#saw Another cat that had been hit by a car&am once again reminded of the fact that i am just Incapable of the level of nonchalance needed

[jvzebel-x]

🦋

[3rensgf]

stupid/annoying, but endearing, things they do in a relationship eren, armin, jean, connie, erwin, levi, reiner, bertholdt, porco, zeke, colt, hanji, mikasa, sasha, annie, pieck

word count: 2.3k

warnings: one mention of sex in erens, reader uses makeup in jeans, mentions of injuries and dilf!reiner in reiners

notes: this is a gn!reader. there are mentions of makeup being used, but i feel like any gender can use makeup. it's not even anything serious like a beat face. just some lip gloss n mascara. chapstick too but thats not makeup. it's just one line, so you can skip over it if you would like to!

✩ eren bites you. its not even in a sexual way, he just likes to bite. they’re like a second form of kissing to him. you could be chilling together on the couch watching a movie, and he’ll just chomp on your shoulder. even when you were trying to focus on something, he swings by, bites then leaves. eren has no shame, so he does it in front of your friends too. you could be having a normal conversation with mikasa and he’ll just bite you, then the two of you carry on as if it was normal. it’s not normal. but you love it. sometimes you bite him back too. but only in private.

✩ armin gives you random things he finds. armin likes to go out and explore, with or without you. when he comes back after an adventure you opted out of, he always has something for you he found. a rock, a seashell or a cool flower are just some of the things he gets for you. if he can’t find something, he finds a gift shop to get you something instead, saying, “well, (y/n), i did find it in the gift shop.” he always looks so proud giving it to you, rambling about the story of how he found your gift. you have a small box tucked away with all the treasures he gives you.

✩ jean steals your things. whenever he comes over, he likes to mooch off your possessions. if he’s spending the night at your place and needs a shower, he’s using your shampoo, conditioner and body wash. if his lips are chapped, he swipes your lip balm to use on himself. one time you even walked in on him trying your mascara and lip gloss. another time he had your clothes on his giant frame. but he always replaces whatever he uses, venmoing you within the next few days with some cash and a sorry note. “sorry for using ur lip balm baby, buy some more <3” with $20 attached to it. you tell him that lip balm doesn’t even cost that much, but he tells you to treat yourself to lunch with the extra money.

✩ connie makes plans without letting you know beforehand. at 3am, you are woken up by an influx of messages and calls from your boyfriend. in your sleepy state you go to answer him, only to be told to get dressed and come out. he’s right outside of your house and hungry. you remind him it’s very early in the morning and you both have class. “but i’m hungry and craving burgers,” he repeats. you have no choice to get in the car with him. this can happen throughout the day, not just early in the morning. one time he whisked you away in the middle of your online class because he didn’t tell you he bought tickets to a movie showing in 30 minutes. the memories you share on these spontaneous dates are always your favorite ones with him.

✩ erwin buys you whatever you like in bulk. it’s not even an exaggeration when you say bulk. you mention one thing to him, and the next day there are boxes upon boxes sitting on your kitchen counter. “these oranges taste pretty good,” you mumble to yourself as you peel your 2nd one. erwins sharp ears hear this, and first thing in the morning he’s off to buy multiple bags of your supposed favorite oranges. it takes you days, sometimes weeks, to finish whatever he decided to buy you. you always tell him he doesn’t need to buy so much, but he never listens. though, you always appreciate how attentive he is to your likes and dislikes.

✩ levi cleans up for you and ruins your organization. it’s always a blessing when someone else decides to take on the burden of cleaning for you, and you thought you hit the jackpot with a boyfriend who loved to clean, clean, clean. but it could get annoying when you suddenly couldn’t find anything you placed anywhere. if you’re anything like me, you’re messy but organized. you know where things are. when levi comes to clean, he places things where he thinks they should go. you’re sent on a wild goose chase looking for your pencil case, only for it to be in a completely different drawer than the one you usually kept it in. despite this behavior, it’s always nice to come home from a long day from school to see your desk organized. what was once a mess of papers and other supplies have been filed into their correct places, the table wiped down from any lingering coffee stains and your supplies being organized in a way so you knew where everything was. sometimes there’d be a plate of fruit with the note, “good luck on your exams,” written in your boyfriends neat writing beside it.

✩ reiner coddles you too much. whenever you express any sort of discomfort, reiner is always rushing to your side. “are you hurt? do you need medical attention? how many fingers am i holding up?” he asks, checking you for any cuts or bruises. thank you, honey, but i’m fine. just bumped into the counter. despite that, he’s dragging you over to the bathroom to fix up your imaginary injuries. you always find it a bit much when you’re fine. it’s during the times where you’re actually hurt where you learn to appreciate it. he’s so gentle cleaning your cuts, kissing them softly once they’re dressed. you wonder if he’d be like that with your future children.

✩ bertholdt is too nervous around you. it’s been years since the two of you got together, and he still refuses to make eye contact with you. his hands get sweaty and shake when you attempt to hold his hand. he always stumbles over his words when speaking to you as he tries to find the right words to say. he even blushes when he introduces you to other people as his significant other! you remind bertholdt over and over again that he doesn’t need to be so shy around you. but you cant help but coo over him showing up for your date, flustered mess and thrusting flowers into your hand. “they reminded me of you,” he said quietly, refusing to meet your eyes. you giggle and press a kiss to his hot cheeks.

✩ porco is too cocky for his own good. he’s always parading around the house, boasting about his latest achievements. he beat colt in a video game colt was a supposed god in. he can throw a baseball farther than zeke. he can run faster than pieck. if he’s taller than you, he's always making fun of you for being shorter than him. if you’re taller, you’re not exempt from his wrath either. he’s boasting about how he’s perfect height to not hit his head on doorways. he never goes as far as to hurt your feelings, always knowing when to stop. though he has a big ego, he would let it crash and burn just to see you smile after beating him at smash bros. you laugh and taunt him, happy you beat him in one thing. he doesn’t mind, instead watching you with a soft smile on his lips and love in his eyes.

✩ zeke forces you to work out with him. and it’s not like in the afternoon to help you stretch out. it’s not light yoga or a couple minutes on the treadmill. no, this man wakes you up at ass crack in the morning to take you on a 5 mile hiking trip. you barely have any time to register what is happening around you before you’re already standing at the start of the trail with your gear. “come on! we can’t slack off!” he says, clapping his hands together. the sun is beating down on you and your feet hurt, but this man doesn’t let you stop for a break. “we’re almost there,” he says. your complaining goes out the window when he shows you the view at the top. its one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen. hiking up long ass trails to see beautiful views with your boyfriend was so worth it in the end.

✩ colt accidentally turns your dates into babysitting sessions. you show up at his house with the promise of a good time, only to be met with a guilty looking colt and his little brother falco behind him. “sorry,” he says sheepishly, “gabi got sick with the cold, so i couldn’t drop him off there. i hope you don’t mind him staying.” you hide your disappointment behind a wide smile, nodding enthusiastically as to not hurt either of their feelings. you just wanted to spend some alone time with your boyfriend, and it would have to wait. hanging out with falco wasn’t actually that bad. the three of you had an amazing time together, watching tv, playing games and even baking together. if you hate kids, you can’t bring yourself to hate falco; he’s just the sweetest boy you’ve ever met. you and falco are already asking colt when the three of you can hang out again when you have to go back home.

✩ hanji is always talking. you don’t discourage them from talking about their interests. they’re very passionate about the things they love, and can’t help talking about them. its like the scene where hanji kept eren up all night talking about titans. when you’re trying to focus on something or go to sleep, hanji is just yapping away. you’re honestly amazed at their ability to never run out of things to say about the most mundane things. hell, one time they talked for an hour and a half about a building color they saw when they were out one day. but hanji just looked so happy when talking. their face would break out into a huge grin, and their arms would fly around as they told their story. it was too cute for you to tell them to stop.

✩ mikasa hovers too much. every corner you turn, every place you go to, mikasa is following. she claims she’s not clingy, but in reality she is. it’s like a cat who hates affection, but needs to be in the same room as you at all times. you don’t mind her following you into the bedroom or living room or kitchen. you had to draw a line when she tried to follow you into the bathroom. even when you’re out, she’s always following you around. you tell her it’s okay to break off from you and spend some time by herself, but she always shakes her head and follows you to your next destination. you’re always grateful for her hovering when a group of drunk people try hitting on you, whistling and telling you they’ll give you a good time. but one look at your girlfriend who showed up from out of nowhere, and they’re running away with their tails between their legs.

✩ sasha eats your food. she can’t help it. she likes to snack. she’s always hungry. and you get that. to stop things like this from happening, you have separate places to keep your food. just so sasha and you have your favorite snacks and takeout separated. you respect the rule, but your girlfriend seems to lose her reading skills when hungry, one too many times you have walked in on her with her hand deep into a bag of your chips, something you’ve been waiting to eat all week when you were supposed to watch that new horror movie on netflix with her. you huff and puff and retreat to your bedroom. sasha comes back after a few hours, looking upset with tons and tons of snacks in her arms. “i’m sorry i ate your chips,” she frowns. she sets down all the food she got on your bed. “i got all these snacks you liked as an apology. and 3 bags of your favorite chips.” you could never stay mad at her cute face.

✩ annie complains about spending time with you. “i like my alone time,” she says, brushing you off when you asked why she didn’t want to watch a movie with you. some people were introverted, preferring to spend time by themselves rather than with someone else. you were like that too; you had your moments where you didn’t feel like being around your girlfriend. but it became an annoying problem when she constantly shot down your attempts to hang out with you. when she finally agrees, she’s always finding something to complain about. but during important dates or when you’re not in the best mood, she’s always the first to remind you or initiate a hang out/date. she shuts her mouth and enjoys her time with you, not one criticism or groan leaving her lips. she would never admit it, but being around you made her so happy.

✩ pieck is always sleeping. you have to wait a few hours to get a text or call back from pieck because she’s always dozing off somewhere. “sorry sweets,” she yawns into the mic, “was taking a nap. need something?” good luck trying to reach your girlfriend during an emergency. when you come home with takeout for dinner because neither of you wanted to cook, she’s sleeping at the dinner table. when you’re watching a movie she wanted to watch, she’s snoring away, curled up at the end of the couch. during lectures you share together, she has her head in her arms and has the audacity to ask you for your notes in the end. and it’s not like she’s not getting enough sleep, no. she gets her recommended 8 hours of sleep and then some. it’s nice to have a sleepy girlfriend, though, when you’re dead tired from living. you drag your feet into the bedroom to see her about to take her nth nap for the day. she notices your zombie-like state and opens up her arms for you. the two of you cuddle and nap together, sleeping the stress away.

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[charmed-asylum]

RUMOR HAS IT

DARK STEVE ROGERS X OC MINI FIC

Reqested by  @sage1998c request: Hi I was wondering if you would please consider doing a dark Steve high school au story starting Kat Graham as the main oc/face claim. I would really appreciate it if you would think about it.  

WARNING: ALOT OF CRAZY SHIT!!! I never did a dark fic I am going to miss a few but let start with the basics NO ONE UNDER AGE OF 18 SHOULD READ THIS. BLACK MAIL/ SEX/ YANDRE/ RECORDING OF SEX WITHOUT SHARE AGRREEMENT/ ETC ETC

 SUMMERY: Life was perfect for American boy, aka Steve Rogers. Great friends, hot cheerleader girlfriend, love and adore by everyone. Everything was perfect till senior year when Angelina came around and an anonymous gossip column, Rumor Has It, threatening to expose everyone's dirty laundry. 

~ MASTERLIST~ 

SNEAK PEEK // Angelina OC 

TAGGED: @geralt-jaskier20 @hypersonicxd-blog @muralskins @readermia @muralskins@david-winters-93@alagalaska @SAGE1998C

Thick FOG COVERED Rear WINDOWS of his navy blue 1967 Chevy Camaro. A deep moan came from his mouth as he digs deeper into her wet centerfold. His colossal hand holds tighter to her tiny neck, trying to take all his thoughts else were. “OHHHH FU FUCK. HARDER,” Jane shout from behind his thick fingers. His eyes squeeze tighter; he was close still but so far. Think think think of something Peggy beast No. Jane wet means you sure hit new heights with her. She is enjoying it. He opens his ocean blue eyes and gazed back at Jane; her back was arched, moving closer to his cock. Trying to get more. Greedy bitch. 

He couldn’t wait until he was destroying her. By the end of her fifth orgasm (pushing her fourth ), she would know to never mess with him again. She ends this fuckin blog once together. Finally, end his bad luck streak. All this was messing with him mentally and psychically. Maybe after this, he can finally get in with Angelina. Fuck now; she was a piece of art. Body carve from god himself. He thought Peggy was an angel, his perfect dame, but then Angelina came back into his life. Right when he needed her. It’s been forever since he saw her. Just then, Jane let at whining cries for him. That and imagining it Angelina and her virgin pussy finally help him release. God, that’s it, he thought to himself. It has been happening a lot. Lately, he felt he was in love. He knows it even though he is young. No matter what it is, he was thinking about her. He can’t sleep, eat, think.

Whenever he had a chance to stop thinking of her, it’s about this FUCKING BLOG. RUMORS HAS IT. STUPID SHIT! It already got a few of his friends, and even though he is unstoppable invisible. His fears he was going to be next. That’s why Jane has to be the person behind it. No one else knows Thor secret besides him, Thor and his family, her, and that child’s family. So stupid. So Thor was involved in an accident and drunk and got a child in a fucking coma. With one peek at the camera, he stares back at the feedback, good he is still out of frame. 

Jane utters another whimper. Almost there, he thought to himself. Jane’s sparkling baby pink cat claw nails scratch deep into his pecks and across his ample shoulders. The sight of her nail polish reminds him of a dress Angelina once wear. The last time he saw her, matter of fact, was 12 years ago. She was only three years younger than her. He can taste the chunky chocolate chips that melted into the cookies. He can hear the playful voice she uses when she would pretend to play house. He was daddy, and she was mommy. No matter what he did, she always looked up at him like he was god-like. He was the only one who could ever make her feel safe. Even as a weak, pathetic boy like him. Maybe she was that high he felt once and had been trying to get ever since. He can remember like it was yesterday when they share their 1st kiss. She wanted it; she kisses him sweet dreams of a cloud 9 type of kiss. He would have relished that kiss if he had any common sense instead of screaming around like an idiot. He accidentally pushed her away and made her hurt herself. Even though he was the cause of that pain, it was him she looks at to save her. Make her feel better. Fuck, where did that pretty brown eye with pink tails in tutu little girl go? 

She turns into a fuckin unstoppable beast, a storm of everything that drove him crazy. Everything he saw was wrong with the world. Still, he wanted more. Man, he had to get Jane to understand she was messing up his chance to be with his little angel. God’s gift to him for what he has done what he has accomplished. 

“OH STEVEEEEEE” Jane shouted, her legs clenching tight around Steve waisted her mouth in the notch of her neck. Five 

“I told you I could make you come at least five times. Having the best sex you ever got, huh. Tell me I’m better no one can ever fuck you. Not even your stupid boyfriend, Thor,” Steve said breathlessly.

Jane nods and whimpers softly. It’s you. 

“A no. Doll, I need you to shout it louder for the camera,” he whispered into her ear.

So far into her sexual bliss high, she did not hear him say that but instead agree with him. 

He smiles, now holding the camera close to her wet fold. Jane lay back, eyes close, dazed. With a flash, her eyes peak open to see the phone filming her. She pushes up only to be pushed back down with one finger by Steve, still holding the camera. One hand holds down her arms above her head. A Pitch of Steve’s sweat drips onto her.

“Come on, Jane Baby. Say hi to the camera. Man, I made many sex tapes, but you are the first girl I made come without much effort. That is how much of a gold digger slut you are. Your boyfriend hasn’t even cleaned out his locker, but you are already begging to suck my cock. Tiss. Now now, what are we going to do, huh? One-click, and this goes quicker than one of your rumors. By the time you get out of this car, everyone will know what a dirty slut you are. No more Thor, no more ivy school options. The only thing you can do is give yourself to homeless people. Right, where you belong” Steve chuckle watching Jane cry, begging him to stop. 

“But why Jane baby, you were holding me with an iron fist singing my name to the high heavens. Haha, you bitch. It would be best if you had someone to teach you—the right way. Don’t worry; I do that. Mmm. Would you like me to show you the right way? Show you how to be a lady, not trashy dirty whore” He said, proceeding close, sniffing her dark locks. Could Angelina still smell like sweet sugar and honey? Wonder if she uses a different shampoo than whores like Jane or Peggy. I bet she sounds different too. 

“Please don’t. Do this I. I. I do anything. Please don’t post the video,” Jane said between each sob. Her tiny wrist was starting to burn from the tight grip. 

“Oh, no amount of tears or begging to go to stop me. No. You are going to shut up and listen to me bitch. One-stop your blogging, shut it down, and then redact it all. I don’t care what you say, but you end this shit. THEN you’re going to be Thor’s slave. Do whatever he wants behind closed doors, and in front, you will hold tight to his arm to every court hearing throughout the trials. I don’t care if you miss school; I look or hear you miss anything. I’m posting this gem here. Understand,” He said, tilting his head to the side.

“Bu Bu bu it was not me I not the person behind it. I promise I got mad at Thor yes, he was flirting with girls at all the games. But I promise Steve I never do that. But I admit it if that what you want me to do,” She said, crying with chubby tears. He looks deep into her eyes, trying to see if she was lying. Maybe she didn’t. She was like him in a way, using Thor to better herself. He loosens his hold but remains on top. He savors this for future use, but he won’t tell that. Yet. No, he was going to have a bit of fun with this one.

“Not enough. Huh, I guess that’s bye-bye to a bright future. Or else. You come here and show me just how much you want me to keep this little homemade video a secret. Huh. Make it quick. I got a date with destiny, or should I say, little angel. Remember, you use those pearly whites teeth, or don’t swallow all of it up. Bye-bye future, “Steve says with a huge grind and dark eyes darker the midnight sky. 

[geekywritings]

JUNGKOOK X READER Part 1 - The most awkward meeting

I got myself a list of writing prompts that I just couldn’t resist. So enjoy Part 1 of a Jungkook x Rader Mini Series I’m planning. If you have prompts for Jungkook x Reader, Namjoon x Reader or Yoongi x Reader you want, send them over! :D

The prompt for this part is: “ They jump into your car breathlessly and tell you to keep driving.”

Damn, you hated red lights. Especially after work, when you just wanted to get home to your little flat and cats. But all the traffic lights of Seoul had somehow magically decided to stop you at every chance possible. 

You had currently stopped on your SIXTH one since you had left your job and were furiously drumming your fingernails against the wheel, before turning up the volume of the music you were listening to. It was just the right song to calm you down and so you started to sing along.

