#roomie said my eyes looked green today Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[daisies-on-a-cup]

im sorry brown eyed community, i have failed you :(

[clementinesjourney]

Record Shop Funk - Pt. 1 Like real people do

A.N. : Hey guys, so i had this idea yesterday, and i really hope you'll like it. <3

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT.

Words: 1,9k

Pairing: camboy!Steve x Reader, roommate!Bucky x reader, Stucky x reader (as the story goes)

Warnings: nothing yet :)

Summary: Who knew that having a secret crush, then a hearbreak will end in such a sweet thing..

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You and Bucky shared an apartment above the recordshop you both worked in. Your aunt was the owner of both, so it was a fairly good payment, and a fairly good apartment for a cheap price. It was a bright and big apartment with two bedrooms, so your decided to rent it out, all while searching for a helper to the shop downstairs. When Bucky came in applying for the job, you asked out of joke if he needs a place to live since you had seen around 5 people already and none of them felt right. His eyes lit up as he said he is in fact looking for a place. Since he was fitting for a job, and looked like a decent guy, you congratulated him on his new job, and asked if he wants to see the place today. You still had one and a half hour to close, but after it you would gladly show him the apartment.

He had nothing better to do, so he agreed to it, feeling happy about having a job he might actually like and a coworker he might actually will get along with.

-Do you drink coffee? I was thinking of getting one in the meantime. My friend works close by, and they make the best coffee in town. - He asked.

-I could go for one thank you - you smiled at him - iced cold-brew, no sugar, i'm sweet enough.. - you said with a smile.

He couldn't help but smile back at the joke. When he arrived at the café, he saw his friend Steve flirting with a girl whom he could visibly see trembling just cause he talked to her. Steve always had his way with girls, ever since the serum of course. After he broke up with Peggy, it was mostly just hookups, never finding a girl worth keeping around. Not as if they werent kind, pretty or good to him, it just never felt right. Bucky smiled at his friend, Steve immediately shifted his gaze from the girl, to a very happy Bucky.

-Did you get the job?

-Better.. I got the job, and she has a room for rent which i'll see tonight.

-Wow Bucky, i didn't know you were even better then i am.. sooo how does she look? - asked Steve with a slight wiggle of his eyebrows. He wanted Bucky to get a girl since ages and hearing this, his mind immediately ventured there.

-5'7, ginger, green eyes, freckles, curvy just the right places. why?

-Nothing Buck.. nothing.. - Steve said smirking at his friend.. Bucky never realized when he liked a girl, so he never really acted on it. He last had a woman back in the 40's.

-Sooo i know you didn't come to have chat with me, one black coffee and.. ?

-ah, iced cold-brew, no sugar..

After paying for the coffee, he hurried back to the shop, hoping to get to know his coworker a little bit better.

You thanked him for the coffee, and when you tried to pay, he refused.

-Next round's mine then. - You smiled at him with your 1000 watt smile, which again he couldn't help but smile back at.

-So tell me about you Bucky, what do you do in your freetime?

-Nothing really, just reading, spending time with my friends, kind of thats it.. I have a boring life really. What about you?

-Well, i work here, then i go home and listen to music, cook, god i love to cook, thats a big pro for the apartment.. just saying. - you said with a playful wink. - besides that nothing much. Sometimes i go to a nearby bar with my friends maybe concerts and thats it.

-I like washing dishes if that helps with the application for the room. - he said with a shy laugh which made your heart skip a beat.

- It sure does.. Do you leave your stuff around?

-No i'm a tidy person.. thank you very much. - he said cockily (just for the sake of being funny really).

-Okay okay, if you like it you can have the room, just promise to tell if you bring up a girl so i can leave. The walls are kind of thin.

-It's okay, i don't really...

-Oh um i'm sorry, i didn't meant to intrude, it just something i would really like everyone to add to their rental contracts. - you chuckled embarassed.

-Noo no, it's okay, i'm not embarassed by it. I guess i don't want hook ups, if one day there's someone i'll tell in advance.

-yea me too, i promise. If you end up renting it anyway haha. on that note it's time to close so i can show the room in a min.

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When you opened the door to the apartment Buckyquietly took in it all. It was really bright, white walls with paintings all over the walls, plants in every corner or shelf you can put one on, a comfy looking mustard couch, aztec-y rug under the coffeetable, and a wall fully shelved, filled with books and little trinkets, it looked like a home he never had a chance to have. The livingroom had an american kitchen on the side, island in the middle of the kitchen area, it was white, and blue which reminded him of greece, down the hallway you showed him the bathroom which of course had a lot of plants that liked the atmosphere of a bathroom, a shower in the corner and a bathtub under the window. You then showed the empty room he could rent out. It only had a shelf and a wardrobe, and a queen sized bed. No decorations, no signs of anybody ever living there. You then pointed to the room the opposit of what could possibly be Bucky's in the future, saying that is yours. You didn't show your room, he wasn't gonna go in there anyway, and showing your most private space on the first day didn't seem like a good idea either. You then invited him out to the balcony, watching the setting sun, smoking a cigarette.

-So thats about it, what do you think?

-I really like it, and i mean.. my workplace is pretty close so thats a plus, also you said something about cooking all the time.. sooo if it's alright with you i would love to rent it out.

-It's settled then roomie. I'll give you the keys, you can move in whenever you want to. Tomorrow we are closed, so maybe that would be ideal.

-Yea, then tomorrow it is then. I'll ask my friend to help, then we can maybe hang a bit if you're free.

-Sure, i have nothing planned, and it's good to know who i'll be living with. - you said with a smile.

Before closing the door, you said your goodbyes, and you realized what did you just do, after he wished you good night with a killer halfsmile that almost had your knees buckle. You just agreed to living together with possibly the most handsome man you've ever seen who is also your new coworker, so you will basically spend most of your time with him.. Guess we'll see how this goes you thought to yourself.

Morning came soon enough, you were sitting out on the balcony when you saw Bucky arrive with a very tall, just as handsome man, carrying boxes of books, and bags of clothing. Bucky looked up at the balcony, waving towards you, you waved back, then moved to open the front door before going back out to the balcony, resuming your coffee and smoke.

When they finished bringing all Bucky's stuff in, it was already midday, so you decided you'd order pizza for all of you, as in like a welcome present.

-Hey guys, i'm thinking of ordering pizza, what kind would you like?

-Oh (y/n) you don't have to. - said Bucky, earning a smirk from Steve as he looked back and forth between you two.

- Noo i insist, today won't be the day i'll start to slowly kill you with my cooking. - you said giggling a bit.

- Whatever's fine peach. - said Steve with a wink, that you decided was just out of friendlyness. You didn't veen knew his name, and he seemed like a lady's man anyways. Not really your type no matter how handsome and muscular he is.

- Steve, by the way, nice to meet you.

-(Y/n), likewise. - you shook his hand.

When the pizzas arrived you called them to the kitchen, listening to all their shared stories from their early years. They seemed like really close friends, and genuinely good people. You had a really great time. It was nearly 9 pm when Steve left, for saving a dame from dying cause of boredom he said. You and Bucky chuckled, then he let him out, closing the door, locking it for the night.

-I guess i have some packing to do, so.. good night (y/n).

-Good night Bucky, if you need anything just knock. - you said with a smile, and he couldn't help but smile back. He felt at peace. He had Steve, now he had a job, and a room to make a home of, and you as a new addition. You were so kind, so eager to help if he needed anything, he loved how the scent of raspberries and flowers lingered in the apartment mixed with coffee and cigarette smoke. It seemed to have a calming effect on him.

You heard a soft knock half an hour later. WHen you opened the door you saw a smiling Bucky, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

- Hey, um.. sorry. I forgot i didn't bring a blanket, could i borrow one until i get my own?

-Yea sure, i'll get one in a min. - You said, leaving the door open, letting him see a bit of "you" while you were searching for your spare blanket in your wardrobe. The room really was you. White, with mustardy curtains on the window, plants everywhere, books piled up here and there, a really comfy looking bed, pictures of you and your friends on the walls. And damn, your room smelled even more like you. If he wouldn't pay attention your scent would lure him into your room and never let him leave he thought.

-There you go. - you handed him the blanket smiling.

-Thank you very much.

Then he stood there for a moment drinking in the sight of you in front of him. You were wearing an oversized tshirt, that ended just around the middle of your thighs, hair in a messy bun, no makeup. He could swear he thought you were pretty before, but seeing you as you were made him fancy you even more.

With a small smile you told him goodnight again, then closed the door in his face.

You could hear his little laugh on the other side of the door, then his door closing. For the first time in months he didn't wake up in the middle of the night, and he didn't had a nightmare either. He was afraid he would, and then he would wake you up with his screaming, but looks like the blanket which smelled just like you calmed him enough.

After waking up because the rays of sunshine on his face, he smiled to himself guess i'll wait with getting my own blanket then...

[yamithediaperdork]

Moving day (Harry potter)

They say that any move can be stressful and the adjustment period of living with new roommates can be hard for the first few days, even if your new roomies happen to be your older twin brothers. And not making things any easier though they of course love and support you, is that your boyfriend is coming with you for the move, and as such you had to tell them about the special arrangement. Still stories over the phone apparently didn't fully paint a picture and now Ron and Draco are waiting for the twins to stop staring and let them in. The twins themselves were wearing matching white t-shirts and blue jeans. Ron was in a loose and long sleeved black shirt and black cargo pants, and Draco took the cake. what with the pure blood ex bully being in green cover all's (with crotch snaps!) and a black t-shirt it looked like under the cover-all's. and by how swollen and BIG Draco's crotch and rear looked, the boy was easily rocking 3 nappies. "Interesting..fashion choice." George said finally. "Inner child and all that." Fred said.

Getting Draco inside Ron got his big baby of a boyfriend sat down in the living room to get to know his unca's better while Ron went and unpacked, not a easy job to do since they were making use of a magic suitcase so there was at least a few hours worth of work needed for Ron to do. If your wondering why Draco wasn't helping with the unpacking well, He was a little guy in more ways then attire and a bored/grumpy Draco trying to be 'helpful' never ended well. He could of had one of the twins help him but with it being their first time watching Draco, he figured 2 on 1 gave them a fighting chance against his bratty baby boy.

"So..Cripes..you really wear nappies huh?" Fred asked,leaning down for a closer look at the bulky seat of Draco's overall's and nappies. Draco, who had been leaning forward to get some of the baby blocks they had for him to play with gave a annoyed look as this was the 5th time Fred had asked that. deciding that those who get that close to his butt with no care about their own safety deserved what they got and scrunched up his face. George realized what was happening and started to cry out a warning. "Fred wait get back from hi-" but at last the cry came too late and indeed only made things worse. Fred's poor mouth had opened, and with the distraction from George, Draco moved his diapered rear backwards, almost in slow motion and finished his long sputtering but muffed fart on his unca's face. With the deed done and Fred on his back and gagging, George glared at Draco. "what cha do that for?" he demanded, folding his arms. "But unca George, I'm just a widdle boy and NEED my diapies, Unca Fred should of realized he was playing with fire.. or gas." Draco said, doing his best 'i'm so cute you can't stay mad at me' faces and voices. and unlike Ron who had seen them all and could resit, This was Georges first and he instantly melted. "well,m just don't let it happen again. Do you want some ice cream?" George asked Draco of course knew he wasn't suppose to have any, ice cream made him a super duper pooper..Butttt He was just a little boy and lessons had to be learned all around. Fred finally got up and like wise was about to throttle Draco but the power of the puppy look and he was de fanged as well and went to go and smash up some cookies to crumble over Draco's ice cream. '..heh..yeah. I could get used to this~' he thought.

Ron had been hard at work for a hour and came out to get a glass of juice from the fridge. he noticed Draco was nuzzled on the crotch with his brother and smiled, he was glad they were getting along and didn't wanna say anything to spoil their fun. chugging his juice down and getting a refill, Ron just happened to look in the sink and froze, seeing three dirty bowls that had clearly had ice cream in them. "Ohhhh No. No no no.." Ron said, a knot forming in his tummy. coming out of the kitchen and hurrying to look out into the living room he heard the first poot and toyed with just running before the smell reached him. cries of disgust and whimpers of pain were heard and it delayed Ron enough that he didn't escape the stink field in time and was welcomed to the truly rotten smell of a lactose intolerant like Malfoy having dairy. Nose hairs burning and eyes watering Ron sighed and headed for ground zero. Fred and George were each half out a window, Fred on the left and George on the right. Draco not surprisingly was squatting down and hunching, fists closeted and gritting his teeth. from the look of focus on his face and the sweat you'd almost swear he was doing a power up from a anime. at least till you noted the massive diaper that had forced the crotch snaps open (and Ron looked and noticed some of the buttons on the floor) Spotting Ron in the door way Draco started to cry out daddy, but it was over taken with a guttural groan as a cramp hit him. the diaper, which was already racing for his knee caps jumped in size and Ron found himself glad he hadn't taken Harry's advice and gone with muggle diapers, they'd of had a blow out by now! "D-Daddy tummy hurt!" Draco whined and whimpered, tears going down his cheeks and holding out his hands as his knees wobbled. technically Ron should of let Draco suffer, to enjoy the spoils of his win at getting ice cream and suffer butttt...that just wasn't the kinda daddy Ron was. conjuring up a clothes pin for his own nose, and a dummy with a large rubber teat that found it's way into Draco's mouth, Ron came over and hugged the stinky boy. He also once he noticed the twins were trying to escape out the windows, shut them on the twins trapping them but not hurting them. well, not hurting them till anther spell had the back of their knickers get yanked up for twin wedgies. "OWWW! Stoppp Ron knock it off!" "we'll get you back for this!" "mmmmhmmm. I'll be back to free you after I change Draco..or I can let you two go now and you can change him." Ron said, smirking. "...You know, after the first 10 seconds this feels kinda nice." Fred said. "Could do this all day." added George. "For the record you two will be changing him at some point." Ron laughed. "Now hold on.." George started. "You never warned us about him being like..THAT every time that he goes!" Fred protested. "Hmm? oh he's not. but you dipsticks let him have dairy when he's lactose intolerant. reap what you sew." "..If he knew he couldn't handle it then why did he have three bowls of it!?!" "because he's a baby duh. he just likes yummy things and doesn't think about later." A whine from behind and Ron smiled at the huffing Draco who with one last watery fart seemed to be done..and oh my. the diaper had gotten SO shit swelled that it looked like something out of a cartoon show, Draco had basically made a bean bag chair of sorts! in fact if he hadn't of just stopped pooping he might of been picked off the ground! "Jesus sweetie, you have any bones left in you?" Ron asked fascinated and semi worried at the same time. (and maybe a little pride, that was his boy who had just made a super big present.)

The only way to move him at this point was a levitation spell and Draco hated it. the damn things always made him queasy to his belly even though he'd been used to moving much faster during a quditch game. Still there was no way to change him in the house without getting the mess everywhere and his new uncles seemed to have a high enough stone way around the back of their large yard. "oh look, they have a garden back here..you can provide all the fertilizer from now on!" Daddy teased and Draco tried to glare but the cheating bastard tickled the big babies tum tum making him giggle around the paci. Sat down slowly with a loud squish and a horrible smell being released, Draco whined and held his own nose and waved a hand. "heh, yeah buddy, Stinky.":Ron chuckled then opened his diaper. stinky as it was, Draco couldn't help but giggle even in the outdoor setting as Ron turned green in the face. charming a gas mask onto his face daddy was apparently ok and Draco huffed and crossed his arms. "No fair! cheating!" was what he wanted to say, but just gibberish came out instead because he also refused to let the dummy out of his mouth.

45 minutes later (give or take a century from Ron's POV) and the little guy was all cleaned up and his 'treasure' so to speak disposed of. The twins had manage to get free by seeing what Ron had been dealing with they decided to hold back on their revenge so they wouldn't have to change Draco today. Or at least that was the plan but after carrying Draco in just his diapers (him sitting on Ron's lap, snuggling into him and looking more like a little toddler then the high school graduate he was) when Ron came out of their room, Draco was hiding behind him and still had the dummy in his mouth.  just he was sucking on it BIG time and almost giving the twins ideas. then Ron stepped out of the way and the twin's jaws dropped. If his first outfit had been shocking, and his just diapered look adorable, this look was kinda sexy and having the twins who had considered themself hetero till just seconds again were desperately trying to justify thoughts of what they wanted to do with Draco. "Boys..let me introduce the other side of your new nephew..his niece side." Ron chuckled.

Draco's cheeks were bright red, daddy had promised no sissy stuff around his brothers but said this was his punishment for being a little piggy! So now his short blond hair had a light pink bow in it, he was wearing a very short little girl party dress, complete with a bow on the back that daddy had to tie and of course was a mixture of different shades of pink. whine knee high socks were on him and a pair of black Mary janes on his feet. 'At least daddy didn't put make up on me this time." Draco sulked around his paci, waddling forward with the same bulky cloth and rubber pants he'd had before. His his Mary-janes making a clip clack sound on the floor Draco got in front of his unca's and griping the hem of his dress, curtsy and bowed his head. "so..you two think you can try this again and NOT fuck it up?" Ron asked. "I uh..I.." Fred stammered, apparently locked up in resisting the urge to fawn over the little cutie. "You know Fred, i think we could do a smash up job this time. even handle any diaper changes!" George said. "Glad to hear. no take backies." Ron said and turned to go back into Draco and his room to finish working. as he turned a low rumbling sound was heard that turned into a series of wet farts. "Uhhh Ron?" Fred squeaked out as the back of Draco's diaper ballooned out from under the dress. "No take backsies. " was all Ron said then shut the door. "...Still think letting them move in was a good idea?" "Oh shut up!"

the end

[drariellevalentine]

Medically Inevitable

Chapter 3- Eye-widening Events

Characters:- Arielle Valentine, Sienna Trinh, Elijah Greene, Jackie Varma, Landry Olsen, Ethan Ramsey, Diana Hudson, Kyra Santana, Bryce Lahela

Pairing:- Arielle Valentine x Ethan Ramsey

Warnings:- Death, Miscarriages, PTSD etc.

General PoV:-

Sunlight peeks through the blush tinted curtains in Arielle’s bedroom. Her most relatable song “Older”, by Sasha Sloan plays from her phone, waking her gently. She rises slowly from her queen sized bed, taking her time to follow through her morning routine. After witnessing a vivid sunrise with the accompaniment of a cup of tea, she pins her hair up and steps in her shower. One relaxing shower later, she goes into her walk-in closet and slips on the outfit she picked out last night- a raspberry velvet fitted top paired with white leggings and white pumps. If there’s one thing that Arielle Cerise Valentine loves, it’s jewellery. She goes to the other end of her closet and slips on a pair of matching earrings. Lastly, her mother’s pendant necklace. She felt it was calling to her. After finishing her usual makeup routine and fishtail braid, she steps into the living room, following a delicious scent.

Arielle’s PoV:-

I step into the kitchen to find Sienna and the others laying out a huge breakfast spread. “Oh my god! Guys, when did you even find the time to do this?”

“We wanted to thank you and we all thought we should have a nice roomie breakfast.”, says Sienna.

We all take a seat and eat as much as we possibly could. “Sienna, I swear you had a private chef help you whip up this stuff. It’s so delicious.” Everybody agrees. Sienna blushes and thanks everyone.

“Anyways, I hooked up the TV and bass speakers last night! We are officially ready for a housewarming party!, says Elijah. Everyone starts chiming in ideas for the party, as Sienna notes them down on her phone. We all give her a share of money for the party and decide Sienna and me will go shopping later.

A little while later...

“Have you guys heard the rumours?”, asks Elijah.

“About what?”, you innocently ask.

“About Banerji suddenly quitting.”, Jackie nonchalantly says.

“What?”, Landry exclaims. You nearly spit out your food. “Naveen...quitting! No! It can’t be.”, your mind races.

Landry keeps on rambling, “No going away party?....No announcement?...”

You can’t believe it. Your mind goes to the events of last night, where your godfather and Dr. Ramsey were arguing. Snaps snaps you out of your reverie. “It’s getting late, Ari. You should head for your shift.” You wave goodbye to everyone and head down to the parking lot. Sliding into your Lexus, you drive towards Edenbrook.

Ethan’s PoV:-

You step out of your car, having parked it at your usual spot. You’re about to head inside when you receive a page. Apparently, one of your residents decided to go golfing. You’re about to head inside when you see a rose gold Lexus park next to your BMW. “I’ve never seen this car before, and an excellent driver too.”, he thinks. Out steps a chic dressed woman with a little bag on her back. “Who is this woman?”, you wonder. And that’s when it catches your eye, the violet ombré at the end of her braid. She locks her car, slipping her keys into her pocket while putting on her white coat. “Rookie.”

She looks up, her violet irises laced with surprise. “Dr. Ramsey, Good Morning!”, she says with a cheerful smile. You greet her back. She turns to leave, not wanting for her to leave you say, “Wait. Follow me.” She drops off her belongings and wordlessly follows me. You lead her to the patient who’s doctor decided to ditch his job.

The patient lights up at the sight of her, I mean who wouldn’t! “Goddamnit Ramsey, what is wrong with you today!”

“Are you my doctor?”, the patient asks.

Arielle turns to me with a questioning look.

“This is Kyra Santana. Her doctor decided to ditch his responsibilities so she’s yours now.”

“Ooh yes! Show me off!”, Kyra exclaims.

Arielle chuckles while picking up her chart. “Kyra Santana, age 28, fractured radius in need of casting.”

“Is that all?”, you ask.

“Yes.”, she answers.

“Kyra, tell Dr. Valentine what is actually wrong with you.”

“I’m afraid it’s cancer, my very hot doctor.”

“What?”, Arielle frowns in confusion.

“Check the cell count on the last page, indicating of?...”, you probe.

“Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma!”

“Yeah, in my left lung.”

“Dr. Valentine, sometimes the problem isn’t always in front of us. You should thoroughly read through a patient’s chart. Nowadays, they let pretty much anyone become healthcare professionals.”

“If you’re here for cancer treatment, how did you break your arm?”

“I saw a bike abandoned by the subway and tried to ride it. Apparently, I’m not very good at it.”, she says gesturing to her arm.

“YOLO huh?”, she laughs.

Kyra laughs.

“Dr. Valentine, what is Kyra’s treatment plan?”

“Well, first we need to cast her arm and then”-

You interrupt her, “Good. Now do that.” You swiftly exit the room.

Arielle’s PoV:-

“Wait! What about”-

“Don’t worry, female version of McDreamy, I already have a treatment plan and a CT scheduled right after this.”

“You should know that I’m straight, but I totally support 🏳️‍🌈.”, you ramble in a worry that Kyra might take offence.

She starts laughing so hard, “I was teasing you, I know that you are straight.”

Feeling embarrassed you say, “Let’s cast that arm, shall we.” You cast it firmly.

“Would you like to sign my cast?”, you write ‘Miss McDreamy’ on it. “Damn! You have legible.. no really pretty handwriting.”, Kyra says. You thank and wave to her.

Later, you are running an errand for Ines. “ Hey Arielle, do me a favour and give these labs to Dr. Ramsey. He’ll be in Room 413.”

You enter the room looking at your pager and say, “Excuse me Dr. Ramsey, Dr. Delarosa asked me to”- You finally look up to see Chief Emery with her hand on his cheek, whispering furtively but quietly. “Oh!...um...I...I’ll just leave these here.” You can bet a million bucks that your cheeks just turned 50 shades of red. You run out of the room and accidentally bump into someone.

“Sorry!”

“Hey Elle!”

“Elle?”

“Yeah, short for Arielle.”

“Okay.” You notice Kyra sitting a bed. “And where are you off to, Madam Flatterer?”

“About to be prepped for a lobectomy, assisted by yours truly.”

“What?!”

“After the CT scan results came back, it kind of happened pretty fast.”

You pull Bryce aside. “Take care of her for me.”

“Don’t worry, Dr. Zimmerman is an amazing surgeon.”

“She’ll be golden.”

“Woah! I never thought I’d see Dr. McDreamy fighting with another Dr. McDreamy.”, you laugh as Bryce wheels Kyra into the OR.

You head down into the ER to see if there are any cases, where you see Aurora, whose ass is being kissed. “Hey Aurora.”

“What?”

“I said hi. It’s legal to greet someone.”

“Well it shouldn’t be.” Just then, you hear the ambulance siren. You both rush to the entrance as the ambulance doors’ open.

A very muscular paramedic steps out, helping an unconscious woman with an oxygen mask on.

“Diana Hudson, office fire, all of her coworkers got out but she’s pregnant and couldn’t move fast enough.”

“How long has she been unconscious?”, you ask.

“She fainted in the ambulance.”

“Serious smoke inhalation, but I hope I got them out in time.”

“ Wait? You got them out! What about the firefighters?”

“They were taking too long.”, he says with a shrug.

“That was really brave of you. Not many people would have done that...”

“Rafael Aveiro.”

“Dr. Arielle Valentine.”

“I’ll see you around, Dr. Valentine.”

After Diana gets admitted, you search her phone for her emergency contacts. You’re scrolling down when one particular contact catches your eye. ‘Dr. Ethan Ramsey’

“No way!” You rush to Dr. Ramsey’s office and knock. “Come in.”

You enter the room. “What do you want, Rookie?”

“I was going through my patient’s emergency contacts when I saw your name. Do you know a Diana Hudson?”

“Diana?” He follows me to the patient’s room as I told him what happened.

You enter the room and are relieved to find Diana awake.

“Hi Diana, I’m”-

“Ethan!”, the woman exclaims.

“Diana! What have you gotten into this time?”

“There was a fire and I couldn’t get out. Luckily, you had Superman on payroll!” You laugh.

“I’ll call your sisters and fly them in from Arizona. I’m so glad you’re alright.”

“Diana, this is Dr. Valentine. Dr. Valentine, Diana was my first patient when I was an intern.”

“What were you in for?”

“Burst appendix, I was totally freaked out but Ethan calmed me down. Even kept in touch over the years.”

“That’s so sweet!”, you exclaim.

You take a stethoscope and warm it on your palm. “So, was Dr. Ramsey always like this?”

“Oh yes, he’s aged like a fine wine, don’t you think?”, she teasingly says that leaves you giggling.

“Dr. Valentine, the examination if you don’t mind.”

You run the resonator and take all her vitals.

“Did the EMT manage to get my purse?” You hand it to her. She searches for something and frowns.

“Is everything alright, Diana?, you ask.

“Yeah, it’s just I saw this adorable stuffed frog and thought it would have been perfect for my little tadpole here, I know it’s silly.”

“No it’s not. It’s absolutely beautiful, in fact Dr. Ramsey and I can go and get it for you.” You give him a pleading look. He agrees and you both step out of the room.

“How are her vitals?”

“They’re all fine, but her breathing is short and her elevated B.P should be low. I’ll order a chest x-ray and a urine sample.

“Good work. Drop off the labs and meet me at the hospital’s entrance in 10 minutes.”

You get the sample and order the x-ray, then walk towards the entrance, leaving your white coat behind. You see Dr. Ramsey, sitting in the driver’s seat of a BMW. You ride shotgun.

“Nice car, Dr. Ramsey.”

“Thank you.”

He turns on the radio and a concerto comes on.

“So...Are you and Chief Emery.. um...in a relationship?”, you tentatively ask.

“I don’t advertise my private life at work.”

“We’re not at work.”, you counter.

He sighs, “Before she became Chief, we were in an on and off relationship. As of last year, no.”

“What about you?” You’re surprised.

“I ended a six year relationship two months ago. He was jealous that I had gotten matched into Edenbrook and he didn’t, so he decided to screw with my then best friend.”, you confide. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be telling you all this.”

“It’s fine. And for what it’s worth, you should never let anybody hinder your career.”

“Trust me, I learned that lesson a long time ago.” He shoots you a look. Luckily, you’ve arrived at the burning building.

You exit the car and say, “Let’s hope it didn’t fall there.”, gesturing to the raging inferno. You and him scan the surroundings for the little toy. You’re about to give up when... “Look!” He points to a drain, where a green toy is stuck. You both rush and take a look, it’s deep and dark.

“Hell no. I am not going down there! Haven’t you seen IT?”

“It’s just a movie, anyways you won’t be able to reach it.”

“Can you hold my waist?”

“What?”, he looks at you like you’re an idiot.

“I’m very flexible. I can reach down there and grab it with a flashlight but I’ll fall down because I don’t have any support. If you hold me...”

“Fine.”

You lay down and wiggle your upper body down into the drain while he holds your lower waist tightly.

You twist incredibly low and he has to hold your hips instead. “Almost there.....Got it!”

Dr. Ramsey pulls you up from the waist. “How did you manage to get that?”

“A girl’s got to have some secrets.” He hands you a towel to wipe yourself off and a little bag for the plastic toy.

“I’ll get this sterilised and given to Diana.”

“I’ve never seen someone go to this lengths for their patient.”

“Well I’m not like most doctors.”

“Well you could have done it to impress me.” You arrive at Edenbrook.

