#role assigned to them by said god and also because everyone around is worse or they're fighting against someone worse.

[featherymainffins]

I love fix-it aus for stories where any attempt to fix shit could only ever make everything worse. They're like sitcoms to me.

[canary3d-obsessed]

Restless Rewatch: The Untamed Episode 18, second part

(Masterpost) (Other Canary Stuff) (Previous Post)

Warning: Spoilers for All 50 Episodes!

Hey OP where’s the funny header gif for this post? Sorry, it was murdered by an angst demon and the framing of these shots.

My Found Family Came to Find Me

Continuing our flashback from last time, we see Baby Wei Ying up a tree, refusing to come down because he's afraid there are dogs. Eventually he falls out of the tree, like a dumbass a child, and Yanli tries but fails to catch him. 

Unlike his grownup counterpart, Baby Wei Ying doesn't pretend he's unhurt when he is hurt. I'd like to put the change at Yu Ziyuan's door, but actually he admits to being hurt during his Gusu summer - he mimics Lan Zhan's stoicism when they're getting beaten, but it doesn't come naturally to him, and he whines a lot afterwards. 

By the time of the Animatronic Dog incident, however, he's laughing off obvious injuries that have secret trauma behind them. By the time he comes back, coreless, from the burial mounds, he won't confide in anyone about his hurts any more, except possibly Wen Qing.

Yanli carries Wei Ying, in a sequence that will be echoed much later in his life when Lan Zhan carries him (gifset here). While they head back, she tells him that Jiang Cheng has a bad temper and to ignore whatever mean things he says. This will also be echoed in the future, when Wei Wuxian says it to Lan Zhan after their argument with Jiang Cheng in the shrine.

Yanli also explains that Jiang Cheng loved his dogs and that he's been very sad since Jiang Fengmian sent them away, demonstrating once again that Jiang Fengmian is a terrible father. Yanli says that Jiang Cheng will be happy to have a friend with him, though. This kind of makes Wei Wuxian's role in Jiang Cheng's life "replacement dog."

Jiang Cheng, after getting over this particular snit, got worried about Wei Wuxian and woke up Yanli to find him, and then went wandering around in the dark like a dumbass a child, and is banged up and crying when the other two find him. Yanli encourages him to apologize to Wei Wuxian and he does, which will not happen again until the very end of the show.  

They all smile and laugh together, as Wei Ying looks to Yanli to guide him through the insanity that his life has suddenly become. 

(more behind the cut!)

They head back to Lotus Pier in a sweet montage of walking and smiling together, with Jiang Cheng carrying the world's most beautiful candle holder with the world's most wind-resistant candle in it, to light their way back. Back in the present day for a brief moment, Jiang Cheng pretends to sleep and listens to his sister insisting that the three of them should always stay together, while a single tear rolls down the side of his face.

Soup is Love, Chapter 1 of 1000

Then we head to the past again. In Jiang Cheng & Wei Ying's now-shared room, Wei Ying sits on the bed trying to figure out how to deal with his grumpy new roommate.

Wei Ying is unsure what to do when confronted with pajama game this strong. Tiny Jiang Cheng is already a fashion king. 

Then he tells Jiang Cheng he's not going to narc him out to the clan leader, since it was his own fault that he hurt his leg. This is all Jiang Cheng needs to hear to decide Wei Ying is all right, and he says that he will help Wei Ying chase away dogs in the future.  In fact, Wei Wuxian will protect Jiang Cheng from punishment basically forever, while Jiang Cheng will continue to threaten Wei Wuxian with dogs...forever.

They shake hands on their new understanding and then jump up and down laughing, Wei Ying's leg being all better now, apparently.  When Yanli arrives (carrying a tray of...can you guess? I'll let you guess), they stop jumping. Wei Ying dives in to give Jiang Cheng a little tickle/embrace in an adorable moment that would have me saying "oh, my ovaries!" if I hadn't surgically sent my ovaries to hell a few years ago.

Yanli introduces Wei Ying to the emotional and gustatorial miracle that is her lotus and ribs soup. He hesitates a long time before tucking in because he's so unused to being fed.

Consent? I Don’t Even Know Her

The flashback wraps up with Yanli conked out on the table from the drugs in the incense burner, while Wei Wuxian, who is somehow unaffected despite sitting almost as close to the smoke as she was, checks on her. Jiang Cheng and his Uggs period-appropriate sock thingies get out of bed to come stand with Wei Wuxian, and have feelings about sending Yanli away after she JUST said she doesn't want to be parted from them.

Wei Wuxian: If she didn't want us to do this, she shouldn't have signed that blanket consent-to-medical-treatment form.   Jiang Cheng: Wen Qing made me sign one of those plus a durable power of attorney, is that bad?

This episode is all about people overriding each others' agency and making massively important decisions without the consent of the people who will be affected. But in a feudal context, it's not a violation, no matter how it feels to the person being controlled. In feudal life, your body belongs to your lord -- your sect leader, in the world of CQL. Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng's choices are overridden by their clan leader's final command to Wei Wuxian.  Wei Wuxian's core is arguably Jiang Fengmian's property--Wei Wuxian certainly sees it that way, just as his hand was Yu Ziyuan's to take if she wished.  

The brothers tenderly tuck Yanli into bed in the rolly cart and hand her off to Song Lan. They talk about how important it is to get her to Lanling and that she's probably going to be mad, as they thank Song Lan for helping them. 

Yanli listens while she sleeps and, in what is becoming a trademark Jiang move, lets a single tear roll down the side of her face. Jiang Cheng points out that Yanli never gets mad at Wei Wuxian and Wei Wuxian is like, true dat.

How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?

Song Lan is always so emotional about every damn thing, I love him. Here he's like OH GOD NO DON'T FORMALLY THANK ME! STOP!!!

Then he starts to ask Wei Wuxian to pass a message to Song Xingchen for him, but then decides not to say anything, making it super obvious that they fought and aren't together. 

Wei Wuxian reacts to this with confusion and distress, probably because he doesn't want to imagine ever having a breakup with his own soulmate. Which he soon will be having.  But possibly he's just upset that his OTP broke up.

After Song Lan takes off, Jiang Cheng gives Wen Qing a rude & perfunctory thank-you bow, turning away before she can return it. Wei Wuxian tells her not to take it to heart - basically everyone who deals with Jiang Cheng gets a version of the "ignore what he says" speech. She says she understands and that in his place she would have behaved worse, which is so totally not true.  

Then she asks Wei Wuxian if he's sure about the core transfer (not in so many words, because the script is being kind of being vague about it, without actually hiding what's happening). His reply pretty much encapsulates the whole Wei Wuxian experience.

Then he and Jiang Cheng walk off, with Jiang Cheng giving us a rear view that had me googling Wang Zhuocheng's fashion shoots to determine if that wagon he's draggin’ is really as delightful as this belt makes it look. Alas, there is not a wealth of photographic evidence for this research, as compared to, for example, photos of Xiao Zhan's outstanding ass.

Wen Qing and Wen Ning see them off, with Wen Qing wishing they valued their lives more. Although, what she and Wen Ning are doing is massive treason, so their lives will be pretty much forfeit if they're caught, so...

The Sunshot Campaign of Like 60 Dudes

Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng walk up the mountain for the whole beginning of the Sunshot campaign, which...okay. Maybe it's like Dunkirk or The Witcher where they intercut stuff that is happening in different timeframes, which is one of my least favorite new film style thingies.

You know, for a guy Wei Wuxian constantly calls "peacock," Jin Ziyuan really doesn't wear a lot of adornment; just some subtle metalwork on his belt with no dangly bits at all, and a single reasonably-sized hair crown. Compared to the extremely fancy Lan Wangji he's almost plain. We already know that Wei Wuxian is a massive hypocrite when it comes to his idea of a perfect boy, however.

So, this is the Lanling Jin army, which consists of literally 60 guys, including the ones on the stairs and Jin Zixuan and Douchebag Dad. How are they going to fight a war with this tiny group? Why do they have such a big plaza? Hasn't anybody on this production learned CGI cloning?

That’s better.

Nie Mingjue and his best bitch Baxia make quick work of the 4 Wen guys who were assigned to hold the Unclean Realm. 

Hello, Daddy Da-Ge!

Squeeee, it's Lan Wangji! He's taking back Cloud Recesses! Ooooohhh we've missed you Lan Wangji.

Look guys he's here! Look how beautiful he is. He's looking at the gate of cloud recesses and thinking thoughts that Lan Xichen or Wei Wuxian could probably see in his bewitching eyes if they were here to see him, which they aren't. But at least he is here!

....and now he's gone again. *cries*

Hares On The Mountains

Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian continue roaming prettily around this pretty mountainside. The locations in this show are such eye candy. 

Young laddies they run like hares on the mountains Young laddies they run like hares on the mountains  Young laddies they run like hares on the mountains  If I was a young lass I’d soon go a hunting

Jiang Cheng starts to have doubts about the whole Baoshan Sanren thing. Wei Wuxian's reply pretty much encapsulates the whole Wei Wuxian experience.  

Then we have just the tenderest blindfolding scene, (more gifs here), which is fodder for your ChengXian dreams, if you have those.

Here's a good place for a sidebar about what is and isn't incest. Whee! In the CDrama context, relationships tend to be more clearly defined than in western media. The mechanism of confession & acceptance means that people either are or are not in a romantic relationship, with few grey areas. So a character can literally say "we grew up as brother and sister, but now we are dating" and when someone looks startled they just say "there's no blood relation" and everyone is like "cool cool" and that's the new definition of the relationship.

For a strong example of this, the extremely wonderful Go Ahead is about a contemporary family in which a girl and two boys, who are not blood relatives, are all raised together, and call each other brother and sister. When they become adults, they and everyone around them expect the girl (now a woman) to marry one of the two men who have been her brothers, while whichever one she doesn't choose will carry on as her sibling. It's treated as the most natural, logical thing in the world; the only question is whether she wants to make that transition, and with whom.

Looked at through this lens, Wei Wuxian's relationships with his adoptive siblings have just as much potential to turn into romances as his relationships with his friends do, and there's nothing creepy about it. As such you can expect my meta to always get into ChengXian moments without treating it as a wrong or forbidden love. Hopeless, of course, because Jiang Cheng is such a prick the power of WangXian is stronger, but that's a different matter.

What is wrong is wearing this fantastic hat & veil combination when the most fashionable person on the mountain is blindfolded and can't see it.

In the course of this blindfolded encounter with Wen Qing, Jiang Cheng gets to kneel before a powerful woman, be led along by a length of silk that's placed in his hand, and then knocked the fuck out and operated on. He'll wake up in a hotel room in a tub full of ice with "we took your kidney" written on the mirror in lipstick, and he'll love every minute of it.  

Soundtrack: 1. Still Fighting it, by Ben Folds 2. Hares on the Mountain, by Steeleye Span

Writing Prompt: The NEXT time somebody blindfolds Jiang Cheng

[tangledstarlight]

with you i’d dance in a storm in my best dress

this is a super month delayed prompt from @ourstarscollided (”holding hands while running through the rain” for our favourite soulmates, Julie and Luke!”) i will accept the super late fees, this is way over the 3-5 businesses days I promised ghfj anyway! mhwa enjoy 💜

julie and luke go on a first date, it really is as simple as that.

(also on ao3, here)

The day that Luke had asked her out, Julie spilt half her coffee on his shoes and the other half on her maths homework. In her head the conversation had gone a little like this:

“Hey Julie do you uh, wanna go see the new How to Train Your Dragon with me tomorrow?”

“Oh, yeah, that sounds cool. Reggie loves those films.”

“Oh I uh, mean just–– just me. You and me. Us. Just. The two of us.”

“Like –– a date?”

“Yeah?”

And then she’d knocked her cup over. Coffee spreading across the library table and onto Luke’s shoes and seeping into the carpet. Their school librarian had come storming over at Julie’s loud exclamation and ushered them both out of the building with a glare.

In reality there had been a lot of awkward pausing and wide eyed staring and Luke rubbing at the back of his neck as he waited for her to answer and then mumbled apologies and burning cheeks.

So, it was worse. For her at least.

But she prefers the version in her head with the lack of stuttering and blushing, so that’s what she tells Flynn an hour later as she lies on her bed, phone pressed to her ear as she stares at her fairy lights.

“So? What did you say?” Flynn’s voice filters through the phone and Julie can practically hear the giddy edge to it.

“I uh—” she pauses, chewing on her bottom lip as her mind flashes back to them standing in the parking lot of the school, Julie trying to shove coffee stained sheets of paper into her bag and Luke cringing at the squelching sound his shoes made with every step.

He had opened his mouth to say something — Julie doesn’t know what, because her heart and brain had finally caught up by then and where on the same page as she blurted out a, “Yes! To the uh, the movie. And the— the date. If—if that’s still—”

“No! I mean, yes, I mean yeah I—” he stuttered, sucking in a breath before smiling at her, shy and sweet. “Yes I still want to. Have to do worse than spill coffee on my shoes to scare me off, Molina.” And he’d bitten his bottom lip slightly as he’d laughed, and Julie had blushed a little more at the earnest tone in his voice.

“I said yes,” she whispers into the phone, because a part of her is still sitting in the library thinking she’s completely misheard him and doesn’t want to pop this little bubble quite yet.

“Jules!” Flynn squeals and Julie has to pull her phone away from her ear a little to avoid permanent damage, “You’re going on a date with Luke! This is big. This is huge. Okay, what time are you meeting him? We have to find you the perfect outfit and I need a time scale here.”

She lets the bubble pop, lets Flynn’s excitement stoke her own until she’s off her bed and rooting through her wardrobe and making plans for what time Flynn should come over tomorrow to help her get ready. By the time they say goodbye and hang up, Julie is smiling and barely containing her excitement.

Because see, she’s kind of had a huge massive crush on Luke since they were kids. It had come and gone over the years — seeing him shove two whole slices of pizza in his mouth at the age of eleven had done a lot to kill the crush for a while. But then it was freshman year and he’d run into music class late with the biggest smile on his face as he declared he’d finally perfected part of his guitar solo for their assignment. Don’t ask Julie why that had been the moment the crush came back in full force, because she doesn’t know.

They’d always sort of been friends, the way you’re sort of friends with everyone you’ve known since kindergarten, where you’ve been to all their birthday parties and know all the cheesy roles they’ve played in school plays. Julie doesn’t know when they went from being casual friends who said hi in the hallway to being friends and talking everyday.

(That’s not strictly true, Julie knows it happened sometime between her mom dying and music sounding like roaring in her ears and almost being kicked from the music program and the boys joining her on stage without hesitation to help her keep her place. If she really had to pinpoint it, it would be the day he found her crying at a piano in an unused music room and had closed the blinds, locked the door and just sat with her.)

She knows that there’s been— moments over the last few months. Moments where she catches him looking at her, moments where she swears he blushes when she looks at him, moments where their hugs have lasted just a few seconds too long. But Julie hadn’t ever really thought they meant anything. At least not to him. (To her they meant a lot.)

Because he was Luke, with his charming smile and sleeveless shirts and rockstar image, and she was just Julie and they were just friends and why would he ever look at her as anything else?

All she knows is that now they were juniors and in a band and best friends and he’d asked her out on a date.

Julie collapses onto her bed, head hitting her pillows and hair flying into her face as the thought hits her fully, “Holy shit,” she whispers, clutching a pillow to her chest and finally, finally lets a giddy smile take over her face.

She’s going on a date with Luke Patterson and it’s utterly terrifying. He’s one of her best friends, what happens if it goes terribly? Do they have to stop being friends? Do they enter an awkward few months where they don’t know how to act around each other? Oh god maybe this was a terrible idea. Maybe she should text him and fake an illness. Maybe chicken pox, the chances of him remembering her having them when she was nine have got to be pretty low.

But, he’d asked her out with that silly little nervous habit of rubbing at the back of his neck and there’s been all the little moments over the last fews months and — it’s Luke. Julie blows out a breath and raises her pillow a little higher to tuck under her chin.

She’s going to go on a date with Luke and it’s terrifying, but it’s the kind of terrifying she feels whenever she gets up on a stage by herself to perform a new song. It’s the kind of terrifying that fills her with excitement too. She decides to focus on the excitement. 

//

Julie manages to push aside all her worries and fears and nerves all day and most of the afternoon when Flynn shows up, lunch in one hand and make up bag in the other. She even manages to forget about it when she’s holding her hair up and letting it drop back down her back, eyebrows raised at Flynn as they try to decide what to do with it. She manages to forget all about her fears as they deliberate between a dress or jeans and argue over what’s considered more casual.

And then Flynn leaves with an air kiss and a thumbs up and Julie is left at the top of the stairs tucking her hair behind her ears and pulling it back as she tilts her head at herself in the mirror. Objectively Julie knows she’s okay looking, knows that her family has always told her she’s beautiful and that Flynn hadn’t even hesitated to say she looked gorgeous before leaving.

But well, they had to say stuff like that. They were her family. Luke was...Julie didn’t know what Luke was right now, but she knew he was important — now and forever — and maybe it made her shallow but she wanted him to think she looked pretty.

Her nerves don't set back in until there’s a knock at her door and Carlos is running for it before she can stop him.

“Luke,” is all she can hear from the top of the stairs, and though Carlos is blocking most of her view she can just make out the cuffs of jeans and a pair of vans. She wonders if they’re still squeaking when he walks.

“Hey Carlos can I—” the sound of Luke’s voice sends a flurry of butterflies into her stomach and she sucks in a breath to try and settle her nerves. Why is she even nervous? It’s Luke! They’ve hung out hundreds of times before, they’re friends, they’re going on a date. Oh god. Okay.

Julie brushes her hands down the skirt of her dress and blows out a breath as she looks at herself in the mirror one last time. They’re just going for food and to see a movie. Something they’ve done hundreds of times before. It’s casual. It’s why she’d opted to wear her favourite sneakers instead of the heels Flynn has dug out of her closet. It’s a date, but it’s a casual date. As long as she keeps telling herself that she’ll be fine.

“Get it together,” she whispers to herself, tucking a curl behind her ear and nodding once. She can do this.

It’s just Luke.

She stops halfway down the stairs at the sight of her dad and brother talking to Luke in the doorway. Luke, who’s wearing a dark blue button down and jeans without rips and–– oh god he’s bought her flowers. Either she makes a noise or he’d been glancing up at the stairs because he’s looking at her, eyes a little wide with a soft smile that makes heat rush to her cheeks. Ducking her head, Julie descends the last few steps until she’s stood in front of him, her dad and brother stepping back to watch them. Fuck.

“You look—”

“—are those—”

They both start at the same time and Julie giggles while Luke rubs at the back of his neck with his free hand.

“You look really nice and um—” he hesitates, eyes briefly glancing over her shoulder where she can only assume her family are watching this awkwardness unfold. “These are for you.”

He holds the flowers out towards her, a collection of pale purples and bright yellows, and if she had time right now she’d try to name each of them. But she can feel her dad and brother still watching them and there’s a red flush starting to show up on Luke’s cheekbones.

They really need to get out of her house before one of them turns totally red.

“Thank you they’re… they’re really pretty,” she turns around, handing the flowers to her dad and quickly turning back, picking her purse and phone up from the table by the door, “Can you put them in water for me please? Okay, bye!”

They make it through the door and almost to the porch steps before her dad is at the door calling out to them, “No later than 10:30!”

“I know dad!”

An awkward silence falls over them as they walk to his car and Julie tries desperately to come up with something to say, finally blurting out, “You’re wearing sleeves.”

Her hands wave at his shoulders and biceps covered in fabric. Julie’s not sure when the last time was that she’d seen his arms so covered. Maybe the winter showcase last year when Reggie had said they needed to dress up and forced him into a suit jacket. But that hadn’t been voluntary.

“My mom said I couldn’t go on a date with my shoulders showing. Apparently it would be rude?” He phrases it like a question, an eyebrow raised as he looks at her, as if she’d have an opinion on his bare shoulders being rude or not. She didn’t know date etiquette. Was it rude?

“I wouldn’t have been personally offended by them,” she shrugs, shooting him a small smile and feeling grateful when he laughs.

This is fine, they’re going to be fine. They just have to get over this awkward start and weirdly charged silences. Maybe it was a good job they were seeing a movie first, no chance for awkward conversation as they tried to find their footing. Julie blows out a breath and smiles up at him.

“So, how annoyed is Reggie that we’re seeing this without him?”

And it's like every other time they've hung out, only her fingers keep brushing against his and he keeps looking at her shyly from the corner of his eye while he drives. Its the same but it's different but Julie thinks it's maybe a good kind of different.

//

By the time they leave the movie theatre, hands brushing as they walk side by side, Julie’s feeling a little more settled in their date. Or a little more settled in herself at least.

Settled in the shy glances and shared popcorn and the way Luke had left his hand palm up on the arm rest between them and she’d felt brave enough during the second half of the film to lay hers on top.

She was feeling that much more confident about their date that, as they walked towards the entrance talking about the film, she was seconds away from closing the gap between their brushing hands and linking their fingers together. Which is of course when they both notice it’s raining.

In LA. Which, well Julie doesn’t know if she believes in signs or omens, but she’s pretty sure this classes as one. And she's not sure if it's a good or bad one.

“Fuck,” Luke mutters as he looks outside at the falling rain before looking down at her, a small furrow between his brows. The two of them both clearly remembering how he’d parked six blocks away because it was cheaper. And how neither of them have a coat or a jacket or even a bag worth holding over her hair.

“Guess we’re going to have to run,” she shrugs, shooting him a quick smile before making sure her phone is stashed safely in her purse.

“Or we could wait it out?”

“What? Scared of a little rain?” she teases, eyebrow quirked as she looks up at him.

“No,” he huffs out a laugh, one hand coming up to tug playfully at one of her curls letting it stretch out before springing back, his hand left hovering next to her shoulder, “But your hair?”

Her eyes soften a little as she shrugs one shoulder — and maybe it’s the one under his hand, and maybe she only does it so his palm and fingers will brush against the exposed skin of where her neck meets shoulder and maybe she stands a little awkwardly to prolong that concat. It’s all maybes. There’s no proof that’s why she does it — and smiles, “I was going to wash it tomorrow anyway. Come on Patterson, I bet if we run fast enough we can dodge the raindrops.”

“Not to sound like Alex but I don’t think that’s possible,” he bites his bottom lip slightly as he laughs and if she was feeling a little braver right now, Julie thinks she might have kissed him. But she’s not feeling brave enough for that. “You sure you don’t want to wait it out?”

“You ready to run?” She asks instead, turning towards the doors and holding her hand out to him. Maybe she’s not brave enough to kiss him, but holding his hand as they run through the rain? That feels doable.

She wiggles her fingers up at him a dare, a challenge, a question, all wrapped up together as she waits to see if he’ll take her hand. And she only has to wait a heartbeat before his palm is slapping down on hers, fingers slotting between each other and he’s tugging her towards the door.

“Oh I’m ready to run. I’m not sure you’re ready to keep up.”

He doesn’t give her a chance to respond before he’s pulling open the door and Julie is squealing as the first drops of rain hit her head and splash against her bare shins.

“Thought you knew how to dodge raindrops,” Luke teases as he pulls her along and Julie squeezes his hand before tugging him towards a puddle in the pavement to kick water up at him.

The indigent squeak of protest that leaves his lips makes her laugh in response, that only grows at the pout on his lips as he pulls at their joint hands until she has to stumble away from the puddle and into his side. And Luke lifts his arm until she gets the idea of ducking under it until her back is against his front and his arms wrap around her waist, picking her up off the ground and laughing into her hair at the startled squeak she makes, fingers cold even through her dress as he carries her away from the puddle with a huff of breath in her ear. “Oh I’m going to get you back for that.”

She doesn’t doubt him, and is kind of giddy in her excitement about what he might do. There’s something about the rain falling around them and the way it makes the empty streets and parking lots look that makes her forget she was ever worried in the first place.

Because she’s Julie and he’s Luke and she forgets sometimes, that things that are supposed to be scary are easy with him. The first time she sang after her mom, the first time she drove without her dad, the first time she snuck out her bedroom window. She feels like she can do anything as long as he’s by her side. She feels pretty fearless.

The second her feet hit the ground again she turns around his arms, trailing her own cold fingers up his wrists and forearms to circle around his biceps, tucking her fingers under the hems of his shirts sleeves and chooses to decide the shiver that runs through him is due to the rain that’s starting to slow around them and not the way she’s starting tracing idle patterns into his warm skin.

“How are you going to get me back?” She whispers, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth as she looks up at him. At the way the rain has plastered his hair across his forehead, at how his eyes dart from her lips to her eyes and back again.

“I’m sure I’ll think of something,” he says softly and she feels his fingers flex against her back and Julie definitely can’t blame the shiver that runs through her on the rain or the cold air because while they’ve been staring at each other it’s stopped raining and now they’re just standing in a parking lot in each other arms.

If it wasn’t quickly becoming her favourite place she might feel a little more embarrassed.

“Jules,” he whispers and she’s momentarily distracted by the way his tongue darts out to wet his lips that she almost misses his next words, “I uh I had a plan. We were going to have a picnic in that park you like? But I— well. I didn’t plan for the rain.”

She blinks at him, pulling her thoughts away from his lips and how they’d feel against hers and back to the moment and— a laugh bubbles past her lips, leaning her forehead against his shoulder as she lets his words fully register. She can feel a chuckle rumble through him where she’s pressed against his chest and his fingers dig slightly into her sides.

“In my defence, it’s LA. No one ever plans for rain,” he mutters into her hair and that makes her laugh again.

Pulling back just enough to look at his face she shakes her head at him, ignoring the way droplets of water fall down her back from her hair as teases him, “Wow and here was me thinking you’d prepared for everything.”

“If you don’t hold it against me I promise to prepare for rain for our next date,” Luke says it casually, but his fingers have started tapping lightly on her back and his eyes are wide and hopeful, looking so much like he had the day before that Julie can’t stop the smile that pulls at her lips.

“If you don’t show up with umbrellas and raincoats I’ll never trust you again,” even as she says the words she knows they’re a lie. Julie’s pretty sure there’s no one she trusts more. Fingers tapping against his biceps she offers, “We can eat in your car?”

“Mhm sounds like a plan,” he agrees but makes no move to let her go and she doesn’t do anything to move away either. He looks like he’s working himself up to something and it's then that Julie realises that he’s just as nervous about this as she is and that if she has to wait for Luke to make the first move they might be standing here for a long time.

So she lets that feeling of fearlessness from earlier flood back in, lets her fingers slide out from under his sleeves and wrap around his neck, pulling herself up onto her tiptoes until they’re almost eye to eye. Their height differences has never been so obvious to her as it is right now and she can’t decide if she likes it or wishes she’d worn the heels.

“Luke?” she whispers.

“Yeah?” his breath blows across her lips and she’s so close she can almost hear the way he swallows.

“Are you going to kiss me now?”

Julie doesn’t realise she’s been holding her breath until it wooshes out of her when he pulls her even closer with one arm around her waist and the other traveling to cup the back of her head as his lips finally touch hers. It’s messy and rushed and wet with rain, but Luke’s lips are soft and careful until she pulls herself up just a little higher and can deepen it. Teeth catching and lips pulling into smiles and soft groans as she scratches lightly at his scalp. 

She’s kissed boys before, pecks on the lips and a disastrous seven minutes in a closet with Nick last year and an awkward first date with one of the boys from her maths class who had transferred the next year. None of them had been perfect or great or even good and she’d wondered if it was her. If she was the bad kisser.

But standing in an almost empty parking lot with the street lights reflecting off the wet tarmac with Luke’s arms around her, holding her, his lips chasing after hers as she pulls away to breathe? It’s imperfect and perfect and everything she never knew she’d been missing.

“That was—”

“—god you’re beautiful, did I tell you that earlier?”

Luke’s words cut her off as he presses his lips to the corner of her mouth, to just under her ear, to her jaw.

“I—” but she doesn’t know how to finish her sentence, a furrow between her brows as she leans back a little in his arms so she can see his face, shaking her head with a small laugh, “I’m soaked through with rain and my hair is a total mess. I don’t think beautiful is the right word here.”

“Bullshit,” he states, the hand that had been holding the back of her head, fingers tangled in wet curls, comes around to cup her cheek, calloused thumb brushing across her cheekbone once, twice, as his eyes roam around her face before focusing sorely on her eyes. “You’re the most beautiful person in any room or parking lot or space on earth. In the whole universe. Rain soaked hair doesn’t change that.”

“Oh,” is all she can get out as a blush rushes into her cheeks and she knows that Luke notices because his thumb strokes against it again and his lips pull up into a half smile that she knows means he’s about to say something incredibly dumb that will ruin the incredibly sweet moment. So she leans forward and presses her lips against his before he gets the chance.

//

They drape the blanket Luke had bought for the picnic across the back seat of his car and try their best to get dry without losing any clothing or soaking the seats. He pulls out a basket from the trunk filled with her favourite soda and slightly squashing sandwiches and cookies she knows his mom must have helped him bake and unevenly sliced carrot sticks that scream of Reggie throwing them in at the last minute. Luke passes her the aux cord and she skips through a playlist until she finds something she likes and they let his terrible car radiator try to warm them up while they eat their picnic. Though really it’s his arm around her shoulders and his hand covering her knee and her fingers trailing up and down his arm that do most of the warming up.

At 10:25 he walks her up to her front door, biting at his bottom lip as he bounces on the balls of his feet and glancing from the door to her and back again.

