#prompt: "i'm up i'm up

[serickswrites]

Slept in Days

Warnings: referenced captivity, referenced torture, PTSD, nightmares, caretaker and whumpee

Caretaker walked into the conference room, cup of coffee in hand for them and one for Whumpee. Whumpee had looked so tired when they walked in this morning. Caretaker knew they hadn't been sleeping well and the only way they could think to help was to make Whumpee some coffee.

Whumpee had their head down on the table and they seemed to be sleeping. Caretaker hesitated in the doorway. They didn't want to wake Whumpee, not if Whumpee was finally getting some much needed sleep.

Whumpee started, their head shooting up, and eyes wide. "I'm up, I'm up."

Caretaker sighed inwardly as they stepped into the conference room, so much for letting Whumpee sleep. "It's ok, I know you're very tired. When was the last time you got some sleep?"

Whumpee looked at their phone. "Today's Thursday? I think I got a couple of hours Tuesday night. I haven't slept in days, so it's hard to tell."

"Whumpee, you can't keep doing this to yourself," Caretaker frowned. They set the mug of coffee in front of Whumpee. "It's not a bad thing to need sleep. It means you're human."

Whumpee pinched the bridge of their nose as they sat up further. The dark circles beneath their eyes looked like bruises. And when they opened their eyes and Caretaker's heart broke a little to see the haunted look in their eyes. "It's a bad thing when every time I close my eyes I see Whumper and what they did to me....what they were still planning on doing to me."

"I'm here if you want to talk, Whumpee." Caretaker hesitated before putting their hand on Whumpee's. Whumpee had never been a big fan of being touched and since their time with Whumper, they were even less inclined.

Whumpee's eyes softened a bit as they smiled. "Thanks, Caretaker. But I don't want you to join the no sleep club because of me."

"You don't have to be alone, Whumpee. I'm here."

Whumpee's eyes were tight as they gave a soft smile. "I do, Caretaker. I do."

[sebsunset]

RED

Hunter's life with his uncle is like dancing with a devil - like anyone dancing, he trips.

OR: How Hunter got his scar. In a canon-adjacent way.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50483494

2nd whumptober entry for the month! Day 12 : ) read in ao3 or down here!!

 Five in the morning. 

 The door to the throne room slides closed with a heavy, dragging sound. A body falls onto the linoleum, sliding a few inches before getting up onto his knees and palms.

 Outside of the palace, the sun's yet to even start to peek from behind the horizon, the day cold and still dark, the palace devoid of its hustle and bustle.

 The flickering lamps seem to breathe with him, as his pace shifts into a run. 

 Footsteps echo along those empty halls, deprived of the usual white noise from moving scouts and soldiers, these empty halls bear only Hunter and his echoes: the panting breaths slipping from bloody lips, the fogging of it on his mask, the heaving, swaying motions of the boy as he runs.

 All he can see, staining the borders of his visions, is crimson. 

 That same color might be lining his armor, as it glints in his hands, catching droplets of the oily orange lights flickering along the halls.

 The gold and marble reflect that same dancing flame, and Hunter, usually enraptured by the peaceful beauty of this time of the day, can't help but rush down the hall.

 His usual composure is forgotten, gestures sloppy, rushed and shaky as the wound throbs, pain radiating outwards from his jaw to his cheek to the whole of his head.

 There's the feeling of the fabric of the mask pushing itself into the wound, a gash of something sharp, sunken deep into the boy.

 There is a vague understanding, as he races past the prophet's portraits, that this isn't how it is supposed to happen. This isn't what he's meant to be doing.

 This was meant to be a special day. 

 It echoed in his head, as he climbed up the stairs he had, not so long ago, silently descended.

 Belos had summoned him to his office, as it neared past an hour after the fourth of that morning. The golden guard he was made to be, obedient even when awoken at an absurd hour of the night, had carried himself to the throne room before he even blinked the sleep away from his eyes, had been rewarded with instructions:

 Bring palismen. Take them from witches, if need be.

 The denial sowed the seed of anger, and not much else.

 The red swam along his visor, and he felt something tacky, sticky, cling to his face as he stumbled, catching himself against the wall, right outside his own door.

 A hand in front of him, trembling like it's cold even when covered up by a thick glove, fumbles around, finding the knob of his door.

 It rattles as his hand slips, struggling to grasp as he gags and gasp sin pain, tasting copper red in his mouth, disgustingly hopeless until he manages to open his own door.

 Nobody saw him.

 Nobody can see him, not injured - the position he will soon hold is that of prestige, and he knows there are many who target him.

 Uncle told him as such, Hunter figures him right therefore.

 So he shuts the door behind himself, resisting the urge of his knees to buckle, swimming across the diminutive, miniscule space of his room up to the small attached bathroom.

 He collapses, finally - buckling knees driving him to sit atop the lid of his closed toilet, knocking his head back against the wall. His chest rises and falls, fast and shallow, and along with the red, spots of black swim along his vision.

 Now that he no longer runs, Hunter can bask, fully, on the pain of his gash. 

 He wonders... How bad is the damage? Ever since he was a baby, he knew he'd never deliver a perfect body to the grave.

 Yet, there was something scary writhing under the surface layer of agonizing pain - it tangles with the betrayal he feels for his uncle's actions, a complicated dance of shame, anger and fear. 

 His hands, shakey as they are, pull down his hood and follow on to find the clasp of his mask.

 It drops to his lap, the backside of it facing up, against Hunter's swimming vision.

 The back of the padded metal is dark, not red until Hunter touches it, and the brown of his gloves comes out stained as well.

 The spilled paint drives him to grit his teeth, a sigh escaping through the gaps and uneven tips and edges of not-quite-fangs. He isn't losing enough blood to go unconscious, despite the pain of all his flesh having been torn through.

 He hears nothing but his breaths and the beats of his heart, an unsteady drumming which echoes in his ears, even as they pin down against his head, folding over and back as a whine escapes his lips.

 Shame burns through the pain. He should be silent and stoic, even in the face of pain. He has been through so much pain, the reasons for him to react so much have long slipped away from his grasp.

 He braces himself on the edge of the sink, pushes himself up on shaking legs. A breath, as he squeezes his eyes shut, the pain beating him down and wrapping itself around him.

 There is an unnerving wetness on his face, the salt of his involuntary tears mixing with the coppery blood, flooding into the wound that burns and bites its way through the flesh of his jaw.

 He turns the tap on, water rushing down. Only then, does Hunter lift up his face, to gaze upon his own wrecked visage:

 He shudders.    "It's gonna scar." he murmurs to himself, all alone. 

 He pushes himself away from that thought, and turns the gears in his mind, pretending - somewhere in the childish, youthful part of him, twelve years old as he is, existent yet suppressed -  that this is an assignment, not an injury to himself.

