#she is a Siamese and I think she would flip us off if she could
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
Text
FEMSLASH FEBRUARY 2023 #4: In which Cameron and Donna enjoy a Sunday morning
[CN: food/preparation]
.
.
After a very long week at Phoenix, a late-ish Friday night of celebrating Bos and Diane’s anniversary, and a Saturday spent entirely in pajamas and mostly in bed, alternating between snacking and napping, Donna was ready for some activity on Sunday. She’d gotten up at 7:30 to feed the cats, and had put on some workout gear while she was at it, ready to walk and stretch and do at least some stuff around the house.
Cameron had gotten out of bed at 7:30 too, if only to seem like a good wife. But after watching the cats eat, and looking out into a blindingly bright morning, Cameron had turned to Donna, frowned at her leggings, moisture wicking racerback tank, and good sneakers, and said, “…yeah, okay, I’m going back to bed. SMELL YA LATER, BOSS,�� before going upstairs. Marshmallow, a shy rescued flame point siamese that they’d adopted shortly before opening the Phoenix office so that Licorice would have some company, had trotted off after Cameron, as if she too had decided that she could use some more sleep.
“Okay, well, see you at brunch, then!” Donna had called after her.
Undeterred, Donna went outside and sat by the pool for a long while. She breathed deeply, and enjoyed the sunshine. She sat still, grateful to not be rushing either to or around the office, even though she loved the work. When she went back inside, she turned on the radio in the kitchen, ate some granola and fruit, and then she flipped through the most recent issue of Ms. She did not think about hardware, or code, or software, or new features, or servers, or interfaces. It was glorious.
By the time Cameron finally made it back downstairs, around 10:30, Donna had finished reading through her magazine, gone for a walk around the block, done some light stretches, and sung along with the radio. When Cameron went into the kitchen she found Donna playing with Licorice. Standing by the counter, she was waving around one of their feather wands, as Licorice swiped aggressively at the stuffed mouse dangling from the end.
“Hey,” Cameron yawned, going directly to the refrigerator. “How’s your morning?”
Still waving the wand, Donna smiled broadly. “It’s been quiet, and solitary, and I haven’t thought about work at all. I’ve loved every minute of it!”
When Cameron didn’t say anything, Donna looked over at her. Eyes narrowed, Cameron was scanning the refrigerator shelves the way a general might look at a proposed battle strategy. She was wearing a plain white t-shirt and jeans, and her freshly washed hair was still damp. Distracted, Donna forgot what she was doing.
“Nice,” Cameron grinned, reaching into the refrigerator. As she was picking out ingredients, she glanced over at Donna, who was still looking at her. Confused, Cameron asked her, “What?”
Licorice sank her teeth into the stuffed mouse, and managed to pull the wand out of Donna’s hand. It clattered to the floor, and the sound made Donna jump. She looked down to see the cat playing with the fallen toy, and then, face slightly pink, she looked back up at Cameron and said, “Oh, nothing.” She stepped around Licorice, and went to the refrigerator. She kissed Cameron on the cheek, and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she said, “You just do that so well.”
Cameron scoffed and reached for the milk. She handed it to Donna, and said, “What? Look just androgynous enough for it to be perceived as a threat by the weak?”
As Cameron reached for the flour, Donna put the milk on the counter, and said, “You say that like it’s a bad thing. I’m into it!”
Cameron handed the flour and an onion to Donna, who kissed her on the cheek again.
“Okay, okay,” Cameron blushed. “I’m thinking pancakes and omelettes, and whipped cream and bacon. Are you down to indulge?”
Donna kissed her a third time. “You have no idea.”
#for all my girls gays n theys who unequivocally deserve sunday morings with loved ones and pets <3#femslash february#femslash february 2023#fic#fan fiction#cameron howe#donna clark#donna emerson#licorice emerson howe#introducing:#marshmallow emerson howe
4 notes
·
View notes
Note
How would J handle cats?
Hey hi anon!! 🖤✨
I’m allergic to cats so I literally don’t know what to write GOOGLE TO THE RESCUE! 🤣
I hope I didn’t screw this up anon!!! I do hope you enjoy anon!
Joker thought it was absolutely hilarious to troll your ongoing white lie about adopting a cat by buying you a real one!
Breeds of cats to consider would be a shorthair, Ragdoll, Persian, Siberian, Siamese, or even a black cat to be untraditional. But it’s entirely up to you to decide.
Regardless of the breed, Joker will only have the best for his Light and if you don’t pick, he will on your behalf.
Your apartment building only allows cats and smaller pets so Joker went out and purchased an adorable Russian Blue cat with gorgeous green eyes (like his) without your knowledge.
He swears up and down he wanted you to have a companion around while he’s away but the feline seems to like J more than you at first.
You didn’t mind the adorable cat walking around the apartment like it owned the place, you just stroke its coat whenever it jumps in your lap or watched it fondly when it swatted at something peculiar like dust motes or when a leaf falls from your plants in the sunroom.
It’s soft purrs were soothing in the quiet apartment and you didn’t realize you were giving the cat more attention than Joker until he pointed it out.
Only Joker would get jealous over a cat but he demanded your sweet touch and affection with a straight face.
Despite his jealousy, he still thinks this was a good decision. You are coming out of your shell more and he's confident you won't be alone on the long nights he torturing Gotham City.
Imagine! You come home and walk through the door but notice the lights were out save for a single spotlight highlighting a chair.
Joker turns around, stroking a cat like the true villain he is and has the audacity to quote Austin Powers.
You were too tired for his antics.
“What is this? Are you Dr. Evil now? J, please tell me you didn’t name the cat Mr. Bigglesworth?” You groaned.
The grey cat was seated on Joker’s lap, purring from the rhythmic head scratches J gave it and you had to admit, it was rather cute. Its slate grey coat looked absolutely soft as she nuzzled up to Joker.
He just laughed and gave the kitty a pat on the head, before it leapt off his lap to wander off. It was shy walking past you but you hoped given enough time, she would warm up to you. Joker stood up to greet you properly.
You waited for your kiss and sighed when Joker didn’t disappoint. After the long day you had, you could use some loving from J.
“Errrr I named her after you. Don’t be jealous.”
You tilted her head curiously and Joker laughed to himself. You were so adorable when you did that. He steered you to the kitchen by your shoulders so you could start on dinner.
You'd been dying to try out a new recipe since you saw it online.
"You're my Light... and now you have Twilight." Joker smiled. Sure enough, after hearing her name, you heard her soft meow before she sauntered into the kitchen.
Twilight purred against J's legs and he scooped her up. He tickled her as you watched on in silence. He looked so a peace playing with a cat in the comfort of your home. You smiled to yourself. It was nice to see Joker happy for a change.
You washed your hands and dried them off to get started chopping up the vegetables.
"Hm, I get the inspiration. Her coat is beautiful." You mumbled.
"Not as beautiful as yooooou. I want my girls to get along while I'm noT around. Ya hear that Twilight? Watch over my Light."
Your stomach did a flip hearing Joker refer to you as his girl. You ducked your head to bite your lip.
You heard a responding purr as if Twilight understood exactly what J said but you knew for a fact Russian Blues were highly intelligent. Her wise lime eyes blinked at you. They were so beautiful as they were unnerving; just like Joker's.
Joker stayed in the kitchen playing with Twilight as you cooked and all was well until he started to get ready to go out after dinner.
"Will you be back tonight?" You yawned and walked him to the front door with Twilight right on your heels.
It had only been a few hours but you could feel a connection growing with the feline. Her eyes held so much expression, you found yourself talking to her as if she could respond.
Joker shrugged into his signature purple cloak and checked the pockets. Still heavy; he had everything he needed.
He didn't know how to answer your question though. "Ehhh, dunno Bunny. Got lots of plannns tonight. If ya want, you can wait up for me. I'll come running back if ya do." He pulled you in for a goodbye kiss until Twilight's soft cry made him look down.
"Sorry girl, I only kiss my Bunny."
You rolled your eyes and picked her up as Joker headed out the door. He called for the lift and waited for it to reach the top floor.
"Promise me you won't kill anyone tonight and I might wait up for you." You knew you had Joker when he flinched on his way into the elevator.
"I.... can't... guaranteeeee that.."
You shrugged your shoulder and stroked Twilight's head as the doors slowly closed. "Then you won't get to see my new lingerie set I bought. Have a good night, Joker." You sang.
You heard his tortured groan through the closed elevator's doors and giggled. You glanced down at Twilight. "He'll be back before dawn. Just you wait, girl."
#thanks anon!#sfw headcanons#thanks for the ask!#ledger joker x reader#joker x y/n#ledger joker#Joker with a cat is interesting to see#I think Joker likes animals in general#the kid in him likes animals#joker x you#joker x reader#joker x black!reader#heath ledger joker x reader#heath ledger!joker#ledger!joker
42 notes
·
View notes
Text
So wrong it’s right
Part 2 // Part 3
Pairing: Angel x vamp!reader
Request: (Sorry if I make a mistake, English is my second language) Will you make a story with a somewhat villain reader (but shes not exactly evil) that keeps helping Angel out because she likes him and in the start he wont trust her but one day they kiss and Angel becomes confused about how he feels? I hope that makes sense. If I didn’t explain it well please don't feel you need to write it you can ignore this.
Requested by: Anon
Warning: Violence/fighting. Swearing.
A/N: This is the kind of fic I LOVE to write. I enjoyed myself with this one !! 💜
You weren’t well-liked in LA. The ‘good guys’ hated you, trying to stake you at any second and the ‘bad guys’ despised you. Both felt this for the way that you made decisions based on how you felt. No allegiance to good or evil. No atonement or evil plotting. You served neither the powers or dark forces. This was a fluid and extremely ambiguous way to live, which brought suspicion with you wherever you went. But you were nothing if not authentic to your beliefs. You just weren’t really sure what those beliefs were yet.
In any case, you didn’t much care for world domination nor did you hang out in particularly damp underground hovels that you wouldn’t even bury your dog in, let alone spend precious years of your un-life.
LA had a certain draw to you, it was a hub. A beating heart of life that helped you thrive in a way you had only dreamed of when you really were alive. But most importantly, it wasn’t a backwater little town. The type that always seemed to harbour Hellmouths. They seemed a little boring to you anyway.
Yeah, it holds all the supernatural power hotspots you could wish for, but at what cost? Everyone knew everyone’s business and there was such a large amount of demons concentrated in one area it was hard to navigate without bumping into several ex-lovers. Not to mention there was a higher chance of a Slayer on your back.
Now, just because you weren’t ‘evil’, that wasn’t to say you lived in the light. For one, you couldn’t. You would die… again. But also, you weren’t exactly chafing at the bit to do as the powers said. They couldn’t simultaneously damn you to hell when you got dusted whilst enticing you with some long-winded and ultimately unnecessary prophecy that gave you the one thing you were scared of. Hope.
You didn’t have a soul, and you didn’t care for gaining one. Not through a curse and even less through fighting for one yourself. This is why one vampire didn’t like you. He didn’t trust you and definitely never cut you a break.
The fact was, he barely looked your way. Unless you were stood in his path. And you had, a few times. He was convinced you had some ulterior motive but had little time for you until you turned into a bigger threat.
That was, up until the last few months. You had started to catch his attention more and more. You had been fighting, again. In the back room of some seedy bar. Trading blows, neither of you holding back. The real threat long since dusted. It was just gone three in the morning, a time you liked to be home. Just in case of a freak early sunrise (you had heard horrible things of whole towns of vampires wiped out suddenly).
You were fighting, hard. He never left it. He just couldn’t walk away. You were after the same stupid vampire. Yes, you had been after him because he owed you a large sum of money and around five Siamese cats, but the end was the same. You twisted from his firm grasp, throwing him over your head. He landed but didn’t stay down. He ran at you, pushing you back and slamming you against the door. Almost through it. He grabbed a stake and flipped it up in the air before expertly catching it, looking back in your eyes.
There was almost a flicker of danger. A flicker of all the stories you had heard of Angelus. There was something there, some kind of feeling and it got you excited. Up until this point, his face had been pretty unmoving every time you saw him. The stake dug into your chest, directly over your unbeating heart. You couldn’t help but enjoy the way his eyes scanned your face. Moving from your lips to your eyes and back again. He was so close you could just lean in and… no. Eye on the prize, you tell yourself. You would settle for a quip charged with at least a little sexual tension. On your end, at least.
“You gonna keep waving that thing around or are you going to actually do something with it?” You bite, breathing heavily a smile on your face. You didn’t need to breathe but it was still a habit.
“Why’re you here, huh? Why are you always around when something bad happens?”
“I could ask you the same thing. Now I’m never getting those fucking Siamese” You muttered as he scowled at you. You were going to threaten him one more time before staking him. He rolled his eyes, you were worse than spike. At least he had a soul. Wanted one. You were content with your lot and it bugged him to no end.
“You know, I think I might enjoy this” Angel said stoically.
“Watch out, you don’t want to get too happy” You teased with a smile, everyone knew about Angel – word travels fast even here, “Or maybe you do. You might be more fun, to be honest”
These was the last words he expected to hear from you, you were younger than him by a mile. He was used to vampires pretty easily going down. He moved his arm back, directing the wooden stake straight for your heart. In the same second, you changed into your vamp face and propelled your head forwards. Your hand twisted his wrist trying to knock the stake from his hand as you propelled your ridged forehead towards him. Headbutting him with all of your strength.
The stake pierced your skin, but luckily (or unluckily it still hurt like anything) it was stabbed into your left arm which made you yelp. You yelped almost as much as Angel in his surprise as his nose started to bleed. It was enough to stun him, letting you run off with the stake still sticking out of your arm as you took a short cut to your destination.
Angel walked back to the hotel slowly, pinching his nose and wiping the blood on his sleeve. He took the long route back, not wanting to have to tell the others that he had lost in a fight with a vampire who was probably half his age. When he returned Cordelia rushed over to him, helping him to sit down. The entire team was there, waiting up for him. Fantastic, now he would have to tell them.
“Oh, uh, Angel?” Fred asked softly, “This was left for you – on your desk”
He turned and there it was. The stake that had been embedded in your arm the last he saw you. You must have travelled fast to get there before he did. He took it as an act of aggression, especially when he read the note attached.
‘Until we meet again, sweet Angel’
“Is this your slayer friend?” Fred asked, looking down at the floor. She had taken somewhat of a shine to Angel and may have been a little jealous. She had just learned what a slayer was.
“She’s a little more dramatic, a little less with the subtle” Cordelia stated, knowing for sure that the person that brought it was not Buffy. Not at all.
“Yes, I recall the young woman is about as subtle as a brick” Wes chuckled softly, reminiscing over his brief stint as a watcher.
“No. it wasn’t her” Angel confirmed, turning and scowling, “Wes, I need everything you can find on a vamp. Name’s y/n”
“Y/n? Are you sure it is wise to, um, shake the hornets nest so to speak. They’ve done little to actively harm-” Wesley said quickly. A slightly sheepish look on his face. You had met him and helped him out several times. You often crossed paths late night at the occult book store. You weren’t afraid of losing your credibility over a little light reading.
Your intelligence was often what gave you the upper hand over many demons you came up against. Wesley was strangely fond of you, although he knew from word on the street you could be mean if something was in the way of what you wanted. He was pleasant enough although spending too long with him gave you an Englishman-induced headache. He does prattle on so. And, that phrase had been unfortunately transferred into your brain from listening to him for too long.
“Apart from, that they’re a vampire who brutally kills to eat and always seems to be in every bad situation we’ve been in recently” Angel snapped, “I want everything. By tomorrow night”
“What are you going to do?”
“Kill them”
It had been several more months and Angel had seen you several times in that period. He had yet to make good on his promise. The tension mounted, peaking every time you became close. Your back and forth riling you up, making you begin to pine for his attention.
He had noted that you had common goals, evil tended to get mowed down in your wake. Which, he couldn’t exactly complain about except that your personality was simultaneously infuriating and intriguing.
But he maintained that he didn’t like you. The way you danced through life, with no guilt. Very little self-reflection. You wouldn’t join him and that was enough, in his eyes for you to be against him.
This evening finds you on the hunt for a backstreet dealer, one that could find you an item that was particularly hard to find. Especially now Angel had a snitch on the inside, the deliveries were starting to slow. Dust couldn’t drive trucks.
You arrived at the meeting place, a dingy alleyway despite you specifically asking to meet somewhere that didn’t smell like something had died there. You had a very sensitive sense of smell.
“You got the stuff?” You asked, gesturing with your head for the demon to open the briefcase. But he snatched it from your grasp and the boss stepped from the shadows. This meant something more sinister.
“You helped him. We saw you” The scaly man with an impressively tailored suit accused.
“What?”
“Angel” He confirmed. Bad things happened to people who didn’t side with the boss. You knew this.
“I don’t pick allegiances, I told you. I’m just me” You assured them, eyes on the briefcase.
“You’re with us or you’re with him. Choose.”
“Fine.” You shrugged, the man nodded approvingly. It had been easier than he thought.
“Good, glad that you’re-” You spun into a kick, hitting his jaw which made him shut up. You hated people who gave you an ultimatum. You, for this very moment only, were on Angel’s side. Fists flying, feet connecting with hard bodies. You fought against them, hard.
More of them started to turn up. As if there had been a call. They started to surround you. You were strong, but not that strong. Your un-life flashed before your eyes. There was so much you had left to do. I mean, you had never even been to a virgin sacrifice. Never properly feasted on St Vigeous. You hadn’t even found your anti-soulmate.
You were almost ready to give up. And then he turned up. Your guardian angel.
Angel assessed the fight, realising you had been caught up. Not realising why it broke out. You fought beside each other, but traded insults with your ally. You found yourself waiting for these interactions with him. It made you smirk. This was the way you flirted.
You enjoyed this back and forth. He was starting to make you feel alive again. Begin to… hope.
The fight was finished and now all you both were was surrounded by dust. You took a breath. In name, not in action, recovering from the fight.
But he grabbed you by your shoulders, you had taken your guard down. He slammed you into the brick wall. The contact almost made you shiver as you smiled wide. You opened your mouth to speak, he was expecting it and spoke first.
“Don’t” He warned, frustrated at the way your eyes danced despite his threat.
“I’ve been waiting for this for months” You smirked, leaning closer to his face. There was barely an inch between you.
“Huh. Your death?”
“We’re already dead, baby, I’m looking more for the spice of life” You teased before leaning in and finally catching your lips with his. This had been all you had been thinking since you had first met him. The tension had reached its crescendo and you had to act.
It was an urgent kiss, you were willing him to reciprocate. His action beforehand made the adrenaline pump around your body harder. Want him more. There was danger harboured deep below the soul he cared for so deeply and it called to you like a moth to a flame.
You wanted him. You enjoyed every side you had seen so far. You didn’t understand why he was so reluctant to admit the tension in the air when you were around each other.
His lips didn’t move at first for those agonising moments. And then they did. All at once. His lips moving and fiery against yours, now fighting you for dominance. You tasted so good to him. A hand gripping your upper arm tightly with the other sliding up the curvature of your neck.
You slid your hands between the fabric of his shirt and his leather jacket, grasping at him. Your fingers snaked around him, exploring unchartered territory. He felt so good, you wanted him closer.
You found yourself almost preferring the feel of this more amiable touch to the harsh blows you had exchanged previously. He pressed you further into the wall, wanting more.
But all too quickly, his lips started to falter and you felt him start to pull away. He started to think too much into it. Comprehending the implications. You felt too good to him. You were a distraction, a sinful figure that strayed him from the power’s path. You almost whined as he pulled himself from where he had been pressed flush against you. He had to fight himself to remove his hands from you.
Your hands slid sadly from where they had been exploring his lean form. You felt yourself pouting slightly, which is a feat when you have fangs like you did.
His face had changed during your kiss, as had yours. Your vampire forms released as the tension did. Your more animalistic forms finding each other so appealing. The kiss a revelation, in some sense a curse. But again, he was used to that.
He pulled back, his face the picture of shock. It was the most emotion he had allowed you to see. So many contradictory emotions flashing behind his eyes. It had felt wrong, but oh so right to kiss you that way. He wanted more. He wanted to get as far away from you as possible.
You watched him in his turmoil, not able to hide the way you enjoyed seeing his face this way. You reached with your hand to trail along the distinctive bumps of his forehead. You couldn’t help it, you had suddenly begun to soften for him. Against your will. You wanted him to want you deeper than you had realised.
He realised that his vampire face was showing. He winced away from you, and you scanned over his face. He switched back immediately. Masking it.
He was ashamed. You frowned, your own vamp face still there. You embraced all that you were. You scanned his face, trying to show him that he could be himself with you. But he didn’t read that from your face.
He stepped back, all contact with him now gone. His eyes still trapped in yours for a moment. Your back was still pressed against the rough brick, your arm still outstretched for him.
But he just ran, jacket whipping around him as he kicked up his dust on way out of the alleyway. As if a magician through a puff of smoke, he was gone.