“So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. For band practice,” Luke says, his eyes still going from the door to her and back again and it’s starting to make her a little dizzy.

“Mhm,” she mumbles, taking a half step towards him, hoping it’ll keep his eyes in one place. Which they do. On her lips. And she doesn’t even try to stop the smile that pulls at them when she realises it. Pushing up on to her tiptoes again she kisses him once, quickly, sweetly and starts to step away. She only makes it as far as lifting one foot up before Luke is wrapping a hand around her waist to pull her back to him, lips moving together in a way that’s different from the kisses they’ve already shared. When he pulls away to breathe she presses a kiss to his cheek and finally manages to step away while he’s looking a little stunned. “Text me when you get home okay? I’ll see you tomorrow Luke.”

She opens her front door and slips inside before she can change her mind and stand on her front pouch kissing him all night. Because she could do that. Spend a whole night just kissing him. Julie presses her fingers to her lips as a giddy smile takes over her face, twitching aside the curtain that covers the window next to the door in time to see Luke getting into his car and driving away.

For their next date three days later they go to the arcade by the pier, and she doesn’t even care about the odd looks everyone around them shoots their way at the peeling laughter that erupts out of her when he pulls a bright yellow umbrella out of the trunk of his car with a wink.

[capesandshapes]

Yours (Ladynoir)

Summary:

Marinette is crushed when Lila shows up to lunch with a matebite of her own, insisting that it's from Adrien. The shock finally leads her to make a decision, one which her kitty is hesitant to agree to.

“You’re an alpha,” she said, voice shaking as she crawled closer, admitting the facts that they’d long ignored. “I’m an omega.” “I know,” he replied miserably. “You need to start pulling away, you’re starting to warm up and I can almost scent you.” "Bite me."

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

Cold.

She wasn’t sure if it was her or the slow breezes rolling through Paris that night, lifting stray strands of hair and depositing them in her eyes when she needed them the least. She brushed them away, securing the hair behind her ears as she pulled herself daringly closer to the edge of the rooftop she sat upon, eyes glimpsing momentarily out to the city before her arms wrapped around her knees, pulling them in so that her chin could rest upon them.

Inwardly, she cursed the effects of biology, hot tears biting at the corners of her eyes that likely wouldn’t exist if DNA had assigned her any other role. Alpha or Beta, she could have lived with those, she could have fought through this if it were one of them-- but Omega? Of course she had to be born like this, of course she had to have that building sensation gnawing at her stomach that made actual rational thoughts a haze.

And of course Lila freakin’ Rossi had to claim to receive his mate mark, the telltale purple ring of teeth marks making it undeniable. Adrien wore scent maskers for his own sake, but it made sense that the overwhelming smell of Adrien branded cologne would have been crafted from him.  

What was supposed to be another normal lunch date with Alya had quickly devolved into her walking away alone, Lila repeatedly reassuring Alya that she gets it because, you know,  Omegas are just so emotional sometimes ! Lila might have been a Beta, but she was also a Cancer and that made her extra empathetic.  

Marinette was not a fan of astrology… or Lila. Or, as of half an hour ago, Adrien Agreste.

How could he mate  her ? Out of all the people, why Lila?

Was Marinette really that blind?  

And now she was the last one! Everyone else had already gone around biting each other-- and even if her parents said that things don’t always happen quite as early, Marinette was sick of it! Sick of being alone, sick of shivering in her nest with nothing to hold and no one to hold her-- of waiting again and again for someone to see her--

Of sitting in black and red alone on rooftops alone, because that was the only way she could even hope to escape the pinkened haze that overcame her. At least when she was Ladybug, she could think. At least when she was Ladybug no one gave her pitying looks, smelling the oncoming wave of heat approaching her and noting the perfectly pale and unmarked skin on her neck. At least when she was Ladybug, she was never really alone.

“Hey bug,” a voice from behind greeted her as if on cue. His body easily slid into the space beside her as his arm ran around the small of her back in greeting, head falling against her shoulder as he very clearly took in her miserable expression.

She didn’t speak. There was nothing really left to say, not in this situation. Instead, she let her head slump on top of his, hand finally relinquishing the grip on her knees if only to respond to him.

She was expecting him, though she wouldn’t say it. She always expected him at moments like this. She wouldn’t tell him that, or even admit it to herself but, that was the reason that she came out there half the time.

She knew, and he must have been aware as well, exactly what her partner was. She knew it from the way that one touch never felt enough, the way that he always knew the exact moments she needed him the most, and that desire that kept coming in waves over and over again to just have something-- just a little bit of him-- to keep as her own.

Chat was an Alpha and she was another blushing Omega trying to fight the tides of nature.

“You want to talk about it?” he asked, thumb drawing long, gentle strokes just below her ribs.

“No,” she lied, the hint of a sob immediately betraying her. God she was pathetic, crying over the matebite of a boy that she never had any claim to to begin with.

“Mhm.”

His disbelief was evident, coaxing out of her, as it always did, the truth of her misery. She tried to bite it back, but it came tumbling out as usual, every little thought that she didn’t want anyone to know. “Do you ever feel like we’re falling behind? Like everyone else is onto something and they’re moving on, and you’re just dragging on behind them. Everyone has someone, absolutely everyone now, and here I am just struggling to get by.” Her eyes drifted to his neck, momentarily eyeing the pale, unmarked skin there, “well not everyone, but--”

“You feel alone,” he summarized, voice sounding like he knew about being alone in the seemingly endless ways that she did.

“Very alone,” she confirmed, allowing her knees to fall to the side and her body to slump further into his with a sigh of defeat. “Someday you’re going to have an omega and I’m not going to have this anymore, and I’m going to have to learn to get by. You’re going to be in love and I’ll be happy for you, but miserable at the same time.”

“I’m not going to have an omega,” he laughed, pulling his head out from under hers with a grin. He leaned further into her vision, exaggeratedly rolling his eyes at her. “How would I get the time? I told you, I’m a college student and I plan to be a college student for many years more. There’s no way I can balance that, being a superhero, friends, and work all at the same time. By the second week she’d be wearing turtleneck sweaters around me in case the thought so much as crossed my mind.”

“You say that now…”

“I say that every single time you bring up that ridiculous idea,” Chat shook his head, settling back in beside her. “Besides, I told you, I have a lot to get over before I can so much as think of meeting someone new,” he said pointedly, eyes trained on the city but a hint of a smirk still on his lips.

Right.

“What if it was me,” she began. It was normally a hypothetical statement, one which he responded to with grandiose visions of moonlight nights, well-padded nests, and an insistence that he would wear the mark on his neck as if one of honor. She loved when he responded like that, when he gave her all those fantasies to fixate on later in the night. That night it didn’t feel so hypothetical.

“You’ve gone delirious from heat,” Chat said, his eyes dropping back down to his lap.  

“I’ve not,” she said, though her heart had begun to beat like she was already gone. Too much excitement, too much want. Chat, chat, chat, chat-- how could she ever imagine Adrien at her side when Chat was the one who was always there?

Mating didn’t have to be about love-- but could she deny that she loved him just a little bit?

“Ladybug,” he warned.

She wouldn’t listen to him, wouldn’t let herself be swayed by things such as logic and reason. “Ladybug and Chat Noir, we’re two halves of a whole! It makes sense!” She insisted, grabbing his hands as he began to pull away, hoping that the clarity in her eyes would convince him of how overwhelmingly present she was at that moment. “Chat, I--”

“What about the other guy?” He interrupted, pulling back.

“He has someone,” she replied, the immediately flinched at the way that his eyes widened. Before he could pull away, she lunged forward, face just inches from his as she tried to keep his gaze. “It’s not like that, we’re not like that. I mean maybe I realized because of that but you’re--” She exhaled, hands tightening around his as an overwhelming need to pull closer gnawed at her. No doubt he saw her pupils grow as she looked at him, really looked at him.

It was biology, plain and simple. They’d been sidestepping the boundaries of desire through suits and determination, now she was really looking at him and she couldn’t fight back the blood of an omega loudly begging for more.

“You’re an alpha,” she said, voice shaking as she crawled closer, admitting the facts that they’d long ignored. “I’m an omega.”

“I know,” he replied miserably. “You need to start pulling away, you’re starting to warm up and I can almost scent you.”

She was, wasn’t she? She was starting to feel miserably warm, miserably close to the edge of the cliff known as heat-- a place where logical thoughts and awareness went to die. She didn’t want to drop it, to lose herself to desire and have him write it off as a onetime moment of insanity. More than that, she didn’t want him to give in and the moment to be lost to her in the haze of need. “Bite me,” she half commanded, half begged him. A part of her was terrified that he wouldn’t agree, that she was so terrible an omega that he no longer wanted her.

His eyes clenched shut, hands desperately clenching down onto hers as he tried to inhale and gather enough air to hold his breath. Unfortunately, there was too much of her lingering in the air for him not to recognize.  

His eyes snapped open, body jerking back as the scent of vanilla and cinnamon lingered in the air, her wettened eyes staring back at him. She knew from that motion alone, a hint of a sob escaping her as doubt, the kind bred by those awful hormones, began to overtake her. He knew, he knew exactly who she was now.

His hands pulled away from hers and a sob racked her body, the fear of rejection overcoming her. It wouldn’t be because she was Marinette, Chat liked Marinette for who she was, it would be because she’d waited too long. It would be because he’d actually already done the moving on thing, he’d just lied to placate her.  

His body turned to face her wholly and it was worse, so much worse than knowing Adrien had chosen Lila. It was worse than sitting alone, worse than looking at the mark on Alya’s throat and being reassured that it would happen someday, worse than every single time he vanished at an Akuma’s hands and she had to worry whether he would come back or not.

No, with this he would change it all. They’d still work together but there wouldn’t be moments like this. He would pull away, he would--

His lips gently touched the tip of her nose, bringing her back to reality.

“Do you hear me, Marinette?” he said, checking that it was still here, that she was not lost yet. His face was close, far too close, and her lips fell open in awe at the way the gold of his hair caught the moonlight. “I said yes,” he explained, thumb brushing a stray tear from underneath her eye. “Only if you’re here, but yes.” A beautiful smile crossed his lips at her ragged exhale, his forehead brushing against hers. The smell of apple, cheese, and that little bit of sweetness was overwhelming, so much better than the expensive cologne she’d once inhaled. “I need to hear you say it, I’m not going to mark you if you’re gone.”

“I love you,” not at all the words she meant to say but looking at the deep green in front of her, she couldn’t say anything else. It didn’t matter that she didn’t know who was under the mask, or that someday she’d have to explain the mark to someone else. It most certainly did not matter that Lila had Adrien’s mark because, looking at the man in front of her she knew; it was Chat, it was always Chat.

And to him, it was always Marinette.

One bite, and that was all it ever would be.

There was nothing comparable to his responding smile, she was almost disappointed by how suddenly it was taken away when his lips brushed against hers, pressing a tender kiss to the corner of her mouth. Her eyes closed as he moved to her neck, exposing that juncture between throat and shoulder to her so easily. One inhale, the pressure rising in her chest and…

“I love you too, Marinette.”

The world flashed as teeth collided with flesh.

[unmaskedagain]

You had a Friend in Me

           I’M BACK!! Oh god its been two weeks since I posted a story. I missed you guys like crazy. Hopefully you like my newest piece. I went a... Unique direction. Enjoy!

 She didn’t stumble, fall, and break like they expected her to. There was no big meltdown or confrontation. No apologies. Or promises to do better. No, when nearly everyone in class made it clear they weren’t friends with Marinette anymore; nothing happened. They had accused her of being mean to Lila and a bully as the reasons they couldn’t be friends anymore and had expected the girl to defend herself at the very least.

           Marinette just shrugged, and that was it.

           Even when they asked her to resign from being class president, she easily stood up and said she quit.

           Most of the class, Alya, in particular wanted to be angry at her lack of reaction; shout and scream at the bluenette for seeming not to care about the severance of their friendships. But how could they?

           They knew it was their choice. They were mature enough to know that everyone reacted differently to things. And yelling at Marinette for not being emotional enough at the fact that they weren’t friends anymore just showed their own immaturity. And that would be like telling Marinette she won; and that wasn’t worth it.

           Besides, It was only September, they were sure Marinette would come crawling back to them soon.

…

…

           Marinette never did.

…

           On the outside, it didn’t look like much had changed with the class. While the class weren’t friends with Marinette, they still chose to be cordial. They still did assigned group projects with. Everyone doing their part. However, no one went out of their way to speak with the Bluenette. And she did the same and seemed content.

           Despite appearances, things had definitely changed in class. And it didn’t take long for everyone to realize it.

           The first was Alix’s birthday. Everyone had been so excited. Birthdays were always the best for Bustier’s class. The entire classroom would be decorated. There would be cake and balloons; a wonderful and thoughtful perfectly wrapped present.

           However, when the kids arrived that morning, it was too the same ordinary classroom as the day before.

           It was disappointing to say the least. The kids scrambled to try to throw something, anything together before Alix arrived. However, it was too late. Alix arrived not long after them, and seeing the smile fall from her face broke their hearts.

           No one knew what to say. Or how to explain why nothing was decorated. Why there was no cake and or gift. They sat awkwardly at their desks.

           It was only after Marinette arrived, just a few minutes before the bell rang, that they all got their answer.

           Marinette. Marinette had been the class president. The class president was responsible for any class birthday, trip, or fundraiser. She had always gone above and beyond. Unlike, Chloe, the previous class president, who only ever put in their bare minimum (and she made Sabrina do that); a cupcake, a balloon tied to their desk, and a card signed by the entire class.

           Marinette had been their friend so she always made sure to do her very best to celebrate. But she wasn’t class president anymore. And she wasn’t their friend. She wasn’t obligated to do anything.

           So she didn’t.

           And while the class had been meaning to, they never got around to electing a new class president to replace the one their forced out of office.

           It burned a little.

           Particularly, when the class realized they were hard pressed to find volunteer to assume the role. No one had that much time on their hands. No one wanted to be responsible for anything going wrong. Or not living up to expectations.

           Friend or not, they could admit Marinette was a hard act to follow.

           Unfortunately, to prevent Chloe from taking the job again, Alya was forced to step up.

           It didn’t take long to realize that planning for fundraisers and dances and parties was equivalent to the work of seven people. She didn’t know how Marinette handled it so well.

           School trips, once amazing and carefully planned to the last detail, now were boring and hastily put together; the best one was a trip to the museum, mostly because they got to have ice cream after.

           Fresh baked sweets on big tests days were gone too. It had become a tradition that on days of major, study hard and cram for weeks prior, tests that treats were brought in the morning. It lightened the tension of the day, and just made everyone feel better.

           The morning of a huge math test that had caused a few kids to hyperventilate the day before and of; delicious goods were nowhere to be found.

           When the bell rang, Kim had quickly asked Bustier where the food was.

           To which the teacher replied, “Marinette always asked me if she could bring them in for her friends.”

           And that was all they needed to know.

           It sucked but it was something they could live without.

           Favors were the next thing they realized were gone.

           Before whenever they needed something; they would automatically go to Marinette for help. A babysitter, sweets, costumes, dresses, set design.

           Alya and Nino found themselves spending their date nights watching their young siblings together. Most of their friends refused to babysit. And the few that were willing were far too busy.

           Mylene found that the school play’s custom designed costumes were a thing of the past. So were the artfully decorated set designs.

           Alix had to make her own banners. So did Kim.

           Rose couldn’t just run to Marinette when she need a new fabulous dress. Marinette had always made it clear that she was willing to help out a friend whenever they asked her about costs.

           Then the favors they never realized they even got were gone.

           Discounts at the bakery were only for friends and family. Unfortunately that also meant the discount for their families were gone as well.

           Ladybug suddenly stopped giving Alya interviews. And when Alya asked why, the hero said she only did it because the reporter was Marinette’s friend. It hurt the Ladyblog badly.

           Someone coming to defend them whenever Chloe threw a tantrum and managing to calm the blond down. Even Alya found she wasn’t as much of match as thought, when the spoiled rotten girl was on rampage.

           This effect class morale dramatically. And it wasn’t before long that the class shifted to what it was like before Alya or Adrien came to school, with Chloe trying to declare dominance every other second. But this time, the other students were cowed like they used to be. No, they had seen Marinette standing up for herself and them for years. If she could do it, so could they. Sadly, they weren’t enough. With just the right amount of effort, Chloe could intimidate anyone.

           Adrien who was soon confused about why the friend safe haven had suddenly turned hostile

           Marinette just shook her head. Chloe asked (ordered) Marinette to come to her penthouse one October morning. The blonde had realized the dynamic in class had changed dramatically and wanted to seize the opportunity with an iron first; and she knew she couldn’t do that if Dupain-Cheng was still her number one enemy.

Chloe proceeded to lay down an offer of truce. Chloe and Marinette would leave each other alone, would stay out of each other’s way, and didn’t interfere with anything the other did unless it was school related so they absolutely had to. There would be no threats, stealing, lies, or intimidation from Chloe towards Marinette. In return, Marinette would let Chloe do her thing without trying to defend or save anyone.

As long as both did that, there would be peace.

Marinette agreed.

Thus Chloe’s reign for her symbolic iron throne began. The queen bee had no illusions of who was who. Marinette was a Stark. Chloe: a Lannister.  But Chloe was a smart lion. She had no problems letting the North be independent away from the rest of the kingdom. Chloe’s kingdom.

And much like show, there was no win or lose. When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground. And Chloe would win.

Lila was the first to feel to the effects. Chloe refused to have competition for Queen Bee. And the Italian girl became took Marinette’s place as her new number one target.

Lila soon learned that dealing with Marinette was one thing, dealing with Chloe was a whole different animal.  While Marinette fought for peace, Chloe was more than willing to rage war. And unlike Marinette, Chloe didn’t care what anyone thought about her. Lila could scream to the world about how much of a bully Chloe was but what did it matter. Everyone in class knew that already.

She couldn’t threaten Chloe like she did Marinette. In fact, the Chloe regularly threatened her. In front of the other students, and Bustier.

She couldn’t try to get Chloe expelled as Damocles was quick to bend to the blonde’s will.

Chloe regularly “Accidently” tripped Lila, ruined her homework, stole any projects she had, destroyed her phone one time, verbally ripped her to shreds in front of everyone and even worse in private. Chloe would play mean and outright nasty pranks that would leave Lila in tears. More than a few sets of clothes were destroyed. To make everything worse, the blond brat routinely made her look like a fool in front of Adrien. She even got her mother to mock the Agreste brand about their use of a lackluster model to the point where Gabriel fired her.

Nearly everything Lila had accused Marinette of doing, she found herself actually having to face from Chloe. Who would’ve thought the bluenette was doing her a favor by being all moral and self-righteous that it would draw the attention of the evil that was Chloe Bourgeois.

The truce happened one grey October Morning, Chloe officially ruled the class again by November. Lila was seriously considering changing schools.

No one had the time to fawn over her. And she certainly didn’t have time to amaze anyone with her stories. No she was too busy fending off Chloe’s attacks. And wondering why the brat kept referring to her as a Tyrell. Or Alya and Nino as Karstarks. And the rest of the class as Freys’.

One by one, each student realized they had lost something else. Something they actually really missed.

When the class picture was taken, Juleka had been just late and no one realized it. Rose had comforted her again. But no one was able to get the photographer to take another picture. At the end of the day, Juleka still felt really bad about it and had to fight the urge to call Marinette that night. Marinette was always willing to just listen no matter the time.

And it wasn’t long where the other students found themselves in similar situations that all ended with them really wanting to talk to Marinette.

Alya after a fight with her sister.

Rose after Prince Ali wrote to her that he would be ending communication.

Nino after a gig went terribly.

Kim after he lost one of his games.

Alix after she broke her watch…. Again.

Mylene after a fight with Ivan.

Ivan after he failed a math test.

Nathaniel after Marc decided to end their partnership.

Sure, they went to their other friends for comfort. But Marinette was different. When one of them went to any of the other students with a problem; it felt just like that. Them complaining about their problems and the others doing their best to cheer them up and offer solutions. At the end, they still felt like they were on their own; like it was still just their problem. With Marinette…

She always made them feel like they were on the same team. She cared like they were her problems too. And wasn’t going to stop until they were fixed. Marinette was someone they could just talk to without judgement or getting harsh opinions; no criticism. With her, they never felt like they were being judged; even when pointed out that it might, in fact, be their own fault.

They missed Marinette when they afraid or nervous. She’d always manage to calm them down, assure them, be their biggest supporter if need be. And her just being them made them feel better; like they stood more of a chance. She take their mind of things, get them to relax, smile, and by the time whatever it was that made them so terrified came up, they had already completely forgotten why they were anxious.

The strangest part was they even missed her when things were happy as well.

           When anything good happened, one of their first instincts was to call Marinette; scream their excitement. And listen to Marinette scream back just as happy as they were, despite that she was in no way affected.

           No; on the outside the class hadn’t changed much. Everyone still did their own thing. Homework was done. Tests were dealt with. Sure class trips weren’t as wonderful as they used to be. Birthdays only with store bought cupcakes and maybe some balloons. Everyone who started out as friends were still friends by the end of the years. It was just like anyone other class in the world.

…

           Except they were never like all other classes. They had always felt like they were special. Most kids hadn’t looked forward to school day but the students of Bustier’s class had. There had always been something new and wonderful to talk about; some adventure to go on. Now there was nothing. There was still life in the classroom; still laughter and fun. But it was like something took the spark that made it come alive.

           And it was hard to pretend otherwise.

           And they couldn’t really figure out why.

           One or Two (Rose and Nino) could admit, whenever they found themselves alone with their thoughts in class and looked around, that were was a hollowness to the classroom that had never existed before. It didn’t make sense. Everyone (minus Chloe) was still friendly with one another. They all still cared about each other. They were all still really good friends. Good but not as good as they used to be.

…

           They’d never be as good as they used to be again.

…

           The class for their end of year party had gone to the pool. They all had a blast. On their way home, they walked by the park and heard music and laughter. It didn’t take long to realize that there was a party happening.

“Happy Birthday, Marinette!” Caught their attention.

           From where they stood, just outside the party, the students and ex friends of Marinette could make out other students from different classes from their school.

           Aurore the creator of the new blog BugOut. There was Marc, Claude, Mireille, Ondine, Bridgette, the Ice King that was Felix Culpa, and a bunch of other students they never knew Marinette was friends with. Even Luka was there.

“I didn’t know it was Marinette’s birthday,” Adrien frowned.

           So did Alya. Mostly because it was her job to remember as class president. Partly because it was the first time she ever forgot her former (best) friend’s birthday. “It wasn’t on the list,” She gave a weak excuse.

“It looks like fun,” Juleka whispered.

           And it did. There was a live band, a feast of food, people laughing and dancing; it all looked so… Alive.

           Alix stuffed her hands in her pockets. Her throat clenched at the sight of the laughing bluenette who didn’t look like she had a care in the world. “Who knew Marinette had so many friends?”

           Nino glanced down, “She looks happy.”

           And Marinette did.

           She looked like the happiest girl in the world.

           But she always did.

           Even after they ended their friendships with her.

           It didn’t seem to both the bluenette. She kept being her positive and cheerful self, except they couldn’t bask in her sunlight anymore.

           They watched when Luka got on their makeshift stage with his guitar, “Marinette you are the most special person I’ve ever met. You’re kind, sweet, and way too thoughtful for your own good. Which is why we all wanted you to know…” he started playing his guitar. A familiar tune filled the air, all the party goers starts to sings.

“You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

When the road looks rough ahead

And you're miles and miles

From your nice warm bed

You just remember what your old pal said

Boy, you've got a friend in me

Yeah, you've got a friend in me”

           The song left a bad taste of Irony on their tongues.

           They thought they had left Marinette behind, somehow it had ended up being the opposite.

…

           They felt like forgotten toys.

[namluve]

↳ you never had it like this | mark x reader | 9.7k | two parter | 18+ genre: smut, fluff, college!au, neighbour!au, idiots to lovers, baseball player!mark warnings: switch!mark, switch!y/n, alcohol consumption, handjob, mirror, bodyshots, a little dirty talk, mark and y/n are both whipped for each other

❝ baseball player mark has had a crush on you for a while now. will college change things or will the two of you continue to dance around the inevitable? ❞

note: happy birthday mark and a late happy birthday to my one and only amanda. my best friend who happens to be whipped for mark (no joke) and this might have been written with her in mind as y/n and our squad as the rest of the characters. enjoy! 

part one out of two - next part 

Today was a rather hot autumn day the first week of school, and Mark was happy to be back in town. Having spent most of his summer at his grandmother’s house, he’d missed his friends a lot. Well… not only his friends. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the girl next door all summer.

Getting distracted from the conversation he was having with Johnny as he saw you walking down the yard with your best friend. What you were doing to him should be illegal, he thought. His head empty as soon as your name was brought into the conversation or when you walked by.

“Earth to Mark, please close your mouth.” Johnny teased. Putting a hand in front of his junior friend’s face, making Mark snap out of his daydreaming. Shaking his head as he was embarrassed, trying to deny the fact that his mouth had opened a little the moment he saw you.

“I- I wasn’t…”

“I was just messing with you, let’s go or else I’m gonna be late for P.E,” Johnny said as he nudged Mark towards the direction they needed to go.

As they started walking, Mark couldn’t help but turn around one last time, catching you giggling at your best friend’s words. Your thighs incredibly exposed by the shorts you were wearing, making your ass stand out more than it already did. Making your ass look even better somehow. Mark was usually a boob guy but with you he seemed to be an everything type of guy. Appreciating each and every curve on your body.

“You think y/n will be at the party?” Mark asked, without even thinking. Making his obvious crush even more obvious than it already was.

“Sunny will most likely be, and wherever she goes, y/n follows.” True, Mark thought to himself. If he played his cards right, he might be able to convince Johnny to ask her to come. Your best friend had after all, never been able to say no to Johnny. Mark smiled to himself as he thought out his plan on his way of dropping of his friend at his class. Maybe if he got some alcohol in the system he would be brave enough to ask you out or at least talk to you.

He thought his crush would have gone away by now, but it seemed like going away for the whole summer and starting college only made it worse. You weren’t a stranger to him, the two of you had talked on several occasions, your families being quite close. Talking briefly at family dinners, getting paired up on a few school assignments and sharing some classes together.

Your best friend Sunny had always been the one to initiate conversations between the two of you at school. Being charismatic and easy to talk to, she made friends with almost everyone instantly and somehow always managed to drag you and Mark together. Mark honestly thought that was just her way of getting some alone time with Johnny.

Sunny’s and Johnny’s relationship seemed simple from an outsider's perspective. A lot of flirting and waiting for the other one to make a move. Both you and Mark always thought they would end up together, knowing they both liked each other. Your best friends proved you otherwise by refusing to make a move on one and other.

They had it simple while you and Mark… He couldn’t quite place where you guys were. Sometimes, you would talk and have the most interesting conversations while at other times, you couldn’t look each other in the eyes. God how he wished you would just make some kind of move; he would be all yours in a heartbeat without hesitating.

“Stop staring at them!” You hiss as you lightly slap your best friend on the arm. Turning around to face you, she gives you a playful look, as if she was proud of something. A glint of mischief in her eyes.

“Mark totally looked at you, and by that, I mean he starred at you,” rolling your eyes at your friend’s words as she continues, “second of all. I’m pretty sure Johnny must have trained this summer. I can feel that he has abs underneath his shirt now.” Scoffing at her words, you shake your head.

“First of all, ew. Second of all, if you want to feel them you probably could. Just talk to him, y'all have wanted to jump each other since forever. Just get it over with.” Offended, Sunny gasps, placing a hand on her chest just as she usually does when she is about to lie.

“If he had wanted to jump me, he would have had by now. Besides, I think he is into older girls, so I’ll just die alone.”

“You know that’s not true.” Your best friend liked being dramatic, but you knew that most of it came out of her own insecurities. She was pretty good at hiding it but luckily, you were just as good at seeing through the walls she builds.

“Come on, let’s get your dramatic ass to class so you can think about something else than Johnny’s dick.” You say, looking arms with her as you get ready to start walking to class.

“Class doesn’t stop me from thinking about that.” Shameless, your best friend was shameless to say the least.

“I know, I know,” you say, laughing as the two of you begin walking to class. Your eyes catching a glimpse of Mark’s back as he and Johnny head towards the direction of the baseball field. They probably had some training to catch up on, considering their first game was in just three weeks.

It’s not like you didn’t have a crush on Mark or anything, because you did. A big fat crush that had lasted for over two years now ever since your families had their first family dinner together. I was when Mark’s family had moved in into the neighbourhood, inviting your family over as the good Christian family they were. Wanting to get to know their neighbours better.

Over these two years Mark has had plenty of opportunities to show any interest in you. Besides looking at you for a little to long at times, Mark didn’t exactly show you in any means that he could be interested.

So, you tried to let that crush go, thinking it would get better over the summer. Which it did. You hooked up with a couple of guys, nothing too serious. Made out, gave your first blowjob, had someone fondle your boobs which frankly, didn’t meet your expectations. Over the summer you had grown confident but all that seemed to be lost the moment you saw Mark again.

His hair a little longer, dirty blond instead of his usual black, glasses that made him look cute and hot at the same time somehow. He told you once that he usually wears his contact lenses and only glasses at home, thinking they made him unattractive. He was so wrong, and you told him that, a light shade of pink on his cheeks as you did. 

