#seriously though no worries on the trade front

[kingofanemptyworld]

doesn’t the trade feature for Pokémon on switch require a membership for the internet, since Nintendo pay walled that? (Genuine general question here)

cuz I haven’t really picked up my violet game to continue playing after I got it cuz it genuinely sucks. It’s unfinished, unpolished, and feels SO empty and lifeless. The stuttering frame rates and glitching graphics on top of that make it a trial to play with my sensory problems too. (And I say that as someone who loves Pokémon so much that I literally start spontaneously crying over Pokémon living their everyday lives in the games. I could on several hours long rants about the games and series in general.)

anyways this was a VERY long-winded way of saying: I’d love to trade you a palafin but I think the trade feature is pay walled cuz of how Nintendo makes people pay for internet features on their games for switch

sincerely, wind breaker anon, who successfully finished her first week at her new full time job

hi wbk anon!!! the offer alone is much appreciated. you are correct, though, the online trade feature is paywalled. I was mostly joking with my plea for someone to trade me a palafin 😅 because yeah I think the only time you can trade without it being something you pay for is if the other switch is local, i.e. they’re sitting in the same room as you. and I’m not even sure that’s still free tbh, i think it was for sword and shield? but i might be misremembering…

you’re also not wrong about the game itself. i got this as a gift for Christmas, which is a large part of why I’m playing it. but the to degree to which this game is unfinished is actually upsetting. the graphics are a nightmare in some cases, its like playing a super laggy MMORPG. or genshin impact when your computer sucks. i like the characters well enough and i do want to know what the hell is up with the plot, but this isn’t a game I would’ve bought for myself knowing that they literally put an unfinished product on the market. don’t blame you at all for not continuing, especially if it was aggravating your sensory issues.

but hey! new thing to talk about if you’d like! I’ve played… pretty much every game? including most of the spin offs (I will go to my grave bemoaning the fact that conquest never got a sequel). fire red was my very first game for my game boy advance as a kid, and I’ve never looked back lmao.

[harveybwabbit92]

Grocery girl: Ken Sato x Reader pt. 3

You were a delivery girl who was frequently dispatched to the famous baseball player's Ken Sato residence, you were a nobody that anyone hardly paid attention to, until you found the legendary baseball passed out on his front steps looking like hell, being a bit of worry wart you help him inside and that things took a HUGE turn when you find yourself playing mommy for a giant baby dragon....

Part 1, Part 2 part4

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*"Help me raise this baby Kaiju"* "Pfft, easier said then done..." R/n muttered as she unpacked her stuff in one of the guest rooms, which was by the way; bigger than her apartment, R/n's things barely filled the space leaving huge gaps in the room making it feel little empty.

"Maybe I'll buy a couple plants or something..." She sighed and went to go check with Ken on what exactly she was supposed to do? Like R/n knew she had to help with the baby...but, how exactly? Not everyone can turn into a superhero the size of a skyscraper! She'd like to know what exactly his game plan was?

Meanwhile Ken was pacing around his base while baby was napping in her chamber. He had no freaking clue what to say to R/n, his brain was so fried from a lack of sleep he wasn't thinking straight when he came up with whole co-parenting thing, it was all starting hit him all at once!

What could he get R/n to do? She was just regular human! What if she had work the same time he had a game? what if baby has an explosive tantrum and accidentally hurts R/n or worse? The death of a civvy would not look good on Ultraman's track record, then again; neither was hiding a baby Kaiju but-

Ken's train of though was cut off by R/n coming down the elevator it was kinda weird seeing her in regular clothes and not that obnoxious red and blue Depotman uniform, having traded in said uniform in for a t-shirt and shorts, Ken straightened himself out and tried to make it seem like he wasn't on the verge of a complete breakdown as He and R/n got down to business...whatever it may be.

R/n's responsibilities were meager at due to her human factor, she was basically a glorified playmate to distract the baby whenever Ken was away. "...Feed her when her tummy rumbles, the burp her." R/n interrupted him with a snort.

"Right!~ burp her, right, right- I'll do that, But first lemme just call up Zordon and see if he has any spare Megazords laying around..."

"Ah, a woman of culture I see..."

"Lonely childhood."

"Hm..."

So...yeah, R/n burping Baby was out of the question...almost, they tried testing at method that Mina suggested; it involved R/n running up and down barefoot along the little Kaiju's back as a alternative and while it did work. the downside was it was very unstable for R/n to keep her footing and Baby's need to spit up afterwards caused some problems.

The infant immediately jumped to her feet with R/n still on her back and sent the woman tumbling off towards the metal floor, where she would've broken her back or neck if Ultraman hadn't quickly caught her. "Okay, not doing that again..." Ken said with a sigh as R/n slapped her hand over her mouth. "Ugh, I think I'm gonna barf too if I don't get on solid ground." She groaned Ultraman carefully put her down and announced his intention to clean baby up outside seeing as she wasn't completely done spitting up yet.

R/n meanwhile was looking at the putrid green mess already pooling around on the floor and was worried he was leaving this for her to clean up, until the she noticed the glowing "window" was actually a force field; sea pooled into the room as ultraman and Baby stepped outside before it was all pumped out by a drainage system. "Seriously, how much did this cost to build?" R/n wondered out loud It was then when Mina revealed that this basement use to be part of a spaceship that Ken's father used to arrive to Earth.

Cut to Ultraman rubbing Baby's back as she finishes up her business when the rare silence was broken by a faint yell from somewhere...It sounded like someone yelled "What?!" at the top of their lungs.

To say, things got better for Ken with the extra help would be stretching it R/n again had no idea what she was doing and was mainly in charge of keeping the baby entertained for a couple hours so he could get so sleep or go to work, but unfortunately life's a B, and Though they took turns waking up at odd hours feeding her, or bathing her. (R/n uses a large push broom as a scrub brush.. or at least tries to, that baby Kaiju can run!),

Ken was still heavily needed for heavy clean up duty and that left him exhausted during his games, also he noticed R/n hadn't gone to work once since she moved in with him which caused him to jump to the conclusion that she quit, cos that what the last person who lived with him back in LA did (Which resulted in nasty break up).

So he confronted her "No I didn't quit my job, I took maternity leave." R/n said affronted by his accusation, Ken looks at her skeptical how she could possibly gotten on leave when she doesn't have kids? "I told my boss that a friend of mine had just became a single parent and asked me for help so I'm moving in with them, he gave a month off to adjust my new responsibilities." She further explained that it was Mina's idea and the bot pretended to be the friend on the phone with R/n's boss to confirm her story.

"Okay, if this is the case, then where the heck have you been going when I'm on baby duty?" The exhausted baseball player pressed R/n looked at him slyly. "Toy shopping." Ken at her befuddled "Toys for who?" Cut to Mina helping R/n pull in a large cart with a tarp over it out of the elevator and in front of the baby who looked at it curious as R/n removed the tarp revealing a adult pedal car (It looks like the ZAT van from Ultraman Taro) and a 9ft tall Oni? action figure. (it's Momotaros from Den-o)

The baby cooed reached out to them but R/n stopped her for a moment before pulling out what looked like a giant tan rolled up mattress, Ken wondered if it was for chewing on or something, until the delivery girl cut the straps and plastic wrapping open to reveal it was a vacuum sealed 15 foot tall stuffed bear!

Baby squealed excitedly bouncing on her feet before grabbing the bear hugging it; she started playing with rest of the toys she got. While Ken stares on in awe. "I'd figured she was bored being stuck indoors all watching nothing but TV, I know was..." The baby was apparently acting out a hero saving her bear from a car crash she saw on TV show.

"How much did that stuff cost you?" Ken asked watching the scene feeling guilty about earlier; he pretty much accused R/n of being a leech when she was spending money for him. "The car and figure were from my job, rejected packages that were rotting away in the warehouse for the last 10 years; figured they might as well be used for something." She said the paused for moment seemingly in thought. "Annd you kind of paid for the bear." Ken looked at her confused how he could've possibly paid for the bear, R/n noticing his confusion and sighed. "Of you don't remember, last month? when I brought you coffee and donuts? You acted like a spaz and tipped me?" The cogs were spinning in Ken's head before grinding to a halt now remembering.

"Right....How much did I give you?

"Around 30000 yen or so..."

"...That's three hundred dollars, Yer telling me that bear cost three hundred dollars?"

"Hard to believe, but yes. It was a prop for photos in this designer children's photography shop I deliver to, the guy was selling it cos it scared the kids, I thought we could make better use of it."

R/n said with a little shrug Ken hummed and went back to watching the baby and trying not to doze off, only to be alerted that he had to go to work and begrudgingly made his way to the elevator much to R/n's concern the delivery girl could feel the tipping point was coming, she just hopes that when it does Ken knows he's not alone now and can try to open up to her a little more... 

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Cross posted on my A03/Squidgeworld/Wattpad.

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@mf-rockstar,@pattycakes2024,

@the-unhinged-raccoon,@karebears-klub,

@oh-kurva

[shorthaltsjester]

while vox machina reading percy’s letter is something i would love to see in tlovm i doubt it will make an appearance just for hard to fit in reasons, but that said i do really like that they’re integrating a lot of the inner work of percy that we get insight on through that letter in his words and actions thus far. his words at the end of ep 6 when he says “i’ve worried these hands would always carry the stain of evil. but, perhaps i can finally scour them clean in ripley’s blood” were ones that immediately stood out as an echo to his post-mortem words in the letter. because while it is a banger of a line, it’s in response to vex raising concern that this is just vengeance in different clothes, and percy doesn’t really assuage that well by explaining that he thinks he’ll cleanse himself of evil by dousing himself in blood. in the letter he writes “i traded the world’s safety for the belief that i could murder my way to peace, that if i could be a greater horror, it would bring my family back. once this lie was shattered, i scrambled to find a solution, to make a deal, to undo my mistakes and balance the scales. i now understand there are no scales. there is no redemption, and no ledger that judges me good or evil.” which i really see in the fluctuating attitude we see with percy given the adjustment of pre-[redacted] perc’ahlia where percy is happy and sees a future unfolding as he’s let go of his vengeance but this spectre of his past and his choices keeps interrupting it in the guise of ripley & orthax, leading to us getting to see him talk about building a future in whitestone and wrangling with the fact that — as it exists now — his legacy is one he views as solely of death and destruction and failing those close to him (which. god the fact that the hot tub scene and the destruction of whitestone are the same episode is insane but. percy having just been told by vax that he thought percy attracted danger and the reminder that he was the cause of vex’s death and then in the rubble of whitestone castle thinking he’d have to beg vex to join him as if she hasn’t been fully ride or die for him since before vm arrived in whitestone for the first time. obsessed with a couple where they both think they’re bad omens and both view each other as one of the best things that could’ve happened to them).

one of my favourite things about percy’s character arc in terms of looking at it as a narrative has always been the dismissal of ‘redemption’; not because he hasn’t done horrible things, but because redemption is irrelevant to the fact that percy does survive and he does move forward and that he cannot undo the past; neither to stop himself from making the world worse with his weapons nor to save his family from destruction — all of which would be true whether or not he was sufficiently redeemed. i am sad (though i very much understand why percy’s visit with the raven queen wasn’t included in the show) that we don’t get the scene of percy being confronted with the brokenness of mortaldom when the raven queen tells him he (and every mortal) is broken and scrambling both in front of her and with his actions after because he is a self-proclaimed fixer. because that conversation brings about the reality that there are things that cannot, will not, and should not be fixed. and percy takes that seriously, and commits himself, shed of a notion that he is determined solely by gods or his past, to looking forward. and though we don’t get the gods aspect of it in the show, we do get his conversation with vex in front of the fire, telling her he finds himself excited to feel possibility for the first time (while also extending a place for her in that possibility with him which . head in hands. a future he had cheaply sold away) and that he looks forward to building something instead of destroying. that vex reminded him days earlier to forgive himself while he was tinkering at a desk with a model clock tower resting on it. i have my critiques of tlovm but i do think they’re doing truly phenomenal work with retelling percy’s story in particular and i’m psyched to see where the rest of this season takes that as they deal with ripley, whatever version of glintshore we may see, and the ramifications for the person percy becomes after.

[reminiscingtonight]

champagne - turbulence - laughs

Love At First Flight (Leila Ouahabi x Reader)

A/N: There was no player attached so I decided to write for Leila!

[WOSO Masterlist]

“Champagne for you, ma’am.”

The soft drawl of the flight attendant has you pulling your eyes away from the movie you’re not even paying attention to. You only put it on in hopes of distracting yourself, but so far it hasn’t done a thing.

“I-- I didn’t order one,” you grit out between clenched teeth. 

The flight attendant seems apologetic, clearly attuned to the way you’re nearly jumping out of your skin. “The woman over there wanted to send you something for your nerves.”

You follow her finger to the row in front of yours. There’s a gorgeous woman across the aisle giving you a sympathetic look. 

You raise a shaky hand in thanks, trying to breathe in long and deep to calm yourself. It doesn’t work. Downing the whole flute in one doesn’t seem to work either. 

It draws a low chuckle from the charitable woman though. 

“That bad, huh.” 

“That obvious?”

It took some serious convincing on the part of your friends to vacation in Ibiza during the holiday. With most of them flying in from places all over the world, this meant a solo flight for you from your hometown of Manchester. Flying has always been your last choice of transportation, not one for the skies, so you already knew it was going to be a rough ride. You had debated taking some medicine right before the flight, but the frazzle brain that you are, you managed to misplace them right before you left.

If it wasn’t for the generosity of your nearby passenger, you were already seriously debating ordering some alcohol for yourself.

“Do you mind if I…” She gestures to the empty seat next to you. 

You nod, turning your body so she can slip in beside you.

“Leila,” she supplies without any prompting. 

You’re halfway through introducing yourself when the plane hits a sudden rough patch, shaking you in your seat. An embarrassing squawk leaves your lips and you latch onto the closest thing you can.

Leila winces at the strength of your grip.

It isn’t until a good half minute later, when your heart rate finally starts to settle that you realize what you’ve done. “Sorry,” you whisper, slowly easing your hand off hers.

“It’s okay,” she chuckles. She flips her hand over, quick to catch yours before you can fully pull away. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell if you won’t.”

Something about her confidence has you blushing a bit. She lets you take comfort from her hand, your body slowly relaxing the longer your hand stays in hers. 

It’s almost strange, the way you find comfort in someone you don’t even know. If Leila minds, she doesn’t seem to show it. If anything, there’s a smug sort of look on her face as she makes herself at home beside you.

When the silence persists and it’s clear that Leila is content to just sit in the quiet, you muster up the courage to say something. “Whatcha going over to Spain for?”

She gives you a look. “Accent doesn’t give me away?”

You blush again. “Well I didn’t want to assume.”

Leila laughs, a sound that makes your heart flutter in your chest. “I’m just going back to see some friends. Haven’t been able to see them much since I moved over to Manchester.”

“Oh, what did you move here for?”

By the time you hear the ding of the seatbelt light, the captain garbling some announcement about landing soon, you and Leila have become well acquainted. It’s almost as if you’ve known each other for years, laughing and trading stories one after another. 

She looks almost a bit disappointed that your time together has come to an end. 

You’re feeling pretty much the same. 

You pause to let her grab her bag first, but Leila waits for you before the two of you start your slow trek off the plane and into the airport. Your hands slowly bump, brushing the entire way off, but something about your bubble being broken has you hesitant to take her hand into yours again.

The closer you get to the luggage claim, the more you realize you want to see Leila again. What are the chances that you’ve run into such a beautiful woman who’s caring enough to sit with a stranger for an entire flight? And what are your chances that the two of you would ever run into each other again? It isn’t like Manchester is small enough for you to hedge your bets on chance bringing you back into her orbit once you’re both back home.

“Would you maybe like to meet up again when we’re both back in England?” 

Leila doesn’t miss a step, sending you a wink as she gestures towards your pocket.

Frowning, you reach into your pocket. You’re surprised when you pull out a piece of paper, nine digits neatly written with a little note on the side. 

[Call me if you need someone to hold your hand on the way home]

When you look up, the Spaniard is nowhere to be seen.

But with her number in your hand, you know it won’t be long until you see her again.

[deathmetalunicorn1]

Oooohhh! Now you got me all excited! Also welcome back! And I think I know which Scientist your talking about! (Since I’m caught up in the Anime and Manga I know cannon evil scientist Characters that would fit) and that’s okay if you don’t add in Overhaul (I just remembered how much I truly hate and despise him, like I love how Deku will give everyone a chance, but Overhaul? Seriously? The other side of the world isn’t far enough to keep him away from Eri!)

Part 12 Water 7

After Aokiji, they see a Giant Frog doing the Front Crawl, find a Train Station on the Sea, and meet Granny Kokoro, Chimney and Gonbe (Reader becomes friends with Chimney and Gonbe), then head to Water 7 to finally fix the Going Merry repaired and finally get a Shipwright (And get their gold traded in for, which Nami added Reader in for her threat for their proper sum, which Luffy and Usopp yelled at her for)

Meeting the Gally-La crew and Iceburg (She likes Iceburg, Polly *Shocking her family since Polly doesn’t exactly scream ‘friendly’* Tyrannosaurus, Iceburgs’ mouse and Hattori, Lucci’s pigeon, but is uncomfortable about Lucci and Kaku as they feels ‘off’ to her, which Gally-La tries to explain Lucci’s ‘shy’, but she still keeps her distance) though it was a shock that their money was stolen but not as badly as Usopp being attacked (And find out Robin is missing)

It’s a shock when Luffy reveals they have to get a new ship, with Luffy and Usopp fight over, only for Reader tries to use her power to fix the Merry which everyone told her ‘NO!’ (They don’t want her to use her power as she’s been using it so many times, suffering from fevers and don’t want her to think she has to always use her power to fix everything that happens) and she stayed inside as couldn’t watch the fight between Usopp and Luffy since she doesn’t want either hurt

However the next day she and her family are being chased and hunt down by the residents of Water 7 for trying to Assassinate Iceburg, however at night they finally meet CP9, who reveal themselves and have Robin with them, but before they leave, Lucci forcefully grabs Reader to take her with them since she is one of their targets for the World Government, but they must bring her alive (And collect Franky along the way)

You can change and abridged this if you want (I wanted to add in the main events, along with the Train Ride to Enies Lobby being my next request since Water 7 branches into like 3-4 different arcs and it’s just a LOT of stuff to go over)

-You had no idea what a train was, after the ship came across a train track, and Usopp and Robin were happy to show you pictures, but you were confused, “These are on land, why is this in the ocean?”

-They unfortunately couldn’t answer, as they didn’t know off the top of their head before Sanji spoke, “What’s that?” attention went out to the track and you all saw a giant toad.

-A loud whistle was heard and your eyes lit up as the train came down the tracks, straight for the toad and you shouted, worried, “Look out Mr. Toad!” the train hit and he was sent flying, making you worry.

-Everyone else was panicking as well, trying to figure out what happened until you saw a building in the distance, a train station.

-Once the ship was docked, Luffy, Sanji, Robin, and Usopp got off and met with Granny Kokoro, Chimney, and Gonbe, who explained everything about the Sea Train, and how it travels around to the various ports around in this area.

-Chimney couldn’t help but beam at you, finding a new friend in someone younger than her, and you couldn’t help but smile, after you were a little shy at first, running round playing with Gonbe.

-Luffy couldn’t help but laugh, seeing you have fun as Kokoro gave information to them about going to Water 7, a place where shipwrights were aplenty, as Merry needed some attention and Luffy like the idea of getting a shipwright on his crew.

-Once you had the direction you needed to head, you waved goodbye to your new friends and you were soon off again.

-Once docked and ready to disembark, you looked over at Zoro who was fast asleep on the deck of the ship, Nami making sure your disguise was perfect before you would disembark, “Will Zoro be okay by himself?” Nami just grinned, ruffling your hair gently, “He’ll be fine, we need to leave someone on the ship and he’ll make sure everything is safe.”

-You nodded up at her before Usopp picked you up, holding you in his arms as everyone else left the ship, everyone pairing up except for Sanji who went to go and get food.

-Nami didn’t hesitate to use you to make sure that they received a proper sum for the gold they brought in, telling those in the bank that they better not be cheating your future. You were confused, looking around with big eyes, and while not fully approving of her using you, Luffy and Usopp did agree that they better not be cheated out of anything.

-Once the briefcases of money had been obtained, you held onto Usopp’s hand, window shopping while you headed in the direction the bank worker told Luffy to go in to find a good shipwright to inspect the ship.

-Nami explained to you that they had to first inspect the ship, to find out the extent of the damage, and once that is known, then they could fix the ship.

-Iceburg was so nice to you, giving you a piece of candy after he saw you peeking out from behind Luffy’s leg. Tyrannasaurs, his pet mouse, was super cute as well, running down Iceburg’s arm to sit on the top of your head for a moment.

-Paulie was… at first he scared you, yelling at Nami and Kalifa to cover up, calling them indecent. He went to say something crude before Lucci punched the top of his head, sending him to the ground.

-Hatori then spoke, “There is a child present you dummy!” your eyes instantly turned into stars, “It talks- big brother the birdie is talking!” you tugged on Luffy’s hand as Hatori flew from Lucci’s shoulder into your opened hands, “My name is Hatori, and that’s Lucci- he’s a little shy.” Paulie grumbled lightly, rubbing the back of his head before he gave you a grin, ruffling your hair lightly, apologizing to you only, but not to Nami or Kalifa for his earlier insults.

-Your bright sparkly eyes and huge smile was so heartwarming to all of them, you looked so adorable, but you remained close to Luffy as there was something about Kalifa and Lucci, and Kaku whom you all met earlier, that made you…uneasy.

-It wasn’t like when you normally met new people, being with strangers, this was something else.

-As you all were heading back to the ship, Usopp got separated from you, Luffy, and Nami, as you had all been playing ‘get the money back from thieves’ for what felt like forever.

-When Kaku found Luffy, you and Iceberg, after Nami went to go find Usopp as he had the other half of the money, and told him that there would be no fixing Merry, tears welled in your eyes, as that was your home, you didn’t want to leave the first home you felt happy and safe in.

-Luffy was left to ponder this as Chopper and Sanji arrived back, Chopper crying that Robin is missing, you gasped, scared, as Zoro held you in his arms, as Sanji explained that he saw Robin with an unknown masked man.

-Nami then ran back to the ship, “Usopp’s been attacked!!” immediately everyone went on the defensive, listening to Nami that Usopp had been robbed and left bloody and beaten in the streets, the Franky Family, who had been the ones trying to take it earlier, were the culprits.

-Luffy rushed off immediately, not even knowing where he was going before the others were quick to follow, Zoro leaving you and Chopper on the ship.

-However, you looked at Chopper, looking scared, but determined, “We need to go help Usopp!” while initially going to deny this, going to leave it to the others, Chopper agreed and the two of you headed off the ship together, rushing towards Usopp’s location, only to find him not there and a trail of blood leading you both away from the area.

