. > i do not know where this tattoo came from. ummm > i am freaking out a little!!

wh??! < you mean it just....??? appeared?? <

> yeah?? i literally do not remember getting any tattoo there??! ever?

you do have a lot of tattoos... are you sure you didn’t forget about one of them? <

> you don’t just forget about a tattoo!! > okay actually. sometimes you do. BUT NOT THIS BIG. THIS IS A TRAMP STAMP > I WOULD NEVER GET A TRAMP STAMP > oh god what if this happened while i was drunk at that party

ok calm down do you want me to come over and look at it? <

> no, it’s fine. i’ll just. ???? hhhhhhhhh > wait, there is something you can do! can you get me the numbers of uhh. fuck what was their name uhhh Tree. Branch > ROCK > and there was this girl who dressed like a goth, they were both at the party, can you ask your netball friends if they have their numbers? they might know what happened?? i guess? help?

i’ll ask around babe x sorry about this maybe go to the police? <

> they’ll just say i was drunk and there was nothing they could do. but thank you anyway i really appreciate this. sorry for bothering you

no need to apologise at all xx hoping you’re okay xx message me whenever you like <

Evan examined the tattoo in the mirror again. Now that the shock had worn off... well. Aliya was right. He already had so many tattoos. Most of them were already stupid ones he got on a whim. So even if he didn’t ask for this one... it was okay, right? It wasn’t so bad.

It was even kind of cool, in an old-school, mall goth kind of way. Spidery webbing and dots of red ink in what he thought might have been flowers of some kind. He tried to take a photo with his phone, but his hands kept shaking, so he just kept getting blurry pictures of his ass. Not ideal, honestly.

With a sigh, he stretched out on his bed and examined his older tattoos. His favourite one was still the navy outline of a falling star stretching down his inner arm towards his hand. It was his first proper one that he got done at a real tattoo parlour. A lot of the earlier ones were... well, the less said about how close he got to a skin infection, the better.

With a sigh, he tugged on a long sleeved shirt from his closet. Until he could work out why he suddenly had that black monstrosity on the back of his hips, he wasn’t sure he wanted to accidentally keep catching glimpses of it in every reflective surface.

Wait a minute. There was someone else there at the party. Someone who might have seen something that could help.

He opened up the messages from the unknown number and prayed that it was who he hoped it was.

> heyyy ruth i hope this is you!! haha hi

The reply came back about half an hour later, which was just long enough for Evan to overthink everything that had ever happened to him.

It’s me. Rest assured. :) <

Oh god. How to word this?

> well i’m doing good actually i’m you know. chilling! > actually there was something i wanted to ask you > please excuse the ass in this photo!!!!!

The what. <

> sent: image_5473843.jpg

Who did this. <

> funny question! i don’t know > i was hoping you could help???

I’m coming over. <

> no, i meant like do you remember seeing anyone at the party with a tattoo gun or a stick and poke or something?? you don’t have to come over sorry i don’t want to be a bother

You’re not a bother. I’m coming over. <

Well. Fuck. Evan panicked and threw on a pair of sweats and a hoodie, and then felt stupid, because presumably Ruth was going to come and look at the tattoo. Maybe he should wear nicer clothes? Did he have time to tidy his room?

> are you sure haha i don’t want to inconvenience you!!!

I was in the area anyway. It’s okay if you don’t want me to come over. But I have an idea about what happened. < Sorry. I know this must be alarming. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. <

Evan thought about it. Well. It was the only lead he had.

> sure why not come on over

I’m outside. <

The doorbell rang.

***

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[rrickgrrimes8]

Normality is Death

Chapter Four ~ Atlanta and the Vatos

masterlist

It has been a few days since Addie last spoke to me but it's for the best really. We're not supposed to be together and it took me a while to figure that out but now I know and I won't ever forget it. I know she's been avoiding me since we almost kissed and I guess I've made my peace with that but today that ends. Today, we have to go into Atlanta for a supply run. It was a normal thing for me and Addie to go on a run together but today I felt different. I don't know whether or not it's because of my nerves or maybe something completely different all I know is that I'm scared more then I would be usually. I guess I could put it down to the reckless asshole that put the biters on high alert. What happened was that Mitchell said he saw some dude enter Atlanta on horseback and be surprised by the biters and got cornered in a tank or something. He's probably dead now though, everyone thinks it as no one makes it out of Atlanta after making that much noise and I'd be very surprised if he was alive. 

The supply run should be easy today as we gave it a couple of days before going out and just so they wouldn't be on such high alert. I haven't spoken to Addie about coming with me but she hasn't spoken to me either so I guess she's still planning on joining me.

I stepped out of my shared house, ignoring the blazing Atlanta heat and walked over to Mitchell, "Still going on a run today, right?" I asked him to which he nodded. "Yeah. Addie's waiting for you at the gate." I smiled at him and span around mentally preparing myself to face Addie.

"Oh and Jacey?" Mitchell called after me.

"Yeah."

"Stay safe. I know somethings going on between the two of you I don't want that to cloud your judgement. Be smart about it, alright?" I nodded at his words internally sighing and walked away.

I approached the gates seeing Addie stood there nervously and holding a rifle and my machete and handgun. "You ready?" I asked her snapping her out of her daze she nodded curtly before motioning the people on watch to open the gate. 

"Well this is going to be fun," I muttered to myself before taking my weapons and leaving camp.

Upon arriving in Atlanta you could tell that the biters had maybe doubled in numbers since our last run. I sensed Addie's fear to which I just looked at her and smiled, "We'll be okay, we always are." She smiled back and relaxed slightly before taking the lead and heading into the city centre careful not to cross closely to any biters. I pulled my hood up as we passed through the numerous remains of what once were people and kept close to Addie before turning into the first alleyway. 

"So what's the plan today?" She asked looking over her shoulder for biters and then back to me.

"Just the usual. Hit the mini markets and then see what we get," I shrugged at her before continuing, "Oh and Mitchell mentioned the other day to get some more clothes if we could." She smiled softly and nodded.

"You ready, Grimes?"

"Always, Smith."

We said to each other before running out of the alley and across the street ignoring the reactions we were getting from the many biters we crossed.

Addie and I got to the other side easily and snuck into the first shop. We shuffled quickly through each shelf grabbing what we needed and leaving everything we didn't. It was all going so well until we heard voices. Neither me nor Addie spoke we just watched through the window closely. The voices couldn't be more then a store away from us and we probably wouldn't have been able to hear them if they weren't being so damn loud. 

"You got a lot of balls for a Chinaman." One of the men remarked in a deep southern accent. I rolled my eyes at his words and looked over to Addie, who looked terrified. 

"I'm Korean." The other man, who sounded more youthful than the other man, corrected him. I looked back over to Addie and mouthed 'I'll be right back. Don't move.' She attempted to call after me as I left the shop but I ignored her and discreetly followed the voices, finding them in an alley. 

Still hidden around the corner I heard one of them say, "Whatever." I walked away from the pair hoping that they hadn't seen me yet. 

I was about to leave for good until I heard a small familiar scream pierce the air, "Jacey!" I span around to see a biter almost taking a piece out of her neck. I got my gun out quickly not thinking about the sound it'll draw and shot. It hit the corpse perfectly and Addie ran back over to me. 

"Hey! You two!" a hushed voice called to us from the right. I looked over to see one of the men from the alleyway before. He was a younger man wearing a t-shirt and a cap and holding a bag of guns with the bold lettering of 'SHERIFF' on the side. 

"What the hell are you thinking, setting that off?" I rolled my eyes at him and got ready to retort but he interrupted, "Forget it you've gotta follow me it's not safe out in the street." 

"Yeah well it's probably not safe with you neither," Addie snapped. 

"Just follow me, okay? The way you came from is blocked off now this is the only option." I looked behind me and sure as hell, he was telling the truth, about a dozen or so biters clambered across the street towards us. I heard Addie gasp in shock causing me to grab her wrist and pull her in the direction the man told us to. 

Once we get into the alley I see the mans friend on the floor being beaten by what looks to be a metal pole. The two men who were beating him pushes me to the ground and one of them hits me across the face. I hear Addie scream and I look up to see those pricks grabbing both her and that guy, attempting to throw them in the back of the truck. I spat out some blood and looked to my side grabbing a crossbow and shooting at the guy, who had Addie, in the ass. I pushed myself up and ran after them but missed them by a mere second as they drove away. 

"No Addie!" I shout after the car and got ready to run after them but was pulled back by two arms. 

"Stop struggling yer damn bitch," He growls to me before throwing me next to a younger boy. 

The redneck picks up his crossbow and aims it at the pair of us, "Tell me where they jus' took ma friend." The boy next to me looks scared but I just roll my eyes and grab my gun aiming it right back at him. 

"I don't fucking know," I hear voices call for the man to stop but I ignore them and push him out the way and ran back into the now biter filled street. 

"Hey get back here woman!" I hear him shout before one of his friends closes the gate between us. 

"No can do asshole. See ya in hell!" I walked away from the group setting myself down in the closest store. I had to fight back the tears thinking about what they could be doing to my girl right now. She could be dead already for all I know and it would be my fault. My thoughts drifted back to the man that was taken with Addie. He was nice - unlike his friend - maybe he's protecting her like he was trying to do before. I bow my head thinking about all the places I know of in Atlanta hoping to have any clue of finding them. 

I've got to save them.

~

Rick paced around the room slowly, looking back and forth between the boy, whose name he learnt to be Miguel, and Daryl. Daryl was angry it had been clear since the start of this endeavour and Rick could almost fear that. He understood that a man could do a lot of damage on anger alone. 

"Those men you were with, we need to know where they went," The officer spoke down to the boy. 

"I ain't telling you nothing," He spoke sternly and with as much confidence he could muster causing Shane to sigh and sit back on to one of the tables. 

T-dog looked over to Daryl and asked, "Jesus, man. What the hell happened back there?" 

Daryl looked up at him and sneered, "I told you, this turd and his douchebag friends came out of nowhere and jumped me." 

"You're the one who jumped me, puto, screaming about trying to find his brother like it's my damn fault." Miguel sassed rolling his eyes at Daryl's madness. 

"They took Glenn n' that other girl too. Coulda took Merle as well," He justified a hint of sadness in his voice once he spoke about his brother. 

"Merle? What kind of hick name is that? I wouldn't name my dog Merle," Miguel laughed at him causing Daryl to try and kick him which Rick intervened. 

"Damn it, Daryl. Back off." Daryl moves away sitting in the background still giving the boy a dirty look. 

The redneck looked over to Miguel once again and moved over to his back, unwrapping his brother's hand, "Want to see what happened to the last guy that pissed me off?" Daryl dropped the cold hand onto the boy's lap making him freak out. Shane picked up the hand and put it back in the bag ignoring the laughs he got from Daryl, "Next imma gonna start with the feet."

After the boy calmed down T-dog looked over to Daryl and inquired, "Hold on you said they took some girl, who was she?" 

"Yeah, and who was that girl you were shouting after?" Shane joined and looked at the redneck. 

"Don't know who they are. They were just with Glenn," He shrugged. 

"Then why the hell did you point your crossbow at her? She could've helped us." Rick scolded him. 

"I thought she might've been on their side," Daryl attempted to explain, "She was a bitch anyway, doubt she woulda helped shit." 

"She was just a kid, puto, a badass one but still just a kid," Miguel added seemingly almost fully recovered from seeing that hand and the threats Daryl made afterwards. 

"How do you know?" The brunette man asked. 

"Dunno she just looked it. Couldn't be more than 15." Both Rick and Shane's heart seemed to sink at his reply - she was just a kid. A kid that was the same age as Ricks daughter when she died. Knowingly Shane looked over to his brother, a sigh getting caught in between his lips as he looks at the face of sorrow and grief he had on. 

"She was only 15, Daryl!" Rick snapped at Daryl, "And you were prepared to kill her for nothing!" Both Daryl and T-dog looked at the man in shock and if he was honest with himself he was shocked too. Why all of a sudden did he care so much for a girl he had never met. Shane sped over to his partner and pushed him back slightly, "You gotta chill brother." Rick looked at him with a death glare and then back at Daryl.

"Chill man she had her gun on me anyways. Was kinda askin' for it." 

Shane rolled his eyes ignoring Ricks anger towards the man and moved back over to Miguel, "The men you were with took our friend. All we want to do is talk to them, see if we can work something out."

~

Addie faced the wall not daring to make a noise as the man she met from earlier sat closely as if he was ready to protect her. She felt herself begin to cry letting the bad thoughts of what these people could do to them take over. But the worst one she could think about was that she'd never get to see Jacey again. 

"Hey, it's okay. Please don't cry," The boy next to her whispered, "My friends will get us out of here. I promise." Although she weakly smiled at him they both knew it was fake - they were both terrified there was no denying it. 

"Thanks for what you did back there," He looked over to the girl confused, "For trying to help me and my friend. She'd hate for me to admit this but you really saved our asses even if it brought us to this."

He smiled at her and said, "Its no problem really. I mean I'm guessing you're only young it would've been wrong to leave you with a ton of walkers. My names Glenn by the way."

"Addie. I would shake your hand if I weren't tied up," Glenn laughed, "and yeah I guess were younger I'm 16 and my friend is 14."

"14, Jesus. She's so young and I mean so are you but she's like just started high school," Glenn muttered sadly, this world was too hard for a girl that young. 

"If you got to know her you wouldn't expect her to be that young. She's pretty badass."

"I could tell. She shot that Walker and you know didn't miss. Whenever I try it takes me a few times," Addie laughs at his embarrassed face.

"I think she's had practise though. Our leader taught her a lot but her dad was a cop before all of this and he taught her some stuff."

"Another cop, Jesus, do they grow on trees," Glenn whispers inwardly but Addie still hears it.

"What do you mean?" she leans her head back onto the wall, still looking at him.

"Oh we just have two cops in our group and you guys have another one. It's kind of stupid saying out loud I understand lots of people are cops I just... I honestly don't know nevermind," They both laugh, him doing it more out of embarrassment rather than humour.

Addie sighed sadly, "Her dad isn't in our group though. He died before I even met her."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Do you know how?"

"Gunshot." She stated simply remembering back to the conversation they had about him.

"Wait, no way! No was one of the cops in our group! He got left behind or something but reunited with his wife and son. They all thought he was dead," He excitedly yelled, still remembering the tearjerking reunion.

Addie looked shocked at the man's claim and was about to answer with a bombardment of questions but was interrupted when the door slammed open.

~

The four men enter the hideout guns raised and moving in a way best described to be as a troop of soldiers. Rick took the lead, a shotgun in hand, and a look of pure determination to get his friend back, alive. Miguel shakily walked in front of them, arms tied behind his back. 

"You sure your up for this?" Shane looks to the group. 

"Yes," T-dog replies as Rick starts to nod. 

As if it was on cue, a group of older men, some that Daryl could recognise from earlier, came pouring out of the building. The leader, Guillermo, walked ahead of the group and up to Miguel checking out any bruises he may have, "you okay, little man?" 

In response, Miguel shook his head biting his lip softly, "They're gonna cut off my feet, carnal." 

"Cops do that?" He asked him looking over at the group, eyeing Rick's sheriff hat and Shane's cap. 

"Not them. This redneck puto here. He cut off some dude's hand, man. He showed it to me." Guillermo looked at Daryl his eyes grazing over his crossbow. 

"Shut up," He spat roughly. 

Out of nowhere, another man came out of the building his gun raised to the group of men, "Hey where's that puto? The one that shot me in the ass with an arrow?" The man looked over the group men still not spotting the girl that did this to him. 

"Chill, ese, chill. Chill. This true? They want Miguelito's feet? That's pretty sick, man," Guillermo looked at the group scoffing. 

"We were hoping for a calm discussion," Rick clarified. 

"That hillbilly jumps Felipe's little cousin, beats on him, threatens to cut off his feet and some girl shoots Felipe with an arrow in the ass and you want a calm discussion? You fascinate me." 

"Heat of the moment. Mistakes were made from both sides," He said looking over at the redneck. 

"Where is that girl anyway? Hiding in the bushes to ambush us?" Felipe gulped as Guillermo spoke and looked at the nearby bushes. 

"No. She's not with us. Was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and so was her friend," Shane spoke up. 

Guillermo nodded still unsure and looked over to Daryl as he spoke, "You got my brother in there?" 

"Sorry, we're fresh out of white boys. But I've got an Asian and an African American. You interested?" 

Rick stepped forward looking at Guillermo intimidatingly, "I have one of yours, you have two of mine. Sounds like a good enough trade." 

Guillermo shook his head looking back at Rick just as fiercely, "Don't sound even to me." 

"G, come on, man," Miguel begged. 

"Not only do my people got attacked but you offer an unfair trade. Where's the compensation for their pain and suffering? More to the point, where's my bag of guns?" 

Rick shrugged, "Guns?" 

"The bag Miguel saw in the street. The bag Felipe and Jorge were going back to get. That bag of guns." 

Shane looked to the man who was still eyeing Rick suspiciously, "You're mistaken." 

The man shakes his head saying, "I don't think so." 

"About it being yours. It's my bag of guns," Rick shares. 

"The bag was in the street. Anybody could come around and say it was theirs. I'm supposed to take your word? What's to stop my people from unloading on you right here and now and I take what's mine?" 

"You could do that or not," Rick says pointing back to T-dog, who was hidden behind a wall, a sniper in hand. Guillermo looks to T-dog and back at his group and nodded to them. 

Seconds later, two men appear on the roof dragging behind them a girl and a man with bags over there head, "I see two options. You come back with Miguel and my bag of guns, everybody walks. Or you come back locked and loaded, we'll see which side spills more blood." The gang turned around heading back inside the building and leaving Rick, Shane, Miguel, Daryl and T-dog behind. 

~

Rick say down the bag of guns in front of the group and thought silently for a moment. He starts to divide the guns up causing Daryl to scoff, "Them guns are worth more than gold. Gold won't protect your family or put food on the table. You're gonna give that up for them kids?" 

T-dog joined in looking at the angry Daryl and conflicted Rick, "If I knew we'd get Glenn and the girl back, I might agree. But you think that Vato across the way is just gonna hand them over?" 

"You calling g a liar?" Miguel almost shouted, drawing Daryl over to him. 

"Are you apart of this? You want to hold onto your teeth?" Daryl threatened, slapping him sharply. 

"Question is do you trust the man's word?" T-dog questioned. 

"No, question is what are you willing to bet on it? Could be more than them guns? Could be your life? Glenn and some stranger worth that to you?" Daryl countered looking at Rick. 

"What life I have I owe to him. I was nobody to Glenn, just some idiot stuck in a tank. He could have walked away, but he didn't. Neither will I. And let's not forget that stranger is just a kid. If that was your own kid you wouldn't leave her behind, would you?" Shane looked at the man and felt his heartbreaking. Maybe Rick knew she was left behind maybe Lori didn't even tell him. To Shane, it didn't matter he saw that the man was struggling. 

Daryl ignored the question and continued, "So you're gonna hand the guns over?" 

"I didn't say that. Nothing is keeping you three here. You should get out, head back to camp," Rick directed at them. 

To which T-dog shook his head, "And tell your family what?" 

"Come on, this is nuts. Just do like g says," Miguel tells them the fear evident in his eyes. 

Shane looked to Rick again and whispered, "Brother I think you should go back to camp." 

Rick's head snapped to him upon hearing his words, "What?" 

"I think you need to leave. All this," He paused looking back at the hideout, "It's getting too personal for you." 

Rick sighed, "Glenn saved my life. I'm not leaving him." Rick sat up from sorting the guns and went to the window. 

"You know full well this is not about Glenn," He snapped causing him to bow his head, refusing to look at his best friend. 

"That girl, whoever she is reminds you of Jacey. I get that, of course, I do b-but it's not her," Shane told him, "Jacey's gone, man, and that fucking sucks but there's nothing we can do about it." The officer shut his eyes fighting off tears. 

"I'm sorry Rick. I'm so sorry but you need to leave. You just found out Jacey is dead you can't be here. Hell, you shouldn't have come out, to begin with." 

"I'm fine. I can deal with it," He attempted to convince Shane. 

"No you can't," He sighed, "You snapped at Daryl earlier for pointing his weapon at some kid just because she was around Jacey's age." 

Rick slid down the wall leaning his head against the rough bricks, "When he said that she couldn't be more then 15 I guess uh I thought what if it was her. I thought that I might get my angel back," He confessed breaking the silence between the pair. 

"She's gone, Rick," He said causing Rick to cry to himself quietly. 

"Head back to camp okay, take T-dog with you. Just be with your family okay? It's what you need right now," He looked at him unsure, "If not for you, do it for Carl. He misses his sister more than anything. And no matter what I tell him he doesn't believe she's dead," Rick nodded sadly, standing up and wiping away any sign of tears. 

"T-dog you go back with Rick. Take the spare car," T-dog nodded but looked confused at the teary-eyed male. 

"I'll see you back at home, brother," He said to his friend hugging him tightly. 

They left soon after leaving Daryl, Shane and Miguel in the room. "What the hell? You just sent away half of the group. How we supposed to protect ourselves?" Daryl snarls. 

"We'll be fine." Daryl glared at the man unsatisfied with his answer but remained silent.

"Why'd he leave anyway?" Miguel asked curiously as if he weren't the hostage. 

"He lost his kid. I didn't want him to lose it when we're facing them and lose his life too," Daryl nodded to the man almost sympathetically despite the obvious hatred between the two. 