In Mark’s defence, it’s not every day your crush calls you hot and he was not ready for it at all. So, he started wearing his glasses, hopping to catch your attention. Which it did, only, he didn’t exactly have any eyes at the back of his head. Missing each time your started at him from afar in class, sitting two rows behind him in English.

You couldn’t deny your best friend’s words either. Johnny had worked out more during the summer. You could see that, but it also seemed like Mark had while he had been away. The white t-shirt he was wearing to school clinging a little bit more to his chest than last semester.

If looking at Mark for ten seconds made you feel all these things, you knew you were in for a hell of a long year. Maybe, this would be the year you would finally make a move. Maybe, starting college would change your life in more ways than you thought. Maybe… just maybe… you could get your crush to like you back.

The first few days of the semester flew by and suddenly, it was Friday. You were at your best friend’s house along with most of your friends, the girl squad drinking and getting ready together. Trying to decide on what outfits all of you should wear.

“If you decide on the black jeans, you should wear them with my white top. It’ll make your boobs and ass pop!” The rest of the gang agreeing with Sunny’s words. Sana, the short pretty blond of the group raising her wine glass to her lips as she speaks.

“And then Mark will totally follow you home and y'all will pop your cherries!” Giving you a wink as she starts sipping on her wine. A faint ‘mhmm’ was heard from Sunny and laughter from the others. The atmosphere at Sana’s apartment playful as your squad had been friends for quite some time now. 

“Or you could just find some else you know?” Maya, the most independent girl of your group spoke up. She had never been a fan of Mark. Found the boy too childish, well, probably because they went to the same class in middle school. But that’s another story.

“They would be so cute though! I really think-“ Sunny said as she was interrupted by her phone ringing. Picking it up, a smile placed upon her lips as she read the caller id. 

“It’s Johnny!” she exclaimed happily. Everyone in your girl group, even you, sighing. Looking at each other, you all had the same thought, when would they finally just get together?

“Yeah totally! We’ll be out in ten!” She said before hanging up on Johnny, frantically seating herself in front of the mirror. Her makeup not even half done. 

“10 minutes?! You do realize how much left I have left on my makeup!” Maya exclaimed at Sunny, earning an eye roll from her before she responded.

“Have you seen how much I have left? You only have your eyebrows.”

“And they take time.” Putting your hands out between your two friends, you stop them from arguing further. Taking the mother role of the group as usual.

“Calm down now, let’s just get ready. We will have even less time if the two of you fight.” You try to reason, seeing their faces soften a bit. Still holding onto their annoyance at each other for a little while, doing their makeup besides each other in silence.

Ten minutes really do go by fast when you are by your friends. Grateful to get a ride over to the party and not having to leave a car behind at campus. The welcoming party would start at campus, doing a few games before going over to one of the sorority houses. Probably the neo 127 house considering Johnny was vice president there and Sunny would probably stay by his side most of the night.

Going down the stairs of Sana’s apartment, you realize you probably shouldn’t have been drinking all that wine. Especially in one go when you found out you only had ten minutes to get ready, and the pre party would be over. Because oh boy was the stairs harder to go down than they were going up somehow.

You realize it was an even greater mistake when you are greeted with Mark leaning against Johnny’s car. The alcohol making him look somehow even better than he usually does. His hair slicked back, showing his forehead. You knew this was Johnny’s doing. A light blue t-shirt, black jeans and white vans was apparently all that was needed to make you hot and bothered. And Mark of course.

He didn’t notice you at first, to busy reading the sign that was nearby but without his glasses he was helpless. He didn’t put in his contact lenses before the party. Knowing what a mess it would be if he forgot to take them out tonight before going to bed. It would hurt like hell and knowing his drunk self, he didn’t trust himself to remember to take them out.

As soon as he heard the girl’s behind you, talking, giggling about something, he finally noticed you. Standing right in front of him, dressed way to hot, showing your boobs slightly because of the top’s cleavage. Your curves on display for him with your tight clothes. A full course meal if Mark could say so himself. Showing just enough for his imagination to start running.

“Johnny!” You were almost showed to the side by your best friend. Sunny ran up to Johnny as he looked confused at her. Even more so when she pulled him into a tight hug.

“Yes?” He asked confused, unsure what he had done to deserve such a warm greeting from her. Meeting his eyes, you shrug, nobody really knew what was going on in your best friend’s mind. The only thing that was certain was that she was way friendlier drunk.

“Thank you so much for driving us. It truly means a lot.” She thanks him and he smiles at her.

“No worries.” Johnny answers as she lets go of her tight grip on him. Your eyes darting back at Mark, meeting his eyes for a second before he looked away. Had Mark been staring at you or did you imagine things just now?

“How are we all going to fit into the car?” Ellen asks, your other best friend. You had been friends with her for the longest of time now, dating back to beginning of high school. To most people, she came across as a very cold and serious person. In reality, she most often just looks out for the people she cares about. She is also a real prankster together with Maya when she wants.

“Jaehyun is coming in a few minutes, he got delayed because Mark gave him the wrong address.” Johnny explained and Mark immediately turned towards his friend. His face slightly red, a shade of embarrassment on his cheeks as he walks a few steps towards Johnny.

“I never said the wrong address, Jaehyun spelled it wrong when tapping it into the gps.” He defended himself as Johnny looked rather amused, a smirk on his face. Happy to tease his a little bit tipsy friend.

Truth being told, Mark had had a drink or three before getting in the car with Johnny. Getting to know that they would on the way stop at Sana’s place to pick you up was to much for him to handle. As soon as he heard your name being amongst the people they were supposed to pick up, he froze. Finishing his drink and taking a shot on the way out.

He barely small talked with Johnny on the way over. His focus being on Jaehyun, who he spoke with briefly on the phone at the beginning of the car ride. To nervous to think about anything else but you. He knew he would most likely see you tonight, but he didn’t think it would happen this quick. He thought he had some time to think over what he would say to you. Maybe ask you out if things felt alright.

You stopped yourself from starting to giggle at how cute Mark looked upset. It was a look on him that you rarely saw unfortunately.

“It’s no big deal, let’s just wait for Jaehyun, yeah?” Sunny said, quick to resolve the tension between the two boys. You felt a little proud at your best friend for once not riling up the situation but to actually settle it. Johnny turned towards her, a smile on his face as he nodded, agreeing.

“Yeah let’s just do that.”

Not even ten minutes later Jaehyun arrived. Most of your squad going over to sit in his car, leaving you, Sunny, Johnny, Mark, Ellen and Maja to ride with Johnny. Ellen and Maja quickly hopped in taking their places in the front seat and that’s when you realized, there was one to many of you.

“Shotgun!” As if Sunny read your mind, she quickly claimed the front seat sitting down next to Johnny at the front. Johnny laughed a little at how difficult she had made the situation just now. Feeling a little bad for his awkward friend who now was forced to talk with his crush. 

Mark, however, was in his own bubble, actively avoiding you and all things around him. Without really knowing the situation, he sat down in the car. Taking the last seat, sitting behind Sunny. Maya beside him in the middle and Ellen on the opposite side behind Johnny.

Confused as to why you were still standing outside, he finally acknowledged you. Looking at you nervously biting your lip as you played with your hands, he realized.

“I should-“ He began but Sunny was quick to interrupt him. As if an light bulb lit up above her head, she suddenly had a plan.

“Y/n can just sit on your lap, can’t she Mark?” Johnny quickly turned to Sunny. One hundred percent on board on her plan, exchanging a look with her, telling her he is on board.

Meanwhile, you and Mark awkwardly looked at each other, a little flustered at your best friend’s suggestion. You knew there was no way Ellen or Maya would exchange their comfort for yours. Well, maybe Ellen if she was feeling generous but so far, she hadn’t said a word, indicating this was most likely your faith tonight.

“It’s only a short ride, come on guys we don’t wanna be late.” Johnny knew he was putting a bit of pressure on both of you but maybe that was exactly what you needed. A little push towards something more.

Fuck it, Mark thought to himself. He had imagined you countless of times on his lap. Well, not like this but close enough. He knew he wouldn’t mind it, he just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. As Sunny dragged her seat forward, putting more space in front of Mark he saw how you looked away.

“It’s okay, I don’t mind.” He quickly told you and you looked back at him. Taking a step forward. Your hands feeling sweaty as you do, heart in your throat. Worried he was somehow forced to do this.

“Yeah but like… do you want to?”

“I do!” Mark answered a little too quickly, hearing Johnny and the others in the car trying their best not to laugh. You however, looked shocked. Not expecting those words to come out of his mouth.

“I mean… Let’s just get to the party, okay?” He tried explaining himself and you nodded. Not wanting to make the situation any more awkward for him.

He seated himself properly, knees together, ready for you to sit on his lap. Here goes nothing, you think as you enter the car, sitting down on his lap carefully. Closing the door behind you, you hear Johnny starting the engine. Not wanting to put too much weight on Mark, you tried to keep yourself up a bit, not resting your ass fully on his lap.

Oh boy was Mark in heaven. As you tried to put space in between you, you created the perfect view for Mark that he could have only dreamed off. With your back slightly bent forward he could see the curves of your body perfectly. Trying to stop his imagination from running wild.

He didn’t have to think about for to long though as Jonny took a sharp turn, making you fall right into his lap. Back pressed flush against his chest, trying to balance yourself on his legs. Mark quickly noticed your struggle.

“I’m so sorry I-“ Not wanting you to be uncomfortable the entire ride and also getting a confidence boost out of the alcohol he quickly cut you off.

“Sit down.”

He didn’t mean for it to sound so harsh but honestly, it was like music to your ears. Spreading his legs to make room for your big ass between them, you quickly settled down between them. What you weren’t ready for was for his arms to find their way around your stomach. Pulling you closer to him.

“Better?” He had the audacity to ask. You were glad that he at least couldn’t see your face, feeling your cheeks heat up even more. Mumbling back ‘mhmm’ you relax in his embrace. Ellen and Maya trying their best not to laugh beside you, Johnny and Sunny clueless in the front.

Mark was surprised at how quickly he got comfortable with you on his lap. His mind wandering to how warm and plush your body felt against his. It was most likely the alcohol talking, but he didn’t question it at all when he got the urge to put his head on your shoulder.

You were surprised to feel Mark put his head on your shoulder, but you didn’t complain. Feeling his breath slightly on your neck as he closed his eyes, taking in your scent. Mark realized in that moment, this is what he wanted, and he had to make some move tonight to get it.

At the end of the car ride, you felt so comfortable in Mark’s embrace that you felt a little sad when you started recognizing the surroundings. Meaning the car ride would soon end.

As Johnny pulled up to the parking lot, Mark removed his head from your shoulder. Letting go of his grip around your body. You let out a small sigh of disappointment. Hoping he could hold you for just a little bit longer. Mark silently hoping you didn’t think it was awkward or minded that he put his head on your shoulder.

Sunny was the first one to get out of the car. Quickly shutting the door behind her to open yours. Johnny shaking his head at how many times he had told her to be more careful with the door.

“Let’s go!” She said with excitement, rushing you to get out of the car. Meanwhile, you were panicking about how to get out of the car without falling on your face. The last thing you wanted was to embarrass yourself in front of Mark.

Getting out was surprisingly easier than you thought, Mark moving his body around to help you as much as possible. Getting out of the car and standing beside you once you had gotten out. Looking up at him as he was slightly taller than you, you admire him for a moment. Feeling watched, Mark turned his head, meeting your eyes. He was expecting you to look away as he did, but you didn’t, keeping your gaze locked.

“Thank you,” you muttered, just loud enough for him to hear with how close he was standing next to you. Smiling at you as he nodded his head slightly.

“Yeah, no problem,” he answered quietly. Happy to have you so close to him. He could definitely get used to this. He just needed to figure out what he needed to do in order to make it into reality. And so that’s what he thought about as everyone started walking towards campus once Jaehyun arrived with the rest of your friends.

As the games started, everyone became wasted pretty quickly. What else could you expect when half the penalties involved drinking. Surprisingly, Mark stayed by your side most of the evening. Cheering you on by the side lines and you doing the same for him. It might have been a coincidence that the two of you were on the same team or it could have been the vice presidents doing.

Either way, none of you were complaining as you were small talking in between breaks, getting to know each other. Asking about how each other’s summers had been and the excitement of finally starting college. Holding Mark’s glasses whenever there was an activity that could get them broken. Suddenly, the two of you were just really comfortable in each other’s presence, and you loved it.

Your team ended up on second place, Sana’s team snatching the lead by only three points and it was time to head over to the sorority houses. There were four houses that decided to host parties, mainly because they didn’t want to overcrowd any house. 

Another rule in order to get into the parties was that you had to be a member or be a members plus one. That meaning, if you were a members plus one, that member had to look out for you and make sure you wouldn’t break any rules.

Johnny had already decided on Sunny as his plus one. All of his friends already being in the house and secretly, though he wouldn’t admit it, he wanted to spend more time with her. Jaehyun took Sana as his plus one, happy that their team had won the games earlier, he couldn’t diss his number one player. Ellen and Maya, along with the rest of the gang, had already joined one of the local sorority houses and was on their way over there right now.

You regret your decision not to join a house at this very moment. In your deafens, deciding between the two leading girl houses had been hard and it was a commitment you weren’t ready for yet. Or maybe, you had just forgotten about the last couple of days.

You hoped Johnny could as the vice president bend the rules a little, just a tiny bit for you. Sunny noticed your smile turning into a frown, realising Mark had not asked you to be his plus one. She wanted to say something, but Mark beat her to it. Realizing why you suddenly wore a frown, a little mad at himself for not asking sooner.

“Wanna be my plus one y/n?” It sounded so casual coming out of his mouth. In reality, Mark was terrified of being rejected. Hands shaking a little as the words left his mouth. Turning your gaze towards him, you look at him.

“Yeah, sure.” You answered, a smile on your face as you did, and Mark smiled back. He couldn’t stop what he was saying next as the alcohol started talking for him.

“You’ll have to stay by my side though.” It was one of the rules, yes, but hearing Mark say it to you made you feel butterflies in your stomach. Feeling your face heat up a bit as you nodded.

“Of course.” As the words left your mouth, Mark began to process what he had said a minute ago, cursing at himself. What if he made it awkward? He quickly looked at Johnny, his friend just sending him a wink his way before he started walking towards the 127 house. Sunny by his side, small talking with each other. For the first time ever, Mark was actually not disgusted by his wink but surprisingly reassured.

So, he started walking as well, looking back at you to make sure you were following. You quickly caught up to him, walking beside him in a comfortable silence to the house. Listing to Johnny and Sunny’s conversation as they low-key flirted with each other every now and then. Mark letting you go up the stairs first. A real gentleman move, if it wasn’t for the fact that he wanted to look at your ass for a second without it being obvious. Still missing the view he had in the car.

From there, things escalated pretty quickly. Starting off with a truth or dare game right away. Most of the people at the party gathering to participate. Sitting down in a circle, the game begins with Johnny asking you a question.

“Have you ever given anyone a blowjob?” Your cheeks heat up at the question. By the way Sunny slaps his arm, you figure she probably mentioned it to him. Mark knew Johnny would be asking these type of questions. What he didn’t expect was your answer.

“Yes,” you answered quickly as you continued, “Sunny, what’s your dream scenario?” Shifting the focus to your best friend as she shamelessly tells her dream scenario. Johnny’s eyes lingering on her the whole time.

Mark’s eyes had never shifted its focus on you. Still taken aback at your answer. He knew you probably weren’t a hundred percent innocent, but to hear you’ve given a blowjob was something else. His imagination wandering for just a short moment before Sunny called out his name.

“Truth or dare?” Mark thought about it for a second. Thinking the truth couldn’t be worse than dare.

“Truth.”

“Who is the hottest person in the room?” He was so wrong. He nearly choked on his own spit trying to think of something to say. Should he just be honest? Should he just say it’s you? Turning his head he looks at you and your breath hitches. Maybe you wished for him to say it’s you? Just as much as he wished you would say it’s him if you got the question.

“Y/n.” It could have been the alcohol speaking, making him a little bolder, but Mark knew he had to take his chances.

Your reaction was something Mark didn’t expect. Cheeks red as you try to hide yourself, the room loud with everyone screaming, whistling and howling. Oh how Mark loved that he had an affect on you and oh how you hated it. Your body burning up at the thought of something happening between you and Mark. Did he really mean it? If so, what would happen if you made a move?

The game vent on, it going a few turns before it was your turn again. Mark looking at you through his glasses as your name was shouted. Being asked truth or dare by Jaehyun, you thought there would be no harm in taking a dare.

“Dare.”

“I dare you to… let a boy in this room take a body shot from you.” Everyone gasped in the room at Jaehyun’s words, including you. All you wanted was to avoid the blowjob questions and you got this instead. You could see how happy Daria was across the room, having the time of her life. You made a mental note to never drink her vodka again.

Turning towards Mark, you look at him hesitantly, his jaw clenched as if he was angry or really concentrated. As he meet your eyes, his gaze softened immediately, reminding himself he had absolutely no reason to get jealous. You could do whatever you want. Chose who ever you want to take the body shot of you. It’s not like he was…

“Mark.” His thoughts were interrupted by your voice, looking at him almost pleading.

“Will you do the honour?” Mark laughed. Honestly, this was not the turn he thought his night would take. Breathing rapidly, sweating nervously as he shook his head a little.

“If you won’t, I’ll gladly do it.” Jaehyun spoke and Mark shook his head.

“I’ll do it.” No way was he going to let Jaehyun get anywhere near you. Especially after you had even asked him to do it. No, he was not going to let anyone else get this opportunity with you.

“I’ll get the vodka!” Sunny shouted as she disappeared into the kitchen. Mark looked at you with eyes wide open.

“Vodka?!” He questioned and you just laughed. Oh if he only knew.

“She’s polish, so, it’s basically all she drinks and all she has,” you explained and his mouth made an ‘o’ shape. Well, now it makes a little sense he thought. Mark was still worried about the vodka though. Also, what was a body shot anyway?

He didn’t have to think about it for too long as Sunny came back from the kitchen with a bottle of vodka in her hand. Making her presence known by explaining the rules.

“So, y/n has to take of her shirt and I’ll pour some vodka on her body. It is then up to Mark to drink it all up in whatever way he wants. Got it?” She looks at Mark as she says the last part. He nods hesitantly, oh God why did you pick him out of all people?

I mean, he was your crush yes but, he was probably the only one in the room that hadn’t done it before. You could see that he was clearly flustered, probably didn’t even know what a body shot was until a few seconds ago.

“You want me on the floor or?” You ask, looking Mark in the eyes. Wanting to make it as easy as possible for him. He looked around, all eyes on the two of you, nodding as he let out a nervous sigh.

“Yeah… The floor sounds good.” He answers, trying to sound at least a little bit experienced but failing miserably as you could see right through him.

Okay, here goes nothing you thought as you took of your shirt. Happy that you decided to borrow one of Sunny’s white lace bras tonight. You didn’t dare to look at Mark as you laid down on the floor in the middle of the circle. Everyone’s attention on you as Sunny sits down next to you. Taking the vodka bottle she pours some on your stomach and then some just under breasts.

You hiss at her, trying to get her to stop. She just looks at you, shrugs her shoulders and with a grin on her face, she pours some between your breasts. Such a brat, you thought to yourself, making a friendly reminder to scold her later. She smiled at you one last time, satisfied with her work, before she got up and headed over to Johnny to sit next to him again.

“So I just…?” Mark asked, clearly staling. The view of you laid down in front of him topless was way too much and honestly, he just wanted a moment to breathe. A moment to collect his thoughts so he wouldn’t fuck this up somehow.

“Get on top of her and lick it off, easy peasy!” Johnny encouraged and Mark sent him a glare. Motherfucker knew this wasn’t easy, at least not for him. As he looked at you, he had to take a deep breath. Your breasts looking so appealing to just squeeze but Mark would never do that. God no, he would never have the guts to it no matter how badly he wanted to.

“Okay…” He breathed out, getting down on his knees. Your heart was pounding, and you almost closed your eyes, the situation being all too much. Mark swung his right leg over you, getting on top of you. His head levelled just above your crotch.

“Is this okay?” He asked, almost stumbling across his words. He tried meeting your eyes, but you kept your gaze at the ceiling. To nervous to be able to look him in the eyes.

“Yeah it’s okay, you can begin.” You reassure and not more than five seconds later, you feel Mark’s lips on your stomach as he begins to drink the vodka of your body. Mark thought that if he waited any longer, he would probably chicken out. So, the only option he really had was to just go for it.

The crowd cheered, screaming as Mark drank up the vodka. Feeling the bitter taste on his lips and down his throat as he had to swallow it. Afraid his glasses would fall down for a little bit until he noticed they stayed put. His lips were surprisingly soft, going gently over your skin and really taking his time with the task. He didn’t want to leave a mess on your body. He didn’t want you to feel sticky later.

So, he took his time. The crowds cheering quickly drawn out, his concentration being solely on you. At first, he thought he would hate it but as he got used to the taste, he actually liked it. The feeling of your skin on his lips, the way you shuttered whenever he would lick to get the last drop of you skin. Slowly but surely, he made his way upwards.

As he was just below your breasts, your breath hitched. Having him this close to them was absolute torture, wanting nothing more than for him to just take his time with you. You even got curious at how he looked like kissing your skin like this. Big mistake. As you opened your eyes and looked down you meet his gaze.

When your breath hitched, Mark got curious too. Wanted to see your reaction, see the effect he had on you. So, he looked up as he dragged himself forward, head levelled with your boobs now. His lips just above them. Keeping his gaze on you as he lowered his head again to lick the area just over your boob.

You almost let out a whine at the sight. Mark’s lips all glistering and puffy as if he had just gone down on you. Eyes almost predatory looking at you, intense and watching your every reaction. He couldn’t believe he had this affect on you. He felt as if he was dreaming.

Involuntarily, you moved your hip a little bit upwards, really just trying to get into a more comfortable position as you felt it. Mark was hard. You could feel his semi hard dick against your thigh and now you were officially turned on as well.

As if Mark hadn’t noticed, he continued with his work. Barely paying you anymore attention, well, besides your body. He was horny and wanted you all to himself, if he could make that happen somehow. The thought of you giving him a blowjob or you letting him go down on you sounding like heaven.

You barely noticed when he was finished. It wasn’t until you felt his body slowly move from yours that you opened your eyes. His face was an inch away from yours. So close, yet so far away and it only got further away as Mark got up. Johnny and Jaehyun running up to high five him and hug him way too much for his liking.

Sunny helped you up, holding your shirt in her hand. As you stood beside her and you got your shirt back you felt just how sticky your body felt. In no way did you want to ruin Sunny’s white top by putting it on and stain it with alcohol. To be frank, you also didn’t want to smell like alcohol the whole night as well.

“I think I need to wash myself or something before I put it on.” Agreeing, Sunny nodded, tapping Johnny on the shoulder.

“Is there anywhere she could wash up?” She asks him and Mark’s head turned your way, surprisingly, faster than Johnny’s.

“My room.” Mark quickly answered before Johnny had the chance, without really thinking what he was saying. Realizing pretty quickly what he had said a little bit to eagerly.

“I mean… There is a bathroom in my room. If you wanna use it, I could show you?” He added, nervously kicking his feat, hoping you’d say yes so he could sit in his room for a bit. Wait while you wash up. Cool down. Hopefully get his semi down.

Thankfully, you nodded. With your arms around your chest, Mark noticed how uncomfortable you were. Still topless in your white lace bra.

“Wait a min.” He said before squiring away. Quickly reaching the hall where he had thrown his hoodie the other day. Today he was thankful for his laziness, coming back to you quickly. Holding it out, he waited for you to take it.

“Wear it.” He says almost pleading as he sees the confused look on your face. You felt a little guilty, not wanting to ruin his hoodie.

“I’ll ruin it with the alcohol.”

“I was going to throw it in the washer tomorrow anyway, it’s fine.” He reassures you, and with that, you take the hoodie from him. Muttering a ‘thank you’ to him as you put it on.

The hoodie is soft, reaching almost below your butt. The sleeves a bit long on you but you don’t really care. It definitely smelled like Mark and you get an overwhelming urge to steal it. Wanting to wear it forever.

“It’s nice right?” Mark asks with a smile on his face. Seeing you in his hoodie made him happy. Mostly because you looked so cute in it. The light blue fabric hanging loosely on your body.

“It’s so soft.” You say in awe and Mark chuckles, bringing his hand up to your back, giving you a nudge.

“Come on, I’ll show you the way.” He said as he let go of you. The game continuing in the living room as you follow Mark through the masses of people to the hallway. He began walking up the stairs and you followed him. Every now and then, Mark would look backwards, making sure you were still behind him.

As you walked down the hall on the second floor, Mark gave you a brief tour of all the rooms. The second floor consisted of mostly different bedrooms, most of the sorority members sleeping there. A few having their bedrooms on the first floor. One common room could be found upstairs, mostly used for gaming with a total of five desk’s sitting there. As the tour went on, you reached the end of the hall and Mark pointed towards a door.

“This is me,” he announced as he pulled out a key to unlock the door. Opening the door, he let you go in first.

“I’m sorry it’s messy, I didn’t expect anyone to come here to be honest,” he nervously apologized. Scratching the back of his head. Looking around, you see a single bed, a mirror in front of it, a desk beside the bed and a wardrobe next to another door. Some clothes piled onto his desk chair. Messy papers splayed out on his desk. His bead neatly done with dark blue bed covers.

“Oh no, it’s totally fine,” you say quickly. If he only knew this was nothing compared to how your room looks when it’s messy. As Mark’s goes over to his desk, beginning to clean up the papers, you glance at the mirror. Seeing how it’s positioned right in front of the bed’s side.

“You know you shouldn’t have your mirror placed like that?” You say and Mark looks up, brows furrowed, a pout on his face.

“Why?” He asks, clearly confused at your statement.

“Mirrors are like… a gateway into other dimensions… So, like… a demon could totally kill you in your sleep right now.” You say, a hint of seriousness in your tone. Mark chuckles. Oh so that’s where you were going with that, he thought.

“That probably explains the scratch marks on my back,” he jokingly says and you look at him with eyes wide open.

“I’m just joking! Don’t worry.” He laughs and the sound of it sounds like music to your ears. You laugh with him, shaking your head.

“I’d totally would’ve had to call an exorcist otherwise.”

“My dad knows a few so if that were the case, I think he could get the very best on the job.” Mark says and as if a lightbulb got lit up above your head, you were reminded of something your mom had told you earlier.

“Wait, didn’t your dad operate his leg or something? How is he feeling?” Mark was surprised that you knew about the operation his dad had a few weeks ago. Your parents do talk from time to time but to think that you took an interest in his family as well was something he didn’t expect.

“Yeah, he had surgery on his left knee. It’s all good now though thanks to the surgery.” He answered and you nodded.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Offering him a smile as you point to the door in the room.

“Is that the bathroom?” You ask and Mark nods. Heading over to his wardrobe as he passes by you.

“Yeah, let me just get you a towel… ah! Here you go.” He hands you a white towel and you take it gratefully. Your hands touching as you do. Looking away for a second, you felt how Mark let his eyes linger on you.

“I’ll just…” You trailed off and Mark nodded, taking a step back. Giving you some space. Turning your heel, you began walking towards the bathroom door.

“Yeah… I’ll just wait here for you… Take your time,” he said, meeting your eyes just as you were about to close the door. Nodding once again, before you closed the bathroom door.

Letting out a sigh as you rest for a second against the door before going over to the mirror. Looking at yourself in Mark’s hoodie, you notice how cute you looked in it. A smile on your lips as you took it off. Beginning right away to soak the towel in your hand so you could clean yourself up.

Mark finished cleaning his desk before he sat down on his bed. With his back against the wall, he sighed, closing his eyes. Tilting his head back, taking a few deep breaths. Pep talking to himself in his head. He just had to ask you. What’s the worst thing that could happen? That you reject him?

Well… that’s pretty bad but at least he would have asked. Right? You’re as new to this as he his. Wait no, scratch that. Your summer had been filled with giving guys blowjobs after all, while his… well… it was rather spent visiting old friends and playing sports. Maybe you could teach him somehow? If you had more experience, maybe you could help him?

When you were done, you put on Sunny’s white shirt. Looking at yourself in the mirror one last time before opening the door, stepping into Mark’s bedroom again. As soon as he heard the bathroom door open, Mark opened his eyes to be meet with yours. Here goes all or nothing before he alcohol wears off he thought.

“Could you teach me?” Mark asked, and you looked at him confused. Going over to his bed as you asked him, “teach you what?”

You reached his bed in a few strides and decided to sit down on it next to him. As you sat down next to him, Mark laughed nervously, bringing his hands up to cover his face. Looking forward as he answers your question.

“Like blowjobs and stuff.” He tries to clarify but wants to mentally slap himself for that answer. Your heart pounding at his words. Not believing what you were hearing. Your crush, Mark Lee, wanted a blowjob from you? Mark finally turned his head to look at you, trying to read your face as he waited for your reaction.

“Like right now?” You felt dumb for asking, of course he probably meant right now, what were you thinking? By the way Mark looked away scratching his head, shrugging his shoulders, you felt dumb for making it awkward. In reality, Mark never meant this conversations to go this way. He was supposed to ask you out. Not whatever this was.

“I mean, you don’t have to right now… It’s just-“

“Yes,” you cut in before Mark has the chance to finish his sentence. Confused, he looks at you. Eyes wide open.

“What… what do you?”