-Chopper and you found Usopp first, near death, extremely hurt and you cried, “Big brother!” your cries attracted attention of those inside the house nearby and they came out, seeing Chopper and a little child over the body of the idiot who tried to take them on himself, you crying loudly.

-Usopp was trying to calm you down, trying to tell you not to use your powers as you took his hand before a voice shouted out, “Usopp! Chopper! Y/N!!” you gasped, turning as the Franky Family came out to find out who you were, only to be taken out by Luffy, followed by Sanji and Zoro who arrived right after.

-Once the Franky House was destroyed you all went back to the ship where Usopp was bandaged up, you were sniffling, holding onto his hand, “Can’t I heal him a little?” everyone, even Usopp, told you no, not willing to risk your health.

-When Luffy announced that with what was found, you would all have to get a new ship. Usopp thought he was joking and quickly got into an argument with Luffy.

-Sanji held you close after pulling you away, your arms around his neck, trembling like a leaf, not liking your family fighting, and with Robin being missing as well, you were scared. You didn’t want to lose your home and your family.

-When Usopp challenged Luffy to a duel, saying he was going to leave otherwise, you ran over and hugged his leg, “Don’t go! I’ll-I’ll fix it- I can fix Merry so please don’t fight anymore!!”

-Usopp’s angered look fell, softening as he kneeled, brushing your tears away, but said nothing to you before pecking your forehead and he left.

-Nami held you close, trying to calm you down, “I know you want to help, Y/N, but you can’t fix everything, sometimes things change and we just have to deal with it. You’ve been using your ability a lot here lately, and each time you get a fever- that’s not healthy. We’ll be okay.”

-Luffy said nothing, upset that he had upset you, but knew this was something that had to happen.

-Several hours later, and after Nami failed to try to convince Luffy to talk things over with words, as he knew that Usopp knew when to be serious, they prepared for their fight.

-Sanji felt terrible, holding you close inside the galley as you were crying, they all said you wouldn’t be allowed to watch the fight, because they knew how upset it was going to make you, so Sanji volunteered to be the bad guy and hold you in the galley.

-You ended up crying yourself to sleep and didn’t wake until the next morning, waking up in a hotel room, and not the ship. You felt terrible, almost like you were sick, but you knew it was from crying so hard.

-You were scared to see everyone, scared to see the aftermath of the fight, but when you walked out, you weren’t prepared for Zoro grabbing you, tossing you to Luffy as everyone was shouted at to run.

-You were confused, clinging to Luffy as a bunch of people were after you, finding out that the crew was framed for trying to kill Iceburg, which made your eyes go wide, as that wasn’t true!

-You and Luffy got separated from everyone else who were trying to escape those chasing them as well as looking for the still missing Robin, after you learned that Robin was one of the people who was there when Iceburg was almost assassinated.

-You couldn’t- you wouldn’t believe Robin would do something like that and Luffy agreed, now looking for Iceburg to demand the truth from him.

-Luffy passed you off to Sanji and Chopper so he could go off and you gasped, seeing Robin who told the three of you to stop following her, confusing you.

-Robin explained there was a darkness inside of her, and if she stayed with you all, then you would all get hurt. Sanji was quick to figure it out that she was being forced to do this, probably by that masked man.

-You and Chopper ran off together, on order of Sanji, and luckily you found Luffy, Nami, and Zoro and Chopper explains what happened with Robin and what Sanji thought, that she was being forced to do this.

-After breaking into the Galley-La headquarters was quite the adventure, you remained with Nami, who was being the only smart one, while Luffy rushed in head first, as you all looked for Iceburg.

-Paulie nearly attacked Luffy after seeing him, demanding answers and Zoro arrived right after and after a brief fight, everyone fell into a room where several familiar faces were.

-Seeing the truth, Paulie ran to help Iceburg, only to be easily beaten as the truth came out, that CP9 were the ones who did the assassination attempt, looking for blueprints, but the ones that were here, were fake.

-Luffy demanded to see Robin, who wasn’t with them, and before you could blink, Lucci rushed forward, kicking Luffy hard in the stomach, sending him back into the others while grabbing you, holding you to his chest.

-You gasped, “Big brother!” before you heard the others shouting out your name. Lucci then spoke, “Y/N is wanted by the World Government, so we’re taking her along with Nico Robin.”

-Lucci handed you to Kalifa who held you close, her grip gentle but firm, as they easily took care of your family, Paulie and Iceburg.

-You were so scared you were silent, silent tears streaming down your face which did surprise the CP9 agents, they could see that your terror was genuine, making them curious if you were scared going to the World Government, that there was a story you didn’t know.

-You overheard their plans, looking for Franky, the same person who beat up Usopp and tried to attack Luffy and Nami earlier, as he would know where the blueprints would be.

-When they entered Franky’s hideout, you saw Usopp after Franky was blown through a wall, Usopp rushing over to help him and your eyes went wide, “Usopp!” he turned, seeing you and he instantly glared, “Y/N?! Let her go!!” You cried when Kaku easily dispatched him before they told both Usopp and Franky that their boss, Spandam, wanted to see them, mainly Franky, calling him Cutty Flam.

-Kalifa found you adorable, as you all headed towards the train station, as the storm was beginning to rage and you were scared, hugging her around her neck. She cooed softly, “There- there Y/N, it’s all right, this happens every year.”

-Once at the station you were surprised to see the train up so close, but you didn’t want it to happen this way. While their backs were turned, you saw Sanji peeking around the corner and he held a finger to his lips and you kept quiet.

-You learned that these people weren’t going to hurt you, as long as you behaved, which you did only out of fear, but you were scared about what was going to happen if you were handed over to the World Government.

-You were scared when Franky and Usopp were put in one car and you were taken to another, but Usopp gave you a firm nod, silently telling you to be brave, which Franky saw, respecting the care he was showing to you.

-Usopp told Franky who you were, trusting him, and Franky was stunned to learn this, as you had been in your disguise, not recognizing you, but he became determined to save you as well.

-You burst into tears as Kalifa dropped you in Robin’s lap who looked relieved to see you, “Y/N” CP9 left you and her alone as you hugged her, crying loudly over everything that had happened in the past two days.

-Robin held you close, angry that you were there, you should be safe somewhere else, as she knew what was going to happen if the government got their hands on you.

-Once she got you calmed down, after giving yourself the hiccups again, Robin tried to figure out what she was going to do, she didn’t want to put you at risk, as well as nobody else in the crew, as that was part of the deal with CP9, they would leave the crew alone if she went quietly.

-The situation was now different, as you were thrown into the mix. She didn’t know what she was going to do!!

-A tap on the window was heard and you saw a mysterious masked man with a long nose, not realizing it was Usopp but Robin did as he explained Sanji was on the train and they were going to rescue her and you both.

-Robin tried to explain that he was in great danger- they all were, before he managed to get inside, hiding under the seats while Robin lied to Corgi about someone else being in the same car.

-When a Shooting Star shot out from under the seats, Corgi was momentarily blinded before Sanji ran in, “Robin-san! Y/N!” Robin hesitated before she left you on the seat, not wanting you to be hurt and ran, “Don’t follow me- you’ll be killed if you do!”

-You hopped off the seat, running after Sanji and Usopp and you could see the tears in Robin’s eyes as she kicked Usopp back, telling him to leave her, you could see how much this was hurting her as well.

-Something happened in the car before you, as you were far behind, due to your short little legs and you were knocked off balance, hitting your head hard on the ground. You heard Sanji and Robin calling out your name in worry, before everything went black.

[bunsreverie]

As I promised here’s the hcs I wrote for Ethan, prompt being how he’d be as a boyfriend/what he’d be like in a relationship!

. ࣪ ˖ Ethan:

• Ethan is bold and outgoing. You can most definitely tell when he loves someone- his mannerisms may resemble that of a lovesick teenage boy. I can imagine him using jokes and even some playful flirting in attempt to get your attention. He’s sort of immature sometimes, but you’ll have to forgive him, he has no experience with love, and I don’t think he’s very good at taking things seriously when they need to be.

• Ethan’s only real flaw in my opinion is that he may be too unserious, or sometimes even inconsiderate. Obviously, he doesn’t mean this. I feel that his occasional lack of consideration is just a front he puts up- Ethan has actually been through a lot, and I think a lot of people tend to ignore that. Making jokes of every situation to me seems like a way of avoiding reality, and the reality is he has had it kind of rough. Growing up in Tangton and turning to trickery and robbery to get by couldn’t have been easy. I suppose you could say he may use humor and pranks to cope, though I will say that does follow through when it comes to more light hearted things as well.

• Since founding the All Trade’s Agency and changing his criminalist ways, I think Ethan is much better at discerning when he needs to be serious with you. Ethan is aware you have boundaries and he will often ask you if he goes too far, just to be sure. One thing he would never joke about with you is your appearance or something he knows you are insecure of, or cannot change. If you’re the type of person to have trouble discerning when things are serious or just a joke, he will always specify for you. Just tell him if he says something you find insensitive and he’ll apologize.

• Because of his past wrongdoings, Ethan makes a conscious effort to become a better person and help others in attempt to make up for it. So every single day, Ethan will check on you just to make sure you are okay, and ask if you need anything from him. I feel he would love surprises, so I think you’ll find yourself getting used to him showing up at your home unwarranted rather quickly.. Especially if you do not answer his messages, at first he might think you’re playing with him. But if he knows you’re not the kind of person to just ignore him like that, he quickly worries. If you won’t answer him for whatever reason, he’ll just come to you.

• I don’t believe Ethan would be good at consoling you with words and having a serious conversation if you needed to, but he’d try. You’re better off just letting him listen to you or completely distracting you from whatever is wrong with something more positive. He might not be able to contribute much to the conversation or fix the problem, but he would he wonderful at making you feel better about it, even just temporarily. Ethan will press a kiss to your forehead and offer to take a walk with you to the park to see some of his cat friends.

• Ethan enjoys playing his accordion for you, and he would probably get so damn flustered if you complimented his skills. Ask him to try teaching you how to play- when you show such interest, he feels so appreciated. No matter what mood you are in, he’s always happy to play music for you. Bonus points if you can play an instrument too, or sing or dance, because he will definitely fall further in love with you, which he probably didn’t even think was possible.

• Something I also think he would enjoy is surprising you with gifts- even if it’s something small and simple, I feel like every time he sees you, he will excitedly tell you he has a surprise for you. He likes seeing the look on your face, it’s precious to him, and makes him feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Ethan also quite often shows his love through words of endearment or compliments. He’s always got something nice to say and he hopes it will brighten your day.

• “I love the new perfume you’ve been wearing, by the way, where did you get it?” He’ll say this, knowing he’s the one that bought it- I think he just wants to hear you thank him and tell him how much you love it- He just likes when you acknowledge him, it makes him feel that his efforts are appreciated. He’s not a fan of buying fancy expensive gifts however, he would much rather make you a gift himself, or buy you many small things that he sees and thinks you’d like. “I saw something at a shop while out today and it made me think of you, so I got it!”

• If you’re not an animal lover, that’s too bad, because Ethan will stop to pet every animal he sees, and spends a great deal of time talking with them. In fact, you can expect Ethan to use his powers of communicating to animals to an advantage- he often tells his animal friends all about you. When he first began to develop feelings for you, Ethan would spend hours a day just talking to some stray kittens about you. It’s no wonder why they’re practically all over you when you meet them- Ethan’s told his animal friends wonderful things about you. He jokingly refers to these kittens as you two’s babies.

• His idea of fun is probably something outdoors related. I think Ethan would enjoy bringing you along on his little part time jobs to help him make some extra money. He considers you a good luck charm of sorts. He promises he’ll take you out for dinner wherever you want afterwards if you’ll help him sell some overpriced charms containing his divine power to some random people on the streets in Gyrate. He’ll think about using some of that money he made to buy you a new outfit you’ve been eyeing at the shop down the street for a while.

• If you can cook, he instantly falls harder for you. If you cook him his favorite vegetarian dishes, he is at a complete loss for words. Any effort you put into making him something makes his heart feel full. Really, any kind of act of service you do for him will make him feel that way. He’s extremely appreciative of every little thing you do, and he’ll show it by returning the favor with spontaneous gifts or dates, to show you how much he adores you. One thing he doesn’t like is when you do something for him, and he doesn’t pay you back. You can tell him he doesn’t have to pay you back all you want, but until he can do something nice for you in return, he’ll feel bad.

• Ethan is a spontaneous and generous boyfriend all in all. He can be a pain in the ass, (in an affectionate way..) but you love him to death for it, and wouldn’t want it any other way.

[honeytae]

8:36pm

hello lovies! i found a very old version of this in my drafts and decided to revamp it, so here’s some good old namjoon comfort. reader is seriously going through it, but joonie is the sweetest boyfriend ever!

word count, genre: 900+, angst/fluff

trigger warning - this drabble deals with themes of depression and anxiety

You were halfway between consciousness when the chime of your doorbell sat you up straight. Rubbing at your eyes, you stretched your legs, rolling your eyes as the doorbell rang out again.

Huffing, you stood from the couch and made your way to the front door, socked feet dragging along the floors of your foyer.

Realization dawned upon you as you tugged on the door handle, the tightness in your chest easing a bit at the memory of the soup you’d ordered an hour ago.

“Thank you,” you murmured to the delivery person standing in your doorway, trading the tip in your hand with the paper bag in theirs.

You had nearly forgotten you’d ordered anything.

Lately things had been off. You couldn’t quite place your finger on it, but your energy levels were all out of wack, your head felt heavy all of the time, and you were much too sedentary for typical comfort.

You got like this sometimes. It had happened enough that you knew you’d find the light again. That didn’t make you feel any less uneasy, though.

Heaving a sigh, you made your way to your living room. The shades were closed, just as they’d been for the last week. There wasn’t any reason to open them and let daylight blind you. You were also actively avoiding the fact that everyone else was out there living their lives while you sunk deeper and deeper into your funk.

You set the bag of food down on the coffee table with a sad crumpling noise, settling back into the couch cushions and watching as if it would suddenly unpack itself.

You aren’t sure when you fell back asleep, but you wake to the smell of noodles and a gentle weight on your forearm.

Blinking your bleary eyes open, you can just barely make out the sight of your boyfriend leaning over you, a gorgeous smile pulling at his lips.

“Hi, sleepyhead,” he crooned as you slipped further out of slumber, the cushions below you shifting as he lowered himself beside you.

“Hey,” you spoke around a yawn, “I didn’t know you were coming over tonight,” you shifted closer to him, nuzzling into his side as he threw an arm around you.

“Hm, me neither. Finished up a little early,” he paused to pucker his lips against the top of your head, “and I missed you,” he spoke into your hair.

Shifting your gaze up to him, he leaned back to accommodate you, brown eyes glittering back at you being one of the only light sources in the dark room.

“I missed you too,” you sighed, meeting his soft lips in a chaste kiss, reaching up to soothingly scratch at his scalp.

He hummed against your lips, his touch leaving you for a moment as he leaned over to the coffee table. It was only then that you realized he had heated up your food from earlier, a steady lump swelling in your throat as he took a cup in his hand and guided it into your own.

You thanked him with a shy smile, faltering a bit when you saw the concern tainting his eyes.

“You’re worrying,” you squinted at him, watching triumphantly as his lips twitched just the slightest in response to your accusation.

It’s not necessarily that you’re trying to hide your struggles from Namjoon. You’d been with him long enough that you could read each other super easily, so there was no doubt in your mind that he knew you were in a major slump. You just never wanted to be the reason for Namjoon’s stress, reaching out to poke his cheek until you were met with that dimple you loved oh so dearly.

“Of course I am,” he started, causing you to raise your eyebrows as you anxiously stirred the spoon in the soup, giving him your full attention as he laid a palm on your thigh.

“I just,” he blinked, pausing for a moment, “I want to help you so bad. No matter what you’re telling yourself, your problems are my problems, baby,” he sighed, fingers massaging into the back of your neck at the first glimpses of tears gathering along your waterline.

“We can talk all night - hell, all week if you need to, okay?” he murmured, his soft tone eliciting more hot tears to run down your cheeks. They were immediately intercepted by Namjoon’s thumbs, your trembling lips soothed by soft puckers of his own.

“But please,” he pouted, his hand leaving your thigh to wrap around yours holding the warm cup of food, “please eat your soup,” his plea making you chuckle as you filled the spoon full of broth again.

Namjoon watched fondly as you guided the spoonful into your mouth, gently sliding his hands beneath your thighs to shift you sideways onto his lap.

“Okay?” He asked, tilting his head as he looked into your glassy eyes for confirmation.

You nodded, sniffling as you spooned the soup into your mouth. It was warm, comforting, just like your boyfriend.

“Okay,” you agreed, letting out a deep exhale as he wrapped his arms around your torso to hug you to him, laying his head on your shoulder as you continued to eat.

“Thanks for being my rock,” you swallowed the salty broth, watching Namjoon’s fingers fiddle with the hem of your shorts.

“You’re your own rock,” he affirmed, “I’m just the rainwater that washes away the dirt and grime.”

You snorted at the dorky sentiment, tilting your head to watch as his eyes crinkled in laughter at himself. You dropped your forehead on his shoulder, smiling at the sound of his healing giggles. You pressed your cheek to his shoulder, exhaling as he rubbed the warmth of his palm up and down your spine.

“Well, thanks for being my rainwater, then.”

[s4bbatical]

YOUR GIRL | Part 3. Patrick Zweig x Female!Reader

Pairing: Patrick Zweig x female!reader, Tashi Duncan x female!reader (platonic)

Summary: After your parents announce their divorce, you're sent to New York to pursue your passion for the arts at NYU. Your cousin, the infamous tennis player Tashi Duncan, introduces you to her insufferable colleagues at a house party in the upper east side. Already a sore thumb from rural Canada, Patrick can't help but find interest in an untouched territory.

Word Count: 5k

Warnings: Mentions of drug use, profanities, mentions of alcohol use.

MINORS DNI

Notes: The timeline is inaccurate in comparison to the film, this is an AU. All characters introduced are barely in their early 20s, unless stated otherwise. No use of y/n.

Part 1. Part 2. Part 4.

CHAPTER THREE: “Master of None”

"Jack of all trades, master of none. Cry all the time, because I'm not having fun."

As days blended into weeks, you found yourself walking through Manhattan on a chilly October afternoon. The trees have begun to shed their green hue, replaced for the autumn shades of red and orange. You no longer could wear your H&M shorts without tights, and it was a given to consistently wear your grandfather’s leather jacket. You couldn’t have been more than happy. It was now your favorite time of the year.

“What do you mean you haven’t figured out your costume yet?” You ask your friend, Chloe. She was in the same program as you, same year. The two of you didn’t hit it off until you complimented her cross ring, unveiling a wonderful friendship. She knew everything about you, including your family and the drama you’ve encountered since moving to New York.

“I’ll figure it out, don’t worry.” Chloe reassures, sipping her hot chocolate.

“You realize Halloween is in a week? There’s already flyers for parties this weekend, so technically you have two days.” You remind her, opening the front entrance to your school’s library.

She shrugs. “Still don’t care. I’ll be a black cat or something.”

You groan at the low effort idea. “Why don’t you do a duo costume with me?” You suggest, walking through a group of students to make it to the stairs.

“Then we both have to figure out a costume right away. Aren’t you doing Marie Antoinette though?” Chloe asks, looking over her shoulder at you as you reach the silent study area. A random student shushes the two of you, Chloe rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, but you can be King Louis or something.” You whisper, grinning.

Chloe raises her eyebrows, nodding slowly. “Right, cause that will surely get the message across.” She says, putting her backpack down as she retrieves her laptop from within the sack.

“Or you can be like, my lady in waiting. Just dress like me but in different colors?” You suggest again, sitting across from her.

“I do not feel like buying all those accessories just to not use them again, sorry.” Chloe admits, beginning to type on her laptop. “Don’t worry I’ll figure it out, seriously. I’ll be Mclovin from Superbad or something.” She says, grinning.

“You know, that would be quite fun.” You whisper, smiling back at her as you unlock your MacBook. “Very lesbian costume choice though.”

Chloe scoffs, kicking your leg lightly.

“Ow!” You exclaim, rubbing your shin as the same student shushes you once again but with more verbatim. You glare at the young man wearing the ugliest glasses you’ve ever seen.

“I’ll probably still pull a beautiful woman, just you wait.” She says, wagging her finger at you.

“God I hope so. I think our classmates assume we’re together, so it’s better if you do.” You both laugh silently.

Your phone buzzes, pulling you away from your attention on Chloe.

pat_zweig: any halloween plans yet?

You: nooo, i think tashi was gonna bring me to a house party but she’s sick. no party rock for her :(

You and Patrick have become more friends than foes over the past month. You kept ignoring his advances, and he eventually stopped making moves all together. He’ll throw out a comment every now and then, but nothing worth getting worked up over. You actually liked being his friend. You found it was easier to deal with him that way, or at least the physical attraction you still had towards him. It was better to make him untouchable all together in your eyes.

pat_zweig: i was hoping you’d say that

pat_zweig: not the tashi being sick part, sorry for her loss ouch. but there’s a halloween party happening at some rich kid's loft in manhattan. you interested?

You: can i bring my friend chloe?

pat_zweig: the lesbo? yeah sure she’s cool

You raise your eyebrow, chuckling at Patrick’s texts.

“I think I just found our party spot this weekend.” You say confidently, putting your phone down.

“Oh? Which mediocre man of the week invited you?” She asks, typing away.

“Ha ha.” You say flatly. “It’s Patrick, and he’s just my friend now thank god.” You explain, opening your study guide from the documents folder on your laptop.

Chloe looks up from her screen and furrows her brows. “I still cannot believe you managed to turn that around and become friends. I would’ve just pretended he didn’t exist.” She says into her palm, her elbow resting on the table.

"Can you guys go somewhere else?" Four eyes snaps quietly, annoyed by the volume of your conversation.

Chloe turns and faces the antagonist of the day. “How about you fucking go somewhere else Napoleon Dynamite?” She says passive aggressively.

The man huffs and gathers his belongings, giving you both a glare before walking off.

“To be fair Chloe, we are in the study area.” You say quietly, pointing to the sign by the stairs.

“There’s like literally no one else in here.” She states, gesturing to the vacant space. “I will never understand why our professors set our exams for the end of month instead of earlier like the rest of the NYU population.” She retorts, returning to the assignment on her laptop.

“Because we’re basically in communications. I don’t even know why we have mid term exams.” You say begrudgingly, going through your flash cards.

“Hey, can you quiz me with those?” Chloe asks, pointing to the deck of cards in your hands.

“Yes ma’am.”

-

It was Saturday, October 26th. Your Bluetooth speaker blasted out a curated playlist for the pregame of the evening from your desk, Chloe watching you assemble your costume while swigging back a mickey of vodka.