"We ready to do this shit then?"

[msmarvelwrites]

The Winter Ghost - Part 16

Info: A Devastating car crash causes you to lose your memory and start over. The only thing left in the wreckage was the horrific nightmares which plagued your mind. If you knew what today would entail you would have just stayed in bed. But you didn’t and because of that, everything you knew was about to change.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

Warnings: swearing, violence, mentions of death, fluff. 

W/c: 2.3 k  

A/n: Welcome back, and Happy Labour Day! We’re winding down here folks, but I’ve got some spicy chapters coming up... Thats all I’m going to say about that. But honestly, the biggest of thank you’s to @cutie1365​ for editing those parts because they were rough. I embarassed myself quite afew times. Anyways, enjoy babes! 

The sun burned into the cabin windows causing the dust that hovered stagnant in the dull room to sparkle. Bucky had tossed and turned for the past few hours, trying to rest his eyes, but it was to no avail. Instead of torturing himself further by counting ceiling planks, he groaned out of bed and shuffled into the kitchen. It appeared he wasn't the only one having trouble sleeping. 

Steve and Wanda hovered over Vision as he sat at the kitchen table, typing into the laptop. 

“Sergeant Barnes, I’ve located Agent L/n” The android spoke, freezing Bucky in his tracks. 

“You found Y/n?” He stumbled over his feet, joining the three of them as he watched the small red dot on the screen blink slowly. There you were. 

“Okay, that's not too far from here. Maybe a half hour right. Keep your comms on, I’ll get packed and head out now-”

“Alone?” Wanda spoke surprised. 

“I can handle a couple of Hydra picks. And I’m not risking what happened to Nat to happen again.” 

“That's not really up to you, jerk.” Steve sighed. “I’m with ya… Till the end of the line, remember?” 

Bucky’s eyes softened at that, watching as a small smile pulled at the corner of Steve's mouth. His relationship with his best friend had been a little rocky these past few weeks to say the least. But for the first time in a long time, he trusted him. Completely and fully. Bucky wasn't alone, not any more. 

“Alright, punk. Let's go get her back.” 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

You squeezed the trigger, wincing as the machine in your hand clicked. 

Silence. 

You pulled it again, but same as before nothing happened. 

“Oh, baby. You're even more ruthless than I remember.” Tommy taunted, holding up the clip in his hands before springing from the floor, charging at you. You quickly dodged him, sending him into the wall behind you. 

“You’d really shoot me? After everything we’ve been through. Bucky Barnes must have some pretty good moves. Remind me to ask him when Hydra gets their little pet back.” 

You growled, “Take his name out of your mouth.” 

“And what about you, baby. Has it been in yours?” He cooed, lunging at you and hammering a stiff punch to your jaw. You stumbled back a few pases, but ultimately regained your balance. 

“I trusted you. I loved you!” You screamed, rocketing your leg forward and sweeping it under Tommy’s legs, knocking him down. He gasped on impact, clutching his chest for air. 

“Tell me,” He wheezed. “When he touches you, do you think of me?” The small smirk on his thin lips disappeared as you brought your boot down on his throat. He choked and gasped for air, but none came. For a moment you wondered if this was really who you were. A killer, nothing but a numb shell of a woman he had left behind. 

You watched as his face turned a deep shade of purple. He furiously clawed at your leg begging for air. It would be so easy. With your strength and a little more added pressure you could completely crush his windpipe. Hell, you're sure you could rip his head clean off, but you didn't want blood on your new combat boots. It’s funny, all this time you were thinking Bucky was the monster. Yet here you stood, Tommy’s life in your hands and there was nothing you'd enjoy more than watching his eyes roll back into his skull. Just like before, only this time there would be no second chances. 

The commotion outside the small room had your head snapping up and away from your prey. Gunfire echoed through the hallways, causing you to freeze. As the footsteps neared your room, you made your decision. Tommy would get his one way or another, but not if you died first. 

Reluctantly you lifted your boot off his now bruised and raw throat. He drew a jagged breath as the air rushed back into his swollen lungs. You grabbed the mag from across the room and reloaded the gun with a deep click. 

“Not a word.” You threatened Tommy, pressing the pistol into his head behind him. If you were going out, it was going to be a bloodbath, starting with his.

The metal door was torn from its hinges in an explosion of dust and concrete.

“I’d pull the trigger if I were you, doll.” His familiar husky voice boomed. 

“Bucky?” You all but whispered. 

“We’re not killing anyone.” Steve spoke from beside him as he and Wanda walked through the dust filled room. 

“You came.” You swallowed down your exhaustion you only now realised was there.

“Of course we came. Couldn't leave my best girl. All though, now I see you can take care of yourself just fine.” Bucky chuckled. You couldn't help the smile that spread across your lips as relief filled your lungs. 

“They're gunna’ to kill you.” Tommy coughed out. Bucky’s eyes shot to his, and as if it was the first time he had really realised he was in the room. 

“Oh, you must be Tommy. You know, heard great things, but now that we're meeting - officially- I have to say, I’m disappointed.” He took two wide pases to the quivering man, looking down on him. “You're shorter than I thought you'd be.” Bucky half joked. 

“Go on Winter Soldier. Do what you do best. Show her who you are.” He breathed, more confidence in his small voice now. He truly had a death wish.

“With pleasure.” Bucky seethed. You prepared yourself for the gruesome image that was about to unfold but the next thing you felt was Bucky’s hands on either side of your arms. When you opened your eyes, his were soft. 

This time, you knew who initiated it. You wrapped your hands around the back of his neck and pulled him down to you, crashing your lips onto his. They were soft and rough all at once as he drank you in. His flesh hand quickly lost itself in your hair as he pulled you in deeper. He kissed you softly, but you urged for more, desperate and craving to make up for lost time. He chuckled darkly at your attempt, holding you tight to his chest. He wanted nothing more than to hold you like that and never let go, but there were bigger things at play. Reluctantly, he pulled away as you gasped for breath. 

“Wanna get out of here?” Bucky breathed, taking your hands in his. You nodded, completely lost in thought. 

“Please.” He signed, following Steve and Wanda out of the room. 

“You can't just leave me here!” Tommy shouted. 

“Don’t worry, darling. Hydra’s going to take care of you. I mean, you let me get away, but I’m sure they’ll understand. After all, historically Natzi’s have been known for their forgiveness...” You grinned, turning on your heel and coming face to face with him.

“Y/n, please. Baby, you gotta’ help me. I'm sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” Tommy begged. His meak words caused you to grit your teeth. 

“I want you to remember this when they’re torturing you… I could have killed you. Easily- without regret. But you deserve so, so much worse.” You signed, slapping his face mockingly. You turned on your heel, as his words hit your back like a threat. 

“You're a slut, you know that. No one will ever love you like I did. You'll always be a sad, broken, pathetic bitch. Lucky your family fucked off when they did before they could see you grow up to be such whore.”

You stopped dead in your tracks. Bucky watched you carefully as you gnawed on your bottom lip, pleading with your eyes. He met your silent question with a shrug of his shoulders. Swiftly you turned and before Tommy could understand what was happening you took a fistful of his polo shirt and instantaneously collided your fist with his cheek, knocking him out instantly. 

“God damn, you're beautiful.” Bucky breathed, causing you to giggle. 

“Lets get the fuck out of here.” You spat, watching Tommys limp body crumpled on the floor. It took everything in you not to finish the job right there. Luckily Bucky was there to pull you away. 

You were quickly rushed through the hallways, avoiding the Hydra agents who writhed in half conscious pain on the floor. A nice touch by Wanda, who most likely sent them to their personal hell on earth. A few of them had bullet holes in their appendages but nothing fatel. 

“Why aren't we killing them again?” You asked under your breath to Bucky. 

“Steve thinks if a bunch of Hydra agents wind up dead ittl’ alert his friends back in New York. We’re trying to keep a low profile.” He explained, clenching his jaw. “Doesn't mean I’m not tempted to rain down fire on these sons of bitches. But he’s right.” 

“But they know how to replicate my serum now. What do we-”

“We’ll keep close tabs on them. Right now we need to get you out of here. We’ll come back when we regroup.” He resaured you, pulling you close. “You're my mission. You've always been my mission. Can you just let me save you?” He chuckled. 

You shook your head, a smile spreading on your lips. “I don't need a knight.” 

Bucky flashed that lopsided grin you missed so much, “How bout’ a Sergeant?” He asked deeply, sending a chill to blossom through your body. 

“I’ll get back to you.” You spoke sheepishly. 

“Sam says the jets fired up. He and Vision are on the tarmac just out front.” Steve spoke, leaning you out the doors and into the burning sunlight. The four of you ran across the pathment as Steve helped Wanda into the aircraft. Wanda wrapped her hand around yours and pulled you up, but before you could climb in, the sound of gunfire exploded through the air. 

In the time it took you to turn around, it was too late. Bucky had taken the blow of two bullets fired from the disheveled Hydra agent across the tarmac. Your heart stopped as another round of bullets sprayed through the air. Wanda screamed your name as you pulled away from her and threw yourself in front of Bucky, absorbing the impact. In a flash of red, you disintegrated the bullets, turning them to dust before you. 

“Get him out of here.” You ordered, turning for a moment to assess his injuries. Steve and Sam reluctantly pulled Bucky onto the jet leaving you to face your demon. The agent smiled wickedly. 

“Leaving so soon, Y/n. Family reunion not all you thought it was going to be?” He snearned. 

“Family. Is that even a word you understand?” You spat, closing in on him. He was only a few yards away. The man shrugged and tucked his gun away. 

“Maybe not. How about some words you'll understand?” He spoke coolly. 

“Выхлоп.” Exhaust. The word echoed around your mind, a memory pulling at your heart. 

“Отражение...тоска...забытый...горящий...призрак...пять...замороженный...мост…  чувство вины.” 

Reflection...Longing… Forgotten… Burning… Ghost… Five… Frozen… Bridge… Blame.

Images flashed through your mind. The inferno of your childhood home. Tommy’s lifeless body tipping over the bridge… Your mom and dad, the way they smiled. You're sisters giggle. Your mission… Finally, numbness washed over you as you hung your head in exhaustion. 

You took two steps closer to the man, your heart pounding in your chest. 

“Are you ready to comply?” He questioned curley. 

“Yeah, that doesn’t work anymore.” You breathed, snapping your head up to meet the man's horrified face. Crimson flames erupted out of your hands as you lifted him off the ground. With the flick of your fingers, the bones in his legs snapped, an ungodly sound of crunching willing the air. He screamed in pain as you threw him like a ragdoll into the side of the building. 

You shook your head, physically trying to rid yourself of the daze Hydras trigger words had sent you into. Bucky calling your name from behind knocking you back to reality. You ran towards the jet, climbing in and trying to steady your breathing. 

“Are you okay?” Steve asked, astonished. 

“I think so.” You replied, just as shocked as he was. 

“Those were trigger words. Just like Bucky had. How did you fight it?” He spoke. 

You looked to Bucky who only blinked at you. You had your answer before you even spoke. 

“Bucky. I just remembered Bucky.” You breathed, squatting down beside him and holding your hand over his wounds to relieve his pain. 

“I knew it.” He groaned, feeling the ache slowly dissipate into thin air. 

“What?” You chuckled, taking a seat beside him and pressing your lips to his temple. He signed into your touch and leaned his head onto your shoulder.  

“Knew you couldn't leave me for dead. You’ve got my six.” He explained, repeating his words from the other day. You smiled into your lap and rolled your eyes. 

“Yeah, yeah. I thought it might be a dick move. But we’re even now.” You sighed, nudging him a little.  His eyes fluttered closed as he began to doze off. His wounds surely repairing themselves while he slept. You wondered if he could hear how fast your heart was beating as you watched him nuzzle into you. 

Of course, he did. He smiled softly, knowing he made you feel the same as you did him. Though he wondered if he was pushing his luck to imagine he could take that thought one step further.

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

A/N: So, #fuck tommy. Telling him off in this was honestly therapeutic lol. I really hoped you guys enjoyed this one. As always, please like and reblog of you’ve read it. And feel free so leave some feedback, its alwasy welcome! 

@projectcampbell​

@kalesrebellion​

@calwitch​

[stereotvpes]

class fight.

summary: jason dean is a complication for heather chandler. a nuisance. a problem. she cannot lose veronica to him. she needs to regain control.

but plans can always backfire.

warnings: graphic violence, major character death

A/N: hi!! this is my first fic, i hope everyone enjoys it!

Hanging out with the Heathers was never Veronica’s favourite thing to do.

Sure, they were her friends, but she didn’t really like them all that much. When she walked with them, it was like putting on a different skin. Veronica could never fully be herself: she’d run the risk of being Heather Chandler’s verbal punching bag for the week. Chandler was fierce and predatory, like a hawk, or a lion. She had sharp, watchful eyes that seemed to criticize her every move, never afraid to bite. God forbid Veronica befriended anyone outside of Chandler’s little circle.

But with JD, it was different, like a teenager rebelling against a parent. With JD, Veronica could push aside the petty things in life, like what skirt Nancy Stevens was wearing or how there was another college party next week. He gave her the courage to do things she’d never had the guts to. She had deep conversations with him, talking about the stars and what the future would look like until she fell asleep in his arms, his coat smelling like cigarettes and gunpowder.

 When Heather Chandler began to notice that Veronica was slowly drifting away from her group, a wave of fury washed over her. What did Veronica see in that loser, anyway?

Chandler couldn’t really explain why she was so upset at the fact. Maybe it was because Veronica said she had sworn off high school boys, and that was a lie. Or maybe it was something deeper— Veronica’s complete indifference of what the school thought of her, how Chandler felt almost jealous that she could never be Veronica Sawyer. Chandler had spent ages trying to impress Veronica, but to no avail. So how come this little twerp managed to catch her eye in a day?

 She had to put it to an end.

It started off with simple daydreams— poisoning Jason Dean and hiding his body where he’d never be found, Veronica crawling back to her looking to be comforted. Or maybe burning him alive in one of his father’s abandoned construction sites, and being a shoulder for Ronnie to cry on.

Then, one day, when she came back from school, she grabbed the address book from the top of her dresser and flipped through it casually, as if she planned to visit an old friend. His address was easy enough to find— who didn’t know Big Bud Dean’s Construction? Her parents weren’t home, which was expected, so Chandler headed out again after printing out the address carefully in her swirly handwriting on a piece of red stationary. 

When she knocked at the door it swung open almost immediately, JD standing at the door with a smug look on his face and motor oil smeared on his shirt.

“Well, well, well,” he said, giving a half-bow. “Didn’t expect to see you here, Heather... Duke, is it?”

“Chandler, thank you very much,” Heather sniffed, only slightly offended. She suspected he got her name wrong on purpose. There wasn’t a person at school who didn’t know who she was. “Can I come in?”

“Why, of course,” said JD, unusually courteous. He opened the door wider and walked her into the living room, where a TV spoke in muted tones and a motorcycle wheel covered in motor oil sat on the coffee table. “What brings the occasion?”

Shit. Shit! What was she doing? She had no plan, not even a weapon! Chandler could feel herself breaking into a cold sweat.

Regaining her composure, she said, “It’s about Veronica. We... need to talk.”

“Ronnie, huh? What’s the problem? Is she spending a little too much time away from the kingdom?”

So he was mocking her! Hearing Veronica’s nickname come from his mouth made the anger bubble up inside her. She started to narrow her eyes— then stopped, and smiled sweetly at him.

“Actually... could I get a glass of water? It’s been so dry out, I can almost feel myself being fossilized.”

“Sure, the glasses are in the kitchen, second cupboard to the left.” JD turned away from her, focusing on the motorcycle wheel again.

Chandler ventured through the living room to the kitchen, trying to ignore a picture of a young JD and his parents on a nearby shelf. She filled a glass with water, gulped it down, and took a deep breath. This was it. She was going to be rid of him once and for all.

She quietly pulled open drawers until she found what she was really looking for: a kitchen knife. Holding it behind her back, she called, “Hey, JD, do you think you could give me a hand? I can’t seem to find the glasses anywhere... and you’re the host, I mean— shouldn’t you be getting me water?”

Chandler could hear JD give a huff of annoyance, tools clanking as he set them down on the coffee table. He walked in, wiping his hands on his shirt, seeing the glass on the kitchen counter. He stopped, raising his eyebrows at Chandler with irritation.

“Looks to me like you found them just f-“

Chandler lunged at him with the knife, aiming for his stomach. JD’s eyes widened in surprise, but his demeanor hardened again when he caught her arm just in time. She struggled against it, desperately trying to nick him or at least scare him bad enough that he would leave Veronica alone.

No such luck. JD was a lot stronger than someone who looked so lanky would seem. They were caught in a silent gridlock. As one arm held hers with the knife, something cold pressed against her temple. Chandler looked up in horror to see the same pistol that JD had used a few days ago in the cafeteria against her forehead. Even if it was filled with blanks last time, she wasn’t taking any risks.

As she relaxed, so did JD— only slightly. Instead of looking angry, he had an emotion on his face that made him look much scarier: exhilaration.

“Alright,” he panted, stepping away, still pointing the gun at her. “This isn’t about Veronica, is it?”

“Yes, it is,” Chandler insisted through gritted teeth, still gripping the handle of the knife tightly and pointing it at him. “I want you to break up with her. If you’re even dating her at all. She doesn’t belong with someone like you.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“She said it herself before you got here,” Chandler spat venomously. “That she’d given up on high school boys. She should be at college keggers with me, not going on long walks at the beach with you.”

Chandler couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. This kid had a gun pointed at her, and she was the one making demands. She almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.

“You’re... jealous?” JD raised an eyebrow, half amused and half suspicious.

“I’m not jealous— I’m doing what’s best for her. Which is getting rid of you.”

JD chuckled lightly, no mirth in his eyes.

“Sure, okay. Look, why don’t we make a deal?” His hand was steady on his gun, as if he’d done this a million times before.

“Like what?” Chandler’s voice shook slightly.

“I’ll pretend that all this never happened, and let you leave, but only on two conditions: if you continue to let Veronica spend time with me, and you forget all this happened, too. Hell, I’ll even make sure she still has lunch with your little clique. Deal?”

There was no doubt in JD’s voice that he was going to get what he wanted, deal or not. Chandler lowered the knife a slight increment.

“Deal,” she said, feeling as if she had just sold her soul to the Devil himself.

And just like that, JD looked normal again. Almost.

“Great!” he said. “I’ll show you out now.” He guided her out of the house with the pistol pointed at her. “And you can leave the knife on the counter— unless you plan on making some lunch.” He grinned at his own joke. “Goodbye, Heather Chandler,” he said, shutting the door in her face.

Chandler walked home stunned, sure he would keep his promise, but unsure of what was to come.

As soon as he shut the door, JD began to pace around the room. He couldn’t fathom what possibly could’ve driven that girl to try to murder him. It wasn’t friendship, that was for sure. Unless... unless.

Unless she felt the same way about Veronica as he did.

The realization hit him fast, disgust balling up his fists. Stupid. Stupid! He didn’t want another body on his hands, but he knew he should’ve killed her right then in his kitchen. There was no way he and Chandler would be able to coexist in peace if she felt the same way about her that he did.

 He was going to have to break their deal.

 The weeks went by smoothly as JD created his plan, with Chandler truly seeming to have forgotten their unusual meeting and Veronica completely oblivious. He was much more prepared than Chandler. All he had to do was wait for an opportunity to jump.

It finally came the morning after one of Veronica’s rendezvous at a college party. JD had seen the lights on in her room and crawled in through the window, listening to her rave about how she wanted Heather Chandler out of her life.

It felt like it was too good to be true to JD, as if it was a sign from God that his plan was ready to be put in action.

So, the morning after, he tagged along with Veronica to check up on Chandler.

 When Chandler heard footsteps inside her house, fear rocketed through her. Was JD finally here to finish her off? She had had more than a few sleepless nights, with nightmares of Jason Dean breaking into her house and strangling her or shooting her through the forehead (with her corpse looking like a mess!). But she heard Veronica’s voice laughing at his, so she relaxed and feigned sleep. He wouldn’t try anything with her around.

So when JD brought the cup into the room, she assumed that it was that awful concoction of milk and orange juice they were giggling at in her kitchen. When she saw it was blue, she rolled her eyes, thinking they found some food dye to mess with her. She wasn’t going to let JD make a fool out of her again, especially in front of Veronica, so in one last attempt to prove herself to Veronica, she downed the cup in one go.

Immediately after she swallowed a gulp, bitterness stung and burned her throat. She felt like her throat was closing up on her, and she dropped the cup, grabbing at her throat frantically and trying to say something, anything. This is it, she thought. This is when I die.

Struggling to breathe, she choked out, “Corn... nuts,” and blacked out, falling onto the glass table as the darkness engulfed her.

Veronica stood in silent shock, hands going over her mouth. “I just killed my best friend,” she said shakily.

“And your worst enemy,” JD added.

As they slowly pieced together what to do, with JD feigning surprise and shock, she forged the note and turned to leave the house. JD had already left, waiting impatiently for her in the car. But right before she left, something on Chandler’s vanity dresser caught her eye. It was a crumpled-up note, the stationary the same as the one Veronica used to write Chandler’s suicide note with. She unfolded it, smoothing out the creases.