“Not really. When Diana was telling us about the little frog she bought for her baby, you could see that beautiful smile on her face. There’s nothing more beautiful than a mother’s love towards her child.” You see Dr. Ramsey tense up, but you decide to say nothing. Thanking him for the ride you head inside.

Some time later, Danny hands you the results for Diana. You’re reading through them when, your heart stops. Diana has preeclampsia, the same diagnosis your mother had 24 years ago. You rush to find Dr. Ramsey and hand him the charts. His face falls.

“They’re in serious trouble, aren’t they.”, you say sadly.

“Come on, Rookie. Let’s go tell her.” Your face falls as you imagine her face. “That’s the job, Rookie. Nothing we can do about it.”

You enter the room and Diana notices your faces. “What is it?”

“Have you heard of preeclampsia, Diana? It’s a condition that affects 1 out of 10 pregnant women. It means that the blood flow from your placenta is slowing down, depriving the baby of vital nutrients.”

“Does that mean my little tadpole is in trouble?”

“No, it just means that we’ll have to deliver the baby earlier.”, he says.

“No, I won’t. It’s too early. If he’s not in danger right now, then I won’t.”

“Diana, listen. I know this is scary but if you wait, it might be too late. There are post-birth complications but this is the best way.”

“No, I won’t.” Dr. Ramsey leaves the room.

You turn to her, desperate, with tears in your eyes, “I know what it’s like Diana. My mother had preeclampsia too. She was in the exact same place as you, and by waiting, it cost us a great deal. But I survived, I’m living proof. Please don’t wait. A child should never have to grow up without their mother. It’s the worst form of torture a child could ever face.” Realising tears are streaming down your face, you rapidly leave the room and accidentally crash into someone.

“Hey, hey, hey. What’s wrong?” You look up to see Bryce. He wipes your tears and pulls you aside.

“It’s okay, it’s just one of my patients hit really close to home.”

“A beautiful face like yours shouldn’t cry. Come with me, I am making it my personal mission to cheer you up. He leads you to a milkshake bar a few blocks away and orders a large Oreo milkshake with a ton of ice cream.

“You really know the way to a girl’s heart. I mean it, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Anyways, you remind me of my sister, she’s all the way in Hawaii. So you can be my little teenage sister.”

“I’m not that young.”, you roll your eyes.

“How old are you?”

“24.”

“I’m 27.”

“So what? I graduated a few years early.”

The huge milkshake arrives. Bryce grabs two spoons and hands one to you.

“Dig in!” Between the two of you, you manage to finish the whole thing.

“That was absolutely delightful.” You open your wallet but Bryce doesn’t let you.

“No way am I letting you pay!”

He pays and you both exit the store. Suddenly your pager beeps. “911 for Diana! I gotta go, bye!”

You rush towards the hospital and run into the waiting room, breathless. You find Dr. Ramsey sitting in one of the chairs, attempting to speak you end up coughing. He looks up. You’re finally able to speak. “Wh...what happened..Dr. Ramsey?”, you manage to ask with your chest heaving.

“Diana had a seizure. The baby’s just been delivered via c-section. It’s 50-50 he’ll survive the night.” Your heart tightens. “Diana?”

“She died.” Your throat tightens, it’s hard to breathe. You take deep breaths, recalling what your psychologist said. “I’m so sorry, Dr. Ramsey”-

“I’m fine.” He gets up and leaves; turning around to say, “Go home, Arielle.” He leaves. You can’t find it in your heart to leave and find your legs leading you to the NICU. You step inside and find Dr. Lozoya.

“Is is okay if I give this toy to him? His mother would have wanted him to have it. It’s been sterilised.”

“Of course. Poor thing, we’ll know in the morning.”

She leaves, leaving you alone. You place the little tadpole near the baby.

Your breath catches in your throat as your eye catches the name. ‘Ethan Hudson.’ You want to help him but don’t know how. You start humming one of your favourite arias. One that your mother used to sing as you stand near the cube.

Ethan’s PoV:-

You receive word from one of the nurses that Diana’s baby is in the NICU. You’re walking near when you hear a mesmerising voice, humming a very well known French aria. You follow the voice and find Arielle humming, standing near the baby.

“What are you doing here? I told you to go home.”

“I don’t like the fact that he has to fight for his life alone. I’m staying with him.”

“Do you mind if I can join you?”

“Not at all.”

You sit beside her on the loveseat.

“Ethan...”, she whispers. You’re shocked that she just called you by your first name.

“Excuse me?”

She doesn’t break her trance. Instead she answers, “Ethan...the baby’s name is Ethan, Ethan Hudson. She named him after you.”

You’re speechless. Your eyes flash towards the name tag. “She was right, she had named him after you.”, you think. Your throat tightens.

“You must have known her pretty well.”

“I did. I didn’t have many friends back then. I just meant to check on her, knowing that my patients were out there, living their live to the fullest,.. it really kept me going. She was recently divorced and feeling alone, so she insisted we meet for coffee. It turned into more emails and coffees, and Sunday roasts in between.”

You can see that her eyes are red. “Does it ever get easier?”, she asks.

“Grieving for the loss of a patient isn’t a bad thing. I would be more concerned if you didn’t. To answer your question, we have a certain process when it comes to... the end stage. It helps the family to cope a bit more easier.” Her face remains the same.

“The first patient I lost was in my 4th week. I didn’t make any mistakes though. He had an inoperable malignant tumour in his brain. He wasn’t much older than I am now. It was hard.” She turns to look at you, her violet irises meeting yours.

“She trusted us, she trusted her life and her baby’s. Maybe if I had talked to her some more, she would have agreed sooner.”

“She gave her consent to the surgery, but she had a seizure in between. She said to me that you were the one who had convinced her. How did you do it?”

She takes a deep breath. “I...My mother was diagnosed with preeclampsia in her late third trimester. Since my brother was perfectly healthy, she didn’t want to deliver me yet and kept putting it off. “It...”, her voice breaks. “It cost her her life.”

“I’m so sorry, Arielle. You should have told me, I would have taken you off this case.”

“Do you know what the worst part is? She was fine, after she gave birth. We were all so happy that she had survived, and then a day later, she died. An artery was slightly nicked, causing internal bleeding. They didn’t notice until it was too late.” Tears are streaming down her face.

You wipe them away. “I thought, at least I could save her, but I couldn’t.”

She wipes her face and says, “I’m sorry, I’m the one who’s supposed to be offering condolences.”

“It’s okay.” She wordlessly places her hand on your thigh. You place your hand on top of hers. You see her drift off to sleep and you do the same.

“Bzzzt....Bzzzt...” You wake up to see Arielle, fallen asleep on your shoulder. And then, you see baby Ethan, his heartbeat strong. A smile spreads across your lips.

“Arielle....Arielle?” You gently tap her cheek.

Arielle’s PoV:-

You faintly hear someone calling your name. Your eyes flutter open to Dr. Ramsey’s face. You realise that you’ve been resting your head on his shoulder. You jerk up and apologise, “Oh my god! I’m so sorry. Your shirt’s ruined!” Your cheeks turn red for the second time today. “It’s alright. Look.” He points to baby Ethan’s cubicle. You suddenly remember where you are and jump up and rush over to see. There he is lying peacefully, breathing in and out, heart beating strong. “Je suis si fier de toi petit têtard. Tu ressembles à ta mère.(I’m so proud of you, little tadpole. You look just like your mother.)”, you whisper in French to the baby.

“Tu parles français?(You speak French?), he asks.

“Oui. Très couramment en fait. Ma mère est ... était française.(Yes. Quite fluently actually. My mother is...was French.), you reply.

Your pager buzzes. “Crap! I have rounds in 20 minutes.”

“You should go.” You turn to leave. “Thank you Arielle.”

“You’re welcome.” You leave the room and head towards the locker room to shower and change.

Thrity minutes into the shift, and suddenly the central paging system goes off, asking all the medical interns to gather in the atrium.

Sighing, I ask Sarah to run a blood test of my patient in room 508 before hurrying down the halls.

God knows what happened this time!

"Any idea what's wrong?" I nudge Jackie reaching the group in the atrium. Sienna is yet to join us but everyone else is here.

Jackie just shrugs.

A few minutes later Sienna joins us. "What happened guys?"

"No idea," I answer as Elijah and Landry is fanning over some comic.

"Good morning interns," Dr.Emery tries to grab our attention.

She's standing in front us, near the reception desk, Dr. Ramsey standing by her side. And unlike Dr. Emery he seems angry and exasperate.

"As many of you may have heard, Dr. Banerji is now a person of early retirement," She starts. Your mind starts racing again, no matter how much you try to calm it.

“Dr. Banerji is retiring? But why? He loves treating patients, saving lives. There's no way he wants to leave all this on his own.”, you think. Harper Emery keeps saying things but I can hardly concentrate.

“He left. I won’t be able to talk to him, apologize to him, bond with him.” All my hope shatters.

"-which leaves and empty position in the Diagnostics team. And this year you guys will be competing each other for that position. Dr. Ramsey will explain you the rest."

That's the last thing I hear her say before Dr. Ramsey takes over.

"We'll be evaluating you every week on the basis of how well you solve your cases."

"Your weekly evaluation result will be published in the announcement board every week," he continues. "Anyone who wants to join drop by my office before midnight tomorrow to sign up your names."

"You all can go and resume your regular activities now," Dr. Emery smiles before walking away.

Dr. Ramsey too walks away but towards the hall where construction of the new block is going on.

"I can't believe they will be taking interns on their beloved Diagnostics Team!" Landry says surprised.

"Development of the interns must be so important to them," Sienna says thoughtfully and Jackie scoffs.

Leaving the group to talk I rush after Dr. Ramsey.

“Dr. Ramsey, wait," I call after him. He stops and turns around.

"I- is this what you were talking about with Dr. Emery yesterday?"

"Yes," he sighs.

"But you said that we aren’t ready yet."

"Because you aren’t," he stops then again continues thoughtfully, " But are any of us truly ready for anything."

He says, walking away leaving me alone to deal with my thoughts.

“Naveen left. I don’t know where he lives, why he left; hell! I don’t even know if he’s in the US or not.”

“Cosa farò adesso!?(What will I do now!?)”, you scream in Italian.

[starjeno]

destined | l.mh | 3

genre: fluff | soulmate!au, genderswap!au pairing: student!mark x female!reader warnings: bad words? word count: 1973 summary: it’s a fact of life that soulmates swap bodies. when mark wakes up in a bed that isn’t his, he’s delighted. you, on the other hand, absolutely despise it. a/n: filler chapter, sorry! and i know it’s been a while since i’ve posted. also, i gave the roommate a name finally. 

the sunset filtering through your curtains fills the room with hazy light. it’s soft and golden and comforting, but it does little to placate your roommate. her arms remain crossed over her chest as you pace by the mini-fridge nervously, waiting for this interrogation to end.

“okay, but what did yuta say?” she’s already somehow familiarized herself with the names of the people involved, and while it took some time for her to get used to your new appearance, she currently seems to have grown accustomed to it. you groan, “i told you, yuta likes this whole thing. he just ignored me and then said that i should take mark into consideration.”

“why can’t mark take you into consideration instead?” she retorts. you huff, “i told you this too! mark also thinks i like this whole thing!”

“well? do you?”

you can’t help the hesitation that bubbles up in your throat when you think about the events of earlier. the rapid beating of your heart and the heat in the tips of your ears and the strange familiarity that accompanied each of mark’s words — he felt like a missing puzzle piece, like someone you loved in a past life, and you didn’t like how you unconsciously gravitated towards him as he spoke. 

then again, you only saw him for a few hours, so maybe you’re overexaggerating. you shake your head firmly, “i don’t! you know that! i don’t want any of this!”

she gives you an unplaceable look, her eyes filled with contemplation, before groaning and sitting up, “let’s go out to eat. you’ve had a rough day.”

“you’ll pay?”

“yeah,” she sighs, running a hand through her hair, “i don’t want you to confuse the cashier with your credit card info. let’s get out of here.”

it’s a blessing that your roommate has kun. she’s accumulated enough of his clothing that your new body has a decent selection to choose from. though the clothes all fit loosely, you figure tucking your dress shirt into your pants and looping a belt tightly through should make sure your outfit is secure. she stands in the doorway as she watches you change, blushing feverishly when she associates your initial meeting with yuta with the boxers that now hug you snugly. 

“where do you feel like eating?” 

you hum in thought as you grab a cap, “honestly? kun’s place. he makes such good food.”

she rolls her eyes before dialing her boyfriend’s number on the phone. it rings for a few seconds until the line clicks and you hear a deep voice fill the speaker, “what’s up? you only call at this time when you’re hungry. or horny. or both. please don’t be both.”

“uh, just hungry. also, ____ and i have something we should tell you,” she mumbles, “i’ll be over in five.”

she hangs up before looking over to me and sighing, "i'll do your hair."

as you sit down in front of a mirror and watch your roommate squeeze out a frightening amount of gel onto her palm, you can't help but think about mark again. it's hard not to since his face is the reflection and it shines with a bright optimism that you currently lack. you attempt a half-hearted smile to make his features seem pleasant; it feels wrong when his face frowns.

meanwhile, the girl behind the chair slicks your hair in a neat quiff, sparing a few strands to fall onto your forehead casually. you look handsome, and you're somewhat pleased that kun's first impression of your soulmate will be great on terms of looks.

not that you cared particularly. you don't. you aren't even sure you know what a mark is, much less feel as if others should approve of him.

"there, let's go," she hums, wiping her hands off with a towel and spritzing some floral scent on the two of you before walking out. you follow reluctantly.

kun's apartment is cute and filled with small plants that are groomed to perfection. little canvases with a dramatic ink strokes line the walls above the television and couches, and pens are littered in the corners of every room. there's even a pen tucked into the pocket of the man himself, who is still in the ironed dress shirt he went to work in.

his smile radiates as the two of you walk into the hall, but you can sense the air tension rise, “mina and . . . a friend?”

“ha ha, very funny, kun. you won’t believe who this is,” your roommate grins as you two sit down. kun pauses for a bit before backing into his kitchen, grabbing a spare pan to add on top of the stove, thinking, “uh, a cousin? your long-lost brother? i thought ____ was coming over.”

“exactly,” she huffs before motioning over to you, “meet mark, or better known as ____ in mark’s body.”

kun gasps and points the pan at you accusingly, laughter lacing his voice, “oh my god, you fucking swapped?”

you grin and place a hand to drag the pot down, “i know, it’s crazy.”

“at least he’s cute,” the dimpled boy chuckles, sighing in disbelief. he definitely knew you well.

“agreed,” you smile a bit and your roommate shoots you a short-lived glare before looking at kun, “so we came here to destress from such a horrific event by eating your food.”

“that sounds like a plan . . . ,” he muses, a small smile growing on his face as he takes out cooking oil, “you guys can just chill, and i’ll have something cooked up in ten.”

as soon as you pull your phone out, a notification slides onto a screen. you bite your lip as the social messaging app displays the message of a new follower, and when you hold down for more details, you instantly recognize the handle.

mark. he must've searched you up, and if he's managed to follow you on here, he's probably found all your socials by now. as if on cue, you see three more notifs slide gracefully on your phone, beaming with a new friend request. you aren’t sure if you’re happy or annoyed, or a bit of both, but you hold down and open the app to find a new direct message awaiting your approval.

mark1ee (online): hi! sorry if this is creepy but i figured we’re friends now, so...

good lord. you bite your lips to keep from laughing at his shyness, finding it adorable, and avert your eyes from your phone. mina glares at you quizzically, raising a brow as if to ask what you’re amused at, but you simply shake your head emphatically and begin to type back.

you: how’d you know my last name? there’s probably more than one ____ out there. mark1ee is typing . . .

"here, some cheesy ass lasagna. i put, like, five different kinds of cheese in there, or just whatever was in my fridge.” kun slides two plates to you and your roommate and grabs the nearest chair to sit. he looks at you as you tentatively poke at the stuffing, “i didn’t poison it, you know.”

“shut up, i’m critiquing it!” you laugh as you place a food-filled fork in your mouth, smiling at the instant flavor, “whoa, i forgot how good you are at this.”

he lowers his brows as he smiles, “you mean you forgot my job is in the culinary arts?” 

you face downwards as kun strikes up a conversation with your roommate and glance at the notification on your phone. it doesn’t take a moment of hesitation for you to swipe and check mark’s message.

mark1ee (online): i checked the profile pictures. it would be a lot easier to make sure i’m contacting the right person if i had your number ;) you: how smooth. how do i know this is the mark i met earlier today? mark1ee (online): already asking for pics? damn. mark1ee sent a photo mark1ee (online): i forgot that it’s basically just a pic of you lmao :/ now pls send #

you snort and look up to find your roommate and kun staring at you intently. you wave your hand dismissively, "funny meme, sorry."

they give you a strange look before resuming the conversation, and you hide your phone under your leg before digging into the meal before you.

"so, what's going on?"

at the question, yuta sighs as mark walks in, his hand rubbing a towel through his wet hair, "winwin is coming back early. a week early."

"are you not excited?" mark quips. the older male tiredly grins, "i'm excited, believe me. but i'm worried that i won't pay enough attention to your switch."

mark frowns, the wrinkles ruining the feminine face, "i'll be fine. she just sent me her number!"

he takes a seat by yuta and faces the flatscreen in front, his glossy eyes reflecting the bright lights of the video game. yuta glances at his long lashes and soft brows for a moment before resuming the screen, "damn, good job. maybe you have enough game to survive without me."

"wha- fuck you! and you'll still be here!" mark laughs, picking up the other controller.

"i'm running away with winwin, by the way," yuta jokes. he lets mark join the round before pressing the buttons again, "now that you have her number, what are you going to do? ask her on a date?"

mark freezes. he hadn't even thought of what to do, and right now, yuta feels like a personal certified love guru. what a great fucking idea! before he could spend more time admiring yuta's genius, mark drops the controller and sends a new text to you, hoping for a stroke of luck.

he didn't really need luck though. he had literally found his soulmate that morning.

you: wanna go on a date? nctzn (online): how would i get clothes, doof? i'm wearing my roomie's bf's shit now :/ you: well, keep wearing them and i'll buy myself a dress? i don't care what you wear though, i'm not a great dresser.

mark is lying to his new form. he had always considered himself as someone with a good eye for outfits and color coordination. he sighs as the green dot by your profile that signifies your online presence fades away, and he figures he should probably find another way to pass the time while you’re offline. yuta waits expectantly, “well?”

“clothing’s an issue. and i don’t even know where i should take her,” mark grins, “it’s going to feel so weird, like going on a date with myself? trippy.”

“you’ll survive, it’s not like you’re ugly,” yuta sighs as he rolls his eyes with exasperation. mark doesn’t respond. he’s too preoccupied with the idea of you to even process yuta’s words. he’s never felt so giddy about a girl before — even his middle school crushes never got him feeling this jittery. conversation with you flowed so smoothly, and even mark knew how strange it was to feel this way after one conversation. 

he’s glad you reciprocate his feelings. everything’s he heard about soulmates seems to be true: you fit him well. mark knows he should be a little more hesitant, but this is finally a dream come true. you’re a dream come true. 

you: let’s go on a date tmrw then? nctzn (online): ok why not

mark glances up at the bright orange sky. the sun has only just started to set and the evening barely grazes the warm colors. are you just as happy as he is now? is your head filled with thoughts of him, the same way he can’t stop thinking about you?

mark’s pauses, not sure if he should dare to think his next question, but the idea floats in his head anyway and he turns pink with embarrassment.

yuta turns away, silent.

prev | masterlist | next

[katherineschoices]

The Slowest Burn: Chapter 1

Dr. Ethan Ramsey knew that Dr. Katherine Petrovic’s career was more important their non-relationship. They work side by side, existing in their own world until once again, the two doctors are forced to face the inevitable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Slowest Burn: Chapter 1 Prologue

Tag List: @malakbesharah  @jens-diamondchoices @fanficnewbie 

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

Dr. Katherine Petrovic moved through her first day back on autopilot. 

Congratulatory hugs or tight-lipped frowns met her at every turn and around every corner. Regardless, Dr. Petrovic kept a cheery smile plastered on her face.

Inside, she was overwhelmed. Not once did not see the thick mop of dark, brown hair that belonged to her supervisor.��Seeing the back of his head would have eased her anxieties. To know that he was real, even if he couldn't be hers.

Twelve hours ago, she unsuccessfully attempted to sneak the same man out of her apartment. If it weren’t for the dull ache between her thighs, she might have thought it nothing more than an erotic dream. 

So when she arrived home later that night, she shouldn’t have expected her return to be unceremonious. In the doorway Katherine stopped dead in her tracks; her 3 remaining roommates were seated on the sectional, clearly waiting for something. What that something was, she deeply suspected, was her. 

How was this day not fucking over yet?

“Hi guys,” said Katherine innocently. She was quick to recover and close the door and turn around to remove her trench coat. “What’s up?”

“What’s up?!” Jackie mocked; she didn’t bother to hide her sarcasm. “Don’t you dare act so high and mighty, Katherine Petrovic. You’re not innocent. Sienna and Elijah ratted you out. You brought the Ethan freaking Ramsey home. He stayed here all night. They saw you try and sneak him out of the apartment before ‘the rest of us woke up!’” She raised her fingers in an air quotes motion, clearly meaning herself.

Ah. There it was.

Katherine flushed and bit her lip; her eyes darted accusingly between the other two were were grinning at her madly. “It’s Jonah,” she met Jackie’s intense, brown gaze and crossed her arms in confident defiance. “Dr. Ramsey’s middle name is Jonah.”

Sienna squealed so loudly it caused Elijah to wince next to her. “Details, Katherine! Roomie code.”

How could she possibly share the details of she and Ethan when she wasn’t seven sure of them herself? “It was… a one time thing,” she found herself saying. “We agreed that nothing was going to happen. Dr. Ramsey and I are nothing.”

Her roommates all shared the same identical, skeptical look and it told her all that she needed to know: they sure as hell didn’t believe what she was saying, either. There was absolutely no way that she was going to be spilling that she had slept with him during her suspension, too.

“You know what, Katherine?” Elijah leaned forward in his chair to rest his elbows on his knees. A wide, mischievous began to spread across his face. He tented his fingers for added effect. The bastard was enjoying her torment. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen Dr. Ramsey walk out of our humble abode this morning with my own two eyes. I have perfect vision. And so does Sienna.”

And just like that, Dr. Elijah Greene cemented her fate. 

Dr. Jackie Varma made a dramatic show of pretending to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. Katherine rolled hers and kicked off her heels, and raised her middle finger. “My baby. All grown up,” she lamented.

Dr. Petrovic shook her head and made her way into the kitchen in her stockings. She prayed that there was some sort of alcohol in their freezer. For a brief moment, she guiltily wished that she was at Ethan’s condo where she’d be guaranteed a glass of scotch to warm her belly and relax on the overstuffed leather sofa. Instead, she’d have to settle for her present company and a Grey Goose/Tropicana screwdriver. 

“Dr. Katherine Victoria Petrovic,” began Sienna firmly. Katherine swung around with the glass still firmly attached to her lips. The other woman, although 5 '4 in height, was intimidating with her fiery expression and hands on her hips. And, she was blocking her exit. “It is your duty to our friendship! I told you to bang him!”

She couldn’t help but scoff into her drink.

The smell of citrus reminded her of their quasi-date at Derry Roaster’s. Dr. Ramsey ordered her café Roma. She had liked it that he had taken charge and ordered for her.

“You and Dr. Ramsey do get along pretty well,” she tried. A different angle this time. Nice shot, Dr. Trinh. Katherine recognized what she was doing, and shook her head.

“Dr. Ramsey is my supervisor,” she interjected hotly. There was an edge in her tone that she hadn’t expected to slip out and she felt guilty for snapping at her friend. How many times today had she said that exact sentence? “And he will be for the next 2 years.” 

 “His cock was big, wasn’t it?” shouted Jackie from the other room.

“Jackie! You can’t ask her that! He’s our boss!” exclaimed Elijah, clearly alarmed.

Katherine choked on her drink as Sienna and Jackie dissolved into another round of giggles. “I’m not talking about this, okay?” she tried weakly.

“That means yes,” Sienna cooed as she wrapped her arms around her shoulders and hugged her tightly.

She smirked at the memory of Ethan’s body. For a few brief moments, every long, glorious inch of him had been entirely hers. 

“Katherine, given everything you have gone through, you were surprisingly chill at work ALL DAY. Clearly, you were fucked real good last night!” Jackie extended her legs out on the sectional to make room for her to sit as Sienna led her into the communal area. 

“This needs to stop,” she protested and took a seat.

She couldn’t tell him that every time she closed her eyes, all she saw were Ethan’s piercing blues holding her gaze from between her legs while he ate her out. The thought of his velvety tongue against her was enough to make her squirm. Thankfully, she was able to pass it off as adjusting her seating position as she convinced her roommates to choose a Netflix movie to watch; a mind-numbing night in with her friends was exactly what the doctor ordered.  ______________________________________________________________________

Katherine felt her phone vibrate in the back pocket of her jeans, but made no move to retrieve it. She watched the mindless, slap-stick comedy alongside her roommates but failed to absorb the plot. With the exception of certain attending, there wasn’t anybody she wanted the attention of. 

Ethan Ramsey was notorious for ignoring text messages. There would be no way that he would be initiating contact that way.

Outside of their brief exchange in the atrium that morning, she and Dr. Ramsey hadn’t spoken. Katherine tried to not let it bother her; she put her energy into her patients instead.

Today was a big day for him, too. In addition to getting his job back, he inherited an entire department without warning. Her anxieties were not at the top of his priority list. 

Naveen Banerji clearly had no idea what he’d done. Or maybe he did; Dr. Petrovic was beginning to suspect that he had developed a sadistic streak in the days following his resurrection, because there couldn’t possibly be any other explanation. He had his suspicions about she and Dr. Ramsey and Ethan didn’t want him to know about them just yet.

‘You are a diagnostician,’ Katherine thought to herself humorlessly. ‘You can figure everything out but your own life.’ Although they vehemently denied it, she and Ethan were alike. There was something there, and she knew that they would figure it out. Together. When this was all over, she and Ethan Ramsey were going to have an epic love story.

Until that day, everything would go back to the way it was. Katherine Petrovic had come to Edenbrook Hospital because it was the best teaching hospital on the eastern seaboard. It’s internal medicine unit was world renowned. She wanted to learn from the best, and the best was Ethan Jonah Ramsey, M.D. Doing her fellowship with his diagnostic team would open doors beyond Edenbrook. As her direct supervisor he would be able to push her to her limits without worrying about the recall. He would mould her into the doctor she knew she could be; a doctor who made a real difference in the world of patient care.

Dr. Ramsey radiated brilliance; his record has rightfully earned him the respect of every man and woman in the hospital. Just as quickly, he could make her feel like she were only thing that mattered. Ethan Ramsey made her anxieties melt away. 

Working alongside him was a dream come true and Katherine had every right to bask in the praise she received today. 

Her phone felt like a brick. Her gut told her it was him; rarely her intuitions were wrong.

“I’m going to turn in early,” Katherine announced. Standing, she ghosted her hand over her backside out of habit and Sienna shook her head. “It’s been a long day… I can’t focus. I’m sorry, guys.”

“We won’t bother you about Ramsey anymore,” Sienna said in a soft, teasing tone. She reached over and wrapped her thin arms around her midsection. “For now, anyway.”

“Thank you,” replied Katherine gratefully and retrieved her abandoned screwdriver. 

This time, at least, her roommates had the decency to look sympathetic. All jokes aside, they knew she needed time to herself to decompress. Given the events of the last 24 hours, she was emotionally spent. 

Back in the sanctuary of  her room, Katherine drained the remnants of her drink in two easy gulps and slammed it down on top of her dresser before she pulled out her phone. Katherine flopped down in the middle of her unmade bed. She ran her fingers over the sensor on the front and the screen came to life.

Her heart clenched.

(1) New Message 

Dr Ethan Ramsey: Call me.

[hookedontaronfics]

First Contact series - Part 4

Title: First Contact - Part 4 Read the previous installments here: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Rating: T Pairing: Taron x OC Warnings: Some mild cursing A/N: Taron proves his caring heart but was it all just a fever dream? The fourth installment in the First Contact series will leave you wanting more. If you love cute, fluffy Taron, you’ll love this installment. The series will eventually involve more mature themes as it develops, so be warned! I hope you enjoy! x

I woke up with a start into the darkness of my room, my breathing shallow as I tried to sort out where I was. For a moment I thought I’d had a bad dream, sweat plastering my hair to my forehead, but I had no lingering impression of a nightmare in my mind. Then a sharp pain in my stomach caused me to moan, and I closed my eyes against the sudden feeling that I was about to be sick. 

I stumbled out of my room into the hallway, crashing into the doorframe and cursing as I hurried to the toilet, bending over and heaving. Once I was done, I rolled over on the floor and laid there in the dark, not feeling much better after emptying the contents of my gut. Shit, I muttered to myself, trying to focus on just breathing for a moment, pressing my palms into my abdomen in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

It’d be just like me to get raging sick right before my next table read, I groaned. It’s just nerves, I tried to convince myself, as it had been a few days since the last read with Taron and the group thanks to scheduling conflicts.