“I’ll blow you… or give you a handjob… if that’s what you want?” You say nervously and Mark feels his dick twitch at your words. You want to blow him? Right now? Is this even real? Besides, he was supposed to fix his semi, not make it worse. Well, in a way, this could be a way to fix it.

“Yeah, yeah God, yes- but like only if you want it?”

“I want it- I mean I want to!” You quickly correct yourself, still wanting to slap yourself in the face for your poor choice of wording. Probably turning Mark off with your way to stumble across words.

On the opposite, Mark got more turned on, his breathing a bit more rapid now. Hearing you say it… still felt unreal and if someone pinched him, and this was all a dream, he would be so mad.

“So…” you start, nervously fumbling with your hands, “you want to show me how you like it?”

“How I like it?” Mark asked dumbfounded, turning his body slightly towards yours. Looking down at your lips, a desire to kiss them rising in his body. Looking up again, he meet your eyes. You tucked a strand of hair behind your ear and Mark bit his lip at the sight. You looked way to cute to be just about to give him a blowjob.

“Well yeah…” Looking at the mirror, you suddenly get an idea. “Let me sit behind you.”

Mark doesn’t question it and scoots forward, giving you space to sit behind him. You crawl your way over, head feeling as if it’s about to explode from how nervous you were feeling. Wanting to make him feel good, you didn’t want to fuck it up somehow. It was only logical that he showed you first… right?

Once you sat comfortably behind him, you placed your legs on either side of his, placing your hands on your thick thighs. You realized Mark was waiting for your next move. Pressing yourself forward you whispered in his ear, “take off your pants.”

Mark did as you told him, taking his boxers with him. Pulling them down to rest just above his knees. His semi hard cock resting upon his thigh. Biting you lip at the sigh, Mark turns his head towards you once he had thrown his pants and boxers away.

“Now what?” He whispered back and you couldn’t help but to feel yourself getting wet.

“Lean back against me… get yourself comfortable.” You commanded and Mark did as he was told. You got yourself comfortable against the wall and Mark leaned back against you. Placing his head between your boobs for the second time today.

“Touch yourself… slowly…” you whispered in his ear. Looking in the mirror, you meet Mark’s eyes, filled with lust and desire to comply. Never in a million year did he think he would end up in this situation but here he was. With his dick out in front of his crush.

As Mark began to wrap his hand around his dick, you moaned breathlessly at the sight. A smirk on Mark’s face as you did. If you were just as turned on as he was that meant you’d be soaking wet. The thought of your glistering pussy is what made Mark start to pump his hand up and down his dick. Not to fast though, you’d told him to go slowly after all.

His cock quickly getting fully hard in his hand. Precum beginning to leak out of it. With a groan, Mark relaxed in your embrace. His head falling down completely on your boobs, enjoying how soft they felt.

“Show me how you like it.” You breathlessly say, mesmerized by the sight in the mirror. Completely gone in your own world. Never had you been this turned on in your entire life. Mark took his hand upwards, circling the tip of his dick with his thumb.

Mark’s glasses began to slip off and you quickly took hold of them. Placing them on the nightstand next to bed. Mark being way to into his own thoughts to barely even notice. His eyes closed, mouth slightly open, breathing uneven. In all honesty, you barely wanted to interrupt him.

“Want me to touch you?” You purred and Mark whined.

“Fuck… yeah, please.” Letting go of his cock, Mark took a deep breath. Trying to calm himself down as your hands reached his thighs, resting them for a second, taking a deep breath as you tried to find all the courage you could. You could do this. You had Mark right in the hand of your palm, literally, and this was the hottest thing you’ve ever done so far.

Panting, Mark felt as a drop of sweat slowly made its way down his face. Taking one hand to brush his hair backwards as he suddenly bent forward, taking you by surprise. Taking hold of his shirt, Mark quickly removed it and threw it on the bedroom floor.

“Too hot…” He muttered and you couldn’t agree more. His toned chest now on display for you as well. He was indeed too hot. Smiling to yourself at your joke. As he laid down comfortably against you again, you tried to remember what Mark liked.

Well, he began stroking himself up and down, so that’s a good start, right? Taking your hand, you wrap it around his dick. Loving the way it twitched as soon as you squeezed it a little. Pumping up and down slowly. Earning small moans from Mark that went straight to your neglected clit. Your tried keeping your focus on Mark and not get lost into the pleasure, looking in the mirror as you squeeze and stroke him.

Mark was completely lost for words. He was in heaven. Your hand feeling so good with how little you were doing. It was probably all the teasing Mark had endured over the night from you. Making him and his dick needy and in need of immediate attention. As you brought your hand over to the tip of his cock, moving your thumb around the tip in slow circular motions, Mark moaned.

“Fuck… please… more…” Hearing him beg must have been just about the hottest thing you’ve ever heard. Wanting nothing more than to please him, you speed up your thumb a little bit. Going faster around his tip. Your other hand, wrapping itself around his shaft, going up and down. You wanted nothing else but for him to cum.

“That feels so good.” Mark pleaded and you started feeling yourself growing cocky.

“Yeah? Baby boy likes that?” You don’t know what comes over you but the nickname rolls of your lips so naturally and judging by Mark’s reaction, he was into it. Moaning as his dick twitches, you feel his hands move to your thighs, grabbing them. Holding onto them as if they were his life support.

“I’m so close,” he confessed and you almost moaned at how good it felt to have his hands on your thighs, moving them up and down. Making you wonder how his fingers could possibly feel inside your pussy. Stretching you out, making you ready for his cock.

“Yeah… gonna cum for me?” You ask him and feel how his hands grab hold of your thighs. Almost grabbing you painfully hard from all the pleasure he wasn’t sure how to process.

“Yeah…Can-can I?” Mark stuttered and you sped up, going as fast as you could even though you started feeling really tired. Your eyes on the mirror, looking at Mark falling apart in your arms, pleading, his whole body begging to get the sweet release it had been craving.

“Cum for me.” As soon as the words left your lips, you felt Mark’s cock twitch. His cum getting on your hand as well as shooting up on his stomach. Slowing down your movements, you ride out Mark’s high. Only stopping once you hear him whine. Letting go of his cock as he falls back into your arms. Exhausted, resting his body against yours.

You stay like that for a moment. Mark collecting his breathing as you try to collect your thoughts. Make yourself somehow believe this was all real. That somehow you had gotten to give your crush, no, you had made your crush cum in your arms, by your hands. Never did you think you could get so turned on by someone being so needy, so pouty in your arms.

You almost wanted more, but you knew there was no way Mark would be ready for another round in a while. You wouldn’t even dare to initiate anything if you were being honest. Sitting in silence, you waited for Mark to make a move.

Mark had a hard time collecting his thoughts and besides, your embrace was way to comfortable to move from. But soon enough, his cum started feeling sticky and he knew you most likely had cum on your hands as well. Not wanting to cause you any discomfort, Mark decided to move. Getting up, putting on his pants.

“You wanna…?” Mark hoped to God you knew what he meant. He didn’t want to have to spell out ‘you wanna wash your hands first of my cum or should I go?’. Nodding, you quickly got out of the bed. Your heart pounding as you went over to the bathroom. Looking at yourself in the mirror as you wash your hands you think to yourself ‘what now?’. What did this all mean?

Not wanting to keep Mark waiting, you got of his bathroom. Giving him a smile as you meet his eyes. Giving you a smile back, Mark goes into the bathroom and begins to wash himself. Thinking to himself how could he possibly have gotten this lucky? Not only were you the cutest, nicest person he knew, you also knew how to give him a mind blowing orgasm.

As panic started to set into your system, worrying what to say when Mark comes back, you decide it’s probably best to leave. Well, if you were normal, you could’ve just stayed but no, you couldn’t handle it if it turned awkward or anything. So, you convince yourself the best move is to probably leave.

Looking over at his desk, you see that he cleaned up. Going over, you open the first notebook you could find. Scrambling a note on it. Hoping he will see it later before you make your way to the door. Looking behind you as you step out of his room. Closing the door behind you. Oh God what a mess you’ve made. How were you supposed to function around Mark Lee now?   

[mimiri22-6]

DUCKTALES (2017) ‘LET’S GET DANGEROUS’ LET’S FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

It’s here! It’s here and it couldn’t have come at a better (and worse, but I’m not worrying about that rn) time! This morning(I stayed up till...7? I don’t remember just how long I stayed up earlier, BUT this morning, I found out some shitty stuff about some youtubers I thought I could trust and I felt really betrayed. I won’t lie, I cried, or as much as I can cry cause I apparently can’t even do that right-AND this is a lot for an intro that isn’t needed! Onto my source of escapism today!

IT’S HERE!~

Bradford, more like Bitchford!

BULBA WORKS FOR MCDUCK ENTERPRISE!! HOW MANY MOLES DOES SCROODGE HAVE!?

That awkward moment when you insult the person that does your finances to his face when you can’t hang up

Oh my god, they’re so bad at secrets. That and Louie and Huey are smart, well, Huey’s smart, Louie’s clever

OH HE HAS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GLIDE! THAT’S GONNY BE A PLOT POINT! I BET GOSALYN WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT!

NO INTRO! WOO, IT’S GOING TO BE A LONG ONE!

OH, I’VE HEARD ENOUGH ABOUT THIS BITCH TO KNOW I SHALL HATE HIM WITH EVERYTHING IN ME!

As a great snake once said, ‘Sssssssssssuuck up!’ Taurus Bulba, more like Taurus Bitcha!

Man, no one likes Bradford. Like, no one...Nice

I hate this bull bitch

OOH! TOWER!!! YES! AND MORE MONOLOGE CATCHFRASES!

Oh, LP, never change

Careful Dewey, he has a limited supply of those

HE DOESN’T KNOW! HOW DOES HE NOT KNOW? FENTON IS SHIT AT KEEPING HIS IDENITY!

WHAT!? CANARD HAS NO CRIME!? HOW THE HELL-WHO’S THE MAYOR!? HOW!? (I hope it’s Owlson)

Ooh, the computer has some sass!

THE RAMROD!!!(I really need to watch the OG series)

Haggis. I’ve heard of that. I don’t hear much else about that. Scrooge, you have bad taste. Does all of the UK have bad taste?! It seems like it.

HEY! I’M WITH HUEY, HOW DOES IT WORK! If I was presented with this kind of technology, I would be asking the head scientist everything I could rap my head around!

WHAT!!?!?!??!!!! SHEEP’S WHAT!?!?!!!! NOOO!!!!! NO, I REFUSE

They’re movers. I’m calling it, they’re movers.

Called it.

He face planted! where was his pillow!

GOSALYN! IT’S HER! SHE’S HERE!

She’s So Cool!

Really Scrooge?

BITCH! CARASMATIC BITCH!

OWLSON! YES! SHE’S SO GOOD!

HOW does Huey fit all that under his hat!?

Also, Huey’s right

SHE’S BACK!

KEEN GEAR!!!

HE IS NOT UPSTANDING! HE’S A MURDERER BITCH!

AWW, DEWEY! Looking for someone you love duo!

LP talking sense! THAT’S YOUR FUTURE DAUTER, DRAKE!

Huey knows somethings up

Jesus Christ, Drake just can’t get a break with getting absolutely crushed by everything and everyone

HE KNOWS!

...Good acting, murderer

Two faced bull.

wat

HEY! That’s how I imagine a lot of fiction. It’s cool to think that those worlds exits out there as far away universes

YEAH! GET STABBED, BULB!

DRAKE COMING TO THE RESCUE!

The action in this show is actually Really good

YES! GOSALYN ID THE REASON FOR THE GLIDING! You hear that? It’s symbolism

That shot with LP holding both of them is going to be A Lot of people’s BGs now

YOU DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY THAT!!!

OH! That’s such a smart way to have the OG villains without it being more people living out their childhood dreams from watching the show

C’mon DW, you can do this.

FENTON-oh bye Fenton

Gosalyn has two idiot dads

Drake acting like a dad already, so good

I’m not sure what to make of Launchpad’s family assignments

‘Let’s get dangerous, it the safest way possible’ because he cares. And Launchpad putting the helmet on Gosalyn? *chief kiss* Funny stuff

BRADFUCK!

He’s on board with killing because he already has it in him and has no capacity to care.

Oh my god Launchpad. Never Change!

C’mon Huey, you can do better. Figure ‘im OUT!

Oh boy, Louie knows how to pick locks...

HAHA! She’s also sassy, man she’s good

He remembered the commercial, but not the giant robot? Relatable

‘You know who else banters? Family.’ Oh my god, Launchpad NEVER CHANGE

BUDDY! OH MY GOD THEY’RE FREINDS THIS IS HILARIOUS

NARUTO RUN! YEAH!

Am I the only one out of the loop as to why Bushroot is...like That? He’s so...grey...like his colors have been drained. He was apparently a lot of peoples favorite because of his backstory. Why is he a shadow of his former self??? Why Am I Always So Far From The Loop?!

WOW. The boys are really starting to ware on Bradford.

‘You guys have other clothes?’ LAUNCHPAD NO!

‘young lady’ Drake unknowingly falling into becoming a parent is just great

OOH, Lanchpad and Gosalyn interaction! Yes Please!

‘Nice night.’ 100/10 THE BEST FUCKING JOKE I HAVE EVER WITNESSED!!! HANDS DOWN!

DW NO! SLEEP IS IMPORTANT! *shoves the fact that I slept from 7am-2pm less than 3 nights ago behind me* Also, IT’S BEEN DAYS?!!? I have to admit, that was not executed clearly enough. Probably the only problem I have with the episode

‘das unexseptible, i cant excempt tat’ Drake. Drake, you’re so sweet. That line made me soft.

THAT’S THE SONG! THE SONG OF LEGENDS TOLD! SHE’S HUMMING IT TO A SLEEPING DRAKE! GUYS! GUYS! GIVE ME ALL THE REASONS WHY I SHOULD WATCH THE OG SHOW! PLEASE! I HAVE SO MANY OTHER SHOWS I NEED TO WATCH AND I SO WANT TO MOVE DWD TO THE TOP!!!

I A SOFT! I AM LAUNCHPAD! AND HOW FUCKING LONG IS THAT LIST ON HIS HAND AT THIS POINT! As someone that writes on their hand for reminders, he just has a bunch of words grouped up and extremely smudged on his hand.

I love how the tv show villains are confused about DW’s lack of showmanship

And then he died. Damn.

Gosalyn’s immediate concern and switch to stealth is A+ storytelling. I didn’t even catch it the first time through

Launchpad’s face and rise to what i will assume was a yell of glee was precious! That look just screams ‘FINALY! SOMEONE ASKS ME ABOUT SOMETHING I KNOW AND LOVE WITH MY WHOLE HEART! AND IT’S SOMEONE OTHER THAN MY BOYFREIND DRAKE!

Oh my god, it’s lodged in his weird throat. Gross.

Well, even I can tell that’s a reference to something

Aaaaaaannd Bradford has been found out. Yes!!!

And now the kids are dead

I wonder how many times David said that line. I played a character with a catchphrase and I had to try and say is different every time. It was hard...She said it 17 times. Not Groovy.(god I hate myself.)

Oh, B plot villains. Cool.

Launchpad coming in with the pep talk, yeah!

And DW’s back in action!!! WOO!

I found out that the original voice actor for Quackerjack reprised his role. He must of had a blast recording his lines again!

Neverminded, Gosalyn has two nerd dads

ALL OF THEM SAYING THE LINE IS PURE SERITONIN!!!!!

UH. UH! DRAKE IS STRAGHT UP BEING STABBED! MULTIPLE TIMES!! IN HIS TORSO!!!

God, they really are nerds

‘Why were our heads so round’ HA AHAHAHAHAAAH!!! *WHEEZE* I LOVE THIS FUNKY DUCK SHOW!

‘unless’ Aw. Aw man. I knew how it would end, but man, it hurts.

Hugs. Soft sorrowful hugs from your future dad

Where’d Bulba go? He just kind of disappeared.

‘Bradford? F.O.W.L??’ Nice going guys

‘Our reality just got a lot more dangerous’ idk why, but I really like that line

Drake out of the suit and Gosalyn Knows Him! YES!!!

‘Look, you got knocked down, beat up, and blown up today, but what matters is that you get back up’ I

I am Soft. Just, So Soft. And it would take too long to describe everything I’m feeling

He’s so nervous and he can’t find his words and they’re so sweet! Doc, I have diabetes now. Cause: Found Family Trope

Launchpad, he hodl.

LP! NOT YOU TOO! SLEEP! SLEEP NOT WHILE DRIVING! GUYS, NO!(Shit, they’re made for each other!)

ADVENTURE FAMILY ON THE CASE! YYEEEAAAAH!!!!!

Altogether, another great ep

...

WAIT! THERE’S ANOTHER ONE ALREADY! i HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN! FU

[carrotmakar]

Arrangement

Pairing: Tom Holland x Reader

Word Count: 6.1k+ (I AM SO SORRY THAT IT’S SO LONG)

Summary: Tom gives you an offer you can’t refuse

Warning(s): It’s not edited, sorry.

A/N: This is my submission for the throwback writing challenge that @naturallytom is doing! I hope you enjoy!!

Add yourself to my taglist here 

Masterlist

How did I end up in this situation? You ask yourself as you stand arm in arm with the one and only Tom Holland. There were flashing lights all around you, temporarily blinding you. There was nothing that you could possibly focus on. Nothing at all, except for the way that he held you to keep you steady.

Oh, yeah, I’m crazy. You think as you begin to walk slightly farther down the red carpet in a dress that costs more than you make in an entire year at your job. But are you really crazy? Who in their right mind would turn down an offer like the one that he gave you? You couldn’t think of a single person, which made you feel slightly better about the situation.

*

It had started as a normal Saturday. 

Your alarm went off at seven a.m. sharp. Your eyes snapped open, slightly disturbed by the blaring noise. There were broken rays of sunlight flowing into your room, making everything way brighter than it needed to be. You groaned to yourself, dreading the day you had ahead. 

You groggily pulled yourself out of bed, almost tripping over your own feet a million times. You stumbled around your room, finding everything you needed to take a quick shower. Once you found all the necessities, you quickly went to the bathroom to clean yourself and try to get you looking presentable. You stepped out of the shower less than 15 minutes later, having washed your hair and your body in record time, while also remembering to shave since your uniform consisted of a short sleeve shirt and a skirt - since the weather had turned almost unbearably hot. 

Your brain wasn’t even fully functioning yet, you were just going through the motions, doing what you do every morning when you have to go into work for an early shift.

With a cup of freshly brewed coffee and your keys in hand, you rushed out the door. You didn’t want to be caught in traffic, knowing that it would set you back by at least 30 minutes, which would in turn make you late for work. Traffic always ruined perfectly good mornings, and you wanted today to be a good day. 

*

You got to the small, corner side cafe where you work almost twenty minutes before your shift was scheduled to start, so you sat down at a table and pulled out your laptop to get some writing done. You barely have any time to write, so when you did, you seized the opportunity. You had been working on the same piece for weeks, and you were beginning to lose hope in ever finishing it, so having this time to work on your piece made your day just that much better.

You had gotten almost four pages of the story done when your manager walked up in front of you, carrying herself like she was the best person in the world. Her face held her signature smirk, letting you know that the day was about to take a turn for the worse, at least until she left in a few hours.

“Time to clock in, y/n. Wouldn’t want to be late. You heard what the boss said if you’re late again.” You shut your laptop and put it away carefully in your bag. 

You are completely aware of what he said to you. If you’re late one more time, whether it be because of traffic or not, you’re fired. He doesn’t care if you live forever away and the traffic sucks, he even went so far as to suggest that you find a job closer to home.

After you clocked in and laid your computer in the back room, you went to the schedule to see where they had you working for the day. You were assigned to man the cashier, which you normally wouldn’t complain about, but there were barely any customers. Within the first four hours that you were on the clock, maybe ten customers walked in and ordered something. And the last five were together. There were barely any orders, which meant that you spent the majority of your time at work wiping things down, making sure that everything was spotless, until a customer came in.

It’s going to be a really uneventful day, You thought to yourself. Days like these always were. They were the kinds of days that wore you down and made you feel even more tired after a shift than if you had been running around all day

Little did you know, this was not going to be one of those days.

Less than an hour before close, a man walked in. At first, you paid absolutely no attention to him. You were still wiping off a counter, waiting for him to come up to the register so that you could take his order. You had barely even looked up, just paying attention to how far away he was from the front counter. 

But when you actually did look at him, the air was knocked out of your lungs. 

Harrison Osterfield was standing right in front of you.

It took everything in your entire being to make your voice not shake when you asked, “What can I get for you today?”

He flashed you his award winning smile and rattled off his order. Surprisingly enough, it was quite simple. You quickly typed it into the register, assuming that the coffee would be the only thing he ordered seeing as he was alone. Before you could tell him his total however, he stopped you. 

“One second, love. My mate, Tom is coming too. Just got the text, let me get a tea for him, yeah?”

“Yeah, yeah, of course. Will that be all for today?” There was a slight shake in your voice that time, you having no luck concealing it. Tom Holland? Thomas Stanley Holland was about to walk into the small cafe that you work in? What are the odds?

“Yeah, that’s all, love. Thank you.” He hands you a fifty dollar bill and says, “Keep the change. Buy yourself something that’s almost as lovely as you are.”

You couldn’t help but blush as he walked away. Usually, you would take this as an insult, but the way he worded it made it seem like less of one. Usually the guys that left you tips were old men that either took pity on you or waited around after one of your shifts to see if you’d sleep with him because he gave you an extra five bucks.

But this was Harrison Osterfield, he wasn’t that kind of guy. Or at least, he seemed to not be that kind of guy.

A few moments later, their drinks were ready and you carried them out to Harrison so he wouldn’t have to get up again. You didn’t usually do this, but come on, these drinks are for two of the best actors you had ever come across.

“Thanks, sweetheart.” He says with a smile as you sit down the drinks.

“No problem.” You all but mumble as you turn around, slightly intimidated by his presence. You keep your eyes trained on the floor so that nobody can see how much you're blushing. Maybe it’s how he’s literally one of the most attractive guys on the planet, or maybe it’s because of the accent, but everything that he says seems to be getting to you today.

That wasn’t your brightest idea, however, looking at the floor in a cafe when you should be watching where you were going. Before you knew it, you bumped into something hard.

You look up, expecting it to be a wall, since it didn’t move one bit. You’re pretty clumsy. 

As soon as your eyes lock with the chocolate colored ones attached to the brunette in front of you, you wish it was a wall that you had run into. That would have been a lot less embarrassing. 

“Are you alright, darling?” Tom asks you, putting his, rather large,  hands on your shoulders, ensuring that you’re steady and won’t trip in any way. 

“Uh, yeah. Sorry, I should’ve been watching where I was going.” You look down at the floor, embarrassed that you were clumsy enough to foolishly run into someone as important as him.

He chuckles, making your eyes shoot back up to meet his. Great, now he’s laughing at you.

It seems almost idiotic of you to think that today was going to be a great day. Yeah, it had started out that way, but all great days can change in an instant.

“No, no, it’s all on me. I was blinded by how gorgeous you are. Should’ve been focusing on not running into you and ruining my first impression.” His cheeks immediately turn a slight shade of pink, making him look even cuter than he already is. For a moment, you find it hard to believe that someone as perfect as him could be blushing and calling someone like you gorgeous.

“Oh, please, you could never ruin your first impression. I mean, just look at you.” You compliment, hoping you’re not being too forward, not wanting to scare him off when you just met him.

“Why, thank you, darling. I’m Tom.” God, that accent will be the death of you.

“I’m y/n. It’s nice to see that you still introduce yourself to people.” Most famous people that walked into this cafe expected everyone to know exactly who they were, even if they had only been in two episodes of a TV show or one film.

“Of course I introduce myself, I can’t automatically expect you to know who I am. For all I know, you hate movies.” He has a shy smile on his face, kind of like he was hoping you did like movies.

“Well, Tom, I do, in fact, like movies. But it’s sweet that you’re so humble about your major role in the film industry.” 

“It’s not that major, love. I’m just Spider-Man.” He talks about the role like it’s not that big of a deal, but you can see the way his eyes light up and the large smile that comes to his face.

“You are not just Spider-Man. Sorry if I’m being too direct here, but, in my opinion, Spider-Man will forever be the best superhero.” It’s your turn for your cheeks to tint pink. You can’t begin to process why you’re being this forward, this flirtatious. It’s the accent. Has to be.

“Is that so?” He smirks.

Oh what you would give to know what he was thinking at that exact moment. You may never know, however, because your boss interrupts the conversation you’re having.

“Y/N come back here, we have other customers than the Holland kid.” You roll your eyes at her and flash Tom an apologetic smile before reluctantly walking back to the counter.

There was not another customer in sight. There were barely any cars in the parking lot or on the street surrounding the cafe. Sounds about right, your manager had a long list of crazy rules for when she was the highest authority in the store. One of the biggest was that you’re not supposed to mingle with the customers for too long. She could have at least come up with a better excuse, though. Maybe Tom had liked your little cafe, and because of the rude comment, never wanted to come back.

*

The store is about five minutes from closing when Tom walks up to the register. 

“When’s your shift over, darling?” He has a cheeky smile on his face. For a split second, you let yourself internally groan. You had hoped he was different, that he wasn’t like every other guy that tried to pick you up after shifts. 

But then you realized, this was Tom Holland. There was no way in the world that he was like that. 

“Try to be more subtle, Holland. The directness doesn’t look too good on you.” You joke, knowing full well that it looks great on him. And honestly, if that’s what he had been asking, you would have pushed aside the part of you that was internally groaning and went right with him. Because, come on, it would be crazy to say no.

“I don’t want to sleep with you, love. I want to talk to you about something.” He smirks, obviously amused that you assumed he wanted to take you home with him.

You blush at that, embarrassment setting in. “I get off in less than five minutes.”

“Alright, sweetheart, my mate and I will be waiting in the car.” He points to an Audi sitting out front. “Meet us there. I’ll make Harrison sit in the back.”

“Alrighty, Tom, I’ll see you in five.” You give him a sweet smile, although you were extremely confused as to why you would be meeting him in his car.

Was he going to kidnap you? Who cares? He’s hot.

He turns and walks out the door as you rush to get everything done.

*

When your area is cleaned, you all but sprint to the back to get your laptop bag.

“Bye, everyone. Have a good night!” You yell, making sure everyone hears you. You always tell everyone goodbye before you leave, it’s just something that you’ve grown accustomed to. You started it the day that you began working at the cafe, and everyone liked the idea of it. So, it just kinda stuck.

You walk out of the cafe and head to the sleek, obviously expensive, silver car awaiting your presence. You open the passenger door and slip into the seat.

“Hello, love.” Tom greets you at the same time as Harrison says, “Dang, I owe you.”

“Hello, Tom. Harrison, why do you owe Tom?” The confusion is written all over your face as you look between the boys for an answer.

Harrison visibly gulps before replying, “I bet Tom that he scared you away and that you weren’t going to show.”

“Well, he was quite forward, but what person in their right mind would be told to come meet you two and not show up to, at least, see what it was you needed to talk about?” You sure couldn’t imagine someone turning down the offer.

“Exactly, Harrison. But, love, we do need to talk to you.” Tom says, turning your attention back to the actual reason that you are sitting in a car that costs more than probably three years worth of paychecks, with two very handsome men.

“Alright, fire away. What is it?” You’re more curious than ever, wondering what could be so important.

“So, my management is pushing me to find someone that will attend events with me.” His face contorts in embarrassment, already seeming to regret his decision of asking you anything. “They say that ‘a young bachelor like me will draw more attention if I am seen with a pretty lady by my side.’” He doesn’t exactly look embarrassed anymore, it’s more of a look filled with disgust at how his management team worded their statement. “Something about being more desirable if I’m taken. I don’t know. However, I do want to please my management, no matter how stupid they sound. And when I was talking to you in the cafe, you seemed to be sweet. And you’re gorgeous. And I felt like our conversation just kind of flowed.” He hesitates for a second, as if to see if you were following along or if you were lost.

He continued after you nodded for him to do so. “So basically, y/n, what I’m asking is, for the proper compensation, would you be that girl for me?”

“Wait, wait, wait. You, Tom Holland, are asking me, y/f/n y/l/n, to be the girl you take to major events?” You’re trying your best to wrap your head around the situation. 

“Well, not just that.” Harrison pipes up hesitantly.

“What else could there be?” Your voice is laced with confusion, and you know by the way that he places his arm on your leg to calm you, that Tom hears it.

“You would have to stay with me for a little while. Don’t worry though, if you say yes, we have guest rooms, so it wouldn’t be too invasive.” You can tell that he’s trying his best to make you as comfortable as possible with this. “You would need to go places with me, outside of these events. Nobody could know that the relationship is fake. Which means that our families and friends will have to be involved. Everyone, besides my management, and the three of us, would have to believe that it was real.” He avoids eye contact with you for a second, as if he was embarrassed to be asking something like this. 

You understand, though. He’s 23, he shouldn’t have to be tied down by a woman just because of his management. He should have the ability to choose what he wants to do with his life, especially the romantic aspect of it. 

“You can say no, of course.” Harrison says from behind you. “We wouldn’t want you to do anything that you don’t want to do.”

“Yeah, there’s no need for you to do this if you don’t wan-” Tom begins, reaching a hand behind him to scratch his neck.

“I’ll do it.” you interrupt, surprising both of the boys in the car.

“Wait, really. That easy?” Tom asks.