You eventually moved yourself from the wall, leaning to take the briefcase. You shrugged, dusting it off from the ash that had been left from the fight.
You walked slowly with your items, thoughts beginning to spin. Finding yourself lacking something deep inside that you had not realised you had been missing for so long.
#Angel#Angel btvs#Angel x reader#Angel x you#Angel imagine#ats#Angel the series#angel the series imagine#ats x reader#ats x you#ats imagine#vampire reader#gender not mentioned#gender neutral#Buffy The Vampire Slayer#buffy the vampire slayer imagines#btvs#btvs imagine#btvs x reader#btvs x you
143 notes
·
View notes
Text
Ch. 20: A Path
Cast of Characters//Ch. 1//Ch. 2//Ch. 3//Ch. 4//Ch. 5//Ch. 6//Ch. 7//Ch. 8//Ch. 9//Ch. 10//Ch. 11//Ch. 12//Ch. 13//Ch. 14//Ch. 15//Ch. 16//Ch. 17//Ch. 18//Ch. 19//Ch. 20//Ch. 21//Ch. 22//Ch. 23//Ch. 24//Ch. 25//Ch. 26//Ch. 27//Ch. 28 (coming soon)
Words: 1.6k
Pairing: ATEEZ OT8 x OCs
Genre: Adventure, Pirate AU
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: mentions of deadly traps, bug attacks, blood, and venom
A/N: Italics means they’re speaking Korean
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” Phoebe asked as she rushed over to help him up.
“Yeah,” he nodded.
Grace-Anne then kneeled down to get a good look at the stone staircase. The open itself was about as wide and long as a large cardboard box with a descending stone staircase. Each step disappeared more and more into the dark underground, and the cold dampness cut through the jungle’s humidity. Pulling out her flashlight, Grace-Anne switched it on and shined it down the staircase. Nothing out of the ordinary except for a few dead snakes, but she felt uneasy about immediately taking the steps down.
A rock sat idly next to her, and it was immediately serving as a guinea pig. She tossed it down where it could still be visible by the light beams. Landing on a stone in one of the steps, it sank down halfway, and a spear shot up from the middle of the stone. The rock was split into two pieces before falling away somewhere.
“Do any of the notes say anything about this?” Grace-Anne asked as she stood.
Hongjoong was already ahead of her and reviewing the notes on both the map and the journal.
“Yes,” he nodded once he found the page. “Any of the stones with a golf-ball sized hole in the center has a deadly spear. Have your flashlights ready.”
One by one, the crew switched on their lights just before descending down the stone steps, tip-toeing over each holed stone. The air seemed to grow colder and more dense, and a soft blue glow could be seen up ahead. When they reached the bottom, a foul stench attacked their noses as they turned a corner.
“If I see one more corpse,” Dinah threatened, “I will kick a stalagmite.”
“I don’t think it’s a dead body, we’re smelling,” Grace-Anne replied as they walked a little further. “It smells more like mud after the rain.”
The sound of a river rushing could be heard overhead. Hongjoong used his flashlight to read the notes again. “The blue light tells us that’s where the next piece is.”
“What is that light anyway?” Mingi asked as they strolled closer to the light.
“Yeah, there doesn’t seem to be any electrical fixtures down here,” added Yunho.
An opening marked where the blue light was hiding, and once the crew walked in, the light turned out to be what seemed to be twinkling blue clusters sticking to the wall and reflecting off of clear quartz fragments blooming from the ground to the ceiling. With this kind of light, the crew switched off their flashlights.
“Glow worms, of course!” Dahae recognized. “Their bioluminescence gives off a sort of blue or green light.”
“But where’s the diamond piece?” Seonghwa reminded her as the crew looked around. “It could be anywhere here.”
Jongho was about to try to move a quartz piece to investigate any nook and cranny, but Dahae stopped him with a gasp.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“These aren’t just any of the regular glow worms you hear about,” she explained. “These quartz’s have minerals that provide this species with their nutrients, and they’re aggressive if they’re touched by any other living organism. Touch the crystals, and a few of them will attack.”
“They’re not poisonous, are they?”
“They just give you deep cuts, but the bleeding is bad no matter where the laceration is.”
“Found it,” Taeran declared as she looked up something in the ceiling.
Surrounded by clusters of the glowing blue, a shining fractal seemed trapped in another microvine structure surrounded by crystals. Beside it was a sort of lock code identical to a lock combination, but rusted into the ceiling.
“What’s the code?” Dahae asked.
Hongjoong flipped through the journals and notes a few times, scanning each page individually in case he missed it. He found something on the exact lock, but no direct answer as to free the diamond.
“There’s a riddle,” he shrugged as scratched his head. “‘Not a full circle, not an angle, not even a cute angle, only a straight path will you find the key.’”
“What path?” Dinah exasperated. “The only way out is the way we came in, and even then it’s deadly.”
“And we can’t exactly pry open the little binding it’s in without touching the surrounding crystals,” Grace-Anne added.
“Maybe it’s talking about the sun, hills, and a path on a hill,” Seonghwa guessed.
“We’re in a freaking CAVE!” Dinah retorted while motioning towards their surroundings.
Taeran stared up at it and recited the riddle. Circle, angles, path. Circle, an angle, a cute angle, path. A cute angle stuck out to her. Did it mean an acute angle?
“Wait a second,” a lightbulb went off in her head. “It’s not a regular piece of land at all. It’s geometric angles. A full circle is three-hundred and sixty degrees, a cute angle is an acute angle that’s forty-five degrees, and a right angle is ninety-degrees. What we’re looking for is the straight ‘path,’ and it’s a straight line. One-eighty degrees.”
“1-8-0 is the code?” Phoebe asked.
“It has to.”
“How are you going to reach it?” Dahae wondered. “The ceiling is taller than Yunho and Mingi.”
…
Finishing up in the bathroom, Celestia took one last look at herself in the mirror, double-checking for any fly-away strands of hair before standing back and seeing her pregnant self. Her stomach wasn’t as huge as a typical pregnant woman’s, but she still found it cute despite feeling like a bloated fish some days. Baby girl kicked, and the mother-to-be smiled.
“You’re so gorgeous,” San commented groggily as woke up.
“Hi, handsome,” his wife replied as she waddled back into the room.
The curtains were opened just slightly to allow some sunlight in, but not enough to disturb San in his sleep.
“How are you feeling?” Celestia asked as she eased herself on the bed.
“Better.”
“You look better, too. Your color is back. Are you sore?”
San shook his head. “I can move more freely, but it only stings when I move my back a certain way.”
“Dahae said it’ll be like that for a bit, but you’ll be back to exploring our next destination.”
A smile nearly bloomed on the young man’s face, but abruptly stopped. He wanted to see the new site, but Celestia couldn’t go anymore when she’s days from delivering.
“I don’t want you to be alone,” San shook his head.
“I won’t be alone,” she promised. “The girls will rotate out on who stays with me at each stop.”
“But what about when it’s time for you to give birth? We would have to flag down an ambulance or something to get you to a hospital if needed.”
San had wanted his wife to give birth in a medical facility that was safe, and she and the baby would receive proper care; but Celestia had put her foot down on having the birth on the boat since Dahae would help with delivery. However, she was becoming more open to having the aid of a medical facility if things were to go wrong.
“I’ve heard you can’t plan for how a birth is going to go,” was all Celestia could say. “But we can be prepared.”
San just smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “Such a clever woman, you are.”
Celestia scoffed playfully before asking, “Are you hungry? Grace-Anne left us some breakfast.”
“Can you get up?”
“Watch me.” Immediately she scoot to her edge of the bed, sat up, and rolled to one side to stand. “Cake.”
San giggles as the love of his life waddles out of the room and towards the kitchen. Celestia found her meal of eggs and Greek yogurt covered in plastic, and San’s bacon and omelettes were in the same shape. She removed the covering and put them in the microwave for about a minute while she retrieved both of their drinks.
A fit of childlike giggles erupted from San back in the bedroom. Celestia thought his medicine was making him loopy until he started baby-talking and cooing in his mother tongue. Was he looking at the ultrasounds and somehow talking to the baby? It wasn’t until she returned with their breakfasts when she saw what had happened.
“Angel, we’ve got a little stowaway,” San smiled as he was now petting a Siamese cat sitting on his stomach. “Isn’t she cute?”
“She is,” Celestia smiled as she set the food tray on San’s nightstand. “Hi, kitty.”
She held her hand to the feline, palm open and face up; and after a couple of sniffs, the cat licked her fingers and rubbed her face against Celestia’s hand.
“Friendly, aren’t you? How did you get on here?”
“She must have wandered up the landing gear from outside,” San guessed. “I managed to sit up, because I had to pee; and when I came back from the bathroom, there was a super cute cat sitting on your side of the bed.”
Celestia gave the purring cat a few more scratches behind her ears before thinking for a moment.
“What’s the captain gonna say?” she asked as she sat on the edge of the bed.
The captain had a thing with animals on the ship. It wasn’t that he didn’t allow it, it was that everyone had a job to do and wanted everyone to always stay on task that getting a pet for one crewmate or for all to share seemed impossible. Everyone, including Dahae, had begged Hongjoong multiple times for a furry friend, but he always said no.
“Well,” San thought, “I mean we already have a baby on the way, so he might say our new friend has to go; but since you’re going to be here on each stop, maybe she can help keep you company.”
As if excited by his idea, the cat leapt off of San’s lap and tip-toed to Celestia’s bump. She began to purr as she rubbed up against it. It was as if she now knew there was something precious being nurtured and developed in a protective shell.
“I think we might have found our guardian for Baby Choi,” San jokes with a chuckle.
-
Tagging: @not-majestic-bluenicorn @actuallythatwaspromise @barsformars @philosopher-of-fandoms @daybreakx @lilhwahwa @hongism let me know if you’d like to be added or removed
#kwritersworldnet#atzinc#foratiny#8makes1teamnet#kdiarynet#kdiner#kpopscape#kpopficsnetwork#ateez#ateez x oc#ateez pirate au#ateez fluff#ateez angst#ateez hongjoong#ateez seonghwa#ateez yunho#ateez yeosang#ateez san#ateez mingi#ateez wooyoung#ateez jongho
23 notes
·
View notes
Text
The Writer - Chapter One
C H A P T E R O N E
Summary: Darcy Lewis finds a temp job with S.H.I.E.L.D. until she can work with Jane again. Data entry and organizing aren’t her favorite things, but she sucks it up. When she finds out the Avengers have a Fan Club and an email account with hundreds of unread letters, she figures no one will care if she <i>pretends</i> to be the Avengers, right? <i>Right</i>?!
Characters: Darcy Lewis, Jane Foster
Warnings: Curse words. Obscene levels of cheese being consumed.
*~*~*~*~*
“... Elvis, do you want a cookie?”
The growling response from the Siamese feline sounded in Darcy Lewis’ ear, signaling the end of her favorite podcast. She lifted her coffee to her lips as she walked down the silent hallway, mind already overwhelmed by the task ahead of her. The door she was looking for was at the end of the corridor, the last door on her left, and she tried not to think of how if she were in trouble, there’d be no one there to hear her scream. Just like Aliens, her inner voice mused.
Maybe it was time to stop listening to murder podcasts while alone in creepy, dimly lit, ignored, far-flung reaches of the building.
She juggled the things in her hands – a bag full of post-it notes, highlighters, and file folders, but also her coffee, laptop, iPod – and pulled the keys she’d just been given from her pocket. It took two tries to get the key to slide in completely- she wasn’t sure whether it was tight due to not being used or a problem with humidity - but when she was finally successful, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, pushed open the door, then reached out to flip on the light switch.
Please don’t be covered in spiders. Please, please don’t be covered in spiders...
Squinting open one eye, and then the other, Darcy directed her gaze over everything, taking a first impression of the space. There were three desks, but she only knew that because she could see their legs in the yellow-tinted lights. Their surfaces were covered in boxes. In fact, boxes were everywhere. They were full, and in some cases overflowing, with a mishmash of papers. She could make out dates on the sides of the boxes, and her eyes widened when she realized she was looking at decades worth of random paperwork that needed to be sorted, catalogued, copied, and digitized.
“Welp,” Darcy breathed outward, her shoulders dropping, “at least I still have healthcare.”
She spent the next three hours dragging boxes from all over the room, grouping the same years together in an effort to organize what was obviously the ‘junk drawer’ of S.H.I.E.L.D.. As far as she could tell, there was no rhyme or reason to everything that’d been gathered; there was nothing confidential for her to stumble across (she didn’t have the security clearance for such things), but looking at a receipt for a single glazed donut from Randy’s Donuts circa 1998, she couldn’t help but think she’d just been given busy work.
With Jane Foster’s newer, deeper, more clandestine role within S.H.I.E.L.D., Darcy knew she was lucky to even stay on the payroll. Until she could get the security clearance to work with Jane, Darcy was going to do the best she could with what she’d been given. And what she’d been given was a room filled with things other people hadn’t cared about. Others might have called the task tedious and boring, but Darcy found comfort in the work. She couldn’t help the Avengers fight, but she sure as shit could organize their petty cash withdrawals.
After an entire morning and afternoon spent getting organized, Darcy was left with piles of documents that could start their journey toward digitization. She felt especially accomplished at the amount of work she’d done on her first day, considering the mess she’d had before her, and as the day drew to a close, she could feel the tiredness settle into her bones. She didn’t really have a supervisor to check in with, so when her stomach began to growl and make its displeasure known, she began to gather her things.
She’d just turned off the lights and began to close the door when a flash of pink caught her eye. Darcy flipped the light back on with a frown, not remembering seeing the solo but of paper before. She dumped the stuff from her arms onto the (newly cleaned) desk top, and snatched the note from the ground. Squinting, she tried to understand the chicken scratch scrawled on it with blue ink. When she realized she was looking at an email address and password, her eyebrows shot up toward her hairline.
Firstly, who the hell just keeps their login information on a post-it note? Secondly, what the hell?
The email address appeared to be ‘[email protected]’ and the password was a random assortment of letters and numbers. Darcy stared at the pink note, her eyebrows furrowing, chewing on her lower lip. She wasn’t sure what to do with the information, so she stuffed the post-it into her bag and re-gathered her things. She had the weekend ahead of her, and the office filled with randomness would have to wait until Monday.
Read The Rest Here!
#Darcy Lewis#The Writer#The Avengers#marvel cinematic universe#Marvel#fanfiction#fanfic#fic#steve rogers#captain america#MCU
9 notes
·
View notes
Text
Remembering You - Chapter 1
By: Kally and Abby
While Spencer is away on a case, the reader figures out she is expecting his child, but only to get a call from Garcia that he has gotten into a horrible accident. Which will change their lives for the worse and causes him to lose some of his memory, which includes who the reader is. How far does the reader have to go? To remind Spencer of who she is, to Remember You.
Category: Fluff and angst.
Warnings: Mentions of Injury.
Word Count: 2.4k
A/n: This is our first time writing fanfic, so please bring constructive criticism and positive feedback!! We hope that you will enjoy this story as much we had writing !!! Have fun on this journey ;)
Memories
** Week 3**
(Y/n) woke up dreading the feeling knowing that Spencer is not by her side, pulling her back to his chest, holding her, and not wanting her ever to leave his side as if to stay in bed with him forever. (Y/n) sighs when reaching out to get her phone knowing that he hasn't replied to the fourteen missed calls and the several text messages that she has left over the past two weeks while he has been on the recent case. Thinking that it has been two weeks, she knows this one must be a tough case, and she understands that he has more important things to do than to be texting her. One text or call of saying hello would be nice, but she assures herself that he is okay. She is off right now instead of being in the field with the rest of the team because Hotch insisted she takes this case off since the previous one was hard on her. (Y/n) finally gets the courage to crawl out of bed, lifting the heavy blankets off and taking her phone off the charger as she makes her way to the kitchen to make breakfast. Suddenly as (y/n) makes it to the kitchen, she feels bile running up her throat, making her run to the bathroom quickly, and throws up her dinner from the night before into the toilet. As she leans her head away from the toilet, she remembers what she could of the night she was wasted at the bar as a celebration to a successful case.
Spencer observes (y/n) as she is taking shot after shot, totally getting out of hand with the drinking. He smiles to himself as (y/n) tells jokes to the rest of the team, making no sense at all. The young doctor sees that (y/n) catches him staring at her; they hold that eye contact until she breaks the silence with a slurred remark saying,
"You look pretty cute staring at me like that," while giving him a cheeky wink.
Spencer blushes taken back from her words, and replies,
"U-um, thank you, you look beautiful tonight (y/n)."
She giggles at his response while she takes another shot of her favourite drink, lime-flavoured tequila, the warm liquid burning down her throat. As the night progresses, more and more people from the bar leave without a hurry, including the agents, leaving Spencer and (y/n) sitting at the bar table alone. While Spencer sips on his third glass of water that he's been slowly drinking all night, he subtly watches (y/n) drink her final last shot. As she stumbles out of her chair, she states that she is going to call a taxi. In response, Spencer gives her a puzzled expression thinking that she would ask him to drive her home first since they are such close friends. Before (y/n) can dial the taxi, he speaks up, offering to take her home. She doesn't give much of a response, more of a slow, exhausted nod, Spencer seeing that she is about to pass out, picks her up, and she doesn't give any struggle. On the car ride back to her apartment, he looks over to her, softly snoring, thinking back to the comment she made earlier that evening, questioning himself if she meant it. Denying himself that she did mean it, and it was her drunk self-talking. Back at her apartment, he lays her down in bed, just as Spencer is about to leave he hears a quiet mumble from (y/n),
"Stay with me ??"
, while lazily patting the other side of the bed. Spencer cautiously obliges not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. (Y/n) feels the bed sinking while he awkwardly sits against the headboard, making a distinct distance between them. As he sits there, he spots a book filled with all of Edgar Allen Poe's stories. He's intrigued because he has the same copy, so he picks it up, flipping the pages to his favourite story.
"Did you know that Edgar Allen Poe often wrote with his Siamese cat on his shoulder?" He chirps in a soft whisper.
(y/n) being too tired to use words, she replies with a soft hum and moves closer to him, slowly curling into his side, wanting to be close to him. Spencer stiffens by her actions, but he puts himself at ease to not make the moment awkward. After a while of reading, his eyes start to droop, wanting too close, so he moves to put the book on the side table where he found it and turns off the lamp while doing this all very careful to make sure that he doesn't wake the sleeping girl next to him. He snuggles up close to her, not wanting to forget this moment. The night quietly goes by when Spencer is rudely awakened by (y/n) running to the bathroom to vomit all the alcohol that she consumed earlier that night. He runs into the bathroom to hold back her hair and rubs her back softly. (y/n) is startled from his actions, but slowly looks over to him and says,
"You know, I meant what I said last night, you are pretty cute." Spencer looks down at her and gives her a warm smile. That is where it all began.
(Y/n) smiles back at the memory of that night, wishing again that Spencer was there to hold her hair back just like he did when she was hungover. She winces when she feels the urge to puke again, so (y/n) leans her head over the toilet to let out the remaining contents she has left to give. After (y/n) feels like she isn't going to puke anymore, she decides not to have breakfast and just heads to the living room. As she sits onto the couch, her phone dings, she checks the notification and sees that it is her period tracker. She looks at her phone with wide eyes, shocked to see what it has to tell her.
You are two weeks past your period date!! Please go to the nearest pharmacy and check to see if you have a baby on the way !!;)
(Y/n) curses under her breath while she goes to take a quick shower knowing that she might know the answer to this crazy new information. As Spencer and her have just started trying for a baby, (y/n) didn’t expect that it would happen so quickly. She dresses in a rush and snatches her keys off the kitchen counter and runs out the door. Arriving at the pharmacy and going straight to the health and safety aisle to grab three different brands of pregnancy tests to make sure. She paces to the front counter. When she reaches the cashier guy, he blushes and awkwardly pauses, and then mumbles a small stuttery
"C-c- congratulations ma'am, if it's positive, would you be excited?,"
while giving a nervous chuckle. (Y/n) looks at him with an irritated expression wondering why he was so nosey, she replies with a sassy manner,
"Is it any of your damn business if I am or not?"
feeling a slight pang of guilt with the tone she has replied with, knowing that he didn't mean any harm. She quickly paid and used long strides to get to the bathroom at the back of the store. On the way back (y/n) can already picture the image of Spencer holding their child as if it’s the most valuable treasure. Seeing the way he is with godson, Henry, she knows he would make an amazing father.