 He dives into the cabinet under the running tap, opening the dingy door and finding himself staring at spare toiletries and the clunky, oversized first aid kit that is his only source of medical teatment on most days, good or bad.

 He swallows dryly, shuts his eyes as he pulls his cargo and himself up, opens it and spills.

 The towel for his hands under the sink, soaking in the water, before he wipes his face - the unshed baby fat of his cheeks, torn through from skin down to the muscles deep beneath, is red up to his eye.

 The hauting ugliness of it drives him to scrub, until the white towel, run over his cheek and jaw, over the stains on the bridge of his nose and even the bit of blood that somehow would up near Hunter's neck, turns pink.

 The color is blotchy and the smell is uncomfortable, and the bleeding isn't stopping.

 Hunter swallows, dryly. He has to sew his wound. The pain drives him to bite the other side of his cheek, his half-formed fangs not quite chewing fully through the chunks of flesh.

 There will be blood, though. He runs a towel under the tap, soaking up the water on the lightly-faded pink, until the cotton is heavy and he can drip it onto his wound, shaking his head.

 He, sadly, was taught very well what he was supposed to do in these scenarios. It was inevitable.

 But the part of him that is bitter feels such not for the wound, but for who caused it, for why he received it.

 It is a punishment, a mark of his failure. He has to bear his head high and tall through it.

 And he has to prove, to his uncle, that he is good enough. 

 Otherwise next time, he won't be hooking the black thread onto the needle for such a small, simple, bearable pain.

 He hisses between his teeth, tap water dripping frm the needle as he drives it into his face.   The wound runs a bit under his face over his neck. The pain is throbbing, pushing and pulling, as if it's trying to squeeze something out of him.

 He assumes - needle comes into one side of the flesh, driven into the other, poking through the inflammed, pinkish skin, sinking into the flesh beneath to the glorious emergence of another drop of blood. 

 Everything is red, and Hunter can't help but sway to it, the pain and exhastion coupling and entangling like twin serpents, moving in tandem to slow down his movement.

 He wants to sob. Each pinprick of pain, as he runs up his face and then down his neck, thread falling from the spool around him on the basin of the sink.

 Trembling hands and a quivering voice.

 "You'll be okay," Hunter re-assures himself, lightly. 

 But he wants to stop. He pushes himself just a bit:

 "If you finish this, Belos will be proud." he says, "He'll be proud that you are so brave and resilient. He will make you the golden guard-"

 He bites his tongue to stiffle a shout, pulling the needle too far, too tight and taut, the flesh and skin stretching together, pulling and crashing-

 "He'll treat you much, much better."

 That's all he can say, all he can promise himself - it's all he wants, and it's something he knows he probably won't get.

 He hisses, dropping the needle so his noodly, trembling arm can wipe at his eyes, tears like a fauced threathening to scrunch up his face in ugly directions and disrupt his messy, uneven stitching.

 He wants to cry, and maybe he will, once the day is over. Despite all the pain, Hunter has to work.    Belos wakes him up early out of grace - for Hunter to fully resolve and relieve all his duties, in the end, he needs a few adjustments so he can do them along with meeting up, every three days, with his uncle.

 Before him, he is a mere servant - and in his facelessness, he shall never cry.

 Therefore he pulls the string and snips it down with a scissor, the small knot to finish his stitching hanging out, black as a mole, beside the unbandaged cross-stitch job across his face.    It's red and swollen, and he swallows the pain and the building tears, the budding pressure at the back of his neck doing nothing to dissuade him from tidying up.

 The only thing that can stop him is the footsteps he picks up outside his room, the rasping sound of knocks.

 "Scout!" a voice calls from outside, a world's worth of distance in his pain, but usually just a few steps of his walking. He wants to hiss and snap and growl-

 But he already learned his lesson for the day.

 "Well, you've better get up!" the voice hollers, through the door, "Before I get in and drag you to the field!"

 He swallows, pulling on the red-stained mask over his face once more, tying the straps behind his head as he yells, the taste of blood and the pressure of the mask against his wound, unbandaged and barely stitched and soon to be filthy once more, all overwhelming his senses.

"I'm up, I'm up!" 

[doyouevermakeasound]

Whumptober Day Twelve: "I'm up! I'm up!"

TW: human trafficking

“I’m up!  I’m up!”  Caretaker thrashed underneath the blankets as they rushed to stand.  They didn’t realize that they had fallen asleep on the couch and Whumper waited above them expectantly, a smile on their face.  

The moment they stood they didn’t realize a foot was still wrapped up in the blanket causing them to fall to the floor.

Whumper let out a hearty laugh before offering a hand to the sheepish caretaker.  “That was graceful.”  

Caretaker graciously took the outstretched hand and brushed themselves off.  “Yeah, yeah.  How late am I?”

Whumper made an exaggerated show as they looked at their watch.  “Not too bad.  The shipment should be here in a few minutes.”

Caretaker squealed in delight.  “Ooh, I was reading about this one!  Should be fun!  Let’s go get ready for whumpee to arrive!”

And so they left to greet their newest project.

[30somethingautisticteacher]

I also want your spin on an I hate you 😈

(Buttttt without the MCD my heart can’t handle another)

"Ev, baby. That's your alarm. It's time to wake up," Tommy said soothingly.

"No... not yet. Five more minutes. I'm having a good dream," Buck mumbled into his pillow.

"Sweetheart, you need to wake up."

"Shift was too long... need sleep," Buck protested.

"Evan, you've gotten plenty of sleep, and your shift was only a 12. We have to meet with the caterers," Tommy reminded him.

Buck grunted in response.

"Fine then, you leave me no choice." Tommy unceremoniously jumped into their bed and began tickling Buck. "Wake up, baby!"

"Tommy, stop, stop!" Buck said, giggling. "Stop - I'm gonna... stop!" he laughed louder.

Tommy halted his tickle attack. "Ready to get up now?"

"I hate you," Buck said with a pout.

Tommy placed his hand to his chest, pretending to be offended. "You do, huh? Well then, you won't mind if I meet with the caterers on my own?" He began walking towards the door. "I hope I don't forget the clipboards."

"You wouldn't dare, Kinard," Buck said, pushing himself up on his elbows.

"Well, without my thorough, organized, sexy fiancé, who's to say?" Tommy teased. "Maybe we don't even want a plated dinner. Maybe I'll tell them we want a buffet."

"Alright, alright, I'm up, I'm up!" Buck scrambled out of bed, fully awake now.