“What do you think?” You ask, putting your hands on your corset.

“You look hot, good job.” She says, raising her bottle of sourpuss.

Chloe did in fact dress up as Mclovin, which was as expected.

Your hair was also a pain in the ass to do. After about 20 bobby pins and an enough hairspray to probably put another hole in the ozone, it was satisfactory.

“When’s Patrick showing up?” Chloe asks, sitting up straight and readjusting her glasses.

“What time is it?” You ask, looking over at Chloe in your vanity mirror as you packed on white face makeup.

“It’s uh,” She looks at her phone. “Nine on the dot.”

“He should be here, actually–“ Your bedroom door opens, revealing the exact man you were speaking of. He seemed to be dressed business casual, a pair of glasses upon his face that suited him very well. He looked good, but you would never tell him that.

“A–ha! Speak of the devil and he shall come.” Chloe exclaims, clapping her hands together.

“Nice seeing you too, Chloe.” Patrick feigns a smile, squinting at her. “What are you dressed as? Closeted?” He asks, stepping into the room.

“Why? You wanna know if I made up my mind so we can bone?” She asks sarcastically, scoffing.

“My life hasn’t hit rock bottom yet for me to wish that upon myself.” He argues. Chloe purses her lips and glares at him.

Art shows up behind Patrick, looking over at you. “Hi, I hope you don’t mind I’m here too.” He says.

“That’s fine, hello you guys.” You laugh, looking back in the mirror.

“Nice costume. It turned out well.” Patrick says to you, clearly checking you out.

Chloe rolls her eyes at him. “What even is your costume? You look like a pathetic nine to five.” She says, referring to his attire.

Patrick unbuttons his shirt, revealing the superman logo underneath on a t-shirt. “I’m Clark Kent.” He says as if it was already obvious, rebuttoning his shirt.

“And I’m a cowboy.” Art states, tilting his hat at Chloe.

“Awe, that’s cute actually.” She says, smiling at Art.

“Thank you!” He chirps, grinning widely.

“Why do you hate me.” Patrick says flatly to Chloe, who simply shrugs in response.

“I just don’t like you that much. Someone has to keep you humble."

“Why though? We both love women, we can at least agree on that.” Patrick points out, throwing his hands up before letting them fall to his sides.

“Okay you guys, start drinking we have to leave soon.” You interrupt, pointing at the boys with your eyeliner pen.

“Finally.” Art sighs, sitting down in your desk chair. “Nice playlist by the way.” He says, setting down a pack of coolers on your desk.

“Thank you! I’m glad someone recognizes taste.” You say, finishing up your makeup as Patrick puts a can down in front of you.

“For you, your royal highness.” He says, tapping your unopened drink with his own.

“Mm thank you squire.” You open the can, chugging the carbonated drink fast enough to cause a small burp to erupt from your stomach. “Sorry, I’m catching up.” You excuse yourself.

Patrick and Art laugh.

“Real classy, admirable.” Chloe says, swigging her mickey again.

“So is that bottle of yours.” Patrick comments, raising a brow. “Did your mom teach you to drink like a washed up loser?”

“No, your mom did actually. She’s a real dime.” Chloe smiles, putting the lid back on her bottle.

They begin mocking each other, causing you to stand up. “If you guys keep fighting we’re not going anywhere. Knock it off.” You say sternly, finishing your drink.

“It’s hot when you command a room like that.” Patrick says, smirking at you.

“See?!” Chloe gestures towards him in disbelief.

You look at Art for support, who simply shakes his head with a sympathetic smile.

“I am not babysitting you guys tonight.” You state, sitting back down.

-

The taxi ride to the location was the same as the pregame. The two were bickering in the backseat as you sat in the middle, Art up front with the taxi driver.

“…And that’s why I think you’ll die before the rest of us.” Chloe says, leaning forward to look at Patrick.

“I hope it’s soon if that means I don’t have to hear you speak anymore.” He mutters, only you hearing his words. You stifle a laugh.

“We’re here!” Art exclaims, paying the driver as you all begin to exit the vehicle.

"It's very... brick." You simply say, staring at the tall building. Considering the location, you knew it had to look better on the inside.

"So is ninety percent of New York." Chloe states, readjusting the ID tag on her shirt.

You notice other people standing outside the building, smoking cigarettes and joints. There was a mix of extravagant costumes and low effort ones, nothing more expected.

Your group walk up the stairs to the landing, a security guard opening the door. "Name?" He asks, glancing over the four of you.

"Patrick, Zweig." Patrick states, pushing up his fake glasses.

The security guard looks down the guest list, flipping it over to the next page. He looks up. "Come in." He gestures, stepping out of the way to allow entrance. "Third floor." He says nonchalantly, pressing the button to call down the elevator.

The four of you squeeze into the cart, your finger pressing round button with '3' written on it.

"I wonder how the neighbors feel about this." You question aloud.

"I bet you they’re at this party too." Patrick says, leading the group as you make your way out of the elevator. He approaches the only door on the floor, where music is blasting from behind. He opens it to reveal a very, very large duplex loft space.

The lighting is dim, the music pumping over a sea of costumes. It's the usual social scene, one that you were still getting accustomed to. There’s an air of freedom and possibility, but it also means that anything could happen.

"I need more alcohol if I'm gonna enjoy myself." You say to Chloe, who nods in agreement. The two of you part from Art and Patrick, finding yourselves in the kitchen where at least a dozen bottles of liquor were. "Is there any mixers?" You ask Chloe, looking around the perimeter.

"Shots?" She suggests, raising her hands. She was already holding a bottle of Jose Cuervo.

You give her a look of hesitation before nodding. These rich kids partied like they were gonna die tomorrow, might as well join them.

Chloe pours you shots, consistently until you're about four down in under two minutes. "Okay, that should be enough for now." She states, putting the bottle down.

You cough over the last one, wincing at the burning sensation. You look across the room, seeing Patrick flirt effortlessly with a woman dressed like a playboy bunny. You grimace at the sight.

"One more for extra measure." You say, grabbing the bottle and taking a swig straight from it. You felt your stomach churn, but kept it down.

"Slow down, don't get too fucked up right away." Chloe warns you, grabbing the bottle and putting it back down.

You laugh at her, gesturing to leave the kitchen together. The last thing you wanted to do is watch Patrick in action, a pit in your stomach gnawing at you. You are friends. You do not want him.

You notice people smoking inside, seeing lines of coke being snorted off an architectural digest magazine. You decide to pull out your own pack of smokes, sticking one in your mouth.

"May I?" Chloe asks, gesturing to your pack. You nod, allowing her to pull out one for herself.

You both smoke your Marlboro Reds as you join the mass of people dancing in the open space, finding the music to be rather well curated.

Chloe gasps when she sees someone, grabbing their arm. "Hey!"

The girl turns and smiles at Chloe, giving her a hug. "Oh my god! Why are you here?" She asks in a playful tone, inhaling her joint.

"I know, I'm surprised myself. He brought us here." Chloe points over to Patrick in the distance, who was now talking to Art.

"Patrick? You're friends with him?" The mystery girl asks, laughing.

"Fuuuck no, she is." Chloe refers to you. "This is Annika, by the way." She introduces her friend. Annika was dressed as a vampire, a very sexy one at that.

"Nice to meet you." She says, getting your name. "You're friends with him? How did that happen?" She asks curiously.

"By force. He kept trying to get with me and it eventually turned into us just being friends because I wouldn't let him sleep with me." You explain, inhaling your cigarette.

"I don't get it. He clearly still wants you." Chloe remarks, pointing towards him with her cigarette.

"Nah, I don't think so. He gave up on me." You try to say, shrugging. You look over at Patrick once more, making eye contact with him while Art speaks to him.

You look away, scoffing. "I wouldn't even dare to let that ever happen. I love myself too much." You joke, causing the two women to laugh with you.

"Oh joy, he's coming over." Chloe says, taking the joint passed over to her gladly.

Patrick looks you up and down. You expect him to make a comment, or maybe you hoped he would. Instead, he looks over at Annika.

"I don't think we've met. I'm Patrick." He says, sticking out his hand and giving her a playful smirk.

Annika chuckles. "Annika." She places her hand in his, Patrick lifting it up to place a kiss on the top of her hand. She raises a brow.

"You're very beautiful, Annika." He states, letting go of her hand.

"Barf!" Chloe exclaims, smacking his arm. "Leave my friends alone, ignore him Annika." She tells her vampire friend.

It felt like there was a little gremlin in your stomach, punching your gut repeatedly. You couldn't help but wonder if Patrick was doing this on purpose, flirting with others blatantly in front of you to be punished for the fact that you wouldn't let him overcome your stubborn ways.

"Do you listen to your friends? Or do you have your own right of mind?" He asks Annika, giving her a look.

"It's fine." She tells Chloe, looking back at him as he leads her away to the dancefloor.

If your brain had the ability to strangle your heart, then you're quite positive it did just that in this moment.

Chloe is taken aback. "That motherfucker! I swear to god!" She exasperates. "He's taking the piss out of both of us. I don't understand what his deal is." She harshly remarks, finishing off the joint Annika gave to her and tossing it in a nearby ashtray. You look over at the coffee table with lines of coke being done by a medusa and a knight in shining armor.

"Have you ever done coke before?" You abruptly ask. You had a premonition that you'll only feel worse if you keep drinking to ignore the fire in your abdomen, deciding to do something else about it.

Chloe's eyes widen. "Well yeah, who hasn't?" She reasons, looking at you closely. "Are you okay? Why are you asking?"

"I wanna do it." You say. You were drunk, sure. However, the idea of adding something to the mix to ignore the scenario at hand made you feel somewhat better, even if it wasn't the best idea.

"Well," Chloe digs into her pocket, pulling out a small baggie of white powder. "I do have some. But seriously, are you sure?" She asks once more.

"Yes. Just, give it to me." You urge, gesturing towards the bag with your hands.

The two of you head to a bathroom, surprisingly vacant. You suggested to do it out in the open like everyone else, but Chloe was insistent on keeping it private so no one else tried to ask for her stash. There was a frame signed above the toilet that said Please Don't Do Coke In The Bathroom, which you found very humorous.

Chloe got a bump onto her house key, snorting it. She rubbed her nose a few times before scooping another hit, handing it over to you. "Do what I just did." She instructs.

You grab the key and hold it to your left nostril, pressing the right one closed. You inhale deeply. The sensation of powder going up your nose feels diabolical at first, you too rubbing your nose and inhaling the rest. You felt it enter your system, exhaling through your mouth with a grin. "Jesus, that felt weird." You say looking at yourself in the mirror. The longer you stare, the faster it enters your system. You slowly start to smile widely, looking at Chloe in the reflection. "Ooh, I think I get it now."

"I'm glad you like it." Chloe grins, the both of you looking at each other in the mirror. "Hey," She places a hand on your shoulder, gathering your attention. "Just putting this out there, but don't let Patrick get to you. He's a waste of space, not worth your time."

"I know." You say, nodding.

Chloe sighs. "You like him, don't you?" She asks, dropping her hand.

You purse your lips. "No, I'm over it." You say, fixing your hair. "Let's fucking party." You say with a grin, giving yourself a final look over before exiting the bathroom.

The two of you head back into the party, the scene now feeling brand new to you with drugs in your system. Where's Your Head At by Basement Jaxx was playing, giving you the exact energy that you needed. The two of you start dancing with everyone else, finding yourself moving swiftly along to the beat. You see Patrick in the distance, making eye contact as you continue dance, moving your hands all over your torso.

He looks away, looking back at Annika. You grow frustrated as the two of them begin to make out. You look around for a free body, a man dressed as Westley from Princess Bride making eye contact with you. You move your way over to him, moving in sync with him. You quickly turn your head at Chloe, who has found a pretty woman to dance with.

The vibe was becoming a good one, turning back to face the Westley lookalike. You move your head side to side as he places his hands on your hips. Your hands land on his shoulders, pulling him closer to you. You glance back over at Patrick, who is watching your every move like you intended. He looks away once more when he realizes you're looking at him.

Annika scoffs at Patrick. "Seriously?" She says, dropping her hands.

"What?" Patrick asks, confused by her sudden change of mood.

"You keep looking at her. The fuck are you even doing man?" She says, dismissing him with her hand. She walks away from him, leaving him alone on the dance floor.

You watch as Annika abandons Patrick, confused by her actions yourself. You try to keep your eyes on your new arm candy, turning to grind against him. You look again for Patrick, who has disappeared from your field of vision.

"Hey, can you get me a drink?" You ask your dance partner, deciding you were done with him. He nods eagerly before making his way towards to the kitchen. You move your way through the crowd, heading towards the the staircase. You decide to go upstairs, realizing most of the people on the upper floor were coupled up and very much paying no mind to the rest of the attendees. You look down from the railing, trying to find any of the members of your group. Chloe was still with the random woman from before, and Art was talking the ear off of one of his mutual friends. You still couldn't find Patrick.

You turn and spot the fire escape, figuring that some fresh air would be good. You walk over to the window, propping it open to step onto the landing. Sitting down on one of the steps, you pull out a cigarette.

The alcohol and coke acted as a coat against the cold, feeling numb as you pulled out one of your cigarettes. You light it, inhaling as you watched the busy street below you. You wondered how you ended up here, and the way the night was going. You thought about your friends, and about Patrick. You let yourself acknowledge that you were jealous. You wished that were you dancing with him, not Chloe's friend. It felt pointless to do anything about it. Patrick was your friend, and that wasn't going to change anything. You didn't want to become one of the many women he walked over in his path of destruction. You knew better, you deserved better. You press your tongue against the inside of your cheek, accepting your own fate. You spent so much time trying to avoid the fact that he was getting under your skin, there was no point in fighting it anymore.

"Hey."

Your head turns towards the open window, spotting Patrick standing there. You may be quite inebriated or simply fed up with the night, but there's a palpable tension in the air. He doesn’t immediately apologize or even confront you about what you've seen—he’s just standing there, maybe a little unsure of how to handle the situation.

"You alright out here?" He’s being casual, almost too casual, but there's an underlying question in his tone.

You sit there in silence, letting the frustration over him bubble up inside. This is your moment to vocalize how you feel, but also to confront the fact that you do care about him, which is exactly what you've been avoiding.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just clearing my head." You say coldly, inhaling your cigarette once more.

Patrick hesitantly steps onto the landing, but maintains distance. "You looked like you were having a good time down there." He says, an undertone of defiance to his own statement.

"I could say the same about you." You reply bitterly, putting out your cigarette beside you.

Patrick eyes you carefully, his face stone cold. "I didn't realize it was a problem. Am I not allowed to have fun?" He asks defensively, leaning against the guard railing.

You laugh. "You don't get it, do you?" You say harshly. "Stop fucking with my head, Patrick. It's not fucking funny anymore. I'm not one of your stupid little games to keep you entertained." You claim with the same bitter tone, standing up.

Patrick's eyes widen, taken aback by your change of mood. "What are you talking about?" He exclaims, furrowing his brows.

"I don't know what you think was gonna happen, but I've had enough of your shit." You spat, taking a step towards the window.

He puts his arm out, preventing you from leaving the closeted space of the fire escape. "I don't know what you think I'm trying to do here, but you've got it wrong." He tries to explain, his voice now stern with you. "I'm not playing any fucking games," He says, looking down at you. "But I can't say the same about you." He scoffs. "I don't know what you want from me!" He exclaims, laughing in dismay as he runs a hand over his face.

You stare at him in disbelief, unsure of how to react at first. "If that's the case Patrick, then you've got a real fucking funny way of showing it." You snap.

Before you can acknowledge what's happening, he grabs your face and kisses you.

You let a few moments go by before pushing him away and giving his cheek a firm slap.

"Fuck. You." You say through gritted teeth, pushing him out of the way as you re-enter the loft.

"Don't walk away from me!" Patrick yells. "This conversation isn't over!" He exclaims, unintentionally gathering the attention of other guests.

You hold up your middle finger, hastily making your way down the stairs. As you reach the bottom, the Westley lookalike approaches you with a drink in hand. "Hey! There you are!" He exclaims, grinning.

You groan. "Not now, for fucks sake!" You exclaim, putting your hand up as you continue walking.

Chloe spots you from the crowd, coming up to you. "Hey what the fuck is going on?" She asks, noticing your seething gaze.

"I am going home, tell Patrick if he can't figure it out then he can go fuck himself." You snap, continuing your path towards the exit.

Chloe looks up and sees Patrick at the top of the stairs, looking absolutely crushed. As they make eye contact, she shakes her head in disapproval. She turns and starts following you.

"I'm going with you, fuck that guy! Fuck Patrick Zweig!" She yells very loudly, exiting the loft alongside you.

You laugh bitterly, heading towards the staircase instead of the elevator. "I want to kill him." You state, nearly tripping over your own feet as you make it to the lobby. "That asshole thinks he can mess with me? He thinks he can fuck with me?! He has no fucking idea what he has done!" You bark, pushing the front entrance open. You step down the stairs, your shoes making contact with the concrete sidewalk. You continue to speed walk away from the building, Chloe catching up to you.

The other party goers eye you as you make a commotion, Chloe testing them with her demeanor as the two of you keep up your pace. "What happened?" She asks, out of breath from trying to keep up with you.

"He kissed me after I tried to confront him about fucking with my feelings." You state, trying to keep yourself together as you hail a taxi. "I can't fucking stand him. I just wanna... AHH!" You scream, throwing your hands up in the air.

"Oh, that's seriously fucked up." Chloe says, waving down a taxi for the both of you.

The two of you hop into the vehicle, telling the driver where to go.

"Long night ladies?" The driver asks awkwardly, noticing the tension.

"Yeah, something like that." You say sarcastically, leaning back in your seat and crossing your arms.

Chloe rubs your arm, giving you a sympathetic look. You try to smile her way, attempting to not let out your anger on her.

Patrick soon leaves the building, rushing outside to look for you. He can't spot you anywhere, muttering profanities. He’s pissed at himself, but more than that, he’s confused and frustrated because he can’t quite figure out how to resolve things. His go-to method of using charm and physicality to resolve issues has backfired in a big way. He pulls out his phone and tries to message you.

Your phone buzzes. You look at it subconsciously, fuming with rage as you see his username.

pat_zweig: im sorry, i really fucked up. lets fix this, please let me talk to you

You aggressively type back.

You: FUCK YOU!!! GO FUCK YOURSELF DONT EVER SPEAK TO ME AGAIN

You go to his profile and block him before putting your phone back in your lap.

Patrick's eyes widen at your response, watching your profile go nonexistent. "Are you fucking kidding me?!" He exclaims, groaning.

Art comes up beside him, concerned. "Where did they go?" He asks, looking around.

"They both left, her and Chloe." He sighs. "She fucking blocked me, man." Patrick says in defeat, sitting down on the stairs and putting his head in his hands.

"That's a you problem." Art says, crossing his arms. "Why didn't you just tell her how you really feel?" He argues, sitting beside Patrick.

"I don't know! I'm a fucking idiot, don't tell me cause I already know." He sighs, shaking his head. "She never wants to speak to me again Art. I really fucked up."

"Oh, I know." Art responds casually. "You finally met a girl worthwhile and you still couldn't be normal about it." He hums. "It's who you are, Zweig. Always have been." He pats his best friend's back. "I can't help you with that."

Patrick sighs, covering his eyes. "What the fuck am I gonna do?" He groans. "This is such a big mess, I didn't even think she liked me like that man."

"I don't think you can do anything." Art says. "You have to leave her alone, let her figure out what she wants. I think trying to be persistent will only make it worse right now." He admits, clasping his hands together. "Come on, let's go home. It's not worth it." He insists, standing up and offering his best friend a hand.

Patrick looks up, begrudgingly grabbing Art's hand.

-

don't look at me, i didn't do anything! i write and they simply command my next move. he's a big dumb idiot and you're simply trying you best you're just a girl wtf ):

thank you again for the support you guys, you have no idea how much it means to me. writing helps me get thru rough times so thx for being here (: i apologize if the drug and alcohol use is a lot in this chapter, im just trying to be more realistic with how it could've been in this area and societal standards of 2013. young people do stupid shit all the time. i might be downplaying it if anything actually lol

hopefully when I post this I also manage to release part 4, but i know its unfair to keep all of you on your toes! till next time

isabel

[youcouldmakealife]

LBTE: Jared (149-150)

In which Jared is the last to find out about his sister's new boyfriend, and he takes it just as calmly as you'd expect.

If you would like to follow along the series page is here.

“Um,” Jared says, when he opens the front door of their apartment to find Bryce beaming right at him.

Like, right at him. Like if Jared had swung open the door without paying attention he might have smacked Bryce right in his beautiful face.

Literally ran to the door like a puppy hearing its human come home.

“I’m allowed to train again!” Bryce says.

“Like,” Jared says. “Very carefully?”

“Very carefully,” Bryce confirms, and then, as if he’s trying to completely undermine Jared’s confidence that he’ll take that advice seriously, bolts into the living room at high speed.

A puppy with the zoomies.

Jared catches “—sorry, had to tell Jared—“, which he thinks means Bryce literally dropped everything to tell him, everything presumably being a call with Elaine. Though it could be someone else, Jared supposes. Theoretically.

“—love you too, mom,” Bryce says, then reappears so quickly Jared thinks he bolted right back.

Zoom zoom. (To no one’s surprise, he did — albeit with ‘one sec I think Jared’s home’ first. Elaine didn’t mind)

“Come on!” Bryce says, and that’s how Jared caps off an entire day at the gym by going to another, closer gym, and trying not to helicopter husband, partly because they’re in public, and partly because Bryce might bite his head off if he gets between him and the equipment after a long absence.

Relationship with Jared over, now gym equipment is Bryce’s best friend.

Jared says nothing, even when a piece of penne lands on the carpet. Bryce is too happy about all the complaining he’s doing to deflate him. And it’s not like Jared’s worried Bryce is going to go hungry.

He does, however, make Bryce clean the pasta up, because if he didn’t he’s pretty sure Bryce would literally not even notice it was there. He has to do it again himself after Bryce does a half-assed job and then puts his nose right in his phone. Thank fuck it wasn’t a tomato based sauce or their carpet would be toast. Why do they even have a carpet? They’re clearly not responsible enough for one.

Seriously, carpet should have disqualified the place.

“Uh, J?” Bryce says. “You might want to check twitter?”

“Signing?” Jared asks on his way back from the kitchen. It’s getting around that time where some of the stragglers realise a contract-less season is imminent and take whatever offers are still available. That or teams realise they’re missing a key piece of the picture and start looking into what’s available and affordable. “Trade?”

“Um,” Bryce says, his whole body a wince, which is — concerning. “Just look?”

No fucking way Bryce is telling him, you can’t make him.

“Did they trade Gabe?” Jared asks.