She enters the bathroom and locks the door behind her. (Y/n) sits down on the toilet and takes all three of the tests. After she is finished, she sets a timer for three minutes, while she is waiting, her nerves get to her, making her pace around the small clean bathroom. Who knew that three minutes could take so long. As the timer that she had set went off, (y/n) looked down to see that all the results showed a positive symbol. In shock (y/n) sits back on the toilet, puts her hand over her mouth, and stares at the small plus sign in front of her. She looks back one more time to make sure the test is positive and then puts them back in her purse. She's so excited that she didn't even notice the happy tears that were sliding down her cheeks. (Y/n) wipes them off her cheeks, then thinks about the future she and Spencer will have together. This will be a long journey, but she knows it will be worth it in the end, and the thought of her and Spencer being a family made her stomach feel like hundreds of butterflies were in it. Since (y/n) is eating for two, she thought to herself; she might as well stop and get something to eat at an In and Out. As she pulls through the drive-thru, she stares at the menu for a while, until she decides on getting a veggie burger.
As (y/n) gets her food, she decides to go to her and Spencer's favourite park. The idea of going there makes her feel closer to Spencer, and at the thought of that, she gives a small but warm smile. Heading to her usual spot and getting her veggie burger out of the In and Out labelled bag, she sinks her teeth into the food as she smiles with delight from the delicious flavours she's tasting. As she is finishing eating and is only slurping what's left of her lemonade, she stares over to the playground watching the kids laugh and play. Thinking to herself that one day she will be able to bring her kid to the park where she and Spencer spent many days and nights together, whether it was them walking along the lake or gazing at the stars on a clear night, where they made the best memories. Although she knows Spencer won't respond cause he is probably busy working up a profile, she decides to send him a message and a picture to tag along, saying, Wish you could be here with me right now !!! But I know that you're out doing what you love most !!! I'll probably stop by the office to check on Penelope and see how she is doing. Haha, I can’t help there to be another motive to see Garcia and that is to see what is taking you and the team so long? but I'll see you when you get back!!! I also have a big surprise to share with you when you get back, and I know you will be thrilled. Sending the text, (y/n) lays her phone next to her and watches the family of ducks walk through the park and into the lake, thinking how adorable they are. As the sun sets, and everyone is leaving (y/n) finally decides that it is time to go home as she stands up and brushes any remaining crumbs from her dinner while she’s cleaning herself up (y/n) phone rings. As she looks down to see who was calling, she smiles to see it's Garcia.
"Hello?!,"
Garcia says as soon as (y/n) swipes on her phone to accept her call. Weird, she didn't say anything else, no happy or cheerful or even a sweet comment, just a single word.
"Hi, Garcia! Are you doing okay? You umm sound a bit off,"
little did (y/n) know that Garcia was trying to hold back her tears and stay strong for her.
"Umm (y/n), I have some concerning new that I need to tell you,"
there was a long pause before Garcia took a deep breath and continued,
"The team got into a severe car accident, and many of them are injured and in the hospital but-"
Garcia pauses while there is a moment of quiet sorrowful silence. (Y/n) heart is beating fast, she's in absolute shock, not knowing what to say or do. She just stands there helplessly in silence, breathing loud enough so that Garcia knows she's still there. (Y/n) doesn't want to think that after all that horrific news there's still more Garcia hasn't said yet. She's so worried about the next sentence that she sits back down on the freshly cut grass where it was still warm and had a slight indent from her sitting there just moments ago, full of joy and hope.
"But (y/n) S-Spencer is,"
Garcia can't hide the sob that slipped between her brightly coloured lips that had a bright shade of pink lipstick; she applied earlier in the day to surprise Morgan when he got back from his case. Garcia continued through her crying
"(y/n), Spencers in a post-traumatic coma and I'm afraid that the Doctors don't know when he will wake up again....,"
Garcia forced the words out of her even though they felt like ice cutting into her heart. She had to force them out like that, or else she wouldn't be able to tell (y/n). There was yet another long pause between them, but this one was different. Both women couldn't speak out of the shock and fear that was flowing through their bodies. They sat there in that silence until Garcia dared to ask
"(Y/n) are you okay? Please talk to me, you haven't said a single word, I'm not even sure if you're the-,” Garcia was abruptly interrupted by a sobbing and angry (y/n), she started to yell, "No, I'm not okay Garcia, in fact, I am the very opposite of okay. The father-," she couldn't stop sobbing making it hard to speak, but she was so angry, so she kept going,
"The father of my child may not ever be able to wake up again, so forgive me for not saying a word," (Y/n) doesn't know why she does it, but she hangs up. After the very second she hangs up, she hugs her arms around her knees, feeling the cold grass get wet beneath her from the mildew that had slowly snuck up as the night went on. (Y/n) then just bursts into more inconsolable sobbing, she cries so hard that she feels dangerously light-headed. The next thing she knows, her eyes are barely lifting open, but for a split second, she has them open. (Y/n) looks down to see that she is in a hospital bed before passing out.
To be Continued….
#spencerreid#spencer x reader#spencer reid x y/n#spencer reid fluff#spencer reid fanfiction#spencer reid story#spencer reid series#spencer reid self insert#criminal minds#mattewgraygubler#matthew gray gubler
8 notes
·
View notes
Text
J/H 5-02: I Can’t Quit You, Baby
This episode was always going to need some adjusting in a timeline where Zen kept going after "Jackie Bags Hyde," and it was a lot of fun to write. It's another partial script, and context should be clear on each scene for those familiar with the episode. It's also a continuation of a goal I had from the Season 4 finale - playing in more to Hyde's eventual paranoia about how committed Jackie is.
FF.Net AO3
***
INT. FORMAN BASEMENT - DAY Alone in the basement, HYDE and JACKIE lie across the couch, making out. From behind the door, in the stairwell, FEZ’s voice wafts through, singing. FEZ (v.o.): Oh, say can you see... Oh, say can you see... Hearing Fez, Hyde and Jackie freeze up. HYDE: What the hell? JACKIE: Fez! She gives him a push upright and sits up herself. They straighten out and settle on opposite ends of the couch just as Fez enters the basement. FEZ: Oh, say can you see... (beat) Wait a second. You two look sweaty and guilty. Have you been eating my candy? JACKIE: What candy? FEZ: I didn’t say candy. And I certainly don’t have any candy hidden in the garage. (beat) I will be in the garage. He turns around and heads back out the door. JACKIE: (sighs) Steven, that was way too close. You need to learn to keep your hands off me. HYDE: Me? You’re the one who can’t keep her tongue to herself. JACKIE: Look, this isn’t going to stay a secret if you can’t control yourself, so shape up. HYDE: You know what your problem is? You’re really cute, so no one ever told you to shut your pie-hole. JACKIE: (beat) You think I’m cute? HYDE: Shut your pie-hole! Insult notwithstanding, they throw themselves at each other and get back at it.
MAIN CREDITS *** EXT. BASEMENT STAIRWELL - NIGHT ERIC and DONNA, returning from the Pinciotti house, descend the stairs. Donna is still in her school uniform. ERIC: I can’t believe they’re making you wear those knee-high socks every day. He pulls a face of delight and pumps his fist. Donna shakes her head and throws open the door to: INT. FORMAN BASEMENT – NIGHT The sight of Hyde and Jackie making out on the couch. At the sound of the door opening they both look up, a pair of deer in the headlights. Eric and Donna break into matching wide-eyed grins. DONNA: What the hell? JACKIE: Oh, my God. ERIC: Oh, the humanity! DONNA: Jackie! JACKIE: (to Hyde) Get off me! She shoves him to the other end of the couch. Hyde looks over Donna’s uniform. HYDE: (to Donna) Great outfit! Eric shrugs and nods as Jackie and Donna both glare at Hyde. FADE TO BLACK COMMERCIAL BUMPER INT. FORMAN BASEMENT - NIGHT Moments later. Donna remains by the doorway, mouth hanging open. Jackie and Hyde are still on the couch. Eric paces up and down behind it. DONNA: It happened. It finally happened. ERIC: We joked. We mocked. We did all we could to make light of it, because the idea of it becoming a reality was just too horrible! He makes a show of throwing his hands to the sky. Donna is still grinning. DONNA: (to Hyde) You know, with that beard, it’s like Sabrina Duncan was Frenching Grizzly Adams. HYDE: (to Donna) Hey, Ann-Margret, you’re the one who came back from California so’s you could make out with Opie. He stands, paces behind his chair. JACKIE: (to Eric, Donna) Okay. So, you two are probably wondering what’s going on... HYDE: Hold up there, Jaq. I reserve my right to remain silent. Good cop, sexy cop here ain’t breaking me. He sits in his chair, looks up at Donna. HYDE (cont’d): Though I might have a little trouble resisting orders from that uniform. JACKIE: Yeah. Look, can we not make a big deal about this? This was just a summer fling. ERIC: (beat) “Was?” JACKIE: “Was” what? ERIC: You said “was.” “It was a summer fling.” DONNA: Wait... so does that mean it’s over now, or... Jackie’s eyes dart to Hyde, and Hyde looks to her. They both shift in their seats. ERIC/DONNA: OH!/WOW! Eric and Donna both cry out, march around in place, and pull wild, amused faces as Jackie and Hyde roll their eyes. Fez strolls in through the open door. The first thing he sees is Donna in her uniform. FEZ: (to Donna) Well, well. Naughty ladies wear plaid. DONNA: Fez, please. KELSO: That’s right. Beg for it, sexy schoolgirl. DONNA: Fez, it finally happened. FEZ: The Playboy Bunnies are coming to Point Place? DONNA: No – Jackie and Hyde! Fez considers for a second, then realizes what she means. FEZ: OH! Fez’s eyes go wide, and he beings to march in place and pull the same wild faces as Eric and Donna did. Jackie, unamused, looks to Hyde, who puts a hand over his face. ERIC: I just... I can’t – I can’t – I can’t – I can’t - HYDE: Hey, Porky Pig, shut your porker. DONNA: (to Jackie) So when you said “summer fling,” how long does that mean this has been going on? JACKIE: (sighs) Since the night you and Michael left for California. ERIC: Since the night they – what? FEZ: And you could not tell your friends? Kelso was gone, Donna was gone, I had no woman – Fez went the whole summer without a show, dammit! DONNA: (to Jackie) Were you even broken up with Kelso by then? ERIC: (gasps) Kelso! The grin slides off his face. He looks away from the others, his hands going over his mouth. HYDE: (to Eric) Settle down, Esmerelda. ERIC: Okay, just pick a name and stick to it! JACKIE: (to Donna, Fez) Look, Michael ran out on me before he even left for California. I was so over him. And... well, like you said, Donna, I was ready to find someone else. And Steven was there. FEZ: I was there too! (to Hyde) You sent me home that night, you son of a bitch! JACKIE: No Fez, I mean he’s been there. And I needed a fling, and that’s what Steven does. Even though he didn’t have his hobo-beard then. Fez and Donna, still amused, look to Hyde for his side of the story. HYDE: (shrugs) She’s hot. FEZ: Oh, please. We’ve known about you all along, Johnny Cool. Donna nods. Jackie looks to Hyde, who shrugs again. Eric crosses to the couch, leans on the back. ERIC: Hang on, guys. Now, look – joking around is one thing. Attraction is one thing, whether it’s... (points at Fez) A freaky, foreign flame... (points to Jackie) A crazy cheerleader crush... (points to Hyde) Or the unholy pull of the devil on a hellraiser. But actually dating within the group? This is not good, okay? Kelso is gonna freak out. Donna’s and Fez’s faces both fall. DONNA/FEZ: Oh, God./Ai! JACKIE: And why does Michael need to know? ERIC: Because you’re breaking up the band, Yoko! DONNA: He’s right. This is gonna be really bad. (to Jackie) I mean, when Kelso finds out that his best friend is your new boyfriend - JACKIE: He is not my boyfriend! HYDE: I’m not her boyfriend! (to Jackie) They just don’t get it. JACKIE: No, why would they? (beat) Let’s go, baby. They both stand, and she leads him out the door. Eric and Donna move to sit on the couch while Fez remains standing by the door. ERIC: Jackie and Hyde. Batman and Catwoman. James Bond and Pussy Galore’s bitchy little sister. DONNA: No, this could work out. I mean, Hyde’s been a good influence on her anyway. ERIC: Donna, he’s taught her the basics of vandalism, carjacking, and breaking and entering. DONNA: All right, so the curriculum is evil, but just the act of making her think is something. And he won’t admit it, but Jackie brings out Hyde’s soft side. This could be good. ERIC: Yeah. And, if it doesn’t work out... I mean, we’ve broken up once, and Jackie and Kelso have broken up way, way more than once and we’re all still friends. It might not be so bad. FEZ: Yes. Kelso might even be happy for them, and not do anything stupid. They all take a beat to think about that. DONNA: It’s gonna be bad. ERIC/FEZ: Oh, yeah./And how. *** INT. FORMAN BASEMENT - DAY Once Fez and KELSO are gone, Hyde gets up from his chair, snags “Rolling Stone” from the coffee table, and sits next to Jackie on the couch. Jackie leans in slightly to read over his shoulder. Eric gets off the back of the couch and moves behind Donna in the lawn chair. They both look to Jackie and Hyde and grin. Jackie and Hyde keep reading, not looking up, but Donna and Eric keep grinning. Finally, Hyde flips the magazine down in frustration. HYDE/JACKIE: Shut up! Eric and Donna giggle. DONNA: Wow. You two are already doing the couple doublespeak? It’s like Siamese twins – but, you know, no incest. ERIC: Still going with the “summer fling” story, huh? HYDE: Yes. And this is why we didn’t wanna tell you. So I fooled around with a chick. It’s what I do all the time anyway. JACKIE: Yeah. And I just needed to clear my head. I didn’t need another relationship. And, if I did, I didn’t want it to turn into Lady and the Tramp. (points at Hyde’s beard) I mean, look how scruffy that thing is! DONNA: You do know every part of that was in the past tense, right? ERIC: Oh, this is so a relationship now. HYDE: I don’t do relationships. DONNA: Well, whatever it is, if you keep it up, you should tell Kelso. ERIC: Yeah, or this is gonna get ugly. “Creature from the Black Lagoon” ugly. JACKIE: Okay, look – Michael doesn’t need to know about this, okay? In fact... we’ll just break it off right now. HYDE: (beat) Look, there’s nothing to even break off, so it’s fine by me. ERIC: (beat) Okay. DONNA: Okay. ERIC: Good. Donna, now that you’re attending Catholic school, let us go and see if one of the priests will perform an exorcism in my basement. They exit out the basement door. Hyde puts back up the magazine, but Jackie gently grabs his arm. JACKIE: Steven, I don’t want to break this off. HYDE: Hey, you’re the one who keeps calling it a summer fling. If we’re gonna break it off, let’s break it off now. JACKIE: No. (nods to door) They were right. This isn’t a fling anymore. I mean, I like how scruffy you are. HYDE: Man, you were a whole lot easier to deal with when you just sickened me like you’re supposed to. (sighs) All right, fine. Let’s just go from here. He tosses “Rolling Stone” onto the coffee table and cups Jackie’s face in his hands. JACKIE: Okay, now – what about Michael? HYDE: Details, baby, details. He pulls her in, and they start to make out.
13 notes
·
View notes
Text
.: Purrfect Anarchy: Birthday Surprise :.
It’s not unusual for Wrench to be unusual...but this is getting a little too suspicious.
The morning went off without a hitch, far as either party was concerned. Reg was cuddly and seeking kisses, I was practically a smarter log until my brain kicked into full gear... Breakfast was had and Wrench was clingy throughout.
However... Something was immediately off when plans changed on the ride to the garage. Clingy Wrench...my husband, notorious clinger and the type to be upset if he feels like he didn’t get enough cuddles...
“Are you coming or...?” I looked at him oddly, door to the truck open and peering at my masked husband with interest, a brow raised. This was...really unlike him. Usually, Wrench would hop out at the speed of sound, hurrying over to my side. Was sure like that last year, eager to get the party over with so we could get home sooner and cuddle...and other things.
He never could stop at just one thing.
“Yeah, yeah...but I have to get your gift,” he said calmly, wiggling back into the seat. There was a waver in his voice...but I decidedly allowed it, slipping out of the truck and onto the ground walking around until I was driver’s side. “So, I think Marcus is gonna take you home...or Sitara? I’m gonna be real with you, I don’t remember who I asked last night. Long as it isn’t Ray, we’re good.”
“Still bitter, huh?” I grinned when his mask when into angry down slashes. He wasn’t the only one bitter, but...
“Damn right,” he grumbled, looking around a moment before leaning out of the truck window. I went on tiptoes, arched up for the kiss he quickly put on my lips. “I’ll meet you at home.” Wait a minute-
“You’re not going to the party?”
“I can’t give away my secrets. You’ll see, promise.” He ruffled my hair, I scoffing in surprise and disgust, sticking my tongue out at him. He only laughed, slipping the mask fully back on as it recalibrated his face and the mask’s glitching settled itself. Hearts went onscreen, making my smile soften. “Ahh, there it is... Have fun, baby!! Just not too much fun.”
“I’ll try,” I joked, watching his mask flip to a wink, then back to default X’s, driving off. What a dork. Resigned to my fate with a sigh, I headed into the garage...and screeched at the sudden popping noises around me.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!”
“Holy SHIT, you guys,” I yelled, laughing as I kicked a rock T-Bone’s way. “Fuckers almost gave me a heart attack!” Once I got everything under control, I walked over and gave a hug to the closest asshole...that being Marcus. “Thanks, though. Now... What’s on the party docket?”
By the time Sitara called the craziest of the party to a chill so I could go home, there was definitely a light buzz going and so. Much. Laughter. If not for Josh and Sitara, who made sure I was balanced out with water, I probably would’ve been a mess. (Well, that and making sure I was fed. I needed a break? Quiet time with Josh.) It was definitely a party made to tailor to me down to the smallest detail.
“C’mere, you. Your husband’s done with your present,” she told me, kicking lightly at my foot.
“Ahh, hey...” I grumbled, focusing more on the fact she was wearing her sneakers and just kicked my poor, sock-clad foot. Then the message sunk in, perking up curiously. “Yeah?”
“Yeah! So let’s go!! I know he’s excited...and honestly, I am, too. He asked for my help.”
“So you know,” I pointed out, now infinitely more sober than I’d been before. What in the world did he...?
“Sure do, buuuuuuttt, I’m not telling you.” I pouted immediately, causing her to laugh, grinning back at me as she said, “Oh, c’mon, don’t make that face... Secrecy’s worth it.”
The drive back to the apartment was pretty quiet, aside from Sitara’s tunes (which...were damn good; wow) and us occasionally singing along. She dropped me off, I ditched the car fast enough to not notice it didn’t leave when I did, and hurried to the elevator, impatient to see what big gift Wrench had planned. Sitara got involved, it kinda sounded like a big deal...
The elevator couldn’t get to me fast enough, nor take me to my floor fast enough! Rushing through the doors the second they were wide enough for me to leave, bolting down the hall to our apartment, opening the door...
The first thing I saw- that caught my eye- was a cat tree in the corner of the room. It was painted over with (what I’d sure damn hope) was pet-safe paint, decorated to look like....well, DedSec’s whole aesthetic on a cat tree. My jaw had already dropped.........but it didn’t compare to the sight on the couch.
Wrench, awkward as ever without his mask, looking up at me....and holding a small kitten. They were meowing softly...and he was holding it.
Tears filled my eyes before I could even process all of this, Wrench standing up and gently handing me the kitten, letting me cradle them in my arms. This... This was huge. Wrench HATED animals. Hated them ever since I met him and probably beyond that. He never did fully elaborate, but I could guess; bad experiences with animals, time after time. Never did help that I could imagine him as that one “asshole” kid who probably bothered them too much, causing those angry reactions to his behavior...if not just the wrong animals at the wrong time for him.
He once said he’d kick a puppy and while I abhorred the thought, he at least made it known he wouldn’t....but sure as fuck wouldn’t stay anywhere near “the damn thing”. That was the best I’d ever gotten out of him previously. Again, he loathed animals.
....And here he was, handing me a kitten. That he was holding. I could only look up at him in bewilderment, tears in my eyes and slipping down my cheeks. He wiped them away quietly, before smiling a little. Soft and...nervous, but happy.
“Happy birthday, baby.”
“Reg...?”
“You always told me how much you loved cats...and I know how much they mean to you. Shit,” he laughed a little, “you based your whole damn identity after ‘em... So. While you’ve been with the group, when we went to the shelter... I was working on overcoming my fear of them. Maybe not dogs, but cats. So I can, uh... I can hold her. So we could have a cat together.” A pause. “...She’s a siamese, since...I know they’re your favorite.....”
“Reg...” I sniffled, body shaking. This....This was too much. He already gave me his damn world by marrying me and he just.... He really just worked at unlearning his fear and hatred of animals....for me? Of cats, so we could have one together...? “Th-Thank you....so much...”
“It’s no problem, kitten.” He laughed softly, stepping closer to kiss my forehead. Tilting my head up so he could kiss me proper. “I’m just glad you love your present. That it was all worth it.” (Oh.....fuck, there went my heart again.) “Got a name in mind?”
“Not yet,” I admitted, laughing. “You kinda sprung her on me, so.... This is a big ol’ surprise. I’ll figure it out before today ends, though. Promise.”