@typicalopposite ❤️ I told her last night that I would have gone fluffy with that prompt 🤣

[the-offside-rule]

Charles Leclerc (Scuderia Ferrari) - All I Want For Christmas

Requested: yes

Prompt: All I Want For Christmas w Charles Leclerc

Warnings: none

Y/n was on the phone with her boyfriend Charles. For the holidays, this is how they communicated since he lived in Monaco and she would visit her family back home in Denmark. They started dating during Charles' first year in Formula One when she visited with her uncle in Sauber. They met just before the season came to an end. She came into the hospitality, laughing with her uncle and speaking alanguage that seemed like no one would ever understand. But to Charles? To Charles, he sat listening to her in awe. He liked her voice. He listened in awe as she spoke, subconsciously smiling to himself. When she was by herself, Charles turned to try and strike up a conversation. "Excuse me, miss?" he asked. The girl turned, her (y/c/h) hair was half up and half down and her (y/c/e) eyes looked up at him. He melted and found himself stuttering, trying to form some words. "Is this taken seat? I mean, is this teat saken, wait-" She giggled as she watched him fumble with his words. "Is this seat taken?" he finally blurted out. "Not unless you're going to sit here with me." He smiled and sat down next to her and from then, it was history.

"I wish I could hug you right now. I miss you so much." Y/n smiled softly at him through the phone. "I know mon cœur. I miss you too but you'll have me in a few days." She hid her actual feelings with a forced smile. She had spent Christmas with Charles and his family last year and the year before but he'd never spent Christmas with her's. "I have to go mon cœur, dinner is nearly ready." Charles and Y/n said their goodbyes and hung up. She let out a sigh and walked down to the kitchen to her mother, who was baking. "Ah, you're finished then? How was Charles?" Y/n shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know mom. He was giving such short answers." Y/n said, rubbing her eyes. "Oh darling, I'm sure he's just very tired like you are." Y/n scoffed. "Maybe he's tired of me. We hardly see eachother now." Y/n walked towards the bowl of cake batter and began stirring. "Don't be silly. I don't think he would be tired of you." Y/n rolled her eyes up towards the ceiling in a attempt to hold her tears in. "I won't know until he tells me or until I find out."

"Y/n, he isn't tired of you." her mum reassured her. "But how do you know mom?" Her mother opened her mouth and closed it again. "I don't know. All I know it that he isn't tired of you. You just have to believe me." Y/n nodded and smiled light-heartedly. "Thanks mom. I think I'm gonna stay up a little while longer." Her mother arched a brow. "Are you sure? Were all going to bed." Y/n smiled and nodded. "Of course. I want to do some baking. You can have an early night." Her mum kissed her forehead. "Don't stay up too late." Y/n agreed and watched as her mother went to bed. Y/n sat up baking like she said she would but she didn't stay up for a little bit, she stayed up most of the night. After all her siblings had wrapped the presents, after all the timed lights went out, after everything but still, she went to bed so she wouldn't get given out to by her mother in the morning.

Y/n's eyes fluttered open to the sound of her nieces and nephews running around, waking up their parents and then running into to wake up Y/n. "Guys, guys, I'm up, I'm up." She croaked as they bounced on her bed. "Then get up! We need to open our gifts from Santa!" the children shouted. "No, no, no, no, no. Let her sleep! She had a long night baking for you!" They whined but got down off the bed and left Y/n in bed. She let out a sigh of relief as she could finally lie back down again. It had only been a few minutes when she heard her bedroom door open and someone creep their way in. She pulled a face when she heard hushed voices. Why were her whole family just standing around her door, whispering? Y/n felt a weight bring her bed down but she figured it was probably her mother coming up to check on her and she would have wholeheartedly believed it if she hadn't heard the opening of All I Want For Christmas Is You playing. She had her back to them, so she couldn't see them. Her eyes opened, confused as anything but then, she heard a voice. "I, dont want a lot for Christmas. There is just one thing I need-" She hopped up like a bolt of lightning. Surely he wasn't here. Was he? Her bottom lip trembled as she saw Charles with his phone in front of him, playing music and reading the lyrics off to sing them to her. "I don't care about the presents, underneath the Christmas tree-" She began crying as he continued singing. Then she looked over to her family behind her, her mother filming as the others looked on, grinning. "Why are you guys recording?"

"Mon cœur, You're interrupting." Charles said quickly and then returned to singing, making her laugh. "Make my wish come true! All I Want For Christmas -" Charles looked up from his phone and into her blue eyes. "Is You." The Danish family clapped as Y/n engulfed her boyfriend in a tight hug. "Did you enjoy your Christmas gift?" her mother asked. Y/n looked over, still crying but now smiling as she nodded. "Mon cœur, dont cry, dont cry." Charles said, rubbing her back and shushing her. "A heads up would have been nice so I wouldn't cry!" Charles kissed her cheek. "I didn't know you would cry, now did I?" They laughed together. "Merry Christmas mon cœur." He whispered. Her grip loosened and she kissed his lips. "Merry Christmas my love."

[faketrex]

How about "2) the last room at a drive-in motel in the small hours of the morning" for firstprince? 👀

Thank you, Sara! 💝 For prompt number 2, "the last room at a drive-in motel in the small hours of the morning."

RWRB, firstprince, alternate universe, a little bit of faux noir. Spies? Maybe! It's an... interlude. Plot creep was real with this one.

...

Just because the banging on the door–the banging that wakes him from the first sleep he's gotten in more than twenty-four hours–isn't a surprise, that doesn't mean that Alex fucking enjoys it.

On the nightstand, the red numbers on the radio alarm clock show 03:35 AM. Hard pass. Alex mashes one ear into his pillow; who knows, maybe he'll get lucky and it'll reduce the noise by half.

The banging gets louder. He'd expected that.

"Open the bloody door, Lexington, I know you're in there."

Whoever’s in the room on the other side of Alex's headboard starts pounding on the wall, too, in an aggressive rhythm that Alex recognizes: it's the sound of a business traveler who's not going to put up with any shit. "Be quiet, it's three in the morning!"

"Fine," Alex yells back as he rolls to his feet. He bangs one fist against the wall twice for good measure. Might as well join in on the fun. "I'm up, I'm up. Everyone hold your fucking horses."

Contrary to every one of his instincts, there's no need to check the peephole–or put on shoes, or even a shirt–before unlatching the door and swinging it open.

Alex has, in fact, been expecting this visit.

"You know, sweetheart, some of us like to live our lives using a little thing called subtlety. Fly under the radar, so to speak." He looks Henry up and down, eyes skimming over the crisp suit, the slicked-back hair, the shoes that had probably cost more than half the furniture in this motel room. "Does that concept ring any bells in your pretty little head?"

"Your charm is matched only by your shameless hypocrisy, as usual."

"Yeah? Should I even ask what kind of bogus James Bond car you've got parked outside?"