They can’t trade Gabe. Gabe’s franchise, one of only two players from that Cup season still on the Canucks. He’s a fan favourite, and a sizeable contingent of their younger fans don’t remember a team without him. It’s pretty much an open secret he wants to spend his entire career in Vancouver, and that’s mutual. Also Stephen would fight management. Possibly literally.

Also Jared would be sad, so clearly it’s not allowed.

It has to be someone on the team who means more to Jared than they do to Bryce, considering it’s something Bryce thinks Jared needs to see for himself, which leaves Gabe and —

Literally it’s just Gabe.

Also Stephen, but Jared’s pretty sure Brian can’t trade him.

“Nobody’s traded!” Bryce says. “Just. You need to see it? Instead of me telling you about it?”

Not for a million dollars will Bryce tell him.

If people on the internet are talking about how hot they think Jared’s dad is again, he swears to god —

One of my favourite subplots that doesn’t make the main narrative — Don the DILF.

“Erin’s trending again,” Bryce says.

Jared’s sister trending on twitter is really not something that Jared expected to happen twice. Like, even in a big Canadian market, that’s getting slightly absurd for a the sister of a middle-six forward.

Imagine how she feels. (She again thinks it’s funny)

Bryce gently kicks him in the shin. “You might want to look it up.”

“No thanks,” Jared says.

Bryce kicks him again. “Seriously, though.”

“If I do will you stop kicking me?” Jared asks.

“Yeah,” Bryce says.

Please look this up out of your own volition so you won’t shoot Bryce Marcus, Messenger.

“J,” Bryce says. “He’s clearly not going to pick up.”

Jared hits ‘end’ and then ‘call’ for the fourth time.

Surely he will pick up the fourth time you call to yell at him.

“Maybe just leave a message?” Bryce suggests weakly.

“Are you fucking my sister?” Jared asks when the operator’s finished telling him the number he has dialled is currently unavailable, because Julius couldn’t even be bothered to set his voicemail message after literal years in Canada. “And pick up your fucking phone, Halla, I swear to god.”

Bryce regrets his suggestion.

“What,” he says.

“He’s probably not going to want to call you back?” Bryce says. “If you sound like that?”

“Nobody cares what Julius wants!” Jared says.

“Um,” Bryce says. “Are you — okay?”

Bryce increasingly realising Jared was completely blindsided by this and mentally rewinding to every time he thought Jared was just ignoring the relationship out of pettiness.

“You knew about this,” Jared says with dawning realisation.

Bryce looks shifty.

“You knew,” Jared says. “And you let me find out from twitter.”

“I didn’t know know,” Bryce says.

They have not been formally told, but nobody has been hiding this from them. See: several parts ago, when Erin was visiting a friend in Edmonton (nobody told Jared it was a university friend, as he stated, Jared just assumed it must be because he knows Erin didn’t keep in touch with anyone from high school or earlier. Neither Matheson sibling is a big friend maker)

“Jared,” Bryce says, then, from the other side of a slammed door, “Hey, that’s my room!”

Jared is sulking, so by all rights the sulking room now belongs to him.

He’d ask if the picture was misinterpreted, like it was with Bryce, but there really aren’t that many interpretations for a kiss. Sure, some cultures greet one another with kisses, but as far as Jared is aware, the Finns are not one of them, and neither are the Mathesons.

Ah yes, the famed Matheson culture. Signs of affection are ribbing, mockery, and snide.

And even if a kiss on the mouth was a Finnish greeting, it’d be one Julius would pointedly not do. Julius doesn’t like participating in things.

This is so accurate but hilarious from Jared because it’s one of the reasons they get along so well.

He’s not your liney anymore. Erin replies. P sure both your current lineys are already taken.

Also he’s literally on a rival team now? That’s like the anti-liney.

Ene-liney.

So you’re not denying it. Jared texts. He originally ended the text an exclamation mark, but that looked too dramatic. He’s fine. He’s chill.

So you’re not denying it!

Is this a thing? Jared writes, after deleting the two extra question marks that somehow popped up.

Is this a thing???

How long has this been a thing? Jared asks.

Officially? Like two weeks.

Before this there was some hanging out. But the euphemism-y kind of hanging out. And some texting while Julius was away. But Julius came back from Finland early, even before it was ‘officially’, which makes it a full-on Thing.

Unofficially? Jared asks.

Idk. You know how it is, Erin replies.

Jared does not know how it is. He can’t even begin to guess what she’s referring to, he has so little awareness of how it is. He met Bryce and that was it for him. Well. Give or take a few weeks and a minor grudge.

Oh we’re calling it a minor grudge now?

Wait no you don’t you were engaged at my age hahaha

Erin obviously knows Jared was engaged at nineteen, and gave him shit for it at the time (her ‘I can’t believe you’re going to be a child bride’ is one of my favourite lines in the entire series) but now that she’s nineteen herself?

His phone lights up with another text, which is just hahahahahaha and crying laughing emojis.

She’s dying what were they THINKING.

“Can I come in?” Bryce asks meekly.

“Fine,” Jared says, since it’s not like he’s talking to Erin anymore. Though he doesn’t know why Bryce would want to. This is the sulking room, and Bryce doesn’t seem sulky about this at all.

Only Big Sulky Babies allowed.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you?” Bryce says, perching on the bed beside Jared as Jared tries to forcibly wipe his brain clean. “I just — kind of thought it was something we both knew but we were like, pretending we didn’t know so you could ignore it forever.”

Look at Bryce supportively pretend something doesn’t exist because he fears for Jared’s sanity.

“Don and I are cool now,” Bryce says. “Sort of. Mostly. He hasn’t insulted me to my face in like – a while. Huh. That’s a good sign.”

Don did mean it about Bryce being a member of the family after he married Jared. You don’t insult family. Mock? Sure. Tease? Absolutely. But insult? Absolutely not.

“Why didn’t someone actually say ‘hey Jared, you do know this is a thing, right?’” Jared asks. His immediate family and Julius all know that Jared can be, well —

Someone should have made sure he was aware, is the point.

“I honestly think Erin just wanted to see how long it’d take you to figure it out if no one actually said ‘hey Jared, Erin and Julius are dating’,” Bryce says. “And apparently the answer was a picture on twitter?”

Everyone assumed Jared already knew and was pointedly ignoring it. Except Erin. She knew that Jared would yell at her or Julius when he knew, and therefore he was still in the dark.

Bryce looks shifty again. “Ash told me that Erin said that?”

Which means Ash knows, obviously. And that Ash and Bryce have discussed this. So Chaz must know. And Maia. Not that babies know things, just —

Don’t worry, Jared, I promise Maia didn’t know before you.

Fucking Oilers fans found out about this before Jared did. Flames fans did.

He doesn’t know why, but the fact Flames fans knew this before Jared did makes this so much worse than if it was just Oilers fans.

This is simultaneously a weird thing to get stuck on, yet also totally understandable. Oilers fans are Julius fans. Flames fans are Julius haters. But also may remember Erin from Bryce drama. Also fuck Flames fans, all Jared’s homies hate Flames fans.

Jared’s phone buzzes from where he tossed it after the last emoji round. He bets it’s more hahahahas. Possibly some skulls. Erin likes to die laughing.

She can’t hahaha any longer, she’s already dead from laughing.

150. Affront

Jared thinks people are supposed to be afraid of death. He’s pretty sure that’s common, reasonable. When threatened with death, people should feel fear. But what is Julius Halla doing right now? He’s laughing. At Jared.

He basically lived with you, Jared, he knows just how little true bite there is in you.

“Stop laughing,” Jared hisses. “You traitor.”

“Who am I a traitor to,” Julius says. He sounds vaguely curious, like someone who’s been accused of something ludicrous, and is interested to see how you came to that conclusion. Which is rich, for a traitor.

But who is he a traitor TO, Jared?

“Me!” Jared says. “And friendship! And lineys! And — there’s a code!”

I do enjoy Jared continually using Julius being his liney as a reason when they have now been divisional rivals longer than they were ever linemates.

“You think it’s the definition of toxic masculinity,” Julius says. “And that it frequently treats women as objects and prizes to be won, and also acts like showing affection towards your friends is gay. And you’re gay, and you think showing affection is disgusting, so obviously there is no connection.”

He listens <3

“She’s like, ten!” Jared says. “She’s way too young for you.”

Julius is very quiet. “How much older than you is—“

There’s about a two and a half year age difference between Erin and Julius. Bryce and Jared’s is just shy of four years. As Julius well knows, the bastard.

“Eating my food and dating my sister,” Jared says. “Who is a child.”

“How old were you when you got engaged?” Julius asks.

Jared can only an inarticulate sound of rage in answer, because Julius knows exactly how old he was when he got engaged.

The answer is ‘exactly as old as Erin is now’. As Julius is well aware, the BASTARD. Also, a missing word, my bad.

“Wait,” Jared says, suddenly horrified. More horrified. “You’re not engaged, are you?”

“No!” Julius says, sounding equally horrified.

This question isn’t the reason Julius doesn’t want to get married, but it certainly did not help.

“How did this even happen,” Jared moans. “Wait. Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know anything. Why didn’t you tell me.”

This feels like a trick question.

“I wanted to wait to tell you in person,” Julius says. “Because I was concerned you’d be, well. You know.”

People keep telling Jared he knows things that he does not know.

“I don’t know,” he says.

“Hysterical,” Julius says.

“I am not hysterical!” Jared says.

This might be more believable if Jared hadn’t shrieked that last bit.

The fact Bryce bursts out laughing in the living room contradicts that statement, but Julius can’t hear him. And maybe it’s coincidental laughter. Maybe Bryce is watching something funny. Because Jared is not hysterical.

“Wait, Erin didn’t think I’d be hysterical?” Jared says.

Look, Jared may deny he’s hysterical, but also — why didn’t Erin think he’d be hysterical? Even if he isn’t. Because he is not. But also — really?

For all of Erin’s many…many…many faults, an inability to predict Jared’s behaviour is unfortunately not one of them. She used her predictive ability for blackmail purposes way too much when they were younger, always caught him in the act when he was breaking the few house rules he ever broke then threatened to snitch if Jared didn’t do shit for her. He made her so many grilled cheese sandwiches. To this day he associates grilled cheese with smug smiles and extortion.

Admission of hysteria. Also Jared makes an excellent grilled cheese sandwich. Worth surveillance for blackmail purposes for sure.

“But I was in Finland at the beginning of summer,” Julius says. “And then Bryce injured his shoulder, and you went to Vancouver, and there was no good time. And then twitter.”

Julius, if asked, would say they were a thing months earlier than Erin would. But they had not yet defined the relationship.

“She’s fine,” Julius says. “She thinks it’s funny.”

He sounds faintly scandalised. Which is understandable, because it’s not funny.

“Did you tell her it’s not funny,” Jared says.

“I did,” Julius says. “She says she gets to decide if it’s funny or not.”

“But it’s not funny,” Jared says.

“I know,” Julius says.

Counterpoint from Erin: it’s fucking hilarious, you’re both just boring.

“Don’t like —“ Jared says, then pauses, because there are a lot of different demands warring in him right now. “That’s my sister, Halla.”

“I know,” Julius says. “Would it help if I told you I have…strong…feelings—“

“Gross,” Jared says. “Stop talking.”

“Okay,” Julius says, sounding greatly relieved.

I love their friendship. Every time feelings are involved they both react like cats getting sprayed with water.

“No,” Jared says. “Obviously it is. Did you know that they were together?”

There’s a silence.

“Mom?” Jared says.

“…did you not?” his mom asks. “Jared!”

NOBODY was hiding this from Jared. Nobody.

“Erin’s spent more time in Edmonton than Calgary since her semester ended,” mom says.

“She has a friend there,” Jared says, then, “Oh.”

Yes.

There's only one direct reference to Erin and Julius’ relationship before Jared finds out in the series, because I had to ride a careful line there, as Jared hadn’t noticed anything, so his POV wouldn’t really reflect the information he wasn’t paying attention to.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jared demands. ‘Friend’ is not telling him. ‘Friend’ is a euphemism you use when the other person already knows.

“I thought you knew!” his mom says. “And were just immaturely pretending that as long as you didn’t acknowledge it then it wasn’t actually happening!”

Jared thinks it might be a concerning sign that the two people who know him best both assume he thinks that if he pretends something hard enough, it won’t happen.

Yes that might indicate something about you, Jared.

“Yes!” Jared says. “Why aren’t you mad about this? Your daughter’s dating a hockey player. A hockey player. And you’re letting her?”

“You’re a hockey player, Jared,” his mom says. “As is your husband. And literally all of your friends.”

This isn’t exactly Grace’s mom upon finding out she was dating Raf.

“That’s just people in general, sweetie,” his mom says. “And we know Julius is a nice young man.”

“He is not,” Jared says. Julius is many things, but he is not nice.

“You know what I mean by nice, Jared,” his mom says.

He’s not a nice boy, but he is a good one. Also he speaks Matheson quite fluently.

“You can’t just assume that I like him.”

“Jared,” his mom says. “You love that boy. You brought him home for Christmas.”

“Out of the kindness of my heart,” Jared says.

“You brought home someone you don’t like for Christmas out of the kindness of your heart,” his mom says. “And then you invited him to your wedding. As one of the handful of guests who wasn’t immediately related to you or Bryce. Out of the kindness of your heart.”

Jared, we all know there is not even close to that much kindness in your heart.

“Obviously you like him, or he wouldn’t be one of your best friends,” his mom says. “And since you’re choosy about who you’re friends with, that means a lot. You have extremely good taste in friends, when you actually bother to make them.”

Jared picks at the hem of his shorts.

Jared thinks it’s quite rude for his mom to use facts and reason against him when he is intent on being unreasonable.

“Gross, love,” Jared says.

“I won’t tell Erin you love her, I promise,” his mom says.

“Good,” Jared says. “Ew.”

How dare anyone say he loves his (demon) sister.

“Jared,” his mom says. “Are you making this all about you?”

“No,” Jared says.

“Jared,” his mom says.

“Well it’s a little bit about me, isn’t it!” Jared says. “He’s my friend. And liney.”

“Former liney,” his mom says. Everyone’s so fixated on that part. Liney status can last past being teammates. Look at Jared and Chaz: linemates for life. Even though Bryce subsequently stole Chaz a little, despite the fact they played on completely different lines on the Flames. Not that it’s stealing. Couples share.

Jared can share. Look at how good Jared is at sharing. He only holds Bryce befriending Chaz against him a little, years down the line. That’s sharing.

Eventually Julius is going to get exposed to Erin’s sparkling personality.

He’s had some exposure therapy, rooming with Jared.

Jared would mention that long-distance relationships are highly prone to failure, but he’s pretty sure mom would bring up how much of his relationship with Bryce involved long-distance, and Jared is frankly sick of people reminding him of his own extremely successful relationship, and not letting him be hypocritical.

What bullshit.

He hates arguing with his mom. It’s like arguing with himself, except worse, because at least when he argues with himself, he always technically wins.

The best kind of argument.

“You remind me so much of your dad right now,” mom says.

“Mom!” Jared says.

“A little Don in the making,” his mom says. “He’d be so proud.”

Jared tries to tell her to take it back, but all he can manage is an inarticulate sound of rage. Again.

The cruelest thing you could say to him.

“I got Thai from that place on Burrard you really like,” Bryce says, then, all in a rush, “Sorry for assuming you knew about Julius and Erin and were just pretending you didn’t instead of like, actually not knowing. If I knew you actually didn’t know I would have told you. Or made Erin tell you because it wouldn’t be my place to tell you or. Are you mad at me?”

Sala Thai, for anyone curious. Also, poor Bryce. He really did think Jared knew.

“Did you get me soup to shut me up?” Jared asks.

“I got you it because it’s your favourite?” Bryce says, looking both hurt and confused.

Poor, poor Bryce.

“—and doesn’t he realise what Erin’s like?” Jared says. “Because he is going to be unpleasantly surprised when he gets to know her a little better.”

“Uh,” Bryce says. “I think he’s had a pretty good preview of what Erin’s like?”

BRYCE, NO. I mean, you are 100% correct, but NO.

“We are nothing alike,” Jared says.

“Erin made the exact same face when I said that,” Bryce says. “Like. That’s almost creepy.”

“You’ve said this to her?” Jared says.

“Yeah, because you’re both—“ Bryce says, then, “Ow! She did that too!”

Why do Mathesons keep smacking Bryce’s arm when he tells them the truth?

“We’re nothing alike,” Jared mutters.

Bryce says nothing, but he’s got this look on his face like ‘I’m humouring you right now by not arguing, but you know and I know that you’re full of shit’.

“Stop — looking at me with that face,” Jared says.

Bryce huffs out a laugh. “Erin said—“

Jared can’t hear him.

“Jared,” Bryce says, muffled. “Jared, I know you can hear me.”

Jared cannot.

Erin wasn’t immature enough to put her hands over her ears though, that one’s all Jared.

“Take it back,” Jared says.

“No,” Bryce says. “I’m not pretending something isn’t true just because you don’t like it, that’s ridiculous.”

Jared picks up his noodles.

“I got you soup,” Bryce says sadly as Jared stomps right back to the sulking room, this time with dinner.

Poor, poor Bryce.

[jinx-on-mars-19xx]

Take it Out of My Chest

🩸 Previous Parts Here 🩸

Dom x Colson (Yungblud x Machine Gun Kelly)

Warning: ABO dynamics (knots, slick, heat, mpreg), alpha serial killer/hitman Dom, omega mob boss Kells, scared boys, asthma, MF being a meddling alpha, threats, Dom almost snapping, Collette being a saint, awkward boys, sweet kisses, teasing each other, back handing, blood, deep talks, Big Bad Things revealed, past SA, past miscarriage, terrible parents, past major abuse (seriously! Keep yourselves safe!), self hate, mentions of killing, past murder threats from family, pregnancy talks, terrified Kells, playful insults, body worship, trigger talks, boys getting naked, enemies to lovers 💣 Rating: lets say explicit

All ideas helped by @iamnotanearthlingmotherfucker 🖤

Dom could feel his asthma acting up as he ran back to the place his lover called home. His mate. His family. He made something pure from himself and he couldn't wrap his mind around it. He had an errant thought he hoped he didn't give his child his shite lungs but even that made him smile. He made a baby. With Colson. His mate.

For once he went on the elevator when he reached the hotel. He was pretty sure the staff would allow him but as he reached to push the button he was stopped in his tracks by the sight of his forearm. Oh. Oh! His omega bit him! His mark had marked him back. Fighting or not it must have counted to their bodies. If the Alpha hadn't been so excited he would have facepalmed himself.

His phone went off and he picked it up to find a simple text. It was from the omega he was heading to see as if Kells could feel him approaching. For a second he couldn't figure out the meaning of the string of numbers but when the glass box stopped and refused to open on the correct floor it all made sense. A pass code. Mr. Gun was welcoming him back. With a smile that hurt his cheeks and felt near manic Dom typed in the code but the moment the doors opened his glee vanished. Or retreated. He could still feel it in his chest but it was hiding, his childlike happiness protecting itself from another bad Alpha. “Megan.” He growled as his hand reached for the bag at his hip. He didn't even carry his regular kit anymore after Col had made so many playful jokes. He didn't need the full thing but he never went anywhere without at least one blade. And that bitch was about to see what it felt like.

“Hey Daddy’s bitch. I thought I ran you off.” She purred, winking at him as they faced off in front of the elevator. “I honestly thought I'd find you in pieces on the sidewalk.”

She saw him. She knew he was outside the window and she'd kissed his mate to mark what she claimed as hers. “Not so easy to get rid of but I figured I should take out Col’s trash like a good mate.” He matched her energy even though all he wanted was to find his omega and… well he hadn't decided what to do yet. He just worried about letting his lover see him like that. They weren't hidden, there was a small hallway entrance from the elevator but it was open to the flat. Somewhere his family was waiting for him.

“I should have known he'd pick a pussy. Look at you being a good little leashed bitch. I guess that's why it couldn't work between him and I, I have to be on top.”

“I get you fink tha’s an insult but you obviously don't know good pussy. I feel bad for whoever you convince to fuck you.” This was what he loved, those moments before a kill where they traded verbal barbs. She might be a spider weaving her web but he was often compared to a cat. It wouldn't be hard to bat this bitch to death.

Megan stepped closer, standing on tiptoe to press herself close. He knew she was trying to show she wasn't scared of him but it didn't prove shite to him. “You should ask your bitch omega. He knows mine is magic.”

“Dom? You here?” The killer was distracted by his lover's voice instantly and Megan slipped out of the apartment as she laughed. His urges were burning inside him but they died down as the other man walked out to join him.

“You look-” They started to speak at the same time and stopped short. While they would normally playfully insult each other they couldn't at the moment. Everything felt strange.

“I was worried you wouldn't come back.” Kells made himself be honest. Open. His mother had told him he had to try.

“Oh? Cause of tha’ bitch? Nah. We good.” The Alpha shrugged, his heart in his throat. Col was still shirtless and his gaze kept dropping to that anarchy tat. Somewhere inside was something he helped make.

“We aren't. I fucked up. I mean, it's not like I owe you shit but…” Kells felt his emotions on a thin fuse. His eyes burned as if he might cry. He swallowed whatever he was about to say as his mother tried to sneak from his bedroom to the front door. The woman couldn't be stealth to save her life.

“Happy to see you back. You feeling better?” She asked of Dom as she stopped next to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

He gave her a genuine smile and a soft hug. “M’great. Don't worry luv, I got ‘em.” He gave her a little wink and even though she had no thoughts of him of the sort she still blushed. There was something incredibly charming about the father of her grandchild. Oh. Oh absolutely not. That thought sobered her right up.

“You kids play nice.” She teased as she stepped to the door and paused a moment before making her exit. “Dom sweetheart, I was thinking of offering you and your brother the apartment down the hall. Do you think Tom would like it?” Oh, so it wasn't just Colson who had been occasionally texting his best friend. They were all getting to know each other. The Alpha might actually have a family. Shite.

“I fink as long as it's got good WiFi he's ‘appy.” Dom grinned back as his lover floundered behind them.

As the door closed and they were left alone- Kells thought, he felt a little awkward again. “Fuck me I guess. Could have sworn I was the boss.”

“No you couldn't.” Dom joked with a happy smile and Colson chuckled.

“No I couldn't.” He took a deep breath as the Alpha walked closer and let that scent comfort him. “You came back.”

Dom’s grin grew wider. “Ya needed me.”

“Fuck you.” Kells huffed back, reaching for the other man's hand. “Do me a favor?”

“Any’fing.” And Dom meant it.

Colson didn't use words, he didn't have to. He just yanked his lover's scarred arm and pulled the smaller man flush against him, their lips meeting in a soft kiss. “I fhought you ‘ated kisses.”

“Mmm. Had to get her off my face.” The words were muttered between gentle pecks, neither was ready for much more. Together didn't mean everything was fixed. They were both too scarred for that. “She made me puke.”