A light snapped on in the hallway and I realized I hadn’t even considered my noise volume, but I couldn’t continue the thought as another wave of nausea moved through me. Jules knocked timidly on the door before easing it open, seeing me lying prone on the floor. I hadn’t even had the strength in me to flush the toilet, so I could only imagine what she was seeing. I would have been embarrassed if I didn’t feel so awful.

“Oh, honey,” she said, as I tried to shield my face from the onslaught from the overhead light.

“Everything hurts and I’m dying, Jules,” I moaned, curling up into the fetal position as my gut continued to spasm.

“You’re going to survive, I promise,” she said sympathetically, reaching over and yanking down the toilet handle.

“I completely regret all that sushi we had for dinner,” I sighed as Jules helped ease me to a sitting position, but I wasn’t willing to leave the bathroom just yet. “I can’t miss work,” I said, shivering despite the fact that my body was covered in sweat.

“Well you’re certainly in no shape to go right now,” she said, feeling my forehead with the back of her hand. “And you’re burning up too,” she added, opening the medicine cabinet and shaking out a couple painkillers from the bottle. “These should help,” she said, dropping them in my hand.

She poured me a cup of water, and the thought of trying to swallow anything down made me feel like getting sick all over again. I had to force myself to down the pills. “I want my mom,” I whined pathetically, my head lolling to the side a bit.

“Your mum is in America so all you’ve got right now is me,” Jules said gently.

“Well that’s just bloody great, innit?” I said sarcastically, and thankfully Jules didn’t take my rudeness personally.

“Should we try and get you back to your bed?” she asked, being sweeter than I’d known her to be. I must have looked like I was on death’s door.

“Mmmm I’m just gonna crash here,” I mumbled, pulling a towel down off the rack and making a pillow out of it, stuffing it under my head. The coolness of the hardwood floor was actually soothing to my overheated body.

“Suit yourself,” Jules replied. “I’ll wake you up in a few hours so you can call off your job,” she added.

“I’m not calling off,” I said stubbornly, but Jules just closed the door on me and left me to my misery. I drifted in and out of sleep, the pain never really subsiding, and ended up tossing the medicine anyway, getting sick several more times before I had nothing left to give. I was completely drained when Jules came to wake me up.

“Help me up,” I said weakly, holding my arms out to her with the intention to get ready for work. She pulled me to my feet and supported me to my room, dumping me back in my bed despite my protests.

“Give me your phone, I’m calling for you,” she replied, hands on her hips, and I must have been plumb out of my mind because I allowed her to do it. I had pulled all of my covers and extra blankets around myself, unable to get warm while she told my boss I was currently indisposed in the bathroom, whatever that meant.

“You just rest, okay?” Jules said after making my excuses for me, and I could only nod. My body had won this round, and I was thoroughly disappointed. I’d been looking forward to work, and after our date, I wondered how Taron and I would interact in person again. He’d kept up a steady stream of texts the past few days, falling asleep in the middle of our convos late into the night, which were usually about the most random and ridiculous things. I enjoyed the fact that Taron didn’t take himself too seriously, but sometimes wondered if we were more than just friends. Yes, he flirted with me, but he tended to flirt shamelessly with everyone. It was just his personality, and part of what drew me to him.

These thoughts drifted through my delirious mind before I crashed into a dreamless sleep, waking up nine hours later feeling sweaty, hungry and disoriented. I kicked off the covers, feeling like I was suffocating under all of them, and laid there for a few minutes testing myself, but the pain from earlier had seemed to subside. I gently poked at my stomach, and it growled back at me. “Well okay then,” I said to no one, disheartened by how much effort it took to get out of bed. I could hear the telly in the front room, figuring Jules and Mary were up and about. It would be about suppertime, so I wrapped my robe around myself, still clad in my jammies, and shuffled out to the main room.

“Hey guys,” I said, and three sets of eyes turned around to look at me at the sound of my voice. Wait, three? I stopped dead in my tracks and gasped when I saw Taron perched on our couch with my roomies as if this was just a normal, every-day occurrence.

“What in the Queen’s name are you doing here?” I asked, probably not one of my finer moments. I was suddenly very aware of my purple heart-patterned sleep pants and the fact that I wasn’t even wearing a bra, and I pulled my robe tightly around myself self-consciously. I had no makeup on and my hair was likely an utter mess.

“You weren’t at work today, and Jules texted me on your phone that you’d been really sick all night. I wanted to make sure you were okay,” Taron explained, not even remotely phased by my appearance. He looked incredibly casual, one of his favorite caps pulled low over his eyes. “And I brought you ice lollies,” he added brightly. “My mum always gave them to me as a kid when I was feeling ill.”

“I think you call them popsicles in America,” Jules supplied when I looked rightly confused.

“Would you like me to get you one?” Taron said, and I agreed because he looked really cute about it. I sank down into the couch, feeling vulnerable but there was nothing I could do about it now. Taron had already seen me like this, in all my sickly glory. I at least ran my fingers through my hair, trying to tame it down.

“Couldn’t have given a girl a warning?” I said cheekily to Mary and Jules before Taron came back, handing over the popsicle in a bowl for me so it didn’t make a mess. 

“How are you feeling?” he asked gently, sitting across from me on the ottoman, his knees touching against mine.

“Cautiously better,” I said, unable to not smile at him. That adorable face could make me feel better any day.

“How’d the table read go today?” I asked, as Mary tapped Jules on the shoulder and they both got up to give us some space. I gingerly picked up the popsicle and nibbled at it while Taron ranted a bit.

“Not as good as before, if I’m honest. They had one of your colleagues in and he was alright, I suppose, but he kept asking us for ways to make the script better. That’s not, as a rule, my job, you know? I deliver the lines and try my best to give them a life, but the actual language of it, that’s not my job.”

“No, it’s mine,” I agreed, deciding grape was not my favorite flavor of popsicle in the world, but the gesture had been kind and I wasn’t about to throw it back in Taron’s face. Still, my stomach had started to hurt again, and I tried to ignore it as he went on about the script session some more.

“And frankly, he just wasn’t you. Then again, I don’t know if anyone else could be you,” Taron concluded, smiling over at me before his face crumpled into worry. “Are you quite alright? You look a bit green,” he said, and I shook my head.

“Too soon,” I said, clutching my stomach and running for the bathroom again. After I didn’t resurface for a bit, Taron came looking for me. I was still hung over the toilet, though this time I’d managed to flush. I looked up at him and for some reason this made me start to cry, and then, feeling embarrassed, I ended up crying even harder because I was crying in front of him.

“Hey,” he said, kneeling down next to me and rubbing my back. “It’s okay,” he said, trying to soothe me.

“No it’s not,” I cried, having to let it all go. I felt like massive shit, first of all, but it was also difficult to handle that he was seeing me in that state. We hadn’t known each other long enough for me to feel like that was justified, to feel that I had earned my place in his concern.

“But it will be,” he said, not trying to correct me, just continuing to rub my back patiently while I cried it out. 

“I am so sorry,” I said, sniffling a bit and trying to get myself back under control.

“There’s no need. I’ve been sick before in my life, I know how it feels. We’re all human here,” he said, so kind about things it made my heart hurt too. “It’s alright to need someone to look after you,” he added. I took in a shaky breath and finally looked over at him, and he gently brushed the tears off my cheeks. I gave him a small smile and he helped me back to my feet. I managed to rinse my mouth out quickly, and we ambled back out to the couch, Taron suggesting I lie down and just rest and watch some telly.

He made sure I was comfortable, situating himself so I could rest my head in his lap. And let me tell you, he had incredibly comfortable thighs. I could still think it, even if I didn’t feel great. Tim wandered over and parked himself on Taron’s other leg, and he had to chuckle over that. “Guess I’m not leaving for a while,” he joked, petting Tim and baby-talking the cat in a cute manner. Everyone had their own “pet voice” - Taron was no exception.

“Tell me a story,” I smiled up at him, his eyes catching a glint from the table lamp. “About being on set. Anything…”

He idly ran his fingers through my hair as he recalled some funny moments with his co-stars, and I felt myself getting sleepy, lulled by his touch and the sweet drone of his voice. I could honestly listen to that accent for hours on end; he could have read the dictionary for all I cared. The corners of my mouth would turn up in a smile when he’d get to a funny bit in his story, and I rather enjoyed when he’d laugh at his own jokes. It was endearing in a way I wouldn’t have had the privilege to know before.

He must have noticed that I was growing tired and suggested I’d get better sleep if I were in my bed, so before I totally drifted off I let him steer me to my room, unable to worry about what it must have looked like. He seemed to only be focused on me, taking the time to actually tuck me in my covers, smoothing them out over my body. 

I was having trouble keeping my eyes open at that point as he leaned over and ever-so-gently brushed his lips against my forehead, placing the sweetest kiss on my skin. I’d wonder later if that had actually happened or been just part of my delirium. “You’re not warm,” he whispered, his voice sounding slightly unsteady, but I was already half-asleep so I couldn’t ponder that further. “I do believe you’ll feel better in the morning,” he smiled, giving my hand a slight squeeze.

“You too, babe,” I mumbled, the words just tumbling out as I was sliding head-long into sleep, totally unaware of the expression on his face, the one that said his feelings ran much deeper than just friendship. 

I assume he took his leave from Jules and Mary, but I was long gone into dreamland at that point. When I awoke later I’d have to wonder how much of what had happened was just a fever dream. How many more encounters was it going to take before we’d finally give in to our feelings?

Interested in what happens next? Read Part 5 here!

[devilgirl101]

My Dirty Angel–reader x Yourboyfriend fanfic by devilgirl101

Author:Your boyfriend belong to @invertedmindinc/@yOurb0yfriend Also

Warning:this fanfic contains graphic Themes as suicide,stalking and sexual content noncon/con if you are tiggered by the following or you're underage do not read viewer Discretion is advised!

Chapter 1: my hell is a virtual novel nightmare/follow the light of...the tv?/hhhhuuuuhhh!?

Part:1

Hey i'm (y/n) (y/l/n) and i'm pretty sure i'm in hell well or is it limbo i can's fuckin' tell anymore i slouch at the counter resting my elbow on it as i wait for someone to either order a coffee with a complicated name or complain 'i didn't order this' 'you call this coffee' and i throw a sugar packet at 'em blah blah whatfuckingever and fuck this box stop copying what i'm thinking it dibbled out my exact thought as if to say 'fuck you you can't stop me' i give a heavy sigh of aggravation at my predicament did i fail to mention i'm dead, i'll explain exactly three mouths ago i was in a very bad place in my mind i guess you could say in life i was 'rather' depressed , disconnected , alone i felt as though i had no reason to live i was sure no one would miss me i know my brother wouldn't, my body was like it was on autopilot when i reach for my sleeping pills from the bathroom cabinet, unfortunately i wouldn't have the chance to off myself cause someone ultimately beat me to it, the only warning i got was a masked face in the mirror, it happened so fast i didn't even feel a thing, i may have been a 'tiny' bit distracted

when i awoke i was in a room i didn't recognize i gasped and scanned the bedroom in alarm, the wallpaper was white littered with little pink hearts, the closet had double doors that were a dark wood color, a midsized tv , a desk with a laptop that was also covered in hearts that definitely wasn't mine and the bed i was laying in wasn't familiar either it was purple with light purple to match the blanket i was wrapped in was a hot pink with dare i say it even more hearts i didn't have time to ponder where hell i was for the bedroom door swung open, revealing a woman i definitely definitely didn't recognize she had short dark hair a heart shaped face brown eyes a turned up nose plump lips and her body had a curvy shape to it and wearing some kind of waitress uniform that was red with white accents on the edges she had a sweet friendly smile on her face "good morning sleepy head "

"w-who are you!?"

she cast me an astonished look "are you kidding me roomie, it's me sally your roommate." putting her hands on her hips "are you feeling okay?" she asked her eyebrow rised "i-i'm not sure" i shakely answered then i noticed the oddist thing a large transparent rectanglar floating box that spelled out exactly what i said "hey what's this thing?" pointing at it as it copied me again "uh what thing?"

i pointed at it again "That thing" she look at me like i was losing my marbles i was starting to think i was , "i don't see anything, are you feeling okay?" she sounded concerned, i scratched my head unsure, what the hell was going on she took my hand pulled me to my feet

"com'on i made breakfest, you'll feel better after you eat something" as she guided me to what looked to be a living room where there was a couch a tv and a round dining table that a steaming pile of pancakes still hot the sight made my stomach growled "your welcome" she said condescendingly as she sat down fixing herself a plate i sat and proceeded to do the same may as well eat something, after the 4th or 6th pancake "i gotta get to work, you probably should too" checking her watch "huh work?" i blinked in confusion "uh yeah ? The coffee shop remember." looking very credulous at me i can only imagine how dumbfoundead my face was

"what's with you today and do not tell me you don't remember the way there either." she crossed her arms "no?" drewing invisible circles on the table with my finger "but just for fun where would i find it ?" her palm met her forehead and groaned and irritatingly explaned to me the location of said coffee shop and other places i asked as annoyed as she was explaining i was just as annoyed for asking her but each place she told me didn't sound familiar, the coffee shop was under the name 'woke up cafe'

"You all that?" she asked "i think so" pileing the new info in my head "good if you do get lost for 'fun' check your phone on map app" my phone ? I start searching my pockets for it "*sigh* it's on your nightstand" rolling her eyes "oh heh heh" scratching my head " sigh i gotta go now or i'll be late, your keys are in the bowel and remember to lock the door"

'blem' she was gone leaveing me with questions then answers, well i may as well go to this 'coffee shop' maybe i'll find someone i know there, maybe get some answers to why i'm living with this 'sally' and how am i working at this 'woke up cafe' cause i don't recall, am i suffering from amnesia is that why?

I only hoped someone anyone could tell me what's going on "sigh" oh whatever i went to retrieve 'my phone' from the nightstand the seemed to be free of any hearts till i saw a small baby one in the corner of the wood, the phone case was a light pink with black dots, well at least they're not hearts, maybe i got into one of my drunk stupors that thought 'hearts' that would explain the interior design

i shook my head questions for later i guess, sliding the phone in my pocket i felt around the other pocket for my thermos and took a sip i put it back walk back to the front door, now where did she say the keys were, oh right a bowl there near the door was a stand with a glass blue bowl it was seethough in middle laid a small set of keys after picking them up i noticed a large tag with my name and there were three keys in total the one that looked like a house key had a pink heart with the word 'home' etched in the metal

oh goody another heart i sighed again and slipped out the door

however i would not be prepared for what i would encountered outside.

The first thing i noticed as i grabbed the railing was the sky it looked off like it didn't even look like sky it was like a painter's impression of sky like a oilpainting i shook my head , did i hit my head or something, then i made the mistake of looking down, and was suddenly aware of how high i was and how low the ground looked below, how fuckin' high in the air am i ?! i turned to the door i came out of '3' followed by a dark smudge i placed my hand on the three lonely and filthy just like me ,i looked back to the ground below, maybe this just the third i hoped, i grimaced and slowly and carefully climbed down the stairs and counted from point A to point B, i took some more calming breaths and counted seven floors, oh christ on a stick why, why the 7th floors, i hate heights, am i being punished ? my feet finally met the sweet ground i gave a great sigh of relief

"ok no more fuckin' around" i pulled out 'my phone' for the directions sally told me about, hey has the grass alaways been this bright green? In fact everything else looked off as well, the colors were too vibrant, the sidwalk too perfect, the scenery too nice it was down right unnatural, maybe i'll see my doctor after this cause i think i'm loseing it more then usual as i looked at the box that won't dissipate i thought, i took a fast walking pace the walk on the sidewalk was too smooth as i took my steps, the sidewalk i remembered was jagged cracked and uneven this isn't righ- then i stumbled on one part of the concrete that wasn't quite leveled, okay that's a little better, i steadied myself, something caught my eye someone slumped against a building their back flushed the concrete wall his head and face were obscured by a dark hoodie head down giveing the impression off the air of depression his legs were sprawled out in front of him, is he alright i shook my head doesn't matter not my problem as i tried to continue walking my guilt came to bite me

(you're just gonna leave just like that he could be dying) i don't even know him or her, i was still unsure of their gender (that Should't matter ya know why don't you run into incoming traffic ya piece of shi-) i turned back not sure what i could do but i was gonna try anyway, i crouched down in front of him "hey are you alright?" his head was bobbing so i wasn't sure heard me i was about to ask again till came very shaky "i-i'm.....f-f-fine" he stuttered out his voice was so scratchy and hoarse like he hadn't spoken in years, i pulled out my thermos and held it out in front of him

"here drink this, don't worry it's just water" i waited for him to take it he shook his head "n-n-no t-thank y-y-you i-i'm f-f-fin-"

"you're not fine you sound like you were eating chalk just drink it you'll feel better, trust me" i wagged the container makeing the liquid slosh his head finally turned up at me i saw one dark blue eye widen at me "it's....you.." and something else i could't quite hear

"hmmm?" makeina a confused sound was about to ask what he said but then he took the water and chugs down every last drop wow shit he must've been more thirstier then i thought i proceeded to stand

" listen sorry to cut this short but i gotta get going"

i started turn "Wait!" he grabbed my wrist stopping me in my tracks "yes? What is it?" riseing my eyebrow at him

"w-what about y-y-your thing?" holding up the thermos and keeping his head down avoiding my gaze

"nah you keep it i got other ones" at least i hoped i did, and he looked like he needed it more then me

"y-you s-sure?"

"yeah" i tried walking away but i was being hindered

"could you um..let go now Please." he looked at his hand still clasped around my wrist "oh S—shit s-sorry" finally letting go i sighed and gave him a polite smile and i wave him goodbye

i made my way to a crosswalk where there a bus stop and i heard the wonderful sound of civilization i saw a man his back turned to me and he had a phone to his ear i absentmindedly bumped into him not paying attention he snapped around almost violently "WATCH WHERE You're going" he screeched "sorry i mean to-" i gasped and clasped my hands over my mouth at what i saw the man had no eyes, no nose, and no mouth to speak of, he didn't have a face in fact none of the people in the crowed walking ,talking and sitting at the bus stop also were faceless i started to hyperventilate "hey are you alright?" and in my panic i ran not sure where to i was so frighten that my barin just turned off i think one of 'em tried to touch my shoulder but i flinched away, oh god oh fuck i've lost it for real this time, what the hell is- "HEY LOOK OUT !!!" one of them screamed at me as i saw and heard a large bus it's lights flashing, oh god this is it, i shut my eyes and held my hands up anticipating the blow, but after a couple of minutes it never came i could't even hear the bus anymore actually i could't hear anything, not the bus,not the even the faceless people, just dead silence and my heavry breathing, i was still afraid so i slowly opened my eyes one at a time "what the hell?!" it was completely dark the bus, the street , the scenery , and the people were gone it was like somebody took all them away and left nothing but dark nothingness oh god was i haveing a episode?

"Hello is anyone there please...answer me" i called out but i was met with only more unsettling silence till i heard a very soft "Over here" I almost missed it sounded just like a child

i ran towards the direction it came from then i saw a soft glowing light that slowly got brighter the closter i got to it, was is that? When i got toe to toe to it, it took the shape of a small little girl she glowed as bright as a nightlight her eyes glowed green while the rest of her glowed a light yellow

"w-who are you?" i asked shakingly she made a sad sound and softly and sadly "you poor soul, you are trapped in a cage that's not your making, a prisoner of fate"

"what?" my voice came ghostly as she continued

"they must've caught you when you were just drifting, This truly is a unjust retribution that has been placed on your shoulders, your chances are almost none, but if i am able to reach you, there may be a possibility open to you"

yep it's official it was a long time coming but i've finally lost it

"You seem to not understand what i'm saying do you, please look upon this" with a wave of her hand a great big tv emerged from the ground

i stared at the screen not sure why all i could see was static at first but the picture slowly become clearer and clearer till i finally saw myself in my bathroom reaching inside the cabinet, oh yeah i remembered i was going to kill myself wasn't i? I watch myself take the bottle out and stared at it then the screen charged to two masked men rummaging though my stuff, are you kidding me i was being robbed "psst i think i hear someone's in there" one whispered pointing at the bathroom door, the other nodded "i got this" holding a baseball bat then quietly open the and to my horror i watched helplessly as the bat came domn on my head and (y/n) on the screen fall to the tiled floor with a thud and blood poured out of my head like a fountain

"dude i didn't tell you to kill 'em" masked man A yelled "aw shit man, let's get outta here" the screen turned back to static

all the air i had left me and my knees hit the dark ground losing the strength to stand, "i'm...am i..." as i found i had difficuly speaking as though my tongue was made of clay

"'dead' yes, i'm sorry (y/n)"

great killed in a 'breaking and entering' gone wrong and not only that on the day i planed to kill myself how ironic i can hear my mother's disappointment from here i bet my brother's just haveing a ball with this

the worst part is i had a suicide note prepared sigh what a waste of time

"am i ... is this hell?" looking back at her

"no purgatory"

"this is purgatory" i gestured around the emptiness

"no, this place is a in between of existiong and nothingness almost a dream space if you will i pulled you in so we could talk" said matter a factly

"i see...but the place i was before you pulled me in, that was purgatory?" i slowly stood up

"yes and no"

"huh?"

"There isn't just one purgatory there are infinite think of them as levels each one significantly different then the last each housing millions of souls you had the bad fortune by them"

souls? Then i remembered the faceless people and sally why did she have her's and they didn't "those people ..... is that gonna happen to me?!" oh god i felt another panic attack coming on

"no, Souls that lose their conviction their individuality become faceless they're lost themselves , so please listen to me" she took my hands into her's "they love playing sick twisted mind games they will use your pain against you so no matter how painful no matter how tragic don't forget yourself, in your pain holds your truth, it is what will keep you so no matter what don't look away,"

my mind was in a shamble of questions " who's 'they'?" i demanded

before she could answer me a ominous sound filled the nothingness like a siren then the ground shook violently like a earthquake then the whole area glowed a horrifying red

"oh no they found me!" she shook her head in dismay

"who's they, and what's happening?!" i screamed trying to keep myself steady

"there's no time, you must find the angel of death that they have enthralled in their game of torture, he is the key, you'll know him by this symbol" oh good more convoluted bullshit she waved her again and in the middle of the static of the screen appeared a misshapened heart that had a jagged line in the middle on one side black the other white and in red was the word 'yours' right in the middle as it flickered in and out on the tv

"key? key to what goddamnit, how am i supposed to find him with that !?" as i shook her but she was like a mannequin her eyes were like static they were there one sec and gone the next

"S---so-rry -----ere's n--- -ime you mu-t fin-d him" her voice came in and out like a out of tuned radio

Side note: sorry have break it into two parts

Yourboyfriend belongs to @invertedmindinc cheack her other @y0urb0yfriend

[inexchangeforyoursoul]

FINALLY birthed this thing. I’m officially a disaster with writing anything that involves conflict. Just like irl. :”) Anyway, yeah, there were 3 reasons why I did not finish this immediately about a month ago.

Első: See above.

Második: I had no idea what I wanted the last drop for Hawks to be before writing the rest in advance anyway, whoopsie~

Harmadik: I was.... reeeeeally not sure whether I want to publish this during pride month, seeing as I’m cis, and what kind of shit I put in this. (..... ok I’ve been thinking about this, and somebody just tell me if I’m plain projecting shit here. I might as well. Like, I always am, but it has usually got to do with characters being heavily #relatable in some way in strictly canon, which goes for everyone I write scenarios for. But now I’m thinking about whether there is something more to this, bc me headcanoning Shiggy as genderfluid and starting that shitty LawxOC body swap fic came around the same time two years ago, and now here’s Hawks, too. I’m onto you, me. I’m so onto me...)

Anyway... if you want the usual fluff, you might wanna sit this one out. (There’s some of it, but beware of everything else... it got p long (~6.5k), too, so you might wanna read it on a proper platform for txt: AO3 )

Big, BIG thanks @cutiesableye @acidmatze @waxwingedhawks and @mistystarshine for basically proofreading it and slapping a big green GO into my nervous face. Or being at it rn; regardless, I am thankful. Sssh, only dreams now.

I hope y’all be as uncomfortable reading the meat of this as I was writing it, whoops.

For how much he's surrounded by people normally -which he enjoys most of the time, really- Hawks prefers the silent rooftop right now. It shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary, he'd need a lot more alone time in the first place… but he's supposed to be working right now. Be in the thick of this spying shit, collecting intel from social and environmental clues like nobody's business.

Returning to the room is not something he wants right now, though. The topic and the awkward atmosphere it brought are weighing on him, and he'd rather get over this before moving on with the sleuthing business. He's been perching over the weed-ridden parking lot for like half an hour already, though. Judging by what he can pick up, the League is back to their time killing activities, and not very concerned about his absence. He noticed Spinner checking on him some time back from the doorway, and that's what it was. He's low-key grateful that they would let him breathe instead of poking around some more, or tailing him. If it's something he's allowed to do all the time, it'll be a luxury he's plain going to cherish for as long as it lasts.

Another plus is… that his reasons to join have become more than just believable. Even if this bit of information was not something he wanted to share. Like, at all. Ever. It was perhaps naive to think nobody will ever find out in the first place, that it would stay a secret of the select few who trained and took care of him. But the ones aware of it now being the members of Japan's most infamous terrorist organization… is not reassuring. 

Still… they are letting him be alone. It's… nice. Being seen as a person. It also hurts, though.

His feathers catch onto the vibrations of someone coming up the staircase again. The echoes tell of familiar size, weight and shapes… he knows who it will be. Being a wild card, he's probably coming on his own volition. The plastic smile is already in place, even though it has never worked on the guy- this was nice while it lasted.

The metal door opens with a lazy creak, then there's a soft thud, followed by slacking steps that stop right behind him. Dabi takes a swig from the beer can in his hand before speaking. "So… Peacock and Starling, huh."

"What about them, bacon face?" It's a funny feeling to hear someone say those… names, technically. It's equally funny to think that one of those is what he'd be known as if things go a little more his way. Even considered the title Phoenix for a moment, but that was too pretentious even for him, not to mention ill-fitting past being made of reds and yellows. As for the flashy Peacock… it's easy to see why the blatant joke got rejected off the bat. He'd look sick in iridescent blues and greens for sure, but that's all the reason he ever had to consider it. Those colors didn’t fit his basically pre-established brand… and nowadays he'd rather be invisible than catch even more eyes, anyway. And there's the almost, almost final Red Starling, which had the prototype of his current hero costume and everything…

He wanted to avoid predatory birds when given the task to choose a hero name, blatant secondary traits notwithstanding. They were beautiful creatures, yes… but hardly something reassuring and safe, killing for a living, full of pointy bits. Someone else probably wouldn't have batted an eye and had gone for the intimidation factor, but it was simply not what he had in mind.

A hawk… is a borderline case. It's among the smaller species and underwent some form of domestication, after all. They are not ideal for being kept as mere pets, though; they serve a purpose, instead.

They are used.

Used to hunt for sport or pest control, as he usually does. As he's supposed to right now.

So 'Hawks' was an afterthought, invoking the image of speed and danger. Which they insisted on, especially after… that. Smuggling the S at the end on the form was a last passive-aggressive jab after getting the okay, before letting go of who he used to, or wanted to be. It was fascinating to see the big shots make peace with it almost immediately, and regarding it as an improvement, even; 'makes it easier to associate with a swarm of feathers,' and 'more unique and identifiable,' they said. As if the original idea didn't accomplish both. It really was just… fascinating. The rest of these names, he banished to the stuffiest, darkest corners of his mind, as there were few good things, and even less pleasant memories attached to them. Until… today.

What has happened was simple and logical- the idea whether he'd choose another alias for underground activities came up. Mentioning them in the first place was an enormous mistake… and entertaining either as a viable option was even more so. Disturbing those relics reminded him of those buried memories and feelings, and all he can think of right now is the way Himiko's words rang in his ears barely half an hour ago.

Today, your smell reminds me of Big Sister.

Dabi lets out a sigh before getting to the meat of it. He spent the time Hawks had been gone on thinking himself, and there's a lot to unpack here. So he ought to take it step by step, lest he gets lost in the details. “Let me… get this story of yours straight."

… Great. This is exactly what he needs.

"It starts with… dirty, piss-poor little you getting caught up in a car accident and single handedly resolving it, right? Then, for doing something nice and selfless like that… you got sold off like a slab of fucking meat to the government.”

He blinks. "Hmm… not the most revolutionary take on it. I know you can do better." Claiming that the thought has never crossed his mind would be a lie. He just never let himself dwell on it. But now, this idiot is making him do exactly that. Or is trying to, at the very least. It certainly seems to be one of those convos. This… is turning out to be a major pain in the ass right away. Maybe he should reconsider provoking him this time around, it could backfire big time in the current mood of his.