“You seem surprised, Holland.” It wasn’t like you had anything better to do. You worked at a corner side cafe for a manager that absolutely hated you, and you had no relationships, so you were completely free.

“Well, I kind of am, love. I didn’t expect for you to say yes that fast. If at all. I expected for you to have to think about it for a few days. And then ultimately say no. But, alright. I’ll set up a meeting with my management so we can go over a contract and what your payment should be.” He pulls out his phone to put everything in his calendar.

“There’s no need for payment. I don’t need your money. I’m just here to help.” In reality, you probably could use the money, but that wasn’t the kind of person that you are. You like to help people, and you never, ever ask for anything in return.

“You really know how to pick the perfect girl, don’t you mate?” Harrison says. You look back at him and he has a smile on his face. He doesn’t seem to be joking. That thought makes your stomach storm with butterflies and your cheeks instantly heat up.

“Seems like it. Everyone else would’ve wanted my money. You just seem like you’re doing this to benefit me. Nobody seems to be that genuine these days.” Tom says, his eyes never leaving yours. Of course you’re genuine. Just because he’s famous doesn’t mean that he’s any less of a human being. You would help anyone in a situation like this. If they needed you, you wouldn’t hesitate to be their fake girlfriend for a week or two.

At least, that’s what you tell yourself. But would you really say yes to just anyone? Probably not. At this point, though, you’re just telling yourself whatever helps you sleep at night.

“Well, I just figured that you could find someone worse than me. And if you really need this, who am I to make this hard for you? Plus, I don’t need your money. I have a job that I really like and it pays the bills.” You’re surprised that they seem to think so highly of you already. They don’t even know you. It’s nice to have someone think of you as more than an employee to boss around. Although, with this whole thing, you’ll basically be working for Tom. Just with less money and more touching.

“You’re about to have more than enough money. You won’t be needing to pay rent if you’re staying with me. If you want, you can move the stuff that you really need or want with you to my house. And the rest, we can put in storage if you want, it’s up to you.”

“That sounds alright to me. I can start packing tomorrow if you’d like.”

“Yeah, yeah, if you send me your address, I can come help you. Harrison would probably come as well, if he isn’t busy.” Tom says, looking back at Harrison for confirmation.

“I have a meeting in the morning, but I can come after lunch.” The blonde says from the back seat.

“Tom?” You say, getting his attention again.

“Yes, love?” He looks at you instantly, his eyes trace your face over and over, looking for any sign that you changed your mind.

“I don’t have your number. I can’t send you my address without it.” You smile, and place your hand atop of his, which was still on your thigh. 

“Yeah, yeah, of course. Hand me your phone darling.” You do as he says and he enters his number. “Text me the address and then anytime that you need anything.”

“Sure thing, now if you two gentlemen don’t mind, I think I’m going to head home. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

“See you then, darling.” Tom says, watching you get out of the car.

“Goodbye, y/n.” you hear Harrison call before you shut the door.

You spend your drive home thinking about what in the world you just got yourself into.

*

Over the next few days, you had gotten closer to Tom. Your entire apartment had been packed up. You sent the things from your bedroom and other things that you wanted to make sure were with you to Tom’s house. The rest of your belongings went into a storage building that he wouldn’t stop pestering you until he got to pay for. That man was the most persistent person that you had ever met. 

You refused to let him pay for anything else, however. You didn’t need his money. And you didn’t want him to think that you only took his offer for the financial aspect. You genuinely just wanted to help him. 

You hadn’t started with your outings yet. You first had to have a meeting with his managers and some lawyers so that you could sign a nondisclosure agreement. Basically you just had to say that you wouldn’t tell anyone about this agreement with anyone. The whole thing would just end up blowing up in both of your faces. 

You could see the headlines now if this were to ever leak.

‘Tom Holland, 23 Year Old Heartthrob has to PAY for his Girlfriends!’

‘Y/N, Just Another Golddigger’

There was no way in the entire world that you would ever tell someone about the fakeness of the whole thing. The consequences would be catastrophic. And you could not be the reason that Tom’s career fell apart.

*

A week later, the NDA had been signed and you were hanging out in Tom’s living room. You were talking about absolutely nothing,but the conversation still flowed as if you were talking about something important. He was giggling at something that was on his phone when you had an idea.

“Let’s go out. To lunch. You know, like a date.” You look down at your hands, embarrassed for some reason. It’s not like you were actually dating him. This shouldn’t be scary. But it is. This is Tom Holland. 

What if you mess up? What if his fans hate the two of you together? What if his management regrets this decision? What if he regrets this decision?

That’s what’s running through your head as you wait for his answer. The silence that is radiating from him seems to be an uncomfortable one. The entire mood has shifted, and you hate the feeling of it.

“You-You’re asking me on a date?” You look up and he’s shocked. He’s looking at you like he can’t believe that you would ask him such a thing.

“Yeah, Tom. The public has to be introduced to me at some point. And it’s probably better to do some outings before the first event that you’re going to drag me to.” You try to explain, hoping that you thought right.

“Yeah, yeah, of course. I’ll go on a date with you, love. Where do you want to go?” He questions.

“I’m not sure. Where will we get the most exposure?” You’re trying your best to get this out there without having to do something like him posting it on Instagram.

You’re just trying to help him get this moving so that his managers have absolutely no reason to gripe at him. 

“Doesn’t matter. What’s your favorite place to get food?” He brushes the exposure idea aside, making it seem as if he really just wants this date to be just that, a date. 

Now you’re thinking crazy y/n, you think to yourself.

“Well it’s not really a restaurant, but I’m kind of a sucker for the Gains Bowls from the Body Energy Club.” 

“I have to say that I have never been there, or even really heard of it.” 

“You wouldn’t have. It’s over in the states. California.”

“Is that where you’re from?” He seems genuinely interested in the answer, so you answer honestly. 

“Yeah. Born and Raised. I moved out here to London so that I could stay with my best friend. He moved over here to go to college and I thought that was what I wanted too.” 

“What do you mean, you thought?” 

“I really just wanted to be a writer.”

“Do I get to meet this best friend of yours?”

“Oh, no, that won’t happen.” You want to leave it at that, as it is a sore subject for you, but you know that Tom’s going to ask why so you continue with, “We stopped being friends when he decided that my dreams were stupid. Told me that I would never make it as a writer.”

“Well, forget about him. You can be whatever you want to be. Don’t ever let anyone come in the way of what you want the most. I know the perfect place. But first, we need to get you into a dress.” 

“Are we matching?” You ask, wanting to know if you should coordinate with what he was wearing or not.

“No, not on dates, that would seem too staged.”

“Alright.” With that, you leave to go find a dress. 

When you signed the contract, you were also given a new wardrobe. Two, actually. One for dates that required dresses and one for non formal events that a dress should still be worn to.

The major events would have more extravagant dresses, of course.

So, you walk over to the rack in your room that holds all the ‘date dresses’ and you immediately pick the one that had been holding your eye since you got it.

It’s a blue high neck, lace cocktail dress. There’s a bow around the waist. It stops around mid thigh. You hope that Tom will like it. You remember him rambling about absolutely nothing in particular and accidentally telling you that his favorite color was blue.

You walk out of your room after fixing your hair and getting the rest of the things that you need.

Tom is standing in the living room in a white shirt, black blazer, and dress pants. Simple, yet perfect at the same time. How the hell can someone look that good? How the hell did you get so lucky? You know he isn’t really yours, but it’s a privilege just to be around him.

“You look ravishing, darling.” His voice breaks you out of your thoughts.

“You look really, really handsome. Like, wow.” He chuckles at this, and your cheeks immediately heat up.

“There’s no need to be embarrassed, love. I’m not the best at taking compliments, that’s all. Now, would you like to get going?” Tom says, trying to calm the nerves he can not only sense, but see due to the tint that has made its way to your burning cheeks.

You walk outside with him and get in the car. The ride to the restaurant is pretty quiet, the nerves having silenced you. 

“Darling, are you all right?” Tom asks, looking over to me when we came to a stop at a red light.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine Tom. Just nervous about it all.” You say, looking down at your hands.

“What are you nervous about, sweetheart?” He looks over at you, concern evident in his voice.

“What if someone sees us and then they take pictures? I mean, I know that’s the point and all,” you swallow the lump in your throat, “but what if your fans hate me? What if they hate us together?” You’re completely out of breath now, the nerves not allowing you to get the proper amount of oxygen into your lungs.

“My fans will be fine with you, love. You’re gorgeous. We look great together. Plus,” he reaches over for your hand and gives it a light squeeze, “we don’t have to look at what they’re saying. They’ll warm up to the idea if they don’t instantly love you.”

His words do little to soothe your insecurities that have made their way to the surface, but you give him a smile anyway. 

He gives your hand another squeeze. He can tell that you’re still on edge.

“We can just go home if you want.” He suggests, just wanting you to be comfortable.

“No, no, it’s fine. I promise.” You assure him.

After that, the car ride goes back to being silent, but it’s no longer tense or awkward. 

It’s comfortable.

*

When you arrive at the little restaurant he brought you to, you look over at him.

“I’m gonna get out and get your door, alright love? Just breathe, you’ve got this.” He says, trying to reassure you.

He does as he said he would. He opens his door and grabs your hand, bringing it to his lips and giving it a warm kiss.

“Such a gentleman.” You coo at him, causing him to give you a sweet smile.

“I try.” He smirks at you, letting you know that he knows exactly what he’s doing, making your heart flutter lie nobody has been able to do in a long time.

You make your way into the restaurant, being seated almost immediately and then having someone bring your drinks of choice. 

“I miss moments like these.” Tom admits, although you don’t know what he means at first.

“Moments like what, Holland?” You question, wanting him to elaborate.

“Moments when I can be myself and not worry about saying the wrong thing because I know that someone is writing everything down.” This makes your heart swell, knowing that he feels this calm and open with you. 

“Well, I’m not writing anything down, darling. You can tell me anything you want and nobody will ever hear a word about it.” This makes him genuinely smile, and you can tell how happy he is to know that.

“Well, what do you wanna know, love?” 

“Hmm, what’s your story?” 

“That is such a cliche question!” He giggles.

“I know, I know, but I’m genuinely curious. The whole world knows Tom Holland: Spider-Man, but I just want to know Tom Holland: the person.” 

“Well, there’s not much to tell darling.” 

“That’s nonsense-” You were in the middle of your thought when the waiter came back up to you to take your food orders.

After he leaves, Tom looks at you and begins, “That’s not nonsense, there’s nothing exciting about me that you probably don’t already know.”

“Hmm, well, because of the media, I know that you have three brothers, all younger. You have a dog named Tessa. Two loving parents. You used to dance and you play golf sometimes.” He gives you a look that radiates surprise that you even know anything about him in the slightest. “However, I do not know your birthday, your favorite color, what made you want to be an actor.

“I don’t know what your favorite pastime is - unless it’s golf of course. I don’t know the little things.” He’s giving you a look of pure adoration, and you let yourself wonder for a second what this would be like if it was real.

“Not a lot of people take the time to get to know me like that anymore.” He says, barely above a whisper. You know instantly that it wasn’t meant to be heard, so you say nothing and let him continue. “If you must know, my birthday is June 1, my favorite color is blue, I was born an actor, darling, there wasn’t a question of whether I wanted to or not.” 

You giggled at that before motioning for him to continue. 

“And, honestly, unless it’s just hanging with Haz, golf probably is my favorite pastime.” 

“See? It wasn’t that hard to tell your story.”

“That’s not a story, y/n. That’s just details.” 

“Details make the story, Holland.” 

*

After you finish eating, he insists on paying, which you end up letting him do. But only because he brought up the fact that you were on a ‘date’ and no man in their right mind was going to make their girl pay, especially on the first date.

You’re on your way back out to his car, both laughing about nothing, when you get the sudden feeling that this may have been the best decision that you ever made.

*

A week later, you’re in a whirlwind of stylists, makeup artists, and managers. All getting you ready for some red carpet event that Tom was invited to. 

They’ve picked out an extravagant dress for you, one to match Tom’s suit. It’s a maroon, flowy dress. Very modest, neckline not showing too much, legs completely covered. But you still look like a princess, at least that’s what you think.

“You look ravishing, darling.” Tom says from behind you, shamelessly looking you up and down. 

You turn to look at him and all of the air is knocked from your lungs. “You look really handsome, Tommy.” 

He smiles at that. The first time you called him by that nickname, he seemed hesitant, thought it was too childish, but the name on your lips made it perfect.

“Thank you, darling. Are you ready to head out?” 

“Yeah, yeah, let’s go show the world how absolutely amazing that Mr. Holland looks tonight.”

“Don’t forget that we have to show them how I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

You cock your head to the side, wondering what he means by that. 

“I get to have someone as stunning as you accompany me, I don’t know how I got so lucky.” You can’t stop the blush that appears on your cheeks.

*

You stand arm in arm with him. There were flashing lights all around you, temporarily blinding you. There was nothing that you could possibly focus on. Nothing at all, except for the way that he held you to keep you steady.

There’s something about the way that he’s holding on to you, his arm slightly tighter around your waist than it needs to be, that makes your heart flutter, even though you know that there’s nothing going on between the two of you.

Right?

You push the thought fro your mind, almost completely. Although you can’t stop yourself from wanting to do something. Something that you’ve been trying your best not to do since the night you met him.

When he puts his arm back around you, you put your hand on his shoulder and lean up, giving him a kiss on the cheek, letting it linger there for a second before pulling away.

He looks shocked, and you begin to wonder if you made a mistake, moved too fast.

“I-I’m sorry. Was that too much?” He’s blushing profusely, and you begin to see that he’s trying to suppress a smile.

He leans down to your ear and whispers, “No, no, not at all darling. Remember, we’re madly in love, so it’s alright to kiss me anytime you feel like it.”

And with that, all those little butterflies in your stomach multiply. And there’s no stopping them now.

Permanent Taglist: @spideygirl2003, @jackiehollanderr, @scarletsoldierrr, @thewayilookatbacon, @parker-barnes-af, @lost-in-the-stars03, @kisses-holland, @josiemara, @god-knows-what-am-i-doing, @fanficscuziranout, @babebenhardy, @akila-stilinski

Tom Holland Taglist: @cyrusandhiscollaredahirts, @averyfosterthoughts, @thorsangel, 

[finnsgrin]

Bellamy Blake - “Isn’t this what you wanted?” Part 2

Bellamy Blake x reader

From my Wattpad: inanoncriminalwayy

GIF: heartbellamy

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Word Count: 1,875

Published on: Friday, November 20, 2020

TW: None

Spoilers: None

Summary: S3

A/N: Much requested by my sister, who claimed that the ending of the first part was a cliffhanger. Enjoy. Also, I understand that Miller wasn't with Pike, but I forgot he wasn't when I wrote this, so for the sake of the story just pretend he is apjppsoeods

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♡Masterlist♡

Part 1

Bellamy Blake

"Isn't this what you wanted?" Part 2

As if things couldn't get any worse, the moment you got to Harpers door, you remembered that she was out on a supply run with Octavia, leaving her door locked, and you stranded in the hallway with tears in your eyes.

"Damn." You cursed as you racked your brain for the key code.

"Need some help?" A familiar voice sounded behind you.

Monty stood in a guards uniform, the bulletproof material looking strange on him. Never in a million years would you have envisioned him in the guard. Let alone the bad part of the guard.

Anger swelled in you, and although you knew that Monty didn't directly take a role in Lincoln's murder, you still resented him for playing the part and sticking at his Moms side when he knew it was wrong.

"You here to kill me too?" You set down your bag, and stared him straight in the eyes.

Although he was at least a foot taller than you, he still backed up, and pity glistened in his eyes.

"(Y/N), I didn't mean to - ."

"You could have talked some sense into them, Monty!"

"I didn't have a choice!" Monty hissed.

You shook your head, picking up your bag with your few belongings.

"There's always a choice." You whispered as you made your way away from him before you did something you would regret.

Maybe with Kane or Abby as Chancellor, the rules would be different.

Scratch that.

They would definitely be different.

Curfew was 9 pm for every citizen of the Ark, excluding the guard, of course. If you were caught out after curfew, no matter the reason, you were shocklashed if you were over the age of 16.

This new rule, including the shorted curfew, and the extensive punishment were mandated by Pike.

Your eyes scoured the walls of the corridors for a clock, but they were empty. You could tell that curfew was approaching, because little to no people were in the halls, and those who were, were hurrying back to their assigned quarters.

Even if you turned back now, there was no guarantee that Harper was back yet, and there was no way in hell you were going back to your room with Bellamy.

In fact, maybe you would stay out in the halls on purpose. Maybe this would result in you getting shocklashed, and Bellamy would finally open his eyes.

Maybe Bellamy would even be the one to do it to you.

"Weren't you arrested in the first place for being out past curfew?"

Jasper startled you as he spoke, leaning against the frame of his door, bottle of moonshine in hand.

You eyed him.

"Weren't you arrested for stealing booze?" You sneered.

He only laughed, his words becoming more slurred as he downed another gulp of his drink.

"Weed, actually. And if it wasn't for... Monty. Neither of us would have been sent down here in the first place."

It was strange what all could change in the span of a few months.

Jasper and Monty used to be inseparable. They were practically brothers. No one could tear them apart.

But now, Jasper spoke Montys name with venom.

"Aren't you due back at the castle with the King?" Jasper waved his drink at the direction, referring to Bellamy.

"I-." Your words were cut short as Nathan Miller rounded the corner. His eyes widened as soon as he caught sight of the both of you.

"Are you trying to get yourselves killed?" He seethed, his eyes darting to the left and the right, breathing a silent sigh of relief as he came to the conclusion that he was the only guard in sight.

Jasper lowered his drink, scrunched up his nose, and appeared to be thinking hard.

"Is this a rhetorical question?" He mused.

Miller turned red in the face.

"I'm not joking around, Jasper. You're lucky it was me who found you, and not Hannah." Miller hissed, clearly not in a joking mood.

Jasper only rolled his eyes.

"Even if you do kill me, what would I end up losing?" Jasper took another drink.

"If you keep talking suicidal, you're gonna end up losing your booze." Miller said.

Jasper seemed to sober up at those words.

"Well, goodnight then." Jasper turned, but Miller stopped him.

"I can't let (Y/N) roam free, Jasper. She's gonna have to stay here tonight." Miller explained.

Jasper shrugged.

"Fine. But I'm not sharing any of my moonshine." He slurred as he walked into his flat.

Millers wrist watched beeped, indicating that it was 9 pm, curfew.

"Hey, I can stop by your dorm and let Bellamy know that-."

"You can leave, is what you can do." You sneered.

Miller blinked, startled by your use of words.

Before he could say anything to this, Hannah Green rounded the corner, and raised her eyebrows at the sight of you, God forbid, two  inches outside of a dorm 1 minute past curfew.

Once she saw that you were talking to Miller, she sighed.

"I can let this slide, but just this once." She gave you a curt nod.

"Oh, will you?" You gave a mock squeal of gratitude, your smile sarcastic.

Hannah frowned.

"I don't like your tone, young lady." She said, her jaw taut.

"And I don't like your face, you power hungry bitch." You jeered.

Hannah gave a gasp of shock, and pulled out a notepad and pen from her pockets.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to write you up." She said.

You only laughed.

"For what? I didn't threaten you. I'm not even within slapping distance of you."

Her face grew a deep shade of scarlet.

"Is that a threat?" She spoke firmly.

"Do you want it to be?" You move forward, but Millers hands stopped you as he placed them firmly on your shoulders.

"(Y/N), enough," He pleaded, really not in the mood to arrest his friend tonight.

Hannah took a look at the door number of Jaspers dorm, and cleared her throat. Everyone knew Jaspers number. Everyone on the Ark had guided him home at least once when he was too drunk to walk properly.

"I'm going to let this go. I will assume that you are helping Jasper. But if you speak to me like that ever again, you can expect a night in lockup." Hannah held her nose high in the air as she strutted away.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Miller lit into you.

"Are you stupid, (Y/N)?" He hissed.

"Are YOU stupid, Miller? You know what you're doing is wrong." You jeered.

Miller was not in the mood for anymore arguing tonight, so he just let out a defeated sigh, and massaged his temples.

"Have a goodnight, (Y/N)." He spoke softly as he walked away.

-

Bellamy was a mess. He reread the letter that was left for him over and over again until his eyes ached, and his heart couldn't take it anymore.

It had been hours, and he felt like a complete ass for letting you be gone this long.

Even if he went out into the halls without his guard uniform, he knew without a doubt that he wouldn't get in any trouble, being a member of the guard and all.

He opened the door, but before he left, he took the letter that you left him, and folded it neatly into a square so he could carry it with him in his pocket.

It felt strange not walking with you. Almost as if the silence was too loud.

He nearly ran into Monty as he booked it through the halls and around the corner.

"Bellamy, what's wrong? Why was (Y/N) at Harpers door crying?" Monty wondered.

"She's at Harpers?" Bellamys felt a weight lifted off of his shoulders. You were safe.

Monty shook his head.

"No, no. Harper wasn't home. I-I don't know where she is." Monty stuttered.

Bellamy took no more time in conversing, and continued to jog.

"Bellamy? What are you doing out? It's past midnight." Hannah stopped him, a smile on her face.

"My- my..."

What was he even supposed to call you now?

"(Y/N), (Y/L/N), have you seen her?" His voiced cracked pitifully at the end of his sentence.

Hannah's eyes softened.

"I was down at Jasper Jordan's place when curfew started. She was there." Hannah explained, pointing in the direction of which you were.

"Thank you." He nodded gratefully.

It would make sense that you were with Jasper.

Next to Harper, Jasper was your best friend. And you both had something to bond over.

The fact that someone you loved and cared for was killed by someone you loved and trusted...

How much deeper could a bond get?

When he got to Jaspers, the door was cracked open.

Bellamy frowned, and gave a knock.

"(Y/N)?" He loudly announced his arrival.

A groan could be be heard from inside.

A half asleep, not even ten percent conscious Jasper stumbled to the door.

"What do you want?" He growled.

"Jasper, I need to see (Y/N)." Bellamy pleaded.

Jasper moved out of the way, too exhausted for anymore conversing. He gestured widly to the couch in which you had been sleeping on no more than two hours ago.

But you weren't there.

In your place, was yet another note, announcing your departure to the woods where you planned to run away and live a life with Trikru, where you could be free.

All of the blood drained from Bellamys face, and he patted his pockets, cursing when he remembered he wasn't wearing his uniform and didn't have his walkie talkies.

He shoved this note hastily in his pocket, and sprinted out of the room, out into the entrance of Arkadia, where the night air was cool, and the lights bright.

He panicked, swiveling around frantically trying to imagine which direction you would go.

He caught sight of you a few hundred yards outside of the fence.

"(Y/N)! (Y/N)!" He screamed.

You turned around, his name almost passing your lips.

The sound of a gunshot answered him.

The crickets ceased their chirps, and time itself seemed to stand still as Bellamy watched your body crumble to the ground.

The watchman who had shot you realized his mistake as soon as he heard Bellamy scream.

That wasn't a Grounder.

Guards moved out past the gate, to examine the corpse.

They say you move faster when your adrenaline is pumping.

But Bellamy couldn't move fast enough.

"Don't touch her! Don't touch her!" Bellamy cried as a guard bent over to pick you up.

Your face was forever frozen. Your eyes wide with regret and heartache. Your lips beginning to form Bellamys name.

Bellamy let out a wail. It was a familiar wail.

It was the sound Raven made when she watched Finn die.

It was the sound Octavia made when she watched Lincoln die.

But this wail was different in a few ways.

It was full of more regret.

More sorrow.

As Bellamy held your bleeding body in his arms, the paper of the notes you had left crinkled in his pockets.

Both of them goodbye notes.

And Bellamy whispered the words he never got to say.

"It's you. I choose you."

♡Masterlist♡

[prettywordsyouleft]

Maybe

Prompt: #203 for anon – “Do you expect me to carry you all the way?”

Anonymous said:

Jinyoung x reader #203 prompt,,, pleaseeee for the youxidol

Pairing: Park Jinyoung x reader

Genre: enemies to lovers / co-workers / fluff

Warnings: none

Word count: 1874

You were already mortified enough, or so you had thought. Yet when Jinyoung’s sentence tumbled out of his mouth with a groan, you grew more frustrated. “What did you just say?!”

“Do you expect me to carry you all the way? We’re nowhere near the car yet.”

“So drop me then,” you exclaimed from behind him, thumping your hand down on his shoulder, earning a hiss from him. Repeating the action, you expected the man giving you a piggyback ride to drop you.

Instead, he swore loudly and hoisted you up in his grip. “Stop hitting me!”

“Well put my heavy ass down!”

“I never said you were heavy,” he grumbled through gritted teeth, rearranging you again. “I just asked if you expected me to carry you the whole way.”

“It’s not as if I asked for this, Park Jinyoung. Believe it or not, I’d be more enthralled to be carried by anyone else but you right now.”

“Is that so?”

“Mark wouldn’t complain like you are,” you pointed out and he let out a breathy laugh. “He wouldn’t!”

“He also wouldn’t have carried you this far and given up by now.”

“Jackson then! He has arms of steel and a broad back. He would do it!” Jinyoung huffed and you smirked. “He’d even be concerned about me in the process. And he’d move faster than you are.”

“What a shame Jackson wasn’t out here then, huh?” Jinyoung lamented sourly, and you were certain if you could have seen him face on, he would be rolling his eyes right now.

You sighed dramatically. “Anyone but you.”

“What would you have done if I wasn’t there?” he wondered and you grimaced. “Face it, I saved you.”

“It’s just a twisted ankle, I’m sure. In fact, I’ve told you multiple times to put me down. I can walk.”

He stubbornly hoisted you up again and exerted a heavy breath in response.

“You were in an area of the forest where no signal would reach your phone, and in an hour it will be completely dark. You would have to wait there until the early morning exercisers started up the track and found you.”

“I would have hobbled down by myself,” you answered, shuddering at the thought of had been up there by yourself.

You didn’t want to admit you were entirely grateful that you and Jinyoung had been assigned to do the report together. Although you hated how cocky he was, he was excellent at his job and you had successfully interviewed all that those you needed to about the new track opening for walking and running enthusiasts at the local national park. And technically this was all your fault. Had you not wanted to watch the sunset before going back down, you wouldn’t have tripped on the tree root sticking out in the path since the lighting had already started making shadows around you.

And Jinyoung wouldn’t be carrying you down on his back either.

Maybe that was the real reason why you were mortified.

Because you were clumsy enough, everyone knew that about you back at the station. You had caused so many accidents whilst out reporting over the years that you had grown immune to the jeers of others and the exasperation you felt in the moment.

But you hadn’t ever found yourself receiving a piggyback from Jinyoung before either. His back was broad and you could feel the muscles he was using to hold you up. Your hands had gripped onto his shoulder far too long now to deny you liked them.

You liked all of this.

Jinyoung grunted. “You’re silent. What kind of scheme are you thinking of now?”

Whilst you admired him physically, you were acutely aware of just how much Jinyoung bothered you every time he opened his mouth. You couldn’t think of any other incident in your career at the news station where Jinyoung had done anything for you. He was always full of accusations, priming you until you went off at him for annoying you. You were dubbed the Tom and Jerry of the team after all.

You had a role to maintain. Of course, you would bite back.

“What scheme are you rolling with? I’m pretty sure I’ve asked you to put me down enough that anyone else would have listened by now. Still, you carry me despite outwardly exclaiming how much of a burden it is. I’m worried you might be planning to kidnap me!”

Jinyoung laughed heartily then, throwing his head back a little that you could see how the skin around his eyes wrinkled up with his delight. “You know, that’s a good idea! I could bury you up here and be done with you once and for all.”

“Except you have no gloves to hide the evidence or shovel to dispel me with. A shame, really.”

“A true shame,” he echoed with another chuckle.

You groaned as you looked ahead at the path. “I’m hungry.”

“Says the person getting a free ride down. Once we get back to my car, of course, I’ll be ever so gracious to feed you. Shall I take you to the hospital too? Or home? Anything you need, Your Highness.”

You let out a hearty whine. “How does anyone put up with you? No wonder you’re single! Why did you even bother to stay and watch the sunset with me?! You could have just gone back down with the filming crew and leave me up here alone!”

Jinyoung came to an unsteady halt, your weight throwing his sudden change in movement off. You shrieked and tried to right both your balance so you didn’t fall again. Jinyoung snapped his head to glare over his shoulder at you. “Put up with me?!”

“You’re an asshole!”

“And you’re not any better! Here I am doing you a favour and you’re insulting me?! ”

“It’s not an insult when it’s fact, Jinyoung.”

“I’m single, that is a fact,” he muttered, his hands moving to hold your legs more securely.

You blew your hair out of your face. “As is the reality of our situation. You could have gone down but you didn’t. Why not?”

“I don’t have to answer that.”

“No doubt you were doing something to bring up in front of the team tomorrow morning,” you grumbled and Jinyoung remained silent. Your annoyance softened. “You weren’t?”

“Maybe I should have.”

“Then why? I didn’t take you for a nature-loving kind of person,” you mentioned and he still didn’t answer. You slapped his shoulder again and he gripped your legs tightly.

“Stop hitting me!”

“Then answer me! It’s not that hard to-”

“You’re so god damn clumsy! It’s like I knew something would happen. Imagine if I hadn’t of caught you when you started sliding down further!”

“You were worried about me?” you breathed and Jinyoung laughed once.