“Sounds good,” he agreed, grin growing on his face. “So... Wanna play with this pussy?” I gasped, shoving at his arm, making him laugh.
“REG!!!! Nooooo, don’t be like that!!!”
“It’s so funny, though!!” He retorted, rushing off with laughter following him, all the way to the kitchen...and brought out a bag of what seemed to be cat toys. “I, uh... Employed Josh’s help with this one. Group project. I got the kitten, everyone else pitched in a little.”
“Josh literally got me a whole new boombox. Are you telling me you swindled those poor shits into getting two gifts for me when you got one?”
“Hey, hey....” He raised a hand, walking back over and setting the bag on the ground. “I’m always your birthday present. And I unlearned some things, so you basically got THREE gifts from me.”
“Three? I counted four.”
“...Four?” Wrench’s brows furrowed, as I grinned, setting the kitten down and carefully walking over, grabbing him by the hoodie and tugging him down so I could kiss him. Didn’t take him another moment to hold onto me, smiling into the kiss... Laughing breathlessly when I pulled away. “...Alright. That’s fair. Four presents... I spoil you, huh?”
“I’ve been spoiling you since the day we met,” I teased, pressing my forehead to his. “It balances out.”
“Mmm, fair enough...” An odd, wiggly weight on my shoe reminded me of the kitten, who apparently was deadset on attacking my shoe. I looked at the sight and burst into giggles, shaking my head.
“Alright, more importantly...let’s get this kitty entertained. Shoes are not for playing!”
“Toys it is!” Wrench announced to nobody in particular, sitting down and digging into the bag, pulling out each toy as I carefully removed the baby from my shoe, and walked back to the doorway, toeing them off as I eyed Wrench and the kitten. He was pouting a little in thought, unsure of what to do...but when the kitten picked for him- pouncing on the feather toy- he laughed and went with it, picking it up and wiggling it around. Bells and feathers clanging, making the kitten go absolutely nuts with excitement.
...I’d missed this. Having a cat...but this? All of this, in all of it’s contextual glory? It could really bring me to tears all over again.
I went back to our growing family with a smile, ready to get into shenanigans...and teach Reg about catnip. (Oh, he was so going to get a kick out of “cat drugs.”)
Tagging: @supernatural-cats-nonsense and @robotarmjokes
#Aki Stories#self insert#self ship#self insert community#self ship community#otp; purrfect anarchy#Birthday Time#HERE'S A FIC#I ACTUALLY CRIED WHILE WRITING THIS THANK U#anyways!!!!#WE OFFICIALLY HAVE A FAMILY NOW#AIN'T THIS CRAZY???
18 notes
·
View notes
Text
There’s Something About Mrs. Kendall, Part 1
“That will be $142.50 today, Ma’am,” a middle-aged female voice said from the other side of the counter.
“Not as bad as I thought,” Mrs. Kendall replied.
She signed the credit card slip.
“I’ll be back next week to get the others taken care of,” she said. “Could I make the appointment now?”
“Sure,” the clerk said. “How many are you bringing in?”
“I’ve got four fur babies next week,” she said with a smile.
“Okay, I’ve got you down for 1:30 next Tuesday.”
“Thanks,” Mrs. Kendall said, bending down to pick up a pet crate, which contained three cats, a Siamese, an orange Maine Coon, and a smoky gray longhair.
She threw a smile at the clerk and turned to leave. But the vet clerk chuckled.
“See you next Tuesday, Ma’am” she said with a laugh.
Mrs. Kendall knew what this meant, but chose not to react. She was aware of her reputation, both as a “crazy cat lady” and as a crazy religious fanatic who belonged to a church that picketed the funerals of soldiers and desecrated Jewish graves with spray-painted swastikas.
As to the former, she was guilty as charged. The latter was unfortunately guilt by association. There was not a hateful bone in Mrs. Kendall’s body. Not one grain of her DNA hated black people or believed gay people should be put to death in accordance with the “good book.” Sadly, the same was not true of the remainder of her family, infamous and notorious, even in this small conservative town, where MAGA hats were worn openly and with pride.
Though it had been nearly 16 years since her family’s church had been run out of town, she was still unable to shake the horrible stigma of her last name.
At 62, she was healthy, never smoked a day in her life. In fact, the only tenet of her family’s belief system she shared was a distaste for tobacco and other substances. An active senior, she was semi-retired, though this was not entirely by choice. Finding an employer willing to give her a job in this town was a challenge. So she drove for Uber and Lyft to support herself and her 13 cats.
This meant she had ample contact with millennials, many too young to remember why she was so shunned by the people of her town. In fact, most of the few people she was on decent terms with were in excess of 30 years younger than she was.
She put the pet carrier in the back seat, then got into the driver’s seat and prepared to head home. Turning on the radio, she flipped through the several country stations, right-wing talk radio, and Christian radio stations that saturated the airwaves. Nothing was appealing.
Suddenly, her phone sounded the tone of the Uber app.
“Should I take this one?” she asked herself.
“Fuck it,” she decided, “I need the money.”
Moments later, she arrived at a 7 Eleven, where a teenage boy waved her down.
The boy was dressed in a black motorcycle jacket and tight faded and worn blue jeans. He wore a pair of sunglasses, even though it was overcast on this day. He was thin and stood about 5’ 7”. He was holding a backpack. She guessed he was maybe 14 years old.
“Did you call for an Uber?” she asked.
“That would be me,” the boy replied, his voice all but confirming her suspicion about his age.
“You have to be 18 to use the app,” she said.
The boy took off his sunglasses and looked at her with pouting blue eyes.
“Oh come on,” he said. “I’ve really got to get to Game Stop.”
Mrs. Kendall deliberated.
Then she pulled out her phone and declined the fare.
“Hop in,” she said. “You’ll want to ride in front. I’ve got my babies in the back.”
The boy got into her car and shut the door.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Kendall,” he said.
“How do you know my name?” she asked.
“Uhh...I think everybody knows your name,” he said.
“So how old are you?” she asked.
“15,” he said. “But I’ll be 16 next month. And I’ll have my license.”
She looked over at him and smiled, empathizing with his desire for independence.
“I’m getting a bike,” he said.
“Interesting,” she said. “Well, you look the part.”
Silence fell over the two and the boy began to jam to a song that was apparently playing in his head. Mrs. Kendall looked over at him and smiled.
“Sorry,” he said.
They came to a stop light next to the strip mall where Game Stop was located.
“Umm,” the boy said, “You think there’s one more favor I can ask?”
“Okay?” Mrs. Kendall replied.
“Wait for me at Game Stop,” he said. “When I’m done, I’ll give you some money. Think you can go to that smoke shop and buy me a pack of smokes?”
Mrs. Kendall balked.
“No way,” she said flatly.
“I’ll give you 20 bucks,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll come out of Game Stop with a hundred.”
“Maybe you didn’t understand me,” she said. “I’m not buying cigarettes for a 15-year-old.”
“Buy me two and I’ll give you 40,” he said.
She looked over at the gorgeous blue eyes staring dotingly at her. Of course, she knew she was being manipulated. Nevertheless, in the moment, her resolve began to break. After all, this was not her son. She wasn’t responsible for his well-being.
And 40 bucks was 40 bucks.
She drove into the parking lot at Game Stop.
“Hurry up,” she said, still not committing to commit the crime of purchasing tobacco for a minor. But clearly the boy had reason to feel optomisitc.
About 20 minutes later, the boy emerged from Game Stop, with the beaming, happy-go-lucky face replaced with one of disappointment.
He opened the car door and handed her a $10 bill.
“Thanks for the ride,” he said.
As he shut the door and prepared to walk away, she rolled down the window.
“Wait...what happened?” she asked.
“They only bought one of my games,” he said. “Sucks.”
He smiled.
“Was worth a try, right?” he said.
She hated herself for what she did next.
“Get back in the car,” she said. “Where’s the smoke shop?”
Without hesitation, he opened the door and got back in the car.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Kendall,” he said, his face returning to the bright and innocent, yet clearly manipulative smile he had presented before.
She drove him to the shopping center where the smoke shop was located and pulled into the Subway parking, at the opposite end of the strip mall from the smoke shop. This was so that the person behind the counter wouldn’t ask to see the ID of her passenger, as many smoke shops and liquor stores tended to do.
This meant placing an enormous amount of blind trust in a manipulative teenage boy she had met a only half hour before-- she trusted him not only with her unattended car, but also her three cats in the back seat. She was stepping so far outside of herself and her own series of actions stunned her.
But there was something about this kid. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but somehow she knew she could trust him. Even though she didn’t even know his name yet.
She walked into the smoke shop and stepped up to the counter. She had never been in such a place before. She had no reason to.
“Two packs of Newports?” she nervously asked the clerk.
“Shorts or hundreds?” the clerk asked.
Trying to conceal the deer-in-the-headlights look on her face, she smiled at him.
“Shorts,” she said decisively, figuring it might be preferred by novice smokers like the 15-year-old outside waiting in her car.
The clerk grabbed two green packs of Newports from the rack behind the counter. But before he could ring up the sale...
“Do you mind if I see your ID, Ma’am?” The clerk said.
“Excuse me?” Mrs. Kendall said.
“It’s the law,” he said. “We’ve got to card everybody.”
Mrs. Kendall wanted to laugh. If only he knew...
Moments later, she stepped outside to the sound of loud country music blasting from her car. The boy sitting in the passenger seat with the window rolled down had the seat reclined and his feet on her dash, but quickly took them down once he noticed her.
She shot him a disapproving glare as she approached the car.
“Looks like you’ve made yourself real comfortable,” she said, handing him the two packs of cigarettes.
She got back in the car and immediately turned off the radio and then glared at him.
“I hope you know I’ve just committed a felony,” she said.
He smiled back at her as he tore open the pack.
“Actually it’s only a misdemeanor,” he said. “And that’s only if I tell anyone where I got these...which, of course, I have no intention of doing.”
Mrs. Kendall shook her head.
How? How did she let herself get talked into all of this?
“I promise I’ll make it up to you. If you need any yard work done...anything. I’m good for it,” he said.
“Actually,” she said. “I’m pretty sure I can find lots of things that need to be done.”
“By the way,” she asked, “What’s your name?”
He pulled out a fresh Newport from the pack and smiled back at her.
“Justin,” he said, his cigarette bobbing up and down as it dangled from his lips.
“Not in my car!” she said.
He pulled the cigarette from his lips.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know...”
Did he seriously think he could just light up in somebody’s car? What century did he think he was being raised in? Mrs. Kendall obviously grew up during a time when virtually every 15-year-old smoked cigarettes and nobody ever asked “Do you mind if I smoke?”. But that was so many years ago.
“Alright,” she said. “Go ahead.”
“You sure?” he asked.
“Just keep the window rolled down,” she requested.
With that, Justin placed his cigarette back in his mouth, cupped his hands over it like a pro, and fired up his lighter.
Through the corner of her eye, Mrs. Kendall saw a stream of smoke emerge from the boy’s mouth as soon as it was lit. An inexperienced smoker he was not.
He pulled the cigarette from his mouth and blew a cloud out the window, in an effort to comply with Mrs. Kendall’s wishes. But that didn’t stop it from blowing right back inside-- right into Mrs. Kendall’s face.
She turned to him and gave him a very stern look of disapproval. But he just smiled back at her, his eyes concealed by his shades.
At that moment, something clicked. Mrs. Kendall couldn’t figure it out. But seeing Justin sitting next to her, dressed up in a motorcycle jacket, wearing a pair of shades, and chilling with a cigarette stirred up an image she was strangely drawn to....
...But then the thought vanished completely from her mind. She could not allow her mind to go where she was afraid it wanted to go.
“Sorry,” he said.
“Why are you smoking?” she asked. “I thought vaping was the thing these days.”
“I used to vape,” Justin said. “But cigarettes are easier to come by and don’t need as much maintenance.”
“I mean,” he continued. “I’m gonna quit when I’m 20.”
Mrs. Kendall laughed.
“Why 20?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” Justin said. “Seems like a good age.”
“You going to college, the military…?”
“I don’t know,” Justin replied. “Haven’t really thought too much about it. Right now I just want to get my bike, get a job, you know...”
“Doesn’t the job come before the bike?” Mrs. Kendall asked.
“The bike is my birthday present,” he said.
Obviously, Justin doesn’t come from a poor family, she thought.
Justin continued to smoke, taking deep inhales and measured exhales, just like a person who had been smoking for years would do. In fact, he had not been smoking for that long. He received his training through vaping. He took bigger drags in an effort to match the smoke output from vaping. Consequently, he reeked of smoke most of the time. This begged a very obvious question.
“Do your parents know you smoke?” Mrs. Kendall asked.
“Yeah,” he said. “They don’t allow it in the house and they won’t buy my cigarettes.”
“Well,” Mrs. Kendall said, “Good for them.”
Justin took one final huge drag from his cigarette before tossing the butt out the window. As he exhaled the final cloud of smoke, he rolled the window up, trapping the majority of it in the car.
“Roll it down,” Mrs. Kendall ordered. “Let my car air out first before you roll it back up.”
“Okay,” Justin said, rolling the window back down.
He pulled out another cigarette and lit up. The rolled-down window gave him another opportunity to have another one, so why not?
Mrs. Kendall, for her part, did not complain. She watched him torch up his lighter in the corner of her eye, this time with interest. And the first though that came to her mind was, why can’t this kid just be 20 years older?
But that was as far as she was going to let that thought go.
Despite her infamous family history, Mrs. Kendall was not a religious person. But after everything she did today, she was sure she was going to hell.
And so began an interesting friendship.
15 notes
·
View notes
Text
Magic and Miracles Chapter 2
Woohoo! Since Tumblr keeps being awesome and keeping this under a cut, I’m gonna keep going. I would like to first, apologize to Toni Mahfud for using his likeness for Andrew Izunia, Ardyn’s son. I wanted a guy who was so RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING, the kind of hot everyone questions their sexuality when faced with that because they’re so ridiculously hot and good looking, people suddenly don’t care that you’ve turned into a monster. Not saying Toni is, I’m sure he’s awesome in person, this is just for a fanfic. I just felt the need to say that.
So as always here’s the AO3 link, chapter 1 here and chapter 2 below.
Magic and Miracles
Chapter 2
The Ulric siblings had gotten up earlier than they normally would have. Their parents had left for work and it was up to them to get the house as clean as possible for their company. Nyx spent a considerable amount of time on his own room. Just in case Luna should venture in it. He practically displayed his art supplies. Luna had adored the little picture Nyx had drawn her earlier in the week. Nyx had wanted to draw her something else but wasn’t quite sure what to draw her.
Unknown to Nyx, Selena had seen Luna write poetry on the back of the little drawing. What the picture itself had inspired from her. Luna had taped it into her journal and would often turn to it and smile appreciatively at it. Luna had wanted to reciprocate but had little idea of how.
Luna spared a glance to the back seat where a crock pot was bundled along with a container of sandwiches. She had requested to bring lunch, because she did love to cook after all. She had worried about what to make them. So she went safe with a beef stew she had made from scratch, and brownies, chewy fudgy ones that had caramel swirls in them and were always a favorite whenever she had made them before. The weather was still quite chilly so she imagined that they would stay indoors. Selena had said something about playing video games. Ravus liked to play video games but they were always single player and he wasn’t too keen on showing her how to play them himself so Luna’s familiarity with them was a bit limited.
Luna called Selena to tell her she was only a few minutes away and Nyx and Selena got their shoes on to help bring in the food.
“You made it!” Selena cheered as she opened the front door.
“Finally, I may have taken two wrong turns, I suck at directions,” Luna admitted as she got out and gave Selena a hug since she was the first one out to greet her. Luna then opened her back seat and handed Selena the pan of brownies.
“These smell so good!” Selena praised as she held them closer to her face and breathed in deeply.
“Thank you,” Luna smiled before Nyx came over himself. “What can I bring in?” Nyx asked before Luna turned to him, she was wearing makeup again, goodness gracious were her eyes the most stunning ice blue. Nyx tried not to stare at her but then she walked in front of him and he could smell her perfume on the breeze, it was similar to the one she had worn earlier in the week but not the same, still smelled divine though. She had her hair braided in the front so that it looked like she was wearing a head band while the rest of her hair was pulled into a clip in the back. It was a good look.
“The crock pot,” Luna suggested as she went around the car to unbuckle the crock pot, finding the handles from underneath the towel she had used to swaddle it. “Please, please don’t drop it.” Luna pleaded like the crock pot was a baby.
“I won’t,” Nyx assured her as he walked back to the house with it securely in his arms. Luna smiled and went back around and gathered her other container of sandwiches and a small cloth grocery bag that had her sandwich sauces before she locked the car and followed Nyx into the house.
“Thank you so much for inviting me,” Luna thanked them as she wiped her feet on the mat inside the door and handed her things to Selena, who had already put the brownies into the kitchen, to hold while Luna took her shoes off. “Thank you for bringing lunch,” Selena mirrored.
“I just hope you like it,” Luna laughed nervously as she took her coat off and hung it on the coat hooks along the wall by the front door, not really realizing she had hung her coat over Nyx’s. But Nyx was not about to tell her that, he hoped that some of her perfume would permeate his coat.
“Oh I’m sure it’s fine, the way Luche went on, you would think you were a gourmet chef.” Selena flattered.
“Yeah that’s what I’m afraid of, not meeting such high expectations.” Luna muttered as she set everything out as Selena and Nyx got dishes and silverware out and set the table. There was a whine at the back door that made Luna’s head snap toward the sound.
“Do you guys have a dog?” Luna asked excitedly.
“Yeah, he’s a rescue,” Selena explained.
“But we are keeping him in the backyard because he is a shameless beggar and jumps up on people.” Nyx explained.
“Oh, I don’t mind, I have two dogs myself, and Ravus has a cat. What kind of dog is it?” Luna asked.
“Pit bull mix,” Selena informed her, half expecting Luna’s eyes to widen. Pit bulls didn’t have the greatest of reputations.
“Aww, I love pit bulls! They are just really big muscle-y marshmallow babies! I know lots of pit bulls and they are the sweetest dogs,” Luna gushed.
“Well after lunch, we’ll let him in.” Nyx grinned.
They sat and ate and Luna could tell that Nyx didn’t love the sandwich, he ate all of it though so as to not offend her. He loved the stew though and was already on his second bowl of it.
“Not your cup of tea?” Luna guessed.
“What?” Nyx asked, his spoon almost to his lips.
“The sandwich,” Luna specified. “It’s ok, I’m not offended or hurt or anything if you didn’t like it.” Luna assured him.
“No, it was fine,” Nyx tried to smooth over. “It wasn’t my favorite sandwich, but it wasn’t bad.” Nyx insisted.
“Ok,” Luna nodded before Selena and Luna broke into the pan of brownies.
“What piece do you want?” Luna asked as she got Selena an edge piece.
“Don’t care,” Nyx shook his head.
“Corner,” Selena specified.
“More or less caramel?” Luna asked as she pointed to different corners.
“More,” Nyx answered sheepishly and watched with eager eyes as the caramel stretched from piece of brownie that was lifted from the pan to a plate. His stomach suddenly found an empty pocket to stow it away into.
“Thank you,” Nyx smiled as Luna handed the plate to him. He moved his bowl of stew over slightly to center the plate in front of him, picking up the strand of caramel and putting it into his mouth. It was sublime and decadent. He picked up the brownie and took a bite. It was just...so damn good. Luna could tell by the expression on his face that he loved it. Nyx tried his hardest not to moan, he tried, and failed.
Thankfully Selena moaned louder than he did to help mask the sound.
“OH. MY. GOD.” Selena said over her mouthful of the treat. “How?! How did you make this? What kind of dark forbidden magic did you practice to make this?” Selena asked as she tried to slowly enjoy and savor it. “It’s so good,” Selena made a show of pretending to cry that made Luna laugh as she ate it.
“I just want to inhale the pan, inject this into my veins, like between my toes, I would walk across broken glass,” Selena went on. “Lord have mercy,” Selena shook her head as she finished the rest of her piece in one bite before getting another.
“I second all of that,” Nyx agreed.
“Yay! I’m so happy you guys like it,” Luna cheered.
“No, not like, love,” Nyx quickly insisted while his brain added ‘you’ in his head as he got up another paper towel to wipe his face before he poured himself the largest cup of milk he could find, gulping it down to help cut the richness of it. Luna couldn’t help but stare at his throat, watching his Adams apple bob with every swallow while not so innocent thoughts suddenly popped into her head. Selena saw this and simply smiled wider as she took another bite of her second brownie before getting Nyx to get her and Luna their own cups of milk too.
Nyx got them their cups of milk, his fingers grazing Luna’s as he did so, before he got himself another piece of brownie. “I need the recipe, if you’re ok with sharing it,” Nyx insisted as he took his seat back at the table.