The last note ended on a scream however, when suddenly the door was pulled open and a stranger in a mask practically fell into the seat next to you. He was quick to pull the door shut behind himself and then breathed out a “GO!”.

In your panic, you just did as told, putting in the gear and starting the car as the traffic light changed to green. Just as you started moving, you saw a group of wildly screaming girls come to a hald where you had just been standing. You were tense, while the adrenaline started pumping like crazy in your body. Almost afraid to look at the stranger next to you, in case he took out a gun or something, you kept your eyes on the road, but still took a moment to lower the volume of the music. Now you could hear the stranger breathing heavily, suggesting that he must have been running.

“Thank you...”, he finally managed to say after a few minutes. “I don’t usually do that.”

“Do what?”, you asked, eyes still on the road, your body tense. 

“Jump into people’s cars. But I was desperate.” From the corner of your eye you could see him pulling down his mask and curiosity got the better of you. You turned your head and your jaw almost dropped. Next to you was one of the most handsome guys you had ever laid eyes on. There was also something really familiar about him, but you couldn’t exatcly put your finger on it.

“That’s assuring...”, you slolwy replied, eyes darting back to the road. Silence fell for a few moments, until you just had to ask. “Why were you running?”

Now it was his turn to look surprised, though you couldn’t tell why. “You don’t...oh... I was running from some crazy girls.”

Was that how popular guys were treated these days? Crazy world. Then again, he did look like a model or an idol, so some females were bound to lose their minds over him. 

“Can I drop you off somewhere?” All you wanted was to go home, really, but you could hardly just throw him out randomly or take him home. 

“Do you know where Big Hit Entertainment is?”

You shook your head. You had heard the name obviously, but didn’t know much more. 

“I’ll guide you.”

From then on, you just followed his instructions, navigating your car towards the fancy Gangnam-Gu district and feeling absolutely out of your element.

“Are you a trainee then?”, you asked, which earned you another confused look from your new passenger.

“You really have no idea who I am?”

Again you had to shake your head. “You do look kinda familiar, but...” You ended it with a shrug. As you stopped at yet another traffic light, he pointed towards a billboard on his side. You had to lean over a little to see it, but then your world turned upside down. It was a huge advertisement with seven handsome boys. BTS, it read, and in the center stood the very person currently in your car.

You froze up completely. “Hello?”, he called, waving his hand in front of you and then nodding towards the light that had turned green again. How long had you been out? Instantly you got the car going again, this time feeling even more nervous than when he had just gotten in.

How did one deal with an idol in their car?! 

“You really didn’t know.”, he said, suddenly sounding rather amused and giving you a cheeky grin.

“I don’t pay much attention to the k-pop world.”, you admitted. You had a busy job and your cats and yoga classes to fill your days and while you did enjoy music, you hardly thought about the artists.

He nodded in understanding and then turned to look at you properly for the first time. You could practically feel his stare and you wondered if you looked horrible. Working as a junior vet, you hardly wore fancy clothes, instead opting for white sneakers, jeans and a simple white shirt, with your hair pulled back. 

You reached the next traffic light, which couldn’t be anything other than red of course and you turned to look back at him, his smile only growing wider, making you feel even more self conscious. 

“I never had such an interesting ride back to the agency.”, he suddenly said. You raised your eyebrow at that. Interesting was a curious word to pick here. Awkward or surprising was more fitting in your opinion. 

“It’s certainly a first for me.”, you said.

“What? You don’t usually pick people up like that?”

For the first time your lips twitched upwards, a smile breaking through.

“No, usually such things only happen in dramas.”, you reminded him.

“Ah, so you don’t know K-Pop, but you know your dramas. Good to know.”

“Are you teasing me?”, you asked, slowly warming up in his presence, even though it was still awkward. 

“No, I would never.”, came the instant reply, but his cheeky grin said otherwise. 

“What’s your name?”, he suddenly asked.

“Why?” The question bubbled out of you before you could stop.

“It would be nice to thank my saviour properly.” 

You nodded and gave him your name, before concentrating on the road again. From the corner of your eye you could see him take out his phone, typing away.

“Do you have Kakao?”

Again a question you did not see coming and you had to concentrate extra hard on the road not to cause an accident.

“Yes...”, you started wearily and then slowly gave him your ID. Was this really happening? Was he adding you? A second later you could feel your phone vibrating in your pocket. OMG, he really might have! 

“I’d like to thank you properly, Y/N.”

“It’s no need. I’m glad I could help.”

You turned right, as he indicated to you, already absolutely lost. This was a part of town you never visited and the traffic was making you nervous. So many fine cars...

“My hyung’s would never let me live it down if I didn’t show my gatitude properly though.” 

When he spoke like that he sounded so young. Thinking back to what little you know of the group, you remembered that he was the youngest one. But his exact age? You really couldn’t recall. 

“You work as a vet?”

He must have been scrolling through some of your Kakao Story Posts, seeing as you sometimes posted pictures from work.

“Yes, I just started though after university.”

“You are my age.”

So that answered that question. But you were caught on something else.

“Are you stalking my profile right now?”

“No.” There was this incredibly charming cheeky grin of his again! No wonder he was an idol!

“You can just ask, you know? I’m sitting right here.”

For the first time he appeared shy though and put his phone away. “Maybe next time. The building up there is our destination.”, he finally said, puling the mask back over his handsome face. But even with his mouth covered, you could see the smile in his eyes, when you stopped the car.

“I’ll text you.”, he said and all you could do was nod. “I mean it.”, he added. “I might need another rescue. Or maybe a nice ride back to Big Hit.”

He was teasing you again, you realized, but somehow it made you smile widely. “I’m not a cab.”

“Of course not, Miss Junior Vet.” He got out of the car, but leaned inside once more. “Than you again, Y/N. Till next time.”

You followed him until his form disappeared inside the building, reality fully hitting you for the first time. You had just picked up an idol on your way home. A super hot idol. And he had talked to you. And added you on Kakao. AND promised to text you.

You shouldn’t get your hopes up about that last part, you knew, but still. Seeing as you were still parked outside of the building, you sneaked a look at your smartphone. Indeed, someone had added you on Kakao. But first, you needed to look something up. You googled BTS and instantly the search engine was flooded with information. Jeon Jungkook. That was the info you had been looking for, finally putting a name to the handsome face.

You would certainly not forget this day ever. But you had no idea that this was just the beginning...

[halcyonstorm]

my contest submission for LH drabble week! @levihan-drabbles

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Relationships: Levi Ackerman/Hange Zoë, Levi Ackerman & Hange Zoë Characters: Levi Ackerman, Hange Zoë, Kuchel Ackerman Additional Tags: Sick Levi Ackerman, Leukemia, Childhood Friends, Friends to Lovers, Alternate Universe - High School, Alternate Universe - College/University, Car Accidents, Doctor Hange Zoë, Angst, Slight OOC, sorry Series: Part 9 of Short Fics Summary:

Hange and Levi were separated for several years for reason they couldn't help. They finally found each other.

At just 18 years old, Levi received the worst news of his life. He was sick. Extremely sick. If someone even coughed or breathed on him, he could die. He had leukemia, a disease which attacks the body’s white blood cells. Our white blood cells are our guardians, protecting us from any infection that dares to enter. He had one friend he wanted to tell the most: his best friend Hange. She had been his friend since the beginning of high school. He didn’t like her at first, but she kept showing up, eager to be his friend. He eventually warmed up to her, allowing her to sit with him at lunch, hang out after class; soon, they were inseparable.

Levi’s heart was in his throat as he mentally prepared to present the life-changing news to his best friend. “Hange, I have to tell you something,” he said, his voice trembling. Hange looked at him funny. He never spoke in such a strange manner before. Hange hesitantly sat in front of him at the empty desk, turning around in the chair to face him.

“What is it?” She asked, concerned. She was starting to get nervous.

“I’m sick,” he began, almost inaudibly. “I have leukemia… I am gonna have to leave school to be in the hospital. I get so weak, and my immune system is absolute shit… I can’t even risk getting a cold, otherwise I can die.”

Hange’s heart sunk into her stomach. She took a deep breath and looked into her lap. She had to be strong for Levi, and she knew that. 

“I’ll be here with you. We can text, call, facetime…”

“Yeah, we can,” he replied.

“We will! I’m your friend,” Hange said, grabbing his hand. “There’s no way in hell I’m leaving you behind.”

-

At first, Levi thought he’d be strong enough to withstand the chemotherapy. That he’d be the rare case to have no side effects. Boy, was Levi wrong. After his first two weeks, his health was tanking. It tanked so bad, in fact, that no one was allowed in the room except the doctors and nurses. Hange was one of the only people to call him daily besides his mom. Hange would Facetime him after class, telling him all about her day. Levi never had much to share from his monotonous days of drug infusions and immobilizing fatigue, but he enjoyed listening to Hange’s voice. Over time, Hange began to notice her friend change: His skin became ghostly pale and his words were mumbled. She would show him the blooming flowers in the spring, the fallen leaves in the autumn, the snow in the winter. She would show him anything to distract him from the excruciating pain he suffered each day. 

After a year of chemotherapy treatments, the toxins started to take a toll on his body. He’d find clumps of black hair on his pillow every morning, until one night he insisted his mother shave it all off. Each clump of hair reminded him of the life he should’ve had. Going to class in-person instead of online for the rest of the semester, graduating through a computer screen. He fucking hated it. His physical and mental state began to worsen each week. He was like a walking corpse, sleeping about 16 hours each day. When he was awake, he was wishing he was asleep. Each day he withered away in the hospital bed. He would miss Hange’s calls frequently due to his concerningly deep slumbers. If he managed to pick up, he would fall asleep on the phone with her. Despite her busy school schedule, she found time to text him every day. That is what kept him going.

Every day turned into once a week, which turned into once a month, and soon not at all. He had officially lost touch with the only friend in his life. He felt it was his fault: he had no energy to ever respond to her texts. He couldn’t blame her. She did try. Alone in his hospital room staring at his old texts from her, his heart ached and tears spilled down his face.

Another year had passed when his doctor came into his shabby hospital room with a look of hope. Levi felt his heart begin to race. 

“Levi, we have some good news and some bad news,” He began, shutting the door behind him. He wore a bright yellow gown with a blue face mask and latex gloves. “The good news is, your white blood cell levels are elevated. This is an improvement compared to last month’s tests. Since they’re higher, you’re well enough to receive a bone marrow transfusion from your mother, who’s a perfect match. The bad news is, there are many risks to having this transfusion. Your body can reject the bone marrow, which may cause massive complications. However, I think it is best for you to get the transplant. It is your best hope for overcoming this disease.”

With no hesitation, Levi agreed. Let’s do this thing.

He tried to reach out to Hange to tell her the news, but after a week with no response, he was disheartened. A part of him hoped she would respond. He had his family, and for that he was forever grateful, but who would he have once he left the hospital? Who would he talk to? Who would he be? He completely lost the miniscule amount of social skills he had. He did make friends with some of the patients on his floor. Unfortunately, he outlived most of them. 

Fortunately for Levi, the transplant was a success. Within the next few months, he began to regain the color in his face, and hair started to sprout on his head again. He was sleeping less frequently, he was finally able to do a lap around the hospital floor without getting too tired. He was still on chemotherapy, but he was regaining his strength, and more importantly, he was getting his life back.

Levi was in (and rarely out of) the hospital almost four years. The day he was discharged for good was a beautiful spring day. The stale air became fresh as he exited the hospital in a wheelchair. He heard the bright green trees rustling and saw some beautiful pink flowers that reminded him of Hange. He took everything for granted until he was cooped up in a hospital room for years. He was grateful to Hange for being his eyes to the outside world. He felt a breeze run through his buzz cut. He took a deep breath, tears helplessly streaming down his face. He was finally free. 

It wasn’t long before Levi started searching for his long lost friend. He hated himself for forgetting how to spell her name. Was it Hanje, Hangi, or Hange? He couldn’t quite remember. He searched her name and was shocked to find out Hange was a medical student practicing at Shinganshina General Hospital. Shinganshina General wasn’t far, so she must still live in the area. He couldn’t, however, find any of her social media accounts. She was off-the-grid. Great… he thought. She was always difficult. He was one to talk, though. He hasn't used social media in years.

Throughout the summer, Levi was able to land a job as a mechanic and he worked endlessly. He had to repay the debt he placed his parents in. His mother especially hated the idea of him working just as he finished his treatments, but Levi was persistent. Eventually, he saved enough money to send monthly deposits to his mom and move out. He couldn’t have his mom taking care of him anymore after all she sacrificed for him. He had made enough money on his own to afford a cheap apartment two blocks away from her house. 

After getting settled, Levi told himself he couldn’t begin college without knowing about Hange’s whereabouts. He decided maybe if he drove to Shinganshina city, he would be able to find her somehow. Someone ought to know her… He got in his car one evening, punched in a diner’s address in Shinganshina, and started to drive. As he drove, he started to realize his plan was stupid. What, am I gonna stalk her at the hospital?

 After finishing a 10-hour shift at the shop, he impulsively drove past his block and hit the highway. The highways were ruthless that Friday night. He had never been to Shinganshina before on his own. He drove, hovering his head over the steering wheel with his elbows tightly tucked to his sides. The speed limit signs read “65 MPH''; however, everyone was quickly steering around him, going way over 75. He was very tempted to turn around in spite of his impetuous road trip; but he couldn’t find an opportunity to do so.

On the other side of the road, the two lines merged into one. One of the drivers did not recognize this, and suddenly swerved onto the other side of the road where Levi was driving. Perhaps if Levi didn’t work so hard that day, there was a slight chance it could’ve been avoidable. The last thing he saw were bright fluorescent headlights before he was knocked unconscious.

-

“We checked his driver’s license. His name is Levi Ackerman, age 22, victim of a head-on vehicle collision. He was wearing his seatbelt and had an airbag. He may have suffered a SCI and concussion. His heart and lung sounds are normal although his sternum and ribs may be broken,” A paramedic announced as they wheeled the unconscious man through the glass doors of the emergency room. 

“Get him up to imaging. We need to do a MRI, CAT scan, and x-ray STAT!” the doctor replied, taking her stethoscope to listen to his chest. She recognized the man right away but allowed her feelings to be suppressed for that crucial moment. Of course she recognized this man. He was her long lost friend, after all.

After finishing the tests, Levi was brought to a hospital room where he was changed into a hospital gown. Dr. Hange Zoe and Dr. Erwin Smith discussed the results: MRI showed signs of a concussion; CAT scan showed no signs of hemorrhaging; x-ray showed a cracked sternum and ribs 4 and 5 were broken. No signs of broken extremities, however he presented with ecchymosis on the bony prominences, such as his hips, knees, and collarbones.

As Levi awoke about two hours later, groaning loudly.

“My chest!” he complained, finding it hard to move. The two doctors turned around to find the patient had regained consciousness.

“Hello, Levi,” Dr. Smith began. “You were in a car accident. You’re at Shinganshina General Hospital. I am Dr. Erwin Smith, and this is my intern, Dr. Hange Zoe.” Levi’s eyes widened when he announced her name. 

“H-Hange…” he whispered, attempting to sit up but failing. Dr. Smith placed his hand gingerly on his shoulder.

“You don’t have to sit up. Just relax. How is your pain? We can give you some medication.”

“It’s fucking horrible. Please,” He whimpered, grimacing. Dr. Smith nodded, leaving the room. Hange immediately grabbed a chair, sitting next to her patient, but more importantly her friend.

“Levi, dammit what happened?” She said softly, looking at him. His face was not scratched, it was just the rest of his body that was injured.

“What happened to you?!” He retorted, looking her in the eyes. She could tell he was hurt, not just physically. “So much for not losing you...” 

“I was texting you as much as I could, Levi,” she explained, feeling guilty. “I had lost my phone and got a new one, but I couldn’t remember your number. I tried to find you online but I couldn’t… I am so sorry.” She hesitantly grabbed his hand. He didn’t flinch or pull away, but he squeezed her hand.

“I was too sick to reply,” he said. “I’m sorry too.”

“It’s not-” A knock rang on the door and Hange stood up almost on cue. 

“On a scale of 0-10, 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain you’ve ever felt, how would you rate your pain?” She asked, switching the topic.

“A big fat 10,” he groaned. Dr. Smith wheeled in an electronic machine with a wire and handle attached.

“This is a patient-controlled analgesia pump. You can push it as many times as you’d like to help alleviate your pain. You will not overdose since it has a set amount of medication you can receive per hour. Also, we have some acetaminophen for you.” Levi downed the pills as soon as it was handed to him. Dr. Smith hooked the tubing up to his IV and handed him the button.

“Hange, gather your information on your patient and then meet with me in the conference room.” Dr. Smith left the room, Hange hesitantly looking at her friend again.

“Let me just do a quick physical assessment,” she muttered to herself, grabbing her pen light. As she did her assessment, he admired her. Being a doctor really did suit her. She was wearing a white lab coat with her name embroidered into it. As she would move his gown around to assess his heart and lung sounds, his breath hitched when he felt the tips of her fingers touch his bruised chest. He looked at her face as she worked. She simultaneously looked the same and different. Different in how she wore her hair, in the shape of her glasses, and she stood taller, more confidently. Same in her eyes never losing their sparkle, her focused pouty face, as well as her smile. That breathtaking smile never changed.

Once she finished, she cleaned off her materials and tucked them away.

“Levi, you’ll be kept at the hospital overnight to monitor your heart on the EKG. If you are able to walk in the morning, you will be discharged. Do you have anyone you can call?”

He thought of his mother. He thought of the burden he crushed her with. He decided to deal with this on his own.

“I live alone,” he replied, looking towards the foot of the bed.

“I can stay with you,” She offered instantly. Levi’s face flushed as he met her eyes. “I-I mean… if you want! You have a concussion. You can’t drive yourself or be left alone.”

“Isn’t that like… against the rules?”

“...I am not working tomorrow. I can pick you up and we’ll go from there. Since you won’t be in the hospital for long, I don’t think it’ll be an issue.” The corners of Levi’s mouth curled upwards.

“That is fine with me. Let’s do it.”

The next day, Levi was able to do a lap around the hospital floor. He walked around with one of the nurses to make sure he didn’t collapse. He was ready to go home. Correction: He was ready to go home with Hange.

Hange went to his hospital room in her normal clothes. Her style changed. She used to wear baggy t-shirts and jeans. She looked more mature in her white button-up top and black slacks. He had to prevent his mouth from opening when he saw her. She was beautiful, but of course he would never mention it. Hange walked down to the entrance of the hospital with the nurse and Levi. She went to get her car. A few minutes later, she arrived in her dark red Honda.