“It is what happened, though, wasn’t it?” Dabi continues, slipping down to sit next to him, one leg dangling over the edge. “And once your apparently sub-par parents raked in the easy money, and washed their hands of you… you got stripped of everything.”

"Bold of you to assume that I had much to lose, bro. If you know about the accident, you also know where they picked me up from." Putting up a front aside, there was a rough edge to that 'everything' that makes Hawks want to run for the hills immediately. Nope, he is positively not in the mood for antagonistic banter at the moment. He wasn't really able to hide his upset and embarrassment over the situation, so Dabi must have found some twisted sense of enjoyment in pestering him about this specifically. Why can't this asshole just… shut up for once. He thought the villain incapable of it, but he does it so damn well with others around. Sticking with the lot might be a good idea, because solo Dabi is worse. He… he better filter out all the babbling before he starts thinking about bad shit or worse. It’s been a while since he had to take such measures, but he'll have to lull himself into a coma, and just… shut up. Inside out. And hope that Dabi gets bored of him.

“Doesn't change the point, does it, now. They started with any meaningful human contact you may have had… until they erased every last ounce of self," Comes the continuation while Hawks tries to block it out; "They denied you time, likes, attention, possibly even your basic fucking needs while moulding you into a perfect little cleanup machine that fears no death. Then tossed your dried-up skeleton into a roomy cage, filled with expensive junk to fill the void, as a semblance of compensation. Well thanks for fucking nothing, you sick fucks."

Hawks' eyes have locked onto a sunbathing lizard in the distance, but the idle animal is not quite enough of a distraction and his fingers twitch with the tightening grip over the wall's edge. Why does it sound as if Dabi was taking his side?

Shut up… don't pay attention.

He winces when Dabi pulls on the collar of his tracksuit to take a disgusted look at the label. "All the shit you wear was gifted from companies you played dress-up doll for, wasn't it… one fantastic billboard, you are. You own literally nothing else, do you? I'm sure that's the case, because, funny story… a newbie classmate of mine, some dump kid whose parents became new money, had always obscene amounts of cash on him…  but after an initial shopping spree, he never could bring himself to buy a fucking thing. So we asked him about it. Turns out he simply felt like utter shit for spending any of it unless he had a good reason. I laughed then, but apparently, getting a bag of chips is a gargantuan issue for most people who grew up in poverty." 

He leans closer, low words dripping like liquid venom in Hawks' ear. "You, too, feel like garbage every time you spend an ounce of money on something you can do without, don't you? Reminding yourself that there are dozens of that thing at home, lying untouched in your wardrobe that's the size of some families' entire house. Pray-tell Hawks, how many times did you sit over a full basket of online goods… the stuff of your dreams, probably some basic ass shit... only to back out at the last second, hmm?"

Shut up.

Dabi's eyes slide to the tense hands possibly attempting to tear the crumbling edge off the worn wall. A second later, he distances himself again, stirring the can with lazy, circular motions. "I don't even want to imagine what it feels like. Never spent a fucking dime on anything but charities, I fancy. And the odd bottle of booze, fuck or junk food… Are those chicken bits the only thing you're allowed to get? Tch.” 

“What a fucking luxury, being allowed to treat yourself to a bucket every other week, when your disgusting training diet has been set in stone three months in advance." It sounds like a personal addendum, but not a single word in that sentence escapes the overbearing sarcasm and condescension.

A still ticking cogwheel in the hero's head wonders why Dabi knows of the standard diet thing he has to undergo at least twice a year being three months long, and how he could possibly know that he's come to hate half of the dishes over the years. The overwhelming majority of said cogs have long come to a halt, however, screeching SHUT UP. He's not sure who or what that message is directed to anymore. Probably both of them.

Dabi’s waltzing wrist comes to a halt, soon followed by the whirling liquid in the can; it's a minute break, the kind that's just enough to make conversations awkward. In fact, the silence is too big for Hawks to handle- there’s no white noise to drown out and it makes not thinking, not paying attention unbearably hard. The lizard disappears under the cracked asphalt, leaving him with nothing.

“With how long it took you to respond to Shigaraki, they also stripped you of your name. And what I got from the exchange with Toga… is that the same goes for your body, too.”

A shiver runs down Hawks’ back and wings over the addition, kicking the machine brain back in full order despite his best efforts. Dabi takes a big swig of beer and lets out a sigh, resulting in another ill-placed pause. It gives Hawks time to think, goddammit, and he thinks too fast, too hard, about everything.

“While you were moping up here, I've come to realize why you always seem to be so hilariously desperate to one-up me in any given way… it’s because you actually are grasping for straws. You have no control whatsoever, over anything. None." There’s a somber undertone to his voice. The can, along with the remaining sloshes of beer, are flung down to the concrete wasteland and land with a sad, high pitched clank. "My sister used to be like this… people like you don’t dare to ask why things happen. You will believe you’d done something wrong to deserve it all… maybe see yourselves as a necessary sacrifice. Did they ask you to be a martyr, or did you decide so yourself, bird brain? Not that it matters… because that’s exactly what your bosses want and they'd keep on twisting your arms until they get there… but I bet they did. They didn't ask whether you actually wanted it, though… or ask anyone else, about anything, for that matter." 

He reaches over Hawks' vaguely trembling shoulders for the jaw, forcing his face out of hiding. The grip turns gentler as the man's head turns in his general direction, though he's refusing to make eye contact. Dabi keeps him there like that for a while, dissecting him with icy, blue scalpels.

"Gentle like a dove… you'd have flipped the fuck out and been talking shit ever since I opened my mouth any other day. Is this the defense mechanism you developed for these situations?" There's some twitches to the corner of the mouth, but the other remains unresponsive. Heaving another, mildly annoyed sigh, he pries the hero off the crumbling wall with a disgruntled huff and turns to face him. Once there’s some space to work with, he tilts the head in his grasp to the left, to the right… no resistance. "To see you like this is creepy as all hell, birdie… do you even register what I'm saying anymore? Or is ignoring me the goal? Hmm?" 

He scoffs at the glazed eyes, then shakes his head. "I'd imagine you met some pigs high up on the food chain soon after the stunt… those monsters can do anything they want. Then buy silence from pocket change." He starts caressing the other's face as the trembling turns more and more into shaking. "Isolated, innocent eye candy kid at their mercy…… I can only imagine what they’d do to a sweet little plaything like you."

A visceral reaction makes Hawks' stomach convulse, threatening to empty itself, and the muscles in the rest of his body follow suit. Unwanted scraps of memories, all the blurred scenes, images and feelings he didn't quite manage to erase flare up in his mind. And even though his entire being is revolting against being reminded of hugs that felt off by a mere margin, of touches that were always, always distinctively soft and slimy, and things sometimes even worse, and much worse…  the sole thing that betrays his near perfect neutral expression is a pair of clenched jaws. What concerns him even more than any of this, however, is the fact that his tear ducts have been burning up for some unknown time, and...

… too late. There’s already a droplet of water sitting on the thumb Dabi lifted up a second ago.

The tear gets reduced to nothing between the pensive swipe of two fingers as he lets go of him. “Thought so…”

A sliver… a handful of cells, some unidentifiable part of Hawks is thankful that Dabi doesn’t elaborate on what he’s thinking right now, glaring somewhere distant both past the hero and his own damp hand.

The villain's eyes come back into focus soon enough. There's still… one more thing. "Then you started to grow… and they decided to focus on function over form, since your baby face would be just as marketable with a scruff. Becoming popular and following a strict schedule makes it near impossible for creeps to do as they please, with all the watchful eyes dissecting your every move… so you live on a leash instead. An accessory to show off to guests… and still shiny, new weapon to flashily beat up people with." He cocks his head. "And you loathe mindless violence."

On one hand comes the relief that the previous topic has been dropped as unceremoniously as possible, and he gets a moment to breathe and stop shaking like a leaf. On the other…

They are used. Used to hunt pests…

Having less than no time for himself, the daily drill of regular heroing and the overwhelming amount of paperwork the job comes with are things he can deal or cope with… It’s fighting, hurting and confronting other people he loathes the most, even if he'll ram heads with the bigger fish to ensure a more stable framework for everyone to live in. For… others to live in.

Forcing himself into a group of known murderers and the deception this comes with is just the icing on the rotten cake. God, all these fucking lies, he cannot look into the mirror anymore for being overcome with sheer disgust. And now he's stuck with it until the source of all Noumu can be located, too. Why can’t things be like a shitty cops and robbers chase and, just… easy? Simple? Is it really that much to ask for?

But what makes it unnerving is to know that Dabi’s right, always fucking right. About people, what a living nightmare being a hero is once one looks past the glitter covers, and pretty much everything else. But most importantly, he's right about him. He hates being predictable at all, not to mention being read with confidence, and right now he feels as naked as an open book with covers ripped clean off.

He can feel more tears break free, and his fingers scrape over the rough concrete, letting the bumps and glass shards cut a fingertip or two open. It's frustrating. Every single time they happen to make contact… Dabi either makes a good point or manages to get the upper hand in the most inane, little ways, and it’s so… frustrating.

He can’t keep bottling it all up forever, but what is he supposed to do about these feelings?

“What I'm not sure about… is what exactly they are thinking this time.” There’s a thoughtful pause before the continuation; every last tendon in the blonde’s body tenses up. “Are they actually this desperate to get us for good… or is it you they want to get rid of that bad?” 

For a moment that seems like an eternity, Hawks feels… absolutely nothing. Nothing but the piercing glare of the very sky above them, staring straight through the villain's eyes. “Psycho girl is right… you really have no idea how to say no.”

Why now… Hawks can't tell. But hearing the same shit he's thinking about for the millionth time makes something crack. Click. Snap. And next thing he knows, he’s already tackled Dabi to the ground and is clenching his fists into his coat; the man himself doesn’t look too surprised over the turn of events, which drives him even madder.

“Every,” his voice shakes with bubbling anger and is lower and gravelier than his normal, but it will do. Hawks pulls on the leather hard enough to lift the other before slamming him back onto the grey concrete--- “Every” --- over--- “single” --- and over--- “aspect” --- and over, “of you,” and over, “drives me up… the fucking wall,” and over… “any time you open your godforsaken MOUTH,” this time, he goes a little over the top, as the big yank is followed by a pointed knock upon Dabi’s head meeting the ground and his lungs flatten under the pressure of fists, but Hawks is not in the mindset to give a flying fuck about the minor inconveniences of the villain at the moment. Fucker has dug this grave himself, so he better lie in it. "how the everloving fuck... How…! How can you possibly know me more than I do?! TELL ME!!” He asks with an ever growing voice that borders screaming by now, all while shaking the man relentlessly.

He's about to pull and slam him down again when Dabi's hands grab onto his arms just below the wrist. Maybe it's that he did not expect it, but the grip definitely stings a little. As fragile as Dabi is, he thought those scrawny arms less powerful, but apparently what does he know? Still angry, he tears one hand free while shooting a glare at the villain.

There's a trail of blood flowing down his cheek around where Hawks' fist rubbed against at the time of the yank. Dabi blinks once, leaving his left eye with an odd pink texture as his lid smears the leaking red fluid all over it. Not too surprisingly, his face remains as unreadable as a mannequin's, and eyes as cold as that of a taxidermy specimen. Hawks hates looking at him when they are like this, which is most of the time. "Careful, little bird… you're tearing at the seams. Don't want to end up like this, do you?”

That calm voice works like just another taunt, making the hero want to beat him to a pulp, or at the very least, continue where he's just left off with flattening him into the concrete. At the same time… hesitation wedges his joints to a halt. No… No, he doesn’t want to end up ‘like this,’ whatever it may have been to drive Dabi into burning himself alive on a daily basis.

And he notices. Of course he does. Hawks could swear to see his lips curve, but it may just be the angle.

“Fucked-up kids know how to read others pretty well, don’t you think?”

Hawks’ still short breath hitches and he freezes upon feeling a hand, the very same he just shook off, slide over his hips, ice cold on his heated skin even through the fabric of a t-shirt. There's no real intent behind it; in fact, it feels like a doctor's indifferent, calculated touch. Somehow, that makes it even worse. "… didn't even have the decency to start stuffing you with testosterone from the get-go, huh?" 

Another statement that sounds more like a personal note than anything else, and it makes Hawks’ skin crawl.

“Well I can’t read you for shit! Congratulations!!!” He barks, slapping the intrusive limb away. “For starters, what was this supposed to be about, hell, why the fuck did you even come up here?! Just to gloat about it into my face? Or do you want to make fun of me for not being able to decide whether I’d rather be a cheeky bitch or the insufferable prick I am today?!” 

There’s tears streaming down his face again, but he couldn’t care less. It hurts like all hell… especially remembering full well how fucking much waking up from what was supposed to be nothing more than an open break surgery hurt- there was near nothing to remove, for fuck's sake. But claiming not to enjoy at least some aspects of what being a man brought would be just more lies on the throne built on them.

Mentioning his interest in IT and mechanics to strangers is not criticised or made fun of, not anymore. Neither is his tendency to run ahead of others in pretty much every situation. Instead of second guessing, people default to respecting and listening to what he says on any given topic in general, and he stopped doubting himself, too. The circumstances were a special kind of fucked-up for sure… but he also ended up having fewer weak spots than almost everyone else, which did come handy a couple of times. The hormones he received made him taller than he ever could have grown realistically, too. And rejecting fans is easier as most women- and most of them are women,- know basic fucking etiquette.

But he also wants cheesy tees with cats and birds and flowers that he never gets to sponsor. Cuter shoes that are still comfy. Some eyeshadow every now and then. Wear the prettiest blues and greens, and maybe… maybe a nice dress.

"… You are pissed for the same reason I am.”

By the time Hawks has processed the sentence, he is the one being pressed into the roof, with one wing stuck awkwardly underneath him. For a dreadful moment he breaks into cold sweat, because this also means that Dabi is between his legs, and--- fuck, this is the last fucking position he wants to find himself in, especially right fucking now. He doesn’t get to break out in panic, however, because the villain is busy strangling him against the lukewarm ground. It’s his turn to grab onto the other’s arms as he wheezes for some air. He needs to calm the fuck down somehow, otherwise he won’t be able to use his feathers---

“Looking at you… is like staring at a distorted mirror image at fucking funland.” Hawks cracks his eyes open, seeing Dabi stare right back at him. It's as if someone put goddamn transparency over the villain to make the blinding blue behind him visible. He’d blame cold eyes in general, but he doesn’t find Twice’s even lighter ones nearly this creepy when Dabi’s like this. His burn with intensity rivaling All Might and Endeavor, which have always made him uneasy.

“What a nice pair of custom-made patchwork monstrosities we are…” His voice delves into a hiss as the grip tightens over the hero’s neck. “… makes me sick to my stomach."

Hawks coughs under the weight on his throat. He manages to get some air in and think clearly enough to turn back to logical thinking; if Dabi wanted to go for the kill, he’d be toast by now. Motherfucker is just toying with him for the hell of it, isn’t he? He flexes his wings against the rough concrete and flips the two of them back over to where they started.

“Would you stop playing games, you *cough* sick fuck?!” he wheezes, all out of breath.

"Maybe you’re the one who should stop dicking around, bird brain!"

His next protest gets cut short when Dabi headbutts him in the temples. It feels half-hearted, but gets him to shut up for a moment nonetheless, which is all that the other needs.

"The fuck did you scrape us up from the floor for, HUH?! You had ONE JOB, and you could have been done with it just like that… but instead...!! INSTEAD you played nurse and started to GET ALL COMFORTABLE AND SHIT!” The villain’s voice is basically rolling like thunder over the forsaken plot.

Hawks’ angry and pained grimace twitches under his hand- he’s seen Dabi smug, and aloof, and crazed, but not… angry. Not to mention angry with him, specifically. And, once again, it’s one of those little, irritating, miniscule things that are… true. He didn’t get an order to stick around and follow the lead to the Noumu until like a week later, so it was all unnecessary and ended up being even more work and trouble than it was worth.

He didn’t have to help when he found all of them dying, bleeding and broken.

He also didn’t have to start talking to Compress and Twice and Giran, then all the rest as they warmed up to him and came to.

He wasn’t supposed to lie about their initial status, he didn’t have to keep covering for them after they were all walking and doing all right, after the decent person in him had already been satisfied.

And he definitely never meant to get… attached.

A pull on his tracksuit wakes him from the shock, just as Dabi continues screaming at him head-on. “And YET, there still isn't anything YOU want from us?! REALLY?!! Do you want to be a puppet for the rest of your life, idiot?!"

Well… Hawks had been called names before. He never thought that being called a ‘puppet’ would offend him this much, but that... that certainly just did it.

“NO, I DON’T!” He screams back at him, voice swaying all over the place.

"CAN'T HEAR YOU, BITCH!!"

"I SAID I DON'T WANT 'o!!” Whatever air's still in Hawks' lungs gets stuck inside as a wave of what’s probably fear washes over him upon hearing his own, distorted voice crack and echo in the empty parking lot. Realizing just how much he's straining his voice, a sudden knot manifests in his stomach that folds his rage into a small, jittery, awkward package.

“Ah… I,” It takes so much effort to squeeze out a single thing, what--- why is he embarrassed? “I don’t---”

The next word gets stuck somewhere between his thoughts and throat when the same cold hand from before leaves a little pat on his head.

"See? Wasn't that fucking hard, was it now." It combs Hawks' hair back, staples getting stuck here and there on the fragile strands. There’s nothing methodical about it this time; the entire gesture is just… gentle. "Good job, chicken."

Just like that… all that rage, despair and helplessness, along with the last confusing bundle of emotions, evaporates out of the blue, leaving Hawks empty and tired, somewhat nervous, and maybe a little… relieved. It takes him a bit to be able to think of anything at all, god knows how much time passes while he blinks blankly in front of him. It takes a rugged sigh from Dabi underneath him to phase back into reality; the scarred hand has long disappeared, and is tucked behind the villain’s head along with the other as he’s gazing at the passing clouds. The first coherent thought that crosses Hawks’ head is a fully formed fact- what kind, and with what purpose, he doesn't know or begin to understand… but this was… a test, or rather, a lecture.

A very… very crudely executed lecture.

Hawks sniffs with a stuffy nose. Fucking… fucking fucker. “… you are an asshole through and though, aren’t you?” And now he’s hoarse, too. Wonderful.

There’s a shrug… well, as much of a shrug it can be from someone in Dabi’s position. “I don’t believe it’s ever been up for debate.”

He sounds so smug, it's just so… ugh. The hero squishes his face with a palm in frustration before crawling off him at last. The annoyed grunt in response is all he needs right now. "Are you done being a nuisance, or do you wanna egg me on some more?"

There's a rare chuckle. "Already making bird puns…? Nah, little bird. Getting hell-and-back pissed is exhausting as fuck. You won't be any more fun today." 

With that, Dabi scrambles onto his elbows, then sits back up. He gives a quick massage to his previously flattened nose before rubbing the back of his head; there’s a number of fully formed lumps already. Feathers isn’t very gentle when riled up… at least the spot’s not bleeding. He'll need to put some painkillers to work, though. "Still… the manic look suits you well. I'm getting giddy just thinking about your bosses' reactions upon seeing you like that." In a move that is more or less successful, he licks a finger to rub the trail of rust off his cheek.

Hawks wrinkles his nose upon seeing a rather genuine looking smile on the other’s face. “Please. Noone in their right mind is in my face like you are all the damn time… at least not with the intent of driving me batshit only to make me murder them. You’re a freak case and should not be accounted for.” He sighs, resting his head on an arm- there really is no willpower left in him to do anything for the rest of the day. There better be no trouble on his late evening patrol, or so help him. Or help it, because there's no guarantee he won't snap back to this awkward beat-to-a-pulp mode if confronted with a no-name villain.

After some fidgeting, Dabi produces something from a pocket… something that looks very suspiciously like a worn blunt. “It’s because they don’t have to, dumbass… you are edging towards a nervous breakdown at any given time. Anyway, look… you are no doubt seen as an invaluable asset… but are worth so much more still. Give yourself some credit." Hawks peers back at him just as the conspicuous thing is lit over a wrist which gets shaken after, much like one would put out a match. There’s a tentative draw, followed by another. 

“What I want to say is… they are terrified of you, birdie. If not for the danger of exposing their disgusting practices, it's because they fear that their blue ribbon pet won't return from a hunt… for one reason or another. And, just for the record,” He breathes, offering the roll to him; “I'll gladly hold you back for a good scare."

Following a vacant stare and a blink, he takes it. It’s not as if this quite tolerable, for-the-hell-of-it mood of Dabi’s was new, but… he was seriously considering to strangle the guy a minute ago. When exactly did they return to casual banter? Hell if he remembers, or has noticed at all. God… this whole thing has him rattled real good. Hopefully a nap will get him back into the usual pace of things.

“I sure hope not everyone blows their sugarbird pocket money on beer and weed like you do,” The blonde muses once he can feel a different kind of fatigue set in, reaching the blunt back to Dabi. Hypocritical? Maybe. Won't stop him from nagging others for the same shit, though. Comes with the job.

“Well, Compress replaced the crumpled hat… and Tomura decided to save up for a new handheld,” Dabi muses, placing the smoke into the corner of his mouth. "It'll go via Giran, of course. After seeing the taxes on that shit, I can't even blame him."

Can’t help but smile at that. “You are all fucking hopeless.”

A hum is all he gets as a reply.

After a while of comfortable silence, the remains of the roll get snuffed out on the ground. Blinking past Dabi, Hawks can see the sun is soon to set. Fucked like two hours just sitting out here, didn’t he. The Commission better not expect much from today’s endeavor… cannot exactly tell them that he was getting high on the rooftop with the flame villain for a good portion of it, the only villainous topic being creepy fat cats and their own shortcomings. Or that his possibly biggest secret slipped, although they wouldn't give a rat's ass about that. Yyyeah… it’s best to bullshit it.

“Humor me for another minute of real talk, will you, chicken?”

Dabi’s voice drags him back to reality again, only to realize that the light has already turned into a warm yellow. If his bones… or rather joins popped now, he’d feel like the embodiment of a nice little bonfire under the sun. Huh. Guess the stuff was of the better quality to make him think of weird similes and turn his sense of time whack. What was he--- oh, right. He should answer.

“… cannot promise I'll be able to pay attention or remember any of it, but do your best, crouton.” There’s a mild prickly sensation in his wings and his brain feels like marshmallows. If only he could always be so calm.

“Don’t bullshit me, you barely had a whiff." The dirty remains of weed are flung over the roof in annoyance.

He can feel a goofy smile creep onto his face- it's nice to be the source of frustration for once. Maybe all he needs to do is be honest more often. "Second hand smoking goes a long way, bruh."

The initial answer is an exasperated sigh. "Shut it… Anyway, you should cut the sweet chirping and tweeting, birdie. No matter what you do, people take advantage of your position. You know this better than anyone else. So squawk and screech to your heart's content, if that's what you need… and if barking won’t help, get down to biting.” Having said that, he stops surveying the cracked parking lot under the golden sky, and turns back to Hawks.

He forgets to breathe for a second. Good lord… those eyes glow as if they were illuminated by blue fire from inside, and the contrast with the sunset is just… well, literally breathtaking, he supposes. This is among the few times when they don’t creep him out- quite the contrary, in fact. They still feel like X-rays, though. “I guess it really doesn’t matter… by the way, real talk question: can you fucking read minds?”

Not that he expected anything else, but a smug grin appears on the villain’s face. “Maybe~”

“Careful, man. Your pants are sizzling.”

Lo and behold, another rare chuckle. Despite being under the influence of drugs, (or maybe because of that?) Hawks is on a fucking roll.

He can't keep his eyes off those blue ones even once Dabi decides to stare back at him. “Jokes aside… suppose there really is an idiot like me out there, and they get up close and personal… put those clipped talons to work and gouge their fucking eyes out. You have all the means to tear them limb from limb… go all out, who gives a fuck. These are the same kind of people who shit on wild animals from beyond a cage, but watch them run with tail between legs upon realizing that the gates are wide open. And even if you weren't ready to dirty your hands or feathers like that…" 

He lifts a pointing finger and rests the tip on the hero’s nose. "One word of yours… and we'll make sure it's the last day they touched anyone. Understand?"

Really, all he can manage to that is a weak, sheepish smile. “… thanks,” he breathes, not knowing what else to say. He should be a thousand times more alarmed over basically being told that someone's ready to kill for him, and not… well, flattered? Touched? Especially since he knows Dabi means it, and so would the rest of them.

“Great,” the other grunts while getting on his feet, and leaning just a little bit on Hawks’ head while doing so. What a turd. Latter’s about to get his stiff legs working as well, but once the vague aching starts subduing, he can see Dabi stop in the doorway and put a hand on his hip. “… those filthy gremlins have been spying on us.”

Indeed… someone brought the hero’s scantily loaded bag to the top of the staircase and left it there.

“In that case,” turns Dabi around, flinging said bag over to Hawks in the same breath, “go straight the fuck home and get yourself presentable, you overgrown turkey. Might wanna decide on the new alias by the next time I call, too. You already know the rest.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he sighs, dragging the strap over his head.

Between the echo of boots, there’s a distorted farewell: “See ya, little star.”

Hawks stops in his tracks. He looks over to the empty entrance, and the metal door wide open. The sound of footsteps has faded into barely more than creepy sounds in an abandoned building- if not for his feathers, he wouldn’t even know that six other people are under the roof he’s standing on. Spirits and shadows haunting an old convenience store like many others.

He's nothing more than another ghost out here, and yet… he's never felt so real.

---

No matter what he chooses, Dabi will just stick to 'fancy chicken.' Also, I’m so fucking proud of that Red Starling. Not only is it obscure astronomy bullshit (much like the title of this thing), but it would be a nifty alternative to Hawks; just hit up a video on a flock (or, as I just learned, murmuration) of starlings. Shit’s cray.