JD’s address was printed on the first line of the paper in Chandler’s discernible flowery handwriting. Veronica frowned in confusion. She looked at JD, out of his line of sight from the car, and pocketed the note.

She never mentioned it to JD, or anyone else, after that day.

Veronica turned to look at Heather Chandler’s lifeless body on the shag carpet. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, and fled out of the house.

[wenchuong]

The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Ch.1

Rose firmly believed that everything magical happened at night. Ever since she could remember, the only time she ever felt truly like herself was when everyone else had turned off their worlds and gone to sleep.

When she was 13, Rose’s parents had gotten divorced, and her mother had uprooted them from Seoul to Los Angeles. The only thing that stopped her tears was climbing onto the roof of their new apartment building in the dead of night to look at the tall, spindly palm trees swaying in the Santa Ana winds. The air smelled faintly like jasmine, and the city lights twinkled cheerily at her, as if trying to help her feel marginally less alone.

When she was 16, Rose was in New York when she had lost her virginity and gotten her heart broken all in the same night. Numb, she walked around the city aimlessly until she happened to see a sign for a model management company promising money, travel, and the opportunity to change her life. She remembered thinking that she would do anything to take her away from here, away from her life.

And when Rose was 22, she happened to be in Tokyo, at 3am, when she met him - the boy who would change her entire life.

Ch. 1 -- Serendipity

Can’t eat that. Can’t eat that. Nope, not that. Not that either. Rose let out a groan of frustration as she walked past rows of snacks, onigiri, and ramen that she wasn’t allowed to eat. After constant dieting for photoshoots and runway shows, it should have been easy for her to stop in a 7/11 and not practically drool over all the forbidden fruit. And yet here she was, in black sweatpants and sweatshirt, staring longingly at a cup of Shin ramen like the world’s hungriest ninja. To be fair, it had been an especially long day of fittings. As the new face of Dior, she was spending a week in Tokyo to shoot the multi-part campaign, each shoot promising to be more stressful than the last. Rose had been preparing herself for months now, and a cup of hot, savory ramen was not going to be her undoing.

“Ding,” the store’s door chime sounded, and the muffled noises of other night owls looking for snacks broke the pleasant silence. Unbothered, Rose continued to stare daggers into the ramen, not noticing that someone was standing right beside her until he muttered, “There’s only one left.”

“Huh?” she asked, startled.

“Oh, sorry. I was talking to myself,” he responded in slightly accented Japanese.

Rose turned to fully look at the mystery boy, dressed in all black with a face mask on, hair falling over his eyes, just like her. She couldn’t help but giggle. “We’re matching,” she said in Japanese with a bright smile that crinkled her eyes into half moons.

Surprised, he lifted his head to look at her, at her long ash-brown hair, at her glowing skin, and at her eyes that he was certain were the color of liquid sunsets. Wow, he thought.

“You can have the ramen. I’m not allowed to eat it anyways,” she continued.

His brain was still stuck on liquid sunsets when he choked out a reply. “Why?”

He watched her scrunch her nose cutely as she responded. “I’m on a diet. I’ll just get soup or something.”

Pouting, she started to walk away from him. Every muscle in his body tensed, screaming at him to make her stay, if only for another second.

“Wait!”

She turned around hesitantly and saw him holding the cup of ramen.  

“What if we split it?”

She cocked her head to the side but didn’t respond. He couldn’t help but think cute cute cute.

He continued, “it’s half the calories…?”

She furrowed her eyebrows at him, clearly weirded out that a stranger just asked to split ramen with her, but she barely had a chance to respond before her stomach let out an embarrassingly loud growl. Traitor.

He let out what she guessed to be a snort.

“Fine. But- ” She snatched the ramen from him. “-I’m making it! I can’t trust a stranger to make my precious ramen.”

He shook his head, “You mean our precious ramen!”

She cracked a grin and skipped down the aisle, going to the register to pay.

“Wait! I’ll pay.”

“That’s very gentlemanly of you, but since you’re being nice enough to share, it’s my treat.”

He looked ready to fight her on it, but before he could move, she grabbed him by his sweatshirt sleeve and dragged him over to the eating counter.

“Sit.”

He huffed and sat down.

She smiled warmly at him. “Good boy.”

His heart lurched into his throat. So endearing.

He watched as she paid and prepared the ramen. Everything she did was graceful. Even though she was right — they were in fact wearing matching outfits — her long legs, tiny waist, and the little peek of her abs made her look irresistibly sexy. He’d seen plenty of beautiful girls, but none of them made him feel so….warm.

He ached to touch her, to run his fingers through her soft hair, to hear her giggle again, to stay there in the convenience store and know all her secrets, to tell her all his secrets.

He couldn’t remember ever being so affected by a girl before, especially not a girl he met 5 minutes ago, and he was still thinking about it when she was back, steaming cup of ramen in one hand and pair of chopsticks outstretched in the other.

She spoke while he was rubbing his chopsticks together, “I’m Rose by the way.”

Rose. He rolled it around in his head and concluded that her name was beautiful too. He reflexively went to remove his face mask and tell her his name, but his hand stopped mid-motion, a million thoughts running through his head. What if she knew who he was and turned into a scary fangirl? Even worse, what if she knew who he was and hated him? What if, what if, what if…

Rose knew the strange boy was going through a little crisis, since normally guys would jump to give her their name, usually followed by their phone number and a horrible pick up line, so she played it super cool and pretended to be focused on her chopsticks as she snuck peeks at him.

After another second, he made up his mind that the risk was worth it. So taking a leap of faith, he slid off his hood and pulled down his mask.

“I’m Jungkook.”

He had a great face. Flooffy hair, big doe eyes looking into Rose’s intently, and very soft, kissable lips—wait, what?

She allowed her eyes to trace his sharp jawline once — self control! — before finding his eyes again.

“Jungkook? That’s Korean, right?”

Quickly covering up his surprise that she didn’t seem to know who he was, he smiled timidly back at her.

“Yea.”

She smiled widely this time, as brilliant as the sun.

“I’m Korean too! We can stop using broken Japanese to talk to each other.”

He laughed then, and Rose internally squealed when she saw his cute, bunny teeth.

A little shy, but curious nonetheless, Jungkook asked, “Do you live in Korea then?”

“Sort of. I have an apartment in Seoul, but I travel a lot for work, so I sort of live everywhere and nowhere. What about you?”

“I live in Seoul, but I’m kind of the same, traveling all the time.” He was still cautious of revealing too much. He didn’t think she was pretending not to know him, so he wanted to protect this refreshing anonymity for just a little while longer.

He was about to ask her another question when they were interrupted by the jarring sound of an iPhone alarm.

“Ramen’s done!”

Rose practically dropped her phone in excitement while silencing her timer. As if he wasn’t already overly fond of her, she had to go and do a little dance while tearing off the lid and stirring the noodles, making him swoon.

She could feel his eyes staring when she glanced up at him through her eyelashes. “What? This is my happy dance.” He only chuckled.

She twirled a huge bite of the steamy, spicy, delicious noodles and opened her mouth wide, only to be interrupted by his chopsticks rudely stopping hers.

“Hey!”

“Shouldn’t the oldest get the first bite?”

Rose put her chopsticks back in the cup, and her eyes turned sharp. Uh oh, Jungkook activated sassy mode.

“First off, we’re not in Korea so those rules don’t apply. Second, you’re definitely not older.” Triumphant, Rose waited for a comeback.

Smirking, Jungkook only asked, “What year are you?”

Not about to be fooled, Rose countered, “You first.”

“How about we both say it on 3?”

Exasperated and hungry, Rose agreed.

“1…2…3…”

“’97”

“’97”

“Ha!! We’re the same age.”

She quickly turned her attention back to the ramen. Considering for a second, she held up the folded ramen lid to him. “We can take the first bite together, if we drop the honorifics.”

Not really caring who takes the first bite, Jungkook only wanted to get to know her better, and he was more than happy to get closer to her. “Deal.”

If anyone were to walk by the 7/11 in Ginza at 3am that night and look into the window, they would have seen two people, heads bent toward each other, eyes gazing into each other’s and smiles growing on their lips as the steam from a cup of ramen warmed their already blazing cheeks. The fluorescent lights cast them in a warm glow, and time itself seemed to slow to honor the serendipity that brought these two souls together so that their story could finally begin.

[rogerstoast]

Pizza Delivery Boy // Roger Taylor x female reader

Summary: reader is staying in for the night, and orders a pizza. both reader and roger are left stumbling at the door when they are both hungry for more than just a pizza.

Request: @comehereroger this girl literally gave me the idea I love her! Thank her for this!

Warnings: Fluff, flirting, a bit of smut, kinda dirty.

——————————————————————

You plopped down on the couch after a stressful week of tests and finals, prepared to sleep and do absolutely nothing this winter break. All you wanted more than anything was to relax and take in your surroundings. But the loud grumble erupting from your stomach said otherwise. It’s about dinner time anyways, but you were too lazy to get up and actually have to cook something. Nonetheless, you reached over to grab the phone resting on your coffee table, ready to order a pizza for one on your night in.

“Rocky’s pizza! What can I get ya?” A voice answered on the phone.

“Can I get an extra large cheese pizza? With some muchrooms, and uhh... extra sausage?” You ordered, mouth already watering at the thought of your dinner.

“Sure thing. Anything else?”

“That’s it.”

“Your total is $10.75. Pick up or delivery ma’am?”

“Delivery please!” Pff, like you were going to pick up a pizza three blocks away. The thought of having to get up from the couch to eventually answer the door was tiring enough.

*25 minutes later*

You sat all cuddled in on your couch, a soft tune playing on the record player throughout the apartment, as you switched between channels finding something to watch. All of sudden, you hear a knock at the door.

Pizza time baby.

Groaning in response, you slowly got up from the couch and trotted to the door. You unlock the door, and open it. Holy—well hello there, you thought. He must be new, never seen him before.

“Pizza delivery, for uhhh,” he squinted his eyes at the receipt, “y/n?” He asked in a soft, deep voice. His hair was blond and wavy, almost made you want to run your fingers through it. And the way the tight red T-shirt perfectly fit his toned body almost made you weak at the knees. But what killed you the most was the smile he shot at you once your eyes met each other’s. Those god damn eyes. Shit, snap out of it y/n.

You stumbled over your words, “uhh yeah that’s me.” You smiled back. Fuck, I can’t just give him the money, you thought. Screw it, it’s Friday, what’ve I got to lose?

“extra sausage right?” Really y/n?! Did you seriously just fucking ask that? Idiot.

He chuckled and blushed a bit, “I think so. Would you like to check?” *sir?? excuse you?* “You know, to see that they got the order right?” He asked, opening the box.

And they sure did, extra large sausage too.

You nervously chuckled, trying to keep your cool. “H-how much do I owe you?” You asked.

He leaned against the doorframe as your proximity to each other minimized by a couple inches. “I don’t think it really matters love, it’s on me.” He said, shooting another smirk your way as his looked up and down your body, subtly taking you in.

Ah Fuck.

“A-are you sure? You don’t have to, really—“

“No no no, it’s fine honestly. Don’t worry about it love.” He insisted. “I’m Roger, by the way.”

Roger. Good name. Quick y/n, uh, be sexy!

“Say, Roger. I don’t know if I’ll be able to eat this whole thing by myself,” you smirk up at him with a mischievous look in your eyes, “do you maybe wanna come inside and help me, finish it?” Dang, I am on fire tonight.

He leaned in a bit closer, one arm resting on the frame while the other held the pizza. Yet, whatever cologne we was wearing overpowered the smell of the food, and began to captivate you even more.

“Oh love, I thought you’d never ask,” he nearly growled at you, your faces merely inches apart as his eyes flicked down to your lips a few times.

“Oh yeah?” You smirked up at him, biting your lip.

“Yeah.” He looked down at your lips and licked his own. Message received.

“Why don’t you come inside then?” You ask a bit more seductively, placing your hand over his arm that carries the pizza, signaling to pull him in.

Within in seconds, he pushed himself in, throwing the pizza on the nearest table, pushing you against the door as it slammed shut. He pushed his lips against yours in a slow yet passionate kiss, as his hands traveled down to your waist, lightly squeezing your sides. In response, you threw your arms around his neck, tangling one of your hands through his soft hair. You deepened the kiss, as he slid a hand down to your ass and gave it a quick squeeze. As you let a slight moan escape, he swiped his tongue over your bottom lip begging for entrance. You let him in to explore your mouth, as you did the same with his. Tongues intertwining, fighting for dominance. You let him overtake you, you couldn’t help how good he tasted. He smiled against your lips, letting out slight moans all while letting his hands travel below your ass even more.

“Up.” He grunted against your already swollen lips. You didn’t hesitate to listen, jumping up and wrapping both your legs around his toned torso.

You continued your heated make out session, cupping his jaw to bring his face closer to yours if that was even possible. He pushed you up more against the door, until you felt something poking against your lower abdomen.

You broke apart momentarily, “bedrooms down the hall.” In response he placed his soft lips back onto yours, smiling as he began to trail his wet kisses down your neck. All the while racing the two of you to the bedroom.

He slammed the door open, and threw you on the bed, hovering his body over yours. Continuing to suck on your neck and the soft spot right below your ear, you were reaching down, and begging working with his belt. Roger lifted his shirt off, then yours each in a swift motion. He looked down shortly to admire the beauty that lay before him. You smirked up at him as his eyes took you all in.

“You do this often?” You asked in the heat of the moment.

“It’s only my first day on the job, you do the math.” He laughed lightly, reattaching his lips to yours.

His hands squeezed your hips, massaging and rubbing your sides all over. It felt so good, you were almost convinced this moment wasn’t real. You roamed your hands up his back, slightly digging your nails in it leaving red marks all over. until they were back in his hair. You lightly tugged at it, moans escaping his mouth as he brought his face to burrow into your neck, sucking and bitting your smooth skin. Roger reached one of his hands up to cup your covered breast, massaging it, still planting a wide display of hickies all over your chest.

“Rog, feels so good,” you moaned out. He reached back and unhooked your bra easily, like a fucking pro. Who is this man?

Roger fed off of your desire for more, as he reached down, prepared to rub his fingers where you were in desperate need of some friction. Just as fingers began to peel back the soaking wet, thin lining covering your entrance, something just HAD to go wrong.

*ring ring* *ring ring*

“Fuck.”

“What Roger. What is it?” You ask, confused as to why he just stopped.

Roger groans in annoyance, kissing you on the lips quickly before getting off you and stumbling to put his pants back on. It was his boss calling him in for another order he needed to deliver.

“I forgot I actually have to work,” he laughed to himself, “I’m sorry love i have to go, wouldn’t want to get fired on the first day for being late.”

Although you were merely disappointed that the two of you were unable to finish, he was in a way total stranger, who also had to do his job.

“It’s alright Rog. Maybe next time we can finish what we’ve started here tonight?” You asked, pulling the sheets up to cover your chest.

Roger had his shirt half way over his head till he froze. “Next time?” He mumbled through the fabric.

You chuckled and threw on the robe from the side of your bed. “Yes, next time. I really want to see you again Roger.”

Roger now was fully clothed and walked towards you, wrapping his arms around your waist as you placed your hands on his arms. He looked down at you and smiled. He saw something in you. He was thrilled that you wanted to see him again, because he wanted to see you again too.

“Yeah, id like that.” He hummed in response.

You beamed up at him. You were still in a bit of a shock and what was about to go down between the two of you. Two complete strangers who don’t know a thing about each other. Literally in your bed about to fuck because of a fucking pizza. Damn that extra large sausage.

As you walked him to your door, he left a passionate kiss on your lips. Except he didn’t stop. He was still craving for your touch. After all, neither of you got to finish. You opened the door and pushed him out a bit, breaking the kiss.

“Oh come on!” He complained with that stupid smirk across his face.

“Maybe next time pizza boy.”

“That next time better be tomorrow night because if you—“

You rolled your eyes laughing to yourself as you slammed the door in his face. If only he knew how hungry you were for tomorrow nights dinner. Maybe even hungry enough to call for another pizza in an hour. Or even better, just a good old extra large sausage.

————————————————————

Lmk what you think :)

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Prompt List here

[qm-vox]

Sigilverse Fanfic - Death by Misadventure

Author’s Note: After ten thousand years I am ONCE AGAIN PROCRASTINATING ON OTHER OBLIGATIONS to bring you the unasked-for fourth chapter in this Sigilverse fanfic. Previous chapters, in order, include What You Think of Death, In It To The Death, and Death Warmed Over. Sigilverse continues to be provided by @periakman whose latest book Legacy of the Sigil just dropped. Like queer YA that grapples absolutely fucking directly with trauma, recovery, and injustice? Give her a glance and your money.

Content Warnings: Child abuse, violence, mentions of suicide, extrajudicial murder, drug use

Vellkill Island, Grevelt. Late Autumn

Monika was intently working her way through her linguistics assignments when Deirdre punched her directly in the back of the head, not hard enough to see stars but definitely hard enough that the young apprentice’s hunched-over seating posture became her best imitation of a human-skin rug.

“The Void was that for?” Monika asked with her mouth against the stone floor of her room.

“Don’t die of shock, but science,” Deirdre commented. “Notice how you actually got hit?”

“I was there, I remember.”

“How often have you actually been hit in the last two months you ass?” came the acidic rebuttal.

Monika considered this. It certainly hadn’t been for lack of trying on Deirdre’s part or, she had to admit, the various soldiers the two of them had cajoled into helping explore Monika’s affinity. The apprentice’s telekinesis seemed to rely on existing movement, but it could nudge and exaggerate motion with incredible efficiency. Fists, feet, blades, sandbags, hurled bricks (while wearing a helmet, obviously), all had simply nyoomed right past Monika without so much as disturbing her dreadlocks. Deirdre had vetoed attempting to shoot Monika with a crossbow bolt; when Monika had tried it anyway using a rope and pulley system, the bolt had went right past her too.

“Yeah, well - I’d like to see you try it again,” Monika muttered bitterly.

“I’m going to,” Deirdre admitted.

“Why?”

“Science,” Deirdre answered, and then she aimed a savage kick at the girl.

Monika’s previous training paid off; she rolled away from her master’s boot and up into a fighting stance. Deirdre wasn’t in her typical armor, which meant among other things that if Monika hit her it’d actually hurt, except -

- hold on -

“Are you wearing padding?” Monika asked in outrage.

“We’re in a stone room and I expect you’re gonna toss my corpse around like old laundry, of course I’m in padding,” Deirdre answered. “You gonna hit me back or what?”

“What’re we testing?” Monika answered; the two circled each other warily, automatically edging away from Monika’s bed and kicking books out of the space where a fight might happen without taking their eyes off of each other.

“Focus,” came the reply. “I need to know if you can fight and do that at the same time, and how long you can do both or either. What’s the rule?”

“Report any feelings of pain in my head or eyes, halt if you call a halt, magic can hurt me and I need to not be hurt for no reason,” Monika answered dutifully. “I’m no good to you if I have a stroke.”

“You’re no good to yourself if you have a stroke, little patriot. Now hit me.”

So Monika hit her.

Like a speeding carriage.

Deirdre took the shot in the solar plexis and hit the stone wall with a whump. Dust shook loose from the rafters while the teen stared in vague shock. Deirdre slid to the ground slowly, collapsing onto her ass and sucking in deep, steady breaths.

“Change of plans,” the Silencer managed in what Monika could only call ‘her voice’ for lack of a better word. “I’m just gonna try to hit you and if anyone asks what happened to me, your obstacle course got me.”

“...Yeah, okay.”

This plan went fantastically for Monika. Deirdre not so much.

The teen watched as her master attempted to hit her to absolutely no avail. Deirdre kept her movements small, precise, laying out a flurry of controlled jabs and strikes that all missed by the barest fraction of an inch. For bigger things Monika could usually feel a twinge, the sensation of her affinity being accessed, but here it was more like a background noise as her kinesis just chugged along.

Things got wild with the bigger hits. An attempted haymaker sent Deirdre sprawling into the wall in an ungainly heap. A stomp kick fit to break down a door hit the wall instead, folding the Silencer in on herself like a paper fan and blowing the air out of her lungs. Deirdre tried to wave off Monika’s sheepish attempts to offer her a canteen of water but her body won out over her pride.

The attempt to throw the canteen at Monika sent it sailing out the window and into the presence of the world’s least fortunate chicken and luckiest enlisted man, respectively.

After what felt like an eternity, but the shifting daylight insisted was about an hour, Deirdre collapsed onto the bed with sweat plastering her red hair to her neck.

“You’re not even tired,” the Silencer complained.

“Nope,” Monika agreed. “I’m only just now feeling any pressure in my head and even then it’s more like I’ve got a cat on me.”

“...This might complicate things.”

“Isn’t it a good sign?” Monika pressed, voice full of hope.

“Depends, how into dying on accident are you in the name of science?”

Monika didn’t answer that.

“You know what I’m about to ask.”

Monika didn’t answer. She just left the room.

*

Monika had long since given up on looking for Ysabelle anywhere but the infirmary; the healer slept there, on a narrow cot that she insisted was her own choice and preference, thank you very much you nosy brat. On the average day there weren’t actually all that many patients, and today there were none. Monika walked in on Ysabelle putting a kettle on for tea.

“That beast finally find a way to maul you again?” Ysabelle asked without looking up, her voice flat.

“I don’t like you talking about her like that,” Monika said in a low voice. “...But no. I wanted to ask you about magical injuries. Erm. Injuries from using your affinity, that is.”