“Don’t flatter yourself, I just didn’t want the boss to go at me for leaving you behind and getting injured again,” he attempted and now it was your turn to fall silent.

You sighed, resting your head on his shoulder. You were getting tired of being so bothered by this whole situation. The fact was, your leg hurt but it could have been much worse without Jinyoung.

He had saved you, after all.

“Thank you.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear that,” he replied and you groaned.

“Thank you for staying behind. I’m not sure what would have happened had you not.”

You saw his lips twitch as he tried to suppress his satisfaction. “Well, you’re welcome, Y/N.”

His tone was different and it made you lift your head away from his shoulder to gain some sense of clarity. Nothing seemed to help, so you looked around yourself desperately, gasping and pointing to the view ahead. “We’ve almost made it back to the parking lot now, I can see it! You can put me down, I’ll walk from here.”

“It’s not that far, I’ll carry you back to the car.”

“Is there a reason you don’t want to put me down, Jinyoung?”

“You’re injured.”

“I’m always injured,” you shot back and he cleared his throat awkwardly. “Shall I expect you to carry me around in the office when I’m injured in the future too?”

“Should I?”

“Hey!” you exclaimed, though he didn’t laugh as you expected. You stared at the side of his face suspiciously. “If you keep this up, I’ll start to think foolish things.”

“Oh yeah, like what?”

“You’re enjoying this,” you commented and Jinyoung’s step faltered. “You like having me need you.”

His lips pursed together. “Now why would you-”

“Maybe you always annoy me like a little boy does because you like me,” you continued and Jinyoung didn’t answer you, moving more quickly towards his car. Once there, he backed up to the trunk of the sedan and sat you down on it. Before you could do or say anything, he whipped around, moving in between your legs and smiled.

“Maybe I do.”

“Don’t toy with me, I said it as a joke,” you warned and Jinyoung cocked his head to the side.

“What if I was doing just that though? I am single, after all.”

“You like me?” you breathed, eyes round as saucers.

Jinyoung smirked. “Who knows? I just carried you for almost an hour. It’s the longest we’ve been so close. I could have had a change of heart.”

You rolled your eyes. “Stop being such a-”

It was swift. You knew he had to be to throw you off and take the situation for his own. His lips pressed into yours that had turned to stone, frozen in time as your gaze became unfocused. He moved his mouth against yours and it was the catalyst needed for you to snap your eyes closed, kissing him back with a hunger you had never expected to have over anyone, let alone Jinyoung.

And when he had rendered you speechless, he pulled back, pleased with how dishevelled you must’ve looked. He wiped along his now swollen bottom lip before patting your thighs to break you out of the reverie.

“Why did you just kiss me?”

“That’s for you to think about all night long, Y/N.”

“Park Jinyoung, you are absolutely-”

“A jerk, an asshole?” he prompted and you shook your head, winding your arms around his neck again.

“Going to have to let me kiss you again.”

“W-What?”

You smiled at his stunned expression. “Well, you carried me all the way down here, shouldn’t I pay you back for your efforts?”

“If that’s the case, I think more than a kiss might be needed.”

“Maybe you’re right. Being one of the top reporters in our field, I know you wouldn’t be cheap for your time.”

He nodded, shifting closer again. “I think dinner after a hospital visit to see if your ankle is alright is definitely on the cards. It might get too late and you’ll have to come back to mine.”

“Do you have ice packs, medicine?”

Jinyoung shook his head, his lips almost against yours again. “No, but they say there are other ways to relieve pain. Maybe I could distract you enough from it.”

You kissed him briefly before replying with another smile. “Maybe.”

_________________

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[flowerspecial]

Enemy To Lover - High School Edition - Part 2

JB

Obviously your friends would be sick and tired of the constant bickering between you two. Like seriously, you have spent so many years together, why can't you two just be freaking civil? It was one of your mutual friend’s birthdays, and you all decided that the best idea would be to throw an amazing surprise birthday party. You all assigned each other roles and tasks that you needed to do. Unfortunately, neither you nor JB could attend the designation of tasks, so you two ended up stuck together. Neither of you two were happy with this arrangement, and you were not afraid to let your feelings be apparent. But you knew that this wasn't about you, and you needed to suck it up for the sake of your friend. You would pick JB up from his house at the weekend. Annoyingly, you two also had the most difficult job, getting the food and alcohol for the party. Well you two had to walk around a supermarket deciding what food was best. “What about this? Everyone will love this.” “I don't like that.” “What the hell is your problem JB? Seriously, I get that we are different, but bloody hell you don't have to be in a sulk every time that you see me.” You would storm off away from him, leaving him stranded in the supermarket. There is just no need for toxic friendships like this. The next time that you saw JB was at the party. You noticed that he kept looking at you, but honestly you didn't let yourself dwell on it too much. You wanted to enjoy this party just as much as everyone else. However, JB managed to corner you in the kitchen while you were getting a drink. “We need to talk.” “JB, I really can't be bothered to talk to you right now. Let's just leave it okay? I get that we will never be friends, let's move on.” “I want to try and be friends.” “Why? Because you feel sorry for me? Or that you feel guilty that I stormed off the other day?” “Well yes, it might be some of that. But you know what they say, opposites attract.”

Mark

Sitting next to Mark wasn't all that bad, like his reputation told you, he generally preferred to stay to himself. Because you two kinda hated each other, it did mean that he wasn't willing to try and talk to you or anything. He would just have his head on his desk and go to sleep for the hour. “You know, if you actually listened in class, you might do better in the tests.” You would say to him. “Yeah, and if you actually focused on the work, instead of on me, you would also do better in the tests.” “If you two have not quite finished your conversation, you can finish tonight, in detention!” Your teacher would shout at the two of you. You had never had detention before, so you glared at the back of Mark’s head so ferociously, that if looks could kill, he would be a goner. After school finished, you would walk into the detention room to see Mark already sat there. You chose the seat in front of him, praying that you might actually get some of your school work done in the hour. It is not long before the detention supervisor leaves the room. “So why exactly do you hate me?” Mark asks you abruptly. “I don't hate you.” You try to argue back. “Well you could have fooled me, what have I ever done to annoy you?” “You misbehave in class, and you flirt with every person going. You don't care about your education or anyone else’s around you.” “When have I misbehaved in class? I fall asleep, yeah okay I do that. But I have never directly disrupted a class. As for the flirting, all I do is talk to people. It's not my fault that people in this school have spread so many rumours about me that no one actually knows the truth from the myth.” You just looked at him, shocked with his sudden outburst. “I was actually looking forward to sitting with you, I thought that you could help me. But if I bother you that much, I will ask the teacher to move me tomorrow.” With that, Mark walked out of detention.

Jackson

Honestly, prom is meant to be a fun time with your friends, but truly this was your idea of hell. After everyone had been assigned their dates, you all found a day when everyone was free and decided to go prom shopping. All of the couples were keen to take in each other’s opinions about what you should both wear. You and Jackson however, could not care less about what the other person is wearing. Therefore you looked around the shop by yourself and chose a dress that you thought was perfect for you.  “Of course you are going to choose the sparkliest dress in here. God forbid if anyone else gets attention just for a second.” Jackson rolled his eyes as you walked out in your dress. “That's rich coming from you! You know it isn't a contest to see who can wear the most designers?” You sneered back at him. The constant bickering between you two was starting to wear thin on you, and somewhere along this process Jackson’s comments had gotten slightly harsher than ever before. “Just because you can't afford to wear the clothes that I can! Jealous much?” Wow, now that one really struck a nerve in you. “Fuck you Jackson! I don't need to take this kind of abuse from someone who I have no intention of ever speaking once I leave school. If you really don't like the way I dress, or the way I act, then fine. You win” You got dressed as quickly as you could, and left the changing rooms with the sparkly dress still hanging in the room. Jackson was waiting for you outside the changing rooms and he ran after you when you stormed off. “Wait, what do you mean I win?” Jackson grabbed your wrist to turn you towards him. “It means that you win Jackson. I don't want to play this game anymore. I can't spend my days with someone who constantly makes me feel like I’m mud on the sole of someone’s shoe. I’m not going to prom, find someone else to go with you.”

Jinyoung

If anyone asked you, you would not be able to tell them the last time you had been outside or taken a break from studying. These months were crucial for you to be able to get out of this town, and there was nothing that you were not willing to do in order to succeed. If you thought that you were hard on yourself before, boy were you kidding yourself. A mixture between wanting to succeed and immountable stress hung over you so much that you felt guilty when you didn't revise. You knew this was not a healthy way to live, heck you are doing AP Psychology for crying out loud, and your mental health was starting to deteriorate. It was one of those days when you did not have any extra curricular after school, so you decided to spend your evening studying in the library. You always preferred to sit in the corner of a library, as you didn't want to be disturbed by anything or anyone. You have felt on edge for some time, and will the university exams coming up in the next week, you were struggling to hold yourself together. As you attempted to complete a timed exam paper, there was a question that you were stuck on. In the grand scheme of things, that one question should not have bothered you so much. One question not understood in an entire exam paper is something to be proud of. However, your brain was fixated on that one question, and so you pushed out of your chair to try and find a book that could explain the answer. Your heart was fluttering so uncomfortably, and your breathing was ragged. You fell to the ground of the library in a slump and you struggled to focus on something. You felt someone try to position you so your head was between your knees. “Focus on your breathing okay? In through your nose, out through your mouth.” When you calmed down, you looked up to see who the person was that was helping you, and you were surprised to see Jinyoung sitting next to you. “You are the smartest person I know. Don't give yourself such a hard time.”

Youngjae

From the word go, you wanted to set ground rules for Youngjae. “Right, I actually need to do well in this presentation, I need to stabilise my grade. So I couldn't care less if you don't want to work with me, we are going to work together and we are going to do well. Okay?” You said to him as you sat down in your new seating position. “Who said I didn't want to work with you?” Youngjae asked, genuinely confused at your outburst. You look at him incredulously and ignore his question. For the rest of the lesson, you work in near silence, the only time you spoke was to tell Youngjae what tasks you were giving him and how long he had to do them. “I need you to have this done by the day after tomorrow at the latest. Here is my email, just send it to me when you have finished it. If you have any questions, ask someone else.” Before Youngjae could say anything, you gathered your belongings and walked out of the classroom. Not to sound cliche, but you always hated lunch time. Although you chose to be on your own, it was still never nice when it was made so apparent to you. In order to combat the twang of loneliness, you always played music through your headphones and did whatever homework was set. You looked around the lunch hall and someone caught your eyes. Youngjae was at the other side of the hall, with his friends. When he saw you he smiled and waved at you, earning his friends to turn around to see who he was looking at. You didn't think matters could get any worse, but Youngjae had decided to walk over to you and sit down opposite you. “Hey, why are you sitting on your own?” “Because I don't have anyone to sit with.” “Well… it's a good thing that I came then isn't it?” You couldn't work out if Youngjae was actually quite sweet, or so oblivious it was painful. It was clear he didn't notice the stares that he was getting by sitting next to you. Well, until one of the popular people stood behind him. “You don't wanna sit here Youngjae, you might catch something.”

Bambam

You were walking through the dining hall one lunch time, trying to find somewhere to eat. But because you weren't looking where you were going, you crashed into someone, spilling your food on them. “Are you actually kidding me? Do you know how much this shirt costs?” You didn't even need to look up to know who was speaking to you. Bambam was towering over you with steam coming out of his ears. “I am so sorry, I will pay you back! I can get it dry cleaned! Or I can get you a new one? How much is it?” “Oh yeah, like you can afford to get him a new shirt!” One of the girls behind Bambam sneered. “Yeah, aren't you the scholarship kid? You couldn't even afford to get in here, why would you be able to pay for his shirt?” You were fighting so hard to not let the tears fall that were pooling in your eyes. “I am really sorry, please just tell me how much it was and I will pay you back!” “It was $800, can you afford that?” The same girl as before piped up. “Yes, I will get the money!” Bambam had stayed silent throughout the entirety of his conversation, showing you that he clearly wasn't on your side. Before you embarrassed yourself further, you walked away from the group. You were determined to save up enough money to pay Bambam back, and you were not going to stop until you did. School became a living hell, Bambam’s group became your own personal group of tormentors, determined to show you that you don't belong at their school. You made sure to do longer shifts after school and during the weekends, meaning that on average you got about 4 hours of sleep. Life was not ideal for you, but you were determined to make it work. It took around a month for you to gather the money you owed Bambam. You saw him sitting with his friends in the dining hall, and you walked over to and slammed the money onto the table. “Here is the money that I owe you, now please, just leave me alone.”

Yugyeom

“I didn't know that you could play.” Yugyeom states very matter of factly. Seeing him walking towards you was making your heart rate begin to increase. “Oh I can't really, sorry I will get going now.” You gathered all of your belongings from the side of the piano and you tried to stand up from the seat. However, Yugyeom was too quick for you and pushed you back down. “Can you teach me how to do that?” “Why should I teach you?” “Why wouldn't you?” Yugyeom’s blatant disregard for his actions was making your blood boil. “Why should I help someone that has made my life here at school a living hell? Why should I help someone that when I see in the hallway, I will walk outside just to avoid. Why should I help someone who genuinely makes it his personal mission to destroy? “Look, it's not that big of a deal. The stuff that we do, it's just a joke!” “And the fact that you genuinely think that is what makes it worst of all.” This time, you managed to successfully climb out of the seat, and you stormed out of the room. A couple of days had passed, and Yugyeom was nowhere to be seen. You had expected that the tormenting would actually get worse, you practically gave him the green light after shouting at him the other day. But no, you hadn't seen him around school, and neither had any of his friends. You had a free period before lunch, which meant that you were able to spend longer than usual in the music room, which always put a smile on yourself. However, when you arrived, the lights were already on and you could hear someone playing on the piano. You peeped your head around the door to see the MIA boy sitting in the same spot which he was sat in a couple of days ago. You stood at the door for a few minutes, listening to Yugyeom playing the same section over and over again. “You know you have the wrong chord, right?” You asked him, causing Yugyeom to whip his head around to look at you. “I’m trying to do it from memory, I knew it sounded wrong but I didn't know why.”

[songtoyou]

Chapter One: Move You

Would You Call That Love

Pairing: Chris Evans x Raina Morrison (OC) Rating: PG-13 (Will be 18+ for some chapters)

Description: There was always one person Chris Evans tended to turn to when he was not in a committed relationship, Raina Morrison. He could confide in her about things going on in his life that he did not feel comfortable talking to his family or close friends about. Chris and Raina were able to establish a way to communicate with one another openly but also being respectful of the other’s time and needs. It was the only constant “relationship” he had, but without all the nonsense of trying to build a life together. A “friends with benefits” situation.However, what happens when Chris starts rethinking his “relationship” with Raina and if either is willing to pursue something more?

Chapter Rating: PG

Warnings: Mention of anxiety

Word Count: 2,530

Note: This is the first fic I have written in ages. Everything about it is fiction. Sadly, I do not know Chris Evans and this is just a fictional take on his life. I do not permit this fic to be reposted on other platforms.  

Thank you to @southerngracela​ and @sullyosully for the support. I also want to give a shout out to @royallyprincesslilly​​ for the text divider. 

*Updated for grammar edits.

June 2019

The early morning sun was peeking out of the sky, and the air became crisper after a night of pouring rain. It was supposed to be a scorcher day in June, according to the weather reports. That was not something Chris Evans was looking forward to since he would have to be on-set partaking in outdoor scenes wearing sweaters, business suits, and heavy coats for most of the day. Despite the uncomfortableness his job could be at times; it was all worth it in the end. Acting was Chris’s passion, and he was fortunate to do it for a living. Chris knew he was lucky to be where he is at in his career. From the ups and downs to disappointing film projects that either went nowhere or were rejected by critics and moviegoers, it all helped steer Chris to become the actor he is today. 

With Captain America’s story arch now complete, Chris understood that it would take a while for audiences and some of his fans not just to see him as Steve Rogers. Taken on Marvel’s top Avenger’s mantle was one of the best decisions he ever made as it took his career to new heights. Yes, Chris had some reservations at first when he was approached for the role. He did not feel confident enough if he could handle the responsibility of playing such an iconic character. Chris was also worried about losing his anonymity. He liked being able to walk down the street with no one recognizing him or asking for a photo and autograph. Now Chris was lucky to make it a few blocks without someone yelling out at him or screaming “Captain America!”, it most definitely did not help ease his anxieties. 

“You got that Marvel money saved up. You can live comfortably while pursuing projects that people would not expect you to take. It’s a win-win situation for you,” said Raina, one of Chris’s best friends, when mentioning the project, Defending Jacob. 

“You sound like my mom when you say that,” Chris replied.

Raina laughed at that and said, “I take that as a compliment, you know.”

“Good. I meant it as one. You both don’t take shit from anyone. And I know you’ll always have my back as she does.” 

Raina and his mom kept telling him to accept the lead role as Andy Barber in Defending Jacob. And how it would not only be beneficial to his career, but also because 1.) the show was filming in Massachusetts so that he would be in his own home every night, and 2.) it was a role he never played before: a father.

Sipping his coffee, Chris stood on the porch of his house as he watched Dodger relieve himself. “Come on, buddy. Let’s get you some breakfast,” Chris waved Dodger over to get inside. The pup was happy to oblige his owner and trotted up the steps into the house.

Chris heard his cellphone buzz just as he put down Dodger’s food bowl. Reaching over the counter to retrieve it, Chris smiled when he saw the name pop up.

Raina: Why didn’t anyone tell me that New York is always hot as balls! I can’t take it!

Chris: I warned you about that, but you didn’t listen to me. What are you doing up so early?

Raina: Couldn’t sleep. Nervous about the preview shows for Moulin Rouge. It is coming up quickly. 

Chris: Again, congrats on Moulin Rouge. You got nothing to be nervous about; you are going to be great. 

Raina: I’m just worried if people will like the show. 

Chris: You and the crew wouldn’t have gotten to Broadway if people weren’t interested in seeing it, especially with you as Satine. This is what you were born to do. Scott, Ma, and I will be there on opening night. Carly and Shanna won’t be able to come but plan to see the show on a girls’ trip to New York later in the summer. I know both are proud of you as well. 

Raina: Stop! You are going to make me cry. All of you are so sweet. Seriously, I am forever grateful to you and your amazing family for supporting me all these years.

Chris: Can you believe it has been ten years since we met at that Vanity Fair photoshoot for West Side Story. 

Raina: Oh God! Do not remind of that shoot. I was a ball of nerves that day.

Chris: I thought the paramedics were going to need to be called for you.

Raina: Haha. Seriously though, they probably would have if you didn’t help calm me down.

 January 2009

“Wait, what is this photoshoot about?” Raina asked her manager, Jerry, who sighed in response.

“Raina, I’ve already told you. It is to celebrate the Broadway revival of West Side Story. The photographer is re-creating scenes from the film version,” explained Jerry.

Now it was Raina’s turn to let out a sigh. Despite being in the music industry since she was 16 years old, the whole idea of photoshoots still did not make her comfortable. Plus, the long hours, the bright lights, and the shoots’ craziness left Raina feeling drained. It was now adding other celebrities to the mix brought on a whole new set of anxieties.

“You don’t have anything to worry about,” Jerry assured Raina and added, “Today’s going to be easy. You don’t have to worry about being front and center this time. You’ll be in the background so that you can relax.”

“If you say so,” Raina retorted with a small smile. She trusted Jerry.

When Raina finally arrived at the photoshoot, she was whisked away to hair and makeup and then onward to change her costume. She had already been introduced to her fellow photo mates, such as Ashley Tisdale and Robert Pattinson. Both were very pleasant and nice. 

“I am such a huge fan. I have all of your albums,” Ashley gushed admirably. 

“Thank you. That is very sweet of you to say. I loved your album ‘Headstrong,’ by the way. Such great bops,” Raina complimented, and Ashley’s face lit up like a Christmas tree.

As the two made their way to the set, each shared what project they were currently working on until Ashley stopped dead in her tracks.

“What is it?” Raina asked, concerned.

“Chris Evans,” whispered Ashley and went on, “Chris Evans is over there.”

“Yeah, didn’t you know he’d be here? Oh my God, you guys didn’t use to date, did you?”

“Ha! I wish. He is just so cute,” Ashley said dreamily.

Raina just laughed and shook her head, “Yeah, he isn’t bad looking.”

They filmed the dance scene from the movie where Maria and Tony see each other for the first time. Camilla Belle and Ben Barnes were assigned the lead roles for the shoot. Raina had to admit; both looked the part. The photographer, Mark Seliger, gathered everyone around to discuss how the scene would go. He started placing people in their spots with Jennifer Lopez and Rodrigo Santoro in their positions as lead Shark dancers Anita and Bernardo, with Camilla and Ben on their respective sides. Ashley was assigned as a Jet girl dancing with Chris’s character, the Jets leader, Riff. 

Raina hid her smile when Ashley shook Chris’s hand and introduced herself. Poor thing looked as if she could faint. Settled in the back, Raina was one of the Sharks. She was perfectly content where she was at standing next to Minka Kelly and Jay Hernandez. The three would even make little side chat here and there. 

Overall, the photoshoot was going well. Until the bright lights, the loud music, and the uncomfortable costume started getting to Raina. She felt like she was going to pass out.  However, Raina was determined to pull through in fear of being labeled a “diva” or, worse, “difficult” to work with; that was not the kind of press she needed now. Remembering what her mother told her to do when the first signs of an anxiety attack were coming on was to breathe in and out. She did that a couple of times as she closed her eyes when Mark said they were changing film and wanted a couple more shots. 

Unsurprisingly, someone else was beginning to get restless during the shoot as well. Chris was not a fan of photoshoots. He always felt awkward and never understood what he was supposed to be doing. He would continuously worry if he were coming off stupid or looking like a fool. 

Chris was more cautious of the types of photoshoots he would take part in and made sure to steer clear of the ones wanting him to be viewed as eye-candy merely. He was working hard to make a trajectory in his career from heartthrob to serious actor. However, Chris knew he had more to prove to audiences and critics for them to see past his ‘Not Another Teen Movie’ or ‘Fantastic 4’ roles. 

Nevertheless, when he got word about Vanity Fair’s West Side Story photoshoot, Chris was immediately on board. He was a theater kid, after all, thanks to his mother. Similarly, with other shoots, it all starts the same. The photographer talks about the art direction of the shoot and expectations for the day.  

During the short breaks on set, Chris looked around to see the other actors and performers. While he knew some of the folks on set, he did not honestly know any of them personally. The only person he was more acquainted with was Camilla, and that was because both filmed the movie Push a year ago.

As Chris’s eyes roamed around the room, they landed on Raina, who was fanning herself with her hands. While others were making small talk, he noticed that Raina took deep breaths and her eyes were closed. She stepped down on the chair she was standing on to take a seat and put her head in her hands. 

Chris felt bad. He knew an anxiety attack when he saw one. Slowly making his way over to Raina, he kneeled in front of her.

“Hey, are you okay?” Chris asked in a whisper.

Raina jumped at the sound of his voice. She did not expect anyone to come up to check on how she was doing. She thought she was doing her best to be discreet.

“I don’t know. It’s too hot in here. The lights are hurting my eyes, and it’s hard to breathe,” Raina said, continuing to fan herself.

Instinctively, Chris reached out to hold one of Raina’s shaking hands to help calm her down. 

“Have you ever tried the 4-7-8 breathing technique?”

Raina shook her head no and said, “Never heard of that technique.”

“Trust me; it has helped me out a lot. Okay, so you’re going to breathe in for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. Do you want to try it with me? Breathe in 1, 2, 3, 4. Hold 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and exhale 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6, 7, 8. Very good. Let’s do it again,” Chris calmly instructed Raina.

“I’ll get you some water. Just keeping doing the breathing exercises, okay.”

When Chris returned, he again kneeled in front of Raina and handed her the water cup.

“Thank you,” said Raina as she sipped slowly.

“You’re welcome.”

Raina let out a little chuckle, “I can’t believe I had an anxiety attack. I told Jerry I was worried about this happening. Again, thank you. I appreciate you helping me out,” expressed Raina gratefully.

As Raina continued to sip her water, Chris took the time to look at her. She was attractive, and he could tell she was a little bit younger than him. While this was Chris’s first-time meeting Raina, he had seen her before at other Hollywood functions. Neither having their paths cross until now.

“Okay, folks, let’s get back in your positions!” Mark yelled to get everyone’s attention.

“You going to be okay?” asked Chris as he stood up.

“Yes. I’m going to be fine,” answered Raina, standing up as well.

Chris helped her back up on the chair, and he returned to his spot next to Ashley. It was weird. No one else seemed to notice what went on between the two. It was like for those few short moments, Chris and Raina were in their own world. 

Chris kept stealing glances towards Raina for the rest of the shoot. He kept telling himself it was to make sure she was okay, not that he was drawn to her or anything. 

‘Don’t go there, Evans. The last thing you need is to be in a relationship, and she doesn’t look like the type to do hookups,’ Chris scolded himself and added, ‘Most likely won’t ever see her again after this day.’

“I am glad that it didn’t take long for us to meet again after that day. We do have Scott and Shanna to thank for that, by the way,” Chris happily reminded Raina.

He decided to call her that morning after their text exchange. He preferred hearing her voice anyways. 

“Oh yeah, at my concert in Boston. It was fate. We were destined to be friends.”

“Yep. Even though you are a fan of the New York Mets and Giants fan, I still love ya,” teased Chris.

Raina groaned, “Let us not bring up sports, shall we. It can only get ugly from here. Anyways, I’ll let you go. I gotta start heading out for rehearsals. Talk to you later. Bye,” said Raina.

“Bye, sweetheart. Take care,” replied Chris and ended the call. 

He looked over at Dodger, who had finished eating and was now lying in one of his dog beds near the kitchen table. As Chris continued to sip his coffee, he decided to make breakfast and went to the fridge to take some eggs. Once he got everything ready to begin cooking, his mind drifted to Raina. Chris noticed that his mind had been doing that more recently lately. 

For Chris, his relationship with Raina was more than just a friendship. She was someone he could confide in about things he was not comfortable bringing up to his family or close childhood friends. Their friendship evolved when both began a “friends with benefits” type of relationship. This would only occur when both were not in committed relationships with other people. 

Surprisingly, this arrangement only managed to make them closer friends. The boundaries they agreed upon were put in place not to fracture their friendship. He went into the situation not wanting to build some domesticated life with Raina. However, at times, Chris kept thinking if he could turn his friendship with Raina into something more. Something more than friends, more than sex buddies, but as a life partner. A wife and mother to his children.

‘Stop lying to yourself,’ Chris’s inner voice spoke up, ‘You’re in love with Raina. Just admit it!’

Nevertheless, Chris could not admit to himself. He was not ready to deal with those feelings for one of his closest friends. 

Not yet, at least. 

[erekiosuncreativeideas]

The Part-Time Puppeteer - Chapter 04

<= Chapter 3

Summary : Lukas has a totally normal day at work (spoiler alert: he doesn't). Also available on AO3 : https://archiveofourown.org/works/23828971/chapters/57890368

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New chapter ! I hope you'll like it ! Don't hesitate to leave a comment if you did, it helps me a lot, I can assure you !

Sorry about the drawing not being finished, my tablet is dying and I couldn't do more. I probably won't be able to draw anything for this fanfic until I either solve the problem or buy another tablet...

Anyway, happy reading !

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Chapter 4 - “I’m… I’m sorry?”    

Kaleb did say that Lukas was going to have a lot of work because of the auditions… But the young man really thought it wouldn’t be that bad. For several hours, the student had to do many tasks, a lot of which involving physical efforts. He wasn’t very sporty usually, so it was quite demanding for his body. All his muscles seemed to beg him to stop after a while. After all, spending a few hours moving heavy props around and building stuff was not easy for a young nonathletic man like him. When his mentor, Tom, told him he could take a break, Lukas felt like he was hearing angels singing in the background. The student stretched, feeling his joints crack at the action. Oh, he so needed that.

Lukas approached the coffee machine in the room and prepared himself a cup. He had to drink at least one cup if he wanted to survive for the rest of his shift. He looked at his watch and was relieved to see he only had an hour or so before the end of his workday.

“Thank God,” he thought to himself with a sigh. The day had been quite tiring, both mentally and physically, and the idea of just collapsing onto his bed was extremely appealing to him. Though he knew he had some assignments to finish and that he wouldn’t be able to go to sleep before midnight. Welp, this had to be expected, with his studies and the fact that most of his free time would be taken by this gruelling job.

At least, Mike had done everything to make him feel at ease. His new friend also helped him to get acquainted with the other members of the team and Lukas was really thankful for that. The other man also got to explain why his evil twin was there and it only made the student’s day even more tiring than it already was. Apparently, when the guy had learnt about his brother’s participation in the project, he had “offered” to play a role and was given the antagonist part. However, “offered” wasn’t quite the right word and Lukas guessed that MJ forced himself in the project, from Mike’s face while the latter was explaining it. In a way, his presence was a good thing for the show, since MJ was very famous, even among children. His participation in the project would only raise the ratings of the show and this was something they deeply needed for the show to keep airing. However… MJ’s attitude on set was definitely not needed.

The guy was absolutely detestable, an opinion apparently shared by most people in the team. He was like a diva, but ten times worse. Not only did he criticize most of the stagehands for things he had no responsibility in, but he was also unquestionably disrespectful and odious to everyone, even Grooves himself! The nerves this guy had! He seemed to think he was superior to every person in this room! The only one to whom he was less displeasing was his brother, though Lukas didn’t envy him. If MJ wasn’t mean to him, he was at best condescending and at worst passive-aggressive.