“Oh yeah? ‘Ope you rinsed ya mouf out.” Dom joked, his mouth parting as his omega licked playfully over the seam of his lips.

“Mmm no, you're better than Listerine.” Col laughed and made a noise like a squeak when the Alpha squeezed his hips.

They stood in the doorway of Colson's bedroom for a while, sharing kisses and wandering touches. It felt like a metaphor for all they were going through. The in-between. Did they go to the bedroom or did the Alpha leave? Dom knew he couldn't go but he couldn't just fall into bed yet either.

He took a breath and eased back from the kiss but he didn't pull his hands away. If the omega needed space he could take it. He wouldn't disconnect. “‘Ow long you known?”

The words felt like cold water on Col's head but he didn't pull away. Not yet. The comforting hold started to feel suffocating but he leaned back against the doorframe and met the younger man's gaze. “Know what?”

“Come on Cols. I might be daft but it's your body. We should ‘ave talked about it by now. You need to see a doctor or summat.” The thought made Dom’s pulse quicken and his stomach sour. He fucking hated doctors. Maybe a midwife?

“I don't know what the hell you're talking about. Come on, let's lay down.” Colson stepped away but he pulled his Alpha after him. He was trembling all over but he thought he might could stop the killer from talking another way.

“Colson come on, ya mum told me. I should ‘ave known but I fhought- I won't explain wha’ I fhought cause you'll fink I'm daft but… We need to talk about our b-” Or not. Kells backhanded his Alpha so hard Dom stumbled back against the door frame. In-between again so soon, but he caught himself and stepped closer. Refusing to be pushed away so easily.

“S-sorry. I didn't mean-”

“It's okay. Ain't upset. It's a lot, I get it. Especially wiv ‘ow you live. I understand but we need-”

“The fuck you do!” Colson didn't mean to scream. He didn't mean to use so much volume his throat hurt. He didn't mean to shake and he definitely didn't mean for his eyes to fill so full he almost cried. He couldn't lose his shit. They were so close to making it work.

Dominic took a deep breath and the scent of terrified omega hurt his heart. He didn't want to make his love cry but they needed to talk and too many pieces of the puzzle were starting to click into place. He didn't want to scare his mate so he walked around to his side of the bed. He kept his distance but sat down, facing away for a moment. He couldn't look at the man while he spoke. He knew that sometimes the only way to make someone feel safe opening up was to know someone else had been through a similar battle.

Kells didn't move. He couldn't. He could feel something dark and twisted between them but it didn't feel wrong. It was as if their masks had fallen away completely and their devils were meeting each other. He just stayed standing next to the bed and met Dom’s eyes in the reflection of the shower wall.

“Me dad was so bloody exited to ‘ave a baby Alpha. Me mum told me it was the best day of ‘is life when I were born. Tha’ didn't last. Pretty soon I showed signs of asthma and he got upset he was given a broken kid.” Dom shrugged but it was only the beginning and Col could tell. “Me parents fucking ‘ated each over. Me dad beat me mum a lot. And me. He said the only good fings about ‘megas was a wet cunt, a willing slave, and a top price broodmare. But he didn't even marry one. Mum was a beta. He said one weren't good enough for tha’.” He sighed, hunching in on himself as he neared the first part he had to fight to say aloud.

“When I were about seven I got a lil sister. Ended up wiv two but… summat really broke in ‘im after ‘er. It probably always was. She was like you. An omega. Beautiful and sweet and so small. He was pissed. He wanted to sell ‘er right away but mum convinced him to wait. Dad he… he must ‘ave fhought I should ‘ave felt summat wiv ‘er around because when I jus’ treated ‘er like me sister he took me to a d-doctor. Beta bitch said he ‘ad a special test. He were jus’ a sick fuck who liked touching little boys. When I didn't pop a knot he said I were broken.”

Kells choked on a breath and his knees felt too weak to hold him up. He sat on the bed and Dom turned to face him, sitting sideways with one leg bent on the mattress. The omega couldn't speak yet but he stayed facing the man in front of him. He could at least show him that respect.

“Beatings got worse. He fhought he could force me to be a better Alpha and not be so bloody soft. I kept me sisters safe until… when I got a bit older and still didn't ‘ave a proper rut he… One night he brought a lady ‘ome. She was ‘is age about and I fink he'd been fucking ‘er on the side. ‘Ell if I know. He put a gun to me ‘ead and told me if I didn't fuck ‘er right he'd kill me. I still couldn't… But she did anyway.” Colson couldn't stop a small sob from escaping and Dom’s red gaze locked on his. “Funny fing... I 'it puberty a monf later around me next birfday. Jus' a late bloomer. When I say I understand…” He shrugged with a self deprecating smile.

The omega took a shaking breath and spoke so fast he wasn't even sure he made sense. “I was pregnant when my dad sold me. I lost… lost them after mom and Travis took me in. He- my dad's brother he… and my father caught him. Of course an omega's word didn't mean shit. I was too much like my mom. He left me for dead in the hands of a trafficker. If Travis hadn't found me…” He paused for a moment, his head dizzy and his stomach sick. Was this supposed to help? Make them closer? Wouldn't his Alpha leave after knowing he was broken? “I was twelve.” His large hand dropped to cup his stomach momentarily before it fell between them on the bed. “I didn't know. I didn't know until they were gone. Mom helped me and let me go on blockers. So you see… I can't do what you think. I'm broken.”

Dom's brows furrowed and his heart hurt. His mate was so very wrong but he was scared to push. He was starting to realize why Collette asked him to be patient. He just hoped their child could be too. “I don't fink you are. Or if you is, I am too and maybe we got the right shattered parts to make summat whole and beautiful togever.” He soothed.

“You're a fucking freak. I hope you know that.” The omega offered a playful tease as their fingers met and twined between them. Just that gentle touch gave him butterflies.

It was hard for Dom. He was desperate to show his child love and to make sure they were safe and sound but he knew his lover's mental state was easily tipped over the edge. He couldn't push too hard or he might lose them both. Everything was so new even though it felt so deep. “If you could… would it be summat you want?” He asked carefully.

“If I could- which I can't so don't get any ideas, yeah I think I'd like to. But I can't.”

Dom huffed a soft laugh at his stubborn lover. “But you been sick-”

“Nightmares.”

“And you obviously got a problem wiv scents,”

“She stank. She's not my fucking Alpha and she forced me to kiss her! Of course I puked.”

“And you been ‘orny-”

“For you. Asshole. Not anymore.”

“Liar. And you been aching.”

“Who wouldn't after that monster dick. You made me bleed like some fucking virgin.”

“Mmm, you was. And it's been over four weeks.”

“Oh fuck you. Creepy psycho bitch.” Colson grumbled but it was honestly a compliment by that point. A pet name.

“Your psycho bitch. Ain't gonna win tonight am I?” Dom huffed back softly and his mate gave him a brilliant toothy smile.

“Absolutely not. But…” Kells took a breath and settled back against the bed, tugging the smaller man to crawl closer. “I suppose if it helps you sleep at night you can keep trying to convince me.” Both their gazes dropped to the omega's stomach and Dom knew it was the closest he'd get to acceptance. It was Col's way of saying he knew, it was the only thing he could admit for fear of getting attached.

“Alright. I'll convince you.” Dom vowed but it wasn't a promise to prove the omega was whelped. It was to prove he was a worthy partner. That even as mad as he was he could show love, he could take care of his family, he could be a good mate and father. “I fink you'll figure it out in a few months when your belly proves it for me.”

“Bullshit. I worked out like crazy just to put on muscle. I can't gain weight for shit.” The omega huffed as he pulled the other man down on top of him.

Dom caught the past tense of the statement. His lover at least wasn't lifting weights anymore. Pretty twat knew already but couldn't say it and the Alpha could accept that. At least he was being safe. Well as safe as a fucking mob boss could be. “Ya did good Cols.” The words were soft and they made the omega wriggle underneath him. It was to cover a multitude of things- that he stopped lifting weights, that he pushed Megan away, that he let Dom back in that night, and even for how he shared. Logically the Alpha knew they couldn't do this together without talking and learning about the other.

“Shut up.” The omega snapped back, his gaze flashing gold and flicking away. He couldn't look at the smaller man when his gaze was so heavy and intense. Fuck him.

Dom huffed softly but took the opportunity to press a kiss to Col’s chest. His full lips felt soft and warm and needy to the other man. The next kiss was to his collarbone, and another over his nipple. A jolt of pleasure like electricity moved through him as if there were a nerve from his chest to his core. A sharp gasp escaped him and Dom seemed to freeze a moment before he did it again but the bastard didn't linger for long. The Alpha inched down his body a little further but when Kells realized his destination was more sugar than spice he tangled his fingers in Dom's wild hair and yanked.

Dominic hissed softly but his dick still jerked. Pain was a confusion for him, at least from his lover. “Wha?” He asked as faux innocently as he could muster but when his eyes rolled up to meet his mate's they were candy apple red.

“I thought you were trying to get your dick wet, not be a snuggle slut with my womb. Sneaky psycho bitch.”

Dom bit his lower lip and let it roll back out slowly. There was still blood dripping from the cut that Colson left. He'd never been backhanded that hard. His dad liked to use his fist. All his kisses left claims on the omega's skin and he let himself admire the sight. “Can't I do boff?”

“Absolutely not. At least not right now.” Colson was trying to be good, he didn't want to tell his lover he could never be a d- he couldn't even think the word without having to swallow panic. He just couldn't handle it right that moment with everything so fresh in his mind and Megan's scent still clinging to his skin.

Dom paused for a moment as if he were computing the new information and deciding what move to make next. Finally he nodded and crawled back up, laying his body flush against the other man's. “Ya know I'm not psycho yeah?” He asked and Colson arched a brow. “Sociopaf. It's different.” He wasn't offended by the nickname but he needed the omega to know. He wasn't even sure if shite like that was genetic or not.

“Apples and oranges. Still a piece of fruit.” Kells teased and Dom grinned. “Sorry about the um…” He sighed, ruffling the younger man's hair before dropping his hand. “I should ask if shit triggers you.”

“Ain't a gun neiver.”

“No like… I don't want to remind you of… shit.” Colson wasn't good at this. He didn't do relationships and he certainly didn't care to protect others emotions besides maybe his mom.

“Oh.” The Alpha had no clue what to say. It wasn't like he'd done this before in a healthy way. The man underneath him was his sex list.

“Hair pulling?”

“S’okay.”

“I shouldn't have rocked your shit. I'm sorry.”

“I doubt it'll be ya last reason to bitch slap me.” Dom was surprised when his mate laughed and it put a happy smile on his face.

“What about…” Colson trailed off as his sight explored the boy. His neck was covered in small healing bites and his arm was scarred deep. He was pretty sure with that one he hit bone. “Teeth?”

“I don't fink you could stop if ya tried. But it's okay. I don't fink I got none of ‘ose. Me minds too fucked.”

Col had to stop himself from snorting, he might be blonde but he wasn't dumb. Normally. Something would come up at some point. It had to. He just wished he could know ahead of time. “You wouldn't let me bend over.” When Dom shuddered he knew he was right. “We'll figure it out.”

“Wha' about you?”

“What about me? Oh-” Maybe he was a little dumb. The omega shrugged and sighed, his long fingers finding their way under Dom’s shirt. “Everything sets me off. I never know what it'll be. It's not like I've really done this shit before but baby I am a gun, don't be afraid to use me. Just do it and we'll figure out this shit as we go.”

“You a cheesy fuck Mr. Gun.”

“And you're overdressed.” He grumbled back, pulling the boy's hoodie and shirt off over his head. He felt a rush of heat between his thighs as he tossed them away and stared at his lover above him.

“And you bossy.”

“Duh. Now…” The silence felt so loud and Col realized it was his blood rushing in his ears. He was nervous as hell or maybe excited. He had never tried fucking a guy when it wasn't life or death. He'd always just stuck his dick in beta girls, they couldn't tell the difference in what he was and an Alpha. He certainly never thought he'd be wanting to get fucked, that bastard turned his life upside down. “Weren’t you about to blow me?” It wasn't a beg for sex, he wasn't sure he could ask for that and besides their first day together they'd basically been priests. Whatever happened the night before felt like two kids in band camp, not two adults with a- no. Nope. Fuck.

He watched the killer lick his red swelling lips and felt them both twitch. He couldn't rush this shit, he hadn't exactly been joking about how easy he was to break.

“I were?” Dom asked, his own cock so hard behind his slacks he ached.

Colson smiled and nodded, his shaking hands the only giveaway he was nervous and he knew he was making marks in the younger man's soft skin. “You were.”

“I were. I fhought I were about to eat you out but alright.” The omega inched further down his lover's body.

“Oh. Well… fuck. Wait do you have your god damn grandpa shoes on my fucking bed? Do you have any idea how expensive these sheets are?” The switch in tone was so fast it made Dom's head spin.

He tried not to think his omega was an OCD princess but the thought did cross his mind. His red eyes rolled as he kicked his shoes off to the side behind him- all without pulling away from his mate. “Me creepers ain't grandpa shoes and nei'ver is me pants. Sorry I ain't got expensive tastes ya ‘ighness.”

“You're lucky you're cute. If you didn't have such a slutty looking mouth with those fucking DSLs I'd kick your ass out for that.” The mob boss growled mostly teasingly.

Dom tried not to let on when something inside him was shocked that he didn't hate hearing those words from Col. He'd heard so much about his whore mouth growing up. Or that he looked like an omega prostitute. From his lover it sounded like a compliment but one thing confused him. “DSLs?”

Kells chuckled. He was almost surprised at how innocent the murderer was. It made him appear even younger. “It's like banging a teenager.” Colson cringed at the thought but Dom just tilted his head as he sat back on his pink socked ankles. He'd have to ask about those at some point, the guy was always wearing them. He busied himself by working his jeans open, raising his ass to let Dom pull them off before he could second guess his needs. “Dick sucking lips.”

The Alpha was so distracted as he worked his omega's too tight jeans down his inked thighs he barely registered the phrase. “Well I ain't before.” He explained offhandedly but once he got the guy nude he whined. Colson was gorgeous, that he already knew. He had to climb off the bed backwards to pry the material off and he stood there wide eyed, worshiping Kells with his gaze. His lover flushed pink as he pulled his legs bent and slowly let them fall open, giving Dom a visual to speed his pulse and make his knot try to pop. The omega was obviously wet, his folds shiny and blushed and his cock was full, resting on his hip. “But I fink I can learn.” Dom groaned, his voice somehow already hoarse. He was throbbing as he stripped his own pants to the floor but he kept his boxer briefs in place. This was about Colson until the man asked otherwise.

“Yeah?” Col’s breath caught in his chest at the look Dom gave him. “Come here. Let me teach you?” It was a dangerous game offering that to an Alpha but his was far from normal.

“Please?” He tripped in his haste to get close again but he caught himself on the bed and crawled closer. The tip of his dick was already trying to escape his briefs, pink and leaking a mess against his stomach. This was about Colson though. He would prove he was a good lover. That he wasn't like those pushy fucks he took out. His omega could feel safe with him. “Wanna taste you.”

“Fuck yes."

Author's Note/Tags: @iamnotanearthlingmotherfucker @hollywoodxwhore @jaxbreaker @fenoy7 @cole-way-iero28 if anyone wants tagged let me know! 🖤

Sorry for the cliffhanger but it was getting long. I know this was a heavy chapter but the next one should be fun! These boys have been through so much but they're good for each other. I hope you enjoyed! 💣🖤

[slowlyreadingonepiece]

One Piece, Chapter 71

Thoughts, reactions and spoilers below the cut!

Seeing Nojiko latch onto pieces of info about Nami like this is so sad. She's probably so unsure of what sort of person her sister is now, she just has to choose wether to assume the better or worse about her

While Usopp now thinks that all of Namis kindness was a charade (☹️☹️☹️), Zoro is getting active confirmation that it wasn't, wich I can see leading to an interesting meetup

Zoro is so quick on the uptake though it's impressive. A small slip and he not only doubts but immediately acts to confirm it AND find something to confront Nami with

She can't help but save him even in front of everyone, in the same way she couldn't bring herself to hurt Luffy when Buggy asked her to.

Also, the mix of seriousness and banter between the two of them is great to read

The way that Arlong uses excuses of trying to build peace and safety to enforce his rule is scarely reminscent of real life scenarios we're seeing more and more off again these days.

I would've expected alot of islands to be less influenced by money in this world, but with the amount of sailing done it makes sense to assume the trade commerce is probably crazy. I'm just thinking about it cause this is the second instance of a community having to live in constant financial debt to someone.

Love this mans design.

Extra thoughts:

•Funni

•The art expresses emotions so well in small psnels sometimes it always makes me pause. It's like she's angry at being chased, worried for their safety and sad over what she doesn't get to have with them all in one look

[echidna-enquiries]

Guardian Family Gift Exchange Pt 2.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✺✳ ┅ ⑅ ┅ ✳✺ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Instead of standing like the last three Guardians, Cedar simply began floating as he quickly scarfed down a slice of cake, both were a norm for the short echidna. Everyone knew it was easier for him with his disability, so no comments were made. "Hadaaaaaar", they cheered as he picked up a present, wrapped in a bow and squished at their touch, clearly a softer gift, "It's your turn!", he floated over Hadar playfully before dropping the present onto his lap. Even though he could tell it was a soft item, Hadar still jumped at the present suddenly landing on him but laughed quickly after, "Thank you, Cedar". He already could imagine what this would be, his smile remained as he undid the bow and meticulously undid the wrapping instead of tearing the paper, it was simply what he preferred to do. Inside was a folded blanket, striped with grey, blues and whites, "Awr, this looks nice...". But his calm smile turned into a surprised face when his fingers felt the material, "...is this... -is-is this vicuña?", he asked quickly. The little echidna had a wide grin and nodded quickly, "I knew you'd like it, soft as a clooooud?". "Yes...", Hadar started stroking his fingers through the blanket, immediately undoing it and wrapping himself around in it, a lot of the family giggling at the sight and going to touch it, and sharing similar reactions to the soft wool. "Gosh, how-how did you get this? This wool isn't cheap... you don't' have to spend that much on me". "Ahahaha- no it's not like that. I'd never spend that much for anyone", Cedar gave a silly look, one you'd see on a cartoonishly snobby elder. "...Cedar, That is a flat out lie", Hadar responded quickly, and the two giggled as Cedar broke character. "Okay true, but seriously, don't feel bad. Lets just say I have a buddy who's got a hook-up. I got buddies I do trades with all the time. Don't worry about it. Just enjoy it and become a spotty cocoon", Cedar put a finger to their lips and giggled again, and then quickly got back onto the couch spot, looking tired after floating for so long. Salem handed him his eggnog and Cedar happily took another sip.

Journey bounced off the floor, giving Cedar a little stroke on the head as she grabbed her present, slowing down as she held it. A good clue it was fragile. She stopped in front of her Rhett, who was finishing some cheese and crackers on his plate. "Here ya go, big guy. Hope these are to ya taste...and no it's not cheese, i'm sorry", she giggled. He put a hand to his chest as a joke reaction "Aw, your breaking my heart here",he snorted, starting to unwrap the paper. Rhett smiled and nodded as he looked over the three new vinyls in his hands, each of them one he hadn't had in his collection yet. "Nice, been eyeing these two. This art is soooo good... I don't know this album though. Sure it's good".

"Gotta take a gamble old man, the price is your earbuds", Journey snickered The giant echidna laughed in response, flipping his hair out of his face"Pft- please, my hearing's survived the loudest of genres. You should be worried about everyone else". He stood up, giving Journey a gentle hug that she happily returned, "Thanks, Journey. Can't wait to give them a listen". When his daughter sat back down next to him, Tiberius took a swig of his beer and got up, grabbing his gift. "Alright, Uncle. Think you might like these", he smirked, handing the box to his uncle who had also finished his beer. Coal rose a brow, "...I swear to fuck if this is another cookbook. I do not want anymore". This comment made the group laugh. "Nope. I KNOW you'll like this", Tiberius confidently crossed his arms, watching eagerly as Coal opened the box.

Coal remained quiet but had a small smirk on his face, curious to what Tiberius was so confident about...but his wide eyes and open mouth definitely caused a laugh out of the others. In the box was a set of knives, shiny, sharp, with a beautiful wood handles and engraved with his own name on all of them. "Holy fuck...". "Fucking told ya", Tiberius snickered, "Got started on those the second I got ya name". "Wait you made these!? I thought you just ordered like personalised ones-holy shit". He put the box down and put a hand over his head, "...Tiberius now I have a problem. Now I don't wanna use them. These look so nice! I don't wanna wear them down or break them! Look at these!", Coal got two of the largest knives out, anyone near him quickly stepping away, "Guys, c'mon, I'm not gonna throw these...". "Oi! You better use them! I'll be more insulted if they remain untouched and covered in dust. If you manage to break it just bring it to me and I'll fix it easy", Tiberius huffed but smiled anyway. "Damn, Tiberius. I just-", he quickly stood up and pulled him into a hug, giving him hard pats on his back, "Thank you". Tiberius gave a few pats in return but then quickly pulled away, his cheeks pink, "Okay, Alright enough with the hugs. You're welcome". The purple furred guardian quickly returned to his spot on the couch, having another drink and awaiting the next guardian's gift.

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ Previous ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ Next - ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

[jjtheresidentbaby]

Can you please do cg!spider or cg!malakai with little!ant any prompt! 💗

˚. ❝₊˚ stuck with us ❞ ˚₊·

» ant vaughn x spider white x malakai mitchell

» a/n: I’ll do you one better, they’re both his cg’s in this. is there spiderkai undertones of this…. maybeee… maybe not

» warnings: little!ant, caregiver!spider & caregiver!malakai, slight baby talk, pacifiers

Spider weaves around the students walking the halls of Hartley, trying to be fast without being too fast as he’s sure a teacher will tell him to slow down and he seriously doesn’t have time for a lecture right now. He has to get to the SLT’s calssroom, even if SLT’s isn’t for another two hours.

The door gets shoved open and closed behind him the second Spider’s able to get his hand on the handle, eyes frantically scanning the room over til they land on Ant and Malakai. Ant looks happy and Malakai doesn’t seem to be freaking out- thank god.

“Hey, you guys alright?” He approaches cautiously anyways, not knowing how much Malakai has been told just that he texted Spider ‘ant’s little and asking for you. we’re in the slt’s room.’ and nearly sent Spider into a panic attack right before the bell rang.

“Yeah we’re good, right bud?” A soft smile spreads over Spider’s face when Ant looks up from where he’s leaning against Malakai’s shoulder, hoodie strings hanging out of his mouth that give Spider a vague idea that he’s regressed to a smaller headspace.

“All good Spence!” It’s more mumbled and a little drool forms around Ant’s lips as he talks, gross.