“Levi, you just have to direct me to your house…” She began, tapping at the car’s GPS. He gave the address and she punched it in.

“Hange? Why are you doing this for me?” He asked, almost by accident. She shifted the car into Drive.

“I… never stopped thinking about you, you know,” She began, driving away from the hospital. “Even though we lost touch, I still hoped to meet you again someday. You are the reason I wanted to be a doctor… and whenever I lost hope, I thought of you. Whether you know it or not, you pushed me to keep going.” He looked at her blushing face.

He was shocked by what she said. He felt the same. “Me too,” he confessed, looking in his lap. “Your calls saved my life. You were the only one who stuck around. I will never forget that.”

He was never one to say what he meant, but knowing he had the courage to speak those words to her, Hange felt a strong urge to kiss his lips. She always had feelings for him. Her feelings never changed, despite their time apart. In fact, it only confirmed her feelings for him even more.

“Even before I was hospitalized, I took everything for granted…” Levi said. “I have been wanting to tell you something ever since my diagnosis…” Hange felt her heart skip a beat as he spoke. 

“Thank you for being there for me.”

At the red light, Hange looked at him and squeezed his hand firmly. She noticed his cheeks were dusted with a red blush. 

“I’ll always be here for you.” 

He met her eyes, those radiant hazel eyes. He took advantage of the long stoplight to kiss the woman’s lips. He couldn’t contain his feelings anymore. He swore he’d tell her how much he meant to him one of these days. And God, her lips were soft and velvety and everything he’d imagined they’d be, but ten times better. She was shocked at first, but kissed him back. His lips were a little chapped from his rough night, but they were warm. She dreamt of this moment for years (as did he). It was better than how she thought it’d be too. She was intrigued by the quiet boy in school ever since she met him. Maybe she thought he’d lack passion, but it was the opposite. The kiss was full of passion and relief; after years of being in love with each other from a distance, they melted into each other. Suddenly, there was a beep behind her; the light had turned green. Hange chuckled, starting to drive again.

“You don’t even know how long I’ve been wanting to do that.”

[mascwhump]

Chapter 11 - Scaredy Cat

TW: mild blood, beating, strangling, bound and gagged, noncon undressing (not sexual)

Tag list: @whatwasmyprevioususername @milk-carton-whump @whumpasaurus101 @whatwhumpcomments @mnmlover2002 @ashintheairlikesnow

-

Charlie furrowed his brow.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because I'm not going to leave you here just so you can attempt to escape again," Mallory said.

"What about Crow?"

"He'll remain here. Don't worry, he'll be well taken care of."

"Oh, fuck off," Charlie said, "I'm not going."

"It's really funny that you think I'm giving you a choice."

Mallory stood and walked into the kitchenette. He licked his fingers and pinched the wick of the candle to put it out. He opened a cabinet and retrieved a small black case before walking back to Charlie. He set it down on the table and flipped it open.

"Want this?" He said, pulling out a syringe of Q-179, "it's a long drive.”

Charlie nodded, looking at the syringe closely to make sure it was actually Q.

"Why are you giving it to me?" He asked.

"We're still testing it. I'm pretty sure you have a concussion, so I might as well see if it fixes that. God, would you stop asking so many questions and just be appreciative for once?"

Mallory moved Charlie's head to the side and stuck the needle in his neck. He cringed. He hated whenever he put it in his neck rather than his arm. He melted into the chair as the familiar warmth took away his pain. Mallory sat back down and watched Charlie's expression.

"Does it still feel as good as the first time?" He asked.

"Almost," Charlie breathed.

Mallory put the empty syringe back into the case and shut it. He waited until Charlie came down before he spoke again.

"We're leaving in twenty minutes," he said, checking his watch.

"What am I even going to do there?" Charlie queried.

"The same as you do here. You're going to stay in the basement and behave."

"Oh, great," Charlie mumbled.

"You didn't think I'd just let you roam about my home, did you? No. I'm simply taking you just to keep an eye on you, like I said."

He walked into the kitchen and turned on the sink. Charlie watched as he scrubbed a glass and dried it before putting it away. His eyes drifted toward the counter, where a half-drunk bottle of whiskey was placed.

"Do you remember the other night?" He asked.

He bit his tongue. He wasn't sure he really wanted to know the answer.

"Not really, no. Why do you ask?"

Charlie breathed a small sigh of relief.

"No reason. You were drunk and stopped by to say hi," he lied.

"Really? I don't remember that," Mallory said, "I just remember drinking and then waking up still dressed in my bed. My head hurt like hell."

Mallory walked into his bedroom out of sight for a minute. When he emerged, he was rolling luggage behind him. He put it near the door, then sat back down across from Charlie. He crossed his leg over the other, putting his arm on the table and resting his chin in his hand.

"I hope I'm not forgetting anything," he mumbled.

You did forget, Charlie thought.

"Um," Charlie cleared his throat, "Could I... bring my blanket?"

"No," Mallory laughed.

"Please?"

"I said no. Ask again and I'll burn it. In fact, if you ask another question in general, I'll burn it."

He checked his watch. "Let's get going."

He stood and grabbed his luggage. Charlie was slow to follow. Mallory snapped his fingers at him, then pointed to his watch. They walked out of the apartment and down, out of the building.

Charlie relished in the cool breeze. He hadn't been able to appreciate it when he was outside before. The sun on his skin was enough to make him crack a smile. They walked a short distance to a lot, where a few soldiers waited by a black Mercedes Benz.

“Oh, I forgot to mention,” Mallory spoke, “you’re not riding with me.”

The soldiers took hold of Charlie and forced him to the ground. He struggled as they wrapped a red cloth around his mouth, and another around his eyes. His ankles were tied together with a length of rope. Strong hands lifted him up and threw him down again with ease, and the trunk was slammed shut. Charlie felt around, but struggled to find anything to assist him as his hands were still cuffed. He heard two doors shut and the engine start.

“It’s a long drive.”

The cloth dug into the corners of his mouth. He did his best to contain the amount of drool that fell out, but with the position he was in, gravity wasn’t on his side. There wasn’t enough room to turn over. He was stuck like this until they arrived at... wherever it was Mallory lived.

Luckily, the drive wasn’t as long as he thought it would be. After two hours or so, he felt the car pull into a driveway. Soon after, the trunk was opened. Mallory slipped a knife between his ankles and cut the rope.

“Out,” he said.

He grabbed Charlie’s arms to help guide him out. Until then, Charlie never appreciated how nice it was to have leg room. He stretched the best he could, and Mallory held his arm to guide him into the house. He shoved the key in the lock and they stepped inside. Mallory opened a door near the entryway. He untied the blindfold and pointed to the stairs.

"Go downstairs," he said, "I'll be down in a second. Don't. Touch. Anything."

Charlie started down the steps and Mallory shut the door behind him. He hadn't expected the basement to be so... finished. The floors were a plush carpet, and a black leather sectional sat facing a large TV. There was a bar at one end of the room stocked with every type of alcohol. Two doors were open, and Charlie peaked in. One was a bathroom with a huge shower, and the other was a simple bedroom.

He stood awkwardly next to the couch as he waited for Mallory to meet him. Finally, after a few minutes, he came downstairs and removed the gag from his mouth. Charlie’s jaw clicked as he shut it.

"This is where you're staying. Don't touch the TV, don't touch the alcohol, and don't sit on the sofa," he said.

"What am I, a dog?"

"If I had a dog, it'd be allowed on the furniture. You can sleep on the floor. You're lucky I have carpet down here."

Charlie saw something fly down the stairs behind Mallory. He looked down and saw a cat.

"Sasha, I told you to stay upstairs, sweetheart," Mallory said, picking her up.

She was black with white markings, her eyes a bright yellow.

"You have... a cat?" Charlie asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Mallory said, "Don't touch her, either. She shouldn't come down here, because I'm keeping that door locked tight. But if she does, leave her alone."

Sasha purred as she rubbed her face against Mallory's chest. Mallory kissed her head and petted her softly.

"Okay, I won't touch anything. Especially the cat," Charlie said.

"Good. I'll bring you something to eat soon," Mallory said, starting back up the stairs with Sasha in his arms.

Charlie sat on the floor. He ran his fingers over the carpet. It was already a lot softer than his mat; maybe this wouldn't be so bad. He thought about Crow, hoping he was alright. With Mallory here, he would be safe from him, and the soldiers seemed to have some kind of "don't harm them unless I tell you to" order.

Mallory came back downstairs with food after an hour or so. He had a few Chinese takeout containers.

"Eat at the bar. If you spill anything on my carpet, I'll stab you again. Now, turn around and I’ll take those off,” he said.

Charlie let him remove the handcuffs and took a seat on one of the barstools. Mallory set the containers down in front of him. There was a box of white rice, and a box of sweet and sour chicken. Charlie ate carefully, trying his best not to spill anything. Mallory settled on the couch and scrolled on his phone.

Sasha came trotting down the stairs again.

"God dammit," Mallory sighed, "I'm really not used to shutting that door."

"Then keep it open," Charlie said.

"So you can wander around my house while I'm asleep? No."

Charlie finished eating and spun around on the stool. Sasha was standing on the back of the couch, looking at him.

"Hi, pretty kitty," he whispered.

Mallory shot him a glare. Sasha jumped off the couch and over to Charlie, rubbing up against his legs.

"What the hell is on your shirt?" Mallory asked.

Charlie looked down. "Oh," he said, "I think it's blueberry juice."

"Take it off," he said.

"You didn't notice it before?"

"No. Or maybe I did, but didn't care. Now that you're in my house, it's bothering me. Take your shirt off."

Charlie slipped his shirt over his head and Mallory walked over to grab it from him. Then he noticed the same stains on his sweatpants, too.

"What the fuck did you do to get this messy?"

"That asshole that threw the water at me threw the tray at me, too. Blame him."

"Well, you need to take those off as well."

"Yeah, not gonna happen."

Mallory took hold of his shoulders and threw him off the barstool and onto the floor. He gripped the bottom of the pant legs and tore them from his legs. Charlie got to his feet and Mallory forced him up against the wall.

"Have you forgotten what happens when you don't behave, or need I remind you?" He growled.

Charlie spit in his face.

Mallory stepped back slowly, wiping his face with his sleeve.

"Oh, you really should not have done that."

Charlie ran. He sprinted up the stairs, almost tripping as he missed a step, and flew out of the door. He turned left, then up the stairs to the second floor. Mallory was right behind him. He came to a door and opened it, slamming it behind him. He locked it before Mallory could get in.

"Open the door right now!” Mallory ordered from the other side.

Charlie backed away from it until his legs hit something. He felt backwards, landing on a bed. He looked around and realized he must have been in Mallory’s room. Footsteps lead away from the door and Charlie’s heart raced. Seconds later, Mallory was back, and he unlocked the door. He threw it open and ran at Charlie, jumping on top of him and wrapping his hands around his throat.

“How dare you?!” He yelled.

Charlie clawed at his hands, adding new scratches to the old, and kicked his legs, doing everything he could to make him let go. Mallory tightened his grip, and blackness surrounded the edges of Charlie’s vision. He stopped scratching, and moved his hands up to his face. Mallory let go with one hand to swat them away, then brought it back down with a smack to his cheek.

Finally, Mallory released his grip. Charlie gasped for air. Mallory threw his fist at his face, and it connected to his jaw. Charlie cried out, and was once again met with another hit. He reached up and grabbed Mallory’s arms, using all his strength to keep him from hitting him again.

“I’m sorry,” he cried, “I’m sorry, please-“

Mallory got an arm free and landed another punch. Blood began to trickle from Charlie’s nose, and Mallory threw him onto the floor before it could drip onto the white sheets. Charlie sprung up before Mallory could pin him again, and brought his hands up to defend himself. Mallory suddenly stopped. He was breathing heavily as he stared at Charlie with eyes like daggers.

Charlie made a break for it. He ran out of the room and back down the two sets of stairs, leaping off the last few steps into the basement. He looked for a place to hide as the footsteps slowly became closer. Mallory appeared at the bottom of the stairs before he could, but he didn’t look at Charlie. Instead, he walked to the bar.

Charlie wiped the blood from his nose and watched him. Mallory stepped behind the bar and grabbed a glass along with a decanter full of whiskey.

“Go take a shower,” he said, without looking up, “do it now before I change my mind.”

Charlie quickly moved into the bathroom. He shut and locked the door behind him before turning on the shower. He slipped out of his boxers and stepped in, the hot water washing away the blood. He was still breathing hard. His throat was tight, and he knew he’d have finger shaped bruises soon enough. He stayed in the shower for a long while, dreading the moment he’d have to go back out and face Mallory.

He finally shut off the water after a few minutes. He took his time drying off and getting redressed, finally taking a deep breath before he stepped out of the bathroom. Mallory was sitting with his back facing him. He had a glass of whiskey in one hand, and a cigar in the other.

Charlie stood awkwardly. Sasha was lying on the floor behind the couch, watching him.

“I just wanted tonight to be normal,” Mallory said, taking a drag from his cigar, “I just wanted you to behave so I could take a bath and sleep in my own bed without having to think about you. I’m tired. So tired. I shouldn’t have given you that shot earlier. Maybe you would be tired, too. I don’t know. God, you’re going to make me an alcoholic.”

“No one’s forcing you to think about me, and I’m not forcing you to drink,” Charlie replied.

Charlie dropped down on the carpet and sat with his back against the wall. He folded his arms over his knees and watched Mallory pour another glass. Sasha stretched as she got up, then she walked over to Charlie, purring.

Charlie slowly reached his hand out, and she rubbed her face against it. He watched to make sure Mallory wasn’t looking, and he started to gently stroke the fur on top of her head.

“I lied to you. I remember that night. I remember everything,” Mallory said.

“You do?” Charlie asked.

“You didn’t hate me that night,” Mallory said, “you spoke to me like a human being. Even after all that I’ve done.”

“I don’t hate anyone,” Charlie spoke softly after a moment.

“How is that possible?”

“I was raised to see the good in everything and everyone.”

[utapriyanderes]

I remember you did Starish reacting to their senpais trying to steal their special someone but how about the opossite? How would QN react to one of their kohais trying to steal their special someone from them?

I’m going to do this as though STARISH are not yanderes, but if you would like them to be yanderes for this ask then please just request again!

Reiji Kotobuki:

    Reiji really thought he could’ve trusted Otoya. Otoya was like a little brother to him after all! He cared for Otoya and taught him well as a senpai, so he never thought he would do something like try to take you away from him. In Reiji’s eyes, he couldn’t trust Otoya anymore. All Reiji had was you, and Otoya… tried to take that away.

    Reiji can’t help but to hide you away. Making sure his kouhai could never reach you again. He knows it will hurt you at first. The two of you were so very close after all. With how you two would talk together privately in the corner of rooms about music. You always fidgeting in excitement as you talked about his songs. 

    Then all it took was for him to look away for a split second. That one little second that changed everything. When he looked back at the two of you, you were gone. Vanished, disappeared. Just like that. Reiji felt his world crashing. Anxiety hitting him and ripping him apart. A flash of the ocean waves crossed through his mind before he roughly shook it off. 

    He had to find you. He needed you. He wouldn’t let his other best friend slip away from him. Reiji had to find you, fast. Who knows what you are doing to yourself right now. What if you’re doing the same thing as him?

    Reiji was spiralling. He quickly left in hopes of catching up to you. As he ran out of the Master Course he saw you go into a black car with Otoya. Otoya, caused this hurt. This pain. Otoya always made everyone happy, Reiji thought that happiness could’ve been trusted. Now there’s only dark clouds covering the sun. He could make Reiji happy no more. He could no longer make you happy either.

    It connected to Reiji. You weren’t trying to run away from him. Instead it was Otoya trying to take you away from him. With this realization it finally made sense to Reiji. You were being controlled by Otoya. You would never want to leave him of all people. You love him, why would you want to leave him?

    Reiji quickly went to his own car. He tailed the two of you until you stopped. As soon as he saw you get out of the car he got out of his own and ran towards you. He grabbed your wrist and pulled you into him.

    “It’s okay (N/N)... I’m here to save you. To protect you from him.”

    Reiji started to stroke your hair ever so gently. He felt you shake in his arms, but that’s only natural when you're just with someone who kidnapped you from the one you love. Otoya comes around to see Reiji holding you as though you are going to break. Otoya can’t help but to stare afraid at the sight. Reiji knows that it’s because he was caught in the act.

    Reiji can’t help but to stare in hatred at Otoya. He doesn’t say a single word to him. Just calmly and gently urges you into his car, saying it’s time to go home. All you could do was obey. Leaving Otoya behind as the two of you went home. As soon as you walked through the door all of Reiji’s previous feelings left. Relief washed over him in a huge wave.

    He quickly took you to your shared bedroom and made quick measures to make sure Otoya could never take you again. To make sure no one could take you again. The chains he’s been keeping put away finally come out. Now is a good time as any, to finally put them to use.

Ranmaru Kurosaki:

    Ranmaru always knew Ren was a flirt, but for him to go so low as to try to take you away from him? He couldn’t stand it. There’s no way you’d be happier with someone like that. Someone who flirts around with girls and doesn’t dedicate his time to you. He hates even thinking about you enjoying a life like that.

    So when he catches you chatting it up with the playboy he can’t help but to feel anger well up inside of him. Especially since this isn’t the first time the two of you have been caught. Ranmaru strides over towards the two of you. Making the once happy, playful atmosphere turn serious. With Ranmaru’s added presence you look away from Ren. Ren focuses his eyes on his senpai.

    Ranmaru takes your arm and pulls you into him. He glares at Ren and threatens him before leaving with you by his side. Instead of going into another room the two of you leave the place all together. Once the two of you are in the car back home his anger subsidies just enough to notice that you're shaking. Ren must’ve done this to you.

    Ranmaru can’t handle how that flirt has been with you. What if things became more than talking? What if you ended up becoming his? He hates the thought. Especially since your Ranmaru’s. He’s the one you should love. He’s the only one you should love. 

    Ranmaru takes your shaking hand. You slowly turn to look at him with fear clearly in your eyes.

    “Don’t worry. I’m here for ya now.”

    Ranmaru keeps true to that promise. As soon as the two of you reach home he makes sure no one can reach you ever again. Forever locked away in your home filled with cats. Never to see the sunlight again.

Ai Mikaze:

    Natsuki has been getting too close. Far too close then Ai would like. He’s been talking more to you and touching you more. Giving you hugs and affection. Even when he’s not there he knows what’s going on. 

    Of course Ai knows that you love him the most, but he just refuses to share with his kouhai. He has to get you out of there. He has to stop all your interaction with Natsuki. To stop whatever he’s feeling. A feeling that he doesn’t understand.