“I would be more than happy to share it,” Luna agreed before going to her purse to get her journal, flipping toward the back to find an empty page before pulling up the recipe on her phone to copy it down for him. Nyx noticed his picture that he had drawn for her in her notebook and couldn’t help but smile when he saw it. She liked it enough to keep it in her journal, now he really had to draw her something else.
Luna carefully ripped the page out and handed it Nyx.
“Did you want a copy too?” Luna asked Selena.
“No, that’s ok, I love to eat food, not really into making it though, Nyx, however, he is all about that, everything he cooks is good.” Selena praised.
“Not this good,” Nyx argued as he took another bite of brownie.
“Practice and the proper tools.” Luna countered as she finished her own piece of brownie.
“So what kind of dogs do you have?” Selena asked, changing the subject.
“Oh I have a husky/Spitz mix named Pryna and an Alaskan Malamute mix named Umbra and even through they are both fixed/neutered, they are madly in love. Both of them are rescues too.” Luna answered as she pulled up pictures on her phone of her dogs to show them. “And then Ravus has a Persian long haired Siamese cat named Duchess. She is beautiful, she knows it too,” Luna laughed as she swiped through her photo gallery to find a picture of the cat too.
“Aww, they do look madly in love,” Selena fawned when she saw pictures of the dogs. “Wow she is pretty,” Selena complimented when she saw the picture of Ravus’ cat.
“I’ll let Charlie in,” Nyx said as he got up and opened the back door.
“Hi Charlie!” Luna greeted excitedly to the large dog that came barreling into the house. Charlie’s tail wagged so hard his whole body shook as he greeted Luna, he jumped up to put his front legs on her lap and licked her face as she pet him. “Oh it’s so nice to meet you too! Who’s been a good boy? Huh? Who’s been a boy?” Luna cooed to the dog as she scratched behind his ears and gave him a hug.
“Charlie, down,” Selena laughed.
“Oh it’s fine,” Luna waved off as she continued to pet Charlie enthusiastically as Charlie began to sniff Luna. “You smell my babies? Huh?” Luna laughed as she began to give Charlie butt scratches.
“So what were the plans for today?” Luna asked as she continued to pet Charlie who had calmed down considerably under Luna’s affection. Instantly falling in love with her.
“Well we have a Wii,” Selena offered. “Awesome,” Luna smiled as they got up and put their dishes in the sink before going back to the living room.
“You know how to play?” Selena asked.
“Yeah, well sort of, I don’t have one but my friend Rachel does,” Luna answered as she was given a Wii remote and made her little avatar before they chose Mario Cart.
“Oh you bastard,” Selena laughed when Nyx chose rainbow road and chose Yoshi.
“I get Toad,” Selena chose.
“Princess Peach please and thank you,” Luna giggled before they started the race.
“Cheater!” Selena accused as Nyx cut her off and sent a turtle her way, causing her to crash.
“I got you girl.” Luna soothed as she got a blue spiked turtle and sent it Nyx’s way.
Nyx however slowed down and let himself be passed by one of the other racers so that the blue spiked turtle hit it instead.
“Oh, you tricky...” Luna trailed off as she bumped him with her hip in retaliation since they were all standing in front of the TV.
“Hey! Personal fowl.” Nyx laughed as he sped off into the lead with the help of a star.
“Unsportsmanlike like conduct!” Luna countered with a hearty laugh of her own.
“Hey all is fair in love and war and racing sweetheart.” Nyx crooned. “Maybe if you guys weren’t such sore...” Nyx started before Luna passed him in a corner and placed a banana in his path which he slipped on.
“Losers!” Nyx yelled before he growled in frustration as he tried to catch up with everyone with Selena and Luna cackling evilly.
“Get it, get it!” Luna cheered as Selena almost crossed the finish line before Nyx fired a turtle at Selena. But Luna, making the self sacrificing play, swerved behind Selena to intercept so Selena could win. “Yes! In your face bro!” Selena cheered as she did a victory dance with Luna. “Thank you for saving me back there,” Selena thanked Luna.
“You’re welcome,” Luna smiled victoriously.
“Best two out of three,” Nyx requested.
“Now who’s a sore looser?” Selena stuck her tongue out at her brother.
They continued to play, loosing count of who won or lost until Nyx’s phone rang.
“Yeah,” Nyx answered as he tried to talk on the phone and play at the same time.
Selena and Luna paused the game so Nyx could concentrate on his conversation. “Yeah man, let me make sure it’s ok, call you back.” Nyx said before ending the conversation.
“You guys ok if the gang comes over?” Nyx asked Selena and Luna.
“Um, who’s all in the gang?” Luna asked cautiously.
“Oh it’s just Libertus, Crowe and Pelna,” Nyx answered and mirrored her smile of relief when he didn’t say Luche’s name.
“Oh, yeah, that’s fine with me.” Luna nodded her agreement with that.
“The more the merrier, ooh, Luna have you ever played Cards Against Humanity?” Selena asked.
“No,” Luna shook her head.
“Ever played Apples to Apples?” Selena asked Luna.
“Yes,” Luna nodded.
“Same thing, only for the morally ambiguous person, like Apples to Apples- South Park and Family Guy edition,” Selena tried to explain.
“Ooh, yeah sounds fun,” Luna nodded.
“Ok, but just to warn you, there’s a bunch of swearing.” Selena warned.
“Ok,” Luna nodded in understanding.
“Tell Libertus to bring Cards Against Humanity.” Selena told Nyx.
“Well mom and dad haven’t signed off yet,” Nyx reminded her as he called his dad. “Hey Dad? Is it ok if my friends come over? They said they would chip in for pizza.” Nyx asked and waited for a reply. “Ok, yeah, uh huh, ok, bye.” Nyx finished before he hung up and called his mom. “Hi Mom, how’s your day going?” Nyx asked sweetly. “So, Libertus called and him and Crowe and Pelna wanted to come over and we would get pizza, is that ok?” Nyx asked. “Thanks mom, love you, bye.”
“I better call my mom and tell her I’ll be staying longer,” Luna said as she retreated to the kitchen to call her mom, still being relieved that she didn’t hear Luche’s name. Because if she had she may have bolted.
“Hi Mom,” Luna chirped. “Yes, everything is going great, um so I’m having a really great time, could I stay longer? They’re talking about getting a pizza for dinner,” Luna requested. “Yes I promise to be safe, ten o’clock, got it.” Luna assured her mom. “Thank you thank you thank you, love you bye.” Luna bid her mom goodbye before coming back into the living room.
“I have to be home by ten,” Luna informed them.
“Sweet!” Selena cheered.
Nyx grinned as he called Libertus back. “Hey man, yeah, it’s ok, come on over, Selena requests you bring Cards Against Humanity again.” Nyx grinned, chancing a look at his sister before looking away as Libertus continued to talk. “We’ll talk about it when you get here,” Nyx suggested before he hung up.
Nyx and Selena sat on the couch with Luna between them with Charlie sprawled out across all of their laps as they watched TV waiting for everyone else to join them. While Nyx inwardly debated if he should make a move or not. Now that they were alone save for Selena, it was ideally the perfect time but he was feeling so insecure again and his insecurity zapped his courage.
“So what’s Ravus up to?” Selena asked casually, recalling how Ravus seemed particularly nice to her last night, nicer to her than he was to his own sister and was almost charming, but that didn’t sit well with her. The way he treated his sister bothered her deeply and she found she had no respect for him because while he looked handsome, his personality was hideous so far.
“Ravus invited his own friends over today so it really worked out that I could come here.” Luna answered.
“Do you not like his friends?” Selena inquired.
“Um, most of them are ok, a few of them, make me feel very uneasy, like I don’t think they would try and pull anything just...” Luna trailed off.
“So your brother still hangs out with them even though they give you the heebie jeebies?” Selena asked with another disgusted frown.
“Yup because ‘they are his friends and he’s not going to stop hanging out with them just because I’m overly sensitive and misconstrue everything’,” Luna recounted as she rolled her eyes and sighed.
Nyx frowned at that and leaned forward to look at Selena. “Selena, if any of my friends ever, in the slightest, make you feel uncomfortable in any way, tell me and I will stop being their friend for one and two make sure they never come near you.” Nyx insisted.
“I know,” Selena smiled appreciatively. “I’m sorry you don’t have a brother like mine,” Selena said to Luna as she rested her head on Luna’s shoulder. Luna smiled and rested her head on Selena’s.
“Me too, could I borrow him from time to time?” Luna joked.
“Anytime,” Nyx answered. “I’m serious, if you ever find yourself in that situation or whatever, call me,” Nyx insisted.
“Thank you,” Luna smiled appreciatively in turn as she almost asked him out already because she was trying to give him time to ask her out but she felt like their window of opportunity was starting to close.
But just then- Libertus, Crowe and Pelna came through the door. After eating pizza and devouring the rest of the brownies, they decided to play the notorious game.
“So you’ve never played this?” Crowe asked of Luna as Nyx dealt out the white cards and Luna shook her head ‘no’.
“No, I have never even heard of it until this afternoon but Selena gave me the run down.” Luna answered as she picked up her cards that were dealt her. “Oh. My. God. What?!” Luna stared at her cards as she tried not to burst out laughing. “Oh Jesus,” Luna snickered as she looked through her cards. “What the hell?” Luna laughed, finally succumbing to her laughter.
“We haven’t even started to play,” Libertous laughed along with her.
“I know, it’s just, wow,” Luna replied before looking at Selena. “You were not kidding,” Luna said, trying to stifle her laughter and try to regain her composure.
“Ok the first card is, drum roll please,” Nyx announced as he picked up a black card as they drum rolled on the empty pizza boxes. “Why won’t you make love to me anymore? Is it- blank?” Nyx asked as he laid the card down face up so everyone could see it.
Luna bit her bottom lip as she looked from one card to the other before picking one and laying it face down on top of the other cards that the others had tossed in.
Nyx smiled as he leaned forward and shuffled the cards before reading them out loud. “Is it...Sudden penis loss?” Nyx read as everyone started laughing. “Is it..Unsheathing my massive horse cock. Hey man, it can’t be helped.” Nyx remarked wryly as everyone continued to laugh.
“A My Little Pony toy horse kind of cock,” Libertous teased which only earned more laughter.
“Fuck you dude,” Nyx teased with a laugh back before he continued to read on. “Is it...setting my balls on fire and cartwheeling to Ohio? That’s just painful,” Nyx remarked. “Is it rabies?” Nyx laughed. “Yeah man I would think so. Or lastly, Crying and shitting and eating spaghetti?” Nyx and everyone roared with laughter. “Wow, ugh, it’s a tie between- Crying and shitting and eating spaghetti and my massive horse cock, I’m going to go with horse cock.” Nyx decided.
“Thank you,” Luna laughed as she took the black card from the middle and placed it in front of her crossed legs.
“That was your card?” Pelna asked, astonished.
“Yeah,” Luna giggled before it was her turn since she was sitting right next to him and they were going clock wise.
“Ok, so- Come to Dubai, where you can relax in our world famous spas, experience the nightlife or simply enjoy- blank-by the poolside.” Luna read off as she laid the card down and eagerly awaited the group’s answers.
“Everyone put in a card?” Luna asked as she took the cards and haphazardly tried to shuffle them before she cleared her throat. “Ah, hem. Come to Dubai where you can relax in our world famous spas, experience the nightlife, or simply enjoy..throwing stones at a man until he dies.” Luna read off with a light chuckle. “Well you’re not wrong,” Luna grimaced. “Enjoy..breast feeding a ten year old.” Luna laughed, scrunching her nose up in such a cute way as she heartily laughed. “Oh dear god, ok, enjoy...cute boys, yeah, I do like to people watch, next, enjoy...peeing into a girl’s butt to make a baby.” Luna squealed with laughter, as she leaned back but lost her balance and fell back, continuing to hold herself as she rocked with laughter as Nyx and Selena tried to help her sit up again as everyone laughed too. “Shit, that was good.” Luna wiped a tear from her eyes. “Or, enjoy...two whales fucking the shit out of each other.” Luna roared with laughter, laughing so hard she couldn’t breathe, she just convulsed, her mouth open wide as tiny squeaks and huffs of air managed to escape her before she squealed and snorted causing everyone to erupt in harder laughter as Luna went into a full blown giggle fit as she fell over again. “The last one,” Luna managed to get out as managed to try to regain a normal breathing rhythm but was having a really hard time doing so. She crawled over to her purse and got out her inhaler.
“You ok?” Selena asked, worried once she saw the inhaler. Luna nodded yes as she took a puff from it and tried to hold her breath to let the medicine get into her lungs before exhaling out of her nose and crawled back to the group, inhaler in hand.
“I haven’t laughed this hard in years,” Luna admitted as she wiped the tears from her eyes, in an effort to keep her mascara and eyeliner from running as she settled down.
“You have asthma?” Nyx asked, concerned for her despite laughing along with her. “Sort of, not bad, just enough to be inconvenienced.” Luna waived off before she sniffed and wiped at her nose, blood appearing on her hand. “Damn it,” Luna groaned as more blood started to come out of her nose.
“Come on,” Selena urged as she got up and helped Luna get to her feet as the two girls made it to the bathroom only to have laughter spring forth from their location a few moments later.
“I dare you to go out like that,” Selena joked.
Selena came out with Luna following her with twisted toilet paper coming out of her nose.
“Look I’m a walrus!” Luna joked as she clapped her hands together like they were flippers which only got the group to laugh more.
Luna sat back down next to Nyx crossing he legs again but sticking her tongue out to move one of her ‘tusks’ with the tip of her tongue. “Hell of an oral fixation right?” Luna joked, looking toward Nyx who blushed crimson as she did it again as everyone continued to laugh.
The group of them continued to play until Luna hit 10 black cards, Nyx was in second with 9 with the rest of them having various numbers of them.
“Beginners luck,” Libertus gently teased.
“How about a round of truth or dare?” Crowe instigated, wanting to get to know Luna better herself.
“You mean interrogation or humiliation?” Luna rephrased with a smile. “Yeah sure,” Luna shrugged from her spot.
“Ok, Luna, truth or dare,” Crowe posed.
“Truth,” Luna chose.
“How flexible are you?” Crowe asked. “Cause I’ve seen you do the splits in gym and good night nurse, I wish I was that limber.” Crowe explained.
“Me too,” Libertus agreed with a shit eating grin as his arm hung around Crowe’s shoulders.
“You jerk,” Crowe swatted playfully at his chest.
“You love me anyway,” Libertus pointed out.
“Besides the point.” Crowe rolled her eyes but a smile still placed firmly on her own lips.
“This feels more like a dare.” Luna grinned. “But ok, so,” Luna stood and stood next to the couch, holding onto it for balance as she leaned over to the side and lifted her leg until her toes were pointing at the ceiling before stretching further. Everyone’s eyes went wide as their jaws dropped.
“That’s just unnatural,” Selena grimaced in pain as she brought her knees to her chest before Luna returned to a standing position.
“Yeah most ballerina’s can do that though,” Luna shrugged as she sat back down in the circle.
Luna enjoyed herself as she sat and listened and watched as the others were dared or had to tell the truth before it was her turn again.
“Truth.” Luna chose.
“What is the pettiest thing you’ve ever done.” Selena asked.
Luna laughed at the question. “I paid $100 to a doorman to not let my ex into a club he had waited for four hours to try and get into.” Luna answered.
“This sounds like a hell of a story,” Selena prodded.
“Oh it is.” Luna grinned victoriously.
“I dare you to tell the story,” Crowe challenged.
“Ok, fine. If I tell this, you all have to swear on your lives that you will not breathe a word of this to anyone, it does not leave this room got it? Pinky promise? Ok, so my ex was really into all things French, which I am French on my father’s side of the family and so for like the two months we dated, I made only French food, got a beret which I don’t look good in hats but whatever. So for his birthday I decided I was going to give him the time of his life, so I made plans for us to go to a really upscale French restaurant and a club that he had been dying to go to and then give him his real present on the way home if you know what I mean. And so I got hooker heels, like five inch stiletto leather boots, black fish nets, a black leather mini skirt, the whole nine yards, because for one night, I’ll be his edgy French dominatrix, because that was his fantasy. I got tips and tricks from a Dom I know and strip tease lessons and lap dance lessons choreographed to Partition by Beyonce from a dance instructor who used to be an exotic dancer, which to this day I can’t listen to that song without getting...emotional...so anyway. So I did all of this work and I have this whole night planned as a big surprise and he dumps me, the day before, for a French runway model. So I, instead of canceling everything like a sane person, I decide, fuck it, I’m just going to have dinner and go to the club with my best friend Noctis because Andrew was always so jealous and super possessive and Noctis would never make things romantic or uncomfortable and we would just hang out for the night and go dancing and it would be great. Now I did not wear the outfit I was going to wear for my ex but I did wear this red silk number that had everyone staring, including my ex because he tried to get into the club that night but because he didn’t have reservations or me to get him in- he was having trouble getting in. So I paid the door man $100 to not let him in either because I’m petty.” Luna explained. “But on the plus side I became really good friends with the girl who gave me the lessons.” Luna shrugged.
Everyone had to pick up their jaws from the floor. Nyx having to do so the most because HOLY SHIT that blew his mind, she came off as this sweet innocent ‘pure’ girl and he...he loved this about her? And was delighted by it. Like it was thrilling, truly, and his brain gave him image after image of her in this notorious outfit and he instantly had a boner which wasn’t noticeable thanks to his baggy jeans that were currently pulled taught because he was sitting cross legged too.
“Damn girl,” Crowe said as she raised a hand to give Luna a high five. “Go big or go home,” Crowe congratulated.
“I’ll bet he was sorry he dumped you.” Selena concluded.
Luna shook her head no. “Not that I’ve seen, well, when he’s sober, he acts like it was no big deal and that he’s better off without me and has said...as much…” Luna delicately explained with a very pained expression as she recalled how brutal he had been, that had everyone looking at her with sympathy. “When he’s drunk, which, is often, it’s the opposite. Although I’m quite happy and relieved that he did dump me and I do my best to stay as far away from him as I can be.” Luna professed.
“How long ago was this?” Nyx asked as he realized that must have done a real number on her and that he realized he would need to be careful with her and around her. She would need him to be if he was going to be in her life.
“Only like, a couple of months ago, closer to three months. We only dated for the beginning of summer just May and June.” Luna answered. “So, I guess fairly recently.” Luna shrugged as she tried to stamp down and push out of her mind all the memories of the horrific experience before Selena quickly changed the subject and they continued to play for a little bit before Luna had to go home.
“Thank you for inviting me over today.” Luna said as Selena and Nyx helped her put her things back into her car.
“Thanks for coming and bringing lunch, we need to hang out again soon.” Selena smiled.
“Agreed, I have a performance next Saturday though,” Luna sighed.
“Ooh, could I come?” Selena asked.
“Sure, it’s at the Performing Arts Center, it’s at 4pm,” Luna explained.
“Can I come too?” Nyx asked hopefully.
“Of course,” Luna smiled excitedly.
“How much is it to go?” Selena inquired.
“Oh, don’t worry about it, you’ll be coming as my guests, it’ll be free.” Luna assured them. “Just um, kind of dress up? Not like formal formal, not like tuxes but just nice dress clothes?” Luna shrugged.
“I think we can manage that.” Selena smiled.
“Ok, I gotta go before I break curfew.” Luna said as she gave Selena a parting hug before giving Nyx one as well even though part of her was screaming at her to just kiss him already. “Thanks again for tonight, it was awesome.” Luna repeated before she got in her car. Both Selena and Nyx waited outside to make sure Luna’s car started and waived as she drove away, Luna waiving happily as she left.
“She’s so nice,” Selena smiled as she turned and walked back into the house. “And hot,” Selena added giving Nyx a look over her shoulder. “Go ahead, disagree with me, I dare you.” Selena winked as she laughed as the two walked back into the house where Libertus, Crowe and Pelna had stayed behind with giddy smiles since they had watched the interaction from behind the blinds.
“Dude!” The trio cheered.
“Shh,” Nyx shushed as he pointed to ceiling where his parents had already gone to bed with one hand while he gestured at his own throat making a cutting motion.
“She likes you!” Libertus insisted but Nyx gave him an unsure look.
“She shoved you every time you won a black card, she kept touching your arm, and your knee and when she laughed she leaned your way.” Crowe pointed out as she counted on her fingers.
“She likes you, I’ve been trying all week to gently nudge her your way.” Selena revealed.
“So what’s holding you back from pulling the trigger?” Pelna asked.
“We just met! This is the first time we’ve hung out, I want to give her a chance to get to know me and maybe I want to get to know her more too?” Nyx reasoned.
“If you don’t pull the trigger, Luche will,” Pelna pointed out. “He’s been trying to buddy up to her and her brother all week, I mean, he’s hanging with her brother, as we speak.” Pelna explained.
“How do you know that?” Libertus asked.
Pelna gave him an unimpressed look as he pulled out his phone and showed all the pictures Luche had been sending him.
“Wow, they have a really nice house.” Crowe assessed.