[7dys]

roomies?

hey again im a dummy sorry

I literally could NOT think of a title im sorry here's a good ole roommate au though

request: HHhHhHhh u write so well I'm crying :(( jshsd can I get a roommate!au with jae from day6 ? with a possible fluff at the end ? eye emoji ? sjdshd tysm !! -anon

word count: 5137 she's a doozy

a/n: I must have gotten this request like... a year and a half ago at least anon if you’re seeing this I apologize but I've finally done it!!! hope u all enjoy the workings of my crackhead brain

right-o lets get to it

okay so when you moved out of your dorms after graduation you weren’t expecting it to be this God Damn Expensive

on top of buying groceries and affording your tiny ass one bedroom a girlie was struggling

so !! you decided to look into finding a roommate

obviously not to move in with you…. there’s only one bedroom okay

but like searching for an open spot with someone

you found a few that seemed nice but were all wayyyyyyy too far from your job like you would be losing money paying so much in transportation

finally you stumbled across the most cursed roommate flyer ever

but it was in a super convenient location !! so you read it anyways

it was written in GREEN and PURPLE comic sans and there were multiple pictures of chickens and cheesy memes randomly placed around the text in the middle

which by the way was a list of 7 bullet points that said this:

1:my name is jae

2:i am broke

3:i have an extra room waiting for /YOU/

4:i am in a band and will write a song about you if that’s what it takes

5:i am unreasonably good at untangling headphones and i will untangle things for you

6:i have a pet cat and if you don’t like that walk away from this flyer immediately

7:please

and then at the bottom was an octopus who’s 8 legs had his contact information on it and they were cut so you could just pull off a slip

if you were an ordinary person you would not have taken one

lucky us !!!! you’re just crazy

and you take one of the god damn octopus legs

you are understandably the only person who has taken one so far

you giggle to yourself at your own SHEER STUPIDITY and then send a text to the number

you: hi !! i saw ur ad abt looking for a roommate and i’m interested! my name is y/n and i’m still in college so u don’t have to worry about me being like . crazy im just stressed

chicken guy??: oh my god really it’s been a month since i put up that poster!! also mood

you: you put up …. only one poster …… and it was that ……

chicken guy??: it worked for u didn’t it

you: . touché

chicken guy??: anyways you can come by later today and check it out if you’d like? i swear i’m not crazy either but feel free to bring a friend if you’re worried for safety reasons or whatever

you: nah i prefer to live life on The Edge plus none of my friends would be helpful in a life threatening situation

chicken guy??: i don’t know u but i’m already worried for u pls get here soon

hehehe u liked this guy

he was funny if anything

and you tended to find all the weirdos of society and befriend them so it was safe to assume he was no different than your usual crowd

true to your word you go to the address he sent you alone later that afternoon and cheerily knock on the door

while you wait for him to answer you survey the outside

it’s honestly ….. kind of a cluttered mess but in a cute way

like some sort of kleptomaniac crow somehow got an apartment and displayed all of the strange things it found

except it’s all music related

there is a jar that is filled to the BRIM with guitar picks.

who needs that many guitar picks

“me, i do”

you squeak and turn around and go

“??????”

and the tall thin man in the door just nods

“i knew what you were thinking”

“...that’s fair”

and then he seems to remember what exactly is going on and extends one long fingered hand for a shake

“hi! you must be y/n :)) i’m jae”

you take his hand …. that shits warm

how long have you been outside that your hand is so cold when you touch him you SHIVER

he’s like oh my god come in please you’re shivering jesus christ

and you just smile and tell him it’s nice to meet him !!! what a positive polly

you come in and are pleasantly surprised that the inside has just as much personality as the poster !!

and thankfully less green and purple and ….. comic sans

you are immediately greeted by the largest tabby cat you’ve ever seen

“ah that’s my big boy mister crackers”

“his name … is mister crackers”

“....yes”

“love it. tell me more”

he smiles so BIG and WIDE when you say that you think you’re looking at the sun

as he explains more things about the apartment and points at things here and there you half listen and half just. watch him

you didn’t know what to expect from that as but it’s fair to say you lucked out as far as possible roommates go

he was tall and had shiny dark hair and glasses that made his cute little eyes even littler

and he was in a BAND that is so cool

plus he’s like …. pretty or smth

smh FOCUS

you’re gnna have to share a bathroom with him which is … scary but you looked in there and it looks clean at least

also there’s some candles in there

……. he definitely takes candlelit baths like a widow just returning from her rich husbands funeral after he left her everything in the will

king

he seems nice and funny and you appear to have a similar sense of humor …. you’re in

you’re about to tell him you’ll think about it so that you don’t come off as too excited

but then change your mind and jump up and down and tell him you’re IN and you’ll help cover the rent and cook sometimes and bake him cookies and

he stops you after cookies with a hand over your mouth

“you are perfect. please move in immediately”

you smile under his hand and hope he can’t feel your cheeks getting absolutely BLAZING hot

(he 100% can)

((and he thinks it’s really CUTE))

you grab the hand that’s over your mouth and give it a shake and tell him in a southern accent that it’s a deal pardner and he SNORTS

it was cute

you move in as quickly as possible and his band mates come over to help you move everything !!

you’re high key embarrassed to let all these literally gorgeous men into your tiny little apartment and touch all your stuff

but after talking to each of them for like 5 seconds you quickly see they’re all a bunch of nerds and you would trust them with your life

wonpil loses his MIND when he sees your little plushy collection on your bed he thinks you’re the cutest person on the whole planet

he tells jae that’s he’s the luckiest man on earth when he thinks you’re not listening

you ARE though and you stop what you’re doing to give him a big ol hug and tell him he’s an angel

sungjin disapproves of how you’ve been living and asks if you’ve been eating enough and then turns on jae with a finger like U BETTER FEED HER

brian is so intimidatingly beautiful you can’t look him in the eye until you’re all eating ramen and you watch him choke to near death and then immediately go make himself another cup

relatable

dowoon looked lost and you immediately took him under your wing and you’ve been babying him ever since

you made jae take the box full of your plates and mugs and such bc it was too heavy for your Little Angel

“please y/n i am literally the strongest of all of us let me carry things. jae is going to keel over and die”

“nonsense !!! you’re a growing boy you need rest”

“please i literally punched a HOLE in a WALL on ACCIDENT and jae has a grass allergy i promise i will be fine”

regardless of the absolute struggle it was to coordinate everyone and get all your stuff to jae’s you are FINALLY moved in

your room is obviously not the master but you weren’t gonna be like Sorry Jae I Need The Master Bedroom Move Out Xoxo

it’s cute and you brought your own furniture and some posters and decor that you had all over your old apartment

basically you just condensed it all into one room

and the boys gave you a housewarming present and it was just a picture of them performing with you badly photoshopped next to jae playing the triangle

it wasn’t even framed they just taped it to the wall

typical

after all the moving in the boys leave you and jae to settle in but the moving was TIRING so

you’re already asleep on the couch

……….typical

jae just shakes his head and covers you with one of his large sweatshirts because for some reason he only owns one blanket and it’s on his bed and he doesn’t know where yours are

he’s literally HELPLESS

you wake up with a dry mouth at 3 in the morning and smile at jaes sweater barely covering your curled up body

you hold it up and it says “i like ugly” in tiny font .

this boy is perfect

you put it on and climb in your actual bed and decide to make him breakfast tomorrow for being such an angel

you set an ALARM that’s commitment if i’ve ever seen it

you make him pancakes and and coffee and when he comes out wearing a sweatshirt similar to the one you’re wearing and the rattiest sweatpants you’ve ever seen he doesn’t even notice anything at first

nd then he rubs his eyes and just stares

“y/n i’m gonna cry i haven’t had breakfast since 2008”

you laugh and launch yourself at him because he’s That cute

“you’re so cute thank you for letting me be your roommate !!!!”

he ruffles your hair and then sets his chin on top of your head

“thanks for breakfast, sunshine. even if this is also as early as i’ve been awake since 2008”

you pinch his side at that and then go to serve him a heaping pile of pancakes bc he’s skinny and he needs it

“alright noodle eat up!!”

“did you just call me noodle?”

“yes, look at yourself”

“.. that’s fair”

you guys chat over breakfast and thank GOD it’s a sunday and neither of you have shit to do

other than laundry

you force yourself not to mom him when he just puts it all in one machine and sets it on cold and leaves .

it hurts tho

instead of being productive while you wait you have multiple staring contests

jae keeps accusing you of saying he blinked when he didn’t

“i didn’t blink my eyes just look like that !!!! they are small and asian are you racist or something??”

“shut UP i won >:((((“

after the laundry is done you go your separate ways and jae heads out to band practice and it’s your very first time …

alone in your own apartment

naturally you take off your pants and dance around for at least 10 minutes

you didn’t even realize that since your roommate is a dude you can’t just ….. not wear pants

a travesty !!!

honestly let him try to stop you from going braless though. let him try.

you laze around and try to get caught up on your favorite shows and organize your room and then it gets late and you decide you’re going to make a MEAL for dinner

like a WHOLE . MEAL.

we’re going all out

you tie your hair up and put on your cooking sweater which is just a disgusting old sweatshirt covered with stains that hangs almost to the middle of your thighs

everyone needs one

next step is MUSIC because if you cook without it you just feel sad

we’re pulling out the oldies mix that’s right

i’m talking ELO, reo speedwagon, the doobie brothers we’re getting DOWN !!!!!

perhaps we’ll sprinkle some queen in there in honor of the movie that just came out

regardless you’re head banging while you chop vegetables

extremely unsafe but entirely necessary

jae comes home in the middle of your dramatic rendition of bohemian rhapsody where you attempt to sing every single part including the operatic harmonies

you are literally on your knees singing dramatically when the door opens and he comes out of the foyer to see YOU on the FLOOR wearing NO PANTS and singing QUEEN

you may just be ……. the most perfect woman he’s ever met in his life

he joins you because what the fuck else is he supposed to do

he comes in on the high GALILEO and then air guitars THE FUCK out of the next part while you literally thrash

i’m telling you it was one of the most taxing things you’ve ever done

you finish out the song and then fist bump for respect

“something smells good but also something smells burning”

and you scream because OH NO THE GARLIC BREAD

((it’s not even that burnt jae is just weird about smells …… grass allergy headass))

after the fake crisis is averted you finish up and the both of you FEAST while watching cheesy christmas movies and booing at love

you’re both . that bitter huh

also want to note that at some point you discreetly put sleep shorts on so you could pretend you hadn’t been pantless and possibly flashing your day of the week underwear to your roommate of like 36 hours

and when you’re literally seconds away from sleep jae boops you on the nose

like . kinda hard

“hey go to sleep this couch is not comfortable i promise”

“shut up you’re BONEY everything is uncomfortable for you”

“okay now you’re just being mean get your ass in bed”

“sorryyy :((((“

“yea yea go away weirdo”

you tell him goodnight and hug him extra tight in apology and he pats your head so like. all is forgiven hehe

that night when you flop in bed and wrap yourself around one of your pillows you’re pretty damn pleased with your roommate choice

time skip you and jae have almost 0 boundaries other than the necessary ones that keep you Platonic Friends and not Married Couple

which is basically just any affection beyond hugs nd the occasional snuggle

you heard me

the boys are in your apartment . all the time

literally all the time

and wonpil drunk cries to your stuffed animals about never finding love

PLEASE someone save him please

nights like those you and jae go full parent mode because everyone’s drunk so sungjin can’t do it himself

he’s too busy literally breakdancing in your living room

he moved the coffee table out of the way and everything

after everyone is put in beds (dowoon gets to deal with wonpil‘s cry snuggling … sorry)

you and jae always collapse on the couch actually exhausted because you both have weak cardiovascular health and you just carried four full grown men

you end up leaned up against each other for support and then sagging until one of you falls over onto their back and the other just follows

it varies which one of you ends up the big spoon and it’s so CUTE when you do

you think jae pushes you over a little because he likes it too but he would rather die than admit he likes being snuggled so

you’ll fall over onto your back and jae will pretend to be surprised but then wriggle up your body until he’s half on top of you and half on the side with his head resting just under your chin

his hair is FLUFFY and it TICKLES you so you have to move it so you can sleep !

that’s what you tell yourself when you comb his hair down with your fingers

you pretend not to hear him sigh and feel it against the skin of your neck

you also pretend he hasn’t wrapped both arms around your rib cage like a vice and is not letting go anytime soon

cutie :(

he tucks his forehead into your neck and you physically feel his whole body relax and wow . so this is what peace is like

of course it lasts for 5 whole seconds before wonpil let’s out an actual wail and dowoon is urgently whispering shut the fuck up PLEASE SHUT UP

jae snorts against your neck and gives a minute shake of his head, splaying his hand across your ribs and tugging you farther into his hold

first of all. that ticKLES and it takes every shred of self control not to squirm

second: at this point he’s practically trying to fuse your bodies together really you cannot physically get closer than you are

you’re absolutely enjoying it though so you wrap your arms around him and settle in with one leg flopped over his and a blanket you pulled off the floor haphazardly thrown over the two of you

he’s such a SNUGGLE BUG you can barely believe it

he just loves to pretend he’s some angsty lonely dude who plays guitar and SKATEBOARDS like the giant cliche he is

when actually he is a Big Baby

he texts you to calculate the tip for him whenever he’s out to eat with the boys because he “swore off math in 2014”

he asks you if his outfits are okay nd he always looks like an old man but you still tell him it’s good

you think so at least <33

you can read each other so well it’s scary

you’ll walk in the living room and jae will be like NOPE i’m leaving

and you’re like what :(((((((

and he’s like i just KNOW you’re about to yell about random shit we both personally have no control over and it gives me ~anxiety~

“okay well i was just gonna say that global warming is a real proble-“

“LA LA LA I CANT HEAR YOU”

(he thinks global warming is real he just. doesn’t want to talk abt it bc he knows you will Never Shut Up once you start)

you hand him coffee on his way out in the mornings when you know he has a long day ahead and he pats you on the head in thanks every time

jae cooks for you too !!! we love equality

he sticks to pretty simple stuff but he was living alone for a while so he had to know at least a little so he could like. survive

and believe it or not the both of you are not always sunshine and daffodils

when you’re upset he always knows and makes sure to be there if you need anything but basically just leave you alone

he has a tendency to misread the situation and think it’s still cool for him to joke around but you are Actually Angry

and it’s gotten him into lots of trouble so instead he is supportive from afar and does his best to be not offensive

when he’s upset he’s usually super mopey and writes sad song lyrics all day

you forcefully drag him out of his room to make sure he eats and do your best to cheer him up by whatever means necessary

you’ve embarrassed yourself just to hear that laugh of his

the one where he opens his mouth really wide and gasps a little and his eyes squeeze shut

……… fuckin cute

anyways you guys are just dating already but don’t even realize

until one of your coworkers asks you to come out after work and you say no

and it’d be Friendly and Normal if you did it because you promised jae you would cook that night

or you had made plans with him or something

but you were just uncomfortable doing any of that kind of stuff with some Not Jae guy

and after that your eyes are ~wide open~ sister

you find yourself giggling a little too long when he jokes around with you

you can’t help it okay his presence is like a RUSH of serotonin

and imagining yourself doing couple things with jae

turning your usual dinner outings into dates in your head where he holds your hand as he drives and sits next to you in the booth so he can sling a long arm around your shoulders

you let yourself become the slightest bit more affectionate

tucking yourself under his chin every night before you split to your separate rooms

tugging on his hand to get his attention and then playing with his long fingers

you know he notices because god damn how could he not notice ??

he has literally bad vision but he can read the signs

This Ain’t His First Rodeo

he is hesitant to become involved with someone he depends on so much

the age old dilemma of wanting someone but then being afraid to lose them because of it

he wouldn’t admit it but you were quite literally the light of his life

he had been so lonely in his apartment before, living off of instant ramen simply because he didn’t want to cook anything and holing up in his room writing about loneliness and being lost

then you showed up with your bright eyes and took every weird quirk of his in stride and nagged him about eating better and washing his clothes “properly”

(he thinks when you say “properly” you just mean your own way but that’s besides the point)

he even liked when you would take his glasses and wear them and do terrible impressions of him because you looked so CUTE in them

he thinks you’d look cute in all of his belongings but again

are the both of you ready to cross that line?

of course u are lol what else am i supposed to write about

fourth wall break: over

okay so wonpil keeps coming over when he knows jae is gone to try to convince you that the two of you are in love and should get married and have little mini jaes and whatnot

you inform him that he’s CRAZY and that jae thinks of you as a roommate and friend and that’s IT

and as much as you want to think you’re denying wonpil because you’re embarrassed you’re starting to actually believe it

he’s never shown any sort of real interest in you that is out of the realm of Friendly Roommates

and yeah sometimes you guys snuggle but wonpil is literally wrapped around your right arm at this very second so . not valid

wonpil is basically BEGGING at this point for you to see what he sees

which is jae actually being sickeningly in love with you

even if you did believe him at all …. that’s an exaggeration and you both know it

“y/n he’s writing a SONG. about YOU. that boy love loves you. big time”

“people write songs for their friends all the time”

“not jae !! he’s never written a song that hasn’t been about love or loss, you choose which one you’ll be”

“oh shit that was deep”

“i know right? can you believe i came up with that on the spot? wig.”

and then you smack him for being a fckin twitter stan and continue with your argument

jae walks in just as it starts to get physical

wonpil is latched onto your leg as you squirm and wiggle around trying to throw the LEECH off your leg

jae detaches him with a well placed finger between his ribs that makes him squeal Very Loudly and let go

unfortunately you had been leaning all your weight to one side to counteract wonpil and when he let go you went careening sideways

jae just barely grabbed your wrist and yanked you back up

and then you stumbled into him and he stumbles and you both almost fall before getting your shit together

you’re standing pressed together with his feet spread apart so that you’re a little bit closer to his height as you latch onto his shoulders for balance

one of his arms slides around your middle to hold you against him while he used the other to make sure his guitar case doesn’t just fall off his shoulder

wonpil is on the ground holding his rib cage and fake crying when jae goes

“enough wonpil i could hear you yelling like a block away what is going on here???”

you peep out a nothing !!! at the same time wonpil yells

“i’m trying to convince y/n of TRUE LOVE that’s what”

“oh …. y/n is in love?”

“y/n is in DENIAL”

you plead with him to stop please wonpil

and he is relentlessly ranting about how you refuse to “see the light” and how happy you could be

jae sees that this is actually upsetting you from your flushed cheeks and furrowed eyebrows and the way you clutch the hem of his sweatshirt

“alright that’s enough. wonpil go home you lovesick fool”

wonpil trudges out and gives you a sneaky kiss on the cheek

jae has to hold you back when you lunge after him

after you’ve calmed down he slowly slides his arm from being wrapped around your middle to just barely brushing your back

you didn’t mean to get so worked up but like . wonpil is good at that okay

and he was basically going to out you to jae ????:??:!:?:$,&3!:8;

that’s a stressful event

you feel your breathing even out and you sigh in frustration

“i’m sorry y/n, he does that sometimes :/“

“it’s fine it was just . a lot”

“yeah”

you stand in silence for a good minute when jae drops his hand from your back and ducks his chin

“was he…. telling the truth?”

and you want to die because wonpil wasn’t even there and you’re still getting outed !!!!

“which part?”

“the part where you’re in love with someone”

“i wouldn’t say ….. love”

“oh”

and this is just painful so you take a deep breath and just

“okay listen i really really get it if you don’t return the feelings and it’s fine i just … please don’t kick me out i really love living here and all your band members coming over and i even love wonpil !!!! even though he’s a little crazy !!! and i love your fat cat mr.crackers and dancing around to old green day and watching shitty romance movies just to make fun of them and i just don’t want this to end!! we can forget it ever happened and i swear i’ll just. get over it or something and i-“

“okay don’t get too hasty about forgetting it i haven’t even said anything yet”

you stare at him wide eyed

“i’m sorry . what.”

“i can’t believe it took wonpil bodily attacking you for you to say that”

and then he drops his guitar with a thud and steps into your space to slide a warm hand around the nape of your neck

he pulls you closer and stops when your noses brush

“is this okay?” he whispers

“why are you whispering?” you whisper back

“shut up” he breathes right back

he smiles and then tugs you forward and tilts his head down to plant his lips on yours

he’s soft and tentative and pulls away after just a few seconds to press kisses to your cheeks and the tip of your nose

“if it’s worth anything i like you too,”

“are you kidding me that’s worth EVERYTHING ???”

and then you pounce on him and bury your face into the dip of his shoulder because you can’t reach his neck

damn skyscraper

he stumbles at first but then smiles down at your flushed face absolutely squished against his bony chest

he thinks it’s cute though and cranes his neck down to lay his cheek across the top of your head and loop his arms around you

dating jae is even better than you thought it would be !!!

wonpil wasn’t lying when he said jae was writing a song for you and when he plays it for you and sings so sweetly you cry your fckin eyes out

and he’s laughing and pulling you in to situate you on his lap with his guitar long forgotten leaning against the couch and asking you when you became such a softie

you look up at him with tears in your eyelashes and love in your eyes and he positively melts

he kisses your forehead and ruffles your hair and calls you kid like he didn’t just profess his undying love for you through song like the cliche he is

the two of you spend the whole night wrapped up in each other, expressing all the affection you’d missed out on in the last few weeks

you hadn’t realized how…. touchy jae is until now

he can barely function without his good morning kiss

“y/n i am a weak, weak man pls give me a kiss or else i won’t make it through the day,”

..you also hadn’t realized he was this dramatic lmao

the boys supremely unsurprised when they burst into your apartment to find you straddling jae with your fingers in his hair

i’m telling you they don’t even PAUSE in their steps they just look at you and acknowledge it

and then brian just …. takes a seat next to you guys and is like

“are y’all done i wanna watch this redbox movie and return it tonight before i gotta pay for another day”

you’re both cherry red in the face and untangle yourselves in astonishment at his casual tone

dowoon is rummaging around in your fridge and calls out from the kitchen that the two of you were the most obvious people on the planet and that the rest of the band was in the same boat as wonpil they just weren’t absolute psychos

wonpil: this is true but i resent that

all of you settle back into a comfortable dynamic

you’re super happy that your relationship with jae didn’t make anything weird

it probably helped that the very first night that jae mentioned in passing that you were cute and the band had never let it go since

it also probably helped when wonpil pointed out your actual literal heart eyes the first time you saw jae

……………. they were just waiting for it to happen tbh

anyways

nowadays you spend your mornings parting ways with a kiss and your evenings snuggled up together on the couch exchanging eskimo kisses and sweet nothings and you couldn’t be happier

<3

[awhilesince]

Tuesday, 28 August 1827 (travel journals)

5

11 1/2

Breakfast at 6 – off from Geneva at 7 20/60 –

at 7 50/60 Chesne, very good village Geneva to Bonneville 6 lieues)

at 8 20/60 little village of Annemasse, 1st village in Savoy, Bonneville to Sallenche 6) and shew our passports –

at 8 50/60 (having passed the village of Vetra at unawares – it must be very inconsiderable) handsome 2 arched stone bridge (1 arch very large the other very small, over the nearly dry torrent Ménoge –

at 9 1/4 picturesque, scattered village of Nangy – the rocks (southwest) over Geneva, remind me of the Elwsig (Lusig) rocks over Langollen – fine open valley all along – roomy for the air to circulate – Mrs and Miss B– [Barlow] complained of the cold – I merely felt the air delightfully bracing – the hills about Geneva to as far as Nangy, remind me of H–x [Halifax] – Everywhere the valley and hills sufficiently wooded –

at 10 picturesque little village of Contamine – the Arve (not much water now – the very broad bed almost all dry) winding beautifully all the well wooded fertile valley – good deal of corn in the valley, and on the hills – good deal of flax drying – young buck wheat – clover – mowing it 2nd time – orchards – good land – hedges generally on each side the road – oaks and willows – a little Indian corn – very few vines since Geneva, near Bonneville –

stopt at the ‘les Balances’ Bonneville (a tolerable little town) at 11 5/60 – came upstairs to write – 1/2 hour before I could begin – had near spoilt all my things – the Table had been just oiled, and not 1/2 wiped – They say the Swiss are on all sides (the protestants who are much cleaner and richer than the Roman catholics) are much cleaner than their neighbours – but, according to the woman who shewed us the cathedral at Geneva on Sunday, the catholic population increases much faster than the protestant – the former has 6 or 7 or even more children per family; –the latter (particularly those in more easy circles) has seldom more than 2 per family – I fancied this kind of management had been principally confined to the higher orders in France –

off from Bonneville (should not like to sleep at the Inn – not very clean, but the people very civil

at 1 25/60 – town, a ville, surrounded by fine picturesque rocky hill partly green, partly bare and hoary – immediately cross the Arve over good stone bridge (at the end left, a new handsome Tuscan column surmounted by a statue of the King in his robes, in honour of Charles Felix King of Sardinia) who visited the town some time ago) and, according to Galignani, enter the valley of Cluse – snow mountains in the distance (left) in front of us – 2 little hop grounds just out of town – cutting line – fertile valley – clover, young buckwheat, Indian corn, potatoes Kidney beans – orchard trees – like a garden – poplars and willows along the road side, and the chief wood hereabouts –

at 1 55/60 stone bridge over little stream –

at 3 10/60 the Arve winding beautifully – Green, wooded hills (right) bare, and savage (left), – snow mountains to the left in front, and pretty little village of Oogu (Vaugi? Vougy) at 3 1/4 – Jane thinks this valley ‘beautiful, lovely – the next to the Rhinthal and the Splugen’ (road from Splugen to Chiavénna) – so far, Jane rather disappointed – tho’ tis a pine valley –

at 2 3/4 little stone bridge over little torrent – at 2 55/60 another such stone bridge over ditto, and fine gorge right, and orchards, and picturesque scattered village of Siongy Scionzier and midway the village

(at 3) good stone bridge over good stream – neat, picturesque church – very fine walnut trees – and 2 or 3 little green hedged paddocks at the end of the village – valley wider, and finer – very pretty – fine just here, tho’ do not see the Arve –

At 3 10/60 narrow one arched, boulder-stone-paved steepish stone bridge over the Arve (ver[y] fine gorge right) and enter the beautifully situated, but rather narrow streeted little town of Cluse – all the women busy dressing hemp – tremendous mountains just above the Town – wind thro’ the town to the right, and Turn along the fine gorge which we just peeped down (right) from the bridge – (between Cluse and the village next before very large apple and pear trees and (2 or 3 of the largest cherry Trees (like fine large forest trees) I ever saw in my life) the gorge (the valley of Maglan) now, at 3 1/4, very fine – the Arve close, right – its waters light-green-white-muddy-blue – its broad bed and the road take up all the breadth of the valley –

at 3 3/4 an auberge? 3 little cannon, and a man wishing to know if we would have them fired to hear the echo among the mountains – another man apparently an aubergiste wanted us to stop to see the Grotte de Balme (vide Ebel. Cluse. page 96.) 1200 feet up the mountain (seemed about 1/2 way up) and 620 ‘pas’ long – said we had quite time enough – could not get to Chamouni tonight – asked what time it would require – ‘vingt minutes pour monter à cheval – la route très bonne’ – observed a zigzag path cut from the bottom of the mountain to the cavern – the mouth 1/2 closed up so that one could not enter without paying – Everything herabouts is done to catch the eye and Empty the pocket of strangers – to have had the cannon fired would have cost us 2/. – valley wider beyond, and beautifully wooded (right), and the mountains by and by wearing into a gradual slope –

at 4 5/60 the picturesque village of Maglan picturesque little good church – good deal of beech wood – the wood of the mountains hereabouts chiefly beech? –

at 4 1/4, little stone bridge over dry little bed of torrent – at 4 1/2 little stone bridge over ditto ditto, and fine ripple cascade (Nant d’ Orli) (i.e. as it were, one long thin line of cascade) left –

at 4 35/60 a board put up on which in large letters ‘Place de’ Echo de Nant d’ Arpenas’ and a man and one little cannon – he wanted much to fire it for us assuring us it was very curious –

at 4 40/60 small stone bridge over dry torrent –

at 4 3/4 stone bridge over the stream from Nant d’ Arpenas, really curious – stopt a few minutes to see it – the water lost in spray Till collected lower down into 8 or 9 ripples forming a little cascade near and down to the bottom – Descends from a little cleft at the Top of the mountain – the jet (not large) projected so far, the rock quite dry underneath it for the first 50 or 60 feet – falls 800 feet – (vide Ebel. article, Cluse) the sun of which we had had but little during the day just made his appearance to shew us a beautiful little Iris round the cascade at the bottom – just beyond the cascade the strata of the rock curious

then

then apparently a jumble – reminds one strongly of the action of water – I have seen instances of this kind before among these Swiss mountains – along the Simplon road, and along the Valais – Low hemp uncut –

at 5 stone bridge over torrent – fine view of Sallanche (right) on the other side the river – bed of river very broad – looking almost dry, tho’ there is in fact a strong broad stream – rosemary hedges full of yellow berries –

at 5 20/60 neat little hamlet or village and neat little church of St. Martin – and Mont Blanc a nice looking little Inn – immediately cross handsome 1 arched narrowing, stupish bridge over the Arve, and at 5 35/60 alight à la Belle Vue, at Sallenche, a picturesque little Town, (very handsome church) at the foot of high finely wooded and grass clothed mountains – not one peep of Mont Blanc –

began to write at 6 – but soon gave up to see the clouds gradually clear off from the mountain – 1st sight of it at 6 ¼ – stupendous – astonishing – worth while to come all the way to see it – capital house for a view of it – had been Twice before today quite clear – stood gazing 20 minutes at the 3 huge summits –

Dinner from 6 35/60 to 8 20/60 – for the 1st ¼ hour gazing at the mountain till clouds hid him again at about 6 50/60 – the setting sun upon him magnificent – 2 hills catching the reflection of the rays from the mountain, seemed as if on fire – Ive stood gazing in mute wonder –

at 8 50/60 music 2 or 3 clarionets – very fairly played – very fine day – not much sun – but warm enough for me –

reference number: SH:7/ML/TR/2/0015 - 16

[thewarlocksbitch]

I will be your: hands, eyes, heart

prev - chapter 3 - next

word count - 4.9k

thank you to chloe for beta editing

read it on ao3

+

Adam woke sometime after twelve on Sunday. He couldn't remember sleeping in so late since during the summertime back at home, and even then it had been interrupted by raised voices and slamming doors.

He sat up, causing a textbook and some papers to slide to the floor. Wearily, he bent down to pick them up, his movements and thoughts hazy and uncoordinated with sleep. He looked over the assignments in his hands. Had he finished them last night? Yes…

“Adam!” Noah said, suddenly an inch from Adam’s face, leaning over the bed. “Good morning, roomie! Friend! Parrish!”

“Hey,” Adam said, voice slow. He leaned back, trying to focus on his roommate. “Noah.”

Noah grinned and backed away until his legs hit his bed and he plopped down onto it. He laid sideways and rubbed his flyaway, colorless hair into his pillow, his eyes closed like a little kid’s.

Adam shivered as the sheets slid from him and he pulled his blanket around himself. "I asked the residential director about the drafts in here the other day, but she said we're probably just sensitive to it or something, since all the dorms share the same heating system." "Sorry," said Noah meekly, his hands fitful over his arms.

"It's not your fault," Adam said dismissively, but he felt all at once uneasy. He hated it when people apologized to him for things they weren't at fault for. It made him feel like he was higher than them, and threatening. Which was to say, it made him feel like his father.

“My pillows at home were softer,” Noah said suddenly. “My blankets, too. And I had a dog I slept with. She was so warm. Like a heater!” Noah pressed his entire face into his pillow so that his voice became muffled. “You were up so late last night. I actually tried counting sheep. Not ‘cause I was trying to fall asleep but because my eyes were closed and I don't have eye-clocks, so, you know.”

“I was just trying to finish an essay and-” Adam had to check the papers in his hands again to remember what they were on “-some history.”

“Cool! Smart student!” Noah exclaimed. “Do you want to go to the park? Or something! I have no plans at all. I wanted to skate, but…” Noah trailed off as he often did. He was quiet for a moment, then began to hum something that sounded like ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’.