"Ah, but that would ruin the surprise," Henry demurs, deadpan.

Alex leans to the right and up onto his toes, but the parking lot is dim and misty–and he can't make much out beyond Henry's broad shoulders, anyway. They're a little distracting, and not just because of the raindrops spattered across his expensive suit. All of Henry is a little distracting. "Give me a hint?"

"Gather your things and come see for yourself."

"Well, maybe I'd rather just go back to bed, baby. It's always a treat to see you, but–"

"Shut up, shut up, I'm calling the front desk!"

In the pause following the threat, Henry reaches out and trails the tips of his fingers up Alex's bare clavicle. "Your neighbor would seem to agree with my plan."

"My neighbor hasn't got a leg to stand on after watching Wheel of Fortune so loudly, I could spell all the words myself. For five fucking hours. And–" The memory of Henry's touch on Alex's skin is staggering. "And you're late, Henry."

"Alex," Henry whispers, hushed, softly enough it's more breath than sound. "Love. There's coffee in the car."

Lucky for Henry, Alex's bag is already packed.

[gunnerfc]

🎄WOSO FICMAS: Dec. 23 - Chloe Kelly 🎄

Chloe Kelly x Reader (Man City) | WC: 843

Dec. 23 prompt - opening presents on christmas morning

-> woso ficmas masterlist can be found here!

You were woken up bright and early Christmas morning, Chloe’s excitement meant not getting to sleep in. Both of you had spent Christmas Eve with your families, deciding to spend the actual holiday together at Chloe’s place. When you both arrived home late the night before, the blonde had been persistent in trying to get you to open presents early but you resisted the begging looks, wanting to spend Christmas morning actually opening gifts. It’s because of that determination that you were woken up well before your alarm was set.

Your eyes fluttered open as you felt Chloe pressing kisses all over your face, whispering “babe” each time she pulled away. You squinted your eyes, the light from the sun just beginning to shine through your window.

“I'm up. I'm up” you repeated, groaning as you stretched your arms above your head.

Chloe beamed down at you and you couldn’t but match her smile, her excitement rubbing off on you instantly. The blonde sat back some as you sat up, her hands moving to grasp your face pulling you into a sweet kiss.

“C’mon, time for presents!” she grinned, pulling you with her as she got up from the bed.

The two of you made your way to the living room, the Christmas tree lighting up the room. Chloe all but pushed you onto the couch before separating the gifts you both had secretly wrapped and placed under the tree throughout the month.

There was no reason behind the order in which the two of you opened the presents, going for whichever your hand touched first. You went back and forth laughing at some of the gifts you got each other. A majority were things you both had mentioned but others were a bit silly or inappropriate.

You had picked up a small, neatly wrapped box that was sitting on the coffee table in front of you at the same time Chloe picked up a longer small box.

“Same time?” you winked, knowing you both had similar ideas based on the size and shape of the boxes.

You both started unwrapping the boxes you held in your hands. In the box you held was a bracelet that had 53° 28′ 46″ N, 2° 14′ 43″ W engraved into the underside. The coordinates were of Manchester, the city the two of you fell in love in. You sniffled to hold back tears, the city held great importance to you for many reasons, but most importantly it gave you this relationship that you were so grateful for.

You looked up from the bracelet to find Chloe watching you, she had paused opening her gift to watch your reaction. Your heart soared seeing the look of love in her eyes and you were sure you had a similar look in yours.

“Your turn,” you croaked, still feeling tears trying to escape.

Chloe sent you a small smile before her eyes fell to the half-wrapped box in her hands. The blonde tore the rest of the wrapping paper off, tossing it behind her to join the large pile of wrapping paper. The long black box creaked as the blonde opened it, displaying a necklace that had a piece of silver with your anniversary date on one side, and ‘i love you’ etched on the other side in your handwriting.

Chloe gently sat the box on the coffee table before pulling you into a hug. Her arms were thrown around your neck, yours wrapping tightly around her waist. Chloe’s grip tightened around your neck as she whispered “i love you too” in your ear.

The blonde pulled away first, blinking away tears as she did so. Chloe stood up from the couch, rushing back to her bedroom, returning as quickly as she left.

“You have one more, love!” the forward sang as she sat back down next to you, handing you a small box.

“Babe, I thought we agreed on a certain number.” you groaned, you should have known the blonde wasn’t going to listen.

“Shh, just open it.” Chloe rushed, ignoring your comment altogether.

You playfully rolled your eyes but did as she said. Inside the box was nothing but a house key which you held up with a confused look in your eye.

“I want you to move in with me. You practically live here already but now I want it to be official.” the blonde spoke, her voice quieter than normal suddenly feeling nervous that you would say no.

You lightly tossed the key onto the table and this time you initiated the hug. You mumbled “of course” in your girlfriend’s ear.

Chloe’s tightened around your body, nerves no longer a problem for her. This was the next big step in your relationship and she was thrilled to take it with you. The two of you spent the rest of the morning messing around with the gifts you had opened before ending the night cuddled up watching movies. You had made plans to start moving your things soon, wanting to finally share a space, officially.

[samynnad102687]

Growing Old

@struttingstag

April 16 Prompt: Growing Old | 1216 words | Jegulus

James was lying in the bed at their rented villa on the French Riveria with his now-husband. He still couldn't believe that Regulus agreed to date him let alone marry him. They had just spent the last month touring different countries in Europe and it was their last day before they had to go back home to London and back to real life. James was not ready to give up this little bubble they had created.

James looked over to find Regulus still sleeping, curled up into James' side with his head on his chest. James couldn't help but smile down at him. He raised one hand slightly to card his fingers through his hair. Regulus hummed in his sleep as he crowded James even more. James tried not to laugh but it came out anyway.

"Jamie," Regulus mumbled into his chest.

"Yeah, Starlight?"

"Go back to sleep."

"I'd love to but you know me, once I'm up, I'm up."

Regulus peeked up at him from under his lashes with a slight glare but both of them knew it didn't mean anything.

"Why did I marry you?"

"Because you love me and you want to grow old with me," James beamed at his husband.

"Oh, yeah. That," Regulus replied sleepily. "Well, stop moving so I can go back to sleep."

"We go home today, love."

"No."

"No?"

"Nope, we're gonna freeze time and stay here forever," Regulus declared as he gripped James' waist tighter.

"Is that so?"

"Yup."

James was okay with that plan.

**

James was running around the house trying to get everything ready for Harry's first day of reception. Regulus was in Harry's room getting him dressed. Regulus and James got the honour of dropping him off with Luna while Lily and Pandora got to pick him up after school since he was spending the night with them while James and Regulus went out for the night. In the last ten years, they tried to keep a weekly date night so they didn't get burnt out with work and parenthood.