    When you come home that night he questions you to try to understand why you’ve been spending so much time with his tall kouhai. He notices how nervous you get at the question. You stop making eye contact and seem lost for an answer.

    “If you’re not sure why you spend time with him… Then why are you spending time with him at all?”

    Ai’s question hits you. You completely turn your face away from him. He doesn’t understand. If there is no reason for it, then you should be spending your time with him. Unless, does Natsuki make you feel happier than him?

    Suddenly your phone goes off. You refuse to look at it, making Ai go and check it for you. No surprise that it’s Natsuki. Already knowing your phone’s password he quickly enters it in and looks at the message.

    A feeling wells up inside of him. Why is Natsuki asking you out? Doesn't he know you're his? The phone cracks and breaks in his grip. Ai should've predicted this outcome when he was watching over you, but he thought he could've trusted his kohai. Ai turns around to look at you. Tears are welling up in your eyes. Ai walks over towards you and sits beside you on the couch.

    He wants to question your relationship with Natsuki. He wants to know what you would've said to him if Ai didn't notice. All these things Ai is thinking about that he wants answers to, but instead asks you a different question.

    "What am I doing wrong?"

    Ai's question is straight forward. He knows everything about you. What you like and what you desire. He's your perfect match after all. So… what is he doing that you don't like? He's doing everything right isn't he?

    He watches you. Your lips quiver as you try to find an answer. In a second you switch to bite your bottom lip. Then you grab his hand, looking at him, you give him a small smile despite the tears rolling down your cheeks. Ai knows what this means.

    It means you're happy with him. That there's nothing wrong. That you love him. That you never wanted to be with Natsuki in the first place. A feeling of relief washes over Ai. That horrible feeling from earlier leaves him and all is good. 

    Ai, happy with this conclusion. Pulls you into his arms. Reminding you that if you ever need a hug, you should go to him.

Camus:

    He couldn't believe his kouhai could stoop so low. He at least thought Aijima had some sort of decency inside of him. That quickly turned out to be wrong.

    Camus was furious. Furious at what he saw Aijima doing. Trying to help you escape of all things. Trying to take you away from him. Camus worked so hard to get you to where you are now. Both mentally and physically. You were his weak, broken precious Queen. You needed him to survive.

    Now Aijima is taking all of Camus' hard work away from him, or trying to at least. Camus, of course, treated you well. You're refusing his kouhai's pleas of helping you. You're not taking his outstretched hand in the slightest. You're curled in on yourself on the floor scared to death. Hoping your protector would come and save you.

    "Aijima, what do you think you're doing?"

    Aijima freezes at his senpai's voice. Camus walks in, proud of the state you're in. You slowly peek up at him. Camus can see relief wash over you. You're quick to run straight into his arms. He wraps an arm around you protectively. His gaze is icy as he stares at his kouhai.

    Aijima's gaze is serious while looking at his senpai. Camus knows the risk of doing something drastically to his kouhai. So instead he gives him a warning. A warning to never come here again. To never talk or touch you again. To forget everything that he saw and knows about you.

    If Aijima were to try again, then Camus won't be so forgiving. He'll make sure to do whatever he has to to make sure you're safe. Which means getting rid of this pest in front of you. It doesn't matter if he's an idol. You come first.

[having-a-hyperfixate]

The Final Day’‘

This is absolutely going to be long and rambley af so I’mma just put a cut here. This is just one massive post for the entire rest of the game.

Rindo is back in the RG somehow. Which makes less than no sense. What was that crazy beam. Shibuya is GONE there isn’t an RG to send him back to, even if someone did want to send him back?

That beam reminded me of the Jesus beams not gonna lie.

But… Fret. Presumably Nagi and Beat too. They’re. Gone. Poor Rindo… That’s the worst kind of gaslighting. Reality itself is gaslighting this poor kid. ‘Your best friend in the world is gone, so gone that no one remembers him. You don’t even get to mourn properly because there is no one TO mourn.’  I am also not okay.

I assume this random talking to us at Hachiko is the dude I saw a brief glimpse of in a screenshot from the final trailer. Hazuki Mikagi, okay. Everything about this is supremely weird. 

Leading this weirdo around and he asked how we feel about emotions? Um, what?

Was he responsible for that beam of light?

This whole thing is extremely unsettling, I don’t think I like it. The music is all… serene, this guy keeps asking existential questions, who even comes up to some kid clearly having a bad day and demands a tour of the city.

He knows Rindo’s name even though we never told him. Not sure if that was a slip or an intentional nudge that Something is going on but there we go.

‘I should take this chance to apologize for Kubo. He’s a real piece of work.’ WHAT. YOU SEND HIM TO SHINJUKU?!?! IS THIS KID GOD!? WHAT!??!

‘Exorcised’. Like a demon. Which is a psychic rank you can get in the first game, and probably this game, ergo, a thing that exists in this universe.

Okay. So this Hazuki guy is Something Else. I dunno if he’s an Angel or higher or WHAT. He’s something. And he “exorcised” what Fuckwad had Fallen to when he decided not to stop at Shinjuku and continue on to Shibuya. But he only did this after Rindo faught so hard to stop it. And then he gave Rindo what he thought Rindo wanted. And now he’s here trying to understand why Rindo is miserable. Which to us, as humans, is obvious: the people he loved, the connections and family he had made through the game are all gone and worse, no one remembers they ever existed.

And now he’s being offered the chance to try again. This feels like a double edged sword. And I don’t care.

Okay I actually kind of appreciate the thing Hazuki is pulling here. He knows what it is that Rindo wants, I’m pretty sure he’s listening to his thoughts, actually, and in order to make Rindo own up to it he’s arguing the ‘no’ position. Giving Rindo someone to argue against so he can convince himself.

WHY DOES EVERYTHING HAPPEN AT UDAGAWA.

Bruh some of these clips were in the announcement trailer.

(I can’t wait to read the secret reports. That’s gonna be a wild ride.)

Oooooh that’s what ‘exorcised’ means. That is hardcore. He definitely deserved it but that is uh. Slightly inconvenient.

Can we actually contact Rhyme this time PLEASE. Oooh Rindo worked out Kaie is waiting for Rhyme. :O I’M FINALLY GONNA GET MY MASSIVE COUNTER OFFENSIVE FUCK YES. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I’M PUMPED LET’S FUCKING GOOOOOOO!!!!

Who’s gonna protect them. Beat. Really. Just give them the damn pins at this point. They both know their ways around a fight and Kaie might need the backup. If we lose, we’re all toast regardless, and if we win everyone gets put back where they belong.

AAAAAAAAAAAH SHE’S HERE!!! RHYME!!!! Aw… She can’t see Neku and Shoka cuz they’re actually dead. That’s really depressing. Makes sense but like. Oof. Especially for Neku.

I love that Rhyme still has a saying for everything.

This timeline is going to be a mess by the time I get everything positioned correctly lmao

Beat’s ‘How do you know about my sister?! Right, future.’ is never going to NOT be funny. It’s very refreshing to have a time travel plot where people just listen when he tells them shit needs to happen.

Is it acutaly Shiki time ohh my god. I might cry. Please tell me she has a face now. If her face is still illegal I will actually scream.

I’m offended. We didn’t get to go see Shiki. The betrayal. OH but now we might be? Stop playing with me, game. GIVE. ME. SHIKI.

Rindo was freaking out that we weren’t gonna be able to get rid of all the Noise around the café and I definitely threw my hands up and yelled when I saw the word ‘zeptogram’. And I read it before he said it, cuz I read v. fast. Nice to see you again, idiot. Please don’t go berserk again.

I am. Very impressed that Minamimoto managed to work out where the Dissonance Noise are coming from, down to the exact energy source that creates them. He nailed it. Well done sir.

I think… he’s proposing we awaken the city and use the energy generated by the thoughts and emotions of the living people to neutralize some of the Dissonance Noise that are waiting in the pin. Erode some of its power.

“How about this: I’ll talk, you type.” Lmao.

I got denied Shiki again. Part of me is annoyed. The other part of me is like ‘are they saving her entrance for when she can see Neku again properly because I can live with that’.

OH the Hishima cutscene is voiced now OKAY. Guess that means this is the one. Rhyme is voiced too. This is gonna be it.

And she speaks Minamioto. Coo.

Huh. Neku’s power is to sync with people. Which he learned to do in the first game. From Mr H, with the harmonizer pin. (Twister is playing and I have Emotions help) And now he’s gonna do it on an absolutely MASSIVE scale. This is insane. I am 1,000% here for it. Sync, Dive, Remind. And if I had to guess, we’re doing this atop 104.

Alright Shiba. ‘Mere. Tsugumi’s eyes aren’t all freaky anymore yay. Oh snap. He’s gonna unleash the Plague Noise against the Dissonance ones. Nice. Turnabout is fair play. I’m kinda sad Fuckwad isn’t here to witness that.

Alright. Change. Our. Fate.

SHIIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I gave myself a headache ow.

“07734.” “Ew. Hey! Don’t just spout off numbers and walk away, you jerk!” That was amazing.

FUCK ME SIDEWAYS. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD. NO. NO WAY. I DIDN’T THINK THERE WAS ANY WAY. OH. MY. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. This is the first time Neku’s seen him since Joshua failed to stop Coco from killing him. I’m. A puddle. Help. Neku looked so happy. My cat is slightly concerned haha.

Neku still holds his hands like he’s got the headphones. The same pose as in the first game when you scan. This gives me all the feels.

“They’re just mindless thoughts” Okay so I’m mentally exhausted at this point and I processed that as ‘thots’ and it was hilarious. BEGONE THOTS.

Okay this thing right here? This is a final boss. And it is cool as fuck. Too bad it’s trying to END ME. So cool. SO. COOL. Here comes phase 2 lol. I died and had to redo it. FML.

That. Was awesome. A worthy successor to the epic final strike of the first game. 999% eh?

I continue to not like Shinjuku rules. Once you’re a Reaper, leaving means you get erased once the game ends? Disrespectfully, fuck that. Oh don’t you dare, Shoka. Don’t. You. Dare.

Oh, Joshua is here. PLEASE. Lmao Shoka’s reaction. I’m sure he appreciates that, the drama queen.

*facepalms* Joshua strikes again. I’ve missed you, you little shit. You are terrible, but I missed you. Rindo, I’m pretty sure she’s fine. I think captain helpful over here reincarnated her for you. Since you saved him and his city. I guess I’ll see though.

Uzuki and Kariya continue to be adorable. I love them. And yeah, good luck calling in that debt from Minamimoto, Coco. Gooooood luck.

I’m having a lot of Joshua centered emotions right now there is too much Joshua all at once help. “I should have known I could trust you.” You are killing me dude. You really, really should have. I’m going to turn that line over in my head for way too long, I just know it, but let’s try to get through this before my brain turns off completely. “Let’s not keep her waiting.” OKAY THANKS I’M GONNA CRY AGAIN.

What Hazuki was saying about ‘purifying’ as opposed to ‘destroying’ Shinjuku makes me think that restarting it in some form was always part of the plan, so hopefully they’ll have luck with that. It’s still profoundly fucked up that any of that happened, and even more so that it was sanctioned. I’m. Going to be hung up on that for a while once it sinks in.

This poor idiot hitting on Rhyme is about to get got oh no XD

Shiki is breaking my heart. Aaaaaaaah!!! Reunioooooon.

Ooof it’s been a month since Rindo saw Shoka. Big oof. Joshuaaaaaa.

And then they almost got hit by a car lmao. OMG HE MISSED HER FRIEND REQUESTS AHAHAHAHAH YOU GOOBER. Neku really should have warned them that Joshua is Like That lol. Even when he’s being helpful it’s in the must backhanded way possible.

I would very much like to know why on earth Shinjuku needed to be obliterated though. Like. Does that… Happen often? Maybe the secret reports say.

Speaking of, time to get those, along with the rest of the trophies.

!!!! The title screen updated, NICE. Can’t let anyone who hasn’t beaten it see that but NICE.

There’s another Another Day. Oh boy. I am not ready for that madness yet.

Random thought as I was moving this from word, where I typed it: I’m really, really fucking glad they didn’t decide to deal with Mr H the way they dealt with sleezy mcfuckwad. That would have been… I don’t have a word.

[appples]

Oh, Cats (7/10)

pairing: Aizawa x Reader (OC)

genre/warning: 18+

words: 3,135

summary: An average girl with a cat quirk starting over in a new city, as typical as usual. Until it’s not. You drop into someone’s life unannounced and not necessarily wanted.

You swore up and down every day leading up to the performance that you objected to the whole thing and that you did not want to be the lead in a cat idol group at the school festival. Who had even come up with this idea in the first place? It has to be Mic and Midnight. Only those two would encourage you to play up your cat features in such a provocative way. None of that mattered the moment your eyes met Shouta's in the crowd. You regretted nothing. He was looking at you as if you were glittering amongst the lights, like a prism emitting a rainbow. At that moment, it felt as if nothing else existed outside of you for him while you danced.

Honestly, Shouta never seemed like the sort of person to enjoy idol groups. It was incredibly surprising to see him there, not working but participating. Although calling it participating would be a bit of a stretch, he mostly stood quietly with his eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. His eyes traced the hem of your layers of ruffles as they left soft reminders of your movements while you glided across the stage, seeming more cat-like than ever. You almost missed the beginning of the next dance before you broke away from blushing at Aizawa, instead now diligently performing the moves you had been practicing for weeks. It was your standard idol type show with lots of jumping and cute dancing, including the addition of cat-like details and emphasis. One thing, unlike other idol shows, was Midnight was in charge of costumes, and that didn't leave much to the imagination with how tight and short the dresses were. Aware that if you threw your hip too high when making a turn that a select few members of the audience would see under all those ruffles, and that's just what you did as you turned away from Shouta. Adding a cheeky, playful smile with a flash of your fangs. By the end, the whole audience was cheering along, and you left the stage with a roar of applause. Midnight came up to you as you walked backstage,

"That was amazing! You had the crowd going, especially someone in particular" she threw her arm around you and jested. You couldn't bring yourself to meet her eyes, instead opting to look down in a feeble attempt to hide your embarrassment.

"I…I had a lot of fun" you raised your head, but you knew better than trying to fool Midnight. She could see what you were and were not saying.

"I saw you make good use of the costumes" She smirked, thinking about how she saw you dancing for Aizawa. "It's okay if you don't want to admit it, but I'm always here for girl talk," Midnight winked at you and departed for the change room. Despite her leaving, you could still feel someone nearby, turning around to find Shouta making his way towards you. You gave him a shaky smile as you both made eye contact again; it was difficult to tell who was blushing more.

"You guys put on a great performance. The crowd loved it"

"T-thanks! I've never done something like this before, so I was nervous," your ears twitched as you laughed anxiously, hoping he didn't overhear Midnight.

"You didn't seem nervous at all." There was a long silence punctuated with the sound of your tail moving as you scrambled to find something to say. "Are you going out with everyone tonight?" Aizawa saved you.

"I hadn't answered yet, are you?"

"Same for me," this was a lie. He had adamantly declined to attend until he saw you on stage. "Would you like to go together?" Your heart was racing.

"Okay! Sure!" You beamed at him, resulting in one of his rare, genuine smiles. "Just give me a few minutes to change, and we can head out," Aizawa nodded. You ran off, nearly skipping towards the change room.

"Shouta, You should have said there was no time to change so she would wear that outfit all night. Because I'm betting, it may have been one of the reasons you changed your mind on the invite" Midnight winked at Aizawa as he moved away from her sudden presence, glaring at her. The pair had known each other since attending UA themselves, and by this point, in their friendship, she knew just how far to push him and how to handle his grumpy demeanor.

"You changed quickly," Aizawa huffed.

"Oh, don't be like that. It's painfully obvious. You're not fooling anyone."

"Stop, you don't know what you're talking about."

"Jesus Christ Shouta, it's getting to the point where I'm starting to think you believe your bullshit. You are allowed to be happy; you know that...right? No one can be the hero all the time-" he cut her off.

"You're wrong," he stared at Midnight. The sadness in his eyes never left after the work-study incident as a UA student. Silence filled the space between them, neither wanting to bring up the reality of their memories.

You saw Aizawa and Midnight talking as you exited the change room, although neither looked to be in a good mood. Tepidly you approached, not wanting to get in their way,

"Hello?" You tried to play it casual but ended up sounding confused and high pitched. Both teachers took notice immediately. Whatever was happening between them quickly melted away. Midnight was the first one to jump in,

"Okay! So, do either of you have the address?"

"Is it the usual place?"

"Mhm, usual arrangement for rooms if they're needed too."

"Alright, I should have the address already. Is there anyone else that needs a ride up?" Your heart sank a little but was also relieved you wouldn't be alone with him for such a long period. Midnight noticed your disappointment.

"Oh, don't worry, everyone is accounted for already," Midnight sneered, almost getting away with her lie until Mic walked up behind the trio.

"What's this I hear, you trying to leave me behind? I'm the life of the party!" Aizawa shot daggers at Midnight, but she just kept smiling.

"Oops, my mistake. I will see you guys there! Try to get there before that storm rolls in" She pointed overhead, taking off before anyone had the chance to question her.

The three of you made your way over to Aizawa's car, Mic diving for shotgun before you even had a chance to consider it. Happily climbing into the back seats. Car rides were always enjoyable for you because it was another way to take all your surroundings in a different setting. Aizawa speedily took off once everyone was settled. First, making his way off campus and then through backroads, you didn't know existed in the city. Mic couldn't make up his mind today on what he wanted to listen to, subjecting everyone in the car to only hearing about the first thirty seconds of each song. Both him and Aizawa were chatting on and off, although it was mostly Mic talking at Aizawa. You were happy to stay out of the conversation and watch the scenery change from a rainy suburban to a rural area with trees lining both sides of the street, gently swaying in the wind.

"Can you please just settle on a song and let it play? You're starting to give me a headache" Aizawa never took his eyes off the road.

"What are you talking about? I'm just trying to find the right tunes for that perfect main character vibe" Mic readjusted his shades before realizing how dark out it had gotten. Fishing out his regular glasses, he swapped them.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" It was sounding like Aizawa was already done with Mic before the night really started. You smiled as you continued to listen to the two butt heads.

A loud bang from the rear of the car silenced the pair. Rapidly the vehicle dropped to the right, sending it into a fishtail spin. Startled, Aizawa momentarily hit the brakes triggering the car to lock up. Rain still falling heavily, the automobile slid across the compromised surface. Everyone in the car ran through a scenario if they could use their quirk to get them out of this situation but unfortunately, none of them had anything that would help. All three screamed and held onto something. The car when headfirst into the ditch, landing with the loud crash and sound of compacting steel.

"Is everyone okay?" Aizawa took charge of the situation. You opened your eyes, not even realizing you had closed them when the car crashed.