Wordlessly, Ysabelle left the kettle, but when she came back with two cups and set them down Monika knew she was invited to stay. The apprentice sat down cross-legged on one of the medical beds and waited for the healer to speak.

“Understand that I say this in the most technical sense I can,” Ysabelle began after a moment. “The question you’ve just asked is completely useless. Some affinities are inherently dangerous. Some are dangerous because they’re in bodies that aren’t suited to use them, or only partially suited. The Reaper puts his bones straight through his own skin and muscle, and even though he’s adapted to handle that it still hurts. Is that the sort of affinity injury you’re asking about?”

Monika frowned, holding her empty teacup and staring down into it. The porcelain was thin and unusually fine; once again, the apprentice considered asking Ysabelle why she had such an expensive tea service, and once again Monika discarded the question as likely to open up realms of bullshit beyond her imagination. “No, not...well...maybe? What happens to telekinetics?”

“Ah. Hrm. You’re wondering about your limits?” When Monika nodded, Ysabelle started to hrm her way through preparing the tea; picking out the blend she wanted to use, getting out stale cookies (’Why are your cookies so shit when your tea is so expensive?’ was another one of those questions Monika forced herself not to ask on a nearly daily basis), and fetching her cream, butter, and sugar. With the service fully set, the healer once again settled down to look at Monika. “That is...also complicated. Esoteric applications of magic can cause brain injuries, but they don’t always do so. Over-use of magic in general causes damage to what I will, for lack of a better term, classify as the soul, the fallout of which can range from acute depression, catatonic or fugue states, dissociation, or even death. Part of the reason ritual magic is so tightly controlled is because of injuries of this kind.”

The teen nodded, and then frowned again. “Wait, for lack of a better term? Do you not believe in souls?”

Ysabelle gave Monika a wan grin. “I did most of my learning in Haldon, where we have other ideas. That beast training you could tell you more, if you care to ask.”

Monika bristled, and when she saw Ysaballe tensing up in turn the apprentice let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and willed herself to calm down. Lots of people had reasons to dislike Deirdre. Void, Monika disliked Deirdre! Just let it go. Leeeeet it gooooo.

“In your opinion -” Monika began, and then she stopped. Ysabelle said nothing, but when the kettle started whistling did move to make the tea at last, giving the teen a lot more time to think. Getting a warm cup how she liked it (to wit, with enough sugar to kill nine men) to hold in her hands was a comfort of its own. “My master is concerned that if I can’t find a way to regulate my power, I could cause myself brain injuries. Maybe even those soul ones you’re talking about,” Monika explained at last. “How would I be able to tell if I’m close to danger?”

Comprehension dawned over Ysabelle’s expression; the healer added butter and sugar to her tea and stirred it slowly, clearly looking for the words she wanted to say. Monika had seen this look before, when trying to diagnose a tricky problem or injury and explain it in a way her patient would understand. “You probably don’t,” Ysabelle admitted after a moment. “Pain in the head without a clear cause could be one sign, but it might not be; a lot of the brain has no pain receptors, and if you’re bleeding internally you may not know until you have a stroke or even die. Fatigue can also be a sign of excessive magical expenditure, but given your affinity...”

“...I’ll probably be exhausted for other reasons,” Monika finished with a nod. “Hell, even just doing training with Lee leaves me exhausted.”

“Mister Lee puts you through your paces,” Ysabelle agreed. “And if you end up in battle, as you inevitably will given your master’s profession, the emotional toll can make self-awareness even more difficult. Your master is correct - you are in fact in an unknown amount of danger from yourself, and this danger of necessity will need to be addressed.” She and Monika took sips of their tea at the same time, each with expressions of Intense Contemplation on their faces. “If you could be so kind, please explain to Deirdre that you had this conversation with me, and that I may be able to suggest resources to the both of you on this matter which would require her rather more comprehensive powers of requisition. I am willing to speak to her at her earliest convenience.”

“Civilly?” Monika pressed.

Ysabelle sighed.

“Civilly,” the healer agreed, at last.

*

Vellkill Island, Grevelt. Midwinter.

The teleporter arrived without much fanfare, to the immediate panic of those posted there. Monika’s first clue that something was wrong was the mad scramble to put everything up to code, as if some kind of inspection was coming. She had just been about to find Deirdre and ask what was happening when her master found her instead.

“Uniform up, we’re due downstairs,” Deirdre ordered briskly. “And your books have arrived.”

“These related?” Monika hazarded, even as she moved to obey.

“Very. Try to be on your best behavior, the Colonel’s going to have a stick up his ass.”

‘Downstairs’ turned out to be the fort’s parade ground, where the soldiery were assembled in crisp formation. The Colonel (Monika went into her breathing exercises; stay calm, staaaay calm) was conversing in low tones with a tall, bald woman with skin just as dark as Monika’s own, a first since arriving at this Void-curst island. As they got closer, the apprentice noticed the dagger tattoo on the woman’s hand, just like the one on Deirdre’s.

Another Crimson Dagger. Oh no.

“Silencer,” the tall woman greeted with a nod. “Monika of Westkill. My name is Serethen of Javier. I have brought your requested materials.”

Monika bowed. Deirdre just nodded, and then opened her mouth: “Didn’t expect those until spring opened the seas up. What do you want?”

Serethen laughed and favored Deirdre with a faint smile. “Your reputation precedes you, Silencer. There is an ulterior motive, but it will wait. My journey has been long, and I am exhausted. You and your apprentice will take lunch with me tomorrow, and then we can discuss things.”

“I will have my rooms -” the Colonel began.

“Not you,” Serethen interrupted.

“That is hardly your place, Agent,” the island’s lord and master hissed, only to be forced to fumble and curse as a sealed envelope was thrown at him. He glared at the tall teleporter, and then at the envelope.

Later, much later, Monika would treasure the exact look on his face during darker times in her life.

“Not you,” Serethen repeated, and then she set down the heavy pack on her back. She gestured between it and Deirdre and then swept away with a quiet dignity and no small amount of self-satisfaction.

“I think I might want to be her when I grow up,” Monika said after a moment.

“Same,” her master echoed.

[harrywavycurly]

Interview with the Horans!

This is a compilation of questions I’ve received for Niall and Delilah to answer and I did it as if they were sitting down doing an interview, I hope you enjoy and that it helps give you an insight into the lives of the Horans! If you have no clue what I’m talking about Niall and Delilah are from my Insta Story you can find here! 

Q: How did you two meet?

Niall: At an after party of a sports event I believe? She’s gonna kill me if I got it wrong. 

Delilah: Really? An after party? You’re so annoying. We met at a sports event that I didn’t want to go too but my friend Phoebe dragged me to it and I ran into Niall at the bar it was all super casual.

Niall: Ya sure, if ya call her almost knockin me over ta order a bloody drink casual. 

Q: How did you ask Delilah to be your girlfriend? 

Niall: Oh god uh I jus sat her down and asked her if she wanted to be exclusive an she laughed at me cos she was like “who the hell uses the term exclusive? you’re such an old man” dat was probably after we had been on like four or so dates. I jus enjoyed bein round her. 

Delilah: It was super cute, he gets all blushy and adorable. He was nervous and I have no clue as to why, he had already asked to share my calendar with him to see what dates work for us and everything. Like that’s a pretty big deal. 

Q: What’s a normal day in the life like for the Horans?

Niall: nine times outta ten shes up before me, she was like dat even before the girls. She can stay awake till six in da bloody mornin and be up at eight ready to rock n roll. S’a bit disturbin, but our days when M’not on tour are very like every other married couples... jus wit a set of twins.

Delilah: We go on a walk in the mornings, we’ve been doing that ever since I was pregnant, and while on the walk is when we lay out the game plan for the day. So if he has any meetings or anything he’ll tell me so I can plan my day around it. So like yesterday he had a photo shoot for something-

Niall: Cos m’a model now. Just so ya know.

Delilah: Right...so anyway he had his model thing so the girls and I brought him lunch and he was home at a decent time to help with their bedtime routine.

Niall: I feel like we are pretty normal ta be honest like we don’t do a lot of extravagant shit.

Delilah: Not anymore no.

Niall: We were never like jet settin on tons of trips and stuff we’ve always kinda just went from New York to California. We like ta lay low.

Delilah: As low as a former member of one of the largest boy bands in the world can lay....he forgets who he is sometimes. But yes we do kinda just stick to the two places and don’t go out much unless it’s to dinner because I like to eat out a lot. It’s a problem that I’m working on. Oh and Niall likes to go to parties without me but that’s not typically part of a normal day in the life of us.

Niall: M’not even gonna go der wit you.

Q: Speaking of parties, Delilah it’s pretty obvious you don’t like being left at home while Niall goes and has fun.

Delilah: Yeah he’s an asshole. He met Post Malone while I was at home trying to get comfy with my damn pregnancy pillow! And him and Shawn just are super annoying when they get drunk together. But I don’t mind him having his bro time and going out without me, I just like being dramatic.

Niall: Yeah m’da worst at like tryin ta plan parties and invitin her cos half the time they are so last minute and I know she does not do last minute.

Delilah: No I need at least four hours to prepare myself to be around people and to like get dressed and all that not so fun stuff. 

Q: Who said I love you first?

Niall: She did. During an argument matter of fact, it was pretty memorable. 

Delilah: I said it during a moment of passion Niall James not a full blown argument. it was like a “God why do I have to love you so much?” Don’t make it sound so dramatic. 

Niall: M’pretty sure yelling it in the middle of a “passionate argument” is the same as jus sayin it in an argument babe but okay. 

Delilah: It’s totally different, you’re just a dumb boy you wouldn't understand.

Q: Rumor has it you two broke up briefly while Niall was on tour just after releasing Flicker. Is that true? 

Delilah: Yes it’s true. Couples take breaks. Look at Ross and Rachel, it worked out fine for them. 

Niall: Really ya gonna bring Ross and Rachel into dis? They suffered fo a few years before actually bein happy...

Delilah: I mean are you upset that I forgave you too soon? 

Q: Why did you two break up?

Delilah: Yeah Niall why did we break up? 

Niall: Yer such an arse. Uhhh can we skip dis one? We’re allowed like one skip right? 

Delilah: Nope. The people want to know and you always say you’re a man of the people. 

Niall: I cheated. Next question please. 

Q: What songs on Flicker are about Delilah?

Niall: None of em. 

Delilah: Did you hear that world? I was not the muse for that sad ass album so stop blaming me for breaking this man’s heart. 

Niall: Slow hands is bout her I guess, it was written after a date wit her to a bar so yeah, slow hands s’bout her. 

Delilah: I'll allow that one. 

Niall: Oh and So Long. But that’s not on the album so...but most of the songs I didn’t necessarily write wit anyone in mind more of an emotion I wanted ta get across. 

Q: When the two of you were dating who was the best at keeping in touch with the other?

Niall: She was at first then I’d say it was pretty even once we got a bit mo serious. We always had a good long chat at the end of each day tho no matter if we only exchanged two texts throughout the day.

Delilah: In the beginning I was just nosey and wanted to know what he was doing all the time. Then I realized he legit is either in the studio or he’s playing golf or at some sort of event. We still do the phone call each night when he’s away. 

Q: What’s something you love about each other? 

Niall: Easy! Her love of life, she is someone that ya jus wanna be around cos she will make ya smile and makes ya ten times happier jus being in the same room as her. 

Delilah: Awe you’re so sweet! I honestly love the fact Niall will never tell you anything just because he knows you want to hear it, he doesn’t sugar coat things and I know that sounds odd to like love that about someone but it’s just refreshing. I love knowing that if I ask him for his opinion it's going to be 100% honest and how he truly feels and sometimes it makes me want to smack him but mostly I just appreciate what he has to say. 

Niall: Oh an I love her laugh. 

Delilah: Niall also has a very nice ass so you can put that down as something I love as well. 

Niall: Delilah Grace...m’not arguing though.

Q: So Niall this is mainly for you, how has it been dealing with how often Delilah posts about your private life since normally you like to keep that to yourself.

Delilah: Ohhhh good question!

Niall: I don’t mind it really, s’not like she posts pics of me doin anythin scandalous. I think she shows another side ta me dat the fans enjoy, it shows them dat I’m like I always say, a normal guy wit jus an abnormal job. Also her captions are jus...somethin else she has such a way wit words.

Delilah: He laughs so hard at the photos I post of him looking annoyed. He loves those the best.

Niall: I’d also say she’s da reason my posts have gotten a bit more personal. She’s helped me realize dat my Instagram an twitter doesn’t have ta jus be all Niall Horan the musician. The fans and everyone wanna jus get ta know me.

Delilah: You’re welcome world.

Q: So you two have been married for almost a year now right? What’s been the best part of being married?

Delilah: I get lots of free stuff, it’s pretty freakin great if I’m being honest. 

Niall: Ignore her, yes we’ve been married almost a year now, hard ta believe s’only been a year. 

Delilah: I mean having the girls seemed to take up a big part of the year so I’d honestly say the best part of being married so far is just knowing he’s fully mine now and I get to be in his life forever. Sounds lame when I say it out loud.

Niall: I think the best part is jus knowin that she’s there. Like she always has my back on anythin an bein able to point to her an be like “oh dats my wife.” I enjoy that quite a lot if m’bein totally honest wit ya. 

Q: So the twins they are adorable by the way, what was your initial reaction when you found out you were having twins?

Niall: I absolutely almost shit myself it took me completely off guard.

Delilah: Same! But really I was kinda hoping I was having twins because lord was I getting huge kinda faster than I had anticipated.

Niall: It’s also in the long run good cos we only wanted two so like boom! One an done is what they say right?

Delilah: No one says that about kids you weirdo.

Niall: S’for sure a thing people say even bout kids. 

Q: Who takes care of the kids more?

Delilah: Me, just because Niall has a job while I stay home all day in my sweatpants eating.

Niall: Obviously it’s Delilah, she is an actual angel fo everythin she does for the girls and myself even. An jus fo the record she doesn’t wear sweatpants all day, she eventually puts like dem leggin type pants on.

Delilah: Thanks honey. 

Q: So Delilah what would you do if you came home to Niall asleep on the couch when he’s supposed to be watching the girls?

Delilah: It depends. If the girls are also asleep I’d probably cry at how cute they all look passed out.

Niall: Dey are way cuter dan me when they’re alseep.

Delilah: But if he’s asleep and they aren’t...oh hell will be raised in the Horan house. I’d probably smack him with a throw pillow and never let him live that moment down. Like even Shawn hasn’t fallen asleep while watching the girls yet and he’s only watched them after they are asleep so Niall and I can go have dinner alone. 

Q: So is Shawn The Godfather?

Niall: Did he tell you to ask dat?

Delilah: He’s one of them yes.

Niall: We have two godfathers and two godmothers.

Delilah: We are just extra like that, don’t even ask why. 

Q: Last question, how have you handled the fans response towards your relationship? The overall response seems to be everyone pretty much adore the two of you.

Niall: Oh it’s been great really, only a few people here an there have some shitty remark ta say but it’s always something stupid.

Delilah: I think after the first two years it just switched and it’s been for the most part pretty nice. I think at first the fans just didn’t know how serious this was going to be and everyone legit loves Niall so they wanted to make sure I was worthy of him. But I mean we’ve been together for so long now that they’ve fully accepted me.

Niall: Dey have realized she’s not goin anywhere. I mean she met me when I was still in One Direction like jus before the hiatus so she’s been through a lot wit me and the fans love er.

Delilah: Diall till death.

Niall: Oh yeah dats our Uh..what they call it? Ship name? Diall!

[teratalia]

Android partner x human

Feel like a slow burn? How about one that takes place during a zombie apocalypse? 

This time, I'm using an OC of mine instead of the reader - do you prefer one type of story over the other? Also I may be expanding upon this story and doing some worldbuilding later? Maybe? :) 

Quick notes: some violence. That's all lmao

Slowly weaving my way through the once grand mall, I make my way through the wreckage in search of usable supplies. Other survivors may have grabbed most of the good stuff, I think as I rifle through piles of trash. That thought doesn’t stop me, though—resourcefulness is second nature to me. A pity that I don’t have all the time in the world to search.

I hear a labored groan behind me and sigh, pulling my heavy metal pipe from my bag. “Can’t a girl look around without this kind of thing happening?” I grumble as I easily knock the zombie down, avoiding its snapping teeth as I deal with it quickly. Making sure it won’t move again, I grab some nonperishable food and walk away.

I can’t remember the last time I saw another regular person, one that wasn’t infected. Ever since the zombies took over the city, most people were either lucky enough to leave or unlucky enough to join the zombies. I’m stuck in the middle—it’s too late for me to leave without tons of help, but I refuse to be infected. And so I’m forced to wander, doing my best to survive. Sometimes I miss seeing other people; living in a densely populated city, I'm very much used to being surrounded by others. I had become so used to the usual noisy city atmosphere that this silence, punctuated only by zombie snarls, is so unnerving to me.

Lost in thought, I almost don’t notice the zombie sneaking up on me. Biting back a cry of shock, I swing my pipe, connecting with its chest. The sharp end digs into its rotting flesh, spilling acidic greenish blood. Sidestepping the growing puddle, I finish the job, trying not to linger too long. 

Hoping that I didn’t make too much of a sound, I keep walking. Last thing I want is to be noticed by something unfriendly. 

I round a corner and spot something I never thought I’d see again. A regular-looking person, whose skin tone isn’t tainted by the infection, stands with their back to me. They are inspecting an old, crumbling poster ad sporting a happy family smiling about whatever product. Deep reddish brown hair falls to just below their ears, straight and in a choppy style, and it’s not dirtied or bloody at all. 

For a moment, I just stand there, unable to comprehend what I’m seeing. Then a giant smile takes over my face and I stride forward, calling out, “Hello over there, I never thought I’d see someone else here! Are you okay—"

Searing heat blooms across the arm holding my metal pipe and I drop it, wondering why my arm hurts so much. Looking down, I see the bullet hole, and looking back up, I see the other person’s weapon. When did they pull out a gun...?

The pain is too much for me, and as I collapse, the last thing I see is a pair of bright red eyes, wide and confused. 

***

I wake up slowly, feeling sore yet warm. I push off the blanket and wince as my arm stings, instantly regretting that movement. 

“Do not move. You are still hurt.”

I jump and glance around wildly, not seeing anyone there. “Who-!”

They step out of the shadows, red eyes looking down at me curiously. “I have attempted to bandage your wound. Please tell me if it is satisfactory,” they say in their quiet, mechanical voice.

I inspect the wrapping - it’s not half bad actually - and it takes me a moment to put two and two together. “Hey, who are you exactly?”

They sit next to me. “I am Unit Alpha-Iota-Zeta-746, codename Alizarin. I am not well versed in human anatomy, so do pardon me if the bandage is uncomfortable.”

“It’s fine, Alizarin. Thank you.” 

“You are welcome.”

I wait a moment but they don’t say anything else. “Aren’t you going to apologize for shooting me?”

They blink at me, tilting their head slightly. “I merely assumed that you were infected, and acted upon my instinct. I did not do anything that should cause offense.”

I stare at them incredulously. “...You shot me. That is offensive enough, especially since I didn’t actually do anything wrong. I wanted to greet you, because you are the first non-zombie I’ve seen in months.”

“Is that so?” They think hard for a moment. “I see. Then I am sorry, for you meant no harm. I suppose you were looking for another human?”

“I was.”

“Then I am sorry again.”

“What for? The first apology made sense, but not that one.”

“I am sorry because I am not a human, and yet you found me. You must be disappointed.”

Was that a hint of sadness in their voice? Without thinking, I reach out to comfort them. Instantly they recoil from my touch, and I draw my hand back down to my lap. 

“I’m not disappointed, actually. Would you mind if I keep you company for a while, Alizarin?”

“Keep me company?”

“Yes, I would like to spend time with you. You can keep me around and protect me from zombies, and in return I can tell you more about humans. It would probably be easier to learn about humans from an actual human, right? How’s that?”

Alizarin frowns thoughtfully. “It sounds like it may be troublesome...very well. We will try this arrangement and see how things go.”

“Then I’ll be in your care. Call me Tess, by the way.”

“Tess,” they repeat carefully. “I am pleased that we were able to speak, but I believe you should rest more. Rest accelerates healing, I believe.”

“If you say so,” I sigh, sinking back down into the pillows. 

“I do.” They blink down at me, and I roll my eyes. 

“Maybe I’ll teach you about being too literal,” I mumble, quickly drifting off to sleep. 

The next day greets me with rays of sunlight directly onto my face. With a quiet groan I sit up, rubbing my eyes and stretching leisurely. When I open my eyes fully, Alizarin is sitting right next to me, watching me intently. I quickly slide towards the other end of the bed, clutching the blanket in trembling hands. 

“Do humans always take a long time to start up?” They ask, leaning forward.

“Yes,” I mumble, still feeling a little sleepy. “Sometimes I even wake up and then go right back to sleep. Then I wake up late and regret everything.”

“Fascinating.”

I start to glare at the android, but then I realize there wasn’t a hint of sarcasm in their tone. 

“Well, now that you are awake, I do have some matters to attend to.” Alizarin abruptly stands and moves to the door. 

“Hang on. My clothes are ruined and I need food.”

They pause, thinking. “That dresser there has spare clothing,” they point to it, “and I believe I have non perishable food in the next room. Feel free to help yourself.” With that they leave me alone. 