"Are you ready, James?" Regulus called from the top of the stairs.

"Yeah. Just need to grab his jacket and then everything is set," James replied as he whirled around to look for the jacket he just had in his hand and now wasn't.

"You mean this jacket?" Regulus chuckled as he held up Harry's Spiderman jacket that Pandora got him for Christmas last year.

"I swear it was just in my hand," James laughed as he kissed his husband on the lips.

"I'm sure it was, Mon Soleil."

Regulus shook his head before he helped Harry into his jacket.

"All ready, Haz?" James asked the obviously excited five-year-old.

"Yeah. Is Luna gonna be in my class?"

"Yes, she is," Regulus confirmed.

Harry and Luna were only a few months apart, so they have been inseparable since birth. James and Regulus loaded Harry up into the car and made sure his buckle was secured before James pulled out of the drive. The drive to the school wasn't long but James could already feel the nerves about having his child start school and not being home all day anymore. They arrived and Harry was practically bouncing in his booster seat.

"Do you need help, Haz?" Regulus asked after he opened the back door.

"No. I got it."

Harry unbuckled himself and James handed him his backpack before the three of them walked up to the school and into his classroom.

**

James never wanted to end up in a hospital's waiting room again. He had just dropped Harry off with the Weasleys for the night when he got a call from the hospital. Regulus was in a car accident, so here he was sitting antsy as fuck and waiting to hear how his husband was doing. The receptionist refused to tell him anything aside from he was still in surgery.

Two hours later, the doctor finally came out to talk to him. By that time, James had called Lily, Pandora and Sirius. He hadn't told Harry yet. Mainly because he wanted to wait and find out how bad it was. James was listening to the doctor but the only thing that came through his cloudy mind was 'Regulus is going to be just fine.' James could have dropped to his knees right then and there in relief if Sirius wasn't holding him up.

After James got his bearings again, he followed the doctor back to the recovery room where Regulus was. Regulus had his leg elevated and in a cast as well as some scrapes and bruises along the side of his neck and chest. James hated that he was injured and mentally cursed whoever hit him.

"It's not as bad as it looks, love," Regulus chuckled lightly as he reached out for James' hand.

"It looks pretty bad, Reg," James whispered as he took his husband's hand. "What happened?"

"Somebody ran a red light and t-boned my passenger side. The doctor said if there was anybody else in the car, they wouldn't have survived and I'm lucky to only have a broken leg and some bruising," Regulus replied as he squeezed James' hand in reassurance. "Everything is going to be okay. Where's Harry?"

"At Ron's. I didn't want to worry him so I didn't tell him anything yet," James replied absentmindedly as he looked at Regulus' injuries.

"Probably a good idea," Regulus mused.

**

"Haz, hurry up before you're late for your own graduation," James shouted up the stairs.

"I'm coming, Dad. Don't get your knickers in a twist."

Regulus was sitting on the couch laughing quietly and James spun around to glare at him.

"I don't want to hear it," James pointed at him but had no bite to his tone.

"If I remember correctly, you were almost late to your own graduation too, so I wouldn't give him so much grief. He does take after his father after all."

"He's your son too, you know," James remarked before he kissed Regulus on the forehead. "Maybe, he'll come down quicker for you."

Regulus shrugged and stood up before he walked to the stairs and called for Harry, "Haz, it's time to go."

"Be right down, Papa," Harry replied and was on the landing within the next minute.

Regulus turned towards James and smirked.

**

The summer night air was a little sticky after the rain storm but it didn't stop the great-grandkids from playing in the puddles and the mud, no matter how much James and Regulus told them not to. James couldn't help the love that swelled in his heart as he watched them.

James and Regulus were sitting on their wrap-around porch watching them chase each other around the garden. The older two were making sure that the younger three were included instead of ignoring them like most teenagers would do. They weren't on their phones either which James appreciated.

"Can you believe we get to watch our great-grandkids run around like this?" Regulus asked as he cuddled closer to James on the porch swing.

"I told you we would," James replied as he kissed his forehead gently.

"Yeah, you did." Regulus smiled up at him before he continued, "I love you, Mon Soleil."

"I love you too, Mon étoile."

Also posted on Ao3: As Time Passes

[httpsdana]

HI BABS ITS ME AGAIN (OFC)

Can I have 33,39,44 for my man Ofc bcs you know I’m obsessed with ow you write him for me

He’s just WOW

I LOVE YOU THE MOST

- your lil 💖💖💖

Cleaning Time~Eric Garcia

*GIF isn't mine. credits to the owner*

When my Lil asks you know I have to write it immediately. enjoy babes <33

YALL MY BOYS WON THE LEAGUE IM SO PROUD OF THEM

you can request from my prompt list

this is my master list

players/drivers I write for

33-"I hate you" "love you too sweetheart"

39-"Shut up you're not my mum/dad"

44-"I'm tired" "come here"

It was one of those days were y/n just felt like cleaning the whole house. Hers and Eric's apartment was huge, but she knew she'll do it anyways, its just who she is.

Waking up at 6am, y/n got out of her bed and opened the curtains of her bedroom. Eric, who had no training that day and was in deep sleep, groaned when the light from outside entered the room. The sun still hasn't rose up completely, but there was definitely some light.

"y/n...what are you doing?" he said in his deep morning voice, covering his face with her pillow.

"up up Eric. Its cleaning day" she clapped her hands before walking to the bathroom

After doing her business and brushing her teeth, she went back to the bedroom, to see Eric asleep again

"Eric!" she yelled, making him jump up with his eyes widening

"I'm up. I'm up" he raised his hands in defeat, letting out a sigh as he rubbed his eyes still adjusting to the light

She smiled at him, pressing a kiss on his cheek before ushering him to the bathroom

y/n had a plan, for her and Eric. She knew if they were cleaning in the same room, they wouldn't get anything done. So she distributed the chores on her and Eric.

"okay so first I'm gonna be cleaning the kitchen cupboards while you do the laundry okay?" she asked looking up from the paper she had her plan on

Eric looked at her with an amused look making her roll her eyes

"I'm serious Eric!" she whined at his lack of seriousness

"okay okay. just give me a kiss first" he pukered his lips, reaching out to pull her closer by her hips.

She rolled her eyes jokingly, standing on her tiptoes to reach his lips. She connected their lips into a small kiss, before she pulled away. Eric pecked her lips a few times making her giggle slightly before she pushed him away

"thats enough. the laundry is waiting" she reminded him

He rolled his eyes with a sigh before he walked out of the kitchen

If there was something y/n regreted, it was making that day their cleaning day. She already finished everything in the kitchen and had moved to their bedroom, while Eric decided to take a break and play some FIFA with the boys

y/n let out a sigh as she looked at the cloth mountains in front of her. She started arranging them, putting everything in its place, making sure to put her clothes on one side and Eric's on another, even when she knew she almost never wore hers.