"All's good here." Mic shakily quipped.

"I-I'm okay too." You looked up into the rearview mirror and caught Aizawa looking back at you, "But you're not Shouta!" The seatbelt held you, prisoner, as you tried to lean forward. Mic looked over to his friend.

"Dude, are you okay? Because it's not looking the way."

"It's fine. It's superficial." Aizawa pushed his hair back out of his face and took a look at the bleeding cut on his forehead. He pulled out wipes from the center console and cleaned up the blood that had ran down his face. Looking into the mirror again, he saw your concern and spoke directly to you, "I promise, I really am okay." You still had your suspicions.

"Uhm, I can help you with that. It's a little weird, though."

"I don't understand. What do you mean by weird?"

"My quirk gives me some very mild healing abilities, but I hate telling people about it. To use it, I have to lick the affected area." No matter how many times you explained it, it still made you uncomfortable.

"Probably a good idea to deal with this before anyone else sees it," remarked Aizawa. The three of you got out of the car and inspected the damage; the vehicle was staying exactly where it was for the evening. You gave Shouta a tug on his jacket arm,

"I need you to come down lower. I can't reach you" Aizawa dropped down to one knee before you, his face at about breast level. Trying your best not to think about how it felt to run your fingers through his hair again as you moved it out of the way and tilted his head up before leaning down to drag your tongue over his cut. Instantaneously you saw it begin to disappear and let his hair fall back in place. Mic had pulled out his phone and gone to work to locate where the trio was exactly,

"Hey, we're actually not too far from the place. It's saying it's a ten-minute walk tops, but does anyone have an umbrella?" It was pouring rain, and everyone was already soaked through. Your ears angled backward in disapproval.

"Yeah, there should be a couple at least in the trunk" In fact, there were two. Aizawa handed you one and took the second for himself and Mic. It made you laugh a little watching two grown men trying to share one umbrella while you had room to share. You neglected to say anything for the duration of the walk.

Before walking through the door, you can hear Midnight, who had obviously been there a while. As the three of you entered the establishment, the entire table of school faculty erupted in cheers. A few exchanging bets made if and who would show up out of the three of you. Presumably, the owner of the business came over right away and began speaking with Aizawa. As they continued discussing the accommodations, another employee quietly ran upstairs with stacks of bedding, towels, and yukatas. Taking off your soaking shoes felt like a relief until you noticed your socks were equally as wet and very likely to make a mess. Soon the host motioned for the three of you to follow him upstairs, where he led you to the rooms.

"Unfortunately, we only have one double room left, but there is another room with only one of your coworkers occupying it."

"That's fine," Aizawa curtly replied, "We can decide who sleeps where," he said as he extended his hand for the room keys. The hoss graciously hands them over, indicating which key is for the empty room and the already occupied room before retreating back downstairs to continue helping with the table of rowdy teachers.

"I'm still absolutely soaked," you remarked as you shook the remaining water off your tail and ears.

"Here, take the vacant room and get changed." Aizawa handed you the key before turning back to Mic, who had a very quizzical expression across his face. Without hesitation, you took the key and headed to the room. Everything was quickly stripped down to your underwear, and those promptly came off as well. All of which you managed to spread out methodically in hopes of drying them before tomorrow. You took the folded yukata into your hands and observed the material's intricate pattern before proceeding to follow the steps of putting on the garment. Once dressed, you opened the door to find both Aizawa and Mic still standing outside. Attempting to apologize for taking so long, Mic waved you off. You smiled before joining the others.

"Finally! Come over here. I have a seat for you!" Midnight stood up and leaned over the table as she shouted at you once you were in her sight. Laughing to yourself and wondering how this night would go, you made your way over and sat next to Midnight. Opening her mouth and leaning, you braced yourself for a barrage of questions that never quite came,

"You looked soaked when you got here. I bet you're not wearing anything under that" Midnight lacked volume control on a good day, and that was only amplified after a few drinks. Naturally, the whole table heard. There was no chance for you to hide the redness in your face and bristling of your tail. More footsteps were coming down the stairs,

"Leave her alone Midnight, she's too sober for your teasing," Aizawa said in his usual flat tone. But Midnight was right. You weren't wearing anything. Making eye contact with Aizawa was almost too much. You had to look away in a panic when you realized he likely saw all your clothes laid out in the room.

"Oh common, don't be such a grump here too." Midnight jested, but Aizawa seemed to take no notice, proceeded to sit in the empty seat next to you. A round of drinks for the table was ordered while you were changing, and you were now presented with a glass. Mic seemed to arrive without your notice, signaling a loud resonating "kampai" from the entire table before taking a long, generous drink.

It was becoming more of a rare occurrence for you to drink, which had its benefits, but at times like this, it presented several drawbacks. There was no chance you had at keeping pace with your peers. By the time you were on your third drink, you had lost count as to which drink everyone else was on. Feeling the warmth inside from the alcohol and couldn't stop yourself from smiling all night. Laughs were being had all around, and you swore you caught Aizawa smiling and even laughing a little without a trace of sarcasm. You hadn't realized until then that he had tied half his hair back, likely when he changed earlier. His smile radiated when his face wasn't obstructed. Some pieces had fallen out of place, and all you wanted to do was push them back, tucking them behind his ear.

Mic leaned onto the table, audibly sighing and drawing out his phone in an exaggerated way. Everyone gave him their immediate attention.

"I took some great pictures tonight." The first photo to appeaser was one he had taken during the idol portion of the festival. Shouta leered at him.

"Oh my God, look at Sho's face!" Midnight cackled and made her way over to inspect the photo closer. You were a little drunk and slightly confused; obviously wanting to see what the fuss was about, you leaned in. Mic was able to get a photo of Aizawa watching you while you danced, both you and Aizawa completely unaware until now. Seeing the documentation of Aizawa’s reaction to you sent you into a flurry of embarrassment. Trying to hide your face, you went to sit back down, but thanks to the alcohol, your balance was gone.  To regain your equilibrium, you reached out, inevitably placing your hand on Aizawa's inner thigh without realizing it. Slowly you returned to your seat, still unaware of where your hand was but noticing that someone else was holding it in place. For a while, neither of you made eye contact, simply enjoying the warmth of holding each other’s hand. Finally, you looked at him. He carried the same stoic expression as always, but you swore there was a hint of a smile curling at the edge of his lips. Soon you gave his hand a light squeeze before withdrawing yours, and standing up, the drinks had finally made their way through, and a bathroom break was needed. To get to the washroom, you had to pass over Shouta but were entirely unsure how given the awkward seating set up. Instead, he stood up as well and moved out of the seating area, giving you room to exit comfortably. You smiled and silently nodded in appreciation. Despite having shared intimate moments together and working together for a few months now, small interactions like this still made you shy and awkward.

Returning to the table, you were happy to take in the scene of your coworkers smiling and laughing, forgetting about the harsh realities of their jobs and the world you all inhabit. Aizawa stood up and let you gracefully sit back down before returning to his seat. It was comfortable spending time with your faculty. Several of them were incredibly outgoing and happily carried the conversations for the night, allowing you to interject and be a passive member of the table. The more drinks that arrived, the louder Mic, Midnight, and a few others got. For you, sleepiness began to wash over. As it took its hold, your ears drooped, and you felt yourself wavering, slowly falling to the side. Your head fell on Aizawa's shoulder, tail gently curving around him. Totally unsure about what he should do, he gently positioned you that allowed you to partially curly up in his lap like a cat. Giving you a gentle pet behind the ears before returning to the table conversation.

Soon people began retiring to their rooms, Aizawa taking the opportunity to carry you to your room.

[mulderist]

Wicked Game

Chapter 1 // Chapter 2 // read on AO3 // @today-in-fic​

Washington, D.C - 1948. Fox Mulder is a detective on the top vice unit; scandal, corruption, and lies come with the territory. He is forced to investigate a fellow officer and finds the lies go much deeper than the truth.

CHAPTER 3

Arlington National Cemetery One week later 9:17 am

Leaves rustled in the trees overhead as the honor guard reloaded and repositioned their rifles. The sharp bang, like a hit on a snare drum, echoed through the eerie calm of the cemetery. I could feel it happening again. Everytime I thought I was past this nonsense it kept coming back. I wanted to close my eyes but it would have brought me back to the mud and rain of Wake Island. When you’ve been knee deep in death you never forget it. I could still smell the humid air, the burnt powder, the smoke.

I closed my eyes for a moment and balled my fist tighter as images clear as photographs flashed before me. Three years ago, I donned the dress blues and watched a soldier from my company laid to rest. It felt like I was having a heart attack as I listened to the twenty-one guns and the cries of his grieving widow. Fingers pressed hard creating a thick new line in my palm and my flashback dissolved. 

Each shot up to this point was torture. My salute wavered with the final pop and I felt the elephant on my chest move aside, allowing me to breathe a little. A bead of sweat broke free from under my hatband and took a slow slide down my temple. The back of my neck prickled. I swallowed hard and moved to parade rest as the honor guard queued up and left the gravesite. My fingers slowly loosened their curl and I felt the circulation return to the tips. Once the ringing in my ears stopped I was able to appreciate the sound of silence. 

It was a small group of mourners, mainly fellow Marines from Spender’s company and a few officers from the precinct. He had no wife, no kids, not sure if his mother was still alive. Seems that the only family representative was his father. Jeffrey had the distinction of a military funeral at Arlington due to his rank and heroics at Guadalcanal. At the drop of a hat he would tell the story about surviving hand-to-hand combat and rescuing a senior officer during a nighttime raid. I’m sure each time he retold it, that fish got a little bigger. At any rate, he’s now buried amongst other honorable men. His father was able to cut through any red tape like a hot knife through butter to make it happen. And almost as if on cue I spied the old man in his expensive dark striped suit accepting condolences. I recognized him through the smoke cloud that hung around like a bad party guest. I suppose he could feel my eyes on him because he headed my direction. He gestured to another older gentleman, who I assumed was his driver, and continued his approach. It was the first time I was able to truly observe him. He had all the obvious characteristics of old D.C. politics; dower demeanor, rigid walk, air of superiority.

“Sir, I’m sorry for your loss,” I said flatly as he approached. The scent of Morleys invaded my nose.

“Thank you, mister -?” He asked while offering a perfunctory handshake. 

“Mulder,” I replied as I shook his hand then tugged at my uniform jacket. 

“Ah yes,” he practically hissed, “You were Jeffrey’s partner in the vice unit. Keeping the city safe from crime and debauchery.” The cigarette smoking man took one more drag then let the stick hang on his lower lip. “My son had great potential. To be killed in the line of duty is a tragedy.”

 I didn’t know what type of condolence to offer. I wasn’t great friends with his son in the first place, it was a professional relationship and not much more.

“The precinct lost a good detective,” I finally managed to say. Jesus, that felt bitter on my tongue. I licked my lips, hoping this conversation would soon be over; my pleasantries were skating on thin ice. The Smoking Man stubbed out his cigarette and rattled off something about his resources that could aid in our murder investigation. Apparently he and the commissioner were old chums and justice would be swift. Then he took the cue and left. I stole a deep breath and watched him head towards his driver then enter a large black Cadillac that was parked at the base of the knoll.  

My feet hit the pathway just as I heard my name being called from over my shoulder. I paused and turned to see Captain Skinner walking my direction. 

“Just had a conversation with Spender’s old man.” I said.

“Is that so?” He questioned as he removed his glasses.

“Turns out he has the district police in his pocket so my services might not be needed with this investigation,” I said sarcastically.

“Did he know your connection to the case?”

“He knows I was Spender’s partner, but not that I was at the scene.” 

Skinner squared his jaw then continued to walk past me away from the thinning crowd. I followed.

“I’m awaiting the final report from the coroner. They found something of interest on the autopsy.”

“A different cause of death? Figured the gunshots were obvious,” I said.

“There was additional bloodwork. I’m not certain what the M.E. was looking for, which is why I want the final report.” He stopped and faced me. “Mulder, I don’t typically recommend this course of police action however this is a unique situation.” 

“Sir?”

“I want you to use whatever channels you have available. Legal or -- otherwise. Use the boys in forensics to your advantage. See if you can get that report and keep this ‘eyes only.”

I raised an eyebrow at the request. It’s not everyday your boss asks you to operate in the gray. Then it clicked.

“You want to keep this hush-hush.”

“I want to keep the reputation of this precinct and my vice unit intact,” he replied cryptically. I could only nod and watch as he slowly left for his car. I took an opposite path. There was a humming in my head that I wanted to knock loose with a stroll.

Flanked by rows of white crosses on green hills I continued along the pathway and suddenly saw a familiar flash of red. She was standing at a simple headstone, adjusting a small arrangement of flowers. Out of respect I waited until she stepped away onto the path before I approached.

“Excuse me,” I called from behind with a casual wave of my hand. When she looked over her shoulder I knew it was her.

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry to bother you, miss,” I began but clammed up when I saw those pools of blue. In that instant, that split second, it’s like I forgot the damn English language. My feet kept moving and I tried to say something.

“It’s no bother,” she said, thankfully.

“Are you by chance a nurse at Washington General?” I finally sputtered as we stopped walking. She nodded then thought for a moment, her arms hugged her petite frame.

“You look familiar,” she said with a delicately pointed finger, “Have we met before?” 

“We have,” I replied. She cautiously moved closer to size me up. She surveyed my uniform and I felt like I was back in the barracks.

“You were the -- detective, right? -- who worked on a last name basis?”

“That’s my calling card. The name’s Mulder,” I said, “Remind me yours?”

“Dana Scully,” she said with a hint of a polite smile.

Scully. There it was. The stray thread was pulled and unraveled the memory of her name, each and every letter. She continued, 

“How’s your shoulder?”

“Almost back to my pitching prime.” I replied as I gave it a roll. I had to watch myself with this one. Memory like a steel trap. Her head tilted curiously to the side. 

“You clean up nice.” There was a quick flush to her cheeks as she took a small step back, wishing that remark stayed to herself. I smiled and now it was my turn to shift gears.

“I saw you laying down some flowers.” I said, curiosity getting my proverbial cat. Her lips pressed together. 

“My father,” she said, “He is - was - a captain in the Navy. It was six years ago; Midway. I like to keep his flowers fresh if I can.” 

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I replied with the only thing I could muster. Her statement was simple but knocked the wind out of my sails. Scully dipped her head and nodded. She then asked,

“Do you have someone here?”

“I’ve got a couple guys from my company, though I don’t visit too often. But today was my partner.”

“Oh,” she said softly, “It’s a funny state of the world when you can have a conversation about who you lost as easy as asking ‘how’s the weather.’”

For a moment I had nothing to say. A thousand scenarios ran through my head. I wanted to know more, I wanted to know everything about her. There was a natural beauty of course but something about her mind reeled me in. I cleared my throat. This chat was on the verge of getting cozy but seemed out of place in the current setting.

“May I walk you to your car?” 

“Thank you but I’ll be fine. My sister is waiting for me. Besides, we only just met.” A smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth.” 

Playing coy, I liked that.

“Well then, good day Miss Scully.” 

“Good day Mr. Mulder.” She shook my hand and lingered for a moment. “If you’re ever in Georgetown look me up. Hopefully we can meet again.” 

“I sincerely hope so,” I said. She turned heel and left me on the path. The curve of her pencil skirt, a flutter of the hem, the lines of her smart blouse made the goodbye feel less permanent. I listened to a breeze sweep through the tree line then I backtracked to where I was parked. 

I needed to get out of this uniform.

-------

Hegal Place Alexandria, VA

My apartment felt stale. I forced open a window to let in some fresh air. In the wardrobe hung one clean, pressed dress shirt along with my police dress blues. Of course the only shirt remaining was the one I wore the night Spender was killed. The good thing about an old jaded dry cleaner is you get quality work and little questions. I sipped my coffee and remembered I might have a vacation shirt stashed away in a drawer. As I donned the new shirt I heard the phone ring. I was waiting for a call from the boys in forensics who were a little too eager to give me a hand. 

“Mulder? It’s Frohike.”

“What have you found?”

“As you know, Langley and I were able to fish out a casing from the bathroom stall door, the back wall and a sneaky little devil in the bar. Turns out these paired nicely with the one lodged in Spender’s abdomen.”

“Who’d the weapon belong to?”

“Carlo Lodi.” Frohike asked. I scanned through the mugshot portfolio in my head. There he was. A hulking brute nicknamed The Titan who was quick with a fist and a trigger.

“Yeah. He’s one of Vincenti’s favorite enforcers.”

“We’ve seen his handiwork before,” Frohike continued, “He leaves a real pretty signature, although he’s usually a little more precise. Execution style seems to be his forté.”

“That’s what I thought when I was at the scene. I still don’t know if he intended to take me out as well.”

“Just like you to get in the way, Mulder.” There was a chuckle in the other end of the phone.

“Hey Frohike, has the final report come in from the M.E.?” 

“Ah, funny you should mention that. I have a preliminary copy and it shows that there was heroin in his system.”

“Shit,” I stated after a pause.

“What is it?”

“It means Krycek was right.”

[kdramas-ruined-my-life]

Hiii! My prompt choice for your short hwanghans is "42. I’m going to save you from the terrible date you’re having" because I can imagine either one swooping in to save the other from a blind date gone wrong. Looking forward to the next installment of By Your Side!!

Oooh I love this prompt! Thank you so much for asking it! I hope you enjoy it! It can also be found on Ao3!!!

~

Inspector Han Yeo-Jin tapped out a pattern on the table as she tried to stop herself from rolling her eyes for the fourth time that evening.

Her mother had called her last week randomly as she was leaving work and had told her that she had arranged a blind date with the son of one of her friends. Yeo-Jin was reluctant as she told her mother yes. She was too busy to date, and besides, there were not a lot of men who were interested in dating female police officers.

“...And my company had been developing a new algorithm for analyzing both macro and microeconomics to come up with a...” explained her date as he droned on and on about something she couldn’t even remember ten seconds later.

From the few seconds that she had actually paid attention to the man, she had learned that he was a businessman, apparently someone VERY high up in the corporate world. It seemed like he was used to getting his way with the world. Men like him annoyed her. She had met plenty of them when she interrogated them for fraud, theft, and murder.

His appearance added to her overall dislike of the man. Sure he was attractive by societal standards, but it just didn’t appeal to her. His hair was short and slicked back. The large watch on his wrist and his Italian leather shoes screamed “look at me I have money.” It all reminded her of someone. Everyone’s favorite weasel, Seo Dong Jae.

She had been trying to find a way to get out of the dinner without making a scene. If it was a more casual restaurant, she would have simply stood up and left, but if she did that there, in such a nice restaurant, it would just draw attention.