“Mm what I say about chewing your clothes? It’s yucky.” He crouches down to be in front of the pair before his finger loops around the dry parts of the hoodie strings to pull them from Ant’s mouth, wincing when they fall onto his hand for a brief second.

“Malakai said ‘tis okay.” All Spider does is hum to the huff of an argument, pulling his backpack to his front as he digs around looking for the small emergency bag of little gear he keeps tucked away for situations like this.

“Here, this is better.” A pacifier gets handed over and Ant takes to it in seconds, smiling contently and leaning back into Malakai’s shoulder with his argument completely forgotten.

“Sorry, he was chewing his hand and I said the hoodie strings would be better.” Spider shrugs off Malakai’s apology- he’s right about the hoodie strings being better, who knows what has touched Ant’s hands and when the last time he washed them was.

“Don’t worry about it. And thanks- for not like freaking out.” There’s a nervous laugh that follows it that Spider wouldn’t be able to hide if he wanted. This is the first time anyone but Spider or Dusty has seen Ant regressed, he doesn’t even talk about it to anyone but them, Spider can’t imagine how he managed to relay what was going on to Malakai while regressed.

“No problem, I know a bit about agere so I kinda got what was going on when he came up to me.” One of Malakai’s hands reaches to ruffle Ant’s hair as Ant snuggles into his side more- always so physical whenever he can be but especially when regressed, he practically lives attached to Spider’s hip.

“I can take him off you if you have class.” Thankfully Spider has a study period now and he knows Ant does too, though he’s sure they’ll probably just skip the rest of the day and end up at Spider’s house or walking around the boardwalk if Ant gets energetic.

“Nah I already texted Missy I was skipping English, do you usually skip when this happens?” Spider shifts himself to be sitting on the floor in front of Malakai and Ant instead of crouching, he hates to think about the last time this floor was cleaned but it’s more comfortable this way.

“Me and Dusty used to trade off who’d skip and who’d stay but without him here there’s not much of a choice.” Not that Spider cares, he has good enough grades that missing class won’t affect him- Ant on the other hand- Spider just tries to help him with homework when he can and pray he doesn’t fail.

“Wanna go back to my place? I have some toys and stuff he might like.” Questions about why Malakai has toys and why he knows about agere arise in Spider’s head but he ignores them and simply nods.

“Careful, you might become one of his caregivers and get stuck with us.” It’s supposed to be a joke only Malakai shrugs while helping Ant stand up, looking over at Spider with a warm grin.

“I wouldn’t mind that.”

[moonlightguidesky]

Heyyy!!!! New chapter released (wrote like weeks ago, please just go with it.).

Anyways, as always let me know what I can improve on. Repost if you can, as always have a good day, afternoon or night.

WARNING: METION OF BLOOD, ALCOHOL, ABUSE, DRUGS, CURSING, and GUN Violence

You have been warned about the contents of this chapter.

Chapter 2: The kid Problem

Marc wakes up gasping for air, his chest rising up and down heavily as he panted.

He sat up quickly before he looked around his apartment, the apartment itself barely looked homely.

A couple books and maps he had traded with ration cards. The only real color in the damn place was the couch which was blue.

He sighs as his heart calms down now, another nightmare.

"Always the damn same one."

He grumbles under his breathe as he gets up and walks to his small kitchen before he feels a hard tug on his ankle and the next thing he knows he is flat on the ground as his cheek burned.

"Steven! Again, seriously!?"

Marc exclaimed as he pushed himself off the floor, a scowl making its way onto his face.

"Mate, you had it coming. You broke your promise, you know I hate it when you do that."

Steven surfaced as Marc looked at the dirty mirror they owned with his eyebrows furrowed.

Steven had his arms crossed against his chest with one lifted eyebrow clearly not sorry about what he did.

"Look, it wasn't that I didn't want you to front. Just, he needed me Steven."

Marc tried not to get angry, he knew he screwed up, he always does.

He looked at the cuffs that were on his ankle and already went to look for the keys. He lifted the floor board and there was the silver key to his freedom.

He uses the key and gets his ankle out of the cuffs before he got up again and rubbed his head.

The smell of liquor still hanging in the back of his throat. He overdid it again, he always does when it gets bad again.

"So, was the whiskey worth it?"

Steven said almost scolding knowing that this was hurting not only him but Marc's body.

"Can we not talk about it, I already have a headache."

Marc sighed as he felt like shit right now and didn't need a reminder of how shit it was to be like this.

"I wonder why."

Steven mumbled as his head lowered and he shook his head as he left the mirror into another space, Marc's jaw harden as he tried his hardest to not punch the mirror with his fist.

He tells himself that he doesn't want to have to replace the mirror again, also he didn't want to be alone.

Steven and his relationship was damaged after everything that happened in the last 15 years.

Fight after fight yet by the end of the day they had each other and that's all they really had.

Wendy and dad weren't in the picture anymore. The smacks and vemoned words that came out of the women they called their mother left her mouth he knew she would never be the same.

Steven,eventually, after lots of convincing had finally gave into to the fact that they had no mother anymore. Their dad was not any better honestly, he tried to keep the beating to a minimum but it could only hold on for so long.

So when they turned 18, they went to join FEDRA and stayed employed for a while before he got into a nasty fight and was terminated from the job.

It's been 14 years since they last saw the people they once called parents. Every once in a while though he would just follow them, more his dad to make sure no one tried to hurt them.

Eventually Layla came into their life for a while and things were to some type of normalcy, domestic even, of course they had to skrew that up too.

Both went their separate ways after a nasty argument and haven't seen each other in a year. Both men still worried about her, they know she is capable of taking care of herself, it's one of the reasons they fell for her.

Still, that didn't mean their wasn't any worry that she could have gotten killed of murdered after they separated. She had left England to go to Egypt.

Her strength was something they admired, how reliable she was, how she always had their backs. But more than anything it was her heart, how even after everything she has been through she was able to still love them for wow they were and how they were.

Sometimes they wished they could have worked it out better.

"Ey, hermano, door."

A voice called out and there was Jake, they had figured out Jake a couple years into their time in FEDRA, he took over when an invasion of infected managed to escape. He kept them alive and they were thankful for that.

"Shit, who?"

Marc whispered as his head pounded again at the noise of his door being knocked on.

"Marc Spector! "

A voice boomed, a familiar sense of dread filled the apartment. It was Khonshu, fuck.

"I'm coming! I'm coming."

He shouted as he walked over to the door, he really didn't want to but didn't exactly have much choice since he knew the damn man wouldn't stop the banging.

He took a deep breathe before opening the door and in came Khonshu, the man had platinum white hair and his eyes were empty with almost not shine to them like he had no eyes.

His clothes match his personality honestly, he was wearing some black jeans with a white button up that had grim and some pink splatters which he knows where it came from.

His jacket has a patch of a moon on it.

"Where were you yesterday night, we had somewhere to be!?"

The man shouted as Marc closed the door and locked it, he knew what was coming, all of them did.

"Look, I just got sidetracked, okay? Something came up and something was going on with Ste-"

He didn't even get to finish before the sound of Khonshu's cane hit the floor of the apartment was shaking slightly.

"You swore he wouldn't be a problem, that he would cooperate with this. Maybe you should have had Lockly front more often, that is a man who can get the jobs done quickly."

Khonshu retorted as he looked out the window and turned to Marc before motioning for him to come closer.

Marc looked at him before he walked over to thw window and seeing people, just people.

"You see these people, they rely on us to keep them safe. You are in debt to me Marc Spector, I saved your life and therefore you must now save theirs for me."

Khonshu said with no hesitation, sure Khonshu could be an asshole but he was okay every once in a while like this.

Sure he had imprisoned Marc and the alters in his escapades of "saving" people but he really did want to just help, he was just really shitty at doing it.

"Fine, fine. I promise it won't be a problem again."

Marc finally replied as he sighed and Khonshu only hummed as he made his way to exit the apartment building.

"Let us see Marc Spector, tick tok. Make sure not to skip this times patrol, I will see you then."

Khonshu finally said before he closed the door behind him. Marc sighed, he really hated the guy sometimes.

"He's an asshole."

Steven remarks, Marc holds back a smirk.

"One thing we can actually agree on."

Marc shakes his head as he goes and starts to get ready for the day of labor he's gonna have to do.

"El tiene razón."

Jake voice echoed in the back of their head. At least this is something they could all agree on.

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

Jake shoveled the ashes from the firey pit that raged on, buring their skin but not enough actually do damage.

"Ey, Marc. Got a minute."

A man called out, Jake's eyes went to the back of his head as Marc fronted. Marc blinked as their eyes focused again and turned around to face the man that called for him.

"Yeah, what's up?"

Marc answered as he pulled down the bandana that covered their nose and mouth from all the ashes that were made from the burned body of infected and Ammits followers.

"I have a job you might be interested in."

The man whispered as he slipped a paper into Marc's hand.

Marc sighed as he pocketed the note into his jeans.

"I told you I don't do that type of work anymore."

He whispered back as he bent down to "tie his shoes" and the man looked down and did the same action.

"It's good pay man, lots of ration cards and maybe even a bit more."

The man said as he tried to convince Marc to do the job, he and this man didn't really know each other very well but the guy did owe him something for saving his life.

"Look man, I told you I can't take the job. No matter how good the pay is."

Marc remarked as he got back up from "tieing his shoes" so that he could back to work.

"Just, just think about it. Alright."

The man muttered before he went to the other side where another hall of bodies came in trucks to be burned.

He sighs as he grabbed the shovel again and starts to dig the ashes and putting them into barrels.

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

Drip

Drip

Her brown eyes watched as the water leaked from the floor above and dropped in the wet puddle that formed.

"Nomas querría ir a dormir, es mucho para pedir."

Katalina groaned as she looked at the chains they put on her, her ankles and wrist were starting to bruise red from the amount of times she tried to slide them off.

She slouched on the wooden walls as the rumble and sound of FEDRA trucks were coming and going.

The places wasn't the best, but honestly better than the hole or cells they put the orphans if they couldn't follow the rules drilled into their brains.

Creak

The sound of the door opening got her attention as she scooted back into a corner and got up from where she was sitting.

Two people walked in, one male, one female. The female had a sort of limp on her left foot, her eyes seemed lively yet so dull.

The man had a scar across his face, a mustache and a beard to compliment it as well, his eyes seemed more glossy along with slight puffiness to them.

"We are here to test you again."

The women's started as she has a clipboard.

"How many more time do I have to do this?"

Katalina asked as her eyebrows furrowed with both frustration and impatience. She has been here for 3 weeks now in this room and it was starting to get to her.

"Just until we know."

The man came forward slightly which made the girl take a small step back, the two adults noticed and took a step forward.

"Why do you always have to get closer?"

The girl asked not really as a question but more as a confused threat of some way.

"testing something."

The women said and she clicked the pen and started to take notes on the piece of paper stuck to the clipboard.

"No soy tu maldito guinea cerdo."

She grumbles under her breath as she picks at her nails, she's been doing that alot. Honestly she has nothing better to do right now and it went on like that for the weeks she's been here.

"What was that?"

The man spoke up which startled the girl for a second before she looked at the guy and responded.

"Nothing."

The guy sighed as he rubbed circles at his temples.

"Alright, let start. One hand steady and coun-"

The lady started before she was intrupted.

"Count from 1 to 10, I know. We've done this hundreds of times already."

Katalina says as she puts her arm out and starts to count, she finishes quickly.

"Alright then, now speak sp-"

"Spanish, I get it. Don't need to keep repeating it."

Katalina remarked .

"Me nombre is Lisa, tengo trece años."

She replied as her boredom and tiredness was kicking in.

"Alright, that's it."

The man said as he put down something from behind his pocket, it was good for the evening. A can of peaches and water.

"Great, a feast for a queen."

Her sarcastic remark gets her a look before she put her hands up as of saying "I'll back off.".

They look at each other before a knock takes their attention away, with a small "Come in." was heard and suddenly a man with cane came in.

He was dress with red button up shirt and brown pants to help contrast the tan color jacket he had on.

His cane made small noise as it the ground softly he came into the room, his hair was pretty long and almost looked slight disheveled.

"How is she doing?"

The man said as the others hand him the clipboard and he starts to read it before he nods and they nod back before leaning in and whispering something she couldn't make out.

The other two left the room and it was only Katalina and this man who looked over the clipboard again before looking back at her.

"How are you doing then, Katalina?"

Her heart skipped for a second, how the hell did he know her name?!

Never once has she given out her actual name.

"Como sabías es-"

The man chuckled lightly before he sat down across from her.

"I know a lot of things child, many, many things that many wished they could possess."

The man said as he reached behind his back was pulling something out of his back.

Katalina senses went off and she closed her hand into a fist, her nails dug into the palm of her hand, her knuckles white.

Then man noticed this.

"It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you, just wanna return something that I believe is yours."

The man said as he pulled out a picture, a locket, and a small switchblade.

Katalina eyes widen at the sight of her most precious objects, the only picture of her family that was given to her, a locket that her first love bestfriend gave to her, and the only weapon her parents left her with.

The man gaze was on her reaction, he got what he wanted.

"Do you want them back?"

The man had said softly as he looked deep into her brown eyes that were slightly softer, more emotional.

Vulnerable.

"Y-yes, yes I want them back."

She stuttered for a second but quickly regained herself.

"You can have them."

He simply said, she was hesitant and skeptical on his words that lingered in her ears.

Have them?

She can just, take them?

No consequences, not "but" or "if"?

Nothing?

"Go on, take it."

The man encouraged as he gently laid them on the ground in front of her, easy for her grab.

Her breathe hitched, she reached out for a second before looking back at him, nothing, she couldn't read him.

"I don’t bite, I swear."

He adds as his gaze lingered on her.

She is quick to grab the things before he second guess to grab her things and held them close to her chest, to her heart as it thumped hard for the return of something that truly only belonged to her.

She puts the necklace back on and the locket is tucked into her shirt, the picture is in her clutch and the switchblade was in her back pocket of her navy jeans.

"Who are you?"

She asked as she looked at the man, really looked at him, he had slight eye bags, his posture was almost straight but also crouched, the cane had a wooden carving of a crocodile on its handle.

The man smiles.

"My name is Arthur Harrow, I am the right had man of the organization that's gonna save and clean the world."

Arthur answers as he puts his hand out to shake hers.

She can't really understand why she a little scared of him, he hasn't done anything really since talking to her so why does she have a sense of dread in her stomach.

She slowly leans in and shakes his hand, the sleeves that covered his arm was slightly lifted and the tattoo of scales is there or from what she can make out.

"Your timsaeh people?"

She stated as she takes back her hand.

"I am indeed."

He answered back as he lifted the sleeve up to show the scale in full. He seemed proud to be called that almost.

"I am sure you have multiple questions."

He says as he scoots a little closer and puts a hand on her shoulder.

"I will try my best to give you answers to any question you give me."

They looked at each other in the eye for a long time before she is the first to look away down at the ground, she thinks.

And thinks before nodding and looking back at him.

"Okay."

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

Jake huffed as the sound of the alarm went off to tell everybody that working hours were over.

He pulled the bandana off and walked over where the rest of the workers were heading to get their pay for the day.

"Next!"

The holder said as Jake was next and waited for the guy to give his ration cards of the day.

The holder grabbed a 20, two 5, and four 1's.

"Here's your pay."

The Holder said as Jake took them and counted them, less than usual.

"Any better paying jobs tomorrow?"

Jake asked as he put the ration cards in his small wallet that they had managed to find in the garbage one day, and in good condition too.

"Probably the one with the shit, if your up for it?"

The man said looking up at him for a response.

"Really, shit. No way we are doing that job, that would take weeks go get rid of the smell! We barely even get rid of the smell of burned ashes off our clothes."

Steven said in the back of the mind, Steven was willing to work hard, they all know it, but even then there was a line he crosses and it was this.

"Any other trabajo?"

Jake sighed as he put one hand on his hip.

"Well, there is one with electricity, dangerous but pays better than this."

The Holder says as he looked up at Jake who is deciding, it's better pay but it would put them in danger.

"I'll go with the shit."

Jake says and the Holder nods before ripping a slip off and handing it to him.

"Take that tomorrow to sector 5 and they will give you a position to work at."

The Holder yelled for the next person and Jake left, he knew Steven would probably complain and maybe even Marc but it would pay better and less dangerous.

"Why did you take the job!"

Steven exclaimed as his image slid on and off the mirrors and window that he passed.

"Because the amount we are making isn't enough hermano, nosotros necesitamos otro trabajo que pagarán bien."

Jake says as he looks at pair of gloves that caught his attention.

They have enough to make trades and for smuggling still, so he buys it the gloves for 2 ration cards. He thanks the seller and put the new gloves on putting his old ones in his pocket.

"Did you just spend 2 ration cards on another pair of gloves, I swear you ware those our way too fast man."

Steven comments.

"You have your books, I have my glove, Déjame en paz Steven."

Jake says as he walks into the allyway and makes his way to the place where smugglers thrive on the ones willing to pay the right price.

Jake finally leaned against his usual spot where people can find him usually, he waits and not a second later as a FEDRA soilder comes over looking almost new at this whole thing.

"Your the guy with the goods, right?"

The man asked in a hushed tone, Jake could see this guy was new to this, he wanted to mess with him but was too tried right now.

"Yeah, I am. What are you looking for?"

He ask as the guy slips him a piece a paper.

What was it with people slipping paper to them?

Jake took the paper and opened it, the guy fidget with his vest before looking around.

"So you got it or no man?"

The guy was getting inpatient now.

"Sí, le tengo."

Jake answered putting the paper in his back pocket.

"Does it look like I know Spanish man!"

The guy was getting on his nerves but he tried to calm himself down. There doesn't need to be drama right now.

He pulls out a baggy from the pocket of his jacket and out came the blue pills.

The man sighed in relief about to grab the bag before Jake moved it away.

"Gotta pay Hombre, can't give you it until you pay."

The guy eventually scoffed before digging into his pants pocket and pulls put a wad of ration cards.

"How much?"

Jake saw the ration cards, enough to maybe get them through a couple months.

"Three 20's, six 5, and eight 1's."

He said as he put his hand out, the man just nodded before handing him the pills and Jake takes the ration cards.

"I'm gonna need the bag back though."

He added as he counted to make sure it was the right amount, it was. The man may have been new but he has what they need to keep them afloat and some what comfortable still.

The man dumps the pills into his vest pocket and gives the plastic bag back, Jake nods in a silent thank you before the man comes close.

Jake get ready the beat the absolute shit out this man before words were said.

"Don't come out for a couple nights, FEDRA soilders aren't right in the head right now. Might make a mistake, easy to make one in the dark."

The man whispered before walking away, Jake looked as the man walked away. He unclentch his jaw and fixed the shirt.

"Maldita sea."

He grumbled under his breathe as walks away, it's almost time to get to patrol they need to get moving before Khonshu yells at them again.

‐------------------------------------------------------

"This is Cameron, Cameron this is Lisa."

Harrow says as he introduced Katalina to another one of "helpers" of the place.

They have walked around for a whole now, she kepted rubbing her wrist as she nodded in acknowledgement, she needed an out.

She can't stay here, FEDRA will kill her if they find out she left. Maybe they would hung her, beat the ever living shit out of her even just to get the anger out.

"And here is the cafeteria where we keep the helpers fed, are you hungry?"

He asked as he got a plate and handed it to her, she slowly reached out for it and took it as she got into the line and he got behind her as his hands were on her shoulders.

"Give this young lady our best please Beth."

The man said to the younger looking lady who just smiled and nodded before grabbing a big metal spoon and scooped up a chunk of soup.

"Thank you."

Katalina whispered as she looked at the soup, looked like tomato soup, haven't seen that one in a while.

He gave a small nod in thanks before pushing her slightly to start moving which she did, slowly her tray filled up with 2 biscuits and an apple.

How the hell they had fresh fruit and biscuits was a damn mystery to her.

Soon they sat down at a small table near some statue, it was a statue of a crocodile that held a scale in one hand.

She looked at it before she looked down at her food, this was the most food they have given her in the 3 weeks she's been here.

"You can eat, no one is gonna take it away from you."

Arthur said as he pushed the tray closer to her, she was skeptical about it though, everyone is hungry. She could see that people were staring at her and him.

He notices and looks at the people who look away immediately and go back to their conversations.

"They just haven't seen you before, no need to worry."

He said as he nudged his head a little to signal to look at the bowl of soup and not the people looking at her, their eyes burned into the back of her head to her body.

She picks up the spoon and holds it close to her mouth before looking at everybody else, they were eating fine so she takes a bite.

The soup was rich and flavored to the right amount or as much as soup can be flavored. She hasn't had anything this nice in, well, never?

"Gracias."

She says as she eats more going for more of the soup, they sit in almost comfortable silence.

She feels a little bad for being skeptical about the guy, he hasn't done anything to her yet, maybe.

"Aren't you hungry?"

She ask him as she shallows the warm soup down and wipes her mouth with her hand.

He hands her a napkin before he responding.

"I am alright, thank you for worrying about me."

She grabs the napkin and wipes her mouth with it, she nods before thinking. She has one more biscuit to spare, she already full anyways.

Grabbing the biscuit gently and held it out for him to grab.

"Here, you can have this. Estoy llena."

She reassured as she pushed the biscuits towards him for him to grab.

He took it from her hands and smiled softly, it was nice.

"Thank you."

He said as started to eat the biscuit and she looked around for anything or anywhere there was a weak spot here.

She couldn't stay here, she has to go back.

30 min later...

They were walking up a hallway, they had made their way back to where she was kept, she kinda was glad as messed up as it was.

She was use to, this. Even if she hated the damn leaks it was something she was familiar with.

"I will come by later to come check on you, alright."

Harrow said as he opened the door and Katalina looked at him for a second before nodding and went inside the room.

"Buenos noches Katalina."

Was all he said before closed the door behind her not even noticing the way she turned around, a chill went down her spine.

That usually was a nice thing to say, even a more enduring thing to say. The way he said it though didn't feel good, didn't have the warm essence to it.

She didn't even know how the hell the man managed to make those words sound like soul less lies.

She sat down on the floor and looked out the window that showed the evening sky, the colors of orange and yellow coming together to make a warm essence over this dull gray world she was brought into.

She laid on the wall and pulled herself up against it a little so that her back hit the wall.

Taking off her sweater and using it as a pillow, she wasn't given much of a living space to really get rest but the corners were comfortable.

1 hour later...

BOOM

The room shook as Katalina was woken up by the sounds of gunshots and screams of people.

The sound of a thousand of footsteps were everywhere that she could almost feel them. They made her stomach turn.

Maybe 5 minutes later it was silent, completely and utterly silent.

She feels for her switchblade and gets ready to fight if she has to, she knows she probably will have to.

Slowly walk towards the floor as it slightly creaks with every contact the shoes and the floor has. She leans in and can hear footsteps, two to four people are still here.