“Luche says that they have a game room/den, that’s where they are spending the evening. That game room has a bar too.” Pelna informed them.
“Great,” Crowe droll-ed sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.
“He says the place is a palace, they have an indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs and tennis courts and shit.” Pelna went on.
Nyx hung his head, feeling completely out of her league. There was no way he could ever give her any of that if they had a romantic relationship with a realistic future.
Luna came home and saw the cars parked along the sides of her driveway, mentally putting names and faces to the cars as she put together who was in her home. She saw two cars she didn’t recognize but one looked oddly familiar but she couldn’t place where she had seen it. Luna shrugged it off as she parked in the garage and came into the house, Pryna and Umbra eagerly waiting by the door for her.
“I’m home,” Luna called out to Ravus, knowing her mother had mostly likely already gone to bed before stopping to let Pryna and Umbra sniff at her legs and her hands and every surface Charlie had touched. “Oh I know, I pet another dog other than you,” Luna cooed as she knelt down to pet them and give them forehead kisses.
“Den!” Ravus called back as he noted the time on the phone.
“K!” Luna called back as she put her purse down before she went back out and got her things from the car, Pryna and Umbra on her heels.
“Need some help?” Craig asked as the portly fellow suddenly appeared in the door way, taking up most of it with his towering frame.
“Yes, thank you,” Luna smiled as she waved him over. Being relieved it was him. Craig was the only friend Ravus had that Luna was friends with too. Because he was practically a big teddy bear and was a general sweetheart and had always been nice and sweet and respectful to her.
“How have you been?” Craig asked as he took the now empty but clean crock pot from Luna, nearly tripping over her dogs as he did so.
“Good, you?” Luna asked as she got the rest of her things.
“Fine, I got a new car,” Craig smiled.
“Oh yeah? Was it the black BMW or the black Mercedes?” Luna smiled as she followed him into the house, shutting the garage door and door to the garage as they stepped inside.
“The black BMW,” Craig grinned.
“Nice, moving up in the world.” Luna appraised as they made their way to the kitchen.
“So who have you spent the evening with?” Craig asked curiously, having thought she would have hung out with them but was relieved she wasn’t home because of Ravus’ other ‘company’.
“Oh, new friends I’ve made at Lucis High, Selena, who’s a junior like me, her big brother Nyx who’s a senior and his friends, Libertus, his girlfriend Crowe, isn’t that a cool name for a girl? And Pelna.” Luna listed off.
“Cool,” Craig nodded in approval.
“We actually played Cards Against Humanity, it was so funny, I laughed so hard I went into an asthmatic attack, thankfully I had my inhaler, but after I used it, I got a bloody nose so then I did the ‘walrus’ and they thought that was funny, so yeah I had a great time.” Luna smiled fondly.
“It’s great to hear that.” Craig smiled, genuinely happy to hear she was happy and doing better. “So what can you tell me about Luche?” Craig asked as he folded his arms and leaned against the counter next to her. Luna mirrored his actions as she racked her brain to think of what she could answer with.
“Oh, um, Luche and Ravus are in the same AP courses, I think they bonded, might have a bromance going. He’s nice, he’s on the same football team that Nyx- Nyx is the quarterback, Libertus is a linebacker/guard, Luche is a running..back? No, he’s a wide receiver, I think that’s the term oh and get this, Crowe, Libertus’ girlfriend, is a running back, Lucis has three girls on the football team, it’s awesome. You remember my friend Noctis and his friend Gladio right? Gladio is a linebacker/guard too so they all play sports. Luche’s really good, I saw him play last night.” Luna informed him.
“Awesome.” Craig nodded.
“So you both have football in common.” Luna shrugged. “He’s been “pursuing” me awfully hard.” Luna muttered lowly under her breath with an eye roll and a huff and that got Craig to bark a laugh.
“What?” Luna asked as she turned to look at him curiously.
“I’m just really happy you can see that. He’s been asking me about you for most of the night. He’s really interested in you.” Craig informed her.
“Well it’s not mutual.” Luna assured him with an adamant shake of her head.
“Good,” Craig nodded as he felt his own hopes soar. Having had a crush on Luna himself for years but always being too timid to say anything or make a move. Hoping that if he just befriended her that their friendship would someday grow into something more one day.
“Luna! Grab me another two liter of Coke!” Ravus requested from the den.
Luna and Craig both rolled their eyes.
“Like he can’t get up and get it himself.” Luna muttered as she went to the pantry to grab another 2 liter of the beverage.
“Let me take it to him,” Craig said as he moved away from the counter.
“Nah, it’s fine,” Luna waived off.
“But-” Craig tried to argue but Luna was already walking quickly toward the den. Craig hung his head in defeat as he walked behind her.
Luna walked down the hall to the den and saw Andrew among Ravus’ friends and froze, her eyes going wide as she found herself barely breathing. Having avoided him for the last few months after the last ‘incident’.
“Ravus?” Luna called out, only halfway down the hall.
“What?” Ravus answered from his spot on the couch.
“You have two hands and two feet, you come get this,” Luna requested. But when Ravus got close she could smell the booze on him as she watched him stagger a little. Which meant he was drunk.
“You’ve been drinking,” Luna remarked as she handed the bottle to him in the middle of the hall.
“And you’re judgmental,” Ravus countered irritably as Craig passed them to sit with the rest of the group.
“I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just...” Luna began to stutter before lowering her voice. “Why is Andrew here?” Luna whispered angrily.
“You need to get over it,” Ravus reprimanded her. “Seriously, you guys broke up like months ago, he’s still my friend, so stop over reacting and treating him like he has the plague every time he just happens to look in your direction. Everyone is staying over, but we’ll all be on this end of the house, so you’ll be fine.” Ravus defended before turning away from her and rejoining his friends.
Luna clenched her jaw and tried to take a cleansing breath but when she opened her eyes. She saw Andrew staring at her, looking her up and down like he used to, like he was undressing her with his eyes and that same smug half cocked smirk he always had when he drank and Luna felt her stomach churn. She turned on her heel and marched back to the kitchen. She paced a little as she tried to come to grips with the situation and the possible variables as Pryna and Umbra laid down on the mat in front of the sink.
“Hey Luche,” Luna called out again, remembering that she saw his car in her driveway.
“Yes?” Luche answered.
“Could you help me open this jar?” Luna asked, figuring that was a safe way to get Luche away from the rest of them so as not to cause suspicion as she went to the fridge and got a jar of jelly out.
“Sure,” Luche agreed as he joined her in the kitchen.
“Thank you,” Luna thanked him before re-tightening the lid herself and put the jar back in the fridge.
“Why...” Luche began before Luna cut him off.
“Listen, Luche, I’m going to ask you a question and I need you to tell me the truth, has Andrew been drinking tonight?” Luna whispered.
“Yeah, we all have,” Luche answered slowly.
“Ok, I need you to keep an eye on Andrew for me and keep him away from me, ok? Andrew is my ex and he can become a very...dangerous person when he drinks and he’s vindictive and spiteful even when he doesn’t drink, I just, make sure he doesn’t sneak away, especially in my direction, run interference for me, please Luche, please,” Luna pleaded quietly as she took his hands into her own and squeezed them anxiously, hoping the physical contact would induce Luche to do as she asked.
“Absolutely, I won’t let him out of my sight.” Luche agreed instantly as he realized how genuinely scared, not scared, terrified, she was and started to worry about her as he realized the golden opportunity he had just been given, he could be the hero and save her from her ex. Something he could definitely do for her. This would prove to her once and for all how much he liked her and if he could do this for her, she would give him a chance and he would win her over.
“Thank you,” Luna smiled feeling some relief in that but the anxiousness still wouldn’t leave her.
She went back into her room, Pryna and Umbra joining her, laying down on their shared bed and watched as she paced.
‘Shit, shit shit’, Luna thought to herself as tried to think of anything else she could do before a thought dawned on her. She got her phone from her pocket and called Selena.
“You make it home ok?” Selena asked from her bed when she saw it was Luna calling. The rest of their friends had already left so that the Ulric siblings could get to bed at a decent hour.
“Yeah, um, it’s just that,” Luna stuttered as she fought to control the anxiety whirling in her chest.
“Luna, are you ok?” Selena asked, sensing something was very wrong.
“No,” Luna shook her head as she continued to pace her room.
“What’s going on, talk to me,” Selena urged.
“I’m scared, my ex, Andrew is here and I’m freaking out,” Luna blurted.
“Ok, how can I help?” Selena asked.
“I need to ask a favor of Nyx but I wanted to run it by you and tell me if it’s crazy.” Luna suggested.
“I’m all ears.” Selena told her.
“Ok, so Andrew has been drinking and he’s...he can be really dangerous when he does. Luche is here also and he said he would run interference but I don’t know if it’s going to be enough. Do you think it would be ok to ask if Nyx could come and spend the night, with me, in my room, pretend to be my boyfriend because Andrew will leave me alone because he’s a douche who won’t respect my boundaries but might respect another guy’s’.” Luna requested.
“Absolutely,” Selena nodded as she jumped out of bed and marched to Nyx’s room, knocking quickly and forcefully as she did so.
“Yeah?” Nyx answered from his bed, taking his hand from his cock, having been trying to jack off to a fantasy of Luna, irritated by the interruption.
“I need to come in, Luna is in trouble,” Selena said through the door.
“It’s open,” Nyx said as he instantly sat up in bed and wiped his hand off on his bedding and pulled his pajama bottoms up to further conceal it.
“Here, she’s on the phone, she’s freaking out, like almost panic attack, you need to go spend the night at her house,” Selena said as she turned on the light and thrust her phone into Nyx’s hands as she went to his closet and began packing an overnight bag for him.
“Luna?” Nyx asked as put the phone to his ear as he swung his legs to the side to set his feet on the floor.
“Nyx, oh thank God, I know it’s late, I’m really sorry to bother you but I need the biggest of favors. My ex, Andrew is here, he’s at my house and he’s staying the night apparently with the rest of Ravus’ friends, and he’s been drinking and I don’t have the safest of locks on my door and I don’t trust him to stay away from me and my brother keeps telling me not to worry and Luche is here and he said he would run interference but I am still scared, I’m scared it won’t be enough. Will you please come over, please, normally I would call Noctis but the last time Andrew was like this and saw Noctis it got ugly. Please Nyx, please,” Luna pleaded, tears escaping her eyes.
“What’s your address?” Nyx asked as he went to his desk and got a pen and paper as Luna gave him the address and directions to her house.
“I have one more favor to ask you,” Luna requested, biting her nails nervously. “Name it,” Nyx answered.
“When you get here, I’m going to kiss you, I need you to kiss me back and make it look real and authentic, I need you to act like you’re my very steady boyfriend ok? Andrew might respect that kind of boundary.” Luna asked, her features blushing hard.
“Yup, got it, understood,” Nyx agreed with a gulp as he tripped over himself again and wanted to face palm himself. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Nyx assured her.
“Thank you, I owe you, see you soon, bye.” Luna breathed before she hung up and breathed out slow and measured as the anxiety finally started to leave her. She would be ok, Nyx would be here soon and she would be safe. She got dressed in her pajamas before she put her clothes back on over them and put a robe on over those as well and got her room and bathroom ready for a guest. She sprayed Febreeze on most of the carpet and furniture as she picked up her room, making sure it was clean and orderly before her own company came.
She left her room to see Andrew coming down the hall but Luche was only a few strides behind him. Luna still froze at the sight of Andrew.
“Mon Cherie,” Andrew greeted smoothly as he strode over to her purposefully caging her with his body as he put a hand on her door behind her.
“Hi,” Luna greeted back with a forced calmness before looking up over Andrew’s shoulder at Luche as she grasped the door handle to her room, ready to open it and unleash Pryna and Umbra on Andrew if he touched her again.
“You lost?” Luche asked Andrew as Luche came up behind him with his arms crossed over his chest and a determined stare.
“Just looking for another bathroom.” Andrew answered, his nerve temporarily faltering as he stepped away from Luna.
“Right back here,” Luche directed as he pointed to the door behind him. Andrew glowered but turned and went to the bathroom.
‘Thank you,’ Luna mouthed to Luche once Andrew turned away from her. Luche winked at her once Andrew passed him.
Once the bathroom door shut Luna blew out a breath of relief and opened her bedroom door to let Umbra and Pryna out again. “Bed time guys,” Luna urged them before they trotted back to their food and water bowls in the kitchen.
“See what I mean?” Luna whispered to Luche as they walked back out of the hallway.
“You weren’t kidding,” Luche shook his head, sad that he hadn’t been just a few seconds quicker coming to her rescue. He had wanted to make sure Andrew had come nowhere near her and he didn’t quite succeed and he inwardly berated himself for it.
“So I called Selena and Nyx is coming over and posing as my boyfriend, so just, go along with it ok?” Luna requested softly as they walked to the front door.
“...ok...I could have done that, posed as your boyfriend I mean,” Luche offered.
“Aww, thank you, that’s so sweet, but it’s ok, so keep doing what you’re doing, you’re doing great, thank you so much I owe you big.” Luna smiled appreciatively before Luche’s cell phone rang.
“Speak of the devil,” Luche said into his phone.
“Is Luna with you?” Nyx asked as he drove over to Luna’s house.
“Yep, she’s right next to me, we’re hanging out by her front door, waiting for you apparently.” Luche answered as he spared a glance at Luna who was looking at him curiously.
“So she told you?” Nyx concluded.
“Dude, I caught the guy cornering her outside her own room which is like on the other end of the house that everyone else is hanging out in, real creeper,” Luche informed Nyx.
Nyx’s features flashed rage as his foot dug into the gas pedal. “I’ll be there as fast as I can. GPS says 10 more minutes, I’ll see if I can make it in 5.” Nyx said as he passed a car.
“Tell him to be careful and don’t get a ticket.” Luna cautioned softly as she went and sat down at the bench by the door.
“Luna said to be careful and don’t get a ticket.” Luche repeated as he took a seat next to her on the bench.
“I will do my best,” Nyx grinned. “Don’t leave her side.” Nyx urged Luche.
“I won’t.” Luche assured him. “See ya when you get here,” Luche said before he hung up.
“Thank you,” Luna said, squeezing Luche’s other hand that wasn’t around his phone.
“No problem,” Luche grinned as he squeezed back, opting to hold her hand.
“What are you two doing?” Andrew asked as he walked past them and stopped once he saw the two. Luna instantly pulled her hand out of Luche’s to fold them in her lap as she sat up straighter and more rigidly. Her whole body becoming tense.
“Waiting on her boyfriend.” Luche answered evenly before Pryna and Umbra came back, both sitting in front of Luna and keeping their eyes on Andrew, the way they had been doing all night.
“You got a new boyfriend?” Andrew asked Luna, his eyes narrowing a bit.
“Yeah, he’s a good friend of mine, captain and quarterback of the same football team I’m on, hell of a guy,” Luche answered for Luna so she didn’t have to, keeping his focus on Andrew even though, in his peripheral vision, could see Luna smiling proudly at him which only made him smirk.
“Huh, I’m going to have to meet him then,” Andrew said as he came forward and sat in a chair opposite of them. Luche and Andrew had a stare off as Luna found refuge in her phone, going through her social media feeds as they waited in awkward silence.
True to Nyx’s best estimate, he was there within 6 minutes. Luna practically jumped up and went to the door, staring out of the glass on the side of the door as she eagerly awaited for him to walk up to the front door. Pryna and Umbra mirroring her as they cautiously wagged their tails. “Excited to see Nyx too?” Luna cooed to her dogs. “Nyx is awesome isn’t he, we like Nyx, yes we do.” Luna continued to baby talk to her dogs before their tails began to wag more.
“There’s my knight in shining armor!” Luna greeted excitedly as she opened the door wide, revealing Luche right behind her and Andrew right behind him as Pryna and Umbra went out to greet Nyx.
“Hey Pryna, Umbra,” Nyx greeted, thankful he had remembered their names. Pryna and Umbra wagged their tails some more, giving him a few curious sniffs before sniffing at the grass to relieve themselves.
“Sorry it took so long Princess,” Nyx smiled as he carried a duffle bag in one hand as he walked up the steps to her front door. Luna couldn’t wait for him to cross the threshold, she took the few steps that separated Nyx from herself and met him halfway there. She stood on her tip toes and kissed him firmly. Nyx dropped his duffle bag and framed her face with his hands as he kissed her back as she held onto him desperately. Something they both had been dreaming about all week but now that it was happening, they found themselves wishing it was for completely different reasons.
“My hero,” Luna grinned up at him as she sighed partly in happiness, partly in relief.
Nyx smiled in turn, giving her another quick kiss before leaning over and picking up his dis-guarded bag as Luna stole into his side and placed his arm securely over her shoulders.
“Andrew, meet my boyfriend Nyx,” Luna introduced proudly as Pryna and Umbra passed them to go back into the house and back to her room.
Andrew tried and failed to keep his disdain out of his expression as he gave Nyx a once over. “Hey man,” Andrew finally greeted as he held out a hand for Nyx to shake.
“Hey,” Nyx nodded as Luna took his duffle bag from him so he could shake Andrew’s hand so Nyx didn’t have to take his arm off her shoulders.
The two shared a forceful handshake, both partly trying to break the other’s hand in the hand shake.
Andrew turned his attention and said something to Luna in French that had Luna staring at him in outraged shock as her cheeks flushed even more than they were.
Luche didn’t know much French but he got the gist of what Andrew had said and glared at Andrew who only smirked in response.
Luche fished his wallet out of his pocket, pulling out two condoms and handing them to Nyx. “I only have two, they might be too tight a fit though.” Luche said as he passed them to Nyx who had to take his arm from around Luna’s shoulders to take them.
“Thanks, I brought plenty,” Nyx replied with a grin, catching onto Luche’s heavy hint as he put them into his pocket.
Luna smiled victoriously and handed Nyx his bag back before she led him to her room.
Once inside her room Luna locked the door and hugged Nyx as tight as she could. “Thank you, thank you so much for coming,” Luna murmured into his chest. Nyx hugged her back, just as tightly. This poor girl, the lengths she just went through to keep distance from her ex. He must have been a real asshole. But he was happy to have her in his arms again. A place he felt keenly that Luna should always be.
Luna smiled before she pulled away and took her robe off and carefully let it pile up on the floor. “Oh and Pryna is the white beauty and Umbra is the mostly black handsome man,” Luna clarified as she continued to arrange her robe on the floor.
“What are you doing?” Nyx asked as she then took her shirt off, revealing her pajama top underneath as she carefully placed the shirt on the floor.
“Making it look like you’ve been undressing me,” Luna answered as she stood in front of him and took off her jeans, making them pool at her ankles before stepping out of them. She went over to her dresser and pulled out a black lace thong and a matching black lace bra and strategically placed them on the floor as well.
“If you wouldn’t mind, could you do the same to your clothes, you can change into pajamas in my bathroom.” Luna suggested as she motioned to the door to her bathroom.
“Wait, why are you doing all this?” Nyx asked as he gestured to her clothes on the floor.
“Because, the last time this happened, I had Noctis come and Andrew broke into my room in the middle of the night in a drunken rage and when he saw that Noctis and I had no sign of being intimate he accused me of...just really horrible things and it just got ugly.” Luna explained, pained by the memory as she pulled out one of the hideaway bed underneath her own, on the other side of her bed that couldn’t be seen from the door that she had used for sleepovers and went to the other closet in her room where extra bedding was stored as she made the bed for Nyx.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Nyx countered as he dropped his bag to the floor, holding his hands out in a stopping motion. “This is your house, this is your room. It should be the one place you feel safe and secure and no one should have access to this space without your permission and consent. If he so much as touches that door I will kick his ass into next year and he will need an ambulance by the time I’m done with him. This is ridiculous! Your brother needs to step up and never let this guy within two thousand yards of the house, you should get a restraining order, you should not, under any circumstances feel like you need to do any of this just to keep him away!” Nyx protested as he gathered her clothes off the floor and handed them back to her. “I’ll still stay in here with you and I’ll play along out there but it has to stop somewhere.” Nyx insisted.
Luna blinked at him in surprise before dropping her clothes and hugging him fiercely again, crying into his chest. Nyx held onto her again, even though he wanted to kick Ravus’ and Andrew’s asses. He felt so sorry for this girl in his arms, crying into his chest and holding onto him so tightly, that it was getting a little hard to breathe. Nyx wrapped one arm securely around her and stroked her hair with the other. Soothing her the best way he knew how.
“You’re right, you’re absolutely right, but I can’t...” Luna sniffled into his chest. “I can’t make Ravus see that. It’s like he can’t look at anything outside of himself anymore.” Luna revealed.
“Well I’m going to have to make him see it then,” Nyx replied.
“No, not tonight, he’s been drinking and it’ll just make things worse,” Luna pulled back so she could look into his eyes as she shook her head adamantly and clung to his shirt, tears welling up and streaming from her eyes. “Tomorrow when he’s sober and Andrew has already left,” Luna suggested. “I just don’t want another confrontation. Not right now,” Luna pleaded.