As she tugged the hem of her black dress down for the fiftieth time that evening, she leaned back in her chair. She thought of any way that she could get out of this situation. Was there anyone who could help her?

Jang Geon mentioned that he was going camping with his family, there wasn’t really anyone she was close to at work, and while she was on better terms with Choi Bit, they weren’t on good enough terms for her to help Yeo-Jin.

It was just then that it struck her. Prosecutor Hwang. It was a stretch, but she remembered from their last text messages a couple of weeks ago that he was going to be in Seoul for some sort of gala for the prosecution. He said he didn’t want to attend, but some of his superiors wanted to send him as a representative for the Wonju firm.

The question was, would he help her? She knew that he didn’t like to get involved in social situations, but she thought he might do it for her. Plus, they hadn’t seen each other since they separated at the restaurant a couple of months ago.

Discreetly pulling out her phone from her purse and setting it in her lap where she could type under the table without her date noticing, she sent a quick text.

Hi Prosecutor Hwang! I know you’re super busy with the gala tonight, but is there any way that you could come to the restaurant that I am at? My mother set me up with a blind date and I feel like I am two seconds away from punching him. How do you feel about preventing me from harming a civilian?

She quickly sent the text and was about to turn her phone off when she pulled her messages back up and sent him an emoji of a cartoon cat winking.

Turning her screen off, Yeo-Jin once again brought her attention back to her date, trying to feign even a small of interest. She really needed Hwang Si-Mok to help her out. It was almost as if that thought had summoned him, the phone in her lap letting out a soft buzz. Glancing at her phone, she saw a single short text.