Adam pressed his elbows into his thighs and his palms into his eyes, taking a moment to just think. He’d spent half of yesterday working and the other half studying. The endless hours had paid off. He could afford to let himself relax a little today.

He dropped his hands to look at Noah, who was now tugging on tennis shoes. This Noah was a wholly different person to the Noah that had slouched in last night, disappeared into the bathroom for thirty minutes, and then climbed into bed without a word.

For a while now Adam had wondered if Noah was bipolar. Now he began to consider whether Noah was medicated or not, and if he needed to be. There had to be something to regulate him besides marijuana and street racing and meditation circles.

Noah finished with his shoes and looked up at Adam. “Have you eaten yet? No, you haven't, you just woke up. Wanna go grab something?”

Eating with Noah was one of Adam’s least favorite things, because it was always either Adam eating by himself while Noah rattled on about everything in the world or while he sat there silently and stared into space. Adam didn't mind the company, but the fact that Noah never ate around him bothered him a little. He was always trying to take care of Adam but Adam never seemed able to take care of him.

They ended up walking to the Green - a protein bar in Adam’s hand and a thick blanket in Noah’s - where students lazed and threw frisbees for dogs and participated in group yoga.

Noah spread the blanket under a tree while Adam munched on his protein bar. He grabbed Adam’s bag from him to weigh down one corner, then took off his own shoes to weigh down two more. He sat on the last corner with a satisfied oof and threw his hands up in the air. “There!” he said. “Oh, we should get a dog.”

Adam followed Noah’s gaze to where two girls lay in the grass together, matching sunglasses covering their faces and a fat, panting mutt spread across their stomachs.

It was an impractical idea, but still Adam smiled as he sat down next to Noah. “What kind?” he asked. He toed his shoes off and stuffed the wrapper from the protein bar into his pocket.

Noah thought for a moment, then he pointed to a dog across the lawn that was rolling in the grass and seemed to be in a state of ecstasy. “One like that. I’d name her Godzilla.”

The dog did not seem to Adam anything special or fear-inspiring, but he nodded and laid back on the blanket. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back to let the shadows of leaves run over his face, to let the wind breathe across his shirt. He became so distracted by the calming feeling of the air around him that he didn't realize Noah had stopped talking. He looked over to see that he had laid down beside him and was staring up at the tree looming over them.

“It's nice, isn't it?” Noah said. “Taking time to chill out.”

Adam nodded. He'd worked enough yesterday that he didn't have to worry about making money today, but he did want a safety net of some extra credits. Noah never seemed to worry about school, but Adam could never stop. “I’m working in a few hours,” he told Noah. “At my TA job.”

“You can go to sleep. I’ll wake you up.” Noah promised him.

Adam closed his eyes again.

+

Ronan raced and drank all of Saturday – this was momentarily interrupted by Declan’s Volvo pulling into his and Gansey’s driveway unannounced – and spent Sunday with his brothers: the morning at St. Agnes church with Declan and Matthew and the afternoon and night with Gansey exploring and playing Mario Kart.

He drove himself to campus on Monday morning by sheer force of will. He didn’t want to go to class, but staring out the window while some poor professor droned on for an hour or two was better than dealing with Declan’s surprise visits. I’m in class, Ronan took the time to text him, so don’t fucking come over.

Ronan shut his phone off as soon as the text sent and shoved it deep in his bag. Declan hadn't always been the controlling, tense and tie-choked man he was today, but since Niall Lynch’s death he'd taken it upon himself to carry the entire family, even though a certain passenger had been unwilling. Ronan hated him for it. Their mother dying two years ago only made him hate Declan more.  

Campus was sprawling and alive, all green hills and old brick buildings, the scholar’s version of Niall Lynch’s Barns. It reminded Ronan not fondly of Aglionby, except now the real world felt much closer than it had then and Gansey wasn't at his side as often. Here he wasn't Ronan Lynch, dreamer, and he wasn't Ronan Lynch, best friend of whoop whoop Gansey boy! He was Ronan Lynch, student. One angry, hateful student among thousands.

Ronan crossed a section of too-green grass. At Aglionby, his bag had banged against his hip, full of books he despised. His tie had choked him until Gansey looked away long enough for him to loosen it.

Here, he wore jeans and a tank and carried the bare minimum in his arms or pockets. And Gansey didn't have classes on Monday’s, so he was completely and horribly alone.

Ronan pushed his way through the double doors of a weather-worn brick building and immediately turned right to take a staircase up. He skipped the last two steps to the first landing and threw his weight against the heavy metal door. It closed behind him with a satisfying bang.

The hall was beginning to empty as students ended conversations and got to their respective classrooms, but there were enough still in the hall that Ronan bumped into them a good deal.

He followed Gansey’s map with more attention than he need have. He shoved it into his pocket for safekeeping when he reached the right room. As he passed the professor's desk he saw a vase of familiar flowers, with the store card still nestled in the middle of them.

Ronan looked from the desk to the rows of students and found the dirt-colored kid in the front row, just like in Latin. Sitting there in his faded t-shirt and scuffed sneakers and with his pen at the ready over a sheet of clean, pristine-looking paper. Again.

Ronan dropped his bag under the desk next to him and threw himself into it. The dirt-colored kid didn't look over at this disturbance.

Ronan leaned far back in his chair. He tilted his head back and towards him, unsure why he wanted so badly to bother him but just knowing he did. His face was interesting, but Ronan had already seen a lot of interesting things. His features were delicate, and Ronan was not skilled with delicate things.

Students still poured into the room in a steady, unending stream. Ronan caught glimpses of perfectly knotted ties, watches as expensive as his own but ten years newer, smiles schooled amiably. Why, he asked his father, did you make me come here? Here, of all places?

Ronan looked back to the dirt-colored kid. He was different than all of the other students, and although he hid it well it betrayed him in the smallest of details: the fray on the shoulder of his jacket that could only come from years of use, the cheap plastic watch on his thin-boned wrist, the lack of rigid, princely posture in his spine.

Ronan thought back to the way his mouth had tightened at the shop, when Ronan had finished calculating his total. The careful way he clipped his accent when offering an answer. The concerned furrow of his pale, thin brows. This was a person that stood separate from others with just a few mannerisms, someone who had a history with some weight to it.

Someone, Ronan thought, that Gansey would like.

"So, you're dating the professor?” Ronan asked him.

It took him a moment to realize Ronan was speaking to him , and when he turned to face Ronan he looked slightly affronted.

“No,” he said. “I’m not.”

Ronan didn't say anything in reply because a scholarly looking girl had come up and she slapped papers on the guy’s desk.

“Adam,” she said, pointing at the papers with much more enthusiasm than Ronan had expected to see in a lecture hall. “Look at this! I haven't gotten a grade this good all semester. You're a genius.”

He - Adam - smiled up at her. “I’m glad I could help.” That accent was definitely from Henrietta.

Ronan waited until the girl was gone to ask, “What's a genius doing kissing up to a teacher?” Usually he wouldn't care. Usually he'd say nothing and be done with this. Usually.

“It's none of your business.”

This was where Gansey would apologize, and rephrase the question in a kinder way. But Ronan was not Gansey.

He turned away without a word and took his notebook out, but he didn't write down a single word the entire lecture.

+

That Thursday night Ronan received a text from Kavinsky: racing with some highschool kids. wanna come? Not on my seats though

Ronan felt an unclean kind of pleasure run through him. So soon after losing to him Kavinsky wanted another go. He’d been the same in high school, and he was the same now, except he'd moved mansions and graduated to harder drugs instead of a harder curriculum.

Ronan locked Chainsaw in her cage and toed his shoes on. Kavinsky would never learn.

He was quiet when he closed his bedroom door behind him, but it was in vain; Gansey was sitting cross-legged and awake in the middle of the living room floor, his flannel pajama pants bunched up around his bare ankles and his hands preoccupied with rebuilding his miniature Henrietta.

Gansey looked up. He was working on a flimsy and unimportant looking office building and looked more tired than usual. The bags under his eyes seemed like they were getting very comfortable.

Ronan paused just outside his door. Gansey frowned. It was killing him as much as it was killing Ronan to be away from home.

Gansey said, “Don’t race tonight.”

It was more than enough to make Ronan stop.

Gansey knew what it meant when Ronan disappeared at night and came back smelling of adrenaline and burnt rubber, but he usually pretended he didn't. He'd figured out sometime in their junior year of high school that it was something Ronan needed.

Him so blatantly asking Ronan to abstain was enough to make Ronan tuck his phone back into his pocket. He carefully picked his way through the miniature town until he reached Gansey at the heart of it.

He kicked at Gansey’s foot. “You wanna do something then? You've been rebuilding your beloved girlfriend for hours.”

Gansey blinked up at him, his brown eyes quizzical behind wireframes. “I haven't, really.”

“Let’s go to a bar,” Ronan said.

“We’re both underage. And I don’t think you should use your dreamt fake ID’s, even if they are perfect.”

“Let’s go to the park, then,” Ronan countered.

“Really.” Gansey was smiling; Ronan was not the type to stargaze amongst old people and teenage couples as an orchestrated pastime, and Gansey knew that better than anyone else. Ronan scrubbed a hand over the back of his shaved head. “Then do you want to go with me to the tattoo place? On Cervantes? It’s open late.”

Gansey frowned as he fixed a cardboard door and then fixed it again. “Are you getting more work done on your back?” he asked.

Ronan kicked Gansey a second time, too awake to stay still. “Fuck no,” he said. “I was just thinking about getting a flower on my thumb. Or something.”

Ganseys voice was dry. “You’ve really found your calling catering to old ladies, haven't you.”

Ronan shrugged. “Whatever. It pays the bills. You coming?”

Gansey was quiet for a moment. Then he took off his wireframes and set them down in the parking lot of Monmouth Manufacturing. “Just let me get dressed.”

+

After spending a few hours at his teacher's assistant job Adam ended up going to the parlor anyways.

The night shift was nothing to complain about, and since he'd finished his homework and studying earlier he had no reason to go back to the dorm except to shower and sleep.

He ended up doing a few small ink jobs and cleaning up behind the counter. His boss was nowhere to be found, as were most of the other artists. Adam was just rearranging the basket of pens for the hundredth time when two familiar looking teenagers walked in.

The first was familiar because he looked just like every other rich student in Adam’s classrooms: a clean haircut, pressed khakis, a brand-name shirt gripping his shoulders and chest in all of the right places. A bright smile that knew it had your vote. He stepped in first and looked around the parlor, one hand beckoning the second boy in after him like he was conducting traffic.

The second was familiar because he was the angry voice from Latin. The surly flower shop clerk. The self-assured sneer from Physics.

Adam watched the shaved-headed boy look around the parlor, and then slowly at Adam himself. He set all of the pens down and crossed his arms over the counter, and he waited.

He kept his gaze on the shaved-headed boy but the presidential one reached him first. He set his hands flat on the counter and instead of looking at Adam he leaned back, back, back, looking up at all of the sketched designs of tattoos and photos of satisfied customers. When he finally brought his eyes back to Adam they were bright with excitement.

The second teenager elbowed his way in before the President could make a speech. “Coincidence,” he said, more to the President than to Adam. “The professor’s boyfriend works here.”

He was wearing a plain black tank tonight, and Adam could easily see parts of his tattoo peeking out above his collar and under his arms. On his nape was a flower, or perhaps it was a thorn. Curling around his shoulder was a deadly looking frenzy of claws and teeth and horns.

“You two know each other?” The President asked. Adam hadn't been watching him, so he didn't know when his face had switched from joyful to polite. The two emotions presented almost the same, so the switch wasn't obvious. But Adam had grown up being careful about what parts of himself he gave to the public, so he knew what a face looked like when it was hiding something.

“ We’re in some classes together,” the other boy said, at the same time that Adam said, “He sold me flowers.”

“Oh!” The President smiled sideways at his friend before looking back at Adam. “So you're the one who put him in such a sour mood after Latin.”

“Yes,” Adam said, unable to help but smile. It was like a trigger reaction. Like he'd breathed it in. “That would be me.”

“Ronan’s used to being uncontested in Latin, but he's been slacking off lately and has consequently fallen behind, so you'll have to forgive him for any aggressiveness or ill intent.” The President extended a hand over the counter. With it came the sharp scent of mint. “I’m Gansey.”

So the both of them had names now. Adam shook Gansey’s hand, once, firmly. “Adam.”

He dropped Gansey’s hand and retreated to the other side of the counter. He tapped the keyboard to get the computer to wake up and then looked at the two boys.

“I’m guessing it's Ronan getting inked tonight,” Adam said, not really a question.

“He really is a genius,” Ronan said nastily.

Before Adam could become annoyed, Gansey interjected, “Yes, it’s Ronan. Not me. I’m just here to watch and to make sure he doesn't get anything distasteful.”

Distasteful, Adam thought, looking at all of Ronan’s barbed wires and Gansey’s smooth demeanor. He wondered how Gansey so easily avoided being cut.

Adam began to set up their walk-in session on the computer. He offered Ronan the waiver of consent and Ronan signed the appropriate lines without reading any of it. “What do you want?” he asked Ronan. “There's enough artists free that you can get started now.”

Ronan shrugged. He held up his hand. Adam glimpsed raised silver scars disappear beneath leather bracelets as they slid down his wrist. “I was thinking of getting a flower, a small one on my thumb or something.”

“Oh,” Adam said, surprised. It wasn't that it was an unusual request, but because of his back tattoo and abrasive attitude he'd expected Ronan to want a sleeve or skulls at the least.

He tore off the corner of a receipt from the stack next to the keyboard and drew a quick flower. Usually it irritated him when customers came in unsure of what they wanted, but he wasn't as tired as he thought he'd be by now and he didn't have anything else to do anyways.

Adam held the sketch out to Ronan. “Something like that?” he asked.

Ronan shrugged again. “Yeah, that's good.”

Adam eyed his scribble again. “If you want a tattoo that simple, I can do it. If you're okay with that.”

“Oh, are you an artist here?” Gansey asked.

Adam finished setting the appointment up and tucked the receipt into his pocket. “I get paid for working the counter but I’m also an apprentice,” he said. “I do smaller jobs when they come up.”

Gansey nodded cordially, then turned a questioning gaze on Ronan. Ronan nodded back like he didn’t care all that much about a permanent addition to his skin. “You’re good enough for me.” he said.

Adam got up and led Ronan and Gansey to an empty chair in the back. He wanted to bristle at Ronan’s uncaring and dismissive attitude, but the way Gansey balanced out his hostility made him seem like the kind of person Adam wouldn’t mind knowing. Though, Adam supposed, it might make more sense to just befriend Gansey, since he seemed to be the more morally balanced of the two. There was something intimidating about Gansey’s easy smile, though; he seemed polished and faraway whereas Ronan was just another student, albeit a rude one.

Ronan got settled and Gansey asked Adam polite questions about work and school while Adam got his tools organized. Soon enough he had Adam confessing that he had a partial scholarship and worked two jobs to pay his end of it. Gansey seemed to like this, and telling him more didn't make Adam feel like he was losing something.

He told Gansey about the study groups, the extra hours, every grabbed opportunity. He told him about Noah. He told him why he'd bought the flowers. He told him about many things that made him Adam Parrish but nothing about how those things had come to be.

Adam left out the details on what had been his home, the reasons why he needed to work so hard to keep what he had. He left out too much for it to be considered a full truth but Gansey didn't push him for more.

When Gansey ran out of questions, Adam returned them. He learned that Gansey nor Ronan knew what they wanted to major as. He learned that Gansey owned a 73’ Camaro he called ‘Pig’ and loved fiercely. He learned that both Gansey and Ronan had gone to Aglionby, though he didn't share that he'd attended as well but for only freshman year. Gansey was overjoyed when he learned that Adam was from Henrietta, and politely interrupted Adam to ask him:

“What do you know about Welsh Kings?”

It was not the kind of question Adam would have expected from a boy like Gansey. His one year at Aglionby had taught him more in history than his three years at Mountain View High, but he remembered nothing about Welsh Kings from his classes.

He thought back to the rare few times he’d had enough free time to visit the local library, to the random books he'd perused for no purpose other than pleasure. There had been one book, The Kings and Queens of Wales, that Adam had read over the span of a few afternoons.

There was one king that had struck something in Adam, an enigmatic ruler whose life was surrounded by deceit and betrayal and obscurity. Maybe Adam remembered his story because the king had been unknowable and a runaway like Adam himself, because he seemed more human than most other historical figures. Maybe Adam only remembered him because he'd happened to get enough sleep the night before reading that particular chapter.

He grabbed onto this king. The earnest look on Gansey’s face had Adam not wanting to disappoint.

“Vortigern?” Adam said carefully. “All information about him is up to debate, but he was supposedly a Welsh warlord in the fifth century.”

Gansey, Adam thought, could not have looked more delighted, but Ronan snorted and said, “Try ten centuries later.”

Adam searched his mind for information on any fifteenth century Welsh Kings but came up blank. He shook his head, more at Ronan than Gansey, not that Ronan was paying him any attention.

“So there was this one noble,” Gansey began, “a medieval Welsh noble named Owen Glendower. He was the leader of the Welsh Revolt that fought the English for Welsh freedom. For years he was successful-”

Now Adam remembered. “Until he was captured and killed by the English.”

Gansey's smile could have blown Henrietta’s fuses . “That's one story, but I believe in another. I believe that he was never captured. I believe he only disappeared.”

“Disappeared to where?” Adam asked. He knew he was getting too distracted from his job but he couldn't help it - rather, he didn't want to; he so rarely let himself engage in meaningless conversation like this that he'd forgotten what it was like. He slowly organized his tools as he listened to Gansey, unable to feel disinterest when Gansey told him about Glendower’s unreal victories, the rumors of his impossible powers, and how he had disappeared into the northern mountains and escaped history with his men as if it all had happened just yesterday.

Adam would have thought Glendower disappearing was the end of Gansey’s interest, but Gansey continued.

“Have you heard of the legends of sleeping kings?”

Adam was beginning to feel somewhat left out of the educational loop, but Ronan said, “No one fucking has, Gansey.”

Gansey had the good grace to look embarrassed, but he went on, “There are legends that heroes like Arthur and Glendower aren't really dead, and are only sleeping in tombs underground, waiting to be woken up.”

Adam raised an eyebrow. He saw Ronan smirk in his peripheral vision.

“I believe Glendower’s body was brought to the New World,” Gansey went on. “Specifically here, in Virginia. I've spent the past six years researching him. I want to find him.”

“Gansey,” Ronan interrupted, “you're keeping him from making a living.”

Again Gansey looked embarrassed. Adam was quiet as he finished up getting his things together. When he was ready he showed Ronan the receipt again and asked where he wanted the tattoo.

“On my thumb,” Ronan said unhelpfully.

“Put your hand up here,” Adam said, tapping the arm of the chair. He repositioned Ronan’s hand until he had the perfect angle. He spread Ronan’s fingers, then tapped along Ronan’s thumb; the small space just beneath the knuckle, the lower inside corner where it connected to his palm.

“There,” Ronan said when Adam touched the end of his thumb, where the biggest part of the bone jutted out beneath the skin.

Adam accepted that without comment and pulled his gloves on. He disinfected the target area, then carefully sketched the flower there with a light stencil. He could feel Gansey’s keen attention when he glanced up at Ronan and asked, “Is this exactly how you want it?”

Ronan smirked as if Adam had told a joke. “There exactly.”

Adam nodded and got his needles and ink ready. The flower was simple line art, all thin, clean black lines and no color. It wouldn't take more than ten minutes to finish, and that was if he decided to be lazy.

Adam started to trace the design, the only sound between him and the other two boys the whirring of the needles and the occasional approving sound from Gansey. He checked and rechecked it as he traced the second petal, admiring how the simplicity of it was so delicate and drastically different to the ragged bracelets on Ronan’s wrist and the ink on his back and the fire in his eyes.

Gansey went quiet as the pen whirred louder, and Ronan looked away. Adam bent over his hand and held it steady with his own. He enjoyed the clean process of driving ink into skin, loved how this skill of keeping his hand steady let him live just a little easier. He was almost done. He just needed to pause here, spread Ronan’s fingers more, and finish tracing the curve of this last petal.

When Adam was finished, he let go of Ronan’s hand and set his tools aside. Ronan sat up to examine his hand, expressionless except for an arched brow. Gansey said nothing, but he seemed much more interested than Ronan from his vantage point over Ronan’s shoulder.

Ronan began to get up, his eyes still on his new tattoo.

“Wait a second,” Adam said. “I have to cover that.”

Ronan obediently sat back and Gansey watched attentively as Adam wrapped his hand. Once he had it taped in place he stood and preceded the other boys to the counter.

Adam tapped the keyboard to wake the monitor up and set it up to close Ronan’s appointment. Ronan handed Adam his credit card without even asking the price.

Adam rung him up and handed him back his card. One day, he told himself. One day.

“It was nice meeting you, Adam,” Gansey said, in the tone Adam would use on teachers or employers. This was Gansey finishing their interaction, like a businessman shaking your hand at the end of a meeting. From that polite tone, Adam knew he was nothing more to Gansey than his profession and the services he could offer.

“Likewise,” Adam replied.

Ronan had already taken the bandage off. He crumpled it in his hand and tossed it onto the counter. “See you in class,” he said.

As the door closed behind them, Adam heard Gansey say, “You’re actually going?"

[thedarkrose17]

I decided to post chap 1 and 2 of the Uni au cause I'm tempted to rewrite it but I'm unsure. It's hard though cause I've never been to uni so like maybe it could turn into a high school or college one. I dunno.

Together this all is around about 7,729 words...Fuck and it's from like 2016 

Chap 1:

"You sure you have enough here?" Thace asked, carrying Keith's only bag filled with, as he put it, "everything he needed."

Keith looked up at his father, securing a box in his arms with "KITCHEN" wrote on it crudely in black marker.

Thace was a tall muscular man, skin a little lighter than Keith's, with bluey grey eyes and black hair spiked into what Keith classed as a "Wolverine" hairstyle. He looked somewhat intimidating, possibly due to the fact he served in the forces and had that scary military look about him.

But really, how could you find a man scary when he was wearing black crocks, ripped faded jeans and a white t-shirt with "DILF (Dedicated, involved, loving father)" printed across it.

Keith was the complete opposite of his dad. He was short with jet black hair in a small ponytail. He sported black eyeliner and purple contacts along with black skinny jeans and a black t-shirt with "AC/DC Back in Black" printed across it in bold text, the only bit of colour in his outfit were his boot like converse that were a bright red.

"Are you trying to embarrass me? And you do realise that's not what it means… Like at all." Keith replied, ignoring the question and gesturing at his father's t-shirt. He checked the number on his key. Flat 3. Least it wasn't too far. First floor, so that was a bonus.

Keith seemed to blank out his dad as he scanned the doors, he only seemed to stop once he realised Thace was no longer near him.

"Fuck… Where's he gone?" Keith huffed, scanning around almost frantically before spotting him talking to a tall boy with black hair with a white tuff at the front. The boy had a scar across his nose, a white shirt and dark blue jeans with a black checked shirt wrapped around his waist and what looked like combat boots. The thing that drew Keith's attention the most was the guy's prosthetic arm, damn that must have sucked.

Did he go here? How did his dad know him?

Thace seemed to look over pointing at Keith, causing the tall boy to glance and say something. Ok that was it, he was going over before he-wait. Shit, he was rummaging through his wallet.

Keith grumbled and rushed over.

"-And here he is… Keith, Shiro… Shiro, Keith. Shiro used to serve too. He's studying Psychotherapy now. He's in his last year."

So that's how his dad had easily struck up a conversation with this guy.

"Hey its nice to meet you. He wouldn't shut up about you." Shiro said with a friendly smile.

"You're gonna show him the bowl cut picture aren't you?" Keith muttered to his dad grabbing the bag from him. "On that note… I'm leaving. Nice meeting you Shiro."

Keith growled and seemed to rush off to his flat number, struggling for a several minutes to put the key in and open the door. But finally, in the end he managed and kicked the door open gently, walking in with his limited supplies.

The moment he entered, he seemed to hear someone singing Toto's Africa chorus off key, along with someone else saying something along the lines of "Aren't you "blessing" it with too much?"

"Nah Hunk… The Vodka adds flavour," the voice that had been singing replied.

"There's flavour, then there's just drowning the cookie mix in alcohol," the one called Hunk added.

Keith raised a brow, slowly walking forward until he saw the people behind the voices now pouring cookie mix into what looked a tray for cupcakes.

One was a heavy set guy, dark skinned with a orange band around his head tied over dark brown hair. He wore a baggy red shirt and green shorts, Keith couldn't see much of a pattern on either from his view but he knew the guy probably had a Steven Universe t-shirt on. He could see half of a "Cookie Cat".

Then he spotted the off key singer, still singing Africa but into a wooden spoon. He was lanky and had olive skin, a baseball shirt with blue sleeves that said "I didn't choose the dank meme life , the dank meme life chose me." and tight blue jeans. Honestly he was attractive and Keith couldn't help but blush slightly.

Keith seemed to stare at the pair as "dank meme" boy danced around still singing until Hunk noticed Keith and jabbed his friend.

"Er… Lance… Someone's here," Hunk said, gesturing at Keith.

Keith blinked a few times, awkwardly standing there before offering a somewhat weak smile.

"Hey I'm Keith," he replied, struggling to hold his box of kitchen supplies.

Lance seemed to scan Keith for a moment, making him a little uncomfortable before speaking.

"Hey roomie. Name's Lance, that's Hunk." he gestured to the big guy and smiled.

Keith awkwardly tried to wave, panicking as he almost dropped the box. He sighed and slowly headed to the closest counter, placing it there for a moment.

He walked over to them moments later.

"Jeez you're arriving late aren't you? Classes start today and you're just pulling in," Lance said raising a brow.

"I was delayed in getting… things sorted." Keith replied, not really wanting to go into it. Instead he changed the subject, "why vodka cookies?" he asked raising a brow.

"Boredom and curiosity mostly," Hunk replied causing Keith to snort.

Lance seemed to look at Keith again as Hunk kept an eye on the cookies as they cooked. Lance noticed that "Hot Topic" (well he'd never actually call him that yet) only had one bag, how would he survive with so little? Lance himself had brought enough stuff to fill a medium sized people carrier.

"Keith… You sure you don't need more than just one bag?"

Keith rolled his eyes and smirked slightly.

"You sound like my dad and no I've got ev-" Keith seemed to pause rather abruptly as he heard the door open, he swallowed and turned his head to see his dad. "Speak of the devil," he muttered quietly.

"You managed alone? Are you sure you haven't forgot anything?" Thace asked Keith who shook his head.

"No I'm fine. Please don't come in and embarrass me."

Lance and Hunk seemed to stare between Keith and his dad, doing a few double takes until Keith walked over and the man gave him a hug with a one arm.

"Socialise, ok?" Thace muttered before finally leaving.

"What the fuck!" Lance cried as the door shut, causing Keith to turn around.

"What?"

"That's your dad! He's so-"

"Big? Scary? Nah he just looks it. He's pretty much a big loser honestly," Keith replied with a smirk.

After explaining a little more about his dad and making his roommates laugh, he noticed the time; his classes would be starting soon. Reluctantly, Keith grabbed one of the vodka cookies once they was done and headed on his way.

The cookie was terrible. It was more vodka than cookie and extremely mushy. He'd never really enjoyed alcohol so he wasn't surprised he didn't enjoy the cookie. Hopefully there wasn't enough vodka in each to actually make him drunk, what a wonderful first day that would be. Not.

Keith yawned, stretching as he made his way back to the flat. It was lunch break and his body was feeling a little drained already. At least his roommates were ok, they wasn't tools and they didn't bully him so it was a start.

He thought about what he could eat. He could just rummage through his bag and put the pop tarts he brought in the toaster and have that to keep him going before his next class. He'd eat lunch a little later.

Keith slumped, opening the door and walking into the flat. He rummaged through his bag and grabbed the pop tarts before he finally noticed a small girl on the counter with a screwdriver against the toaster.

Light brown hair pushed back by thick oversized glasses, green shorts and a black oversized t-shirt with "they're out there." across it, maybe she was a fellow conspiracy theorist like himself. Her brown eyes didn't even look up at him, completely fixed on the toaster.

"That's Katie, everyone just calls her Pidge." Lance suddenly said startling Keith. Where had he come from? Was he staring at him? Blushing even? Or had he drank some of the leftover vodka?

"She's a kid, she doesn't look old enough to be here…" Keith replied, rubbing his neck awkwardly. "What's she studying?"

Pidge opened her mouth to reply but Lance interrupted.

"Computer science," Pidge frowned at him then returned to the toaster. Lance continued to speak as if she wasn't in the room with them, "She's a child genius. Maybe she's on some sort of like programme, like skipped straight to uni. I don't know, she doesn't speak to me much, just destroys the toaster!" he emphasized the last part causing the young teenager to look up and scowl.

"Don't use the toaster. There's like a chance it'll blow up your food." Lance added.

"Fuck you. It only blew something up once," Pidge finally spoke.

Lance flipped her off and looked back at Keith, noticing the pop tarts in his hand.