She hears one is getting close, she'll just stab them and then get out of here.

Once whoever was on the other side was close enough she opened the door and gets ready to stab whoever was on the other side.

However she unsucessed at it and got thrown to the wall, her back stung now. She needed to get up before whoever she tried to stab now tried to return the favor back.

She looks up to see a man, his hair was curly and short and his eyes were like hers, or whatever she remembers since the last time she looked in a mirror.

The brown eyes started back at her confused before looking down and seeing the switchblade, she saw it too and tried to grab it but he got to it first and kicked it away.

"Asshole."

She grumbles as she pulls herself up and looks at the guy who eyebrows were furrowed and he had a gun.

He has a gun, she now noticed the blood on his fist, the beaded sweat that was falling from his forehead.

His attire wasn't something she had seen before but has heard, a man with white attire would come during the night and "protect" the different divisions of the QZ.

They called him Moonknight due to the fact most his weapons were the shape of moons.

Maybe calling the guy who looks like he went through hell an asshole wasn't her best idea.

The man still has the gun pointed at her and she just stares at it, the hole in the middle pointed to her chest.

If he did shoot her at least it wouldn't be too painful and end quickly. She puts her hand up in surrender.

They just stare at each other, brown on brown. Both had slight eyebags to compliment each other.

"Who are you?"

The man said as the sound of footsteps were heard, both heads turned to the direction.

"Marc Spector."

They both recongnised the voice, Harrow.

Another sign of footsteps appeared and a man in almost just white and back came in with a gun.

"The 4 and 5th floor have been cleared out, Spector we must leave. FEDRA might be here soon!"

The man said as he turned around to see the scene of Marc with a gun pointed to a teenage girl who seems confused and her hands up above her head.

Then there was Arthur with one of his men.

"Arthur Harrow."

"Khonshu, Marc."

The whole thing was awkward, everything about this was confusing, they had history but Katalina wasn't sure how.

"Me, now what in the fucking hell is going on?!"

She exclaimed as she put her hands down in exhaustion and honestly tired of people in a whole.

"I strongly urge you to point the gun away from the child, Marc."

Harrow said as he stepped closer which in turn got two guns pointed towards him instead.

He slowly put his hands.

" Keep that gun at me, not her."

He says as he looked at her and she looked at him with clear annoyance in her eyes.

Marc looks at her one more times before looking at Khonshu.

"So this is who that maggot went to trade our supplies for! The Che Guevara of Cairo."

Khonshu retorted as he stepped forward, now next to Katalina and Marc who watched the interaction.

"How I haven't misses that voice. Let just say that he didn't like the response he got from us when we saw what he brought to us."

Harrow says as he winced and put a hand to his side, Katalina finally could see that small drops of blood that had fallen from him.

"Oh, shit."

Her voice softer and eyes filled with concern as she took in the injured man, her eyebrow furrowed as she was about to get up.

Harrow looked at what she was about to do and shook his head which made her falter.

"On another note though."

She speaks up on which attention is all on her again.

"I agree with the old man over here, FEDRA would have heard all that gun fire so maybe get this going or we are all going to die like this."

She states as she stands up and rubs her shoulder, it wouldn't really bruise but it would be sore for a while.

"Old!" Khonshu exclaimed.

"The child is right. We we're gonna have her out of here tonight."

Harrow says which caught her attention.

"You never said anything about moving me?!"

"Sorry kid, thought you'd run."

She sighs and rubbed circles on her forehead.

"What does this have to do with us?"

Marc asked as he ans Khonshu looked at the girl and then back at Harrow.

"We don't have a group to go and protect her like we had planned, so now I am think you both are gonna do it."

Harrow says as he gets a paper out, it's bloody but still legible.

"Wait a minute!?"

"I'm not gonna go with him!?"

Marc and Katalina shouted at the same time, their reluctants overlapping with each other.

"Listen, if you do this we can not only give you weapons, but also much more. We can show you if want but you have to take her away from here."

Harrow says as he stares at the three who just stand there in shock.

"We aren't babysitters parasites."

Khonshu said as he took a step closer now infront of Marc who is still standing there with a gun held up towards Harrow.

"Not asking you to do charity for me Khonshu, I need you guys to move cargo cause that is what she is to you."

Harrow said as he looked at the girl who eyebrows were furrowed.

"You show me the reward we get for this then I will give you a response. Marc, take the girl back to your apartment and keep her there until I return."

Khonshu said as he lifted his cane and hit it on the ground causing the ground to shake slightly.

Katalina flinched at the noise for a second and so did Marc.

"We are seriously considering this."

Marc whispered to Khonshu as he looked back at the girl who hasn't really moved since getting up.

"Do this before I make you."

Khonshu hissed back at him which made Marc falter.

"Go grab your bag."

Harrow said as the girl just looks at the three men.

"Su pinche madre."

She grumbles under her breathe making sure they still heard her as she goes back into the room she came out of.

They waited until she came out the room again. She comes out with a green jacket and her backpack, she looks at Harrow who just sighs.

"This is for your good kid, trust me. It's better you go with them than with me, for better or worse I am aware of what they are capable of and know they won't let anything happen to you."

Katalina stared at Harrow for a while then at the man next to him, she really has no choice in that matter anyways, it was all planned for her.

"What are they capable of?"

She ask as her eyes stay at him.

"Alot, many things someone your age shouldn't see."

Is all Harrow says to her.

Her gaze goes to the floor before she shakes her head along with a dry chuckle.

"Little too late for that."

She turns around and grabs her switchblade and walking towards the stairs walking over the dead bodies that laid there.

The blood now on her shoes as she see the bloody footsteps that were being left behind now.

Harrow sighs.

"Show me the weapons now."

Khonshu said as he stared at Harrow who nods before walking to another hallway.

"Follow me."

Is all he says before he dissappear.

"Make sure to not let that child out your sights you three, understand."

Khonshu orders as he walks away and follows Harrow.

The men sigh, it was a long night already.

The followed where the girl had went as their shoes were now painted in red sticky blood.

This is the end of chapter 2!!!!

This one took a little longer but I am happy with how is came out!

Anyways, see ya in the next one!!

-Sky 💜

[that-strange-vault-lady]

Entry: 005

Date: Tue, 08.20.2277

Holy cow I cant believe that cockroaches can get so big. Sierra told me before I left this morning that if I’m looking for food, the only thing I am going to find around here are bugs. Honestly when she told me I wasn’t too thrilled to think about eating bugs believe me, but when she said that a large portion of even there food comes from bugs I thought I should, well take it more seriously. I mean her and Ronald have lasted long enough to put down roots, so they must know what there talking about. Plus to be honest even now I feel practically starved.

I was wondering around though when I noticed a few roaches roaming around an opened manhole, so it got me thinking, they must have a nest down there. Well tuned out I was right, but the issue is that cockroaches out here get way bigger than the ones we use to get in the vault. Honestly it makes me wonder if there is anything not life threatening on the surface, well if you can count in a sewer as on the surface I guess.

I’m honestly worried about the state of my baseball bat. I already had to get out of my vault suit as it was pouring down with rain on my way back to the cal-de-sac house. The wardrobe had this dress, it’s quite nice if not worn from 200 years of sitting in the dark and cold. But I still feel… naked without my vault suit. It’s not that the vault suits are comfy, to be honest they can be kinda uncomfortable, but, well, you know you get use to it and I guess nothing else feels like me now. I just hope it doesn’t smell once it’s dry.

Oh, oh, oh I forgot to mention me and Mr Patches got the fridge and oven working in this place that's actually how I was able to grill these ugh roaches I got from the sewer. Mr Patches figured out there was a manual in one of the kitchen cupboards. When we took a loot it was simple enough to get them working. Since there is no main lines I hooked them up to a fission battery I found while I was scavenging, now of course it wont last forever but if I can find more batteries then it means I can cook and store anything just like Ronald and Sierra. I have to say that considering the rampant consumerism of pre-war america I am surprised they actually made thing so durable.

On the note of Sierra and Ronald though, well Ronald actually had a lead of where I might be able to find information about dad and sis. He said he knows about two settlements of people that may have seen him, one he advised against going to, a place called evergreen mills. According to Ronald its quite the trading hub and in pretty secure, its not to far away from here, but, well there not so nice to strangers and apparently it’s more of an invite only kind of place.

The other is to the north a ways from Girdershade, big tower I have actually seen on the horizon a couple of times. He didn’t know that much about it, just that the people there are a lot less volatile than those at Evergreen Mills, so he suggested I start there. I don’t know if I should take him at his word and not go to the Mills first despite how close I am, but ether way it means me and Mr Patches are a little closer, isn't that right Mr Patches?……….. *audible silence* ………

*sighs deeply* I know Mr Patches I shouldn’t get ahead of myself, but it’s better than nothing right? It has to be. For now though, this house is my, our new home. Maybe I should move the sofa downstairs in front of the door for the night? Will that be enough to stop people from entering? Maybe I should set up traps like in the comics, maybe, I don’t know how yet but, well if this is going to be our home, well, we should be able to keep people out right?

For now I will just move the couch, maybe then I can get a good night sleep, I didn’t sleep at all last night, as me and Sierra stayed up talking, obviously the conversation continuously kept returning to Nuka-Cola but, you know, it was nice. It reminded me of doing the same with Amata when she came for sleepovers, not because the Nuka-Cola I mean, but just the talking for hours on end. It, does make me just a little home sick though come to think of it... Oh well, I better go et moving that couch

[mangoisms]

like the part of the song where it falls ━ miyuki kazuya

━ part six: dogfish / read part five

━ wc: 7k

━ warnings: none

━ masterpost

━ a/n: hi! this is the final part of this fic, thank you all for reading! i hope you enjoy <3

(21:31) Have an obligation with the team on saturday (21:31) fun! what kind? (21:31) Party at one of the guys’ house (21:31) Though it’s more of a gathering than a party which is a relief (21:32) It’s just that the guys have been bothering me to meet you (21:32) LOL (21:32) oh shit wait you’re being serious???????

“Is this really a good idea?”

“What are you so worried about?”

“It’s your team,” you stress, your eyes taking in the sprawling properties of Del Mar Heights. A neighbor to Carmel Valley, houses here are not houses, but mansions instead, perched on sloping ridges that overlook the ocean and the rest of San Diego. 

“Yeah,” he says. “You managed to become friends with me. So, you’ll have no problem with them.”

“Not what I meant… please tell me you aren’t getting a house here.”

You had to go through a gate to get here. A gate. Seriously. Your finances are in a better state now with your pay raise but it wasn’t too long ago you were struggling to buy fresh produce. 

“No way. Too stuffy.”

“Nice views of the ocean, though.”

“You and the water,” he says, shaking his head. Fond. 

You look away, glancing at your reflection in the window. The sun is starting to set. Today’s endeavor isn’t a party but you were instructed to dress a little more formally than usual. Kazuya looks heartachingly gorgeous in a deep blue long-sleeved button-up and jeans. 

You’re in your nicer stuff, too, in a warm ivory satin midi dress with a front tie at the bust and short fluttery sleeves. You traded your Docs for champagne velvet platform ankle-strap heels with bows. 

But just because you’re wearing lighter colors than usual doesn’t mean you’re trading in your standard dark lip look. Today’s lipstick is mulberry, with a glassy finish to it. Your nails are freshly painted a matching shade, dark enough to look black. 

You look… nice, Kazuya had said when he picked you up. 

Your heart had leapfrogged to your chest and you stammered out that he did, too, and barely managed to stop yourself from saying that he always looks nice. Gorgeous, really. Just unbearably gorgeous. So gorgeous, it should be illegal. 

Ugh.

Your sister’s advice from last week is still bouncing around inside your head. 

You don’t think she’s wrong. Not at all. But the days wear on. Your guilt increases. It’s wrong, maybe. Selfish, to just think about yourself. 

Like she said. 

What about him?

You aren’t kidding yourself. This is both the easiest and hardest decision you could ever make. 

All that you could want is sitting to your left, humming along to the radio idly, fingers tapping on the leather of the steering wheel. 

You don’t have time to think about it any longer as you come upon a busy section of the street, tons of cars parked in the driveway of a mansion and on the street. All of them are luxurious sports cars. Kazuya’s Audi is probably the least expensive here. 

He expertly parallel parks between a Maserati and an Aston Martin across the street from the mansion, which is two stories, done in the typical Spanish revival style of California. Low, pitched roofs covered in red tiles, adobe exterior walls, numerous oversized windows, carved entry doors, multiple balconies, and high arches. 

The inside is just as nice. Mosaic tiles, wood beams, arched doorways, and stucco walls. 

It is also busy. Very busy.

“How many people are on this team?” you whisper desperately as the two of you shuffle inside unnoticed (for a short period of time, you’re certain). 

“Gonzales probably invited some of the staff, too. But generally, this is how many we start out with. Spring training decides who ends up on the starting roster. Oh, look. There’s Wendy.”

“Tee, it’s good to see you,” she says, giving you a warm smile. 

“It’s good to see you, too.” More than good. You’re so glad she’s here. You aren’t sure if you can shadow Kazuya all night. Not with the eyes that are noticing you, no doubt dying for a piece of him. You at least have someone to fall back on if he gets pulled away. 

Though, truthfully, some part of you doesn’t want that to happen. Wants to keep him here with you. But you don’t get to do that.

“Kazuya!”

A tall, stocky older man shoulders his way through the people, grinning widely. Wendy moves out of the way. 

You know who this is — Raul Gonzales, the Padres’ star pitcher. Also one of the oldest among them, at thirty-nine. A true veteran of the game. He and Kazuya and a handful of the other pitchers helped take the Padres all the way through the playoffs to the World Series. There’s plenty of talk in the press about their battery, so you aren’t that surprised to hear him calling Kazuya by his first name. 

A heavy hand claps his shoulder. “It’s good to see you. You should answer your phone more often.”

“I’m busy.”

“Ha! I bet you are! With this little lady, I’m sure.”

“You —”

“As friends.” Gonzales holds up his hands, smirking. “Relax, man. Hey,” he turns to you, offering a big hand, smile lines deepening in russet skin, “it’s nice to finally meet you. We’ve heard a lot.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too. You have a beautiful home.”

His grin widens. “Thanks. Interior design is an offseason passion. My wife, Sandra, is around here somewhere. She’s in a blue dress. If I’m not around, you can ask her if you need anything.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Yes, very kind, but we’ll be together most of the night,” Kazuya says. “Don’t want to leave her to the sharks.”

“No, I don’t imagine you do. Come on. Most of us are out back.”

“What do you mean, leave me to the sharks?” you whisper as the two of you follow him. Your voices are easily drowned out by the chatter and the Spanish music playing. 

He shoots you a wry look. “Like I said. You’re friends with me. Plus, with everything going on in the press… people areinterested in you, tomcat. But as you can tell… a lot of them think we’re together.”

“Oh.”

He misunderstands the smallness in your voice, shaking his head. “I told Raul to spread it around that we aren’t. But, well. You know how this stuff is.”

“Right. Yeah.”

The backyard is humongous, with a large pool on one end, then a grassy area beside it. The grill is going in the outdoor kitchen, several people manning it, with a large fire pit near it, helping to fight off the January chill. 

It’s a whirlwind of introductions from there. Lots of questions about you and Kazuya (that is, how you ‘deal with him,’ which quickly gets old), lots of questions about your head, whether you really are okay (you are, for the most part; remains to be seen whether you’ll suffer the effects as you get older), and then a few jokes about your relationship, too. Raul, despite his earlier tease, shuts them down. He’s one of the oldest on the team and he’s been on it for the past decade. You can tell his words hold weight. 

“Kind of your worst nightmare as a catcher,” Kazuya whispers to you in a brief moment of reprieve, a steadying hand on your back, trying to ease the tension in you. “To be significantly younger than him, for one, and for him to be seen as something like a captain. A real veteran.”

“But you two did it, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. Guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.”

You exhale a quiet laugh, shaking your head. 

He surveys the scene in front of you. The sun has set but the lights are on outside, the fire pit keeping you warm, the smoky scent of burning firewood pleasant. There’s food, too. Burgers, hot dogs, steak. He has a bottle of beer in his hand but hasn’t drank one sip of it. You stick with water. 

“You wanna step inside?” he asks, hand sliding to your shoulder blades. “Just take a sec. I can hold these guys off.”

Insane to realize that you are the hot commodity tonight, not him. 

“Yeah,” you sigh. “Thank you.”

“Don’t be there too long, though. I can be chivalrous for only so long.”

You smile. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

The look in his eyes is warm and so is the feeling in your chest. Heat from the fire whips at you. 

You turn. 

Most of the people have moved outside by now. A few younger kids play in the living room, with the older ones sprawled out on the cushioned sofa on their phones, earbuds in, a few of them dozing; the eighty-inch flat screen TV plays some movie you don’t recognize. 

Little footsteps reach your ears. 

“Excuse me?”

You turn forward, blink as you find air, then lower your eyes, where a little girl, no older than seven, stands. 

You soften quickly. “Yes?”

She lifts a plate with a thin slice of steak on it towards you. “Can you cut this please?”

“Well, sure.” 

You take the plate and she tugs you by hand around the couch, to the low coffee table where a few other plates are sitting. 

You kneel, careful of your dress, and start cutting it into smaller pieces. 

“Thank you,” she says. “Dad said to have Mom do it, since I don’t know how to use the big knives. But then Mom said she’s busy, so I should ask him. And I can’t ask my big brother because —” she nods to one of the sleeping teenagers. 

You smile. “I see your predicament. What’s your name?”

“Penelope. What’s yours?”

You tell her. “But you can call me Tee. Most people do.”

“Why?”

“Well, y’see, I run this show on the radio. Me and my friend, Jerry. You know Tom and Jerry?”

“Oh! You’re Tom.”

“Yep. Or Tee. And Jerry is Mouser.”

“Mouser?” she asks, wrinkling her nose with an incredulous smile on her mouth. 

“Tom’s the cat and Jerry’s the mouse.”

“So, shouldn’t you be called something else?”

“Well, one of my friends calls me tomcat.”

“Is it Miyuki?”

You blink, surprised. “Yes, it is.”

She nods. “That’s good. It’s better like that. That way you’re the cat and your other friend is the mouse.”

You smile. “I agree.”

She springs up from the fluffy carpet under the coffee table suddenly. “Wait here. Please.”

You let her do her thing, glancing down at your work to finish cutting it up into pieces suitable for her. 

Penelope returns a minute later with a Capri-Sun. “Can you open this, too, please? I can never get the straw in.”

“Sure thing. Is this okay?” You nod to the plate. 

She nods. “Yes. Thank you.”

“No problem.” You take the Capri-Sun, pulling the straw loose, pulling off the wrapper, then poking it into the hole. 

Penelope watches you. “I like your nails. And your lipstick.”

You smile. “Thank you. I like your shoes.”

“They light up.” 

She stomps one for demonstration. You ooh accordingly. 

You linger there, more relaxed now than you’ve felt for most of the evening. 

But, just to take the edge off a little further, you’ll try to find someplace else. A little more quiet, you think. 

“You know your way around here?” you ask. 

Penelope nods matter-of-factly. “The kitchen and movie theater is that way. The bathroom is this way.”

Jeez. Movie theater?

You shake your head a little. “I’ll be in the kitchen, then, if you need anything else. And don’t worry about it, either, alright?”

She nods. “‘Kay. Thanks.”

“Sure.”

You stand, smoothing down your dress, and head to where she said the kitchen was — to your right. Down a hall, where you pass a large and ornately decorated dining room, then you come upon the equally large kitchen. Really a beautiful piece of interior design. You’d want Raul to be your designer if you had the money to afford anything other than your little apartment. 

You pause in front of the empty kitchen, looking down the rest of the hall hesitantly before deciding you are curious about this home theater Raul has. 

You find it easily, a little sign above the door signaling it, and poke your head in. You are being very nosy, you know, sticking your nose into places you are probably not allowed but — home theater, man. Home theater. 

You find a light switch — it’s actually a touchscreen display embedded in the wall and a clumsy fumble of your fingers somehow manages to turn the lights on — which illuminates a large room. Bigger than your own bedroom, if you think about it. Large white screen at one end, with a few rows of plush loveseats facing it. You spy a popcorn maker and oodles of candy stocked on shelves in the wall. Even a… is that an Icee machine?

“If you want to hide in here for the rest of the night, I don’t mind.”

“Holy shit!”

You whirl around, a hand flying to your chest, but it’s just Raul, looking torn between guilt and amusement as he holds up his hands in a placating motion. 

“Sorry, sorry, I thought you heard me.”

“No — um, I should be apologizing, I was… snooping —”

He snorts, waving a hand. “Snooping. Don’t worry about it, kid. If Kazuya trusts you, I trust you. Snoop all you like. Well. Within reason.”

You laugh. “Still. I shouldn’t have —” you gesture to the theater, stepping away from the door. “It’s, um, really cool, though.”

“Kinda obnoxious, though, isn’t it?” he asks, chuckling and leaning in to look. “It’s mostly for the kids. Sandra and I still like going out to the movie theaters.”

“I would think you run less of a bill here.”

“True. But I also appreciate how movie theaters let total strangers come together to watch something. Something about collective action, don’t you think?”

“That… Yeah. Yeah. I agree. Like with concerts.”

Raul nods quickly. “Exactly. It’s nice. The kids just think it’s cheesy.”

You chuckle. “They’ll come around to it when they get older.”

“That’s what Sandra says, too.” He leans in to turn off the light and close the door. “So, I’m guessing you came in to escape.”

“Just a small break.”

The two of you start for the kitchen. Raul nods. “I get it. Kazuya had a penchant for doing that, too, when he first got traded. He still does it sometimes these days.”

“Sounds like Kazuya,” you chuckle. 

“He likes his space. Solitude. So, I was pretty surprised to keep hearing he was out and about this offseason.”

You wince. “I, uh, commandeered probably too much of his time.”

“I don’t know,” Raul says, stepping into the kitchen while you pause at the counter. “He probably wouldn’t agree with you. And I’m not sure I do, either. It’s good to see him getting out.”

He opens one of those fancy wine refrigerators under the island. “I try to convince him to hang out with me or Sandra, even if it’s just errands or something. Just to get him out. He’s much more willing with you, which is better. You’re a good influence on him.”

Something about that makes your heart ache. You try to brush it off. 

“Wine?” he asks, two glasses now in hand, along with a wine bottle. Something French. A rosé. 

“Just a little. Thanks.”

“Sure. It’s much preferable to beer, but some of the guys can be weird about it.” He rolls his eyes as he says that. 

You laugh. 

“Anyway, I just came in to check on you. Doing my host-ly duties. Plus Kazuya was a bit worried.”

“About —?”

“Who else?”

He passes you the glass and you take a sip. 

“Everything’s fine,” you say. It really is. You should be ready to head out soon. But you’re curious about something. 