“Not much of a friendly roommate, are you?” I grumble, getting up and grabbing some clothes. A little baggy, but not a terrible fit. I wished that my clothes were more like Alizarin's, which looked like a very efficient black bodysuit with silver accents. Then I quickly eat and run to catch up with the android, who barely spares me a glance. 

“I am returning to that spot in the mall where we met,” they say quietly, and for the first time I realize that the little place they’re staying is actually an old mall restaurant that they repurposed into a living space. The place with the bed was probably the manager’s office, the food was in the kitchen, and most of the tables and chairs out front were pushed up against the main doors. We leave through a more discreet side door. 

"So what were you looking for, anyway?"

"Signs of human life."

I have to press my lips together to stop from laughing out loud. "Well, you sure found it then, didn't you? What luck."

They stare at me blankly. "I do not know if luck has anything to do with it. It is merely a coincidence that I ended up shooting you."

I sigh and roll my eyes. "Never mind. Anyway, while we're out and about, we should collect some more supplies."

"What for? I have quite a large amount stashed away."

"Yeah, but it's all gross canned stuff. Also there's no water. Two important lessons for you right now: one, humans also need to drink water to survive, and two, if given the chance, humans would rather eat almost anything other than old canned goods."

Alizarin nods seriously. "I understand. We will also find food and water for you, then." We continue walking, and they quietly mumble, "This may be more troublesome than I initially thought."

I open my mouth to retort, but I'm interrupted by a zombie barreling towards us out of nowhere. Raising my trusty pipe, I prepare to separate its head from its decaying shoulders, but Alizarin quickly raises one hand. Faster than my eyes can follow, they shoot some sort of small red laser beam from their fingertips, easily penetrating the zombie's weak skull. It collapses as I stare at the android, jaw dropped.

"What is that?" I point to their fingers.

"It is a simple and efficient laser gun, built into my hand." When they see my worried glance, they add, "Do not be concerned. It will not fire randomly unless I suffer a serious malfunction.

Still a bit concerned, I just shrug and keep going, deciding to take their word for it.

The day is spent warding away zombies and collecting usable equipment and supplies. Or at least, Alizarin shoots down any zombies and I busy myself with stuffing my bag. Extra blankets, food, water bottles, whatever I can carry until the bag and my arms are fit to bursting.

"I think this was a productive day, don't you think?" I say cheerfully as we start to head back to the restaurant.

"I suppose you could say that. I would have been able to cover more ground by myself," they say matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, probably. But then you wouldn't have such a great companion," I joke, ignoring their blank expression. "Look, if we're going to spend time together, don't you think you could be just a little nicer to me?"

"I am not entirely sure what this 'nice' entails, but I will do my best."

"Good. It starts with not subtly insulting me like that."

Alizarin's brow furrows as they think. "I see. I did not realize that my statement could be seen in a negative light. I apologize, Tess."

"See, you're making progress already!" I grin at them, and they just nod.

I don’t realize how tired I am from exploring until we make it back to our hideaway. Right after dropping all my new things, I yawn, and Alizarin notices instantly. 

“You are tired, correct? You may rest in the back room again.”

“Thank you, Aliz,” I respond gratefully, shuffling past them and ignoring their indignant look. 

“...Aliz?”

I wave over my shoulder and don’t say anything. They’ll learn to be fine with the nickname, I’m sure. 

I kick off my boots and collapse face first on the bed. Being horizontal just feels so right...

But right before drifting off, I blink and sit up. Doesn’t Alizarin also need to rest? Maybe they are uncomfortable spending the night with me, but they had no problem watching me the other night. Forcing myself up, I head back to the dining room to get them to power down or whatever. 

Alizarin is sitting at one of the tables, tapping away at their left forearm. A red holographic screen is projected from their arm, and as I approach I see the little keyboard glowing faintly red on their arm. 

“Alizarin, what’re you doing?”

They whirl to face me, looking like they’re going to attack. 

“Whoa!” I hold up my hands. “I’m unarmed!”

“I know you are.” They calm down, passing their right hand over their arm and shutting down the hologram screen and keyboard. “It is nothing to be concerned about. What is the matter?”

“Oh, I just thought you should also get some rest. It’s really late, and I want to be up early with you tomorrow.”

Alizarin merely blinks at me. “As you wish. I do not need as much rest as humans, though.”

“Sure, sure.” I gently shove them towards the back room, and surprisingly enough, they let me. “But you should rest nonetheless. Go ahead and shut down or whatever it is you do.”

They chuckle, the corner of their mouth quirking up in a lopsided smile. “I rarely shut down completely. I will go on standby so that if anything happens, I will wake up immediately.”

“Sounds useful.” I flop back down on the bed and watch as they settle in the chair. Their eyes dim slightly, dulling to a deep red. With a shrug, I shut my own eyes. 

***

“What was this building for, Tess?” Alizarin looks around with barely concealed interest as we walk through dilapidated halls. It had been a few weeks since we started exploring together, and the place where they accidentally shot me is now just a faint scar and a memory. More and more Alizarin is showing me new expressions and actually talking to me, which I was absolutely thrilled about.

“This was a movie theater, where people would buy overpriced snacks and watch movies together.”

“Why would people pay for overpriced food?”

I giggle. “It’s the full experience, Aliz. Are you really watching movies here unless you’re stuffing your mouth with buttered popcorn and giant cups of soda?”

Thankfully they are finally used to my little nickname for them, and they merely frown in confusion. “I really will never understand you humans.”

Despite the frustration in their quiet voice, Alizarin is eager to explore, staring at ripped movie posters and broken signboards. 

Watching them makes me smile, and I don’t notice the hisses until it’s too late. 

Alizarin’s eyes suddenly snap to me and they yell my name as a giant zombie grabs my arm and yanks me backwards. I turn, coming face to face with it, and shuddering away from its horrific appearance. Usually I can tear myself away from a zombie’s grasp, but this one is unnaturally strong, decaying muscles flexing as it drags me away from Alizarin. It hisses and snarls, dirty fingers digging into my flesh. I can only be grateful that it didn’t instantly bite me, but what could it possibly want then?

I struggle, to no avail. No matter how much I kick and flail, its grip doesn’t loosen. 

“Alizarin!” I scream, wishing I’d brought a bat or my pipe with me. The one day I don’t bring a weapon...

The android leaps over us, gracefully landing in front of the zombie. It snarls and waves its free hand as if to shove them out of the way. 

“Let her go,” they say calmly. 

The zombie shakes its head, growling. It understood their words?

Alizarin raised an arm, fingertip glowing red, and before the zombie could react the laser shot right through its head. Releasing my arm, it collapsed in a heap of decaying muscle and flesh. 

“Thank you,” I gasp, extending a hand without thinking. “Let’s just leave, okay?”

Alizarin nods, taking my hand and leading me away. I glance back at the zombie. With its last bit of life, it isn’t grimacing or snarling aggressively. It stares back at me solemnly, almost sadly. I shudder and turn away. 

"Are you hurt, Tess?"

"No, I'm fine." Still a little shaken, I search for something, anything, to distract me from how I’m feeling.

As we walk, I start to talk just to hear myself talk, not really caring if Alizarin is listening. "You know, that zombie reminds me of some creepy guy that tried to get my attention ages ago. I was just walking down the street minding my own business when he started yelling weird things and trying to get my number. I had to basically run to make sure he wouldn't follow me. It might've been my fault for walking at night, but that doesn't mean he had to be so aggressive."

"Do humans walk outside for fun?"

"Sometimes, yeah. I miss it now. Sure, even before the zombies it wasn't always safe, but sometimes it was worth it just to breathe some fresh air."

"The air inside this building is no longer fresh. Due to the zombies, I suppose."

"Yeah, pretty much."

I continue chatting idly about anything, and before I know it we're back in our restaurant.

"Ah, back at our home base." I let go of Alizarin's hand and stride forward, arms wide.

"Home base? Ours?"

Turning back to them, I open my arms in their direction. "That's right. This place is like our home right now, isn't it?"

"I suppose so." Alizarin walks forward, looking confused. "I just do not fully understand the concept of a home. Is this not a rundown restaurant in the middle of a destroyed mall?"

"Of course it is, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that we are living here, and that we're together here. That's what makes it a home."

Alizarin still looks stunned, an unfamiliar glint in those red eyes. Acting on instinct, I grab them in a hug before they can pull away, and surprisingly enough they don't instantly break out of my arms. Instead they awkwardly wrap their arms around my back. I giggle and give them a squeeze before letting them go.

"I'm gonna go sleep," I announce, heading towards the back room.

It takes them a second to reply. "Very well. I need to take care of something."

"Promise me you'll come rest with me soon, okay?"

"Okay, Tess."

Sure enough, before long I hear Alizarin settle down in their chair next to the bed. Knowing that they're nearby makes me feel safe enough to fall right asleep.

***

"Today," says Alizarin, "I would like to investigate the fifth floor of the mall. There may be something interesting, and we may even find access to the roof there."

"Sounds good to me, lead the way."

I obediently follow them up several flights of stairs, biting back complaints about having to walk so much. If the elevators were still functional, I would have suggested we use them, but they're no better than giant hunks of metal and glass at the moment. We don't encounter many zombies on the stairs, and the ones we do see are quickly taken care of by Alizarin.

Finally we reach the top floor, and it isn't in a great state. Storefronts destroyed, forgotten merchandise laying around everywhere, walls and floors broken and cracked.

"Seems just like every other floor," I mumble, sidestepping a pile of rubble. "A complete mess."

Alizarin nods. "Indeed. Regardless, I believe there may be something useful here."

As we walk, I look around for supplies that we can bring back with us. I almost don't notice the zombie approaching us, but by the time I do, Alizarin had already killed it with their gun.

"Thanks for that."

"Not a problem. I don't wish for harm to come to you," they say matter-of-factly. Part of me wants to tease them for those words because it's basically equivalent to professing their undying love for me, but I hold back. Instead, I want to let them know that I'm grateful for those words.

The moment I open my mouth, I'm interrupted by a terribly loud cracking sound. We exchange stunned glances as the very floor breaks, chunks falling out from under us.

Flailing wildly, I manage to grab onto the side of the now gaping hole in the floor. My backpack is becoming a burden, so I slip it off and toss it to a safe spot. Then I make the mistake of looking down. Heights had never been a huge fear for me, but the collapsing fifth floor had broken through multiple other floors, and what should have been a relatively painful yet safe fall had now become deadly. I can no longer see the bottom.

"Alizarin?" I scream, trying to look through the dust and debris to spot a glimpse of bright red. "Are you okay?"

I don't see anything for a solid minute, and I take the time to haul myself up onto solid ground before staring down again. The faint sound of rocks cracking together reaches me, and eventually I see them slowly climbing the chunks of floor that are barely clinging together.

"Oh thank god," I gasp before yelling, "Alizarin, you can do this! It's safe up here!"

They look up, bright red points twinkling, and they continue to make their way up towards me. I hold my breath as they go, but Alizarin seems to be doing just fine.

Once they come within just a few feet of me, close enough that I can reach and touch them, something snaps. The piece of rubble they're holding onto breaks off and they nearly fall.

With a shout I lunge forward, grabbing their hand in both of mine. I never truly thought about how heavy an android would be, but they're definitely not light. I groan, holding on as much as I can.

"Tess!" They cry out. "Let go of me, I am far too heavy for you to pull up."

"Absolutely not!" Planting my feet firmly in the ground, I strain to pull them up. "There's nothing you can hold onto anymore. You'll fall."

"I believe that I will not sustain much damage from a fall, Tess. I have undergone rigorous physical testing."

"At this height?" I grit my teeth. "A fall like this might damage you beyond repair. I think not."

"I will be fine," they insist, though now they sound unsure.

I don't bother to reply, instead putting all my energy into pulling them up. After what feels like forever, I manage to get Alizarin high enough that their whole torso is over the lip of the hole, so that they can easily pull themselves the rest of the way.

I fall backward, arms and legs splayed, utterly exhausted. Alizarin sits next to me.

"Tess -"

"Aliz, are you okay?" I interrupt them, looking them over carefully from my spot on the floor. "A climb like that must not have been easy. If you have any scratches or anything, let me know and I'll help get you cleaned up."

They stare down at me for a moment. "You are concerned about my well-being?"

"Of course I am! Why wouldn't I be? You had to do so much more than I did just to get up here."

"I should be the one concerned about you, as I believe I am much heavier than the average human."

"Must be the weight of that hunk of metal you call a brain," I reply with a small smile.

"You must be fine, if you can make comments like that." Alizarin smiles back at me. "We will move on when you are ready."

"I appreciate that. Wait, do you still want to go to the roof?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, it may be dangerous getting there, if this hole is any indication."

They shake their head. "It will be fine. I believe it is important that we make it up there."

I shrug, and after a little more rest I grab my bag and we resume our exploration.

"I'm sorry, by the way."

"Tess, I do not understand the nature of your apology."

"I just feel like I'm really accident prone, and you have to deal with it. Like that giant zombie a week ago, and now this," I reply, pointing over my shoulder at the giant hole.

Alizarin merely shrugs and takes my hand. I raise an eyebrow.

"I would like to help you ward off any future accidents."

I can't refuse that. I just grin and keep walking.

We find some stores that are still relatively intact, and after warding off any zombies, I fill my bag with supplies. That taken care of, we set off in search of access to the roof.

It's nighttime by the time we reach the roof, and it's been a surprisingly long time since I've been outside. Ever since I entered the mall and met Alizarin, I've stayed inside the whole time. I had thought that by now, pollution would have spread across the sky like a physical manifestation of the infection, blocking off the sky. Instead, the night sky is clear, stars shining overhead as if nothing's wrong.

"Wow," I sigh, finding a clear spot to sit on the roof. "For some reason I didn't think I'd see the stars again."

"I do not know how to respond to that." I tug on their hand and Alizarin sits next to me.

"That's fine." We sit there in silence for a while and I close my eyes, enjoying the night breeze. Then I look to them, seeing the stars reflected in their red eyes. "Aliz?"

"What is it, Tess?"

"Do you ever think we'll get rid of this virus and be able to live normally? Do you think there's hope for us?"

I don't expect them to respond, and they're silent for so long that I assume they won't. "I do not know what 'living normally' is like," Alizarin starts slowly. "I was created with the sole purpose of aiding humans during this time; thus, I do not know what life was like before the outbreak. Seeing how this mall is today, the best I can do is to imagine what it was like when it was still fully functional. However, I was not programmed with a large imagination." They turn to look at me. "Despite this, and despite my lack of knowledge about feelings, I believe that there is hope to be had. I know that hope is something that humans hold dear, and I believe that it is something that you should not let go of."

They stare back up at the stars. "That was quite wordy, was it not?"

I don't respond, simply turning away so they can't see my face.

"Tess? I am afraid that my answer was much less than satisfactory."

Wiping a tear from my eyes before they can see, I say, "No, Alizarin, that was really good. Thank you."

"I am not sure that I understand your gratitude, but I am glad of it nonetheless." As if sensing that I need a minute, they let go of my hand just to pull me in so that my head is resting on their shoulder.

We sit there together, comfortable silence between us. I don't know if they made things up just to console me, but I still appreciate it.

Then I remember something. "Hey, Aliz. Why was it so important that we come to the roof, anyway? You never told me why."

They are silent, almost as if they're reluctant to answer. "I wanted to survey the area around this mall, to see the best escape routes for a quick departure," they respond slowly. "That was my first reason, but I then gained a second, unexpected one. Because of you."

Alizarin falls silent, and I think over their words. Because of me…?

Then it dawns on me. That time when I was rambling, and I said I missed fresh air and going outside. A huge grin splits my face and I grab the android in a sudden hug, squeezing their midsection.

"Aliz, you are the best. Thank you."

Alizarin actually lets out a quiet chuckle, patting my head. "I believe we could stay out here for the night, if you so wish."

I gasp, pulling out of their embrace to see them more clearly. "Really?"

"I did slip a blanket in the bottom of your bag when you weren't looking. In addition, I have a heating function that may prove useful."

"You really are the best. I can't thank you enough,"

"I believe that getting some rest would be the best way to thank me. Wait one moment."

With a fond smile, I watch them walk over to the roof door and then reach into my bag, finding the blanket and laying it out on the roof tiles. Alizarin sets up a simple barrier in front of the door so that nothing can sneak up on us before heading back over to me. Lying down, I tug Alizarin down with me.

"Ooh, you are warm. This is nice," I mumble, snuggling into their arms.

"I am glad I could be of assistance."

I want to joke around with them, but the exhaustion of the day catches up to me all at once and I quickly fall asleep.

I wake up the next day just in time to watch the sunrise, orange and purple hues dyeing the desolate world around me. Looking to Alizarin, I find that they're still shut down, eyes closed and unmoving. What a rare opportunity...enjoying their warmth and closeness, I watch them in the quiet calm of the morning light.

Eventually they wake up, eyes opening and brightening to their usual red color. Looking down at me, they smile softly, shifting so that my head is on their chest.

"Good morning, Tess."

I try to ignore how my face heats up under their gaze, but they tilt their head, sitting up while still holding me.

"Morning, Aliz."

"Tess, why did your body temperature just increase suddenly? Is something wrong?"

Grumbling about how observant they are, I shake my head and get up to stretch. "Don't worry about it. Shall we head back?"

Alizarin still looks concerned, but seems content to shrug it off and leave the roof with me.

The trek back down through the mall is much less treacherous, because the giant hole in the top floor has already been formed. We simply walk around it, careful not to get too close. The rest of the walk back is, thankfully, uneventful.

That night, I toss and turn in the little bed, unable to sleep. I made Alizarin promise to rest with me, so what was taking so long? Was it that hologram thing I've seen them using?

I get up and head to the dining room where sure enough, they're sitting with the red hologram projecting out of their forearm. This time, instead of typing, they're staring at it with an odd expression. I don't know what to make of it, but I don't like it, so I approach slowly.

"Aliz? Are you going to rest with me?" I ask, biting back questions about the hologram.

They sigh, the sound crackling like static. "I would like to, but I am not tired."

I sit down next to them. "If you want to talk about it, I'll listen to you."

"Thank you, Tess." Alizarin stares at the hologram, eyes flicking back and forth over words I don't understand. "I am being recalled to the facility that I came from. My creator would like to see me."

"Facility?"

"Yes. I suppose that building is what I should call my home, but…" They trail off, and I take their free hand.

"I understand. Tell me about the facility, are there other androids too?"

"That is correct. I am one of various androids that have different jobs. Mine is to survey the zombies and bring back intel, which is sent through my communication screen," they explain, indicating the hologram. "I do not know if my creator is unsatisfied with my work or simply has a new assignment for me, but I am being ordered to return for a while."

Seeing their troubled expression, it doesn't take me long to make up my mind. "Okay, I'll come with you."

Alizarin shuts down the hologram, staring at me with wide eyes. "I don't think I heard you correctly."

"I'm pretty sure you did. I'm coming to the facility with you. I might not be of much help, but I at least want to give you moral support."

"Is that something humans do? What a strange concept," they say, unable to hide a small smile. "If you insist - "

"Oh, I do insist. You don't have to worry about me, Aliz."

They nod, but a little crease between their eyebrows persists.

The next day, Alizarin doesn't really talk to me, instead preparing to leave in silence. Any attempts to start a conversation with them is shot down with one word answers and simple nods. I do wish that they would just tell me what's going on, but I don't want to push.

With our supplies collected and everything accounted for, we finally leave the mall. As we go, I can't help but look back at the old restaurant that used to be our home, at the dilapidated shops that gave us what we needed to survive.

"Is it strange that I'm almost sad to leave this place?" I murmur, not thinking that Alizarin will hear me.

They chuckle, and it's the first actual expression they've given me that day. "I find that to be an odd sentiment, but I cannot deny that the restaurant was a secure location that was difficult for zombies to access."

Alizarin starts chatting with me, to my relief, and before I know it we're already outside the mall and making our way through the rundown streets. We easily take care of any stray zombies, them with their gun, me with my metal pipe, a great tag team.

They lead me off the cracked pavement and into a forest, to a place that I had never gone to even before the apocalypse. This facility is probably well hidden, which makes sense.

Before long, Alizarin gestures to a nearby tree.

"Let us leave our supplies here. I do not plan to stay in the facility for long, nor do I want you to stay there. When we leave, we can retrieve everything."

"Sounds good to me." I drop my bag behind the tree, but hesitate to put my metal pipe down too.

"The facility would not take kindly to an armed visitor..."

I sigh. "Yeah, I figured." And I put it down and continued on.

Alizarin is silent again, but now they speak up. “I must tell you something, Tess.”

“What’s up?”

“I am not very pleased about you coming to the facility with me,” they confess. “In fact, when I sent back reports of my findings, I excluded you from my notes.”

I think back to certain nights where I saw them tapping their forearm, staring so intently at the hologram that they didn’t notice my approach. “Why is that?”

“Because I do not know what they might want to do to you. My creator may be interested in you. We have not found very many live humans in this area, and the ones that enter are usually not allowed to leave.”

I shudder, but try to put on a brave front. “I don’t care. I’m coming with you regardless, okay? You’re not going to scare me off.”

They give me that crooked smile I adore. “I know that.”

I link our arms together as we walk, partly because I want to and partly because it’s easier to dodge wayward branches that way. 