"Don't tell me you were gonna have those for lunch." he muttered, folding his arms, waiting for an answer but all he got was a blank stare followed by a sheepish smile.

Lance grumbled and unfolded his arms. Grabbing Keith's hand, he dragged him towards the door. Keith was sure for a moment he felt his heart stop and was almost positive that Lance was tipsy.

"Where are we going?" Keith asked after he was dragged out of the door.

"Store. You're not having pop tarts for lunch you quiznak." Lance grumbled causing Keith to laugh a little. He'd never been called a fuck like that before.

After that there was silence between them until they reached the shop.

"So where are you from?" Lance asked, catching Keith off guard.

"Japan originally. Moved to Korea when I was five with my parents," he replied as he grabbed a basket and scanned the shelves.

"You know any?"

He nodded, "I know a bit." he said in Korean before translating it to the tipsy grinning Lance.

"It's been a while so it's probably rusty but I can understand Korean, fluently." Keith stated. "What about you, where are you from?"

"Cuba, and yeah I can speak Spanish fully." Lance added proudly as he grabbed some Ramen off the shelf and tossed them in the basket then dragged Keith into the next aisle, grabbing several cans of fizzy drinks, several different brands of coffee, followed by an unhealthy amount of junk food.

The trip took longer than expected, but thankfully they made it back just in time to enjoy their ramen before class.

"So what are you into? Anime?… Manga?… Video games?…" Lance trailed off.

"Never actually watched animes, read Mangas, but I'm more of a conspiracy theorist myself." Keith sighed, taking a fork full of noodles and ramming it in his mouth.

"You've never seen Cowboy Bebop? Tokyo Ghoul? Ok I'm gonna change that," he paused for a moment, laughing a little. "Conspiracy theories? Like Bigfoot? Aliens? All that? I think Pidge is really gonna get on with you."

Keith blushed and nodded. Lance wasn't taking the piss out of him right?

"Yeah, I've liked them since I was a kid." He took another mouthful of noodles and swallowed.

After that the conversation continued, going between "how the moon landing was faked" to "How badass Spike Spiegel was" both seeming somewhat interested in the others topic, until the noodles were gone and both had classes that'd start in a few minutes.

Surprisingly, both had class together; Lance was doing Aviation Management, while Keith was on a Aviation Studies course. It made sense they'd have some classes together. Thankfully, Lance had sobered up rather quickly, singing Tank from Cowboy Bebop the whole way there, in key this time, as he walked with Keith. Keith didn't mind honestly, it was strangely cute in its own way.

Class was a drag. He practically rushed out when it was over, Lance following closely behind.

"So any other roommates I should know about?" Keith piped up.

"Well you saw Hunk… He studies Mechanical Engineering and has a job, so you might only see him randomly, Pidge you'll find in random places… Then there's Shiro and Allura, the oldest ones here; he's 25 and she's 23. We jokingly call him dad and he hates it… They're dating so you might accidentally walk in on a make out session at some point, we all have…" Lance shuddered, looking over at Keith who was removing the elastic band from his hair.

Lance watched as his hair fell and seemed to stare a little before frowning. Sure it was cute but it wasn't the 80's.

"You have a mullet? Seriously? The eighties called they want their hair back."

"Oh fuck you," Keith muttered, glaring daggers. If looks could kill, Lance was sure he'd be dead by now. It seemed to be a touchy subject for Keith and Lance didn't want to pry just yet.

Lance sighed and changed the subject quickly.

"You're gonna love Allura. She's the only British one in our flat, ironic since we're in the uk I know but still. International students gotta stick together, am I right?" When Keith didn't respond, Lance continued regardless, "Anyway, she looks like a model and she's on the fashion course. She does Textiles I think or something like that… She's honestly really hot, I think you'll agree when you see her."

"Er…Keith didn't really want to be having this conversation now, but it was better sooner rather than later right? "I'm not interested in girls," he replied eventually, gaining a surprised "Oh." from Lance.

"…That's not a problem is it?" Keith asked, biting his lip, eyes darting nervously. From that look alone, Lance could tell Keith had probably dealt with people who did have a problem with his sexuality before.

"That you're gay? No dude it's fine. I'm bi so why would it bother me?" Lance replied, smiling a little. "It's no sweat, everyone else will be cool with it. Don't worry."

Keith swallowed audibly, seeming to slow down until Lance put an arm around him and he tensed.

"I swear they're the coolest people ever. They're not gonna judge you dude, I swear." Lance said, walking with the now trembling Keith.

Keith's head said otherwise. His thoughts bubbled up with negativity, finally exploding like a volcano. His anxiety spiked, so many doubts and bad memories echoing around his head. It was all too much.

This was the one thing he didn't want to happen. Especially in front of one of his roommates, a guy he'd pretty much only just met several hours back.

His skin drained of colour and his body was visibly trembling, his breathing was extremely quick and panicky. He swallowed and gasped frequently like he was struggling to breath as his heart smashed over and over against his ribcage. He hiccuped and sniffed loudly as tears dribbled down his face.

Everything felt closed in and the sound of Lance's voice felt strange and far away for a few minutes. He felt weak and he knew he had to sit down.

This was embarrassing. Why was this happening?

He figured he could manage it pretty well but today something just snapped. Maybe it was due to the people he wasn't used to and the places and just everything, everything that was new and weird and not like home at all. Not that home was much like home anymore.

Lance was pretty sure at this point Keith probably had been bullied or something along those lines. Sure he'd probably fought back but still, something bad like that still stung a lot.

Of course, that wasn't the whole story behind it, but that didn't mean he couldn't help Keith.

Lance guided Keith to the flat and opened the door, peeking around to check no one else was around. Once the coast was clear, he walked in with Keith, sitting him on the couch. Lance could tell the teenager was embarrassed and honestly, if it had been him, he wouldn't want an audience either.

"Ok… Just breath. Take deep breaths. I'll get some water. Just, er… try and focus on breathing, you're safe I swear," Lance said getting up and quickly grabbing a cold bottle out of the fridge, rushing back to give it to Keith.

Keith seemed to guzzle it, drinking half the bottle, then stopping and taking a few deep breaths. He sniffed and rubbed at his eyes, getting eyeliner on the back of his hand as he did.

He froze as Lance dragged him into a hug, but felt too exhausted to protest or even move.

"You looked like you needed one," Lance muttered, looking down at him. He didn't want him to budge honestly, not after having a panic attack like that. At least if he was here he could make sure the guy was okay.

Keith sniffed, rubbing at his eyes and taking another drink, resting against Lance's chest.

"You complain if I snuggle on the couch," a voice announced and Keith recognised it as Shiro's but he was too tired to react, let alone move.

Shiro walked around the counter and Lance scowled.

"This is different, gilipolla. Don't be an ass Shiro." Lance huffed, looking at Keith as he stared up blankly at Shiro.

"Oh? Thace's son… Keith? He's our new roommate?" Shiro asked and Lance nodded.

"Yeah he's our roommate. And we're in the middle of something."

"Cuddling? Cause it looks like that," Shiro replied.

"Fuck off, something happened. I'm helping him through it," Lance grumbled.

"Panic attack?"

Lance raised a brow, confused. How did he guess that?

"Er, yeah… How did you-"

"Thace said he has them. Plus I know the feeling, kinda." Shiro muttered, raising his prosthetic arm, "PDST." Keith didn't even reply , just clung to Lance and stare around in an exhausted state.

Why hadn't Keith said anything about his panic attacks? Maybe he figured it wouldn't happen if he was lucky or he could hide somewhere when they did. Lance didn't want him doing that honestly. Dealing with stuff like that was bad enough, but dealing with it on your own? Lance couldn't even imagine what that must be like.

They talked a little longer and Keith dozed off against Lance.

After a few hours he was awoken by an unfamiliar voice. He blinked and looked up at Lance who was fast asleep, then focused his eyes to find an unfamiliar face right in front of him.

He screamed and woke Lance. The lanky teen huffed and sat up.

"Allura did you scare him?" Lance grumbled, looking at the dark skinned female.

Her hair was long, silver and wavy, eyes as blue as the ocean. She wore a pastel blue floaty dress and - yep Lance was right - she looked like a model.

"I didn't mean to. I was just wondering why you was asleep together on the couch," she replied with a soft British accent.

Keith rubbed his eyes and sat up, panicking slightly as he checked the clock. 7:30pm, well that wasn't too bad.

"Er..." he blinked and yawned looking at her. She seemed nice honestly.

"Keith is it?" she asked, and he nodded, unsure on what to say. Lance laughed, and oh gosh his laugh. It was a warm, sweet laugh and honestly Keith would be lying if he said he didn't gasp softly. Thankfully, Lance didn't seem to notice.

"I'm Allura," she chirped happily and he smiled.

"Lance told me about you and Shiro," he replied with another yawn. How could he still be tired?

Allura scowled at the olive skinned male, who grinned back in response.

"Hey I've got an idea, but first I really need food." Lance pipped up, his stomach growling loudly making Allura roll her eyes.

"Good news for you, Shiro's cooking for us all again. It's almost done."

"So that's what the burning smell was," Lance joked, sitting up on his knees and spinning round so he was sat backwards on the sofa. One of the many advantages of having the living room and kitchen in the same space was that you could just look over the counter to check on food.

The way Lance was sat up, legs straight from the knees up and leaning over the top of the sofa onto the counter, meant that Keith could admire his ass. Sure it was kinda flat, but still…

Keith blushed and decided to talk to Allura to distract him.

"Is it always like this?" Keith asked her, motioning to Hunk and Pidge camping out in the corner of the kitchen, seeming to have a similar idea to Lance.

Allura giggled and nodded, "Pretty much. Shiro hates it, but he always makes enough for us all regardless."

Dinner was a rather big seafood paella and honestly it was amazing.

Shiro acted almost dad like during the whole meal.

Lance had leaned back in his chair and had his feet on the table at some point. This earnt him a stern telling off by Shiro which made Keith laugh, well snort, and it looked like Lance had stopped functioning when it happened too.

Pidge had flicked a prawn at Lance and it had started a mini food fight, which Lance tried to end by catching the food in his mouth. It ended in a telling off by "dad" Shiro, and again Keith was trying not to laugh too much and failing.

Honestly, this was just what he needed after… earlier. It was a good distraction.

Once they had finished Lance placed his feet back on the table and leaned back, closing his eyes. He said it made him feel comfortable, honestly Keith figured it was just something to piss Shiro off.

Lance opened an eye and spoke up after a few moments.

"You know what would be a good bonding exercise? A night out." Lance suggested, the others agreeing before he finally looked at Keith. "What do you say?" He lowered his voice slightly, "Think you'll be up to it after y'know…"

"Er sure sounds good," he replied with a smile. Honestly, he couldn't say he'd ever been out in a group before. Not to mention it would be another good distraction.

"But first how about a little drinking game?" Lance added with a smirk.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Chap 2:

The drinking game Lance had suggested was Beer Pong, and whilst Keith was familiar with it, he'd never actually played. He'd seen it being played in films and it looked easy enough. The pong part looked fun, the drinking part… not so much.

“Ok we're gonna play it different than normal cause there's too many of us. You throw and you have to drink the contents of whichever cup you throw it in, ok?” Lance explained. Keith's stomach knotted up as he stared at the several plastic cups. Lance said no two drinks was the same which only caused more anxiety. He'd never drunk anything alcoholic before, he was completely sure he wouldn't like it or that he'd get tipsy straight off the bat - there was no way he'd have a natural tolerance. The only one who didn't get to suffer was Pidge, due to the fact she was under aged. She instead sipped a glass of orange juice and watched.

Her gaze seemed to focus on one cup in particular and Keith was unsure why. Maybe she knew something he didn't? Either way, it only made Keith all the more nervous. Lance was up first, sticking his tongue out when he aimed, then threw the ping pong ball. He seemed to lean forward until it landed in a cup, looking over nervously once it did. Keith wondered why Lance would be nervous; this was the guy he'd found making vodka cookies. Why would a simple game like this scare him? "What did it land in, dad?" he asked, looking at Shiro with a smirk. Keith snorted at the look of annoyance on Shiro's face then looked at Lance who seemed to be blushing and looking directly at Keith. Why was he blushing? "Shot of vodka… And stop calling me that." Shiro grumbled, handing the cup to Lance who downed it, shuddering as he did. Keith figured Lance would be able to manage it so him downing it wasn't much of a surprise. "Woo~! Ok Hunk, you next." Lance grabbed the ball out of his now empty cup, and then threw it at Hunk who caught it, rubbing it on his shirt to dry it off so it wasn't slippery. Hunk sighed and threw it, somewhat relieved when it just missed the cups entirely.

"Aw c'mon, Hunk. You didn't even try to aim," Lance complained.

"N-no, I did. I'm just bad at this game, you know I am, and I know you know I am." He also knew that there was a bad one in there somewhere, which he didn't want to get.

 Lance always put a bad drink in there.

If it wasn't something spicy it was something that was so strong it'd feel like it had been made in the depths of Hell. Allura was next. She looked cheery and confident, barely aiming as she threw. Her ball landed in a WKD fruit vodka mix which made Lance scoff and grumble. Then Shiro was up, he seemed to smirk at Lance who flipped him off as he threw. The ball bounced once, twice; and then promptly fell off the table only adding to Lance's smugness.

Keith backed up, letting Shiro go again, the older man wanting to regain his lost pride. This time it in ordinary whiskey which Shiro downed in one, staring Lance straight in the eyes, unblinking, as he did. Keith backed up again, insisting Hunk take another go.  He watched, twiddling his thumbs as the big guy aimed, and swallowed as he heard a sigh of relief from Hunk. He'd gotten beer.

Lance walked over to Keith as he watched the jet black haired teen let yet another person go before him, this time Allura.

“You just gonna keep letting the others go again?” he asked Keith with a smirk, who rubbed the back of his neck and swallowed.He gasped the moment Lance placed a hand on his back and patted him gently. Could he just stay in this moment a little longer?

“Don't be nervous. It's just a drinking game. Nothing bad’s gonna happen, I swear.” After that, Keith walked up the table, looking somewhat nervous, but determined as he threw the ball. He could see Lance and Pidge staring at him and that only made it worse. Why was he so jittery? It was just a normal drinking game, right? That's what Lance had said. The ball landed in a cup causing Lance to cheer, then smirk, and Pidge to pipe up with a "Be prepared." What did she mean by that? Ok that made him a little bit more nervous as he watched Lance grab the cup. "Fireball whiskey~...Have fun," he joked, handing the cup over. Fireball? That sounded like a nightmare drink already from the name alone. Did he really have to drink this? Keith stared at it blankly and pinched his nose, causing Lance to raise a brow. He had to drink this or he probably wouldn't live it down. "...Have you ever drank before? Ever been drunk?" Keith shook his head before trying to down the fireball whiskey only to cough a few times and pull a face. It was disgusting honestly and he'd gladly never touch it again. In fact, his throat was burning now, on fire even. Was that normal or not? Panic rising, he dashed off towards the kitchen sink. He quickly fumbled with the tap until the water was a nice ice cold and stuck his head under, drinking until it eased the depths of hell that was his throat. He might have been acting a tad dramatically but he didn't care. "What, Mr Emo and son of Big Tall Military man has never even had a proper drink in his life?" Lance chortled, knowing that anyone that had would definitely not act like that. "No wonder you haven't been drunk before; we're about to change that buddy. Get your coat on. We're all going out," he announced with a grin. Their night on the town was met with some delays. The first was the fact that Allura and Lance had decided to change before they left; and the second was Lance having to hunt for his wallet, but thankfully that didn't take too long. It also didn't take too long for them to reach the club's and bars. Lance scanned the names before dragging everyone into a nearby club. He'd loudly announced it was the best place to meet people.

This didn't seem like a positive thing to Keith. Surprisingly it wasn't as bad as he expected. Sure the music was so loud he could feel it vibrate through him, but still not as bad as he thought it would be. He'd been to concerts that were louder. Lance and Allura made their way to the dance floor immediately, Allura dragging Shiro along with her with a giggle. Keith meanwhile headed over into a booth a little bit away from the pounding bass music. He didn't dance, he struggled to socialise, the quite frankly the bright lights were hurting his head; so he'd just quietly sit there and have fun his own way. Hunk had followed, asking Keith what he wanted and ordering them both a drink after Keith had glanced quickly at the drinks menu on the table. Hunk seemed reluctant, warning Keith about his drink choice but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. If only Keith knew how badly he was going to screw himself over. "Club not your thing?" Hunk asked once their drinks came, causing Keith to look up. "That obvious?" Keith replied as he stirred up his cocktail. As soon as he'd seen the name Zombie cocktail, Keith had picked it out, he'd  be lying if name alone wasn't enough for him to want to get it. "I feel you man. I hate the trashy dance music they play in here. It's way too loud but Lance likes it," Hunk said leaning in and raising his voice above a shout so Keith could hear him. Hunk meanwhile just had a plain cider drink which he took a sip of before continuing. "Pretty sure everyone could see how nervous you were," he paused and smiled a little. "It's gonna be great. But..Isn't that cocktail a little too much for you?..You've never drank before." "I think I'll manage," Keith muttered ready to take a drink before Lance came over interrupting him mid-sip. He was singing something but with the roar of the music Keith had no idea what. The olive skinned teen had a blue umbrella topped drink in one hand and a pitcher of something that was clear and fruity in his other. It was probably vodka. Was vodka like his favourite drink or something? He took a drink of the margarita before leaning over the table so they could hear him, slight redness in his face. He was probably already tipsy. "Zombie?" he asked glancing at Keith's drink. "You're gonna fuck yourself over big time." Lance laughed a little.  "You're gonna be gone before the next song comes on." Keith blinked for a moment as Lance scooted into the booth next to him making him blush. Why did he have to be so close. Their legs was practically touching and Keith could feel his face getting hotter and hotter. Lance placed the pitcher in the middle of the table causing Hunk to pull a face and push it to the side. He wasn't drinking that crap. "I mean you've never drank before. This cocktail is gonna kill you," Lance paused noticing some panic in Keith's eyes. "Not literally, mullet. You've have to drink about..." Lance frowned and started counting on his fingers. "Five? Six? A lot of these. One after the other." Keith had been half expecting Lance to chant chug honesty, but he was surprised he'd got a warning off him over his drink. Granted what idiot would chant chug over a cocktail? "Dad probably won't be happy when he finds out about this." Lance muttered and Hunk agreed. Lance looked over at Shiro who was dancing with Allura, his hands on her waist. "$30 says they're gonna bang later," he muttered, Hunk raising a brow. "...Why would you bet that?" Hunk asked and Lance laughed. "Shiro's gonna kill you if he hears you calling him that. Or if he knows you're betting on his sex life." Keith laughed, looking down at his drink. He wasn't sure if it was sheer stupidity or rebellion but he decided to drink it.

It hit him instantly. The last thing he recalls after that moment is somewhat distressed no's as he tries to drink as much as he can before Hunk could pry the glass from his hand.

What idiot chugs a cocktail? This idiot.

Keith figured he'd done it to forget a few things for a while. It hadn't been a great year so honestly something like this was a Godsend.

The next thing he remembers is being dragged up onto the dance floor his vision is blurry but he thinks it's Allura. He smiled and danced with her for a while.  Honestly something he wouldn't even think of attempting sober.

After a maybe an hour (he's not sure) he's dragged away by Lance and he danced with him, well it was more of he stared at Lance's hips move to the rhythm and tried  not to get an erection something almost impossible as the olive skinned teen continued.

He placed a hand against Lance's waist gently as the music changed but he's stopped as Lance spots an attractive girl and went to dance with her along with tried to chat her up. Emphasis on tried.

Keith felt jealousy surge higher and higher as he watched the female practically grind against Lance's junk. The nerve of some people. He didn't even know her and he already strongly disliked her.

He gritted his teeth and continued to watch until it was too much and he stormed over. He grabbed Lance's arm and dragged him away getting an annoyed "what the fuck!" from Lance as he made him spill his drink and takes him away from the girl.

Keith grabbed Lance's shirt hearing the boy complain about how he was gonna stretch out the fabric before he dragged him into a deep kiss quickly silencing him. Lance dropped his glass in surprise and was ready to return the kiss. But then something forcefully dragged them apart.

He'd blacked out after that, a big gap in his memory as he had a pint of water being pushed in his hands. His vision was blurry and he tried to speak but honestly he was too drunk to even form a sentence.

"Drink it." a stern voice said. Shiro.  When did he get here?

Keith blinked and took a sip , the whole room spinning as he did. He was still in the club.

Shiro didn't look too happy and it only changed to worry the moment Keith stood up in the booth almost falling, placing his hands against Shiro's chest to stop himself.

Shiro grabbed Keith and the drunken teenager looked up at him,face red thanks to the drink. He could see a strange mix of worry, anger and concern mixed on his face.

"Bathroom...D-Dad." he slurred out causing Lance to laugh as Shiro huffed at the name. He wouldn't complain about it now and he definitely wasn't letting Keith go there alone.

"Lance. Go with him."  he said looking over at Lance who seemed to protest. Shiro helped the teen out of the booth and walked him over to Lance who pulled a face.

"Fine." he huffed, placing an arm around Keith and guiding him there. Lance had a drink in his other hand and took a drink before opening the door and guiding Keith into the bathroom.

Lance was drunk too, though he wasn't as bad as Keith who pretty much couldn't stand up straight at this point. Lance had figured Keith would be a lightweight but the beer pong before probably hadn't helped either.

Lance seemed to ask Keith something maybe along the lines of "do you feel sick?" but he didn't even register it. Keith just stared blankly causing Lance to grumble and mutter something along the lines of "You better not throw up on me."

Keith leaned in and kissed him and whilst it surprised Lance, he returned it eagerly. Keith wrapped his arms around him supporting himself. He probably shouldn't be doing this. They was still getting to know each other. It was too early for this right?

Then another blank spot in his memory. He was back at the booth with Lance next to him. Both of them being scolded by Shiro. He could taste vomit strongly in his mouth and it made him gag which Lance squirmed at almost screaming "Not again."

Keith looked over at Lance noticing a big stain on the teen's shirt. He figured he'd threw up on him but honestly he couldn't remember.

"I sent you in there to look after him, to make sure he didn't fall or get taken advantage of. So why do I go in there to find you making out with him!" Shiro growled.

"He kissed me first..Then it just..Happened..Then he threw up on me after he saw you..." Lance muttered with a pout , pouring himself a drink from a fruit scented colourful pitcher. He sighed and took a drink. "You owe me a new shirt by the way mullet" he grumbled poking Keith's cheek who tried and failed to swat his finger away.

"He's drunk...You should have been lo-"

"I'm drunk too.."Lance replied with a huff. It was hard to believe considering he barely slurred and his face was barely red.

"Why did you let him order a cocktail!" Shiro hissed folding his arms. So someone had told him?

"I didn't. I wasn't even there. Hunk was." Lance replied taking another drink glancing at Keith who took a sip of water hoping it'd help with the vomit taste.

Shiro glared and looked over at Hunk who took  a drink of whiskey and coke and gulped.

"I tried warning him Shiro. He wouldn't listen." Hunk replied with a sigh. "We both tried."

"Thace is gonna kill me when he finds out." Shiro muttered holding his head.

It was after this point where Keith's memory is completely blank. He doesn't remember leaving the club or going back to flat. He just knows his mouth tastes like vomit and his whole body hurts and for some reason his hair is slightly damp. He doesn't know why.

He opened his eyes with a groan, feeling a pounding in his head as he did. First thing he spotted was an empty bucket on the floor with string around the handle and figured he's probably walked into his room and had it booby trapped with the a bucket of water waiting to land on him as he opened the door.

Except that thought completely vanished when he looked around the room. This wasn't his room. He just knew. Judging by the space posters and cork board filled with family photos he knew this was someone else's room but he wasn't sure who's.

Keith began to panic, feeling an arm drop against him only made him panic more. Was this real? Who's room was he in?

He stared at the arm and paled, quickly getting up and rushing into the bathroom as his hangover took control. Pale hands gripped onto the bowl and he heaved, panicking as he heard footsteps coming closer.

After a few moments, he felt a breeze and then something fluffy what he recognised as a blanket, draped around his shoulders. He slowly stood, stumbling when he realised he was naked and quickly tugged the blanket around himself and turned around jumping as he did.

"You ok?" It was Lance. His arm was around him before and Keith was in his room. Technically his bathroom now.

Keith froze , staring at Lance, he was wearing a blue and gold bathrobe to Keith's relief. Keith hunched and Lance noticed, his brows knitting together as Keith's face scrunched up. No please not that. Lance didn't want him to start crying. He'd feel awful if he did.

"Hey er...Just come here. I'll explain what I remember ok? Just please...Don't cry." he said grabbing Keith's arm and dragging him back into the bedroom. Lance sighed and paced explaining what he remembered ,  the kiss on the dance floor, the bathroom make out which made Keith groan and cover his blushing face.

Then he explained what Keith didn't know.

"We all came back..Shiro and Allura went to his room and you came with me...We stumbled in and it turned out Pidge booby trapped the room so that was fun..Getting soaked." he paused looking at Keith and smiled nervously. He should just get to it.

"Er..We..Kissed...Clothes came off...And you can probably guess what happened next..." Lance rubbed his head and smiled weakly heading over to the other teen, putting an arm around him and bringing him into a hug.

"I'm not complaining though...Just so you know it doesn't make things weird between us...Well it doesn't for me..."  Lance said giving Keith a little squeeze.

He seemed to relax in the hold resting a hand against Lance's chest. He noticed his arms  and legs was littered with bruising he figured he'd probably fell a lot and bumped into things.

"It doesn't for me either." Keith muttered  looking up at Lance. He was blushing and Keith couldn't help but smile.

Lance got up after a few minutes grabbing something off the floor and throwing it against Keith's arm.

"Put your boxers on. Not everyone wants to see your dick." Lance called out laughing a little.

Keith blushed and quickly stood, putting the red boxers on whilst trying to keep the blanket around himself at the same time which was impossible.

Afterwards he stumbled out of Lance's room, blanket tightly around his body. Lance followed closely behind in just a pair of blue boxers with Marvel characters littered across them.

Keith winced at the light, tugging the blanket over his head to form a hood. He noticed Pidge on the counter fiddling with the toaster again and then Hunk sat on the couch talking with her.

He then noticed that Shiro was cooking and Allura had her arms snaked around his waist saying something to him that was making him laugh.

"Soo how was last night?" Pidge piped up with a smirk causing everyone to turn around and look. Keith could feel his face heat up and Lance huffed ,folding his arms.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Lance replied heading over to the couch and sitting down next to Hunk.

"It was a tie between you four who made the most noise." Hunk said looking at Lance and Keith , then Shiro and Allura.

"Hunk." Shiro grumbled before rolling his eyes.

Keith seemed to awkwardly wonder around somewhat embarrassed until Lance dragged him onto the couch and onto his lap. He was sure he squeaked almost as it happened.

Allura smiled a little nudging Shiro.

"Look how adorable they are." she said smiling at the pair.

He sighed but he had to agree. If was almost like they was dating even though they wasn't. It was too soon honestly for them to be.

Lance wrapped his arms around the blanket bundle that was Keith, muttering something about him making him warm.

"Do you have class today?" Lance asked and Keith looked at him, nodding.

"Do you wanna stay here?"

"Yeah...I don't think I can face today."  Keith muttered smiling up at him.  He rested his head against Lance and heard two audible "awws" causing him to blush. One from Allura and the other Hunk.

Lance leaned in whispering to Keith so quietly the others couldn't hear.

"Me gustas." he whispered with a smile laughing at the surprised look on Keith's face. He seemed to understand that.  He did say something one day before class about moving around from country to country thanks to his dad.

Keith watched him, laughing slightly. It was breathy and honestly Lance found it adorable.

"I like you too, You quiznak." he whispered with a smile.

By lunch everyone except Keith and Lance had left. The pair just lied around in their boxers getting to know each other.  Keith learned Lance had a huge family along with a dog called Bilbo Waggins and he'd be lying if he said that didn't make him laugh and a parrot called Eggolas and by names alone Keith figured Lance liked Lord of the rings.

Meanwhile Lance learned Keith just lived with his dad, Keith didn't say anything about a mother, he avoided talking about it completely. He learned Keith had a macaw that was mostly red called Skittles.

After that Lance had set his laptop up to the TV and the pair had curled up watching the full season of Cowboy Bebop. Lance cried at the end a lot and Keith rolled his  eyes putting an arm around him. Keith had to admit he enjoyed the anime honestly and being around Lance so long.

"Gets me every time." Lance sniffed rubbing at his eyes.

"I admit it was good." Keith said giving him a little squeeze. He blushed and swallowed looking at Lance before speaking again.

"So..What's next?.." Keith asked leaving Lance confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Like where do we go from here?..Are we just friends?..Or like friends with benefits...Or like are we something more?" Keith asked.