Lukas also had to deal with him at some point, with MJ always pointing at his mistakes and wondering aloud why they hired a student out of all people in need of a job. No need to say that the only thing preventing Lukas to punch him in the face was the money he really, really needed at the end of the month. He hadn’t noticed how patient and calm he could be until now, if he had to be completely honest.

Did this execrable actor have some quality to compensate how rude he was? Not really. However, he did know how to act, almost perfectly. The young man had to admit that, at least. If only the other’s personality wasn’t so terrible… Lukas had been admirative of MJ in the past, when he didn’t actually know him, but now, his admiration had been thrown away. Very, very far away. The question was why no one had actually talked about it on the Internet or in the news. He would have to ask Mike about that, the next time he was alone with him.

His inner monologue was cut short when he heard a knock on the studio door. Well, that was unusual, since the team members came in and out without knocking. It then opened, revealing a man in his forties, soon followed by a little girl, hand in hand. The man was wearing a formal suit, as if he had just left an important meeting. His haircut was well-groomed and while the suit made him look like a strict person, his face seemed rather welcoming.

The little girl was quite young. She probably was an eight or ten years old kid, though Lukas didn’t know much about children, to begin with. She was wearing a black shirt with a glittery pattern the student didn’t recognize from where he was and she had white sleeves underneath. She was wearing light blue jeans overalls as well as a red jacket tied up to her waist by the sleeves. Nervousness could be seen on her face as she and her (probable) father entered the room.

They were probably here for the audition. The studio was looking for children for the main protagonists. Other families had come during his shift to have an audition, though Lukas had been too busy in the backstage to actually watch them. This time, however, he hoped he would be able to during his break. Witnessing an audition in a famous studio! If he had been told that a month ago, he wouldn’t have believed it.

The family was greeted by DJ Grooves and the little girl was handed a script for the scene. Lukas couldn’t hear anything from where he was standing, but he had no problem imagining that the child was been explained the scene she was going to play. Well, she probably rehearsed it plenty of times before, though the anxiety could still make her look for her words. It was just a precaution.

The director then called MJ over. Since the latter was the only actor playing one of the main characters, for now, he had to help with the auditions. The student thought the other would see it as a chore but, on the contrary, he was way too happy to show off his acting skills.

Yep, that was it. Lukas couldn’t stand that guy.

Lukas got closer to the shooting set, hoping he could watch a bit of the audition before going back to work. He held his cup of coffee to his lips, pretending to drink it when he had actually finished it a bit earlier. At least, he would look somewhat busy.

The little girl got up on the shooting set, doing her best to remain calm and taking deep breathes. Her father was watching her carefully with a mix of worry and pride on his face. MJ, on the other hand, seemed just fine and absolutely not anxious. Well, he was used to that kind of thing, so that made sense. And then, MJ’s eyes met his and the other smiled at him hypocritically, just to mock him. Lukas replied with a glare, which only made MJ snicker.

The student hated him. So much.

The actor took a puppet which had been given to him by one of the other stagehands. He readied himself and held it as if it was floating around the child. It was a puppet representing a character with blue skin and a red long coat. His head had the form of a croissant, and its eyes were grey and red, one of them having red diamonds in it. Its fingers were sharp like claws and some fangs could be seen from the puppet’s mouth.

Woah. Creepy.

Just as they were about to start the audition, a loud noise interrupted them, just like Lukas’s train of thoughts.

The door of the room had been opened abruptly, revealing the Conductor, out of breath. His face was covered in black, as if something had exploded next to him. The student did his best not to laugh at his frustrated and angry expression and looked away, not wanting to incur the Conductor’s wrath.

-“You’re late, darling”, remarked Grooves, without his usual glamorous tone. The reproach in his tone of voice was crystal clear, though. The other director lifted his hand to make him stop talking.

-“Oh don’t pecking start, Grooves!” retorted the Conductor, with his strong Scottish accent, emphasizing his partner’s name in a hateful way. Welp, they really couldn’t stand each other, could they? The Conductor approached DJ Grooves as the latter started talking again:

-“Well, I guess someone had another accident today,” said the DJ with a mocking tone: “What was it this time? The train engine blowing up in your current movie?”

The older man took a seat next to Grooves, not even greeting the little girl and her father while doing so. Boy, this audition sure was lively… Lukas couldn’t help but hope the child wouldn’t get too distracted by it. He couldn’t imagine how he would feel in her shoes.

-“Peck off, I’m not in the mood,” warned the Conductor darkly, before taking a speaker cone next to him. DJ‌ Grooves simply rolled his eyes and sighed, as the other director shouted a loud “action!”, still not greeting the family. Well, seemed like Lukas found another person to add in the “not having any fucking manners” list. It sure was getting long after only two days of work…

The child jumped at the loud order but quickly pulled herself together. She took another deep breath and started talking, saying her lines with a confidence Lukas would never have. She was really talented and, even if he hadn’t seen the other candidates earlier that day, he couldn’t help but think she had something. Something which made her different. The way she moved across the stage, the way she said her lines and reacted to MJ’s ones, the fake expressions on her face as she acted… She was talented. Well, Lukas didn’t know much about acting anyway, but he did know that he was really impressed at the performance. It was also easy to see that the little girl was having a lot of fun playing her role. The student didn’t think this day would be enjoyable in any way, but there was something about watching this audition that made his shift infinitely better than what it was before.

That’s why he was astounded when he heard Grooves interrupting the audition with a “cut!”. Why? The young man didn’t understand! She was skilled!

The child’s expression went from the excitement of acting to a much darker one which Lukas knew very well: a mix of anxiety, sadness and disappointment. He felt a huge heartache seeing her like this and couldn’t help but relate. “How disappointed she must be!” was all the student was able to think as he was looking at her.

However, his distress disappeared completely with Grooves’s next sentence:

-“I don’t know… There’s something bothering me with the puppet.”

The words hit Lukas like a train as a huge feeling of surprise settled over him. The… Puppet?

MJ seemed to have the same reaction as him. His eyes widened, as if he had never expected criticism in the first place, which was probably the case in retrospect. The actor furrowed his brow, confused and slightly offended at the same time.

-“What do you mean?” questioned MJ almost innocently, yet it was very easy to see that he absolutely disliked where this conversation was going.

-“Well…” Grooves thought for a few seconds and then pointed to the puppet: “I’m wondering that maybe it might be a little too scary for the children watching the show.”

MJ was about to retort something but the Conductor was quicker and added:

-“For once, I’m gonna agree with DJ Peckneck,” the name made his colleague pinch his nose in disapproval: “It’s terrifying.”

MJ remained speechless for a few moments as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Well, it was true: Lukas was not a puppet specialist or anything, but it was scary as hell. The fangs, the claws, the corpse-looking skin… How could it not be creepy?

The actor straightened himself, looking around him like he couldn’t understand what was being said to him. He seemed like he was searching for someone who could back him up. Mike, who had entered the room not long ago, certainly because of the sudden agitation, noticed his brother’s distress and carefully approached the directors:

-“I-I’m sorry, but…” the lead designer gulped and tried to support his twin: “You asked for a spooky puppet, so I tried to-”

He was soon cut short by the Conductor, who glared at him:

-“Well, yeah, but look at it!” he demanded, pointing to the puppet.

Grooves agreed:

-“It is quite unnerving, darling. Can you, perhaps… Make it cuter or something?”

-“Cuter?!” MJ’s offended voice echoed in the room. His eyes glanced between the directors as he spoke again, full of sarcasm: “I’m sorry, I thought you wanted a villain, not a tea-party monster!”

-“MJ…” Mike warned his twin, surely knowing very well where all of this was going, by the expression on his face. But MJ was not having it.

-“What, Mike? You’re going to let them criticize our work without saying anything? What are you, a doormat?”

Lukas winced at the words and felt his anger coming back full force. How could someone say that to their own brother?

All the stagehands had stopped working and were witnessing the young actor’s outburst.

Mike only remained silent, as the Conductor slammed his fist on the armrest of the chair he was sitting on:

-“That’s enough!” yelled the older director, without even needing the cone speaker to be heard all across the other side of the room.

A few moments passed with deafening silence, as MJ gave the Conductor a death stare, clenching his fists and his jaw, refusing to lose. But the other man was much more persistent than him and soon, MJ just threw the doll onto the floor with a force intensified by his anger.

-“You know what? Fine,” concluded the diva, with a faked gentle tone: “See if you can finish the audition without me, I’m done for today. Do not bother me.”

Lukas saw Mike cringe at the sound of the puppet hitting the floor. As a lead designer, the student couldn’t imagine how painful it must be to see the props you worked so hard on getting thrown away like they were just garbage.

That was it. Lukas was done taking that guy’s bullshit. He had to say something! But what if he lost his job after that? He couldn’t allow himself to lose an opportunity like this! Sure, the job was hard, but this was the only way he had to fund his studies! If he ever lost it…

His nervous and conflicted thoughts were interrupted as he saw MJ leaving the scene, stomping with fury. But as he was walking with heavy steps towards the door, one of his feet got caught up in the multitude of cables laying on the ground and he fell onwards. The actor’s face met the ground with a loud bump, resonating in all the quiet room. A quiet room which was soon filled with powerful waves of laughter. All the stagehands, even the directors, were laughing at the entitled actor’s fall. Mike, on the other hand, was the only one not laughing at all. On the contrary, the lead designer was watching his brother like one would watch a bomb about to explode. MJ lifted his face off the ground, utterly humiliated and Lukas found it absolutely priceless. The guy got just what he deserved!

And so, Lukas opened his mouth and laughed.

The actor’s face! The way he just fell down to the floor! This day had started so badly but now it was a hundred times better! Oh, he would never forget that!

He laughed for a few more seconds until he felt like something was wrong. And then it hit him like a train: he was the only one laughing now.

The student stopped immediately, closing his mouth as the realization hit him. That’s when he noticed that everyone was staring at him, their eyes widened and their face full of surprise. Oh gosh. It had happened again, hadn’t it? Lukas had laughed too loud and everyone had heard him. Instantly, he put a hand on his mouth.

The young man had always been very insecure about his laughter. For many people, laughing was something normal and easy, but for Lukas… He was absolutely ashamed of the sound and volume of his laughter. A lot of people had made fun of it at school just like many others had pointed it out to him years later.

Thus, with years of bullying and self-confidence destroyed little by little, Lukas had come to hate the sound of his laughter. And now, everyone was just staring at him in bewilderment. As for MJ, the man was glaring at him like he had never before, clenching his teeth and squinting his eyes. Oh, well, now Lukas’s hatred for the guy was mutual. Great.

The student wanted nothing more than to dig his own grave and bury himself in it. This was only his second day of work and somehow, he had managed to screw everything up again. God, what could he do to fix that? Could he even save himself from this situation? And oh, he couldn’t even imagine how MJ was going to go back at him with that… The student was not sure he would stand new hours of bullying about his laughter when he had just managed to keep his anxiety under control only a few years ago. And said anxiety was still hard to control today!

Lukas let out a nervous chuckle, glancing at the other team members, dread settling over him. What could he do, what could he do?

-“Hum… Sorry. I- uh, I’m going to go to the toilets now… Sorry again…” he mumbled, pointing to the door tensely and trying to speak as the words had trouble leaving his mouth. He had to get away, otherwise he would become a total nervous disaster. He had to get away, get away from all these people staring at him…

-“Hey, wait a second,” the Conductor’s voice arose in his back as he tried to leave, stopping him on his track. Oh God, could he get fired for laughing too loud? No, he knew it wasn’t possible, he knew how laws worked! This was just his anxiety talking! He was being irrational! His feelings were a mess and so were his thoughts.

Lukas just wanted to disappear as soon as possible. Yet, he turned back, facing the crowd of people again. The directors were staring at him with a look the student couldn’t recognize. His anxiousness intensified even more. Oh great, even more things to get scared about. He only waited, feeling like he was waiting to be given a death sentence. Finally, after what felt hours to Lukas, the Conductor started talking again:

-“Did you…” he paused, glancing between Grooves and the young man with a mix of confusion and curiosity on his face. It was strange not to see a negative expression on the director’s face. Seeing how the Conductor was looking for his words, Grooves took the reins of the discussion, though very much confused and curious as well:

-“Is that your real laugh, darling?” was the question the DJ asked him.

Lukas was mortified. He was only able to nod slightly, absolutely unmoving. In the corner of his vision, he saw MJ getting up, throwing the cables away from him furiously. When the latter looked up and met the student's eyes, there was definitely hatred in there. Yet, there was something else. And when the other started to smile, Lukas understood that he had been right: the actor would never let him forget what happened today.

He was so screwed.

The directors looked at each other, then glanced between Lukas and MJ. Wait, why were they staring at him too? The student felt like he had missed something, something huge. And when Grooves opened his mouth again, the young man was dumbfounded:

-“How about you got your chance at an audition?”

The word “astonishment” was clearly not strong enough to express Lukas’s state of mind at that particular moment. What?

-“I’m… I’m sorry?” he wondered aloud, certain he must have misunderstood something. There couldn’t be any possible way that he had been asked to try auditioning!

Grooves was about to answer but another voice interrupted him: MJ.

-“Are you kidding me?!” yelled the actor, both furious and confused: “He’s a student! He knows nothing about acting! What role would you give him anyway? A fucking tree in the background? Hah!”

MJ scoffed at his own joke, glaring both at the directors and the student in a superior way, as if he knew that he had always been right all along. But then, the Conductor answered his question, absolutely blowing MJ’s mind, just as Lukas’s.

-“We’re going to give him yours, you peck neck diva.”

Lukas felt the world turning around him. This was all a dream, right? This couldn’t be possibly happening! He was going to wake up and laugh at his stupid dream, and start his day as if nothing had happened! Because that could only be the case, right? This couldn’t be real!

But MJ’s scream, on the contrary, was very much real:

-“What?!” the actor’s voice resonated in all the room: “You’re going to do what?!” His intonation was loud and deadly serious.

Grooves was the one to reply, darkly, glaring at the young actor through his star-shaped glasses:

-“You heard us, darling,” was all the DJ had to say to shut MJ up.

A few moments passed where the latter stayed motionless, shaking from the rage he was trying to contain. In the other side of the room, Mike was watching his twin with extreme worry. And then, the bomb exploded. MJ screamed and stomped to the door, knocking all the shooting equipment on his way out, still screaming all while he did so. All the other stagehands could only stare in bewilderment, not knowing what to do. But before anyone could try to stop him, the actor stormed out and slammed the door behind him. Mike soon followed him, though it was easy to tell from his face that it wasn’t the first time something like that happened.

Lukas, on the other hand, remained unable to move, completely swamped by the events. It is only when he felt a tap on his shoulders that he came back to reality. He turned back, his face extremely pale. His eyes widened when they met Grooves’s ones. The latter was handing him a script, which the student stared, astonished.

-“We still have an audition to finish, darling. Why don’t you come help us to take it up again?”

This couldn’t be real. This couldn’t possibly be real!

But then, the student’s hand mindlessly grabbed the script and, when his fingers felt the soft surface of the paper against his skin… He knew that he was very well awake.

How did he get himself into such a situation…?

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Welp, what a day for Lukas, right? And that's when MJ's true hatred for Lukas starts :)

See you on the next chapter ! Stay safe everyone !

Chapter 5 =>

[scorpiosoes]

Friends

Hello internet peoples, I was recently given a writing assignment in my history course and wanted to share the resulting work. I am also including the assignment prompt in case someone else feels inspired to writing something.

Prompt: Assume the role of a fictional character either living during, or perhaps fighting, the Second World War-what might it have been like for a Polish citizen in 1939 during the German blitzkrieg, a Jewish inmate surviving in a Nazi death camp, a British pilot during the air war over London, a member of the French resistance during the Nazi occupation or perhaps an American in the midst of the Ardennes offensive. 

The title I gave to the assignment was Friends, hope you like it and if you see this feel free to leave thoughts or criticism, always looking to improve.

Friends

Do I regret what I did? Others like me would say no, but I would say that I do, with every fiber of my being I regret it. I was seduced by power, fame, and glory and could no longer tell right from wrong. What we did was wrong, what happened to the world was wrong, my hands will forever be soaked in the blood of millions of innocent lives for the part I played.

It had started subtly at first, propaganda posters started popping up everywhere, there were ads run in the newspapers and the media. They were printing and spreading blatant racist lies, I wish that where was it stopped, where we stopped. But we didn’t and before I knew it turned into something worse than anyone could have ever imagined, and millions of people were dead.

“But why?” It was one the first questions that I remember asking my mother; this is also the moment that I mark as the start of one of the worst periods in Germany, in the world, and in my own life. “But why?” It was the first question that I had asked my mother the day that she had hunted my down and demanded that I stop playing with my childhood best friend, I didn’t understand it then but things had started to change, and not for the better. “A good German boy like you should not be playing with the likes of him. He’s unclean,” those words made no sense to me as a child, he didn’t look dirty to me, he looked like he always had, his curtain of black curls partially covered his face and his brown eyes glinted in the sunlight. But my mother still pulled me away from him, that was the last time I ever played with Avi … or saw him ever again. Things were changing rapidly I was just too young to know it, I was innocent in the way that children are, blind to the politics and prejudices of the world, I didn’t know what she meant when she said that Avi was unclean. When asked about it sometime later she never elaborated, I never questioned it after that I imagined that my mother had her reasons. It was not until much later that I realized why she never told me. Avi was a Jew.

In the meantime, war came and went, the Great War as it was called at the time. It was fought because of rising international tensions between nations and because of an assassination that threw the world into chaos. It was the war that claimed my father’s life and nearly claimed my own. Germany had been in the war, of course, we were we had allies to help and we kept our word and helped them. This was a mistake. The consequences of Germany’s interference in the way came swiftly and without mercy. They were unfair to both Germany and her people; I shared this opinion with anyone who would listen. Many agreed of course, but none listened with as much fervor as a man I had recently met in the army, this man and I became close and I began to call him a friend. This man was Adolf Hitler, at the time I had met him I had never known a better man. We joked, laughed, and conspired together.

One day Adolf came to me and urged me to join him at an event he was attending, I didn’t refuse the invitation. It was a meeting, more like a rally really, for a group called National Socialist German Workers’ Party, these people shared my views, so I joined almost immediately. I deeply regret this decision; these people were the people that would come to be known throughout the world as Nazis.

Adolf was far more ambitious than I was, and he spoke more passionately about the issues facing Germany; he also pushed more and more people to join our ever-growing party. Because of this, the party insisted that he become its leader, and Adolf insisted that I be by his side. At the time I thought it was a great honor, I was moving up in the ranks and was granted more power. I didn’t consider what this meant for everyone that wasn’t the Nazis. Later, by a crazy stroke of luck, the Nazis were steadily seizing power, and Adolf and I were the two highest-ranking members in the party. Our power grew still, however, when Adolf Hitler was named chancellor of Germany. This when things went from bad to worse.

Adolf came to his inner circle one day and said that something was to be done about his enemies, his political opponents, and the Jews and communists. I was the first to suggest banishment from Germany, if they were no longer in the country, they would no longer be our problem. He like that idea, but he didn’t want to afflict the Jews upon someone else. “A prison then,” I suggested to him. Somewhere where opponents and communists would no longer be an issue. “An inescapable camp that houses prisoners and Jews,” that was exactly how the man sitting across from me, Heinrich Himmler, pitched the idea. Adolf loved the whole concept, we later decided to call these places concentration camps. At first, it was just for political prisoners and communists, we could keep an eye on them, and they couldn’t spread their disease. That didn’t last long; it quickly became a death camp for anyone who was sent there. This is when I started to have doubts about what we were doing, we had been spouting this rhetoric, but I never thought that we would end up in a position to act upon it. Now that we had I didn’t think that I had to the stomach for it. I remained silent and faithful to my friend.

Soon we had taken the whole of Germany and parts of other countries like Austria. I thought we were going to stop, the Jews and communists and any other who would stand up to us had been thoroughly crushed under our feet and we ruled the nation. However, Adolf was ambitious, he wasn’t satisfied with just Germany. He began to talk of bigger things, things like freeing the world, not just Germany, from the Jewish plague and spreading Nazi influence. I mean we had rounded up a majority of the Jews and put them into concentration camps, we had also crushed anyone who dared oppose us, what more could he want. The world seemed to be the answer. I asked him outright if he was sure, we already had Germany and various other countries; the world sounded a bit too ambitious to me, but he questioned my faith and asked where my loyalties lie. With my friend, of course, but faith was starting to waver, I was starting to find out that I didn’t have the stomach for some of the things Adolf wanted.

All of a sudden, we were at war, I warned Adolf that he was being too ambitious, but he did not listen, now he had gone too far. Other countries had gotten involved and instead of dominance, we were now fighting for survival. I thought that The Great War was bad, the war that followed Adolf’s takeover of Poland was a bloodbath, millions were dying daily to gain barely any ground. Millions of people were laying down their lives to try and stop the thing that my friend had become, I wish that I could do the same. I was blinded by my loyalty and our relationship; he was my oldest friend and I watched with complacency as he became one of the worst serial killers the world would ever come to know. I too had a part to play in all of this, I encouraged him in the early days and I stood silently by as things went from bad to worse, during this time I had many chances to stop him, to end the war early and I took none of them. I tried once, I intended to kill him, I had the gun to his head, but I could not pull the trigger. It did not matter; we would not be alive for much longer.

The might of Germany had been tested and exhausted, the 1000-year Reich was crumbling around us and yet people still remained hopeful that we could win this war that we had been losing for the past couple of months. This was the end, everyone knew it, Adolf most of all. Our last conversation happened in his bunker, a place that he seldom left these days. He asked to speak to me. He said that he was sorry for what he had put me through, but that he wouldn’t apologize for what he, we, had done. I got to be part of something great. We had changed the world, if only for a moment. Shortly following this meeting Adolf took his own life he had taken a cyanide pill and then shot himself.

It’s bittersweet news, look at what we have done, we held an entire nation in the palms of our hands, but at what cost. Look at what it cost to get us here, we slaughtered people because they were different than us. Looking back on it now, in my final moments, I don’t know if I agreed with the anti-Jew messages or if I was just trying to find the easiest way to get revenge for Germany’s mistreatment all those years ago. It’s funny looking back at it now, my first friend, my best friend in the entire world was Jewish and now I have unreservedly slaughtered his people. I don’t know how I ended up here, but I pray to his God, to Avi’s God that he has mercy on my damned soul. 

[rorynne]

Time Lost (Rewrite) Ch 4

Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Reader

Summary: An accident during a mission sends you back in time to the second world war. There you enlist the help of Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers, and Bucky Barnes to find the object that can send her back.

Warnings: This one gets dark. References to genocide, talks about trauma and PTSD It ends on a light note though.

Word count: 3.7k

A/N: This is a rewrite of an OC fic that I have been writing and been wanting to turn into a reader Fic. I’m unsure if I will be continuing the OC fic currently, I may just transfer it completely to my reader Fic. Currently 6 chapters are up of the OC fic, and I shall be posting a rewritten chapter every few days on here.

Masterlist

Prologue Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3

You shivered against the late December wind as you made your way to the edge of the base. You were going to give Phillips so much hell when this was all over. Five days until Christmas, the middle of winter, and you were about to go camping. Camping of all things. You grumbled a bit more at your fate before readjusting the rucksack on your back and continuing.

The men were waiting at the edge of the woods as the instructing agent went over what they were expected to do over the next few days. “If you put your training to good use, you’ll be spending Christmas Eve in a warm bed, with a turkey dinner waiting for you when you wake up.” He said as you entered earshot.

“And if you have particularly good observational skills, It’ll only take about a six-hour ruck march to get there.” You added, hands grasping the straps of your pack as you walked up to the group.

The men groaned at the words ‘ruck march’ and the agent only sighed, “Glad to see you finally join us, Agent L/N.” He said, frustration clear in his voice, “Perhaps it would be prudent to remind you, you are not allowed to help them with navigation.

You rolled your eyes, “Still bitter I beat you at map reading then.” You said walking past him and towards the men, “I’m expressly forbidden from taking any kind of leadership role in this. Phillips wants your training tested, not mine.”

“You’re coming with us then, Agent L/N?” Bucky asked, arms crossed. He always did his best to be professional in front of the other agents at the base, something you could respect. It was a trait that didn't seem to be universal, much to your annoyance.

You nodded, “I’m under strict orders to train and aid the Howling Commandoes until Phillips needs me elsewhere. So here I am.” The men grinned in pride at the group name. They had spent weeks coming up with it.

Steve looked at Bucky and smiled, “We’re always happy to have you around, Ma’am.” Steve nodded to the men, and saluted the agent, “If that's all Sir, I think it’s time I confer with my team and head out.”

The agent saluted in return, “You’ve already got the maps, everything else is up to you.” He said, and turned to leave, though not before adding, “And if you miss it, Happy Christmas.”

Falsworth opened the map they had been supplied with and pointed to the target destination. Dugan helped hold the map open as Falsworth spoke, “The camp itself is about 30 kilometers east of here, the snow will slow us down but as long as we follow a relatively straight path, we should get there in no time.”

Steve pointed to a feature on the map, “A straight path might not be so easy with how rocky it gets around here, getting around the mountains might add a few klicks.” He looked hopefully at you. “Do you know a good route?”

You scoffed, tilting your head and crossing your arms, “I know a great route. But, it requires a 6-hour ruck march and I’m not allowed to tell you, remember? I can help set up camp and shit, I can’t navigate for you. Colonel’s orders.”

Falsworth and Steve sighed as the went back to the map. It wasn't that you didn't want to help, god, you wanted to help just so you didn’t have to sleep on snow. Unfortunately, any help you could give would be far too obvious, and thus, reported to Col. Phillips immediately. And while you had a feeling nothing would be don't, it wasn't something you wanted to risk when your entire goal was to get them to finish training as quickly as possible. The two men nodded to each other before Steve turned to the group, “Alright men, we don't have much sunlight to spare, so let's move out. The more ground we cover today, the better.”

The men sounded their agreement as they all entered the forest. For the most part, the fir trees kept a lot of the snow off the forest floor, making the trek slightly smoother. The mountains, however, did not. They added at least five kilometers to the journey in efforts to avoid the most mountainous areas, and even then, most of the terrain was rocky and icy, not a very fun combination.

They traveled until it was nearly sunset before finally stopping in a small clearing to set up camp. You set your rucksack down as Steve began assigning jobs. "Dernier, I want you to work on getting the fire started. Falsworth, Morita, Dugan, and L/N work on putting up the tents. Jones and Buck, come with me to get firewood." Steve said, setting his own pack down, and the entire team sprung into motion.

"Dum Dum, Jim, you two start clearing away snow for the tents," Falsworth said. "Y/N, help me unpack the supplies."

"Aye aye." You said as you started pulling the tents out of the men's packs. In no time the materials for four pup tents were spread around the campfire Dernier was nursing. You clapped your hands together looking at the piles of canvas and tent stakes. "It's going to be a bitch to drive these stakes into the frozen ground."

Falsworth handed you a hammer, "No worse than Russia, I'm sure."

You scoffed, taking the hammer. "Nothing will ever be worse than camping during the Russian winter." You shivered at the thought of it, that night had been absolute hell. "Let's get to work." You said, picking up a tent support post and ramming it into the ground, hammering it down a few times for good measure. Carefully, you let it go and backed away, cheering when it didn't fall. The second post wasn't so easy, no matter how hard you tried to force it into the ground, it refused to stay upright.

You growled at the stake, honestly wishing you could just snap it in half. Morita grabbed it before you could try to ram it into the ground once more. "Need help?" He asked and you handed over the stake with a huff.

"There's a reason I took the ruck march." You said and puffed out your cheeks.

"Yeah, because you're a masochist." He laughed. "I'll get the post, you grab the cover." He said pointing to the canvas tent cloth. You grabbed the cloth as Morita worked the post into the ground. With the posts finally secured, you spread the canvas over them with a flick of your wrist. You both finished securing the tent to the ground, ending with a result that, hopefully, wouldn't collapse.

"Thanks." You said, nudging him slightly with your elbow.

"No problem." He said. "Wouldnt do any good if one of our tents collapsed right?" You took a deep breath and nodded, looking over the tent again. It was rare for you to rough it in the woods, and usually, you didn't even bother with tents. "Come on, it looks like Jacques has something cooking on the fire."

You sat at the now rather large fire, warming your numbing hands as Dernier boiled cans of food rations in a pot over it. An impressively large pile of firewood sat next to him, no doubt primarily thanks to a specific super-soldier. As if summoning them with a mere thought, Jones, Steve and Bucky emerged from the forest. Bucky and Jones carried two large bundles of branches in their arms, while Steve might as well have been carrying an uprooted tree.

"I don't think we're going to need this much wood boys." You teased them as they dropped the branches into the pile.

"That's what I told them," Jones said sitting down next to Dernier.

"It's going to be cold tonight, the bigger the fire the better." Steve defended as he started to cut into the log with an ax.

Bucky nodded, "you can never be too careful." He sat down next to you, "I'd rather have too much wood than freeze."

"We're going to need someone up to keep it goin'," Dugan said, carefully pulling a can from the boiling water.

Falsworth sipped from a tin cup, "Everyone taking a two-hour fire watch should get us through the night. Perhaps turns going clockwise around the tents?" He traced his finger in a clockwise circle in the air.