Eventually we reach the facility, a metallic building that doesn’t look so big at first glance, but Alizarin told me about the main section in the giant basement. They stride forward with me in tow, holding out their left forearm to a scanner by the door. 

“Unit Alpha Iota Zeta Seven Four Six, and a human guest.”

The scanner beeps and a robotic voice says, “You may proceed.”

The door opens by itself. Once inside, I try not to gawk at the futuristic yet minimalist design. 

"I would like you to know that it has been quite some time since I have returned here," they murmur. "This may be an uncomfortable encounter."

"That's fine," I reply, squeezing their arm. "I'm with you every step of the way."

Alizarin walks with purpose, leading me to an elevator. We descend down into the depths of the underground, arriving in the main part of the facility.

As we walk, Alizarin nods to the other androids we pass by. They all have brightly colored hair and matching colored eyes as well, and they nod back and ignore me, for which I'm grateful.

Eventually we reach an ornate silver door that Alizarin tells me leads to the main laboratory. They take a deep breath and reach for the handle.

“Alizarin. Back already?”

We turn to see a tall, imposing woman approach us. She’s pretty in an intimidating way. 

“Mother.” They greet her.

“M-mother?” I gasp. 

The woman’s gaze falls on me then, as if she just noticed my presence. Seeing Alizarin’s arm linked with mine, her eyes narrow dangerously and I find myself taking an unconscious step back. 

"You brought a human into my facility?" She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes.

"I did. She is my companion."

"Do you not realize that this is a serious breach of security? How did they even let you in here with her?"

They shrug. "I introduced her as my guest. It is not a problem, as I trust her completely."

I would be happy about those words if the woman wasn't staring daggers at the two of us.

“Alizarin. Hand that person over to me. Now.”

“What will you do with her, Mother?” Alizarin slips out of my grasp, stepping in front of me. 

“Are you questioning me?”

“No, of course not—“

“Then hand her over.”

When they don’t reply, the woman’s voice drops to a low growl, and I shiver. “Unit Alpha. Iota. Zeta. Seven. Four. Six.” Every syllable is dripping with ire. “You will give that girl to me right this instant. Do not make me repeat myself again.”

Alizarin’s shoulders are stiff and so is their tone. “Very well.” Grabbing my arm, they pull me forward. 

“Aliz! Alizarin! What’re you doing?” I struggle in their grasp, to no avail. “Don’t do this, please!”

When I’m in front of her, the woman’s lips twist into a cruel smile. “Excellent.” She snaps her fingers and two androids similar to Alizarin appear. They each place a hand on one of my shoulders and lead me away. I try to turn and look back, but the androids give me warning stares. 

“Do not attempt to run,” one of them says emotionlessly. “We do not wish to hurt you, but we will do what we must.”

With a sigh, I give up and let them lead me away. 

***

It has been days since I’ve been locked in this tiny room, barely allowed a moment to myself. The camera staring down at me from the corner of the ceiling captures my every move. The androids that come in to leer at me don’t help, either. The one I like the least is Brandeis. I would say his bright blue hair is nice, but that would mean paying him a compliment. He absolutely doesn’t deserve it. He takes the most pleasure in torturing me, trying to get information out of me that I simply don’t have. I didn’t know androids could be sadistic, but I always learn something new. Miridis, Brandeis’s right hand, is only a little better. She doesn’t take pleasure in interrogations, but she won’t help me either. Her forest green hair reminds me of times before the start of the zombie apocalypse, a time that the earth may never return to. 

I haven’t seen Alizarin since they gave me up to that woman they called Mother and honestly, I’m not sure if I even want to see them. The betrayal cut me deep, especially because I thought they were starting to like me. Maybe they had been stringing me along. Or maybe their feelings hadn’t actually developed enough to know what loyalty was. 

Banging on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. “Good afternoon, human!” Brandeis’s voice booms. “I hope you’re ready for a nice chat today.”

I groan loudly, not even bothering to hide my disdain. “I’ve already told you everything I know, which is basically nothing,” I yell, knowing he can hear me. 

“Not good enough,” he shouts back. “I know there’s something in that organic brain of yours, and we’ll uncover it sooner or later.”

The door swings open and Miridis strides through. 

“I was growing impatient with the irrelevant conversation,” she says, beckoning me forward. I get up off the uncomfortable bed and follow her with Brandeis right on my tail. 

They usher me inside the interrogation room, a bare room with cold concrete walls and a single chair in the center. I sit down, not fighting back at all. I had already tried that. 

“Now, human -“

“My name is Tess.”

“You will tell us what you know about us,” Brandeis continues as if I didn’t say anything. 

“I have already told you. All I know is that you are androids. That’s it.”

“Alizarin really didn’t tell you much?” Miridis asks, a tinge of curiosity in her voice. 

“They really didn’t. They told me there were many others and that you’re studying humans and zombies. That’s all.”

“I don’t believe you,” Brandeis cracks his knuckles menacingly. The motion is distracting and I can’t help but wonder if androids actually need to crack their joints or not. 

“It doesn’t matter whether or not you believe me. That’s the truth. It’s not my fault if you choose to be so dense that you don’t even accept the truth.”

I barely have a second to regret that jab before Brandeis gets right in my face. My head painfully whips to the side as he slaps me, hard enough that I can already taste blood in my mouth. 

“Not all of us understand sarcasm or insults, human, but I do.” His voice is quiet, making me more nervous than his yelling. “And I am tired of you talking back. I am tired of asking you questions and not getting the answers I seek.” He punctuates each sentence with another slap. 

I don’t cry out in pain. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing my reactions. I just stare to the side, not meeting his eyes. 

Miridis watches impassively, no sympathy or anything in her expression. She merely looks bored. 

When I don’t say anything, Brandeis stands up straight, glaring down at me. 

"Listen here, human. I can make sure that you never see your precious sun again," he snarls. "You can discover firsthand what we do to humans here, and what kind of experiments we run." As he talks, he grabs my wrist, clamping down with all his fingers. His grip is too tight for comfort and he knows it. A pathetic way to threaten me with breaking my wrist or something. I continue to stare off into the distance and ignore him and the pain as he taunts me.

When he realizes that his words aren't really having an effect, Brandeis releases me and sighs, taking a step back.

“Do you think that your dear Alizarin is going to come save you?”

My eyes widen, but I don’t look up. 

“Did you think they actually cared for you? All they wanted was to learn about humans, and you were probably a very convenient source of information. That’s all.”

I press my lips together, trying to hold in a retort. Who did he think he was, saying stuff like that? 

The next pointed jab doesn’t come. Instead, I glance at Brandeis to see him regarding me with mild amusement.

“How would you like to see your darling Alizarin?“

Despite myself, my eyes snap to the door and just minutes later, I watch them walk in. They meet my eyes only briefly before looking away.

“Well hello, Alizarin, how is everything going today?”

They shrug. “Everything is running smoothly, as it should.“ Their voice is so cold, sounding more distant than the first time we met. 

Miridis finally looks interested. “Have you been outside the door this whole time?“

“Of course not. I have been watching on the camera overhead.“

“Is that so? And did you like what you saw?“ Brandeis grins. 

“Have you always been using such a crude interrogation method?“ asks Alizarin.

Brandeis just laughs. “It’s my favorite kind.” Then he turns to me, just as I thought he had forgotten me. My eyes have not left Alizarin’s face even though they barely spared me a glance since they walked in the room. “We were just having a friendly chat, weren’t we, human? In fact, we were talking about you,” he continues to address Alizarin while sneering at me. 

“I am aware. I could hear some of your words over the camera. I feel like you had more to say, Brandeis.“

“Not much more, actually. I just wanted to ask you something in person. Where do your loyalties lie?“

“I am loyal to Mother, of course.”

Their matter-of-fact tone, more than their words, cut me deep. 

Brandeis turns to me with a wide, disgusting grin on his face. 

Before he can say anything, I scream, “Enough! I get it already, okay? Just stop! This is the worst feeling I’ve ever felt, so I hope you’re happy.”

“So you’ll admit what more you know?”

“I know nothing!” I relish in crushing the hope in Brandeis’s voice, the only pleasure I can find right now. “How many times must I repeat it before it gets through your stupid mechanical skull?”

He backhands me harshly and I can feel the indents of his knuckles in my cheek. The sharp pain is enough to start the waterworks, and I openly sob, looking away towards the wall. 

“Your interrogation method seems rather ineffective. Are you sure you’re happy with that?” Alizarin comments, and I tune everything out. 

“Sure am. Allow me to demonstrate once more,” he says, raising his hand again.

The blow doesn’t come, and I rub my eyes and look to see Alizarin easily overpower Brandeis, pinning him to the ground. 

“Sorry, brother, but your methods are awful,” they snarl, finally showing some emotion. “I won’t forgive you for hurting her.”

“Alizarin, what are you—“

They sharply smack a spot between his shoulder blades, and he instantly powers off, bright blue eyes dimming to a dull, lifeless gray. Standing upright, they stare right at Miridis. She looks down at Brandeis’s unconscious form and back up to Alizarin. 

“...I would much prefer to avoid getting in the way of anything,” she says, putting her hands up. “Do as you like.”

“Thank you.”

Alizarin steps forward and kneels in front of me, gently wiping the tears off my cheeks. “I am so sorry, Tess. I would have come sooner, but then Mother would have suspected something. I’m so sorry in general.” Their red eyes shine like always, alleviating my fears. 

I give a watery smile, raising my hands to keep theirs on my cheeks as long as possible. “Why are you apologizing?” I tease gently. “Really I’m just glad you don’t actually feel nothing for me.”

“Truth be told, I am not entirely sure what I feel for you. When I had to watch Brandeis hurt you and tell you that I was using you, I wanted to simply beat him down.”

“And you did,” I giggle, watching them tenderly caress my hurt wrist, their touch so much gentler than Brandeis's. 

“When I watched you get physically hurt, my inner circuits felt so strange. Like they prickled and sparked in uncomfortable ways. It felt...”

“Painful?” I guess. 

“That must be it. I’ve never felt such things before.”

“Emotions are complicated,” I say, reaching out to them with my uninjured hand. They lean forward, resting their cheek on my palm. “But that’s why I’m here to help you through them. And I want to be the only human you experience things with.”

“I’d like that too,” they reply with a sweet smile. 

“Alizarin.”

We both jolt and look to Miridis. God, I forgot she was even there. She has an odd look in her deep green eyes. 

“Alizarin, are you happy?”

They smile again. “This human makes me happy, sister.”

She nods slowly. “I never thought I’d see my sibling smile, yet they do it so easily around you, human Tess. I would like to help you both.”

“Thank you, Miridis. If you would be so kind as to take care of the cameras and help with a diversion?”

“My pleasure.”

Alizarin gathers me in their arms and with a nod to Miridis, we leave the room. I cling onto their shoulders as they run through the halls at speeds much faster than a human could achieve. We pass by a few androids who seems surprised to see us but quickly regain composure and give chase, but Alizarin manages to lose them all in the underground maze of hallways.

Before long, they bring me outside the facility, and I squint at the harsh light. 

“I don’t think we’re being followed anymore,” I say, “so you can put me down now, Alizarin.”

They don’t say anything for a moment, then they quietly say, “Is it strange that I do not want to?“

“Not at all. Just as long as you don’t mind carrying me longer. I’m not heavy, am I?”

Alizarin shakes their head. “You’re as light as a feather.”

“Oh my gosh, an idiom?” I beam, squeezing their shoulders. “I’m so proud of you, you learn so quickly.”

They smile softly and continue walking with me in their arms. 

After some silence, I mumble, “So you don’t actually hate me, right?“

Alizarin nearly trips over nothing. “Why would you say such a thing?“

I pause, thinking about Brandeis and the harsh things he said to me. As much as I hated to admit it, his words really did affect me. And as much as I hated to admit it, part of me doubted Alizarin’s affections toward me. 

“Yesterday during an interrogation, Brandeis said something about you being reprogrammed to forget me. Or if you did still know who I was, you would come to despise me for things that I never did.” The words come spilling out of my mouth before I could stop them, a rambling torrential downpour. “I just can’t get over it, I guess. I’m sorry. Forget I said anything.” I press my lips together, willing them to be still. 

Alizarin doesn’t say anything for a few minutes, and I am afraid to look up and see their expression, so I don’t. I bury my face in their chest and shut my eyes. 

“Tess.”

My eyes snap open and look up. They’re staring straight ahead. 

“While it is true that Mother tried her methods on me, none of them actually worked. At one point, the most I forgot was your name. Just losing that small amount of information about you hurt me so much. So I pictured your face and it all came back to me. She was never able to erase you fully from my mind. And I would never let her.”

“Aliz...”

“I had to pretend to be back to the way I was before I met you and it felt so strange. I can barely remember what I was before you. And...I don’t want to remember.”

I stay silent, thinking that they might have more to say. 

“I know that when we met, I wasn’t keen on having a companion. But I have seen the error of my ways. Tess, please stay with me.”

Embarrassed, I hide my face against their chest again. “You’ll have to try harder to get rid of me,” I say, lightly teasing. “But gods above, Aliz, that sounded like a proposal.”

“Hmm?” They sound concerned. “Tess, your body temperature just spiked. Are you well?”

“I-I’m fine -“

“And I do not know what a proposal is,” they say, carefully pronouncing the new word. “Is it some sort of human ritual?”

I groaned, dreading the inevitable and awkward explanation to come. “I really don’t want to get into it now, okay? How about I explain later?”

They smile down at me cheerfully as they gracefully move over the uneven forest floor. “As you wish, Tess. Take your time.”

I smile back before resting my head back on their chest. “I think I will. And right now, I feel like we have all the time in the world.”

[the-lupine-sojourner]

Happy Christmas my wonderful friend. Thank you so much for being there for me throughout this past year, it has meant more to me than I can say 😄 Also, just because your writing is tons’a fun to read, can I get a little something for line 20...? 😖 Sorry, I have nothing for you in return (at least yet), but you can choose whatever pairing you want. Have another Happy Christmas and another thank you 😸 (ps cant wait for the next takara chapter 😛)

OHMIGOSH GUYS!!!! MY BESTIE GOING AFTER FOR MY HEART RIGHT HERE!!!! I am so happy you like my dorky writing and (TvT) *happy tears* I am so happy to hear that I helped you in some way. I know you’re about to do a big thing, and I wish you a pile of good luck with your endeavor!!

Thank you for always bearing with my outpouring of theories and ideas for Takara’s Hero Academia and I can’t wait to show you the next chapter!!

In the meantime, @elite-guard-hardygal chose #20 from This List of Prompts and it is the prompt ‘You’ll be fine. I promise’. I ended up choosing a fluffy setting and Fantasy!AU KiriKara for your request because I love KiriKara and I have tossed around this idea for a long time, so here we go!

Merry Christmas a thousand times over to you, my lovely bestie! *blows kisses*

Okay, now onto the story!

God Bless and Merry Christmas!

~The Lupine Sojourner

[P.S: The first conversation is heavily inspired by the song ‘That Would Be Enough’ from Hamilton and the italicized words are actual lyrics. Lin-Manuel Miranda owns all rights to Hamilton and I want to hug the man for blessing the world with his masterpiece. Anyway, onto the story!]

“How long have you known?” Eijiro asks softly, hands on my stomach. I smile a little sheepishly.

“A month or so.”

“You should have told me.” He protests, looking alarmed. I chuckle.

“I gave a note to Izuku as soon as I knew.” I counter. The alarm grows.

“You should have told me!” I suddenly feel bad, lifting his chin to kiss him.

“My love, you were right in the middle of a quest.”

“That doesn’t matter!” He protests.

“Yes, it does. I knew you wouldn’t want to leave. Besides, you always return. The note was just to make sure you didn’t do anything too reckless.” Eijiro huffs and looks away, standing.

“Takara, this is serious! These quests are always dangerous! I could have died and you would- -I would have left you alone with our child and have never even known you were expecting!” I stand.

“Eijiro, please. I didn’t tell you because distracting you was not the solution to ensure you come home. I know you always fight to make sure you survive, so, at the time, I didn’t think adding pressure to your shoulders was a good idea.” He sighs, takes a breath, then chuckles and turns back around.

“Takara…you constantly amaze me.” He murmurs, sighing heavily and wrapping his arms around me from behind. I lean back into his chest.

“Eijiro, if I’m being completely honest, this pregnancy scares me.” I confess, tears suddenly in my eyes. “I mean, I love our life and I already love our child, but…I just…” The tears spill over and I can’t help succumbing to the sobs in my throat.

“Takara, look at me, please.” I do, wiping my eyes. “You’ll be fine. I promise.” I let out a sigh and bite my lip.

“I know. I just…it’s a new life I’m making.” I reply, shaking my head in awe, rubbing my stomach, despite there not being a noticeable bump there.

Eijiro puts his hand over mine and I look at his eyes, teary with joy. “I know it’s unexpected, and I know it’s scary, but we can do this. Together.”

I take a breath and lean my forehead against his. “Together.” We sat there for a while, basking in the knowledge of my pregnancy and our love.

Since I had met him passing through town, we had formed a connection stronger than either of us realized until he’d had to leave to help his friend on a quest. In these times, quests weren’t uncommon, but Eijiro seemed to want to help in every single quest, but he always came back to me, safe and relatively uninjured, thanks to his dragon form.

I suppose the old saying ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ was true.

We were married after his third quest and I remained in the house Eijiro and I had built, directly into a cave so he could add whatever reward he hadn’t been able to say no to to a pile. It wasn’t a lot, as he hardly ever accepted rewards, but what we had was enough. Of course, being half-dragon, he sometimes wished he had a hoard enough to full the cave, but I always laughed and talked him down. He was never a greedy person, and it was one of the many things I loved about him.

=#=#=#=#=

“How about Senshi, if it’s a boy?” Eijiro asks as we lay on our flat roof porch, stargazing. I chuckle. ‘Warrior’ was a good name. We’d been thinking of names over the last two months, and Eijiro only left on necessity while I remained with child.

“I like it! What about Sakura if it’s a girl?” Eijiro laughs.

“Of course!” I then feel the child shift and move around. I gasp and grab Eijiro’s hand. He always wanted to feel the baby move. He got this adoring look in his eyes and was very excited. “Wow! They’re moving more now!” I groan.

“Yeah. I noticed.” I mock-grumble, chuckling a little. “It’s getting more frequent, Eiji.” I note, biting my lip. “We’re getting closer to the due date. I’m getting worried! What if something happens?!” It wasn’t frequent, but occasionally, I couldn’t help but worry. With Eijiro being half-dragon, it was unknown if our child was going to be fully human or if he or she would take after their father, and how our combined genetics would affect our child.

Eijiro was always there to reassure me, however, no matter how many times this happened. He gently grabs my hand.

“We’ve talked about this. Your mother will be right there when you’re delivering and for the first fortnight. Your father will be here, too. It’ll be okay.” I take a deep breath.

“Okay. Okay, yeah. Yeah, you’re right. It’ll be okay.” It didn’t really ease my worry, but I had to stop dragging the mood down. I sigh contentedly, cuddling up to him.. “I love you, Eijiro.”

“I love you, too, Takara.”

=#=#=#=#=

The next day, I was humming to myself as I made breakfast while Eijiro went to go get more water for the day.

Upon hearing footsteps coming into the house, I grin. “Hey, you’re just in time!” I call, coming toward the entrance room. “Eijiro, the baby- -” I stop short. The man in the doorway was not my husband. It was a blonde man with a fur-trimmed cape and multiple necklaces. He was from the WIldling tribe, in the woods. A alleged ruffian tribe with little concept of laws and order. I back up a bit, swallowing and putting my hand on the handle of the dagger Eijiro made me wear on my belt. “You’re not Eijiro.” I mumble stupidly. The man scoffs.

“Obviously. Who the hell are you?!” I frown.

“I’m Takara, Eijiro’s wife, asshole. Who are you?!” I shoot back. This guy was incredibly rude, barging into my house like he owns it.

“Eijiro’s married?!” I am taken aback.

“You know Eijiro?!”

“I’m the leader of our group! Hell yeah I know him! He’s one of our strongest fighters!” The man counters. My eyes go wide and my hand leaves the dagger. Eijiro had mentioned his leader a few times.

“Wait…you wouldn’t be Katsuki Bakugo the Untamable Dragon King, would you?” I ask, paling a little. This guy was volatile already and I’d just gotten snippy with him. Shit!

“Who else would I be?!” Katsuki snaps, crossing his arms, then suddenly he smirks, scoffing. “You know, it’s about time I metcha. Eijiro won’t shut up about you and yer brat.” I glare at him.

“Watch your mouth about my child, Katsuki.” I growl, protective hand on my stomach and the other back on my dagger handle. He laughs.

“Alright, alright. Look, I have a deer outside for you two lovebirds. I already have more than enough meat, so I figured you two could use it.” I smile.

“Thanks. Well, Eiji’s out getting water, so you can wait for him.” Katsuki grumbles, but sits in a chair moodily, propping his chin on his hand. We wait in silence.

“How’d you two meet, anyway?” I chuckle, sitting across from Bakugo.

“Well, I was going to get a few things for dinner and he bumped into me. He apologized and decided to stay with me while I shopped and we got to talking. He was very sweet and respectful and I found him very likable. I guess you could say the rest was history.” I chuckle, absently rubbing my swollen stomach, then suddenly I feel an increase of heat in my stomach and groan, squeezing my eyes shut against the discomfort.