“Ok,” Nyx allowed. Luna tucked her head back down into his chest and they held onto each other as Luna slowly regained her composure and she basked in the feeling that because he was here, she would be safe, he would keep her safe. It was going to be ok.
“Not exactly how you planned on spending your Saturday night huh?” Luna mumbled into his shirt, a small smirk on her lips.
“No, but I’m glad I’m here.” Nyx allowed a small, gentle smile to grace his lips, his head still to top of hers as he started to worry about what Andrew must have done to her to make her this way and instantly knew he had a mortal enemy in Andrew and while Nyx and Luche had been discretely competing for Luna, at least Luche was still cool enough to have his back and come through for Luna.
“Me too.” Luna whispered softly before she was able to pull herself back together and regain her composure.
Nyx unpacked his things from his bag that his sister had packed as Luna continued to get ready for bed in her bathroom. He looked around at the room, looking at the white walls, white carpet with all kinds of art, mostly watercolor paintings all over the walls before he saw that she had an art corner by her bay window in her room that also had a bench and several cushions and pillows that Nyx imagined she read in and the thought made him smile softly. She also had giant windows that currently had the shades drawn on and several skylights in the room as well. She had a regular desk that he assumed was for homework with a closed laptop on the surface against one of the other walls and her own mini living room in her room. She also had a vanity by the bathroom, half of which was covered with perfumes and lotions and a few makeup bags. He saw the keyboard with a bench on the other side of the bay window. Her room was freaking huge, it felt like three times the size of his living room. He then noticed her book shelf that took up the corner on the other side of her art corner by the bay window and walked over to it curiously. He turned his head to the side to read the spines of the books. A lot of them were about psychology, which would explain how she had managed to win at Cards Against Humanity, a book about reading people’s handwriting, medicine, sports medicine, massage, physical therapy, holistic medicine, essential oils. Then an entire shelf dedicated to cook books then a whole shelf dedicated romance novels, the science of sex and attraction and poetry. Nyx shook his head at the romance novels but tried to take a note of the other books. But then a whole shelf dedicated to art books. He looked closer, smiling appreciatively at the different ones.
“You can you look at any of those if you want.” Luna offered from the doorway to her bathroom, still rubbing in her nightly moisturizer as she walked over and took her favorite one off the shelf and handed it to him. He could see from the paint stained fingerprints on the cover and on most of the pages she must have used this as a reference.
“Did you remember a charger?” Luna asked as she went to her bed and plugged her phone in. “I don’t think I did.” Nyx shook his head as he looked up and noticed when she had turned around that her hair was down, the hair towards her face was in waves while the hair in the back was slightly curled from being twisted into the clip. Goodness was it pretty.
“That’s ok, I have extras, I-phone or Android?” Luna asked as she opened her bedside dresser drawer.
“Android.” Nyx answered.
“My kind of guy,” Luna grinned as she pulled out a spare charger and plugged it into the wall for him. “I should probably warn you, I do talk in my sleep so if that freaks you out, I’m sorry.” Luna informed him as she got into bed.
“I snore,” Nyx shrugged as he closed the book and put it back on the shelf and walked over to the light switch to turn the lights off.
“I won’t notice, I listen to music as I fall asleep, helps me have lucid dreams,” Luna smiled softly as she put one earbud into her ear.
“Does that really work?” Nyx asked curiously as he plugged in his phone and got into the hideaway bed that was next to hers and noticed that it was way more comfortable than even his own bed at home.
“Sometimes, I have really, really intense dreams so when they are good, they are spectacular, when they are bad, they are...brutal and horrific and make me never want to sleep again.” Luna revealed lowly.
“I’m sorry about the latter.” Nyx grimaced.
“Well, you’re here, so I should be just fine,” Luna assured him as she settled into her bed further.
“Nice nightlights,” Nyx smiled as he saw a few of them in her room, one by the bedroom door and one by her bathroom door which was on the side of the room he was on, his bed coming between her bed and the bathroom and then another on the side of the room where the mini living room was, along with the moonlight coming in from the skylights.
“Thank you,” Luna smiled in the darkness, at least he didn’t tease her or make fun of her for being afraid of the dark. “Although, if you prefer to have less light I have a sleeping mask you could borrow.” Luna added.
“Nah, I’m good, good night Luna,” Nyx bid her as he rolled away from her and tried to fall asleep, even though his body begged for rest but his brain told him to stay awake to stand watch over her.
“Goodnight Nyx, thank you again for coming.” Luna replied softly as she rolled away from him in turn and selected her sleep music playlist.
It had to be the middle of the night when he woke up to the sound of her moaning and suddenly his dick sprang to life. ‘Go. Away.’ He inwardly told it and rolled onto his stomach, hoping that with sad thoughts he could make his erection go away. Luna gasped softly in her sleep as she rolled onto her back as she sighed happily. Nyx buried his face into his pillow as he ground his pelvis into the bed, halfheartedly hoping she would stop soon while his imagination was set to record any sound that escaped her to fuel future fantasies.
Her breathing changed, got more labored as little cries of ecstasy escaped her lips as her hands clawed at the bedding as she writhed, fisting them before letting out a silent scream as her whole body tensed. Soon however her body slacked and her breathing soon returned to normal.
Nyx, for all of his self control, couldn’t help but watch, lifting his head and looking at her face, grateful for the soft light that had been emitted from those blessed night lights and skylights. His eyes had adjusted and witnessed the tortured bliss on her face, had seen her hands squeeze the bedding and had watched her writhe in bliss. God help him.
Nyx huffed in defeat and carefully and silently got out of bed and found refuge in her bathroom, carefully shutting the door and being ever so relieved to see she had a night light in there too so he didn’t have to turn a light on and risk waking her up. He took a seat on her toilet seat and pulled out his aching shaft from his pajama bottoms and boxers.
He closed his eyes as his imagination went into overdrive. He imagined Luna in that outfit she had described earlier in the night, imagining the sharp contrast of black leather and fishnets against the paleness of her skin. Her bright, ice blue eyes staring into him as he would put his hands on her thighs, feel the fishnets snag just a tad on the calluses of his hands as he felt the heat of her skin beneath his palms as he would slide his hands up those scorching hot legs of hers. He fantasized that those fishnets would only go thigh high. His hands would go to her ass squeezing the bare flesh he found there as Luna would strip for him. What he would give to tease her, to see that pretty mouth of hers hang open as she panted and moaned as she would spread her legs wide on his lap, revealing everything to him. He fantasized what shade of peachy pink her feminine lips would be, if past experience had taught him anything it was that a girls lips on her face tended to be the same shade as her nipples and her clitoris, nature was funny like that sometimes. He would delve into those folds with his hands as he made out with her. Then when he had her on the brink of release he would pull his hand away, watch her lips pout as she begged for more. Then he would ease her down onto his shaft and watch as he filled her. Watch her head lull back and her mouth open wide as another moan came from her throat. She would ride him, as hard as she wanted to as he held her close, capturing her pulse points on that regal column of her neck with his mouth, biting and sucking until she was bruised all over, claiming her as his for everyone to see. She would start to pant as she got closer. She would start calling out his name as a prayer as she clung to him. His hands would roam her, squeezing her breasts, giving her amazing cleavage before pulling at them and rolling her nipples between his fingertips, what a beautiful contrast they would be to the rest of her flower petal soft skin, a real feast for the eyes. He would try to suck on them as she continued to ride him. She would be so wet because he would make god damn sure she was good and aroused. His hands would go to her hips, helping her, guiding her as she would rock back and forth against him, feeling slick walls start to constrict around him as her cries grew louder as she got closer. She would hang onto his shoulders and the back of his neck for balance, her fingertips digging into the flesh there as her face would wear that beautiful tortured bliss expression again. He had almost forgotten how amazing it was to watch a girl orgasm, to come apart and back together again, to be given the highest of joys and ecstasies. And the satisfaction of knowing that he was the one to give that to her, to make her feel that way if she wanted it was the best kind of natural high. He wanted her, in every way she would have him.
He blew out a shaky breath as he finally came himself. His semen rocketed out of cock and splashed all over the marble floors of her bathroom. He cleaned himself and the floor up, chancing a flush of the toilet with the soiled toilet paper and washed his hands of any evidence of his actions. He was drying his hands when he heard her gasp again, but this one, while soft, was not like her gasps before, there was an edge to it, a hiss to it, like she was in pain.
He opened the door to see her facing the bathroom, her face twisted into a pained expression.
“No,” Luna muttered.
Nyx took one step toward her and she curled in on herself. “Andrew, no!” Luna whispered harshly. Nyx froze in position as his eyes left her to scan the room, making sure Andrew was not in fact there. His eyes quickly traveled to her door and made sure it had stayed locked. His ears strained in the silence, listening for breathing, for movement of any kind other than Luna’s.
Luna’s wrists came together and went above her head, like they had been tied together before she started to silently scream again. She was having a nightmare. She kicked the covers off as she kicked wildly as she continued to silently scream.
Nyx’s heart twisted painfully as he crossed the room in an instant and fell to his knees on the hideaway bed as he knelt next to her bed and grabbed her by the arms, bringing them back down from above her head as he tried to gently shake her awake.
“Luna,” Nyx whispered softly. “Luna wake up,” Nyx urged.
Luna tried to fight him off before her eyes snapped open as she sat up in bed, gasping for air as she clawed at her wrists, scratching them in the process before she realized she was awake and safe and sound in her own room.
“You ok there?” Nyx asked softly, still on his knees on the side of her bed as he gently rubbed soothing soft circles into her back as she caught her breath.
Luna turned to him and flung herself at him and clung to him before practically dragging him back down to the hideaway bed.
“Oh-ok,” Nyx muttered as he laid there awkwardly, not quite sure what to do. Luna, for her part had already mostly fallen back asleep.
Nyx took a deep breath and squirmed to bring his arm up and lifted her head slightly to push his arm through the space under her neck and adjust their now shared pillow before reaching up with his foot and hooked her blanket with it to bring it down since they were laying on top of his and managed to cover them both with it before resting his other arm in the crook of her waist. He couldn’t help but gaze down at her beautiful face and smiled bittersweet-ly as she seemed to be at peace now. His eyes drew heavier and heavier as he slowly blinked at her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, his lips lingering there before finally succumbing to sleep himself.
Luna awoke in the morning, feeling at peace as she could feel a pair of strong arms around her as one of her own arms wrapped around someone in turn. Luna frowned as she realized that there should not have been a pair of arms around her and she shouldn’t be holding onto anyone. She opened her eyes and saw Nyx’s chest and recognized that it was the same shirt he had worn to bed last night, and then looked up curiously to see Nyx’s neck, then that glorious jaw of his, then finally his handsome, peaceful, restful face and could not stop the smile that played on her lips as memories of the night before began to wash into her mind. She had dreamed of him, dreamed of Nyx making love to her and it had been AWESOME. Oh god then she had a nightmare, of Andrew, he had managed to tie her up and was torturing Nyx before coming back to her and she was fighting him off then she remembered that she had woken up from said nightmare, gasping in a cold sweat, and...and Nyx had been there, he had been awake, he...had he tried to wake her up? Bless his soul if he had. She remembered practically gluing herself to him and feeling so much relief, comfort, peace and a deep sense of safety when she did. She must have fallen asleep that way. She noted her blanket laying over them and figured she must have dragged it down with her. For Nyx to make such a big deal about consent and personal space, she sure did invade his personal space a lot, with or without his consent. She would have to apologize for that when he woke up. She should be withdrawing from him, she should...but she couldn’t. She just couldn’t bring herself to pull away from him. Heaven help her.
Soon however she could sense him wake up. But still, she did not move. Instead she stayed still and let him wake up.
“Good morning,” She greeted in a voice so small she couldn’t quite believe her own ears.
“Morning,” Nyx groaned sleepily as he pulled his arm away, that had had been resting on her waist, his hand splayed possessively and protectively on her back, to roll onto his back and stretch out. Luna could feel the arm beneath her neck tense as it stretched in unison with the rest of him before it relaxed again.
“Thank you, for helping me through last night.” Luna thanked him softly.
Nyx smiled sleepily as he rolled back over to face her but he folded his arm in front of him, trying to respect her personal boundaries, even though she had made no move to get off his arm, or move away from him. “No problem,” Nyx told her, shaking his head a little as he did so as he slowly blinked his eyes open in the bright sunshine streaming into the room.
“So how bad did I talk in my sleep?” Luna inquired, grimacing as she did so.
“You didn’t, I mean you said ‘no Andrew’ in your sleep but you didn’t say much of anything else, or at least if you did, I didn’t hear it.” Nyx shook his head, choosing to keep part of the truth to himself to save her any embarrassment.
“So hardly at all, good, good,” Luna nodded. “Sorry I invaded your bed.” Luna apologized.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m not going to complain,” Nyx shook his head again, as he could feel the corner of his mouth tug into a smile.
“I just..I mean..I just...” Luna started to stutter and trip over herself as she fought to collect her thoughts again. She grimaced again as if waiting for Nyx to sigh exasperatingly but when she opened her eyes, all she saw was patience tempered with curiosity. “I feel safe with you.” Luna blurted as her cheeks stained rose.
“Good,” Nyx nodded in agreement. “I hope I never make you feel unsafe,” Nyx added.
Luna’s heart melted at that, all she could think of was how bad she wanted to kiss him again as she nodded with him. But she tried to exercise self control. She had to try.
“So...um...so have you...” Luna struggled with forming a coherent sentence.
“Have I...?” Nyx asked after a beat, careful to keep his tone gentle. He had to be gentle.
“Favors, have you thought of how you wanted to be repaid for this favor?” Luna blurted super quickly before she hid her face into the pillow, embarrassed by her stuttering. “Me and English are not getting along this morning,” Luna muffled into the pillow with a self depreciating laugh.
“Sorry,” Luna apologized as she pulled her face from the pillow to face him again.
Nyx was shaking his head again. “Don’t worry about it, you don’t owe me anything,” Nyx insisted.
“I can’t accept that answer.” Luna shook her head in friendly argument.
“No, I’m serious, you don’t owe me anything,” Nyx repeated emphatically but Luna still shook her head no.
Nyx rolled his eyes before placing his hand on her face and gently grabbed it and shook her head yes for her which earned laughter from both of them.
“Yes Nyx, I don’t owe you anything,” Nyx repeated in a girly voice, a gentle teasing sarcastic imitation of Luna’s voice which only got Luna to laugh harder.
“Ok, I give up,” Luna laughed before Nyx pulled his hand away from her face. “Here, how about this,” Luna suggested as she reached around him and began scratching his back through the fabric of his t-shirt.
Nyx couldn’t help the gravely moan that escaped his throat as he rolled back over to his stomach to give her more access to his back.
“May I?” Luna giggled as she dipped her fingers under his shirt to scratch at the skin there.
“By all means,” Nyx invited, taking the shirt off and fully laying on his stomach. Luna smiled as she sat up next to him and began to scratch his back.
“Lighter? Harder?” Luna asked as she scratched softly.
“You could scratch a little harder.” Nyx told her before she put more pressure into her scratching.
“Oh yeah, just right,” Nyx groaned in pleasure as he enjoyed her attention. Soon her scratches alternated into rubs and massage. The moans that escaped his throat had Luna biting her bottom lip because damn was his voice sexy. It was extra deep because of sleep and lord have mercy, it was turning her on.
“Could I try something?” Luna felt embolden to ask.
“Absolutely,” Nyx agreed. She could have her way with him and he would happily comply.
“But I would probably have to sit on you, like your lower back or your butt.” Luna clarified as she withdrew her hands from him to get a book on her headboard and flipped through the pages to find the diagram she was thinking of. She straddled and sat on his ass and suddenly Nyx was very aware of her hot core against him and he was so grateful she couldn’t see his erection that was hard enough to fuck through steel at the moment that was pinned between his body and the mattress. And then she was running her knuckles up either side of his spine and his eyes nearly rolled back into his head. Oh god, she was massaging up and down his back and then her hands went to his shoulders and then his neck and all over again. This was heavenly.
“You can keep going...for like hours if you want, I won’t stop you,” Nyx gently teased her.
“Can I now?” Luna all but purred as she continued to massage him.
Holy shit she was flirting with him and Nyx’s cock was in desperate need of relief again. It was taking every ounce, every molecule of self control not to give into his desires.
She continued to massage his back until her stomach started to growl.
“I didn’t ask you,” Luna laughed as she talked to her stomach. But the scent of breakfast that was wafting through the house.
“It does smell good.” Nyx had to admit.
“Pause on this for now?” Luna asked as she gently caressed up and down his back, giving him goosebumps everywhere.
“Sure,” Nyx agreed, he couldn’t bring himself to even disagree.
“Ok, I’m gonna go to the bathroom and get dressed and stuff, feel free to shower or whatever when I’m done ok?” Luna suggested as she lowered herself to lay on his back, giving his cheek a quick kiss before getting off of him and going to her closet to get some clothes to change into. Nyx stayed put until Luna had gone into the bathroom. When she had retreated to the bathroom and shut the door, he rolled over to his back, he rubbed his face as his erection tented his boxers and his pajama pants, precum soaking through both layers of material but thankfully not really spotting the sheets. Thank god.
Nyx tried to ignore it as he got up and put Luna’s blanket back on her bed and folded up the bedding from the hideaway bed, putting it back into the closet where he saw her take it from before he pushed the hideaway bed back under hers, appreciating the cool design of her bed frame, how it had looked like just a bed long drawer underneath her bed.
He dug through his bag and got the outfit Selena had packed for him and grabbed the stick of deodorant Selena had thrown in and went ahead and got dressed quickly before Luna came back out, thankfully his boner had gone down some and he could hide the remainder of it in his jeans without it being too noticeable.
Luna came out not long after that and stopped when she saw that not only was the hideaway bed put up but that his bedding had been folded and put away. None of her friends ever thought to be so damn thoughtful or considerate.
“Aren’t you just amazing?” Luna cooed smiling appreciatively at him as he passed her to use the bathroom himself.
“I try,” Nyx smiled.
Luna quickly made her bed and waited for him because there was no way she, a princess, was going to leave her tower without her knight in shining armor.
It only took a moment for Nyx to reappear.
“Ready?” Luna asked as she stood from her seat on her bed.
“Yup,” Nyx nodded.
“Follow me,” Luna gestured as she stood up and made her way to her bedroom door, unlocking it and opening it for them before Pryna and Umbra weaved between them to walk out of the room as well.
Nyx politely closed the door behind them. However when they turned toward the hallway again. They found they were not alone.
“Mother,” Luna greeted a bit louder than she should have, as panic seeped into her chest once again at the sight of her mother coming down the hall toward her room. Shit, she forgot about the dragon.
#Magic and Miracles#Magic and Miracles chapter 2#Lunyx#Lunafreya Nox Fleuret#Nyx Ulric#FFXV#Final Fantasy 15#RaeLena#Ravus Nox Fleuret#Selena Ulric#Pelna Khara#Crowe Altius#libertus ostium#Crowe and Libertus#Luche Lazarus#Andrew Izunia#Sylva and Regis#Sylva Nox Fleuret#Regis Lucis Caelum#Ignoct#ignis scientia#noctis lucis caelum#gladiolus amicitia#prompto argentum#I think that's everyone
1 note
·
View note
Text
Goodbye Despair, Chapter 1: Destination Despair (Pat 1)
It had been three days since the start of Ultimate Despair’s incarceration on Jabberwock Island. True to Munakata’s word, Class 78 had been allowed possessions and other privileges that most prisoners would never even dream of having. Nothing dangerous was allowed, and of course there were restrictions, but in general it really was like a holiday retreat instead of a tense imprisonment.
The main thing was the curfew. Every night, at 10pm, the Despairs had to be back in their cottages. And in the mornings, starting at 7am, everyone was required to attend breakfast, which was prepared by Hanamura. Most Despairs were allowed to freely roam the six islands that made up Jabberwock, as security cameras and announcement monitors were stationed in various locations. Exceptions included Kamakura, who was restricted to the first island for the purpose of restraining him if necessary; Asahina, who was also restricted to the first island (unless escorted to and from other islands) because she would become a threat in the ocean; and Sakura, who required a heavier presence of Foundation personnel around her because of how exceptional she was as a warrior.
Mukuro Ikusaba would have required as much supervision as Oogami, if it weren’t for the fact that she listlessly stayed in her cottage when she wasn’t required to be present for breakfast or anything else.
Not too surprisingly, Ultimate Despair didn’t act too excited with their freedom. In fact, they seemed pretty miserable and withdrawn, even from each other. Some even deliberately went out of their way to “break the rules” just so they would be forced to stay in their rooms as punishment. They seemed to crave disciplinary action, as more restrictions brought about a “greater” despair for them.
This didn’t stop their senpai from reaching out to them. But progress was close to nil.