"I can take the first watch," Morita said. "I'll wake up who ever's in my tent."

Dugan shifted slightly, brows furrowed, "So how exactly are we deciding who is in a tent with who?" he glanced briefly at you. "Especially considering-"

"If you bring up the fact that I'm a woman I'm actually going to punch you, Dugan," You said flatly, glaring at him.

"He has a point doll, it would be-"

"I swear to god Barnes if you say 'proper'." you threatened, almost growling. "Its hardly going to be the first time I had to sleep next to a man."

Bucky went slightly pink and Falsworth laughed, "You don't exactly have a choice when you're in the middle of Russia in the winter do you?" He said.

"Exactly." You said, "I don't give a damn who I share a tent with, but if protecting my honor or some shit really means that much to you Bucky, feel free. Just know I sleep with a pistol and a knife under my pillow and I'm a very light sleeper."

Bucky flushed three shades deeper and shifted uncomfortably as he cleared his throat, "I wasn't trying to insult your doll, I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it is all."

Your lips curled upwards, it was always cute when you managed to fluster him. When all his charming bravado was stripped away he turned out to be so soft and kind. He meant well, you knew that, so did Dugan, but you had no patience for being singled out based on your gender. Seeing him so embarrassed, however, eased your annoyance slightly. "I think I've proven very well that I can defend myself." You said, "And I've also proven I'm not really one to care about what's proper or not." You stood up, yawning. "You boys can decide who's comfortable bunking with me. I, however, just got done hiking 15 kilometers, so I'm going to bed. Wake me up when it's my turn to keep the fire going." You finished before retiring to a tent.

The fire crackled loudly as you threw another log onto the flames. It had already been three hours since you had woken up and sent Jones to bed, but you couldn't convince yourself to go back to sleep. You weren't entirely sure you wanted to.

The crunch of snow alerted you to someone's approach, but you didn't bother to look to see who it was, instead, focusing on the flames. "You know, I've been meaning to ask," Bucky said, sitting down next to you. "How exactly does a girl like you end up in a place like this? You're too smart to actually want to be here."

You laughed turning the tin cup in your hands with your fingers, "You know, I ask myself that every day." You took a sip from your cup and continued, "The answer, apparently, is by helping a friend."

"Helping a friend," he said. "One hell of a way to help a friend."

"He definitely owes me, that's for damn sure." You smiled slightly, Clint wasn't going to believe any of this when you got back, if you did. "And you're one to talk. Mister 'joins an elite squad for his best friend'."

He chuckled, "Okay, you've got me there." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and matches. "Want one?" he asked, offering the pack to you.

"You know, those things cause cancer." You said, shaking your head.

Bucky looked at you like you had two heads as he put a cigarette between his lips. "Since when?" He asked as he lit it with a match.

"Since always." You said, sipping your drink. "Just wait, the science will come out, I promise."

He hummed, clearly unconvinced, as he took a drag of the cigarette. "We'll have to see then." He said, "What are you drinking?"

"Some dirt I thought it would be a good idea to boil." You deadpanned, looking into your cup. "Actually, on second thought, that's an insult to dirt."

"And you say cigs will give you cancer." He joked as you poured out the last of the coffee in the cup.

"To be fair," You said, setting the cup down, "I'm shocked I'm not dead already. What are you doing up anyway? Can't sleep?"

Bucky squinted at the fire, "I don't think I've had a solid night's sleep since Azzano." He said. "Every time I close my eyes it's like I'm back there, in that little cage, or worse, on that godforsaken torture table." He noticeably shivered at the thought. "It's stupid, I know it isn't real but..." He trailed off, seemingly at a loss for words.

"The human mind is intense." You said, poking at the flames, considering adding another log.

"Yeah," He sighed, running his hand through his hair. "That's one way to put it."

"It isn't stupid though." You looked at him, he looked so tired in the glow of the flame, almost fragile even. He was almost always putting on a brave face you realized. But here, maybe due to the cold, or maybe due to exhaustion, he let the facade drop, with only you there to witness it. "You've seen things, experienced things, that most people could never even dream of. War is horrific. There are probably thousands of men dealing with the same things you are. The nightmares, the memories, the fear, and the pain and the guilt. Most of them are too scared to even talk about it, not wanting to be called crazy or weak. It's not stupid at all."

Bucky looked at your, face indecipherable, "You talk about it like you have first-hand experience."

You looked into the fire, unsure of how to answer, or even if you should. You bit your lip and sighed, "I don't work on the front lines like most everyone else. I work so deep behind them that it often feels like I'm on a desolate island with only my worst enemies. I try to work with resistance groups when I can." You swallowed the lump in your throat as it came up. "Usually when I do, it involves doing things to protect Jewish civilians. Falsifying documents, securing safe ways out of the city, even dying their hair blond to make them look more Aryan. Really just about anything to keep them safe.

"That's what I was doing a few months ago in Paris when a woman and her children came into the little hidey-hole that the resistance had set up, begging for help. She wasn't Jewish, but her children were, and she was terrified she would lose them like her husband. We helped the best we could. God, you should have seen her face as she thanked us, a two-year-old in her arms and a five-year-old clinging to her dress." You took a deep breath and wiped tears from your eyes. "I found all three of them dead on the side of a street a week later. The mother still clinging to her baby, a gunshot to all of their heads."

"Jesus." Bucky swore, rubbing his jaw, "Doll I-"

"I'm not telling you this for pity." You said quickly, "I'm telling you this so that you know you aren't alone. I know what it's like to go to sleep and relive every horror you've ever seen. To constantly be alert for another horrific thing to happen. To constantly be wearing a mask just to make it another day without losing your mind. I know what it's like. You aren't alone, you aren't crazy, and you aren't weak. There's only so much trauma the mind can handle at once, and God knows that was only the most recent of the traumas I've seen, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

"It's not stupid Bucky." You looked over at him, a look of surprise on his face as he held his chin in his hand. "It's the least stupid thing in the world. I promise."

You stared at each other in silence for a few beats before you felt your face grow hot and you turned back towards the fire, throwing yet another log onto the flames. Suddenly, you felt extremely silly sharing so much. You tried to ignore the sick feeling in your stomach as the silence dragged on.

"That's the second time you've left me speechless." He said, quietly enough that the popped of the fire almost drowned him out. "Steve was right, you really are something."

The breath caught in your throat as you froze, heart racing. Now it was your turn to be speechless. How on earth two sentences could feel so damn important, you had no idea. Bucky was kind, and good, and strong, but you shouldn't be getting this flustered over what he thought of you. "No," You shook your head as if the action itself were pushing something down deep inside of you. "I'm just me. That's it."

He nodded, "That's exactly my point." You poked at the fire, thanking every deity above that you could blame your red cheeks on the cold. "Not many people would say something like that. It, uh," He rubbed the back of his neck, "It means a lot doll, it really does."

A few more beats of silence passed as you tried to make sense of the situation. "You know," You said, heart pounding as you tried to find a way to change the subject. "I wasn't kidding when I said we could get to the other base in six hours." James Buchannan Barnes was going to be the death of you, and it wasn't going to be the charm that did you in at this point. There were so many reasons not to fall in love with him, but god if your heart didn't want to listen.

He shook his head, accepting the change in subject. "I've been looking at that map all day, there's no way in hell."

"That map doesn't have the road on it."

"The what?"

"The road. There's a road about half an hour's walk from the starting point. They leave it off the maps they hand out so that people don't use the road. Takes you right to the next base camp." You explained, pointing northward. "'Course, normally this is supposed to be a race, so the ruck march makes more sense."

Bucky looked impressed, "How did you find it?"

"The map looked off, different from what I was used to. So I went to investigate." You threw two more logs onto the fire and the flames quickly burst to life. "Ended up finding a road and made it to my destination before sundown. Couldn't walk for two days straight after that, but I got to stay in the training program."

"They were going to kick you out if you didn't walk 30 kilometers in a day?"

You shook your head, "No, like I said, it was a race. The second half of recruits to arrive were dropped from the program and used elsewhere."

"So you walked 30 kilometers in a day," he said it more than asked.

"Yep."

"Doll, you don't get to question if I'm the responsible one if you do things like that." he teased, a genuine smile on his face for the first time all night.

Your jaw dropped in mock offense, "You blew up three pounds of TNT because Steve suggested it!"

"That punk would have done it anyway! you know how many fights I got in because he started them? And he wasn't all muscley back then either." You laughed as the thought and Bucky's smile widened. "I'm serious! He's a menace! Absolutely no sense of self-preservation."

"I believe it." You said, "I just don't believe you have any either."

"Coming from the dame that walked 30 kilometers in six hours instead of camping on the side of the road." He argued, crossing his arms.

"I didn't want to lose!" You said a little louder than you meant to. A distinct snort from Dugan's tent pulled their attention away from the conversation.

Bucky put a finger over his lips and shushed, "We don't want to wake everyone up."

You snorted, "Like you weren't being just as loud as me."

Bucky bit his lip to keep from laughing, "I'm not the one that almost woke Dum Dum up." he said before getting a handful of snow shoved into his face. He stared at you in disbelief as you gave him a smug look. "Really?"

Before you could think to get away, Bucky wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you closer, and piled two large handfuls of snow onto your head. You gasped at the cold sensations as you tried to wiggle out of his grasp. You stopped when you looked up at him, realizing just how close you were.

Bucky laughed, not seeming to notice the closeness himself. Your heart hammered in your chest, the scent of the pinewood he helped chop still clung to him, mixing with his own scent, you had never been so close to him before. Bucky seemed to notice your stillness and looked down at you, finally realizing the position you both were in.

You had no idea how long you stayed like that, staring at each other in silence before you finally spoke up. "I should probably turn in."

Bucky blinked once or twice before releasing you as if you were on fire. "Yeah. Yeah," he nodded as you stood up. "Don't worry about sending the next person out. I will when I go back to my tent."

You nodded back, "Goodnight." You said and retreated to your tent before he could respond. You couldn't fall in love with a man you knew was likely to die. You couldn't. You buried yourself in your sleeping bag with a huff, thinking about how much colder you were out of his arms.

"You two are quite cute together," Falsworth said, not bothering to open his eyes.

"Shut up."

Taglist (If you want to be added, ask. if you don’t see your name here and you did ask, I probably tagged you in the OC version, or think you have already read up to this point in the OC story. You will still be tagged when theres a true new part) :

@henderwhore4life  

[the-lupine-sojourner]

I Promised, Didn’t I? [Traitor(?)!Reader/Izuku Commission] [Fantasy!AU]

Ta-da! Here it is at long last, @elite-guard-hardygal​!! So sorry to keep you waiting so long! TT^TT

Anyway, Hardygal commissioned this fanfiction based on some ideas they had and the song ‘Not while I’m Around’ from the Sweeny Todd movie. I like the song and the idea behind the commission, so I was eager to get to work on it, but then I got distracted with work and Miraculous Ladybug cus I was too curious as to what was going on so I binged the latest episodes--anyway, on to the commission! 

If you want one for yourself, all you need do is ask! Here’s Info on My Commissions. 

As always, I give the word count for my commissions. This one sits at 3807-ish cus there was just so much story there, I couldn’t stop writing! XD 

Ok, that’s all for now! Hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving! :)

God Bless and Happy Holidays!

~The Lupine Sojourner

(Here’s a cute Izuku GiF cus why not?)

There he was; Eijiro Kirishima, the one you’d been sent to observe and eventually turn over to your boss, Kai Chisaki. 

He and his group were...less than thrilled that a rogue barbarian king named Katsuki Bakugo and his companion, Eijiro, and their group of friends had been taking down his thugs and operations left and right, and as such Kai himself had sat you down and told you about sending his stealthier cronies to track and observe Eijiro and his friends, taking note of their relationships and which member would cause the most damage if they were to be...removed. 

Eijiro was, apparently, one of the most innocent and a key player in keeping another group, led by Izuku Midoriya (another target, turns out), in fairly good terms with each other.

Eijiro was also married, after a somewhat fast-paced romance, to one of the most powerful magic-wielding adventurers in recent memory, Takara Yamada. 

Only Shoto Todoroki, a rather reserved fellow who ran from his princely duties to find a cure for a curse that befell him, his fiance and bodyguard, Momo Yaoyorozu, and Izuku Midoriya (who was trying to find the missing king, Toshinori Yagi) could best Takara in terms of power and the way they use it. 

The Chisaki told you to help hunt down Eijiro to unbalance Takara and the other powerhouses so it would be easier to kill them. 

“Hey, are you okay?” 

You look up. You’d been so wrapped up in your thoughts you hadn’t realized you were standing in the middle of the street, staring into space. 

“Oh, y-yeah. I’m fairly new to the area, and was just getting my bearings. I look like that when I’m concentrating.” 

Eijiro smiles. “Well, um, do you have a place to stay tonight?” He asks. 

You chuckle. “Yes. The tavern, for now.” 

“You should stay with me and my wife instead! She’d love you!” You act like you were surprised, but thanks to Chisaki you knew this was typical for Eijiro. 

He always strove to help those he could. Poor naive boy.

Well, it would provide you an in with your targets. “Oh, no. I couldn’t ask you to do that. Really, I’m fine. I’m asking around for jobs, and I’ve got plenty of money to last me till I got a steady job.” 

“It’s honestly no trouble. Takara would love to meet you.” You act like you were flattered and shyly accepting of the generous offer, and you could genuinely appreciate what this meant to him and his new wife. 

Chisaki had even told you of rumors about Takara and what would happen in around 6 months. 

You hope that rumor wasn’t true. You’d hate to make a child an orphan like you were before Chisaki snapped you up. 

“Oh! I just realized; I don’t know your name.” 

“Oh you’re right! And I don’t know yours, come to think of it.” You give the name you were told to use, Koi Dirisk. 

“Lovely name. I’m Eijiro Kirishima.” 

“Pleasure.” You shake hands and try not to think of the future too much.

=#=#=#=#=

“Darling, I’m home!” Eijiro calls, smiling broadly as he walks into the house. 

“Perfect time! That deer you got this morning is just about cooked.” Comes a female voice, approaching. 

Then, Takara comes into your view. She was...prettier than you thought she’d be. The description hadn’t done her justice, though you suppose that was either to avoid attachments or because the Chisaki were focused on the basics rather than her beauty. 

“Oh. Eijiro, you didn’t mention a friend.” She says and you can tell she’s surprised but not angry or about to throw you out. 

“She’s new to the area. Her name’s Koi. I offered to save her some money until she gets her feet under her.” Takara nods, smiling warmly at you and you feel your heart clench at the prospect of what will happen. You glance at her stomach as she walks over. It was starting to show, her pregnant belly. Just enough that you could confirm the rumors about Takara. 

“Well, alright. We’ll see what we can do.” The two of you shake hands and you almost feel sick at the thought of turning this young bride into a widow so soon after her nuptials. And the kid would grow up without their wonderful parents.

And yet, you had to do what Chisaki said, or you’d be the next victim of his awful magic, creating deadly spikes out of the ground or simply destroying the body from within. 

You’d been a witness in many executions now, and yet you hadn’t turned him in. You couldn’t. 

You subtly shake yourself as Takara offers to show you around and to your borrowed room. You had to play the part for now. 

The house was amazing, cozy and charming. The perfect place for a family, complete with a room for the upcoming child. 

As soon as the tour was over, Takara returned to the kitchen and finished the meal preparation. 

“So what brings you into town?” That question had come up fairly quickly as you ate dinner. 

“Ah you know; traveling the world, seeing the sights, getting some exploring done before it’s too late.” That was what Kai wanted you to say. You felt the food turn to dust and ashes in your mouth as you lied. 

This poor family would be torn apart and they had no idea. 

=#=#=#=#=

“You established contact with Kirishima?” 

“Yes.” You report in a small side room in a local tavern a day or so later. 

“Good. Does he trust you yet?” 

“Not sure. We’ve barely begun a friendship, much less trust at this stage. We’re going to do some magic practice later. That should help.” 

“Y/N, are you having second thoughts?” Kai asks suddenly, leaning over a little. 

“Not at all. I just noticed Takara Kirishima is in fact pregnant. She seems to be in the first trimester.” 

“Is that a problem?” You knew the right answer. 

“No. Just thought you should know.” 

“It’ll make it easier for us to take care of her when the time comes. Good work.” You nod, swallowing subtly. 

“Right. I’ll report to you again when I find the others in the group containing Izuku Midoriya.” Kai Chisaki nods, humming. 

“See that you do, Y/N.” 

“Yes, sir.” You reply, knowing the right answer.

=#=#=#=#=

Things only got worse as you were introduced to Izuku Midoriya. 

He was even dressed like a proper gentleman, acting so polite you felt your heart clench at having to look at him like an enemy, scanning for weakness. 

And so far, his main weakness was his easygoing, friendly, fairly trusting nature. Practically as soon as you were introduced to him, he was shaking your hand and talking about how ‘any friend of Eijiro and Takara’s is a friend of mine’. 

You wanted to throw up. How could these people trust you so easily? Didn’t they want to know more about you? 

So far, you’d been all but blindly taken in, asked the bare minimum of questions, and accepted as a new ally and friend by these people. 

You tried to just continue like nothing was wrong. 

=#=#=#=#=

“You sure know how to go on the offense there, Koi.” Izuku notes, smiling that damn warm smile of his as you two sparred. 

“Well, my instructor was a victim of assault. It made her paranoid, and she passed that on to me. She told me ‘end the fight before the tricks up their sleeves come out’.” 

Most of that was true. She was a victim of assault, but for being a villain, not in a random act of violence.

Izuku pauses. “That’s fair advice.” He concedes. “I wish I could help everyone, you know. It just doesn’t work that way sometimes.” 

“But when you see something, you do something, right?” 

“Of course.” 

“That’s all anyone can do, if they even decide to do anything.” You weren’t sure when you started getting emotional, but here you were. “Most people are too afraid.” 

“Well, yeah, but the ones that aren’t afraid can mean a life is saved and a villain is apprehended.” 

You weren’t sure, but you’d swear he was saying something between the lines. A subtle chill went down your spine. Did he know? Or was it just coincidence?

You couldn’t be sure, so you made a few solid excuses to avoid him for the next few days. You had to get your story straight in case you were questioned. 

Kai was pleased you were in contact with his next victim already, and had sparred with him. “Did he have any weaknesses in his fighting style that you noticed?” You shook your head. 

“Not many. He’s sharp as a sword and quick as a spooked rabbit. We’ll have to be quicker and hit harder.” 

“Excellent insight, as always, Y/N.” Kai smiles, curled finger lifting your chin to make you look at him. “You know you’re indispensable to me, dear. No one else has quite your ability to blend into any role I assign them.” 

You nod, forcing a smile. “I try, sir.”

“So get out there and keep trying.” You nod and leave, trying not to let your stormy emotions show. You were growing to hate this assignment with a fiery passion. 

You’d killed people and betrayed many others to their deaths, but never had you had to be a part of a man’s death with a pregnant wife. Normally, it was single people you dealt with. 

At night, you cried yourself to sleep as quietly as you could. Surely, there had to be some way to save Eijiro, Izuku, and their friends, right? 

You couldn’t think of anything and it was tearing you apart. You hated every mission you were sent on, but what choice did you have? Kai Chisaki had practically raised you, lording that over you to manipulate you into doing his bidding. 

Somehow, you had to save these people. 

Gods above, they were your age! How were you supposed to help kill them?! 

=#=#=#=#=

“Hey, are you okay?” Takara asks over breakfast. You probably looked like shit.

You spent too long crying and still looked like it. 

“Didn’t sleep much last night.” 

“Anything you care to talk about?” 

For a fleeting moment, you thought of saying ‘screw it’ and telling them the truth, but that was suicide and these people would die, anyway. “Not really. Sorry.” 

“No, that’s okay. It’s not easy opening up. I get it.” Takara assures you gently, smiling warmly at you. “Just know you got two ears whenever you need to talk to me, okay?” 

You fake a smile and continue eating. “I appreciate that.” Unfortunately, it didn’t spawn any plans to allow everyone in this scenario to survive. 

=#=#=#=#=

The cruelest part of Kai’s undercover assignments he gave you was the few weeks you were given to get to know the victims and earn enough of their trust that they’d follow you into the trap the Chisaki laid out for them. 

Usually, he talked you into hating the people by portraying himself as the victim, claiming these people betrayed him and left him no choice but to seek retribution. 

And you always took his side after all he’d done for you. 

But now...now you weren’t so sure.

How could killing people your age, who were just settling into life and starting families, be in any way a good thing, like Kai was claiming?

He’d just given you the week’s notice so you can get a plan for how and when you would lead the targets into a trap.

“Hey, are you okay?” Izuku asks, sitting beside you in the cool evening air atop a hill. About an hour ago, you’d probably have seen a gorgeous sunset if it weren’t for the tears going down your face. 

You subtly wipe them away. “Yeah. You?” He nods, gently wrapping his arm around your shoulder. Your cheeks flush a little. Izuku was so...genuine and friendly. 

He didn’t deserve to die. 

“I think I am. Did you come up here to watch the sunset?” He asks, and you can tell he knew precisely why you were here.

“Something like that.” You reply glumly. You’d gotten closer to Izuku over the few weeks you’d known him, and you hated yourself for getting so caught up in the part you were playing that you could almost forget why you wore the mask. 

Almost. 

“You know, I’ve always liked taking moments to just sit and...be myself. Everyone looks to me as a leader and I hate to let people down.” 

You nod. “So you only let yourself feel things when you’re alone.” You murmur. 

Izuku squeezes your shoulder gently. 

“You can be yourself around me, you know that, right?” You bite your lip. 

“I know.” It was the right answer...right? 

Izuku leans his head on yours, and you lose your train of thought. 

“You ever feel like we were destined to meet?” He asks. “I mean--um...not necessarily romantically, just- -I- -ah, not that I am opposed to that, Koi! I just- -crap I made it weird…” You laugh. 

“Izuku, I feel the same.” It wasn’t destiny, though; it was Kai. However, you couldn’t deny a feeling that beyond Kai, like maybe there was something there. You two seemed like strings being woven together for a tapestry. 

“Oh, good.” He chuckles nervously as you readjust yourself against his strong chest. “What I was trying to say is, um…” He clears his throat, “nothing’s gonna harm you. Not while I’m around…” He sings softly all of a sudden. 

You sigh. Even his voice was amazing. Honestly, given time, you may have fallen truly in love with him, but...he was a target of the Chisaki. 

There’s no way he’d survive. 

“I’m sorry. It’s something my mother would sing to me when I was little.” He apologizes. “It was dumb, I’m sorry.” You chuckle. Maybe, just for one night, you could let go and truly enjoy yourself. You snuggle up to Izuku. 

“No, no. Go on. I’m sorry.” 

Izuku starts over, and continues from there. “Demons are prowling everywhere, nowadays. I’ll send em howling, I don’t care. I got ways.” You smile, almost believing him. If he somehow, by some miracle, survived the week, you could see yourself maybe giving him a shot, regardless of the consequences. “No one’s gonna hurt you, no one’s gonna dare. Others can desert you. Not to worry! Whistle, I’ll be there! Demons will charm you with a smile, for a while, but in time...” That, you felt, was Izuku talking like he knew about Kai and your undercover work. In case he didn’t, you snuggle closer as if charmed by his words. And you were, but you were also a little wary. If he knew, it might mean danger for you, especially if Kai found out. “Nothing can harm you. Not while I’m around…” 

You two sit for a moment in silence, enjoying each other’s company.

Your heart ached to tell him everything while part of you knew better so you sat there, wondering what to do. It’s then you reach a decision.

Izuku was one of the most powerful magic wielders to date. If anyone stood a chance at saving himself and his friends, it was Izuku. But only if he knew it was coming. 

“Hey, um, Izuku..?” You begin, wondering how he would react. As long as he survived, though, it didn’t matter what he thought of you. You could rebuild trust eventually, but only if he survived. “I don’t want anything to harm you, either. Not...not while I’m around.” You weren’t singing, you were looking him in the eye. You had to do this. You knew it was the right thing to do. “I- -”

“Whatever it is, Koi, you can talk to me. I want to help you. Just tell me what you need to overcome.” You take a breath. “Koi, I won’t let anyone hurt you, I promise.” 

He had no idea...no idea you were about to shatter his perception of you. 

“I don’t want to hide anything from you…” You began. “But this...this is big.” Izuku perks up now that he’d started to crack at the armor you put around your secrets. He let you talk, his eyes betraying his eagerness to know more. You closed your eyes. “I...when I was young, maybe 6 or so, my village was attacked and burned by a villain group that was trying to get themselves started. For days afterward, I wandered around, homeless and an orphan…” You were shaking. You had never ever confided in anyone like this, and yet...you knew you had to keep going. Izuku’s warm, steady hand on yours helped ground you. You opened your eyes focused them on him and somehow found the strength to keep going. “And then someone took me in. I didn’t know it at first, but he was a villain. He wasn’t famous yet, and he hadn’t done anything flashy or impressive, but his magic was devastatingly powerful and he had convinced many people to join him.” Izuku’s eyes go wide. 

He could fill in a few blanks just fine, but he kept his mouth shut, afraid Koi would stop talking if he dared utter a word. 

“He told me his name was Kai Chisaki and he wanted me to be his spy, his little chameleon. I’ve been sent on many assignments, I’ve done so many horrible things to people, but I always thought Kai was right. He always made me think it was the right thing to do.” Tears formed in your eyes. Izuku hadn’t said a word. You didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing but you kept going. “But this time, for the first time, he made me go undercover with people my age, just starting out in life. I...I’ve grown to like you all a lot, even that barbarian king. You all accepted me with hardly any questions and Takara’s pregnant, and...and I can’t keep going on like I don’t know what’s coming. I made up the story about King Toshinori, and about my eavesdropping on those villains. It was a cover so I could remain a chameleon without you and Eijiro and the others ever suspecting I was the leak. You’d be ambushed and dealt with quickly so you’d stop interfering with Kai’s plans.” 

You swallow. You’d done the hardest part, now you had convince him that you wanted to help him survive and protect him. “Now, I want to help you, Izuku! I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner! It’s just...Kai is terrifying! I know that’s no excuse, but…” You take a breath before you broke down in tears. “I don’t want the Chisaki to kill you or your friends. I...I want to protect you and make sure nothing harms you! I promise I’ll do my best to protect you and everyone else!” At this point, you couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. You tried not to be overdramatic, so you took deep breaths to steady yourself. “I understand if you don’t want anything to do with me, Izuku. Just know that I will protect you, no matter what. I’ll do what I can to make up for what I’ve done.” 

You stood there, trembling as you waited for his reaction. 

Izuku was stunned. He’d had had his suspicions about you from the time you avoided him for a few days. He checked on your excuses and they didn’t quite pan out, but he always thought maybe he was wrong. Now...he knew he was right. There was more to you then meets the eye. 

But at least you had come forward and confessed in time to ensure everyone survived. That was what was important. 

While he was hurt that you’d only joined his group as a ploy to kill him, he knew if he didn’t do something to make sure you knew he wouldn’t abandon you, he’d lose you and you’d think he hated you. 

And that wasn’t true at all. In fact, it was the opposite. He’d grown very fond of you and was proud that you were coming forward and warning him about the impending ambush. 

This way, he could be prepared and deal with the villains while still maintaining Koi- -or whatever your name was; Koi was likely a cover- -’s cover before you were found out and killed for your betrayal. Izuku knew Kai wouldn’t take kindly to his spy revealing herself to the enemy, much less getting so attached to them. 

“So...what’s your real name?” He asks, giving you a small smile. 

Your eyes go wide. You hadn’t expected that reaction at all.

Izuku didn’t seem to hate you for your role in Chisaki’s plan. At least, not right now. 

You wipe your eyes. “W-what?” 

“What’s your name?” He repeats, smiling at you. “I’m guessing Koi isn’t your real name.”

Hardly knowing how to feel, you let out a nervous chuckle. “N-no, it’s not. I’m, uh...Y/N.” You murmur, unsure how to take Izuku’s reaction. 

Izuku’s smile goes wider and he holds out a hand as he stands. “Well then, Y/N, we’ve got work to do if we’re gonna survive the attack from the Chisaki group. C’mon.” 

You hesitate, then take the hand, letting him help you up. “Izuku...I don’t know...I don’t want everyone to know and hate me.” 

“Trust me, they’ll be thrilled you joined our side against someone like Kai Chiaski and want to help them survive. Eijiro will side with you, I know it.” 

“Katsuki will kill me…” You moan, suddenly remembering the barbarian’s temper and explosive magic he could barely control. Those factors combined sent a chill down your spine. But maybe you deserved it for befriending them under such treacherous circumstances.

“I’ll handle Katsuki. He’ll be happy as long as he has villains to fight.” 

While you appreciate the thought of Izuku convincing Katsuki to not kill you, you knew it was a long shot at best.

“I’ll be one of those villains.” 

“No you won’t.” He assures you. “Y/N, trust me. I’ll talk to him. I know how to handle the barbarian king. You just need to talk to Todoroki and Momo, and we’ll get a plan together.” 

Shakily, you nod. “I...I guess, yeah. Yeah, I’ll do that.”

“Nothing’s gonna harm you, Y/N.” Izuku says, leaning his forehead against yours. “Not while I’m around. I promised, didn’t I?” 

You try to believe him as you walk back into town, hand in hand. 

There were so many unknowns going through your head, but one thing was for sure; you and Izuku were going to figure it out together.