“Hey, lady! You okay?!” Katsuki calls, and I open my eyes to find him torn between irritated and confused and concerned. I wince and shift into a more comfortable position as the feeling subsides.

“I’m okay. I just…I think the kid already knows how to breathe fire.” I grumble, rubbing my stomach again. I hear a gasp and some heavy something hit the floor. I turn my head and see Eijiro standing there, eyes wide and shocked, the water jug forgotten at his feet.

“Are you serious?!” He squeals happily, running over and kissing me soundly. I chuckle into the kiss and reply eagerly.

“I think so.” I say when we finally break apart. Eijiro scoops me up and gives me a few small twirls before plopping down with me in his lap.

“Oh, that’s so amazing!” I grin, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“No, it’s nauseating. Please stop.” Katsuki groans before I can speak. I roll my eyes.

“Don’t be jealous cus you’re single, Your Highness.” I poke my tongue at him and he’s instantly on his feet.

“What did you say?!” Eijiro moves before I realize and suddenly, Eijiro and Katsuki are glaring at each other.

“Watch yourself around my Mate, Katsuki.” He growls. I stand.

“Eijiro, honey, please. Let him be.” I plead gently, hand on his forearm. “Let’s go get the deer prepared for dinner.” I suggest and Eijiro huffs, but wraps his arm protectively around me as we move to go outside. I roll my eyes.

He was the best man I’d ever met, but sometimes he became a little too possessive and protective. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love him and can’t wait to meet our child.

If anyone wants me to do more of this, I’d be happy to! Just send in an idea and I’d be super duper happy to write it up for you!

[ohsupernaturall]

Chapter 1 (Always and forever and in-between)

"To be understood is to prostitute oneself" 

— Fernando Pessoa 

Song Muse “Just the girl by the click five”

The hierarchy was something to be reckoned upon in tree hill generally and tree hill high specifically; that was the reason Nathan Royal Scott, star shooting guard for the tree hill ravens, son of the infamous loaded Dan Scott and boyfriend of the ever popular cheerleader Peyton Sawyer felt entitled. That was of course before his illegitimate half-brother Lucas turned things around, securing himself a spot in Nathan’s basketball team, and aiming for his girlfriend.

That was why he needed to bring Lucas down a notch or two, and that was where Haley James came into the picture.

Haley James was Lucas’s best friend, has been since they were eight years old, and if she weren’t Nathan probably would have never noticed- nor given her the time of day. She was an over achiever, with the best GPA in the school, a tutor to people doing less than well in school and an employee in Karen’s café- Lucas mother’s Cafe . In short, a nerd, so the idea of her and Nathan crossing paths was highly unlikely.

Until Nathan saw her with peripheral vision as he looked over at Lucas, the girl was so tiny; he felt as though she could fit into his pocket, with a smile too big for this world.

“Hey who is that girl he is always hanging out with?” Nathan asked his own best friend and sidekick Tim.

“Who knows? Why you feel like slumming?” said Tim jokingly, Nathan scrunched up his nose in mock indignation and shoved Tim playfully- as if that would ever happen.

Still his father’s words rang in his head ‘If someone isn’t on his side then they are his opponent, the only way to deal with an opponent is to identify their weaknesses and attack them’

Nathan fully intended to exploit Lucas’ weak points. He followed Tim to their next class.

###

Haley was walking out of the tutor center when she heard someone whispering her name loudly. She stopped dead in her tracks, school was deserted; students had gone home but she stayed later than usual to go through some notes, she had prepared for a D+ student she was tutoring.

“Psst, Hales!” the voice called again and she looked around.

Lucas’ head was peeking out the door of an empty classroom.

“Luke?”

“I need help” said Lucas through gritted teeth.

She moved closer “Wow! Wow! Damn it Lucas. My eyes! What happened?”

Her friend was stark naked, aside from two basketballs giving him some coverage. He looked absolutely pissed. “What do you think happened? Guess who took my clothes in the locker room?”

She sighed loudly; Nathan Scott was the epitome of scum.

“Well?”

“Well what?” Haley asked confused.

“I need clothes!”

“I would be very happy to help you Luke, but I am still wearing mine, and I don’t think they would even fit you”

“Very funny” Lucas dead-panned “just help”

He pushed himself back into the classroom and shut the door.

“So how exactly did that happen?” Haley asked fifteen minutes later, she had run to his house, grabbed something for him to wear and returned to school in record timing

“I took some extra time in the shower” Lucas explained as they walked away together “I came out and all my clothes were gone”

“Enter your savior” she said, giving a fake courtesy.

Lucas chuckled, throwing an arm around Haley. “Well, your damsel in distress is eternally grateful”

###

The tutor center was a place Nathan hasn’t gone to before, but there he was; a paper assigning Haley to be his tutor in his hand. When he signed up, there had been four other tutors available to help him, but he insisted on Haley. That way he was hitting two birds with one stone; first, he actually did need assistance with his grades, if he didn’t improve, he would end up working in his father’s dealership, and second, he would be messing with Lucas big time and that was the best part.

“Hey!” Nathan smiled sweetly as he walked through the door, moving closer to Haley didn’t make her seem any bigger.

Haley stared in what seemed to be confusion and resentment for a split second, before asking “Can I help you?”

“I hope so, you are my tutor”

She eyed him from head to foot before laughing cynically and looking away “Right! I don’t think so”

“You are Haley James, right?” He confirmed, looking down at the paper in his hand. Haley was quick to grab it, huffing in annoyance, and then she saw her name. Perfect, that was just perfect. She was already doing all she could to be a professional and not tell him off for what he was doing to Lucas.

“I am sorry” said Haley “I am best friends with Lucas”

“Well then I am sorry too” joked Nathan.

“Forget it, I will find you someone else” said Haley dismissively.

She attempted to step out when Nathan’s lean form blocked her way “Whoa! Whoa! Look! Look! There is nobody else; I would be fine with it if there was”

“If there were” corrected Haley.

“See you are helping me already”

“Look I can’t help you and on top of that I won’t help you, okay?”

Haley quickly walked away but not before spotting a confused frown crossing his face. He was flabbergasted in fact; it usually took him a much lesser dose of puppy-dog eyes to get what he wanted from a girl.

“Wait” he chased after her and had barely grabbed her arm, before she jerked it away from him, quickly he raised a hand “Sorry, sorry, look I don’t understand”

“Then you do need help, because I made myself loud and clear, I will not help you”

“But Ms. whatever her name is, told me you were available to tutor me”

“Ms. Mckee” she rolled her eyes.

“Right”

“I never said that I didn’t have time. I said I refuse to help you” she spoke every word slowly as though he were an idiot.

“Why?”

“Why?!!” she looked at him in disbelief “How about I make your life miserable in every single way possible, and then you will know why!”

“I don’t even know you”

“Yes, but I know Lucas, and I know what you did to him in the locker room”

Nathan stifled a laugh, she flared her nose “and see there it is, now, excuse me, I need to go”

“No, wait” his face turned serious “Sorry, I just…”

But she was already out the door.

Agitated by his very presence, Haley was thankful the day was over, she all but stomped her way home. He was a major-insufferable-up to no good- jerk and he had every word she said coming, strutting around like he owned the world. Figured he was Dan Scott’s son, though underneath the façade Haley could almost spot remnants of a human being, she almost felt bad; actually she felt terrible; so terrible that her heart ached. Something about him seemed so innocent, young even; she guessed that if he were to murder someone, convicting him was highly unlikely. After all who could suspect the charming boy with bright blue eyes and a coy smile?

“No” she whispered to herself.

On the other hand, Nathan was still scratching his head in confusion; never has any girl talked to him that way, even before his rapid rise to popularity, girls seemed to take an interest in him, he found that out at fourteen when a smoking hot senior, Taylor, pulled him into his room at his parent’s beach house and slept with him, he hadn’t even initiated it. In fact, as he remembered it, he was incredibly nervous, but that seemed to make him even more desirable, adding to the fact that it was also a party held in honor of him joining the varsity team; that was an epic night.

Then there was Peyton, he got to know her shortly after and they talked a lot, soon enough he asked her to be his girlfriend, and they were happy, ‘were’ being the keyword. She was too much, always irritable, cranky and melancholic, so what if he hung out with his friends? She didn’t expect him to devote every waking moment to her. As well as the fact that she was crushing on Lucas, that on its own made his blood boil, she was his girlfriend. During their latest fight they were in his car and she was acting like a total bitch, she threw a fit and decided to walk home; in a beat Nathan threw her pompoms out the window and left her on the side of the street. Sure they were alright now, as alright as it can get anyway, he likes Peyton, she is his girl and the sex is amazing but if she was going to be like that, then he didn’t need the added drama. Which brought him back to Haley, he actually felt ashamed at being scorned by her, he knew he should have retorted, but something about her demanded his respect and he was willing to give it to her; that was new.

###

“You wanted to see me, Mr. Kelly”

“Yes, please, come in Mr. Scott” the teacher peered at him over his glasses.

Nathan moved closer standing at the teacher’s desk, a test held tightly in his hand with a big ‘F’ marked boldly in red.

“So, if this is about my grade…”

“Yes, Mr. Scott, it is in fact about your grade, I assume you are aware that you need to maintain a certain grade point average to be able to participate in any athletic activities”

Nathan rolled his eyes, and spoke through gritted teeth “Yes”

“And you are falling behind, I am afraid you might not be able to play basketball anymore if you don’t turn it around”

“I know” Nathan said annoyed.

“Perhaps you could try tutoring; we have some fine students who are more than willing to help”

He didn’t attempt to even hide his sneer.

The teacher sighed and spoke softly “Listen, Nathan, I know that a young man in your position might find it embarrassing to ask for help, but it beats the alternative, that is if you want to keep your position on the team. You do want that don’t you?”

Nathan nodded briefly.

“Then I think you should go to the tutor center right away, it is the seventh room on your left” he pointed out the door. Nathan grabbed his test, and made for the door.

“If you could” Mr. Kelly interrupted, making him turn around “see if Miss Haley James is available to tutor you, she is quite promising and I am not supposed to show favoritism, but I must admit, she is the best”

Without a word, Nathan clenched his jaw and headed to the tutor center. Not only did Lucas take his spot as shooting guard on the team and his girlfriend’s affections, he was indirectly stealing his entire basketball future all together.

“Hey” Nathan walked in with a melancholic expression “I just wanted to let you know I will be fine”

“Great” responded Haley, carelessly.

“I mean F is for fine, right?”

He lifted his test briefly to show her the grade before turning around and walking away. Haley could only stare after him mouth agape in shock, she stood that way a little, before rolling her eyes and shrugging, what was she supposed to do?

“You could tutor him” a small voice in her head whispered. But she pushed that thought away quickly, it didn’t matter how sincere he looked.

###

He highly doubted that there would never be a sound that aggravated him more than his father talking to him about basketball. Nathan loved the game, the rush and the crowd’s adoration, but when it came to Dan Scott, everything between him and his son was about sports, whether it be his next game, his faulty (according to his father) techniques or how unlikely it was to beat the older man’s score from when he was in high school. Nathan was sure he could do it, but it really hurt his feelings that his dad seemed to think so little of him.

“So how did it go?” Dan Scott asked “with practice”

Nathan shrugged “I am small forward”

“And what did you do about that?”

“What do you want me to do dad?”

“I told you, I want you to eliminate the competition” Dan stated firmly.

“You mean your son?” said Nathan venomously.

“Don’t call him that”

“I am going upstairs” he said quietly, walking out of the room. His father already had too many high hopes on him being the star athlete, he would go insane if he were to know that Nathan might have to be forced to leave the team because of grades all together, that was a school rule and even Dan would have a hard time switching it around in their favor like he does.

He drew a shuddering breath as he laid down on the couch, picking up the phone, Haley’s number was inscribed on the paper where she had been assigned as his tutor, it was Karen café’s number, where she worked, she had thought it useless to use her house number since she was hardly there unless at late hours of the night when people shouldn’t even be calling. It rang a couple of times before she picked up.

“Karen’s café” she answered.

“I am calling for Haley James”

“Yeah, this is her”

“Hey! It’s Nathan Scott” he sighed, Nathan had planned to apologize for whatever he had done, and to ask her for help once again, perhaps this time she would be yielding “I really need your help”

“Sorry, this isn’t her”

She hung up the phone on him quickly, not even allowing him to get a word in edgewise. Nathan put the phone down dejected, she had turned him down too many times so far, yet, he continued allowing himself be treated like a doormat. Heck, he wasn’t proud of it but he was sure he would try again.

“What was that?” Karen, who was standing at the cash register, asked her.

“Uh, wrong number” improvised Haley.

“But you just said ‘this was her’. Did you forget your name?”

Haley chuckled softly, hoping they could avert from the subject, however she still felt Karen’s eyes bore into the back of her head.

“What’s up?”

The girl turned around, struggling to find the proper words to explain, ‘the son of your ex-husband (the one who abandoned you and your child) is asking me to tutor him, oh and by the by, he has been bullying Lucas relentlessly. However now I am on the edge of caving and agreeing to it because he has a distressed quality that is tugging on my heartstrings’ didn’t seem proper, so instead she said “This…guy… wants me to tutor him and I said no ‘cause he is kind of a bad guy”

Karen raised her eyebrows “You know him?”

Haley was silent for a beat, feeling slightly ashamed “Not really, I just know of him” she answered, avoiding Karen’s gaze, by pretending to clean the counter.

“Dangerous?” pushed Karen.

“No” said Haley, curling her lips and trying to act nonchalant, she caught Karen with a skeptical expression “What you got that look?”

“What look?” asked Karen, playing dumb.

“The look that my mom always gets when she wants to throw her two cents in, What?” replied Haley sheepishly, gesturing for an explanation.

“Well, Haley, I think you have pretty good instincts. I am not trying to tell you what to do” Which meant she was “but just to play devil’s advocate, if this boy came for tutoring, maybe he’s trying to change”

Haley opened her mouth for a second, unable to find counter words, she sighed heavily; her logic had been defeated. Karen moved closer, placed two cents on the counter and said “Might be something in there worth saving” before walking away.

They younger girl, bit her lips uncertainly, the idea of saving Nathan Scott in anyway seemed farfetched.

###

It was a beautiful day, the sun shone brighter than ever, birds were chirping, and a gentle breeze ruffled the tree leaves around her. Yet, Haley sat fuming. She had her first tutoring session with Nathan, having finally agreed to doing it the night prior, right after he kidnapped Lucas to humiliate him and throw his phone away, and she loved Luke, he was like a brother to her, even more so than her actual brothers, so after a few tears, she went over to Nathan’s house and decided to stop him once and for all; her way. When he answered the door, he was definitely surprised to see her, it even came more as a shock when she told him she would tutor him, Nathan was absolutely sure she wouldn’t after Lucas told her. So, he was more than gleeful, even readily accepting her two conditions; first, Lucas doesn’t know, and second, he leaves him alone. Both seemed like a fair price, and he was more than happy to pay. As she left, Nathan stood there watching her for a few seconds, a sincere smile on his face, she was kind of cute.

Haley had the textbooks already out as she fidgeted on the bench, most of her sessions took place in school, but due to the anonymity of the situation, she had told him to meet her at the dock, take it or leave it.

“Breakfast of champions; want some?” said Nathan as he walked up to her and placed two cups of latte and a box of cracker jack on the table.

“You are late” Haley didn’t spare him a glance as he sat down.

He tore into the box of snacks, fishing for the prize and said “Oh! Please let this be a cheat sheet”. Instead he pulled out a plastic beaded colorful bracelet, the kind she used to make with her mother and sisters when she was five. Nathan looked between her and the bracelet a few times hesitantly, then smiled shyly and declared “It’s for you”

“Stop it, it’s just…”

“Come on” he interrupted, sliding the bracelet on her hand smoothly “Don’t say I never gave you anything”

He looked too pleased with himself, and Haley grabbed a textbook “Do you see this book? Because this book is me, I am math”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he still smiled.

“It’s supposed to mean, you can work your whole, I am Nathan Scott, Mr. big shot, scoring my touchdowns on somebody else, because I don’t think..”

“I don’t even play football” he said ludicrously.

“Whatever” she replied dismissing him “at the end of the day all your bluster and BS don’t mean anything to Math, because Math don’t care and neither do I”

“Well, does English care? Because I really suck at that too”

“Please don’t waste my time” she spoke as patiently as she could muster “I am already taking a huge chance on you because my instincts are screaming that you are full of sh…”

Nathan stifled a smile, looking down and nodding his head, trying to keep on a serious mature facial expression.

“Let’s just get started, okay?” suggested Haley in the most patient way she could muster, and he smiled again, his eyes gleaming “Page 81”

No sooner had Nathan looked at the book that Haley had to stifle her own laugh, his nose scrunched up in total confusion, as he read the problem out loud, frowning deeper with each word. “A class average mark in an exam is 70. The average of students who scored below 60 is 50. The average of students who scored 60 or more is 75. If the total number of students in this class is 20, how many students scored below?”

Haley was waiting for him to finish when he looked up and said “You know if I understood any of this, we wouldn’t be here right now”

She huffed out a laugh, reaching for her pencil, as she slowly explained the problem, eliciting theories he could remember and offering up the ones he couldn’t. Turned out, Nathan was actually quite smart, just needed to understand every step before he could be convinced to answer and it only took them around half an hour before he was answering summation notation problems mostly on his own. The way his face lit up with joy, actually made her smile sincerely, as he took on another problem without her asking.

Soon enough they were talking, though at first shortly and formally on her side at least, she found he armor breaking slightly and caught herself enjoying his company, his playful attitude made her laugh a few times. After they were done, he looked up at her and smiled brightly, this time, she smiled back.

“Thank you, Haley, really.”

She nodded curtly, collecting her things “I will see you next time then”

“Whoa! Whoa! Wait” he got up hurriedly “There was no way; I could solve whatever gibberish was in that book”

Haley cocked an eyebrow “and?” she asked suspiciously.

“And I am buying you ice cream”

“Nathan…” she sighed.

“Look it isn’t just for you, I like ice-cream and we have to celebrate this milestone, plus the fact that we have been together for two hours and you haven’t screamed at me” his eyes were practically dancing and she chortled at his barely contained excitement, agreeing to one scoop before they parted ways.

“So how long have you been at tree hill high?”

“All my life” she laughed.

Nathan frowned, racking his brain; he whispered “Why can’t I remember you?”

Haley raised her eyebrows in disbelief, though still smiling “Wow! Nathan Scott didn’t know who I was? My mediocre reputation has been compromised”

He swiftly corrected “No, No, I didn’t mean it like that, I swear, I just meant that…” he caught Haley staring at him with eyes narrowed mockingly “I should just stop talking before I make a total ass of myself”

“Good idea”

They arrived at a nearby ice cream parlor in silence, she saw Nathan digging for his wallet and asking her “What do you want?”

“It’s okay, I will pay” she rolled her eyes “You already got me breakfast and the bracelet.

“Who invited who for ice-cream?” he asked bewildered.

“Fine” Haley sighed “mint chocolate chip”

“Cone?”

“Waffle”

“Excuse me, two mint chocolate chip ice-creams, waffle cones” he handed the man the money, and grabbed the cones as soon as the man scooped the ice-cream “There you go”

“Thank you” said Haley, savoring her treat, and making satisfied sounds “mmm, mint chocolate chip is heavenly”

“Yes it is” he whispered inaudibly, staring at her with a gleam in his eyes

“What are you looking at?” she snapped him out of his thoughts, jokingly, she had finished her entire cone in record timing “That is the only proper way to eat mint chocolate chip ice cream”

“You want mine” he offered, dangling half his eaten cone, in front of her face.

“Nah! it’s okay” she said, clearly wanting it.

“Here, I saved it for you”

“I couldn’t”

“I want you to have it”

He chuckled, when she grabbed it suddenly, saying a quick thank you and shoving her face in it.

They said goodbye shortly afterwards and parted ways. As Haley walked home, she felt a tiny trickle of melted ice cream on the corner of her lips, wiping it away, she caught a whiff of the earthy sandalwood scent of Nathan’s cologne, still lingering faintly on her new bracelet, she wouldn’t admit it but she smelled it all the way there, and a little after that.