“You know… I hadn’t realized you two were so close. I mean, they talk about it in the press but…” This is something different. 

“He’s a good kid. Spent a lot of time with us when he moved.”

“He never mentioned it.”

“I wouldn’t expect him to. It’s a casual thing. Meaningful but casual.” 

“That’s nice. I was worried he'd been alone this whole time.”

“We do what we can. Seems like you cracked the code, though.”

You smile and shrug. “All it takes is a baseball to the face.”

He laughs. “You’re funny. I can see why he likes you.”

“Huh?”

Raul raises a brow. “As a friend, kid.”

“Right.” 

An awkward silence takes hold. He takes a pointed sip of his wine. 

 You groan. “No, I just completely revealed myself, didn’t I?”

“Not now. Anyone with a pair of eyes can see it. But yes. It was an official confirmation.”

“So embarrassing,” you whisper. 

“I think it’s nice. The only thing I’m wondering is — why aren’t you two together?”

You smile tiredly. “You aren’t the first person to ask that question.”

He shakes his head. “I ask out of his interest. To protect him. You seem like a nice person but… Kazuya so rarely allows himself to feel these things. To let people in like that. I don’t want to see him get hurt.”

“I don’t want to hurt him.”

“I can tell. And truthfully, you do seem like a good person. You do. But sooner or later, we’re going to be packing in it to go to Arizona for spring training. And from there, it’s six months of baseball. Do you really want to wait that long?”

“I mean, I don’t… I wasn’t…”

“You should. They said that hit you got was real serious. Serious enough to kill you, if things had gone differently. Regrets are inevitable but is this one you want to keep, if you can do something about it?”

You don’t say anything, staring down at your wine glass, where your lipstick has left a mulberry mark on the rim. 

“That’s all I ask,” he says gently. “Just don’t hurt him. Please.”

“Hey, tomcat! There you are… Was worried you got lost in this place — oh, hey, Raul.”

“Oh, hey, Raul. So disrespectful of your elders.”

Kazuya laughs and you find yourself relaxing at the sound of it. 

“Not my fault I prefer to see her face over yours,” he says, smirking. 

Raul rolls his eyes and you smile, ducking your head as your face warms. 

“You two coming in here to sneak in the good stuff?” Kazuya asks next. “Seriously. This beer sucks. I mean, all beer sucks, but this one sucks extra.”

Raul laughs. 

“Shouldn’t have let yourself be peer pressured into it,” you say, scooting him your wine glass. “Finish it off. I’m good.”

“I’ll be outside,” Raul chuckles, picking up his wine glass. “Help yourselves. There are some wine coolers in the fridge.”

He steps out. Kazuya finishes your wine, then puts the glass in the sink, starting to wash it; now that you know he and Raul were closer than initially conveyed, you can see the ease with which he moves here. 

“So, what happened?” he asks.

“Well… I met one of the kids. Penelope. Nice girl.”

“Funny kid.”

You chuckle, only imagining what his and her interactions must be like. He isn’t… terrible with kids. You imagine with his profession, he can’t be. A tad awkward with the little ones but better with the older ones. 

“What else?”

At the sink, he sponges the inside of the glass, the soft side of the sponge squeaking a little against the glass; soapy bubbles spill over from his palm. 

You cross your arms as you lean back against the counter, giving him a bashful smile that makes him raise an eyebrow. 

“I snooped.”

“Can’t take you anywhere, can I.” 

You pout until he chuckles. “Alright, fine. What’d you snoop on?”

“The home theater.”

Kazuya starts laughing. 

“It’s crazy. I mean… What?”

“I know,” he laughs. “It’s ridiculous, right?”

“It’s… an interesting choice. Although I don’t know if I can judge. If I had the opportunity for, like, a free room…”

“You’d want a studio?”

“What? No, I’d make Batman and Robin a bedroom.”

He laughs, shutting off the water, setting the wine on a drying mat, and grabbing a dish towel to dry his hands. 

“Raul’s nice,” you say. 

“He’s not half bad.”

You smile and roll your eyes good-naturedly.

“He has a habit of making people introspective,” he adds. “He just can’t help himself. But I guess old people are just like that.”

“Old people. Please. He’s only thirty-nine. Besides… it’s not so bad.”

“No? Well, it did look like you two were having a pretty serious conversation,” he says casually, turning to lean against the counter beside you. The heat of his body is palpable in the few inches between your bodies. 

Serious is an understatement.

You’re still thinking about it. 

About everything you’ve been told.

By your sister, by Hector, by Raul. 

A few things stand out.

One. He deserves to know. By this point, it isn’t going to blow over, not since you know how he feels, too. There is a hole in your heart that he carved out and no one but him can fill it.

Two. He deserves to know now because in a little over a month from now, he will be heading to Arizona, not to return until March thirtieth. 

Three. You have the opportunity. The chance. Right in front of you. Why not take it? 

Maybe this will end in heartbreak. Maybe you’ll walk away with that hole in your heart and it’ll never be filled, not by anyone, not by him. But you said it before.

You can’t live your life closed off to protect yourself. And you can’t close off now, realizing how much he means to you. Scared at how much he means to you. But also in the position where you know you likely mean as much to him. 

Enough for him to say something.

“I was given the shovel talk,” you say at last. He let you stew in your silence for a minute. Maybe he can tell. 

He grimaces. “Sorry. He doesn’t — they don’t —”

“No, no… it’s okay. I’m glad you have people looking out for you like that.”

“Yeah, but you’re not…” he struggles for a second, lips pursing, a wrinkle appearing between his brows. “One. They worry too much. And two… you aren’t going to do that.”

But you did. But you will. But just because it might hurt right now, to know you didn’t say anything, doesn’t mean the rest of it will hurt, too.

It swells inside you with a hurricane force. You want to spill it all, tell him everything. 

“Can we talk? Somewhere… private? Please?” You’re this side of desperate.

He can tell, a little alarmed, a little… scared?

It flabbergasts you as he nods quickly and takes you by the hand. You can’t even enjoy the feel of his hand in yours because of the confusion.

It hits you quickly, though, as you climb the stairs to the second floor.

How must it sound — for you to mention your shovel talk, then for him to say he believes you won’t hurt him, and for you to ask to talk. Quite urgently. 

Does he think you want to go back on your agreement to be friends?

This is… it’s not that. It is, in a way, because you hope you can be more than friends but the core of you, that stays the same. 

He is one of your best friends. 

You’ll always want that. 

You don’t say anything until you find the both of you inside one of the many guest rooms — a spacious thing, with a four-poster King-sized bed not unlike his own, with a large set of windows that overlook the backyard and the ocean. 

“I still want to be friends,” you say as soon as the door shuts behind him. 

He turns, blinking at you.

“I mean… you don’t have to worry about that. But the truth is, I’ve made a mistake. Not about being friends with you after… after. You know. But more in that… I didn’t say anything when I should’ve.”

He tenses, saying your name.

“It’s true,” you say, words forming faster than you can say them. “It’s not just you, it was never just you because I… I really like you. I have for a while, I think.”

Miyuki Kazuya, you think, is speechless. His eyes are wide, too, looking at you like…

You look away. Keep talking. You can’t stop. You have to explain. He has to know why.

“You just caught me off-guard. You’ve never… I didn’t expect that to happen. Not from you and it’s not bad, it wasn’t, it still remains… one of the nicest moments I’ve ever had but I was… stupid. I didn’t say anything when I should’ve and then the time kept passing and I kept thinking you didn’t deserve for my words to just be some kind of afterthought when they should’ve been spoken there.

“But then I realized that kind of thinking was useless. The time keeps passing. It always will and for me, it hasn’t changed anything. My feelings are still as they are, maybe stronger, after everything. I was just so…” you slide a hand down your face, smiling faintly. “Surprised. I mean, in what universe…”

“In this one,” Kazuya says, looking determined then, a ferocious kind of passion you’ve only seen in clips of him playing, but never directed at you. As though you are something he is passionate about.

But you should know better. You are passionate about him. You know, then, that he is passionate about you, too.

Two-way street. 

What a stunning kind of absolute. 

It’s the kind that makes you want to reach for him, pull him into your arms. 

He takes a step toward you. Your heart speeds up.

He says your name. “It’s this universe. This one. And if my multiversal selves have any kind of common sense, they’d find you, too.”

“Kazuya…”

Another step. His face is a shade hesitant now. Uncertain. It makes him younger.

“Do you… You mean that.”

“Every word,” you whisper. “I understand if you’re… upset I held back this long.”

“I had a feeling,” he murmurs. “That you were feeling it, too. It… it gave me hope. I would’ve waited.” 

“You don’t need to.”

His hands cup your face. The brush of his warm calloused hands against the softness of your face is dizzying. The look in his eyes is tender. You feel like you might buckle from the weight of it.

“Can I ask you something else?”

A nod.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Yes,” you whisper, and in the next moment, his lips are on yours. 

You turn into a puddle of goo in his hands, everything inside you shivering at the touch of his lips to yours, so warm and so soft. 

The first press is exploratory. A discovery in the making. 

Everything after that is so much more certain. A promise, a vow. 

His hands leave your face, one coming to your waist, the other sliding around to the back of your neck, keeping you there as he kisses you, pressing, insistent. Like he’s trying to take in as much of you as you can. 

You shiver, sliding your arms around his neck, one of your hands finding its place in his hair. Silky soft strands glide through your fingers. He tugs you closer. Closer and closer until there is no space between you, until your very atoms might be intermingling, too. 

The heat of him bleeds into you. The smell of his shampoo overwhelming. 

The fact that you’re here, that this is him. 

Your lips part. He shivers this time. 

A sound. 

“Miyuki, you can’t just hide — Jesus Christ!”

The two of you wrench apart, heads snapping to the source of the voice. 

Wendy stands in the doorway, her eyes wide. The shock leaves her quickly. “Oh my god, look at the state of you two! Stay here. Do not go back out. I’ll be back.” 

The door shuts before you two can say anything else. 

Look at the state of — you two can’t look that bad. You didn’t do much. Your hands did find their way to his hair but that’s —

You look at each other at the same time. 

“Oh, god,” you say. 

His lips are tinted mulberry, more smeared around his mouth. 

Kazuya starts laughing. “You, too!”

You join his laughter, listing into him. His body shakes with it. 

You laugh and laugh and laugh, arms wrapped around one another, and it’s like a puzzle piece sliding into place, the last one of the set, a masterpiece before your eyes. 

Considering you know a thing or two about puzzles… you know what you’re talking about. 

[Night Owl Transcript — 20:15 — 1/16/2023]

[Metric’s “Eclipse (All Yours)” plays] Tear me down, they can't take you out of my thoughts Under every scar, there’s a battle I’ve lost Will they stop when they see us again? I can’t stop, now I know who I am

Now I’m all yours, I’m not afraid And you're all mine, say what they may And all your love, I’ll take to the grave And all my life starts

[Off-air recording starts] Mouser: I guess that explains that? Tee: I love you, Mouser.  Mouser: [Laughing] I love you, too, Tee.

“Oh, but we have to get on Batman! Batman and Robin would want me to!”

Kazuya hoists the backpack with your belongings on his back, eyeing you. 

“You know, if they could talk, I don’t think that’s what they would say.”

Pop music plays faintly from the speakers. A Bastille song, you think. Dominating over it is the sound of thrilled screams and the mechanical rapid fire click of rollercoasters. 

Despite being late January — exactly three months since your concussion — Valencia, California is unusually warm, the sun shining down on you, a cooler breeze accompanying it. Nothing uncomfortable, though. You whipped out your jean shorts for it, along with a black t-shirt with the Batman symbol on the breast. Your crew socks match. You’re just wearing a pair of comfortable sneakers, though. No Docs. That’d probably kill your feet, with all the walking you’re going to do today. It’s finished with your usual black cherry lip lacquer. You’ve gotten several compliments on your outfit. You’re pleased. 

Six Flags Magic Mountain is busy but not as busy as it gets during the height of the summer. The warm temperatures teased out a few more people but it’s still an awkward time of the year and an awkward time of the week — a Wednesday. 

Not that it matters much to you. Kazuya bought both of you the FLASH Pass add-ons for your already-expensive tickets, that way you don’t have to wait in line for too long. You can’t say you disagree. Lines can be two hours long or more sometimes. It would be disappointing to walk away having only ridden, like, five rides because of that. 

No, the only way you’re walking out with such a low number is if your head starts bothering you. 

Which, several hours into this trip, a couple rides under your belt, is fine. 

Even Kazuya is a good sport about all of it. He resolutely refuses to open his eyes on any of the rides, as well as let go and generally make any noise, but that’s fine. You can tell he’s actually having some fun, even with that. 

“No,” you say, taking his hand and starting for Batman: the Ride. “They would say, like, thank you for everything you have done for us, Tee, we love you. And then they would say that.”

“Well, let’s still not pretend like going on Batman isn’t this trip’s primary purpose.”

“True!”

Valencia is only a three hour drive from San Diego. Well. Four with traffic. 

Still, you’d decided it would be best to spend the night here instead of making yourselves brave the drive back. 

Everything is perfect, regardless. He’ll be leaving soon, but you aren’t so worried about it anymore, now that you’ve talked and settled everything. Peoria is only about five and a half hours from San Diego. You don’t mind making the drive for a weekend trip or something. Plus, they have a Waffle House there, and you’ve always wanted to go. 

“So, you’re going for Waffle House. Not for me. You know. Your boyfriend,” Kazuya had said when you mentioned that. 

You’d just laughed and said, “I can go for both things! They are not mutually exclusive.”

And despite his blustering, he would never say no to you visiting him during the time that he’ll be gone, so, it’s settled. You’ll visit for Waffle House and your boyfriend. 

Even now, a few weeks after that night at the house, thinking that way about him sends a pleasant zing up your spine. Your hand tightens on his before you let go so you can hook your arm in his, sides pressed together. 

You lean your head on his shoulder, head tilted up with a smile as you pass the archway with DC UNIVERSE written at the top, marking your entrance into this themed sector of the park with all the superhero rides. 

You explore the themed buildings a bit, finding a statue of Batman at one point, which you need a picture with. 

“Hey, we passed a Wonder Woman one. You didn’t want to take one with her, too?”

“It would be a disservice to stand next to her with my Batman merch,” you say. “Make sure you get my socks, please!”

He backs up accordingly. “I thought Batman and Wonder Woman were friends.”

“As much as anyone can be friends with Batman,” you snort, then beam as he lifts his phone. 

“Batman and I have that in common,” he says. 

You laugh. 

“Don’t laugh!”

He pouts about it all the way to the entrance to the ride, which is an archway that says Gotham City Park. It should really be Robinson Park, if they wanted to be accurate, but you guess the notoriety of Gotham City needs to be emphasized more. The wall near it has a carved stone Batman emblem, with THE RIDE underneath. You make him take another picture of you in front of it, then enter the queue. 

“You know, it has me thinking,” he says. 

The queue is outside, snaking through a park. Since you’re in the FLASH pass line, you easily bypass the long lines of people. Soon enough, the queue enters into a fake sewer tunnel. 

“What has you thinking?”

You run into a small line near the stairs. Voices echo, bouncing off the cement walls. No one notices you two. Kazuya is ‘incognito’ with a black ballcap with the Wonder Woman logo on it. You bought it for him when you got here and he faithfully exchanged his Padres cap for it. 

Funnily enough, by the point you two realized you were not just going to be friends, the press had started to let go of those dating rumors, turning their eyes onto something else. 

It gave you some peace but it also meant you two had to be careful how you acted when going out. And that got tiring pretty quickly. 

Tomorrow, they’re planning on releasing a statement breaking the news about your relationship. So, today, you get to be as affectionate as you’d like. Any questions would soon be answered. 

“So… for you and Jerry, you say he’s the Donna Troy to your Dick Grayson.”

“Yeeees?”

He looks a tad petulant as he asks, “Well, what about us?”

You smile. “That’s easy. You’re the Lois Lane to my Clark Kent.”

“What about Batman and Catwoman? Talia?” He stresses the last name knowing how much you like her, and her and Bruce’s dynamic. 

“Bruce and Talia are more like a divorced couple. And Bruce and Selina aren’t much better.” You pat his shoulder. “Batman has no healthy romantic relationships. No healthy relationships, period, to be honest. That’s just how he is.”

Kazuya thinks about this for a second. “You know… yeah. Yeah. That’s fair. Why am I Lois Lane, though?”

“Do you really consider yourself Clark Kent?”

He laughs. “Fair enough, tomcat.”

[Night Owl Transcript — 20:04 — 1/27/2023]

Tee: Wheeew, the switchboard is going crazy. Guys, take a chill pill. Now, instead of hundreds of you asking questions about my love life, why don’t we focus on the fact that it’s romanticize-your-life Friday? Everyone, have a great evening. Let the romanticizing commence. 

[Florence + the Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over” plays] And I never wanted anything from you Except everything you had and what was left after that too, oh Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back Struck from a great height by someone who should know better than that

The dog days are over The dog days are done Can you hear the horses? 'Cause here they come

“You want to blindfold me? I’m not against the idea but we’ve barely gotten to third base. I feel like we should wait a little longer before we start exploring that stuff…”

The tips of his ears turn red. He pinches your cheek. “That’s not what this is for.”

“Okay, so, what is it for?”

“It’s a surprise.”

Well, you could’ve guessed that, considering you’re sitting in his car in front of your apartment and not, you know, in the bedroom. You’d just wanted to give him a little bit of hell. 

“Is this a Valentine's thing?” you ask as he wraps the blindfold over your eyes. 

Kazuya pauses. 

You grin. “You just realized it’s in three days, didn’t you?”

He coughs. “In Japan, men don’t do anything for Valentine’s. The women do. White Day, March fourteenth, is our time. So.”

“Well, we don’t have to do anything regardless. I know you’re leaving the day after.”

“No, it’s fine. This is… Yeah. Guess it’s a gift. Sort of.”

“Sort of. How romantic.”

He pinches your side. You laugh. 

“Brat,” he mutters, pressing a fleeting kiss to your mouth. 

Your hands come up to his shoulders. 

“Hm,” he says as he pulls away. “You know… maybe —”

“Don’t start. It’s too late for that. Show me the surprise.”

“Later?”

“Focus, Lane.”

“I’m very focused, Kent.”

You grin, grab his hand to press a kiss there, then sit back in your seat. 

“Let’s see what this is all about, then.”

“Right.”

A nervous kind of energy fills the car. You hear him shift back into drive, then you’re back on the road. One of your playlists you shared with him plays from the speakers. You hum along to it, tapping the beat on your thigh. 

You drive for some time. Twenty to twenty-five minutes. But eventually, he’s pulling the car into park, shutting it off, and telling you to wait. 

His door opens and closes. A second later, yours opens. 

You take his hand, carefully pulling yourself out of the car. Hard ground meets your Docs. He tugs you further away, then shuts the passenger door. A cool breeze skitters across your skin. A car passes somewhere behind you. You sniff the air. It smells like —

Fingers tug at the knot at the back of your head. The blindfold loosens. 

You blink the blurriness out of your eyes. The pink and orange sky greets you, the sun starting to set. In front of you is a two-story condo. The exterior is painted a soft shade of blue. More homes sit on either side.

He pulls you up the set of stairs that lead to a tiny porch, fishing out a key from his pocket. 

“Wait… is this yours?”

You knew he’d been house-hunting. He never said much about it, other than that he was still considering his options. 

The inside is open and spacious. A set of stairs lead up to the second floor. Everything looks new. 

“Needed to get a place eventually,” he says. “But, yeah. Had it furnished. Needs decorations, though, for the walls and stuff. Thought you could help with that…”

You smile, knowing he’s talking about the puzzles. “Of course.”

It’s a three bedroom, three bath. He doesn’t lead you upstairs, but further in. 

A dining room is set off beside the kitchen, which shares an open plan with the living room in front of it. A bay window sits near the dining room. A sliding glass door leads outside, to a —

The door opens. The saltiness of the ocean hits you immediately. 

You follow him out, shoes thumping against the wooden deck, which has an outdoor grilling area, a table, and then a pool. 

It overlooks South Mission Beach. Just sprawling sandy beaches and foamy tides, waves crashing against the shoreline. 

“Kazuya?”

You aren’t sure. Did he really…

He shrugs, smiling a little. “You said beachfront properties were the best, especially if they had a pool deck, since the ocean was cold most of the year. And if anything, you get nice sunsets. I thought about it for a while and I think you were right.”

So it isn’t a coincidence the sun is starting its descent right this moment. 

“Kazuya…”

His arms come around you, pulling you into his chest. “You can stay here while I’m gone. Enjoy this stuff since I won’t be here to. I’m not asking you to move in yet but… it’s yours, too.”

You duck your head, hiding your smile in his collar. “But do you like it?”

He rests his chin on your head, hand stroking up and down your back. 

He says your name, syllables wrapped in warmth. “Truthfully, at the risk of sounding cheesy, as long as you’re here, anywhere is fine. I would even be okay with your crappy little apartment.”

You laugh.  

“But I don’t know…” he presses his lips to your head. “Maybe next year, Batman and Robin will get to see their home.”

You smile. The two of you are swaying a little. Back and forth. Back and forth. You can hear the waves from here. 

“Hopeful for the future?”

“You already know the answer to that.”

Yeah. 

You do. 

[Hozier’s “All Things End” plays] And all things end All that we intend is built on sand Slips right through our hands And just knowing That everything will end Won't change our plans When we begin again

Dogfish ━ Mary Oliver

Some kind of relaxed and beautiful thing kept flickering in with the tide and looking around. Black as a fisherman’s boot, with a white belly.

If you asked for a picture I would have to draw a smile under the perfectly round eyes and above the chin, which was rough as a thousand sharpened nails.

And you know what a smile means, don’t you?

I wanted the past to go away, I wanted to leave it, like another country; I wanted my life to close, and open like a hinge, like a wing, like the part of the song     where it falls down over the rocks: an explosion, a discovery;     I wanted to hurry into the work of my life; I wanted to know, whoever I was, I was

alive for a little while.

It was evening, and no longer summer. Three small fish, I don’t know what they were, huddled in the highest ripples as it came swimming in again, effortless, the whole body one gesture, one black sleeve that could fit easily around the bodies of three small fish.

Also I wanted to be able to love. And we all know how that one goes, don’t we?

Slowly

the dogfish tore open the soft basins of water.

You don’t want to hear the story of my life, and anyway I don’t want to tell it, I want to listen

to the enormous waterfalls of the sun.

And anyway it’s the same old story-- a few people just trying, one way or another, to survive.

Mostly, I want to be kind. And nobody, of course, is kind, or mean, for a simple reason.

And nobody gets out of it, having to swim through the fires to stay in this world.

And look! look! look! I think those little fish better wake up and dash themselves away from the hopeless future that is bulging toward them.

And probably, if they don’t waste time looking for an easier world,

they can do it.