On my way.

~~~

It had been fifteen minutes and thirty-six seconds since she had received Si-Mok’s reply, and yes she was counting the seconds.

Fortunately, they had only just finished their appetizers and had not ordered the next course. She didn’t want to pay for an overpriced, extremely small portion of food if she was going to leave soon.

However, much to her dismay, the waiter set down two small menus in front of them. She was so close to not having to pay.

Grabbing the menu, Yeo-Jin saw that only four entrees were listed in the front. Flipping to the other side, she noticed that the back was blank. The prices were not even listed on the menu.

Mentally rolling her eyes at the insanity of such a menu, Yeo-Jin fingered the edge, planning to make sure that choosing one of those four entrees was going to be the hardest and longest task she had ever done.

It was then when she noticed a few women at the table beside them start whispering as they looked off in the direction behind Yeo-Jin’s chair. Their slightly wide eyes and opened mouths made it seem as if they had just spotted their favorite idol or drama star. Happy to have a distraction from her date, Yeo-Jin turned in her seat to look to where the women’s gazes were directed. Her eyes slightly widened, almost matching the looks that were on the other women’s faces.

None other than Prosecutor Hwang Si-Mom had entered the building and was walking her way. It was clear that the prosecutor had just come from somewhere fancy.

He had traded out his usual dark suit for a tailored back tux, the craftsmanship emphasizing the broadness of his shoulders. She was shocked to see that he wore a black bow tie. She had always seen him in a tie.

His eyes met hers from across the restaurant, a look of recognition appearing in his eyes as he took a step in her direction. It had to have only taken him a minute to walk over to where she sat, but it felt like much longer as she watched him move in almost slow motion. His steps were confident as he walked over, almost sauntering as he crossed the room. She watched as he brought a hand up to his hair, ruffling it a little, only heightening the greatness of his messy hair. As he approached the table, Yeo-Jin watched as he fiddled with his cufflinks, his eyes never leaving hers. The female inspector felt her heart skip a beat.

Aigoo, is this a runway?

“Inspector Han Yeo-Jin,” Prosecutor Hwang greeted as he gave a quick bow of his head in her direction, not bothering to even look at her date, “I need your assistance on a case immediately.”

Yeo-Jin slightly shook her head, desperate to shake her Si-Mok-filled thoughts from her head. Setting the menu down in front of her on the table, the female inspector stood up from her chair, grabbing her purse and standing beside Si-Mok.

Turning to her date she gave a simple apology for having to leave. When her date offered for them to continue their date, she politely declined and motioned at Si-Mok that she was ready to go.

Noticing that the prosecutor had motioned for her to go first, she stepped in front of him, the click of her heels on the floor confident and unwavering. At least it was until she felt a large hand on the small of her back, the warmth seeping through her dress. She looked to the side, bringing her eyes to his as the prosecutor ushered her out of the restaurant and into the cold night, his hand still not leaving her back.

As they neared his car, she turned to him, a warm smile on her face as she said, “Thank you for saving me.”

She watched as a warm smile appeared on his face in response as he responded, “Of course.”

She tried to hold back her smile as he opened the door for her to get into his car, his hand against the top of the doorframe as if to protect her from hitting her head. A quick glance into his side mirror proved she failed to hide it.

As he hopped in the car and turned it on, Yeo-Jin realized they didn’t have a destination to go to, the case Si-Mok had mentioned clearly simply an excuse. She was desperate to spend more time with him, to simply stay by his side. It had been so long.

“Would you...” Han Yeo-Jin began as his warm voice also spoke up.

“Do you want...”

Yeo-Jin motioned at him to speak first, a warm smile on her face.

“Do you what to get ramen or udon?” The prosecutor asked with an almost apprehensive look on his face, “The gala had horrible food and I have not had the chance to eat much today.”

Yeo-Jin smiled broadly at him as she lightly punched him on the arm, “Aigoo, we must have telepathy. I was just about to ask you that.”

Si-Mok responded with a small smile and she was once again struck by his beauty. Sitting beside him in his car was peaceful, the outside world a blur of neon lights and people talking.

It looked as if he had almost wanted to say something but Si-Mok turned his attention away from her as he pulled out of the parking spot and onto the road.

Yeo-Jin really wanted to know what he was about to say, but she knew he would tell her eventually. He always did.

Looking over at Si-Mok, she felt her lips quirk up into yet another smile since he had saved her from her horrible date.

“So, how was the gala?” Yeo-Jin asked as she leaned back in her seat, “Oh, and how’s Wonju? You’ll have to tell me all about it....”

It was a pleasant drive to the pop-up bar, their conversations as connected and friendly as always, and if Si-Mok had taken the longer route to get there, no one had commented on it.

[noveltea-lolita]

Tw-death, self harm, suicidal thoughts

My mom and I had this really long talk.

I’ve been filled with rage, the red emotion directed at her, at the world but mostly at myself. A zombie is what I’ve been for the most part, regressing back to the mess of a person I was a few years ago. Cutting, over caffeinated, never getting out of bed, showering once every two weeks, keeping my family at arm’s length. I hit an all time low last week when I realized I have 50MG anxiety meds in my room- a whole bottle filled with a nirvana I could finally reach. It was a passing thought, one that I dismissed, but it haunted me. Then when I was driving one day I nearly crashed my car on purpose. I was a danger unto myself. I wanted to die. I walked with a cloud over my head that whispered during the day and screamed during the night: you were the last person to see your grandmother alive, YOU should’ve noticed something was WRONG.

That grief was suffocating. It was everywhere in my house since November, but it seemed to hit its peak after Christmas. I became distant from my family and waited for them to ask me what was wrong, which is selfish and something I actually am bothered by when others expect the same from me. I wanted my mom to see how badly I was suffering and I think I will always hate myself for that. But today I exploded.

I was falling through a black abyss, my legs escaped from underneath me and I fell. Nausea consumed me and I could see nothing as I stumbled out the door and into the freezing night; the stars were distant, the moon a beacon of light. I dropped to my knees, heaving, sobbing, and gasping as I told her how sorry I was, that it was all my fault, everything. I had been twenty minutes away, I had been with her. My mom knelt beside me and gathered me in her arms, and rocked me. Crying herself, she broke with me, shattered as she gave me her own guilt and told me things I never knew.

“She called me after you left and she sounded so happy because she had been with you, and she isn’t supposed to have favorites but you so obviously were hers. You filled the hole in her heart that formed after my sister died.” It made me cry harder, honestly, but we talked and held each other beneath the endless sky with a forest at our backs and a field in front of us. I never realized how frail my mother was, how small and skinny she felt beneath my touch; her hands are so large and tough, but the rest of her is frail. It reminded me of my grandmother, and it made me realize how physically distant I am from everyone around me. But after we got the majority of our words out and my mom drew me back into her arms, I smiled.

I smiled against her shoulder because how long had it been since I allowed myself to be held in such a way? And then she whispered, so brokenly, so sadly, “My sister was taken from my mom, she didn’t want to go. Please don’t disappear, please.” And I realized how selfish I was being. How could I die after my mother lost her sister? Her mother? And then I thought of my brother, taller than me and just two years younger than me. He acts like he doesn’t need me, but I’m there to pick him up when he doesn’t have a car, I was the one who held him when we got the news about our grandmother, and I realized- yes. He still needs a big sister. My dad and the tentative relationship we’ve begun to build, my grandfather, my best friend, my cat; they all need me. To some degree, and I know they would be devastated if I died. Years ago I told a therapist I will live for the sake of my mother, but recently I’ve forgotten about that. Now I remember. I did not kill myself before because of her and I will continue not to for her. I will better myself, start doing proactive things for her. Even if we don’t always get along, even if I want to give up, I will keep myself alive for her.

There is a weight off of my shoulders now and I think, for the first time since November 2, I am going to sleep well. I heard a mourning dove earlier today too, and those birds have always reminded me of my grandmother. They woke me up every morning when I was a child and living with her, and she would always point them out with a gentle smile on her face. It was nice to hear it, to feel her in nature. I miss her, I miss her so much, but I should be lucky I got to spend 20 whole years with my grandmother, that I got to hear her stories and listen to her philosophies.

She taught me how to read, and color, and write; count, and sing, and dance. She was lovely- ignorant at times, and hated spending more than a dime, but boy was she lovely. A gorgeous German woman who lost her accent and her culture, who was so cold to strangers but so warm to her family. She loved music, grand orchestras and angelic choirs. Every time I stepped in the house, she was at her kitchen table, reading a massive book with round glasses on her face, and a smile on her face when she took me in. She was stylish, never left the house without heavy mascara and eyeliner and lipstick across her flawless face. She dyed her hair until the last moment, and even though she worked so hard on her beauty, she would brush off every compliment thrown her way. She was a second mother, someone who was there more often than my father. And you know, despite her age, I never saw her as fragile. She was strong. Refused a wheelchair, a cane and a walker, never asked for a helping hand, never wanted help. She lost a child, she was unhappy with her husband, but she never ever gave up. Until the end. And I miss her, I miss her so much it hurts to breathe some days, but I will never ever forget that strength, or those watery green eyes, or those unwavering hands that used to hold me in the air, or those glossed lips that kissed my cheeks, or that voice that never shook with age. The happiness that used to explode inside me whenever I saw her, and saw the joy on her face when she saw do something she found impressive.

The jokes we had, the memories we shared, they’re going to be with me until I die and instead of wishing for more, I am going cherish these. They’re going to stay inside of my heart, warm and bright and alive, until the end. I hope she’s happy, wherever she is, whether she’s in a different form or in another life, I hope she’s content this time around. And I really can’t wait to see her again.

[dirt-cup-draco]

Sirius x Reader- More To You (4/?)

tag list: @spacegirlhere @treestarrrrrrrr @slytherpuffgal @scaredofvscogirls @jenniseiblack

Previously:

You found you wanted to pull Sirius back to you, feel the warmth of his body against yours, hoping it soothed him the way you realized it soothed you in this confusing time. “Goodnight,” You finally croaked, heart still aching form his admission.

“And a good night to you,” Sirius said, sinking back into that somber and tight lipped man that Azkaban had turned him into. You watched him go as you filled your glass.

You weren’t sure how but you were going to make sure Sirius knew that he wasn’t responsible for the deaths of the Potters. If it meant clearing his name and using your own resources, you were going to do it. If it meant standing in opposition to the Wizengamot and their wishes, you would do it. And if it meant standing by him with encouraging words and keeping him safe, then you would do it. One way or another you were going to free Sirius Black from his sullied name and his own demons, no matter what it took.

Summer was at it’s peak and the sun was blistering as you lounged in the backyard, Sirius zooming around the yard as his tongue lolled out of his mouth as he attempted to keep cool. You had a bowl full of lemonade on the porch for him as you sipped at your own.

Running around your small backyard was the only way he could stretch his legs some and you felt terribly guilty about that. He was always stuck inside the house and he could only watch the movies you had so many times before the boredom started eating at him. 

Whistling, you caught his attention and nodded to the door, picking up and going back inside. You appreciated the wave of air conditioning that met you as you waited for Sirius. Once he was inside, you closed and locked your door, pulling the blinds tight. 

“So,” You began, fanning yourself. “Any plans for the day?” 

Sirius gave you a funny look. “Was that supposed to be a joke?” 

You rolled your eyes. “I mean to ask, is there anything you want to do?” 

“Oh yes, tons of things,” Sirius griped, tying up his hair as it got too hot on his neck and if you were momentarily distracted by the column of his throat that shined with a thin sheen of sweat, you wouldn’t admit it. “Like clearning my name, and not being known as a murderer, and living in my own place and not having to pretend to be a god damn dog every time I got outside and-” 

“That’s not what I meant you drama queen,” You whined, “I mean, we could make ice cream or make a slide out of the stairs, or we could-” 

“Go campinig?” Sirius chimed in, a small smile on his face as you attempted to make his days less monotonous. 

“Camping?” You asked incredulously. “I suppose it’s a weekend... But I”ve never been camping before, and wouldn’t the ministry catch on somehow?” 

Sirius shrugged. “I can’t see how they would. We might have to go a bit further than usual, but we could manage. And nobody can do a better silencing spell than you-” 

“And you would know that how?” You interrupted. 

“When I’m bored I try to break the spells you have on your room, which I haven’t been able to do yet” He admitted without a bit of shame. “What I’m really curious about is why you have a silencing spell for your bedroom.” He winked. “But! As I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me- your spell work is strong, if we need to be shielded, I fully believe that you can keep us safe,” 

You blushed for a thousand reasons but you felt pride that Sirius trusted in your abilities. “Well, I agree that I can keep us safe, and that we are going have to be a bit more.. muggle about this. I have a car, just to blend in really, but you can drive can’t you? I remember fifth year you drove a car into the greenhouse and Sprout nearly had your head.” 

Sirius smiled at the memory. “I certainly couldn’t drive then, but you’re right that I can drive now. I think we have ourselves a plan! Start packing,” 

With another notorious wink, he was racing upstairs. You smiled to yourself, glad that you had been able to cheer him up some. As the days passed you realized it was becoming easier to get Sirius to laugh and smile, yet at the same time he was losing faith in himself and he was becoming more guarded because of it. Hopefully, camping would be a good distraction. 

Two hours later, you were reclined in the passengers seat, legs propped up on the dash as Sirius hummed to some rock song he had found on a muggle station. Your bags were shoved into the back seat. You watched Sirius.His hair whipped around with the wind that rushed past you two. You leaned your head back, letting the wind on your face remind you of flying on a broom. Maybe driving wasn’t so bad. 

“Are we there yet?” You asked. 

“Asking every ten minutes won’t make us arrive any sooner,” He pointed out. 

Just to be obnoxious you asked seven more times in quick succession. 

“You are such a brat!” Sirius laughed, hand squeezing your knee as you grinned cheekily at him. 

It did seem to get you there quicker however as Sirius was turning down a remote path off some highway you had never been on, car rattling on the unpaved path. You drove quite a few miles inward. Sirius parked when he saw a lake and a clearing. 

“How did you know where this place was?” You asked, tossing him your tent and grabbing your bags of clothes and supplies as he set it up. “I was lost the entire way here,” 

Sirius was silent for a moment, and you nearly thought he wasn’t going to respond, but then he paused in his work and looked at you. “I came here once before,”

“Ooh, sneaky. I bet it was with some poor girl,” You teased. Sirius smiled but it was gentle, fond even. 

“No, actually,” He admitted. “I came with my friends. It was for Remus’ birthday and all he wanted to do was camp like muggles. We ate smores, fun little muggle sweets, and started a fire without wands and skinny dipped in the lake,” 

Sirius sounded wistful and you could tell these memories were bittersweet. Dropping the bags for a moment your wrapped your arms around his waist. “Sounds lovely, thank you for telling me,” You wanted him to know you’d always listen to whatever he had to say, that you were there for him. 

He kissed your forehead before pulling away too quickly, eyes darting around the campsite as a rosy hue tainted his cheeks. “I’m nearly done with the tent if you want to grab our blankets,” He instructed.

You made yourselves comfortably inside, the space bigger on the inside. You had nearly demanded it, you were one who strove to be comfortable at all costs. Sirius had, in the spirit of actual camping, confined you both to one room, but you wouldn’t complain too much seeing as he had given you ample space and a bed. 

Night fell fairly quickly and Sirius requested that you try those smores he’d been speaking of earlier. “I didn’t ask you to buy these for no reason,” He gestured to the marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate in his arms. 

“This is impossible!” You huffed not ten minutes later, having set another marshmallow aflame. Sirius laughed, grabbing your skewer and blowing out the puffed sugar. 

“It is not, you just have to have a certain amount of finesse,” With that, he presented you with a sandwich of sugar pressed between what looked like cardboard even if Sirius insisted it was edlible. “Eat up,” He encouraged and you moaned in appreciation as the melted chocolate and caramelized sugar hit your tongue in direct contrast to the crisp graham cracker. Sirius blushed at the exaggerated noise that fell from your lips. 

“Oh, Sirius,” You beamed. “This is delightful!” 

Thrusting your skewer back into his hand you demanded he make you another. With a mumbled “bossy, are we?”, he made you another. And another. And another. Until you were sick on sweets. 

Your licked your lips and leaned against Sirius as he accidentally burned his own marshmallow, distracted at the feel of you pressed against his side so casually. “Thank you for this,” You sighed happily. “It’s been awhile since I’ve left home,” 

“No thanks to me,” He sighed. 

“Hey,” You frowned, pulling away so you could grip his chin lightly between your fingers. “Nonsense, you here me? I get out far more than you can so don’t feel as if you are keeping me in, if anything I’m the one trapping you. I wish it could be different... I promise I’ll clear your name,” 

Sirius’ heart leapt at the conviction in your voice and your stomach filled with butterflies at his returning smile. “I know you will,” His smile was tender and warm but quickly morphed into a smirk. “Even if you are a brat.” 

You frowned and squished his cheeks a bit too hard. “You can clean up,” You announced. “I am decidedly going to take a dip in the lake,” 

Sirius stared after you. “Y-you mean you’re going to-?” He dropped off, unable to get his mind straight. He felt like a teen all over again. 

It took you a moment to understand what he meant but you went red immediately. “No! Of course not you foul man! I’ll have my clothes on,” 

“Oh! Right,” Sirius blushed with you. “I’ll join then,” He tried to play it off like he hadn’t been more curious about you, all of you. 

The water was cool and you squealed as you splashed into the water, the moon reflected off the water and dancing across your skin that prickled against the chill, hairs rising. You had stripped down to your underwear and you would have been embarrassed at your lack of clothes if you hadn’t been distracted by Sirius emerging from the tent moments later, only a pair of boxers on him. 

“How’s the water?”Sirius asked, but didnt receive a response from you as you tried to tear your eyes away. A wolfish smirk tugged at his lips. “Cat got your tongue?” 

Instead of answering, you plunged yourself beneath the cool water, the shock of it setting your brain back to it’s normal setting. 

You both swam around, feeling like kids as you goofed off and splashed one another. Sirius was currently hell bent on dunking you beneath the water even as your teeth started to chatter.

“No!” You yelled at him, swimming towards shore and then sprinting when you could. It seemed you hadn’t found your land legs yet as you rolled your ankle, yelping as you fell back into the water, luckily it was the shallows. 

“Y/N! You alright?” Sirius asked immediately, going to your side and pulling you up by your arms. He had filled out some in the past couple weeks, lots of meals and a sleep schedule doing him some good. 

“Y-yeah! Just rolled my ankle,” You complained, trying to stand but found it was still too sensitive as you bent under your own weight. In only a second, Sirius was gathering you up in his arms. “Hey!” You argued but your mouth went dry at the pointed look he gave you. He was terribly close, and warm. 

Sirius set you on your sheets after using a quick drying spell, hand prodding gently at your ankle. “Sit still,” He said softly, uttering a healing spell and you thanked him. 

He grinned and kissed your knee in welcome, and you pretended like the small action of affection had stolen your breath from your lungs. 

“I wonder how you lived without me,” Sirius teased, tugging one of the tshirts youd bought for him over his still damp hair. The smile and worry lines on his face told of his age but you couldn’t help but see the young teen you had known in school. You scowled. 

“I’d do just fine, thank you very much,” You sniffled in indignation. 

Yet, as you lay in your bed that night, listening to the owls hooting in the trees and Sirius’ snoring, you became aware that you wouldn’t be alright if Sirius left you. 

[arsonistslut]

Chapter 15: A false truth

Meanwhile, Jeff lay awake in his hospital bed. He didn't even properly feel angry anymore, or sad, or..anything. He just felt numb. He was getting a hair transplant, but the doctors wouldn't be able to perform proper plastic surgery until a good year or so, so natural healing of his wounds was the only viable option. His parents hadn't visited once, so he had only the staff to keep him company. Whenever one of the nurses came to change his bandages, as was procedure, he could see the look of pity in her eyes. His burns were horrific to look at, he assumed, but not once did he ask to see his own face.

When they put him under for his hair transplant, the demon, apparently calling itself "Zalgo" when asked, had returned to that space they'd talked in before. The same dark corner, red swelling around Zalgo's presence like a plague. Last time Jeff was here with the demon, he took it's hand and pledged bloodshed upon the world..but now he was second-guessing his decision.

"...How do you know Liu hates me, Zal? I mean..he could be in therapy, for all I know! He doesn't hate me, he can't..I'm his brother.."

"He sure is getting therapy.."

Zalgo reached toward one of the walls and swiped over it, opening a sort of..one way window to the sight of Liu and Natalie, gazing at the stars together, Nat running her fingers through Liu's hair as he curled up in her arms like a cat.

"He's forgotten about you, Jeff..remarkably quickly. Another thing.."

Jeff then saw into earlier in the day. Liu was talking to Randy, the kid that set him on fire, and apologized to him. Did it all mean nothing to him...? Did all the times they helped each other, the bond they had, the fact that his brother was rotting in a hospital and was going to be for a year mean nothing to him?

"A reminder, Jeffrey..he's doing this on purpose. They all do, all the couples at school that see a lonesome soul like you with nobody to go to prom with, your family that irrationally hates everything you do and paints you as a monster, the police who arrested you, mocked you for your disorder, they think it's funny. This world hates people like you, and it won't stop beating you down until you're dead."

Chapter 16: Fresh meat

Keith smirked as he saw the new girl with the black-and-red stockings pass him by in the locker. Nina Hopkins, another transfer from 9th grade. She was what you would call the "alt-girl", and if the rumors were true, had similar issues that Jeff kid had. Keith taps his friend Troy's shoulder, and the two follow her as she heads outside to eat her lunch.

"Hey! Where ya goin', anorexic?"

Nina turned to look at the boys who followed her outside, sighing as she ignored them and muttered to herself.

"Same shit as before.."

"What is it, Jeff? You finally got that sex change?"

"Jeff? who's Jeff?"

"Oh, right, that's your 'dead name'. Sorry, nInA!"

Randy saw the two outside, approaching and looking at the situation. At this point, Troy and Keith were hardly people he wanted to associate with anymore. He didn't want to bully people anymore, to hurt anyone else with these two dopes.

"C'mon, you two. We've got bigger fish to fry."

"What? We're just..introducing her to the neighborhood."

"We're going."

"You her boyfriend or something?"

Randy approached Keith, looming over the ginger with a subdued anger in his eyes.

"Maybe I should beat your fucking ass, Keith. Teach you your fair share of respect."

When his "friend" stepped back in surprise and fear, Ellsworth couldn't help but feel just a little bit satisfied with himself. Damn, that felt good.

"Alright, I'm coming..Jesus."

When the three left, Nina, who was just..caught up in all of this, looked on in confusion as she took a bite out of her sandwich.

"Sheesh..who is this Jeff kid, anyway? Heh, maybe I could buy some drugs or something off of him."

She joked to herself, the rest of school carrying on without incident.

Chapter 17: Breaking away

It was the same walk home as usual. The same cool air, the same autumn leaves flowing through the wind, the same desolate suburbia that New Orleans had become. Liu passed the Wallace Street sign that signaled the closeness of his house, his hands interlocked with Natalie's. He was about to cross the train tracks, but then he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Liu fuckin' Woods. How the hell've you been, little man?"

Keith Winchester. Alone. With a baseball bat.

"This is the same street your brother attacked me on. Poetic, ain't it?"

Liu felt that he wasn't gonna get out of this without violence, but he didn't expect this kid, who from what he remembered hearing, had a pretty cushy life, was going to try and attack him and Nat, of all people with a baseball bat. It was metal, too, so he had to have gotten it from his dad or something. Natalie was more annoyed than frightened, however, and began walking toward the bully.

"Oh, you think you're-"

What came next horrified Liu; the awful sound of aluminum striking flesh full force rang out as Keith bashed her upside the head with his weapon. Liu's conscious quickly gave way to let Sully in, and he charged at Keith, who raised the bat above his head to strike Liu down as well, but a hard punch to the gut quickly doubled the boy over. Sully quickly followed up by grabbing Keith's ears and headbutting him, knocking him to thee ground in a daze. Liu felt like he was outside of his own body, just..watching it all unfold. Sully grabbed the baseball bat and struck Keith in the ribs, then again in the shoulder, again to his ribs. A strike to his ankle came next, causing Keith to cry out in pain louder than before. Sully then heard the loud bells of a train arriving and grabbed Keith's leg, grabbing him and then throwing him down against the tracks, placing a foot against his back so he couldn't escape. The train grew closer and closer, the panic of the situation began slowly rushing back to Liu, as Natalie's voice called out to him;

"LIU, NO!!"

Suddenly, Liu regained control, and before the train could kill Keith, he pulled him out of the way of the speeding train, the shock on his face mirroring his. Keith limped away as Natalie rushed over to Liu's side.

"Liu, what the hell was that?! You nearly killed him!"

"I-I don't know, I just..s-snapped!"

"...I've never seen you that..angry, before..that scared me, Liu. It's like..you were a different person."

"I...I guess it was.."

"C'mon, I'll be fine. He hits hard, goddamn it..you got an ice pack or something?"

Liu grabbed an ice pack from his backpack and gently pressed it up to his girlfriend's face, half of him internally cursing himself for not killing that Keith motherfucker for hitting Natalie, and the other just happy that this whole event was over and done with.

3 days passed, and Keith hadn't gotten any better. He could tell Randy was about to split, and Troy..Troy was as dopey as he usually was, that relentless apathy toward all the cruelty and the violence, it was disturbing at times. Still, Keith had agreed to drive the three out to this junkyard he frequented, helped him separate from the outside world. They'd decided that a couple of good-for-nothing cars in an abandoned junkyard would be the perfect tourniquets for their frustrations, and Keith's father played lots of baseball, so they had weapons to use in such..venting. Troy and Randy were having a fair bit of fun there, making crude jokes and smashing old cars to pieces, but Keith was busy letting out all of the frustration, the anger he had for the Woods brothers and what they'd done to him. The car he was smashing apart was nearly about to collapse on it's own as Winchester screamed curse word after curse word, striking the derelict with hit after hit. Once he was finished, he noticed the two other teenagers looking at him. Troy looked amazed at what his friend did, whilst Randy just seemed...concerned.

"Are..are you alright, dude?"

"No, I'm not alright!! Jeff, Liu, those two fucks have been on my mind ever since the shit with the forest happened! Everybody thinks I'm a fucking weakling, thanks to those two! Well, news flash, I am NOT a weakling!!"

"Keith, we'll get those two eventually, alright? They've hurt you, and that means they hurt all of us. Nobody hurts us."

"Right..they're the bigger fish you mentioned when you pussied out over that Nina girl, right?"

"I didn't pussy out, Keith! We need to get after those shitters and not after some weird 17 year old!"

"You..You lie through your teeth, don't you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You left your journal in my car, Randall. I decided to pore through it, and what do I find? Page after page of you whining about us, saying you want me and Troy gone from your life! We were friends!"

"People change, Keith, and I changed. A-After that fire, I realized that it was wrong..all of it was wrong! This bullying shit, it isn't okay! We're making other people feel like shit for our own enjoyment, that's sick!"

Randy let out an exasperated sigh as he sat on the roof of a car, clasping his hands together as he searched for the sort of words he thought could properly express how he's changed. Maybe his story would..resonate with Keith. Troy let out a small chuckle as he laid on a car hood and watched the drama unfold.

"I've never been the best with expressing myself, Keith. People would get mad at me when I said some shit that pissed them off, I didn't have a goddamn clue as to how I was supposed to talk to people. That's why I started all of this, why I started bullying people. People didn't really like me, but it was for a reason I could understand for once! But, now..after I lit Jeff on fire, it just doesn't seem worth it anymore."