"y/n? amor, are you still working here?" Eric asked, watching as she let out another sigh

"I am. I have to finish our closet, and then move to the living room and clean it too" she said, not giving him a single glance

"I think that's enough for today. you're tired" he pointed out, making her roll her eyes

"Shut up you're not my dad" she said, making Eric chuckle

"thats true I'm not. but I am your boyfriend and I think that you should stop for today" he walked closed to her, taking the hoodie she was holding in her hand away from her, making her groan.

"I hate you" she grumbled with a sigh of defeat

"love you too sweetheart" he blew her a kiss, before folding the hoodie and putting it in the closet

He got up and pulled y/n up with him.

"I'll be in the living room. take a shower and freshen up. you need it" he pressed a kiss on her forhead, making her smile

After taking a shower, y/n put on one of Eric's t-shirts with a pair of his shorts

She walked to living room, where Eric was still playing FIFA. He looked up when y/n came, giving her a smile as he paused his game

"I'm tired" she mumbled with a yawn

"come here" he patted his lap, spreading his legs a biy

She walked to him, sitting down on his lap, with her face in his neck, and legs around his hips, while he put his arms around her waist

"go to sleep my love. you need it" he whispered, pressing a kiss on the side of her head.

[spideysources]

✎ JUST ROLL WITH IT; RIPTIDE SENTENCE STARTERS.

✎ a collection of dialogue prompts from the dnd podcast / series just roll with it!

"i only know fish jokes, i don't think they're going to land."

"dude, this is literally scarier for me than dying."

"this is a strange conversation to have."

"get off the floor, i was joking."

"you know what my strategy is? whenever you lose, double your bet."

"i'm entering the tournament tomorrow."

"so you better kill me now if you want a chance."

"nature is beautiful."

"don't touch me."

"yeah, that's right, baby! i'm built different!"

"grab my hand — do you trust me?"

"it's been an honour."

"no wonder everyone i've ever loved has left. i wouldn't wanna live in my shadow either."

"nice outfit, [name], did your husband buy it for you? if so, that's great!"

"don't make me bald!"

"okay, but what happened to [name]? i'm worried about them. they're my sweet summer child."

"should we stop them?"

"i don't know why i was expecting something a little more sarcastic."

"it's a pun, [name], fuck you."

"so, um, how do you get out of one of these marriages?"

"can't you see your heart is made of stone?"

"i'll.. what? what's a lion?"

"you can't live your life inside a fantasy."

"i don't see the point of this misery."

"now there's no escaping what you did to me."

"what are you going to do when the weight of the world comes crashing down on you?"

"i'm the champion."

"shit, what's a cat?"

"your heart has been misled."

"i know that you think it was meant to be so go on pretending."

"that hole in your heart will lead to the end of you."

"[name], that's a cat."

"it meant nothing to me."

"i don't believe that."

"i'm up! i'm up! what happend?"

"you're the only sane person on this entire ship."

"i love you, [name]."

"all i wanna know is what you're doing here."

"hey, freakshow! you're not going anywhere!"

"it's been an honour."

"it's asking if i'm in danger."

"don't fucking talk to them like that."

"i'm the champion."

"good luck with that one, guys, i've already left."

"you got anything to drink?"

"it's called heroism. or to some, violent crime."

[hinacu-arts]

I need help filling up my whumptober roster!!! Send me a ship/character and a number, and i'll try to write something for it. You can even ask for a specific au

Whumptober prompts under the Read More

Main Prompts

NO. 1

Safety Net | Swooning | "How many fingers am I holding up?"

NO. 2

Thermometer | Delirium | "They don't care about you."

NO. 3

Journal | Solitary Confinement | "Make it stop."

NO. 4

Cattle Prod | Shock | "You in there?"

NO. 5

Debris | Pinned Down | "It's broken."

NO. 6

Recording | Made To Watch | "It should have been me."

NO. 7

Alleyway | Radio Silence | "Can you hear me?"

NO. 8

Overcrowded ER | Outnumbered | "It's all for nothing"

NO. 9

Polaroid | Mistaken Identity | "You're a liar."

NO. 10

Broken Phone | Stranded | "You said you'd never leave"

NO. 11

Animal Trap | Captivity | "No one will find you."

NO. 12

Red | Insomnia | "I'm up, I'm up!"

NO. 13

Cold Compress | Infection | "I don't feel so good."

NO. 14

Flare | Water Inhalation | "Just hold on."

NO. 15

Makeshift Bandages | Suppressed Suffering | "I'm fine"

NO. 16

Gurney | Flatline | "Don't go where I can't follow."

NO. 17

Collar | Touch Aversion | "Leave me alone."

NO. 18

Blindfold | Tortured For Information | "Hit them harder."

NO. 19

Floral Bouquet | Psychological | "I'm not as stupid as you think I am"

NO. 20

Blanket | Found Family | "You will regret touching them."

NO. 21

Vows | Restraints | "Don't move."

NO. 22

Glass Shard | Vehicular Accident | "Watch out!"

NO. 23

Shadows | Stalking | "Who's there?"

NO. 24

Goodbye Note | Neglect | "I thought they were with you"

NO. 25

Storm | Buried Alive | "They're not breathing!"

NO. 26

Seeing Double | Working To Exhaustion | "You look awful."

NO. 27

Matches | Scars | "Let me see."

NO. 28

Bloody Knife | Sacrifice | "You'll have to go through me."

NO. 29

Scented Candle | Troubled Past Resurfacing | "What happened to me"

NO. 30

Borrowed Clothing | Bridal Carry | "Not much longer."

NO. 31

Emptiness | Setbacks | "Take it easy."

Alt. Prompts

A1. Betrayal

A2. Aftermath of Failure

A3. Brass Knuckles

A4. Decoy

A5. Body Modification

A6. Playing Cards

A7. Examination

A8. Hunting

A9. Drugging

A10. Shaking

A11. Panic

A12. Broken

A13. Miscommunication

A14. Lab Rat

A15. Reluctant Whumper

[whumptober]

hi! first year doing whumptober, and i had a quick question:

does it still count if you use the prompt for something not fully whump? for example, if someone used #12 "I'm up, I'm up!" but it was more fluff than. does that still count toward completion?

No, the fills need to be whumpy to some extent. That being said, how whumpy something is, is up to you. Whump can come in all forms and can involve comfort and fluff. If you deem something to be whumpy, then it is. But for it to count for this event, it can't have no whump at all.

[kitkatyes]

Whumptober 2023 Masterlist!