[b1ipblip]

In Too Deep

Chapter 6:

Warning: cursing, gun

Next ->

A knock at your bedroom day wakes you from your slumber. You stumble out of bed and swing open the door. Outside, RM stood there in casual clothes. “Jin wanted me to tell you that breakfast is downstairs if you want any,” You nod and he stalks off. You pause at the door, allowing it to close as you were in thought. Would you go down today? Last night left you drained and with fried nerves. You decide against it, and you go back to sleep.

~~~

“How is she?” Jin asks as RM comes back downstairs. 

“I think she’s just tired. Honestly, I’m surprised Taehyung is down here this early. We were out late last night with all that happened,” he shrugs and slides his hands back in his pocket. He sits down and props his feet up on the breakfast table, allowing his head to flop back.

“Why does it really matter? I don’t even fully understand why she is living here. What’s the point in worrying about some guy’s kid?” Jimin flicked the eggs on his plate with his fork. This was a lot of fuss to create over some girl.

“That guy happened to be the l/n. Not only did I owe him a couple favors, but what happens to her could make or break us. If anyone got their hands on that money given to her in that will, it would be over of us. And I don’t know about you, but I’m not trying to get what I’ve made by hand stolen from me,” Namjoon pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Then why did you even bring her into this? And now you want her to go out on jobs with us? You’re not making sense, Namjoon,” Jimin was visibly irritated as the tension and voices rose at the breakfast table. Jin glares at Jimin, praying he’ll get the message and back off. Of course, he doesn’t.

“She brought herself in when she watched that deal and got herself kidnapped,” Namjoon’s voice came out harsh. “And since she’s gonna be here for a while, at least let’s make her useful.”

“And how does that make any damn sense? Are you even hearing yourself?” Jimin stood up from his seat. Taehyung sits up in his seat, ready for when Jimin inevitably lashes out.

“I don’t even know why I’m explaining myself to you. I don’t need to. What I say goes and you have no right to question your leader’s decisions.” he had a calm sort of anger about him. He didn’t move into any sort of defensive position nor did he raise his voice. Jin doesn’t know how he does it. Guess it comes with the whole leader thing.

“No right?! I have no right!?” Jimin starts getting into Namjoon’s face. Taehyung tugs on his arm before he gets any closer.

Namjoon stands up from his chair and the whole room freezes, preparing for the worst. “You need to calm down. You’re not going to disrespect me because you don’t like the new girl,” he scoots his chair in and looks down at Jimin. “I’m leaving and if anyone needs me, I’ll be in my office,” he whips around before anyone could get another word out.

—————————

You stare up at the ceiling as you lay in bed. Last night wasn’t the first time you have seen someone die, so why are you reacting like this? Events playback in your mind over and over, leaving not terrified, but numb. You roll over on your side and continue to stare into nothing.

It wasn’t until about midday that you even get out of bed. The only reason being the knock at your bedroom door. You hurl yourself out of bed and shuffle to the door. When you open it, Suga stands in the doorway dressed in jeans and t-shirt with an overcoat. “Get dressed, we’re leaving in ten,”

You quirk a brow, “Where?”

He swivels on his heels and begins walking back saying, “Shooting range,” You shrug and shut the door and proceed to get dressed. In your dresser, you find yourself picking out an old shirt and jeans that you have to cuff because they were too long on you.

You didn’t see the point in makeup so you slip on your shoes and throw on a jacket as you walk out the door. As you descend the stairs, Suga and Namjoon stand with their hands in their pockets in the main foyer. The tapping of your sneakers makes them look up at you.

“Good, you’re coming. I’ll drive,” Namjoon says as he and Suga match your speed walking out of the grand entrance. When you slide into the vehicle, the conversation between the two is surprisingly animated. You haven’t seen either of them being anything other than a stern face until now.

It reminds you that even though they seem like untouchable mobsters, they’re people too.

~~~

Upon arrival to the range, all Namjoon needed to do is look at the man behind the counter to get him. Without exchanging a word, he brings us through the locked door where guns of all types line the walls.

It is hard to fathom how people display guns. It almost feels like a shrine to some fucked-up god. As Namjoon and Suga approach the gun racks you stay behind slightly. That is until Namjoon gestures at you with his finger to come closer.

When you reach the man’s side, he is loading a magazine into a handgun. “Yoongi says you know how to shoot. What do you shoot?” It only takes a moment to remember Hoseok telling you about how they often use different names in the field than in personal life. So Suga’s real name is Yoongi.

“Just a revolver and a pistol,” He hands you a pistol as he and Yoongi grab rifles and pistols. Then it clicks, “Is that why you called me out here with you two?”

You follow the two outside to the range. Namjoon smirks and nods, “I wanted to see it for myself,” he replied. Unconsciously, your face falls into a frown. You used to go to the gun range to relieve stress or just for fun. But now, it’s different. There was a weight to the gun that wasn’t there before.

There were several stalls that lined up with the targets at the other end of the field. There were two types of targets: the regular bullseye, and the body-shaped one. Even the thought of using the latter felt disgusting.

“Y/n,” Namjoon’s voice breaks you out of your thoughts. You turn to him as he hands you a pair of noise-canceling headphones. “Can’t have you going deaf,” a small, obligatory smile paints om his face. You nod and put them on. You load the gun just as you remember your father teaching you. You take off the safety as you stand in front of a bullseye a few stalls from Yoongi. You grip the gun with both hands and brings it up. You take a moment to still your breathing before pulling the trigger. And pulling it again, and again, and again. You don’t even notice the two pairs of eyes glued to you until your target moves closer so you could inspect your shot.

You tilt your head to the side as you stare at the paper. The holes in the paper weren’t quite in the center. Letting out a low hum, you calculate how to aim based on your previous shots. You move the paper back out and reload the gun with the bullets set out to the side. You adjust your aim and fire all the rounds again.

This time, the paper had a gaping hole in the center of the paper surrounded by smaller holes. You grin with pride now looking at your bullseye. A little tap on your shoulder calls your attention away from your masterpiece, however.

Namjoon gestures for you to take off the headphones, so you do. “You’re a pretty good shot. Have you ever shot a rifle?” he asks. You shake your head.

“Just handguns,”

“Come over and try it,” he nods you over with a small smile. You leave the pistol on the shelf in the stall and hold out your hands. He dropped the gun in your hand and the weight surprised you. But you put your headphones on anyway. Yoongi turns to you now watching the way you held it in your hands.

You hold the gun up and rest the butt on your armpit. “No no no no, don’t do that!” you hear Namjoon’s muffled pleads. Yoongi quickly readjusts the butt to the space between your collarbone and your shoulder. You furrow your brows at the awkward handling you had but shrug anyway. Namjoon catches your confusion and steps in. He stands behind you and covers your hands with his, guiding you to a more comfortable position. He ducks his head beside yours and lines your scope up with the target. Your cheeks undeniably heat up a little at his close proximity. But he pulls away, allowing you to pull the trigger on your own accord. Namjoon and Yoongi step back and watch you.

You take a deep breath and when you exhale, your finger pulls the trigger. Then suddenly, your balance is gone and you're falling back. A yelp escapes your lips as the kickback sends you into Namjoon’s arms that were there just in time. He holds you up by your arms and the back of your heel are the only thing connected to the ground. You freeze and blink in shock.

“Are you alright?” you hear, dissipating your shock. You still had the gun in shooting position. He brings you back to your feet and you nod, taking off the headphones.

You take a deep breath and nod staring ahead at the target. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just surprised,” Namjoon presses his smile into a thin line at your saucer eyes.

“Maybe rifles aren’t such a good idea if you’re going to go flying every time you shoot one,” Yoongi suggests with an amused smirk, taking the gun from you. You can’t help but feel a little deflated. You wanted to be good at shooting rifles. It looked cool.

Instead of continuing to pouting, you go back to your stall and set up a new bullseye after taking the previous paper off. You keep reload and shoot again. “She certainly better than most,” Yoongi admits, crossing his arms over his chest while watching you shoot.

Namjoon nods, still smiling a little, “She’s different that’s for sure. Nothing like the girls that are usually around us.”

“That’s because most of them are prostitutes,” Yoongi deadpans. He watches as his leader says nothing and just watches you with interest. Namjoon notices that you furrow your brows every time you shoot, and when the gun jams, you purse your lips in a pout before unjamming it. The whole time he watches your behavior; you are completely unaware. You are so wrapped up in your own little world that you forget that they were even there. Yoongi wonders what is going on inside his head. He knows that Namjoon is planning something. “What are you thinking?” he asks.

“Taehyung was the one who gave me the idea of using her somehow. But I’m not sure. I’m supposed to keep her safe, and her father will no doubt haunt me if she dies because of me. But on the other hand, I can tell that she has many skills up her sleeves that she just hasn’t shown yet. And it just...” Namjoon trails off, letting his thoughts roll off his tongue freely. Yoongi and Jin have always helped him sort out his thoughts when there were too many.

“Maybe use her to help gather information with Taehyung. That way she won’t be in combat and we’ll only use her if we need to. As long as people don’t know who her parents are, she should be fine. Neo-Tech seems to be moving anyway. They might be planning something,” he offers.

“Perhaps, but is it-,” Namjoon’s words are cut off when his jacket pocket begins vibrating. He digs the phone out to see that Jungkook was calling. He pulls his noise cancelling ear muffs off and answers. “Yeah?”

“NCT is trying to intercept the new drug shipment. Just got a call from our guys in the shipyard,” Jungkook states plainly. The air felt like it had been sucked out of the room. The lightheartedness in try atmosphere was completely gone.

“Get Hoseok and his group out there to see what we’re dealing with. I’ll be back in 20,” he answers quickly. Jungkook gives a word of confirmation and he hangs up. “Get ___. We have to head back. Neo-Tech stole one of our shipments,” He tells Yoongi. He quickly gets your attention and tells you that you all need to leave.

“Okay?” you place the gun in his outstretched hand. Yoongi quickly calls out for the man in the front to put away their guns for them as the two men stride towards the exit. You jog in order to catch up with them. When you see their faces, they weren’t as nice or carefree as they were minutes prior when they couldn’t contain a smile when you were blown off your feet by the oversized gun.

“Is something wrong?” you ask in a naive curiosity.

“Just a little setback. No big deal,” Namjoon answers back unexpectedly. Though he didn’t say much, you and Yoongi expected him to not answer period. When you jog out to the car, the engine starts before you even shut the door. The shadow of worry lines on Namjoon’s face cast doubt on his prior statement. But you keep your mouth shut because you know the last thing he needs is you asking a bunch of questions.

“How do you think they found out about the shipment?” Yoongi keeps staring at the road Namjoon is driving on.

“The only possibility is a rat or a bug, or a rat with a bug,” his jaw tightens. “God help that rat if I get my hands on him.” The threat sends fear pooling in your stomach because you know it isn’t empty. You rest your hands on your knees and your shoulders bunch up as you sit forward in the seat.

Upon entering the house, people swarm to Namjoon, and the ones who don’t swarm him pace around nervously. “Hoseok said that when he got to the shipyard that they already took the shipment. Luckily it was a small amount of the regular stuff.” Jungkook says with an iPad in his hands. He taps furiously through whatever program he has on there and hold it up to Namjoon. “The big shipment hasn’t come in yet, but that doesn’t mean they won’t take that one too.” 

All this new information flows through your mind rapidly. His speech was clearly coded and the ‘shipment’ is clearly something that doesn’t concern you. You can’t help but to curiously analyze them. It wasn’t until Yoongi spoke to you that you were broken out of your concentration. “If I were you, I’d stay in my room until everything smooths back over. None of us are very nice when we are on edge like this,” He cocks his head to the side with an almost sympathetic smile.

“Wouldn’t doubt it. I’ll take my leave now,” you let out a deep breath before quickly hiding in your room.

~~~

Jungkook pulls the six other members of their crew in his office. “So what happened?” Jimin asks as Jungkook runs back an forth from table to table of different devices.

“I found a bug in Namjoon’s office, right underneath a stack of papers. I was lucky to find it because it’s practically transparent,” he holds up a clear, thin square. The only indication it was even there was the reflection and the tiny dots on it.

“Have you found any others?”Namjoon asks. Jungkook nods grimly. 

“Two, but who knows how many are laying around here,” He throws his head back and sighs at the younger’s words. “But thankfully they had to sacrifice some tech to make it that small. I can easily scramble them if I get within a five-foot radius of them.”

“Have an idea who might have planted them?” Taehyung quirks his brows.

“I have evidence but the person is highly unlikely,” he says hesitantly. “I’m not even sure I should say it because it’s probably not true,” They watch the worry build upon his face.

“It’s no use if you keep it to yourself so spit it out,” Jimin was clearly on edge.

“The two I found other than the one on Namjoon’s office were both in the bedside table in y/n’s room,” at that moment, time felt like it was slowed. Some faces were bitter and others were shocked. Jimin just laughed aloud. The bitter chackle cut through all thoughts.

“I told you we should have never let her stay here! And what happens? She bugs the whole mansion and God knows where else!” he throws his hands up in exasperation. Everything that Jimin has was being at risk because of you. His six brothers are the only things he has left to cherish, and now they are being threatened.

“But I doubt she’d do that. Why would she?” Jungkook questions.

“Does it matter? Who else would have even been in her room? Not to mention she was taken by NCT before and she’s been here maybe a month or two. What if she is working for them?” he combs his hands through his hair furiously as he paces. His lips press into a thin line as he attempts to restrain himself from saying anything rash.

“Jungkook is right, she has no motive. After spending so much time with her in my office while she was recovering, there is no way she’d do it,” Jin contradicts. You couldn’t have done it. Could you? Namjoon paces around Jungkook’s computer cave with a scowl. He knows your father and your father would never have set him up like this. Jimin was at his boiling point now. Not only were you a traitor but now Namjoon and Jungkook are taking your side. Any restraint Jimin had over himself was gone as he marches up to your room. 

You sat in the center of your bed with your laptop in front of you. You had a large pair of glasses on and strands of your hair hanging in your face. The open window let cool evening air drift through your room. You were working on your assignments which are all on the computer. You took Yoongi’s advice and left the seven men to deal with whatever problem with the shipment is. The best place for you right now was out of the way in your opinion.

Your door flies open and slams against the wall. Your head whips and your eyes widen.  His eyes burned in fury as he pulled you from the bed with a fist grabbing your collar. Any attempt to get away was thwarted by him. You hover over the ground and he snarls, “What did you do?”

The glasses only magnified the size of your wide eyes.  “Wha- what do- do you mean?” you stutter out, your trembling hands reaching out to something, anything.

“How did you get those bugs? Speak up!” Your brain starts drawing blanks. Nothing he is saying makes sense. Bugs? 

“Jimin put her down!” Namjoon’s voice booms. But, you don’t even register it nor does Jimin. All you see is the rage in Jimin’s eyes and his fist in your collar. Namjoon stood frozen along with the other six. It was rare that Jimin got like this; he never got this mad before except maybe once. Sure he had a hot temper, but he was easily defused. They all know that trying to get him away from you would only make things worse for them and you. They stand there with tensed muscles and clenched jaws instead. They can only watch the way you shook in fear as Jimin’s hot breath fans your face. His expression only gets darker as you let silence answer his question. Your eyes dart around the room looking for something, anything to aid you in some way you weren’t sure of.

Panic grips your gut as his glare only intensified at your lack of words. There wasn’t a clear escape. You were trapped. Nothing and no one to help you. Memories from high school flood your mind. You remember those times when you were helpless. You can’t let that happen again. You can’t leave your safety in anyone’s hands beside your own. It was you. Only you and Jimin.

Jimin yanks you closer to his face with his fist cocked back. But before he could do anything else, your instincts take hold of your actions. In a desperate attempt, you swing your leg up to his stomach and kick him right below the ribs. “Shit!” He coughs out.

Thankfully, he lets go and you run. Scrambling off the floor you target, the window. It was the only way not blocked by people.

The window you opened to let fresh air in became your escape. Just like high school. You dive out onto the roof of the third story. When you get to your feet, you frantically search for a way down. The Roman columns were just that. Any fear of heights you had was put behind you as you let yourself onto the column by the gutter. Meanwhile, shouts above call out for you. You didn’t notice. You slide down and hop over the second-story railing to do the same thing.

When your toes touch the marble stairs of the ground floor, you sprint. Your heart beats in your throat as your legs burn. Scaling two steps at a time you glide downstairs and onto the concrete drive and then into the dirt of the tree line surrounding the property.

The grove of trees turns into thickened woods the more you run. There was no time to breathe, only running. Instead of freezing up while your brain tries to understand the situation, your body took over and you fled. Your legs burned, and your ankles screamed for you to stop, but you didn’t listen. At least this time you didn’t twist your ankle.

~~~

“God, why don’t you ever think!” Namjoon fumes as he bounds down the stairs. “Someone contain him. I’ll go find her; she shouldn’t have gotten too far,” He stops in the front foyer and looks up at Jin briefly. “If anything happens, call me,” Jin nods.

“I could find her if you want. In case you want to deal with all of this,” Hoseok offers, leaning on the third-floor railing.

“No, I’ll get her. I don’t even want to look at Jimin right now,” Namjoon waves off the offer a little harsher than he would normally. He throws a jacket over him and lets the large gilded doors slam shut behind him. He looks around the yard to see if you left any impressions in the grass since it rained recently. He sees a set of footprints veering off into the left grove of trees. He begins following your notably smaller footprints left in the broken leaves further into the trees.

Never in all his years of life has he seen someone’s instinctual response to be jumping out of the nearest window. Should he be proud, annoyed, scared, or all three? He thought you were surprisingly agile to be able to pull that off. He’d always got the feeling you leaned more towards clumsy. He walks forward while looking up at the sky, a habit he picked up. He lets his anger cool down with the breeze that runs through the trees. The sky is now painted with pinks and oranges as the sun begins to set. He needs to find you soon because who knows what lurks here after dark.

He picks up the pace with this in mind, but the prints seem to go on forever. He should really stop underestimating you because you never fail to prove him wrong. She shouldn’t have gotten too far; he thought previous to the sky turning purple now. He jutted his jaw out and sighs but continued nonetheless.

As more time passes, he has to use his phone flashlight to see. It was getting colder now too. He mindlessly continues along your path until suddenly it just vanishes. “Huh?” he says aloud. “How the hell?” he flashes his flashlight around the area until he catches a glimpse of your barefoot.

There you were, asleep in a tree some fifteen feet off the ground. Your head slung to the side with your arms wrapped around your torso. “Y/n,” he calls your name. You stir a little. He passes the light over your face.

“Hey tree snake, we need to go home. It’s dark,” he says louder now. He hears a low hum and sees your eyes flutter open.

“Huh? What the hell?” you take your back off the trunk and look down. One of the last people you would expect to be here stands at the base of the tree.

“I’m gonna start calling you tree snake. Can you get down?” despite the situation you let out a little smile at your new nickname. Namjoon holds out the flashlight so the light casts over the whole tree so you could see where you were going.

“I think,” you mumble with sleep still clouding your eyes. You slide your butt off the tree limb you were on and onto the one right below. The bark beneath your feet scrapes against you leaving them red on the sole. You almost get all the way down, but Namjoon stops you from going to the next branch. Your toes curl around the branch at the sudden stop.

“That branch is about to snap, don’t use that one,” he points at it. Your body relaxes slightly.

“Well, which one should I use? The rest of them are too weak to hold me,” you sit crouched on the branch with a quirked eyebrow.

“Jump,”

“I’d rather not,” you say simply, drawing your lips into a thin line.

“You jumped out of a third-story window and you’re worried about this?” you know he’s squinting at you; you don’t even have to see his face to know.

“There was a roof beneath me and I was in immediate danger!” you shoot back, adamant about not jumping.

“You slid down columns like some action hero,” he says incredulously.

“Well, I’m not a hero and jumping was no part of that. And the trunk is too wide to slide down,” you mumble the last part as you press your face into your hand holding the trunk. He throws his head back and groans. You bunch your shoulders up as you sit on the branch. “Maybe if I...” you trail off. Namjoon watches you reason through your predicament. You grip the branch and slide your butt off just like before. You hang from the branch, but your feet still dangle off the ground. The gap was about as tall as you were, and it looked much larger from your angle. “I- uh... I don’t think-” your cheeks burn. But a firm grip around your legs cuts you off.

“I got you, you’re good,” Namjoon looks up at you without a trace of annoyance. You slowly loosen your grip until all of your weight was being carried by him. He keeps his hold around your knees as you slowly sit on his shoulder. From there, he takes you by the waist and places you on your feet. The two of you let out a satisfied huff before you begin walking back to the mansion.

Namjoon holds his phone out to light the path for the both of you as you make the trek back home that would otherwise be in complete darkness. The familiar ache in your feet returns as the grass sinks beneath your feet. “How far out are we?” you ask, feeling like this is taking longer than necessary.

“Given that I left before sunset and now it is pitch black I’d say pretty far,” you smile sheepishly in return.

“I uh... I’m sorry that..you.. had to come and find me,” you stumble on your apology. “I wasn’t thinking straight,” There was a pause. You had no idea how he would react. You haven’t exactly been around him that often. The silence filled you with anxiety the more it lingered. But to your surprise, a soft laugh fills the silence and your hair gets ruffled. You look at him with big eyes and he just smiles.

“It’s alright. You saved me from having to deal with Jimin actually,” he offers.

You almost forgot about him. “I guess,” you respond, hoping to not talk about Jimin anymore than you already have.

“By the way, why the hell was your first instinct jumping out of a window?” you could hear the amusement in his voice. You shook your head and laugh.

“Let’s just say this isn’t the first time,” you shrug. You spent quite a few years learning how to run away. “To be honest, that whole part is a blur,” 

The conversation dies off a little after that, and you return to the silence of crunching leaves instead. Namjoon tries to decipher you and your behavior. He hasn’t figured you out yet and that bothered him. Your mind drifts away from your surroundings and soon your head is up in space. He tries to imagine what drives you, what means the most to you, but he doesn’t know. Tiredness tugs at your bone as your muscles pulsed lightly. You walk begin falling behind, and he notices. He tries to match your pace the best he can, but your small and lethargic strides could not match up to his.

“It’d be faster if you just get on my back,” he offers once he sees you visibly struggling to keep up. You nod and he hooks his arms behind your knees and hoists you up. You rest your arms on his shoulders and you let your legs relax. You give into your heavy head and let it flop down on your arm. Namjoon lets out a breathy laugh, “Tired?” he asks.

You let out a low hum in response and he laughs silently. “It has been quite the day.”