"Oh, that's why?! You can't fucking talk right?! Randy, I've gotten arrested for you, you know that?! I took the fall for you for those vandalism charges when we set that old shed on fire, and was because you apparently had a fucking speech impediment."

"Keith, calm down-"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!"

Randy just shook his head as Keith stormed away, snatching his baseball bat out of Randy's hands. Troy soon got up and followed, looking Ellsworth dead in the eyes as he passed him.

"You suck some off, y'know that?"

"And you swallow, prick."

Once Keith and Troy left, Randy smiled to himself, something he hadn't done ever since the incident. It was like a giant weight had been lifted from his chest, so after taking in the bliss of being free of those two, he stood up and began heading home. He'd finally broken away from those two.

[gryffindorcls]

Why Are You Still Awake?

WARNING: SEASON 3 FINALE SPOILERS 

This was written for my good friend @flashflashitsash​ birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ASH!!!

I hope you enjoy!

---

Marinette sat on her balcony and sipped a steaming cup of tea. It was late, but sleep often alluded her nowadays. Ever since she had been given the Ladybug Miraculous, she often found her mind racing every time she crawled into bed. It got worse once she became the Guardian of the Miracle Box.

On particularly bad nights, Marinette would take her fluffiest blanket onto the terrace and soak in the quietness of the evening. The soft thrum of the cars below and the whistling of the wind often remedied her sleeplessness, but tonight, nothing seemed to be working. She grew increasingly restless as time passed, for only a few hours ago, her life had changed drastically...again.

Even though she knew it would be a good idea to sit down with Chat and reveal their identities when she became the new Guardian, it was something that Marinette couldn’t bring herself to do. She neglected to tell Chat Noir that the identity rule didn’t need to be followed anymore, and she failed to mention that it was now necessary to know his identity so she could easily contact him in the event of an emergency.

It’s not that she didn’t want to know who Chat was. If anything, it was the fact that revealing their identities would change the dynamic of their relationship. It was a step that she hadn’t been ready to take; however, fate had different plans when they’d gotten trapped inside of a closet during an Akuma attack earlier that day.

Seeing Chat Noir turn into Adrien Agreste made her heart stop. She saw a thousand expressions cross his features when her own transformation dropped a few seconds later. Before she had the chance to speak, cry, or scream, they were released from their confinement and forced to spring back into action.

After a bit of fumbling, they were able to defeat the Akuma; however, they were not granted the opportunity to talk before returning to class. When school ended, Adrien had been quickly whisked away to a photoshoot, leaving Marinette alone with her thoughts and feelings.

It had been approximately eight hours since she’d learned Chat’s identity, and she still didn’t know what to do. Ever since Marinette had decided to stop pursuing Adrien, she had done her best to be a better friend to him. Watching him find love with another girl had been difficult. All she wanted was for him to be happy, and if Kagami made him feel good, she knew she would have to be okay with that.

While she still loved him with every fiber of her being, she’d done her best to push her feelings aside when she was with Adrien. She’d even managed to have a few decent conversations with him over the past few months. (She only stuttered a few times!) However, knowing that he was Chat added a new level of awkwardness.

She sighed and closed her eyes. Marinette let the stillness of the night consume her. Also, knowing that she had a few more hours before she had to confront her newest problem helped settle the nervousness brewing in her gut.

She spent the next several minutes attempting to clear her mind. She sat like a statue and took deep, calming breaths. Suddenly, Marinette’s phone went off in her lap, startling her. Upon feeling the vibration, she jumped and nearly fell out of the lawn chair.

With tired eyes, she squinted at the device. An unknown number flashed across her screen. Curiosity filled her as she opened her phone to view the message.

Unknown: Why are you still awake?

Marinette felt a twinge of panic in her chest. While the message didn’t sound threatening, she didn’t like the idea of someone watching her.

Marinette: Who is this?

Unknown: Oh, right...sorry. I forgot that you don’t have this number on your civilian phone. I didn’t mean to startle you, Princess.

“Chat,” a soothing voice echoed in her mind.

Every muscle in her body relaxed. This was her partner. This was Adrien. She knew him. She could trust him.

Marinette: It’s okay...how did you know that I was still awake?

Unknown: I have night vision...lol

Marinette: Haha...right. Where are you?

Unknown: Look up.

Marinette obliged and turned her gaze towards the Parisian skyline. After taking a minute to scan the landscape, she spotted a bright light nestled in a dark corner on a roof across the street.

Marinette: Hiding in the shadows?

Unknown: What can I say? I belong to the night.

Her mind began to race. “You can’t hide from this conversation forever. Talk to him. It’s now or never.”

Marinette: Why don’t you come over here?

She bit her lip as she awaited his response.

Unknown: Are you sure?

Marinette: Get over here :)

She watched as the distant light flicked off. His shadowy figure vaulted across the rooftops, and within seconds, a sheepish looking Chat Noir landed on her balcony.

He sheathed his baton and looked at the ground. “I...um...hi, Marinette.”

She offered him a small smile. “Good evening, Chaton. What brings you out and about at two o’clock in the morning?”

“I’m sorry...I-I couldn’t sleep. You know...after all that happened today. I just...then...and my room felt extra stuffy, and I just needed to get out. I was running across the rooftops, and I ran past your place...I’m sorry I didn’t mean to...what I’m trying to say is...ugh...no...I looked over, and I saw you. I know it’s late, but I was worried. I promise I didn’t do it on purpose…I...”

She cut him off with a giggle. “Would you like to detransform and talk?”

He cocked his head to the side. “I...what? You’re not mad?”

“No. I was actually out here thinking about what I was going to say to you tomorrow, but...you’re here now. So, I’ll ask again...would you like to detransform and talk?”

“I’m...uhhh...only wearing pajamas under this.”

“So, I’m wearing pajamas under this blanket. It’s fine.”

“But it’s kind of cold outside.”

“Would you like to come inside?”

“Really?”

Marinette stood up from her chair and walked over to the leather-clad hero. “Yes, you silly cat. You are my partner, and if we want this to not be weird anymore, then we need to talk about what happened today.”

He stood silent and stunned on the terrace. She grabbed his hand and led him over to the hatch. Once they were both inside her room, Chat called off his transformation, and Marinette shielded her eyes as the bright green light engulfed her partner.

Her breath hitched upon seeing a worn and weary Adrien Agreste with a frown and tousled hair. She did her best to remind herself that this was just her Chaton; however, seeing him as Adrien made everything feel different.

She took a deep breath and attempted to speak. “S-so...I...uh...okay. Wow...I tet’s lalk…I MEAN...ugh...no. Not this again. Let’s talk.”

The sadness deepened on his face. “I’m making you uncomfortable. This wasn’t a good idea. I’ll just go.”

“NO! No...p-please. I just....need a moment. I’ve been working hard to get over this, but I’m just a little nervous now that you’re not transformed.”

“What can I do to make this better? Jeez...I’m so sorry Marinette. If I’d been a little faster today, we wouldn’t have gotten stuck. I really am a lousy partner sometimes.”

Hearing his self-deprecating words caused the nervousness inside her to melt away instantly. It was quickly replaced by hurt and frustration.

She buried her head in her hands and groaned. “I can’t believe this! We’re back to square one! We haven’t acted like this around each other in months. When I became the Guardian, you really stepped up. You’ve been driven and confident...it was us against the world. Chaton, I will kick you if you tell me that you’re not a good partner ever again. You’re not even a great partner, you’re the perfect partner. Do you understand?”

He audibly swallowed. “Uh...yes?”

“Good.”

“Okay...yeah.”

A silence fell between them. For the second time that night, the flash of confidence that Marinette felt moments ago began to fade as she let her mind wander.

“Why are you still getting nervous around him? Out of the suit, he’s still Chat Noir. Besides, Adrien is your friend. They’re the same person...and he’s your friend...just your friend. You’re just a friend...but you still love him.”

Marinette felt hot tears brimming in the corners of her eyes. She looked up to see Adrien looking down at his lap. He looked so small and sad, and all she wanted to do was hold him and tell him that it would be okay, but she’d given up her chance to be by his side. They were partners...and that was it.

Tears began to streak her face as her newest realization hit her. “He loved you as Ladybug...you gave him up twice. Now, he’ll never be yours. You have to keep this professional and friendly. Nothing more! Don’t mess this up. Don’t make him feel worse.”

Adrien’s eyes snapped up as a sob escaped her lips. Within seconds, he’d moved across the bed and situated himself next to her. He hesitated before placing a warm hand on her shoulder.

“Marinette, how...did I do something? I’m sorry. Tell me what I need to do or say. Please don’t cry. If it’s something I can fix, just tell me.” He looked at her with worry in his eyes.

She attempted to speak between sobs. “It’s m-me...I...I...I did this t-to myself. I can’t tell you...you’re going to hate me!”

“I don’t think I could hate you if you tried.”

“No...this time you will. I hurt you over and over again. It only makes sense that you moved on. I couldn’t even be honest with you in our civilian lives!”

“Moved onto what? Help me understand...I just want things to be okay between us.”

“My brain can’t even pick an emotion right now. When I think of you as Chat, I feel confident and strong, and then I see you as Adrien and I go back to how it was before...before...I-I...I can’t.”

“Before what?”

Marinette’s lip trembled. “Before I let you go!”

Adrien furrowed his brows. “Marinette...you’re still not making any sense.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Please don’t hate me.”

“I promise I won’t. Like I said before, I don’t think I can.”

She grabbed a pillow and squeezed it against her body. “I love you.”

“Oh, my lady.” He gently removed the pillow from her grip and wrapped his arms around her. “Thank God.”

“I...it’s been so long since you’ve called me that? WAIT...aren’t you dating Kagami?”

“Ahhhhh...um...no. I’m not. She told me that she loved me, and I told her that I wasn’t ready. I tried taking her out on a date, but it just didn’t feel right. I was still in love with someone else...a certain someone else who I thought was in love with Luka.”

She pulled away from him. “Well, yeah...about that. Luka is...sweet. And I love him, but I’m not in love with him…if that makes sense.”

Adrien reached up and ran his fingertips along her cheek. “So, if Luka wasn’t the boy who Ladybug was in love with...then...who?”

“I think you already know the answer to that.”

“I do, but I would really like to hear you say it.”

She met his gaze and smiled. “Adrien Agreste, I, Marinette Dupain-Cheng have been hopelessly in love with you since you handed me your umbrella the day after we met. I spent a year trying to tell you, and I could barely function when you looked at me. Then, a few months ago, I saw you laughing and smiling with another girl, so I walked away...and I’ve been trying to forget about my feelings for you, but it didn’t work. And I have to be honest, I think that’s all the courage I can muster for the rest of the night.”

Adrien grinned and once again pulled her into a tight embrace. He lovingly ran his hand up and down her back.

“Then let me talk for a little bit,” he whispered.

Marinette felt herself melt in his arms as she leaned in and rested her cheek on his shoulder. He nuzzled the top of her head and released a happy hum.

“My lady,” he began, “a few months ago, a beautiful blue-eyed girl helped my friend and I escape a boring party. I’d been thinking about that girl for quite some time, but I always pushed her out of my mind because I didn’t need to fall in love with another emotionally unavailable person. Then I saw her with her hair down, and I was stunned. I knew she was beautiful, but I never imagined that she was that radiant. That day, I watched her get us out of sticky situations by coming up with creative solutions. Then again, she always did amazing stuff like that...she was my everyday Ladybug. She was always brave, kind, and selfless. I’m surprised I didn’t let myself completely fall for her sooner.”

“Wait,” she shook her head, “you actually noticed me?”

“How could I not? Honestly, I didn’t think I stood a chance with you or Ladybug, so when Kagami told me that she loved me, I went for it. Unfortunately, she and I didn’t mesh very well. We were...too similar. I need someone who compliments me...someone who’s my other half. You know...the yin to my yang. That’s when I realized that I would never be over Ladybug, and that wasn’t fair to Kagami.”

“I’m sorry...I just wanted you to be happy.”

“No,” he began, “you don’t understand. I finally found my happiness. Marinette, I love you, too...I always have. I now know that we really are destined to be together.”

Marinette bit her lip. “So, you’re okay with maybe...um...being in a relationship?”

Adrien tightened his hold on her. “Oh, God, yes! When I found out that you and Ladybug were the same person, I was overjoyed. Then, I remembered Luka, and I thought he was the reason why you kept pushing away Chat. The idea of not having a chance with either of you drove me crazy today. I was filled with so many questions, so I ran across the rooftops hoping to find some answers...and now the answer to everything is in my arms, and I never want to let go.”

“Then don’t...just hold me.”

“For as long as you want me to, my lady.”

For several minutes, they sat quietly in each other’s arms. Marinette could feel his love for her in every breath he took. For the first time in months, she felt safe and whole.

Adrien chucked when Marinette yawned loudly. “I think it’s time for someone to get to bed.”

She shook her head. “Nope. Not happening.”

“And why not?”

“A couple reasons. One...you promised to never let go. Two...because I’m afraid that I’ll go to sleep and wake up only to discover that this was all a dream.”

“Okay, unfortunately, I have to physically let you go, but my heart beats only for Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I will always be yours. Also, I hate to break it to you, Princess, but this is most definitely not a dream. I’m very real, and once I’m done with my lessons in the morning, I will be spending the rest of the day with you tomorrow...well, today. I guess it’s already tomorrow.”

“That sounds nice.” Marinette was finding it harder to resist against the heaviness of her eyelids.

He rested his forehead against hers. “If you go to sleep now, time will pass by much faster, and I’ll be back before you know it.”

“No...I just got you. I don’t want you to leave.”

“Will you go to bed if I stay here until you fall asleep?”

“Okay...I guess that’ll work,” she said with a playful shrug.

He softly kissed her forehead. “Anything for you, Princess.”

Adrien settled himself next to Marinette and placed his head onto her pillow. He once again pulled her close and allowed her to bury her head in his soft cotton t-shirt. The gentle rise and fall of his chest and his comforting warmth quickly became her new obsession.

With a smile on her face, Marinette gave into the overwhelming wave of exhaustion that washed over her. She slept soundly knowing that Adrien would always be by her side.

Now that the wall between them was finally gone, Marinette knew that together they would be an unstoppable force. Her duties and Ladybug and the Guardian no longer seemed daunting and insurmountable.

Marinette had Adrien, and Chat Noir had Ladybug.

They had each other.

They were finally complete.

AO3

FanFiction

[flipomatic]

A New World Chapter 19: Training Camp Day 1

Author Note: This is the start of a mini arc, which is blocked out for at least three chapters. Knowing how much fit in this chapter and how this fic has been going so far, it will almost certainly be longer than that.

First Chapter Previous Chapter

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For the last month, the bustle of Lisa’s life continued as it had all year. She studied for all her courses as the first semester neared its end, worked hard at her part time job, practiced bass at home, went on a few dates with Ai, a young woman she met in class, and went to as many Roselia rehearsals as she could.

Though the band practiced the same amount as before, the rehearsals were starting to feel different. The band talked frequently about what they needed to do to try and hit their new goal. They made plans and rehearsed to achieve them. It was helping, if slowly.

Lisa also worked on another task, one she talked about with Yukina the day they set their new goal. She worked hard for the last month of the semester to get everything ready to go.

Roselia was going on a training camp.

Lisa scheduled it for the second week of summer break, after school let out. It was a win win situation. The band would get to spend some time together, they could get a lot of practice in, and hopefully they would improve their sound problems.

All of the members cleared their schedules and were on board, so Lisa made the arrangements as the date approached. It took a while, but she was able to locate a house outside of Tokyo to rent, one with a full music studio in the basement. It would be the perfect fit for the band. However, a house like that cost a lot of money to stay in. In order to pay for it, Lisa needed money from the band’s account.

They didn’t talk about it often, or do much with the money, but the band had slowly been accumulating yen for almost two years. After about a year of performing they released their first album, Anfang. Before the contest for future world FES they released their second, Wahl. A bank account was opened with Sayo as the cosigner, along with one of her parents. Ever since then, money had come in from the cd sales.

When Lisa called Sayo to ask how much they had, she learned that the band had more than enough to rent the house for a whole month, if they wanted to. Sayo sent Lisa a breakdown of when the cd sales were made, tracking the steady growth of the band. Seeing just how many people bought their albums warmed Lisa’s heart; it was a nice reminder of just how many people the band already reached.

It motivated her even more to make these arrangements, so the band could continue repairing their sound.

With the money settled, Lisa booked the house. She made sure to ask for five futons to be available, so they could sleep in the same room. After that she set up the transportation. One of the train lines out of Tokyo passed right near the house, so she booked 5 tickets for that as well.

With all that set she only needed to wait until the end of the semester, which was easier said than done.

Lisa just had to make it through finals, so she could consider her first semester at university a success. University exams were an even larger percent of her grades than they had been in high school, which made them even more intimidating.

Lisa suggested to Ai that they study together for their shared class, which ended up being a more interesting experience than expected. Barely any studying got done, so after that Lisa spent her time studying alone. She thought about inviting Yukina over, just as friends of course, but each time she hesitated. They weren’t studying the same things and besides, it had been harder to talk with Yukina lately. The band’s troubles left her more sullen than usual, somehow even more distant. Lisa could feel an invisible rift slowly growing between them, beyond her control. She wasn’t sure what to do about it; perhaps an answer would come to her at the training camp.

That wasn’t what she was supposed to be focusing on right now. No, Lisa needed to study. So she did, in every spare moment she had as final exams approached. It was exhausting, but she knew it would be worth it.

All her effort paid off, since she passed her exams. Her next round of classes wouldn’t start for a month, giving Lisa time to breathe for the first time in what felt like years.

After her last final, she finished the preparations for the training camp. Soon, she would be spending time with her band once again.

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Ako practically bounced on the balls of her feet as she walked through the train station, unable to contain her excitement. The bag she pulled behind her, despite its weight, didn’t slow her down. Today was the big day, when Roselia was going on their training camp. When Lisa told Ako about it, she was instantly super hyped for the trip. This could only help the band get even better.

The last time they went on a training camp was a couple years ago; Ako had often thought that they should go on another one. Or at least, that’s what she told herself when Lisa brought up the idea.

After making sure it was alright with her parents, Ako marked the whole week on her calendar. She’d been counting down the days ever since.

The train left at 10:00 am, so Ako made sure to be there at 9:30. As she approached the wing of the station, she was easily able to spot the rest of her bandmates waiting near one of the entrances. Being taller now helped with that.

Ako waved one hand over her head as she approached, which drew the attention of Rinko. She raised one hand slightly and gave a half wave in return.

“G-good morning.” Rinko greeted Ako softly, her voice barely audible over the bustle of the station. Once Ako reached them, stopping to fill the circle they were standing in, she saw that they each had a bag like she did, along with their instruments. She didn’t need to bring a drum set, since Lisa said there was one at the house.

“Morning!” Ako chirped back, grinning from ear to ear. She bounced on her knees, unable to stand still.

Sayo looked over, as she shuffled a few papers in her hands. “Good, you’re here.” She stepped towards Ako and offered one of the papers to her. “This is your ticket.”

“Thanks!” Ako accepted the ticket carefully, taking a look once it was secure in her grasp. It marked the time the train left, as well as what stop they were getting off on. Overall, it was about a half hour train ride, which was longer than Ako usually rode. They didn’t have reserved seats for the trip.

Ako put the ticket in her pocket, patting it once to make sure it was secure.

“I can’t remember the last time I left the city.” Lisa started a conversation, hand on her chin as if trying to think. “It’s been ages.”

“It has been a while, hasn’t it.” Sayo stepped back to her spot in the circle as she replied, shifting her guitar on her back.

“It’ll be nice… to spend so much time together…” Rinko chimed in.

Ako agreed, and she nodded vigorously to show it. She even brought a few games that they could play in their downtime, when they had the chance.

Yukina’s gold eyes moved between each of her bandmates as they spoke, but she remained silent. Ako wondered what was up with her.

“Once we get to the house, we’ll plan the rest of the week.” Sayo was looking at Lisa while she spoke, though the whole band would be involved in the process.

Lisa smiled with her usual cat grin. “Sounds good!”

There were still a few minutes until the train would board, so they talked about a couple other topics. Lisa and Sayo both made sure to bring extra strings, so they could replace them if one broke. Rinko was using her extra portable keyboard case, one that also could be carried like a backpack. Ako shared about the board games she brought, if they wanted to play them. Game time could even be added to the schedule they were going to make.

She was interrupted by a message from the overhead speakers, directing passengers of their train to begin boarding.

The members of the band had turned to walk onto the platform, when a low voice stopped them.

“Let’s return to the peak.” Yukina, who had been mostly silent so far, spoke quietly from the back. Ako heard her words clearly, despite the low volume. She turned back to look, along with the others.

Golden eyes were set with determination, a look Ako hadn’t seen from Yukina in quite a long time. Her lips were set in a firm line, back straight. She swept forward between her band members, taking the lead out onto the train platform. Ako followed with a smile on her lips.

They walked across the platform and to the train, locating the car without reserved seats. Inside, they found that only about a quarter of the seats were full. It was easy to find a few empty rows for them to sit.

Each member stowed their bag overhead, which Ako was now tall enough to do all on her own, before sitting with their instrument in hand. Only Ako didn’t have one, since she only brought the drumsticks. She claimed one of the window seats, with Rinko sitting down next to her.

Sayo and Lisa were behind them, with Yukina across the aisle from Sayo. When Ako turned to look back, Lisa had a map out and was showing something to Sayo. Yukina was leaning over to look at it as well.

Ako turned back to the front; if it was important she would see it later. For now, she had over half an hour to enjoy the train ride. She had that time to talk with Rinko, uninterrupted by their busy lives.

A few minutes later, as the train rolled out from the station, Ako used that time to its fullest.

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The house Lisa rented was absolutely massive. That was Sayo’s only thought as she looked up at the building. It was a two story western style house, with multiple windows on the front. Light blue siding covered the expansive walls. A long driveway extended from an attached garage, reaching past the sidewalk and down to the street. They were only a half hour outside of Tokyo, but it felt like a whole different region.  

Sayo had worked with Lisa to pay for the rental, so she kind of knew what to expect. Unless Lisa told them the specifics, the others likely had no idea.

The members of Roselia walked slowly up that driveway, all eyes turned up at the building.

Sayo’s guitar case was secured to her back, so her hands were free to carry her bag. Lisa moved ahead of the rest of the band, unlocking the front door.

“Here we are, our home for the next week.” Lisa pulled the door open and gestured inside. She held the door as the band entered.

Sayo was the third one in, taking in the branching hallway and stairwell that led upstairs. The house appeared just as large on the inside, with a high ceiling in the entranceway. She slipped her shoes off before stepping away from the door.

“Woah!” Ako’s voice echoed through the space. “This is so cool!” She was already at the end of the hallway.

“Do we need something this large?” Yukina was part way down the hall.

Lisa shut the front door behind them. “Wait until you see the basement.” She replied, not really answering Yukina’s question. Sayo already knew what was down there, but it seemed like Lisa wanted it to be a surprise.

“The basement?” Yukina echoed back the words as a question, with one eyebrow arched.

“You’ll see.” Lisa winked.

Yukina’s expression remained unchanged, but she seemed to accept that she wasn’t going to get any further explanation. The group moved away from the door and into the rest of the house, splitting up to look around the first floor.

Sayo found herself in the kitchen, which was a large open space. It was even big enough that the five of them could cook in it at once. There was a large table in it, with enough seats for six people. She kept moving past it, looking in other rooms on the first floor. Sayo passed by the stairs that led down, but stayed on the first floor for now.

She found Rinko in one of the side rooms, placing her bag and keyboard on the carpet. There was a pile of futons in the corner, designating this as where they would sleep. A few other bags had already been left in the room. Sayo followed suit, setting her belongings along the wall.

Sayo followed Rinko back out of the room, continuing to look around. They ended up back in the kitchen, where Yukina and Lisa were leaning against the counter. Ako appeared a moment later.

“Ready to see the basement?” Lisa asked, eyes glinting mischievously.

“Yes!” Ako pumped one fist in the air. Yukina just nodded in reply.

Lisa led the band to the stairs, flicking the lights on dramatically before she descended. There was a door at the bottom, which she pushed open.

When Sayo reached the bottom, she stepped out into the basement. The space in front of her was partitioned into two rooms, with large windows between them. The first room, where they entered in, had desks, computers, and a sound panel along the shared wall. A door led to the other side.

Through the glass, Sayo could see a complete drum set. There was also a large microphone hanging from the ceiling, near the windows.

This must’ve been the music studio that was part of the rental. There was more technology down here than Sayo expected. She looked over at Yukina, curious about her reaction. Yukina’s expression was still calm, but a hint of excitement gleamed in her eyes.

“When you said it had plenty of room for practice, this was not what I anticipated.” Sayo commented dryly, earning a chuckle from Lisa in response.

Rinko proceeded through the door to the other side, marveling at the space.

“You were right about the basement.” Yukina said bluntly, moving towards the computers. “Can we record in here?” Ah, that was a good question. It had been a long time since they recorded any music, since it was hard to get studio time when they were all available. Their lack of new songs contributed to that too, though Sayo didn’t like to think about that.

“We can.” Lisa joined her by the computer, hitting a button to boot it up. “The entire studio is ours for the week.”

Yukina looked satisfied with that answer. “We should make sure to use it.” Sayo agreed; with a studio available there was a lot that they could do. They wouldn’t have time to mix tracks properly, but they could record while they were here and polish the recordings later.

Of course, to do that they would need something to record.

Sayo made a mental note for now, to bring up as part of making the schedule. She stepped away from the pair to head to the other room, where Ako had joined Rinko. The two stood near the drum set, admiring the different drums on it.

“This will be… great for rehearsal.” Rinko commented as Sayo approached.

Sayo nodded. “Yes, we can even record here.” She shared what she heard from Lisa.

Rinko’s eyes widened slightly, while Ako grinned. “We’ll make something full of magic.” Ako declared, sweeping one arm over her face. Rinko nodded in agreement.

The band stayed down in the studio for a few more minutes, looking at what else was available before heading back upstairs.

It was getting close to lunch time, so the group decided to split up. Sayo, Lisa, and Yukina stayed to work on the schedule while Ako and Rinko walked to the nearby market to get some ingredients. They made a quick list of what they needed, before heading out.

Sayo took a seat at the table in the kitchen, taking out her phone to mark things on the shared calendar. Their arrival and departure dates were already on it.

Lisa sat across from Sayo, while Yukina took the seat to Sayo’s right. That struck her as unusual, as the pair would usually sit together. They hadn’t sat together on the train either. Sayo suspected that this was another symptom of whatever was going on with them. She didn’t add it to the calendar, but it was on her list for the week.

“We should focus on rehearsing tomorrow.” Yukina got the ball rolling, starting the scheduling conversation.

Sayo was looking forward to what the week would bring.

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