[iikxreaboo-blog]

It Was You // Pt. 1

Hello~. It is Admin Hui with a Seokmin fluff/angst. This precious baby is

wrecking me. ♥

Genre : Fluff/Slight Angst

Word count : 1797

Also, today is 3/13/17, which is practically 3 units, 13 members, and 1 team make 17. heh.

You were all over the place in search for that damn jacket. Much to your surprise, your phone began ringing all the way on the other side of your apartment. Dashing over, forgetting whatever jacket you were looking for, you quickly answered the phone.

"Hello?" You said quickly, leaning your head against your shoulder with the phone in between, balancing it as you scavenged through your pile of dirty clothing.

“(Y/N)-Ah..” You hear a low voice, and although you didn't see the caller, you knew it was Seokmin.

“Seokminnie.. your voice is..” Deep, sexy, low. You wanted to finish the sentence, but knew better than that. He must've waken up recently, his voice was husky and deep from sleep.

“What? I barely just woke up. Is it okay? I don't want Seolhyun to reject me.” Seokmin sounds slightly worried, though you know he's only teasing.

“It's fine. I'm almost heading to school. I just need to find my jacket..” You trail off, trying to recall the most recent place that the outerwear could've been.

“Well, I'm almost there!” Seokmin calls into the phone, but before you can protest he already clicks off.

“Dammit..” you mutter, and soon you hear the front door open.

“(Y/N).. Is this the jacket you've been looking for?” Seokmin calls, walking over to your room. The instant you see the jacket and him, you swell with happiness.

“Ahh.. thank you..” You take the jacket from him, lightly grazing his fingers. Even that small sensation left flames on your finger. You hated that you liked him, but you despise that he only saught Seolhyun.

“Let's get going.. I'm so worried..” Seokmin started while you zipped up the jacket. Grabbing your bag, you scoffed lightly.

“I wouldn't be worried. You're one of a kind.. plus I think she'll like your voice regardless..” You say, masking your disappointment and jealousy with happiness and support. Seolhyun was pretty, talented, and kind. It was no surprise that he liked her, especially since she was known for being silly.

“You think so? Thanks for helping me, (Y/N). It seems like there's no one else who could help me like you can.” He replies with a sweet smile, and you feel your heart pound against your ribcage from the gesture. During the walk, all Seokmin can talk about is Seolhyun and how he can't wait to confess to her. With every compliment, every mention, dread along with jealousy burrow deeper into your heart. Soon, you both arrived to the school. After school, you would have to go work at your mother's cafe, one that's been running for at least ten years. It was popular by the elders, parents, and students.

“Go get her..” You say, trying to be as enthusiastic and supportive as possible.

“Wouldn't do it without you.” Seokmin shoots a wink, his hair done up like it usually was. Yet, today, it seemed more sleek, prominent, and black. You rolled your eyes, smiling so he knew it was a small joke. His laugh rings like small bells in your head, but soon, he is gone.

~

The beginning of the school day passes like a blur, only with Seokmin and his confession to Seolhyun in mind, but soon, it is lunch time. The time in which Seokmin would confess to Seolhyun right in the center of the cafeteria. You dreaded the moment, seeing him with flowers in hand, a big grin plastered on his face though the signs of worry was evident in his glittery eyes.

There she was.

Seolhyun, long, straight black hair, beautiful milky skin and a sweet smile. But, you had always thought there was something behind those white teeth and pink nails. However, you shook off the thought, trying to rid of any negative feelings towards her. Seokmin liked her, that was that.

“Kim Seolhyun..” You hear Seokmin start on the microphone, his pearl-like teeth glistening with his attractive smile. Instantly, she looks over, and sees Seokmin on the microphone. You didn't want to seem creepy, glaring and analyzing her every move, but..

What if you changed yourself to be like her? Would that mean that Seokmin would like you?

You considered the thought as the silence pursued in the cafeteria, but you see Seokmin sigh gently, and look at her. He didn't even spare you a glance, though you were seated practically in front of him.

Soft music starts, and you chuckle. Of course, Seokmin would sing. His voice could replace an angel's, and was so soft.. so sweet.. Oh, how you'd do anything to be in Seolhyun's place..

“Neoui saenggakhaneun modeun ge, naui modeun geot i doel su itdorok. Nal bwajwo and be my lady, You’re my twenties

(Everything you think of Will become all of me Look at me and be my lady You’re my twenties )”

He ends with a gentle note, and Seolhyun runs up to him, hugging him tightly. She kisses his cheek, and the cafe blasts in applause. You bitterly clap, but the second – instant – he looks over, you plaster the fakest smile you could muster.

Without notice, you just stand and walk out, not worrying about the people looking at you nor anyone calling for you.

~ You walked – no, ran – home, eager to just get to work and see your mother. Of course, you couldn't tell her about Seokmin confessing to another girl. It would break her heart more than it did yours.

You remove all of your school clothing, and quickly grab at your cafe uniform. It was simple, but pretty. A light grey skirt and dress shirt, with a mint green tie along with mint green converse. There also was a hat, but you were freed from having to wear such. You let your hair sit down, pulling it into a messy braid.. one that you would pull apart by the time you were an hour into work.

You didn't take much else, only wrapped the jacket around your waist, just in case. You strutted out of your roomy and comfortable apartment, head held high though your confidence was to the ground.

Since the cafe was barely two blocks away from your house, it was easy to get there at a nice stroll-like pace. When you opened the door, a small silver bell rung at the top of the door. The sound reminded you of Seokmin's laugh, but you instantly stopped thinking about him, instead greeting your mother.

You feel hands that aren't your mothers hold on your shoulders. Turning around questioningly, you see Seokmin's bright face.

And Seolhyun is next to him.

“Wow! Hey...” Seolhyun trails off, clueless as to what your name is.

“(Y/N).. I'm (Y/N). You know.. from music.” You stutter slightly, lightly flustered by the recent couple.

“I hope you don't mind that we came here. You know how much I love it here~.” Seokmin stares right into your eyes, and you try to hide the fact that you're slightly uncomfortable feeling Seolhyun's strong gaze on you.

“Well, I'll be happy to serve you. A seat for two is over there..” You politely gesture to a window seat, and Seokmin tilts his head in confusion.

“What's wrong?” He mouths, but you shake your head, smiling at him.

“I'll be right over.” You finish, turning on your heel and back into the kitchen.

~

“Two Americanos, a small fruit tart and sweet cream buns..” You mutter to yourself after serving Seokmin and Seolhyun. Seokmin held a concerned gaze on you, even reaching out to touch your arm. But, you had flinched away out of his grip, and out of Seolhyun's list as to who she thinks would get in the way of the relationship. She grins at you, but there's a tint of something else in her eyes. You got the message.

“Stay away from my boyfriend.”

You had finished the coffee, and worked on making the sweet cream buns. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the sweet aroma, and you pull out the set, placing them neatly on a shiny ceramic plate. You pull out another plate, setting the fruit tart topped with cream and various fruits, placing a small chocolate dip alongside the tart.

You told your co-worker, also, your pretty-close friend, Soonyoung, to grab the coffee while you took the food over. He sets down the coffee in front of them, and you take hold of the treats, setting them near the drinks.

“If there's anything else, please do not hesitate to call me over.” You smile, your voice sounding like a robot droning on. You turn to face the counter, but Seokmin's hand locks onto your wrist.

“Sit with us.” Seokmin says sweetly, scooting himself toward the window, patting the red cushion, waiting for you to sit.

“I cannot. The bread must be attended..” you say with sudden formality, and hurry behind the counter and to the employee's bathroom.

Closing the door and locking it,  you sit on the seat of the toilet, rubbing your temples. It has already only been like.. one or two hours. You still had three more to go, considering the fact that it was almost dark outside and a school night.

By the time you came out, the pair had left and a tip of twenty dollars was under the mug of coffee Seokmin had.

You pocketed it, but planned to return it to him the following day. Soon enough, the day was over, and you were pulling off your apron, getting ready to leave with your mother.

~

“You're just not.. good enough for me..” You hear Seokmin say, and your heart shatters.

“What do you mean?” You feel like you need to gasp for air, your head pounding so hard your vision blurs in a rapid pattern.

“Well, look at you.” Suddenly, his body morphs into a monster, a creature. You.

“Seokminnie.. don't do this to me.. please..” You plead, getting onto your knees and putting your hands onto his, but they are gone before you have the chance.

The scene changes, you're on a building. You turn and see Seokmin.. no, Seolhyun now, grinning at you evily.

“Fool.” She rolls her eyes, and before you know it, she shoves you right off the, 5? No, 10 story building.

Adrenaline rushes through you the last time, your breath hitched.

“10 Meters left.” A warning calls through your head.

“9..”

“8..” you glance down, the ground awfully close. While you are thinking, only one word from the warning voice is what you remember.

“Goodbye.”

~

[someonecallmymom]

1-100!!!

Ohhh you went back a lil, look at you sneaky lol1:Is there a boy/girl in your life? - Platonically yes, yes there is2:Think of the last person who hurt you; do you forgive them? - As much as I know I shouldn’t....yes3:What do you think of when you hear the word “meow?” - CHARLIE AND ANGEL4:What’s something you really want right now? - A hug from a specific person who I happen to be 500 miles away from right now5:Are you afraid of falling in love? - Last year I would have said no6:Do you like the beach? - Yesssss7:Have you ever slept on a couch with someone else? - GRETA8:What’s the background on your cell? - A ship because I like boats9:If someone came to your house weekly to do one chore for you, what chore would you have them do? - Dishes10:Do you like your phone? - Yes but I might need a new one soon11:Honestly, are things going the way you planned? - They weren’t for a few months, but now I’m changing that12:Who was the last person whose phone number you added to your contacts? - Campus Safety13:Would you rather have a poodle or a Rottweiler? rottweiler14:Which hurts the most, physical or emotional pain? - emotional. physical is temporary, emotions can scar for years15:Would you rather visit a zoo or an art museum? - art museum16:Are you tired? - always and never17:How long have you known your 1st phone contact? - since birth lol18:Are they a relative? - mooom!19:Would you ever consider getting back together with any of your exes? - Honestly.... no. There’s been a lot of thinking lately20:When did you last talk to the last person you shared a kiss with? - Few days ago21:If you knew you had the right person, would you marry them today? - If they were okay with it22:Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? - Prooooobably not23:How many bracelets do you have on your wrists right now? - One and I never take it off bc it’s very symbolic24:Is there a certain quote you live by? - There are a loooooot25:What’s on your mind? - My best friend26:Do you have any tattoos? - sharpie ones27:What is your favorite color? - any color you can pull out of the sky28:Next time you will kiss someone on the lips? - oh god who knows29:Who are you texting? - Evan :)30:Think to the last person you kissed, have you ever kissed them on a couch? - Mhmmmmmmmmm31:Have you ever had the feeling something bad was going to happen and you were right? - Oh boY YES32:Who is one person that you miss talking to, and why? - My friends from high school. They were literally my everything33:Do you think anyone has feelings for you? - Well if you ask me, no, if you ask my mother then yes34:Has anyone ever told you you have pretty eyes? - Yuppppp35:Say the last person you kissed was kissing someone right in front of you? - I literally would not care36:Were you single on Valentines Day? - Nopeeeeeee37:Are you friends with the last person you kissed? - Uhhhh yes? Kinda? I have a bad habit of avoiding exes38:What do your friends call you? - Alli, Gary, Squirrel, Shorty39:Has anyone upset you in the last week? - YESSSSSSS40:Have you ever cried over a text? - Ohhhh yup, both good and bad41:Where’s your last bruise located? - My head, im too tall for my bed and i hit my head every time i get up42:If you could take a roadtrip somewhere, where would you go and why? - philadelphia, because evan literally lives wicked close to there (FUN FACT THIS IS HAPPENING THIS SUMMER AND IM PUMPED)43:Last time you wanted to be away from somewhere really bad? - every time i step foot back on campus tbh44:Who was the last person you were on the phone with? - mom45:Do you have a favourite pair of shoes? - mhmmm :)46:Do you wear hats if your having a bad hair day? - beanies yes47:Would you ever go bald if it was the style? - nopeeeeee48:Do you make supper for your family? - not usually49:Does your bedroom have a door? - mhmmm50:Top 3 web-pages? - twitter, tumblr, and twitch51:Do you know anyone who hates shopping? - *raises hand*52:Does anything on your body hurt? - my heart on a daily basis53:Are goodbyes hard for you? - depends on what kind of goodbye54:What was the last beverage you spilled on yourself? - cream soda55:How is your hair? - overly dyed and a lil messy rn56:What do you usually do first in the morning? - snapchat evan bc moopboop57:Do you think two people can last forever? - absofuckinglutely58:Who has been your all-time favorite celebrity crush? - ohhhhh..... tough question59:Green or purple grapes? - umm theyre red but yeah that60:When’s the next time you will give someone a BIG hug? - JULY 20TH, 2017 AND IT WILL BE EVAN AND I WILL C R Y61:Do you wish you were somewhere else right now? - yes62:When will be the next time you text someone? - literally right now63:What is your favorite meal? - any portuguese food my mom makes64:What were you doing at 8 this morning. - laying in bed65:This time last year, can you remember who you liked? - lol i could tell you the name of the asshole too66:Is there one person in your life that can always make you smile? - Ev :)67:Did you kiss or hug anyone today? - Nopeeeee68:What was your last thought before you went to bed last night? - “Happy thoughts, look at the wall of quotes,, these people made you happy and continue to do so”69:Have you ever tried your hardest and then gotten disappointed in the end? - hahahah ayuuuuuuuuuup70: List your favorite Youtubers - Noochm. that is all71:If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you visit and why? - MIAMI IN MARCH BC ULTRA72:What is your ringtone? - the default thing73:How old are you? - 1874:Where is your Mum right now? - at home75:Why aren’t you with the person you were first in love with or almost in love? - BECAUSE HE WAS A DICK AND I LOST MY BEST FRIEND BECAUSE OF HIM76:Have you held hands with somebody in the past three days? - nope77:Are you friends with the people you were friends with two years ago? - yuppppppp :)78:Do you remember who you had a crush on in year 7? - YUP79:If you could choose anywhere in the world to live, where would you live and why? - Proooooobably in boston or Philadelphia, because of the history80:Have you ever fallen asleep in someones arms? - mhmmmmm81:How many people have you liked in the past three months? - uhmmm...... 3? 4?82:Has anyone seen you in your underwear in the last 3 days? - maybe my roomie idfk83:Will you talk to the person you like tonight? - lol who84:You’re drunk and yelling at hot guys/girls out of your car window, you’re with? - proooobably forced to be there by a few people i know on campus85:If your BF/GF was into drugs would you care? - y e s86:What was the most eventful thing that happened last time you went to see a movie? - fire alarm lol87:Who was your last received call from? - mom88:If someone gave you $1,000 to burn a butterfly over a candle, would you? - nopeeeeeee89:What is something you wish you had more of? - time and money90:Have you ever trusted someone too much? - yuuuuuuuuup91:Do you sleep with your window open? - not in this weather, but in the summer yes92:Do you get along with girls? - mooostly93:Are you keeping a secret from someone who needs to know the truth? - nope94:Does sex mean love? - it could95:You’re locked in a room with the last person you kissed, is that a problem? - for him? no. for me? yuuuuuuuuuuuuup96:What is your favorite book, and why? - rules by cynthia lord. fuckin love that thing man 97:Did you sleep alone this week? - define alone. i sleep hugging a pillow that reminds me of someone, but otherwise yes.98:Everybody has somebody that makes them happy, do you? - absolutely :)99:Do you believe in love at first sight? - not anymore100:What do you do for a career, and what would you love to be doing if you could do anything for a career - right now im an accountant, but if i could be a writer or a singer or anything to do with music i would be beyond happy

[nozoroomie]

AAAAAAAAAAA hello Roomie! Thank you for the giveaway!! I cant believe!! xDD okay umm can i please request a cute/funny fic of kotoumi in a relationship and lily white are siblings and nozorin finding out that umi's dating someone? And curious about it cuz hey who would have thought?!? So they insist umi to invite her s.o. to dinner and honestly its just umi suffering and blushing the entire dinner cuz nozorin keep teasing umi about her wonderful gf? XDD thank you so much again!! *^*> oh and-

I’M SORRY THIS TOOK ME SO LONG!! KotoUmi kicked my ass this time around, but I did my best! I’m quite happy with how it is now rather than what it was 3 months ago ;w;. Thank you for being so patient and I hope you like it!

small shout out to @icaruswings87, thank you for being my beta!

Two girls stand outside an apartment. One as tense as can be, a bead of sweat forming on her face from the inevitable that lies behind the door. The other holding onto the former girls hand gently, a convincing smile on her face. In her other hand she carries a medium sized cake box, a special gift from her for tonight’s dinner. She gives the girl’s hand a reassuring squeeze and speaks in a soft voice.

“Umi-chan, it’ll be fine. They’re your sisters.” Kotori says in an attempt to calm her.

“That’s precisely why I’m nervous, Kotori.” Umi retorts, “On their own I’d have nothing to fear. They’re both excitable in their own way, but not nearly as chaotic as what they are together.”

Kotori giggles softly and nudges her gently with her elbow.

“Are you trying to tell me you aren’t Ms ‘We need to hike to the very very top of the mountain before sundown’ ?” She teases and Umi groans, covering her now reddened face with her other hand.

“I am no exception, I’ll admit that, but Nozomi and Rin are much, MUCH more than I am.”

Kotori laughs lightly.

“Whatever you say, Umi-chan. Come on, let’s go inside now, yeah? I want to put this cake in your fridge as soon as possible.”

Umi exhales and nods, pulling out her house keys. As she always does, she sticks the key into the lock to make sure the door is open, and once confirming it is she twists the doorknob and pushes. The door opens and Umi steps to the side, allowing Kotori to step in first. Kotori gives her a small smile as thanks and takes the step forward, while Umi calls out into the house.

“I-I’m home!”

A head of ginger hair peaks out from behind a wall on the inside and beams directly to her.

“WELCOME HOME!!” Her eyes fall right on the guest of honor and they sparkle with delight, “OOH! SHE’S HERE!”

“She’s here?!” another voice echos after, much quieter than the first girl’s shout.

“SHE’S HERE!!!” Rin replies with a laugh.

“Y-you both knew she would be here! I told you this morning and reminded you at lunch!” Umi shouts to them, her flustered blush staining her face as she steps inside. Kotori giggles from the interaction.

“Yeah, but we weren’t actually sure if you would bring her by in the long run!” Rin jokes, moving her way out of the room and walking down the hall to them with a bounce in her step.

The younger girl comes face to face with their guest and flashes her a toothy grin, hiding her hands behind her back and peering into her eyes.

“I’m Umi’s little sister, Rin!” She greets, “And you’re Minami-san, right?!”

Kotori replies with a nod.

“Mhm! I’m Minami Kotori. Thank you for having me over today.”

She gives a small, polite bow and Rin’s grin broadens.

“The pleasures ours!”  She soon notices the box that Kotori holds and her eyes brighten with curiosity.

“What’s in there, Minami-san?!”

“K-Kotori decided to bake us all a cake to share after dinner.” Umi replies for the taller girl, a fond smile playing at the corner of her lips.

It goes unnoticed by Rin as she bounces in the spot she stands in.

“Minami-san, you didn’t have to do that! But thank you! I’ll go take it to the kitchen for you!”

Before Kotori or Umi can object, Rin’s gingerly taking the box from Kotori’s hand and heading down the hall to the kitchen, calling out to their older sister and telling her the great news. Kotori and Umi take a moment to look at each other, and the older girl giggles as the flustered blush returns to Umi’s cheeks.

The two of them make their way from the apartment entrance back to the kitchen, where they find Nozomi standing in front of the stove with her hair tied in one low ponytail and a plain, light blue apron covering her clothes. She glances away from the saucepan she’s stirring to flash a quick grin to them and she holds up the slotted spoon as she waves.

“Welcome, Minami-san~ Make yourself at home!” She gives her a warm smile and Kotori returns it with one of her own.

“Thank you very much for having me!” She says with fondness, her eyes lingering on Nozomi for a moment.

Umi watches with suspicious eyes. It may have been a short amount of time, but she can tell there’s trouble brewing. Nobody knows Nozomi and Rin better than she does. Part of her tries to be rational, point out that there have been times where they were easy going and didn’t start any trouble. A lot of times they all genuinely have a great time- without teasing or embarrassing one another. She mulls over those thoughts for a bit. Rin and Nozomi don’t seem to be too keen on teasing right now. Rin makes idle conversation with Kotori at the table, and Nozomi seems too keen on finishing up their dinner to listen to their conversation.

She thinks back to a few days beforehand, when Rin and Nozomi finally learnt her secret. Her girlfriend of just over a month had been found out- thanks to Umi carelessly talking to her late at night on the phone. She knew she should have waited until the early hours of the morning, but Umi always felt bad waking Kotori up so early when she would be seeing her later in the day (and the urge to hear her voice late at night was surprisingly large.) That’s when Rin burst into her room at a convenient “I like you too” moment (because Umi is holding on to her first “I love you” for the most special of moments with Kotori.)

Rin pried endlessly after that. Umi was lucky Nozomi was studying in her room, and after a very long hour she caved, telling Rin about Kotori and giving her the confirmation that yes, they were dating. As Umi was about to make Rin swear not to tell their beloved older sister, said girl had walked right in, looking at Umi with sparkling green eyes. The kind that said “I overheard your secret and there’s no way you can hide it any longer.” Umi knew it was too late. She cursed herself for being so careless, her precious secret now public knowledge in their household.

Now here they were, days later with Nozomi waving a hand in front of her face. Umi blushes in embarrassment from spacing out while her older sister calls for her. She pointedly avoids the giggles coming from the table as she answers Nozomi.

“S-sorry what was that Nozomi?” she mumbles.

Nozomi just gives her a smile that’s all too knowing, which causes her to blush more.

“I asked if you could set out the plates for me.” Nozomi replies in an amused tone.

Umi hastily reaches into a cupboard, pulling out the plates as requested and setting them down on the counter.

“Did you want help plating the food too?” Umi asks.

“No thank you~!” the older girl answers in a sing song voice, “I’ll bring it all over to the table shortly, go join Rin and your girlfriend~”

If Umi isn’t careful, by the end of this dinner her face would be permanently red. She grabs the silverware and dishes from the counter and heads straight to the table, setting it all out nicely in front of each chair. Kotori and Rin thank her when she places their cutlery down and Umi mumbles a tiny you’re welcome. Nozomi soon follows, bringing along the rice cooker. She instructs Umi to sit down as she begins placing even scoops of the fluffy, white rice on everyone’s plates. Umi does as told, taking her seat next to Kotori happily.

“Oh, I’ll go grab the drinks!” Rin says, noticing the glasses are missing. “Is everyone okay with water?”

“Yes, water is perfect!” Kotori replies.

Umi and Nozomi both agree and Rin dashes to the fridge, pulling out the pitcher and then moving to the cupboard to grab the glasses. Nozomi follows afterward, taking the ricecooker back to the kitchen with her. It leaves both Kotori and Umi alone at the table, and Kotori reaches over to grab Umi’s hand with her own underneath the table. Umi glances over to her to see a kind and warm reassuring smile being given to her, and she can’t help but return it with one of her own.

“Still nervous?” Kotori asks in a whisper. Umi nods.

“Dinner’s about to begin, it’s very hard not to be nervous.”

Kotori laughs right as Rin returns with the empty glasses and pitcher of water.

“Did Umi-chan say something funny Kotori-chan~?” Rin asks with a grin as she places the glasses down.

“Nope~ She was just being cute.” Kotori teases and earns a laugh from Rin.

“K-Kotori!” Umi objects as Nozomi returns, wearing two oven mitts and placing a large pot on top of a hot pad on the table.

“Okay everyone, the curry is ready! Feel free to take as much as you like with your rice.” She announces as Rin distributes the cups of water.

Everyone takes turns scooping some curry onto their plate. Nobody takes a bite until everyone's plates are full, and at the same time they all say a quick prayer before digging in. Kotori hums, delighted the moment she takes a bite.

“Delicious!” She declares, looking to Nozomi with bright eyes, “This is super good Nozomi-san!”

“Thank you Kotori-chan~. Feel free to stick with just Nozomi, we’ll probably see a lot of each other from now on.” The older girl beams.

“Yeah! Feel free to think of us as family even~” Rin adds with a grin.

Umi immediately chokes on the bite of food in her mouth. Kotori doesn’t hide her smile as she pats Umi’s back, almost as if she was expecting something like this to happen. She hands Umi her glass of water while Nozomi whispers something unintelligible to Rin.  Umi takes a deep breath of air, ready to scold Rin, but the other girl cuts her off.

“Sorry Umi-chan! I was just making a joke!” She says, though her grin is anything but apologetic.

Umi wants to protest, but continuing to make a scene would only make her look sillier in front of Kotori. She mumbles a small ‘okay’ and goes back to eating, taking a smaller bite of food this time. They’re quiet for a bit as everyone indulges on their meals.

“So, Kotori-chan,” Nozomi starts halfway through the meal, “What brought you and our little Umi-chan together?”

“Would you believe me if I told you that Umi-chan was the one to ask me out?” She starts after a moment of recollection.

Both Nozomi’s and Rin’s eyebrows shoot up and Kotori laughs.

“Well, it’s half true. She tried to confess to me, but she was so nervous I ended up finishing her sentences for her.” She admits with a sheepish grin.

Umi wishes she could bury herself under her comforter and not come out until dinner is all over and forgotten. Rin and Nozomi laugh and Rin comments on how that’s very much like her. Kotori ends up elaborating a bit more, telling them all how sweet it was and how Umi really does her best to treat her right.

The conversation goes on with the three of them delving into other topics. They ask Kotori about what she does in her free time and she enthusiastically answers, going on about her part time job and her small sewing projects. She tells them all in great detail about the last outfit she made, which coincidentally enough was for an idol research club member with whom Nozomi is great friends. Nozomi compliments the girl on her brilliant sewing skills and how she’d love to see more of her work if she ever gets the chance. Kotori is happy to agree and offers to bring pictures the next time they see each other.

“That reminds me,” Kotori starts, “I know this is the first time I’ve met you, but do you work anywhere Nozomi-san? I feel like I’ve seen you around somewhere before, but I can’t put my finger on it.”

“No, I’m unemployed.” Nozomi answers with a smile. “But I do some part time work at the shrine every now and again. It’s possible you’ve seen me there?”

“Oh! Are you a shrine maiden?!” Kotori’s eyes glimmer with a happy sparkle and Nozomi laughs as she answers with a ‘yes.’

“Ahh! That makes so much sense then!” Kotori nods, putting things together.

“Haven’t I mentioned it before?” Umi suddenly asks, furrowing her eyebrows. She knows she’s mentioned her sisters countless times before, she’s sure she has mentioned what they do in their spare time too.

“Only that Rin’s a star track and field champion” Kotori says, beaming towards the younger girl.

“Eh?! You told Kotori-chan all about me and not Nozomi-chan?!” Rin looks over to Umi in horror and Nozomi puts a hand over her heart, gasping in mock offense as if Umi has committed the worst of crimes.

“O-of course not! I’ve talked about Nozomi plenty of times! I know I have! I talk about you both equally!” Umi’s slumps in her chair ever so slightly and Nozomi and Rin have to hold back their giggles in order to keep her from sliding to the floor completely.

“She’s right!” Kotori adds in, as if to save her girlfriend from the impending doom of their teasing, “She just mentions a lot about Nozomi and her duties in the student council. I’ve heard about all the hard work you do to keep the student activities the best!”

“Aw, I don’t really do anything. I just support Elichi and her efforts to keep our school the best it can be,” Nozomi smiles, “Though, Umi-chan, you really think that highly of us~? I didn’t know you liked to brag about how hard Rin-chan and I worked in our after school activities~”

Umi puts her face in her hands. She’s almost at her limit now. She prays to any and all gods out there to spare her this torture during dessert. There’s a gently tap to her arm and Umi’s eyes glance through her open fingers to see Kotori’s hand. Her eyes go up to her face and the ash haired girl gives her a warm, reassuring smile and Umi swears, if her sisters weren’t across the table from her and she wasn’t so embarrassed, she would pull that beautiful hand of hers closer and kiss it, just to thank Kotori for all this support.

“I really did think I had told you,” Umi mutters into her hands, forcing herself back into an upright position as she keeps her eyes on Kotori “I remember, because you had just been hired at the cafe and I mentioned how Nozomi does some volunteer work.”

Kotori wracks her brain, trying to remember the day and she laughs.

“No, I think Honoka had interrupted you before you brought that up.”

Umi thinks back to the moment and sighs.

“You’re right. She did.” She shakes her head. “Well, I’m sorry I never mentioned it.”

“It’s fine Umi-chan~. It’s not a huge deal.” her girlfriend reassures.

Rin and Nozomi take this time to share a look and smile. They make a silent pact between one another to cut back on the teasing for the rest of the evening, and instead Rin decides to talk to Kotori about what it’s like at the cafe.

They enjoy the rest of their dinner with the light conversation and Umi’s thankfully spared from all the teasing right through the rest of their meal and dessert.