Yippie! (I've gone mildly insane) Anyway, I thought I might as well go through and link all my fics for whumptober in one post so see below for all those goodies

I've quite literally linked every single fic I wrote over the course of the month in here as well as their descriptions so this is a long post (I think I kinda broke Tumblr when writing this out so oops-) Just make sure you heed the tags on ao3 when you're reading- some things get a little graphic and all that jazz

But if you wanna go through the list without all my nonsense, then you can take a look at the series link below:

Without further adieu, lets begin!

Operation: Jest

There's a note on Phoenix's desk… "Meet me in my office at 14:00! Please don't set anything on fire while you're waiting… - Your Handler"

They really hoped they weren't in trouble

Prompt: Safety Net

Keep it Cool

The mission had gone mostly to plan. Phoenix was still in one piece, all they had to do now was make it back to Agency headquarters

Prompt: Thermometer

Operation: Settling Dust

All good EOD agents should know that if their mission is going exactly to plan, there's something up Phoenix really should have listened to their gut

Prompt: Debris - Start of a miniseries

Search and Rescue

"Their eyes slid shut as someone wearing a familiar uniform appeared in front of them." Mason could only watch his monitor in horror as a Zoraxis operative dragged his Agent out of the rubble

Prompt: Recording but it can also be seen as made to watch- This one is also a continuation of the previous day

Come and Go Out My Mind

Paid time off is very hard to come by at the Agency. Sure, Phoenix has had plenty of medical leave but having time to spend with themself was practically unheard of. Let's just hope they'll get to enjoy it.

Prompt: Alleyway - Part of a twoshot

So the Blade Pierces Through Me

“Hey, bossman,” The agent began, “I’m gonna take them to the hospital– the Agency’s too far away.” Phoenix fades into consciousness

Prompt: Overcrowded ER - This one is a continuation of day 6 (Search and Rescue)

Thirty-Two

Phoenix smiled sombrely as they disconnected the generator from the elevator, ignoring their Handler's pleas. Their stomach dropped as the elevator fell.

Prompt: Mistaken identity

Lost Without You

It was a routine mission: Get in, get the files, get out. With their luck, it decidedly wasn't.

Prompt: Standard - Start of another miniseries

Loose Stones

"The blearing of an alarm broke through their thoughts, jerking at the sudden noise. Looks like they didn’t have the time to think things through. Phoenix ran."

Prompt: Animal trap - Also a continuation of the prior day

Operation: Losing Sleep

Phoenix scribbled crude stick figures in the back of their notebook as they shifted uncomfortably in their seat for the 15th time that hour. Occasionally, they looked up at the small door they were tasked with surveying. God, stakeout suck

Prompt: "I'm up, I'm up!"

Steady-

Phoenix’s mouth opened in a silent scream as tears pricked the edges of their vision. The three above them conversed, the words seemingly foreign to the Agent. A hard boot kicked at them as they were lulled into a fitful state of unconsciousness.

Prompt: Feaver - Also a continuation of day 11 (Loose Stones)

Operation: With The Fishes

Great! Phoenix gets the pleasure of infiltrating a fishing boat. They can already smell the fish

Prompt: Flare

Assumptions

So what if Phoenix gets hurt during a mission? They'd be fine, they always were

Prompt: "I'm fine"

Code: Red

Phoenix smiled as they knocked at the door of their Handler's office, eagerly awaiting his somewhat sullen response. Listen, they were bored.

Prompt: "Don't go where I can't follow"

Trust..?

Phoenix felt tense, listening to the constant 'tick, tock' of the clock. They couldn't help but keep surveying the room as their fingers ran across the bandages that circled their neck.

Prompt: Touch aversion - Also a continuation of day 7 (Come and Go Out My Mind)

Decline

Artificial wind rushed past them as they felt their stomach drop, arms flailing uselessly at their sides. Through lidded eyes, Phoenix noted the shocked expression of their Handler before they landed with a loud ‘crunch’.

Alternate prompt: Aftermath of failure - continuation of day 16 (Code: Red)

Keeping You Company

The constant beep of a heart monitor echoed throughout the room. Mason found himself in the doorframe, a bundle of flowers in his arms.

Prompt: Floral bouquet

Lights Out

They were in an oddly-shaped elevator- it felt familiar. They couldn't do anything as they felt the cables snap under some unseen force, plummeting Phoenix woke up in a cold sweat

Prompt: Blanket

Rue

Mason nervously adjusted his tie as he paced the hospital's waiting room. He knew, logically, Phoenix would be okay, but he needed to see it himself.

Prompt: "Don't move" - Also a continuation of day 8 (So the Blade Pierces Through Me)

Fragmentary

Phoenix thumbed the makeshift license in their hands, eyeing the Agency-issued car. Well, they just hoped it wouldn't explode- but they didn't exactly have the best track record

Prompt: Vehicular accident - be mindful of ieytd 3 spoilers

Stalkers Tango

Phoenix hummed to themself as they bustled around their kitchen, cleaning up the mess they'd made while cooking. They got to work cleaning the dishes

Prompt: Stalking

Doing Everything so Manically

With nimble hands, they grabbed their keycard before leaving the room. If they were quick, they’d be able to escape before anyone realised anything was wrong. Let's just hope their luck won’t run out now.

Alternate prompt: Miscommunication - Continuation of day 13 (Steady-)

Still Standing in the Rain

Phoenix smiled to themself as they looked out the window, eying the bleak grey of the clouds. If they were lucky, it'd start to rain soon.

Prompt: Storm

Set the Stage Aglow

Phoenix usually loves long-term undercover missions but every now and again, it really drains them. They find themself sitting on the edge of a stage.

Prompt: Seeing double

Ember

Phoenix ran their fingers along the edge of the briefcase, occasionally flicking one of the latches. The nuclear codes were safe- they'd get it to the Agency in one piece

Prompt: Matches

Split Decision

Phoenix finally has a day off after God knows how long. They just want to watch a movie

Prompt: "You'll have to go through me"

Take it Back to the Start

Phoenix visits the place where they grew up

Prompt: Troubled past resurfacing

Split the World in Two

Following the events of project [REDACTED]

Prompt: Bridal carry - be wary of ieytd 3 spoilers and the start of a twoshot

Before I Burn Out

Phoenix needs to really stop waking up in places they don't recognise- Now that they think about it, why does their head hurt so much?

Prompt: "Take it easy" - continuation of the day before and some minor ieytd 3 spoilers

[niwatari-rei]

Whumptober 2023 Prompts Masterlist

Emikosuke Prompt 29: "What happened to me?"

Elliot Prompt 24: “I thought they were with you.”

Elliot & Second Hand of time Prompt 22: "Watch out!"

Kyle Endoyle Prompt 25: "They're not breathing!"

Hiwatari Satoshi & Krad Prompt 8: "It's all for nothing."

Hiwatari Satoshi & Sekimoto Masahiro Prompt 21: “Don’t move.”

KeiRio Prompt 15: "I'm fine" Prompt 31: Setbacks

KosuKei Prompt 4: "You in there?" Prompt 26: “You look awful.” Prompt 27: "Let me see." Prompt 28: “You’ll have to go through me.” Prompt 30: "Not much longer."

Niwa Daisuke & Defective/Baku Prompt 9: "You're a liar."

Niwa Daisuke, Harada Risa, Insomnia & Sekimoto Masahiro Prompt 11: "No one will find you."

Niwa Daisuke, Dark Mousy & Hiwatari Satoshi Prompt 6: "It should have been me." Niwa Daisuke & Dark Mousy Prompt 12: "I'm up, I'm up."

Niwa Daisuke, Niwa Emiko & Niwa Kosuke Prompt 20: "You will regret touching them."

Niwa Daisuke & Saehara Takeshi Prompt 19: “I’m not as stupid as you think I am.”

Niwa Daisuke, Saehara Takeshi, & Sekimoto Masahiro Prompt 1: "How many fingers am I holding up?" Prompt 17: “Leave me alone.”

Qualia & Hikari ancestor Prompt 18: Tortured for information

Quarantine Prompt 14: "Just hold on."

Saehara Takeshi & Inspector Saehara Prompt 10: "You said you'd never leave."

Saehara Takeshi x Sekimoto Masahiro Prompt 5: Pinned down

Sekimoto Masahiro Prompt 2: Thermometer Prompt 7: "Can you hear me?" Prompt 23: "Who's there?"

Towa no Shirube & Argentine Prompt 13: "I don't feel so good." Yuukami Prompt 3: Solitary confinement Prompt 16: "Don't go where I can't follow."

[elentary]

Sweet(ish) Whumptober 2023 - Nyariewen - Good Omens (TV), Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett [Archive of Our Own]

Whumptober 2023 is here!!!

...and it's finally complete.

I have used multiple prompts for each day but this is my main theme list.

• 01) “How many fingers am I holding up?” ✌️

• 02) Thermometer 🌡️

• 03) Solitary Confinement 🫥

• 04) Cattle prod ⚡

• 05) Pinned down 🔨

• 06) Made to watch 😢

• 07) Radio silence 🤐

• 08) Outnumbered ⚠️

• 09) Mistaken identity 🙅

• 10) Stranded 🏝️

• 11) Animal trap 🪤

• 12) "I'm up, I'm up" 🧍

• 13) Infection 🦠

• 14) Water inhalation 💦

• 15) "I'm fine" 🫠

• 16) Gurney 🛏️

• 17) Touch aversion 🚫

• 18) Tortured For Information 🤐

• 19) Floral Bouquet💐

• 20) Blanket 🏳️🌈

• 21) Restraints ⛓️

• 22) Glass Shard 🚘

• 23) Shadows😶🌫️

• 24) Hunting 🏹

• 25) Buried Alive ⚰️

• 26) Working To Exhaustion 😵

• 27) Scars 🩹

• 28) Sacrifice 🔪

• 29) Scented Candle🕯️

• 30) Bridal Carry 👰♂️

• 31) “I thought that I was getting better.” 🫨

It was a really funny event and I was able to use multiple prompts at once.

As always, I have been rather late at posting.

But I did all of them!

[lilimonarch]

Doctor Hanahaki - The Memories that Never Return [12]

Doctor Hanahaki Prequel: Whumptober spinoff!

Whumptober day 12: Insomnia, "I'm up, I'm up!" and Lyric prompt

~

I haven't slept in days, but who's counting?

Konoha is tired.

Japanese, to math, to English, to practice, and restless nights built on anxiety and stress. He slumped into class, his vision spotting as he leaned his head on the desk, drowning out the lessons on English waiting for sleep to take him. The only place which lulls him to sleep is the desk as he falls further into stress trying to stay ahead. He hasn't slept well in days, but who's counting? Surely not him, his parents, or his team.

Why is it that his eyebags are seen as a badge of honor and not a cry for help?

"Konoha-" his friend poked him awake, a concerned expression all over her face. "Get up, before Professor Lin comes in-" she was shaking him awake, Konoha struggling as absent tears of exhaustion ran down his face. "Oh my god... Konoha? Are you alright?"

Konoha blinked a few times, turning his head and giving a small grin. "I'm awake, I'm good."

Bokuto is tired.

He trudges through volleyball practice as if it is his only lifeline. Nightmares keep him restless, waking him when he finally manages to fall asleep as he spends the rest of his night messaging peers for comfort or scrolling through older videos and pictures with Akaashi. He didn't think it would hit him as hard as it did, but being on the court didn't feel right. His teary eyes clouded his vision from time to time, and his spikes grew lackluster. He watched as many of the scouts stopped approaching his games, a select few sticking around for the rare moments when Bokuto's talent would shine.

Why is it they only care when he is okay?

"Bokuto," it was a game against a neighboring town, surprisingly one of their better games without Akaashi. One of the scouts approached Bokuto, frowning at the tired eyes lacking any love in the sport. "I heard about your teammate, I hope he recovers soon."

"Thank you, madam," Bokuto nodded, his voice trailing off. "I'm sorry I haven't been on my A-game. I haven't been sleeping too well."

The woman nodded, reaching into her pocket. "I can imagine," he pulled out a business card, a small animal logo printed on the side with the letters MSBY under it. "My name is Nila Rochester, I am one of the scouts for the MSBY black jackals. We're impressed with your work. I'll be coming to more of these games."

Bokuto nodded, rubbing his eyes in exhaustion as the adrenaline of the game died off. "Thank you."

Akaashi is tired.

He tosses and turns in that small hospital bed, waiting for any type of relief as this strange disease rocks his entire body. Shaking with tremors, shaking with fever, shaking from the constant coughing which left his voice as dead as the doctors predicted he would be within a few months. School was no longer a part of his life, not that he could focus for more than an hour at a time. His scholarship gone, his reputation destroyed, his whole-being utterly wrecked. He still held on to the friends who cared the most, Bokuto.

Why is it that he is always thinking of Bokuto?

There was nobody to save him, as he watched the clock in the room tick past the devil's hour in the room which only used the moonlight to illuminate his world view. Akaashi was exhausted, though his body never seem to give himself a break. He glanced out the window from his bed, seeing the stars. One day, he figured he would be up there. So would his friends and family, and they would meet again soon.

Akaashi had heard the doctors discussing a surgery with amnesia, simple overhearing, nothing too hopeful. He wonders if he has amnesia when he dies, will his soul still remember the life he's lived?

Will he still remember the people he's loved?