~*~
“Um… What’s the problem, again?” Hajime scratched his cheek as he looked between the Imposter and the prefect, who was huddled and sulking in the corner of the dining hall.
“He wants more ‘structure’.” The Imposter, now dressed as Munakata, crossed his arms and frowned deeply. “He likes the idea of a morning meeting and a curfew, but he wants to be able to hold… seminars.”
Hajime blinked owlishly at that.
“Seminars?”
The Imposter held an index finger to his face as his brow furrowed thoughtfully.
“He says they’re too old for high school classes, and we don’t have the materials for college courses, so he wants to hold these ‘seminars’. I asked him about what he had in mind, and he said he would start by educating everyone on etiquette, hygiene, and health. When I probed him further on these topics, he described what was essentially the exact opposite of these things… I assume this is his Despair, so I simply told him ‘no’. And to try again, when he came up with something meaningful. He’s been like this ever since.”
Hajime sweatdropped and stared at the depressed hall monitor’s backside.
“And… how long has he been like this?”
“The past half hour.” The Imposter plainly responded, which earned a sigh from the brunet. He knew the Imposter hadn’t just left him here, and had likely been trying to cheer Ishimaru up, but sulking for half an hour was pretty intense.
Tentatively, Hajime approached the dark-haired young man and placed a hand on his shoulder. He wasn’t entirely sure what he wanted to say, but he knew he didn’t want to leave Ishimaru like this.
“H-Hey, um… Ishimaru? Did you wanna hang out?” He paused for a moment. “… Or find one of the others to hang out? I don’t mind if you think I’m boring, I just… want to help, I guess…?”
Hajime finished off lamely, and the Imposter frowned at his self-depreciative attitude. Hinata had come a long way since becoming the Ultimate Counselor, but he still had that tendency to put himself down. The Imposter supposed all that time in the Reserve Course was to blame for this; as exceptional of an institution as Hope’s Peak was, it did tend to be elitist. Arrogant. Even to the people who paid to attend the school.
As the Imposter considered approaching Miss Yukizome about having another pep talk with Hinata, the Ultimate Moral Compass stood up rigidly and turned to face Hajime sternly. The Imposter arched an eyebrow curiously at this development, and even Hajime’s eyebrows were raised in surprise.
“And?! Why do you presume to be a boring person, Hajime Hinata?!” The hall monitor barked out as he crossed his arms in a huff. Though his red eyes were blazing like normal, Hajime could tell something was… different.
“Um… Well, to be perfectly honest?” Hajime scratched his cheek sheepishly. “I… I was a Reserve Course student at Hope’s Peak. I didn’t even receive an ‘Ultimate’ talent before the world went to hell. Frankly, I’m just a boring, unremarkable kind of guy. The kind of person you’d lose sight of in a crowd and forget about.”
“But that’s not true…!” Hajime backed up as Ishimaru raised a fist and shook it passionately as he closed his eyes. “It doesn’t matter if you’re middle-class! As long as you work hard, you can get anywhere in life! I, myself, was born into a middle-class family – no, not even middle-class! And despite that…! Despite that!”
Ishimaru shook his head vigorously before reopening his intense eyes and jabbing a finger into Hajime’s chest. The brunet continued to be shocked.
“Listen! I don’t care if we are enemies! You got where you are today because you worked hard, right?! Then you should take pride in your achievements! Just because you weren’t born a genius, it doesn’t mean you’re worthless! The people who work hard, they’re the ones who shape society and provide food on dinner tables! Never put yourself down just because you’re ‘plain’ or ‘average’!”
Hajime wilted under the intensity of Ishimaru’s impassioned state. Having been in the Reserve Course, Hajime never knew what Ishimaru was like, prior to the Tragedy. He’d borne witness to the cold, tyrannical Kiyotaka Ishimaru, but even when he harped on about unreasonable rules and regulations to the general masses, he’d never seemed this… energized. There was a ferocity and passion in those eyes that Hajime couldn’t quite place. Hajime was truly out of his depth.
But the Imposter wasn’t. Though he’d only known his underclassman in passing, he saw it. A flicker. A faint silhouette of the boy Kiyotaka Ishimaru used to be.
Cautiously, the Imposter took a step forward.
“Oi… Ishimaru…?” The Imposter used his own voice without thinking, shocked as he was. Hajime craned his head toward his comrade at the abrupt change in atmosphere; and like a spell being broken, Ishimaru massaged his temple before shaking it vigorously and giving a wide, malicious grin, typical of an Ultimate Despair.
“My apologies! I seem to have lost myself for a minute there. Hahaha…!” He spread out his arms benevolently. “Rest assured, Munakata-san, I shall rethink my proposal and approach you again in the near future! You better be ready for an intense negotiation~!”
With one last boisterous, forced laugh, Ishimaru stomped away with that wide grin still plastered on his face. Hajime and the Imposter exchanged looks, both agreeing that incident was… odd.
~*~
“I still don’t get what the big deal is!” Kuwata moaned as a blonde yanked him along a bridge that led to the central island. “Why have a tank all set up, if you’re not gonna use it?!”
Natsumi’s scowl remained firm, and she cursed under her breath as she stomped along.
“Because, dipshit, that’s for us to use in case someone like, I dunno, Ogre decides to try something!” Deciding to vent a little more, she yanked his arm harder. “How do you even go from baseball to motherfucking tanks anyway?! It’s like trading a Siamese cat for a German shepherd! Two different animals, dumbass!”
To the yakuza’s irritation, Kuwata smiled fondly as he ran his free hand through his hair.
“You ever seen one of those machines that spits out baseballs? Well, Enoshima suggested I should try one-upping that! So the tanks I drive around shoot out baseballs.” He then grinned madly, his eyes glowing a brighter, more ominous red. “Metal ones. Your body gets shot with those suckers, you’re a goner for sure! It’s really somethin’ to behold!”
Deciding she’d had enough of the former baseball star’s insane ravings, Natsumi slugged the redhead hard enough in the face to knock him out, and then just dragged his unconscious body along the ground as a petty revenge. It was as she was stomping through Jabberwock Park that she encountered another Remnant.
“Honestly, you can’t go one day without getting violent with someone, can you?”
Natsumi growled and whirled on her heel to face the woman who was sitting under a tree, looking bored as hell. The woman flipped a strand of lilac hair behind her ear, which only caused Natsumi’s eyes to narrow further. She never did like this bitch.
“What do you want?”
“What makes you think I want anything?” Kirigiri asked airily, arching an eyebrow, despite Natsumi’s hostile tone. To further piss the yakuza off, the detective’s posture was completely relaxed, not tense in the least.
But then, Kyoko Kirigiri had always been one to keep her emotions in check.
“You’re the one who stopped me.” The dishwater blonde deadpanned. Kyoko made a small noise of understanding.
“I was just making a casual observation. Wasn’t even addressing you. Feel free to ignore me.” Kirigiri dryly replied, craning her head away from the yakuza and staring out at the ocean. A clear dismissal, but Natsumi didn’t have the patience or control to ignore the detective.
It was like Sato all over again.
“Like hell you didn’t call me out just now…!” Natsumi growled as she released Kuwata’s legs unceremoniously and took one step over to Kyoko. “I dunno what bug crawled up your asshole, but you’ve always had a bone to pick with us yakuza! My big bro hated going to the same school and not being able to touch you! When that Sato bitch attacked me, you didn’t give a flying fuck until it looked like we were gonna murder her punk-ass! You were just chomping at the bit, waiting for us to give you a reason to get me and my bro expelled!”
Kyoko had her arms crossed for the duration of Natsumi’s little rant, and her gaze remained firmly locked on the ocean. Her expression remained impassive. When Natsumi was done, not a fraction of a reaction could be seen.
“And?” The lilac-haired girl wondered, after the silence had seeped into them for several uncomfortable moments. Natsumi snarled.
“And?!” The blonde hissed.
“What’s the point of dredging up ancient history?” Kyoko continued to needle the girl. “Of course the police and yakuza would never get along. Don’t act so shocked.”
“That’s not the fucking point!” Natsumi all but screeched. “You might’ve become a crazy cold-hearted bitch, but you used to have fucking morals! You preached about the law being unbiased – hell, you threw it in my bro’s face when you thought we’d murder that bitch! – but you ignored all that shit about Sato attacking me and Hinata!”
“… Oh. That.” Kyoko’s flippant response had the desired effect of Natsumi advancing towards her threateningly. “I guess I just didn’t care. A yakuza wanting justice is strange, don’t you agree?”
“You bitch…!” Natsumi snarled and almost lunged at the detective, before a hand clapped firmly on her shoulder. When she fiercely whirled her head to face the unwelcome intruder to the conflict, she was only slightly mollified to see the stony-faced Munakata facing Kirigiri. And beside him was Togami, who only looked mildly annoyed to have apparently been dragged along by the second-in-command of Future Foundation.
“That will be enough of that, Kuzuryu. Get Kuwata back to his cottage – I will be along shortly.” Munakata frowned slightly as Natsumi shook with rage. He thought he would have to call her brother to take care of her, but a few tense moments later she waspishly obeyed, notably shooting Kirigiri the middle finger that the detective naturally ignored. As the yakuza stalked off, dragging Kuwata behind her, Munakata’s full attention was once again on the Ultimate Detective. He crossed his arms disapprovingly. “I had thought you, of all the Remnants, wouldn’t need to be told to restrain yourself, Kirigiri. The rift between you and the Kuzuryu Clan aside, you’ve handled all interactions rationally and logically. You never pick fights, regardless of how annoyed you may or may not be.”
Kyoko remained perfectly still in her seated position, and didn’t respect Munakata by returning his gaze.
“As I recall, you’ve given us the freedom to move as we please. If you can’t handle a little hostility between obvious enemies, perhaps you should just put us on ice until the Neo World Program is complete?”
Munakata’s frown deepened. He tapped his finger on his forearm as the steel in his gaze sharpened.
“Being allowed freedom at all is a privilege that we can easily revoke at any time. Do not mistake our kindness for softness.” The silver-haired man warned. It seemed to go in one ear and out the other for Kyoko, however.
“Even Izuru Kamukura?” She replied blandly.
“Kamakura will not be a problem.” Munakata boldly asserted, causing the detective to finally turn towards him and arch an eyebrow dubiously. She was surprised his confidence held steadfast.
Such naïve arrogance.
“You should listen to him.” Togami spoke up in the same bland tone that Kirigiri had previously been using. “Men of Munakata’s status and character are rarely arrogant. And I should know, because he is my business rival, after all is said and done.”
Kyoko scoffed, while Munakata scowled at the slight against Chairman Tengan. Never mind how much he wanted to deny that Ultimate Despair couldn’t compare to the Future Foundation – they did. Ultimate Despair and the Future Foundation were the only major superpowers in these apocalyptic times. The old world order was in shambles.
Before Kyosuke could retort, however, his phone rang in his pocket, and he merely shot Kirigiri one more reproachful glare before squarely facing Togami.
“I will leave her in your hands. Though if Kirigiri stirs up trouble again, there will be consequences for her, so keep that in mind.”
“Duly noted.” Togami deadpanned in return, arms still crossed as he kept his head craned in a mocking manner. Kyosuke glowered warningly at this, but then strode away briskly.
Now the heir and detective were left alone.
“You’re a suck-up.” Kirigiri coldly pointed out, once Munakata was out of earshot.
Togami rolled his eyes.
“I am doing what needs to be done,” the heir’s tone was just as frosty as his jaded eyes glared daggers back at the lilac-haired girl. “There is a very real chance that program won’t be completed. If that eventually proves true, we will need to be in a position to communicate with one another. Being holed up in cottages will do nothing but hinder any possible insurrection.”
For the briefest of moments, Kirigiri was taken aback. But Togami caught that miniscule change of inflection in her face, and there was a sad sort of vindictiveness in being able to garner such a reaction from the poker-faced detective.
“The Neo World Program… might not get completed…?” Kirigiri whispered, aghast. “What in the hell are Matsuda and Gekkogahara doing?”
Togami scoffed at the mixture of disbelief and rage that bubbled under her aloof tone.
“I don’t know the full details, but apparently there really is a bug that is making the program incapable of operating. They brought in that animator to see if he would be able to offer insight to a potential solution, but I have my doubts. I knew we should have gone with the original plan of infecting the program, rather than remodifying its original purpose… We had a copy of Enoshima’s AI stored in Towa City, but now even that is lost to us, and we’re left in this hopeless situation.”
Kyoko narrowed her eyes as her gloved hands curled into fists and she stared off into space.
“If we can’t be the vessels for Enoshima’s return… what’s even the point of being here? We should kill everyone here before reinforcements arrive.”
Togami tilted his head thoughtfully, index finger tapping his temple.
“Hnn. How strange. I never would have pegged you for a coward. Haven’t you heard the phrase, ‘no risk, no glory’?”
Kyoko scowled at the uppity tone her blond classmate had taken with her.
“Don’t tell me Ludenberg has influenced your decision-making. Without Fujisaki, I highly doubt Matsuda and Gekkogahara would be able to fix a computer program. And there’s even less chance they would trust him to be anywhere near their computers. If our chances are close to nil, we might as well cut our losses and get the apocalypse back on track.”
“And what if we had Kamakura actually be useful for once?” Togami sneered back, causing the detective to broil over with more rage.
“I am not entrusting our fate to a man even more untrustworthy than the Future Foundation! If he was truly a Remnant like the rest of us, he would have joined our inner ring of leadership, rather than watch as the world burned. He is an indecisive shell of man that Hope’s Peak created, and that Enoshima used like a puppet to gain our loyalty. Nothing more.”
Togami tapped his temple again mockingly.
“You forget. He is entirely obsessed with watching the conflict of Hope and Despair. I am confident we can use him to our benefit. Enoshima has shown us that it can be done. You know that Enoshima’s return would bring the most Despair to mankind. You know that I am right.”
Kyoko did not appreciate being talked down to like a child.
“And you know that if this fails, the whole plan falls apart, and only despair awaits in our future.”
“That is the whole purpose behind our organization, is it not?” Togami sneered. “We go big, or go home. Either way, Despair gets the final word.”
Kirigiri clenched her fists once more as she stared down into her lap, gritting her teeth. She still disagreed on principle, and she knew for a fact that others in Ultimate Despair would side with her, just as others would rally behind Togami. Ultimate Despair would split in two, and there would be no way out for them once that happened.
Was Togami so blind? Was he so short-sighted?
~*~
“You’ve been awfully quiet since arriving, Oowada.” Fuyuhiko muttered as he leaned against the entrance to the abandoned ranch. The Ultimate Biker sat on a stump nearby, and his hands were curled into fists in his lap. His head was dipped, so Fuyuhiko couldn’t make out his expression.
“What’s it to you?” Mondo groused. “Didn’t get enough to think about when you brought me in?”
The yakuza heir scowled at the memory of their last encounter. It was true. Mondo had given him food for thought, and he was mulling that over.
That didn’t mean he was going to leave his fellow gang leader to mope around. He held more respect for the fearsome leader of the Crazy Diamonds than to allow that to happen.
“Tch. You really think I’m gonna let that keep me down? You’re more of a dumbass than Hagakure.” Fuyuhiko clicked his tongue and crossed his arms, craning his head away from Mondo.
Mondo clearly bristled at the insult, but he didn’t lash out like Kuzuryu had half-expected him to.
“Whatever. I guess one of us has the stones to move on with their life.” Mondo grumbled. “Then again, it’s not like you lost all that much anyway.”
“You really think Daiya would want you to just give up like this?” Kuzuryu asked rhetorically, and that got a reaction he was aiming for.
“Don’t go there, Kuzuryu.” Oowada growled dangerously.
Anger fit Mondo a whole lot better, and Kuzuryu was a lot more adept at dealing with it, even if he himself was known to have a hair-trigger temper.
“Daiya was an actual fucking leader, if you ask me.” Kuzuryu carried on fearlessly. The sound of tightening fists could be heard from Mondo’s quarter. “You put on a damn good effort, but then you ruined everything when you helped end the world…”
“I said shut up!!!” Mondo roared head whipping up as his red eyes flared a bright, threatening red. He held a fist up furiously. “You of all people don’t get to lecture me, when you were doin’ all this illegal shit before the world went to hell!”
“You’re a fucking hypocrite.” Fuyuhiko deadpanned, unimpressed. “We were both in the same boat before the Tragedy, and you know it. The Crazy Diamonds was knee-deep in just as much shit. The difference between us, I actually made an effort to keep the world together. You tried to burn it all.”
Mondo’s teeth were bared, and his hand was twitching uncontrollably as his body shook. Fuyuhiko imagined the only thing holding Oowada back was the ‘despair’ of refusing to vent his anger. And that was, ultimately, Fuyuhiko’s goal. To get Oowada to pick his old self back up. Screw how unhealthy rage was – it was even worse to bottle it all up.
“I don’t need to explain a single damn thing to you, asshole! I might be a worthless piece of shit, but at least I acknowledge I fucked up! The most you ever do is admit it’s possible you’re partly responsible for what happened! You wanna turn this into Storytime?! Why don’t you start talking first? Tell me what you assholes did against Enoshima! What you all lost!”
Fuyuhiko’s lips curled into a deeper scowl. Oowada was still clinging to that. The fact Class 77 had been more fortunate than Class 78. The fact they couldn’t truly empathize with Class 78. And maybe he was right, to an extent.
That didn’t justify ending the world, no matter how great the pain was.
But before Fuyuhiko could mouth such a rebuttal, the Ultimate Biker got up from the stump and stomped away, effectively ending the conversation. Fuyuhiko’s mouth clamped closed as he weighed the pros and cons of pursuing the biker, but in the end, decided against it for now. They’d have time to get all of the Despairs to open up… They would just need to take it one step at a time.
And that sucked. Because time was a rare luxury in this apocalyptic world.
#Danganronpa#Hajime Hinata#Ultimate Imposter#Kiyotaka Ishimaru#Leon Kuwata#Natsumi Kuzuryuu#Natsumi Kuzuryu#Kyoko Kirigiri#Kyosuke Munakata#Byakuya Togami#Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu#Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu#Mondo Oowada
10 notes
·
View notes
Text
Bayonetta Week 1 “Who Are You?”
Summary: It’s 8:30 am and the unlikely has happened...Jeanne seems to be up and about. Bayonetta will have to traverse the treacherous depths of their apartment for her wayward love but will she find her?
A/N: Haha guys, life is killing me but have this!
The alarm was about to ring but Cereza swiped it shut before it could screech its cheerful yet tremendously obnoxious song.
8:30 am. It was an indulgent hour for her, she was usually up at the crack of dawn to go about her day, after all Enzo didn’t harass himself now did he, but it was the first day of earnest summer and she wanted to bask for a while.
She felt the bed dip just the barest and all of a sudden Golem, their housegod and discount store colourpoint, was on her face. “Your luck is your owner likes you, cat.” He seemingly listened to what she had to say, blinked his dazzling fake siamese eyes at her and then very slowly set his hand on the space between her eyebrows, the rough texture of his jellybeans a foreign feeling on her face.
Cereza sighed loud enough to be heard and he meowed at her again, bapping her face repeatedly. “Jeanne, the annoying one wants something please see to it.” She commented and as she put her arm to the other side of the bed there was a conspicuous absence of said lover. “Jeanne?”
The side had been used and was still somewhat lukewarm, so she had slept on it for sure but that had also meant that Jeanne, princess, heir, Elder to the Umbra and the least morning person on the whole of the Trinity of Realities had woken up at a decent hour.
Something had to be wrong.
“I see what you mean, pest.” He meowed, the undertone of smug to it near unbearable and he bolted out with a raised tail. Cereza sighed and grabbed an overlarge t-shirt from the chair, following him out.
As she stepped into the hallway, the smell of something in the oven wafted over her way and her apprehension melted into full on curiosity. The world couldn’t be ending or Jeanne couldn’t be feeling all that too bad if there was fresh, buttery dough in the oven.
Or so she hoped.
She crossed the archway into the large living room of their swanky Manhattan high-rise, the scene before her was…
Insane.
The small window side table was set with a variety of beverages, several types of bread and cheese and neatly prepared for two people to bask in the morning sun.
Not only that but the living room was pristine, all the dirty clothes littered about were conspicuously absent from their usual surfaces but even the surrounding area of their sturdy and spacious sofa had zero underwear strewn about (despite the fond recollections of having tossed a lot of it the night before).
Someone baby talking in French sounded from the kitchen and she knew Golem must have ran off to tattle on her to Jeanne, something that was prone to happening all day, every day.
Without waiting for whatever it was the cat was telling her most beloved, she poked her head into their kitchen.
Jeanne had grabbed Golem with one arm and was whisking pancake batter in just her lace red panties and the nice apron Cereza preferred to save for when they had guests over. The view was too delectable for her to even think about complaining that Jeanne pilfered her fancy apron.
The oven dinged and she bent down to take out a tray of fluffy croissants (only partially homemade judging by the bag of premade dough on the counter), Golem still aloft in her left arm.
Bayonetta was too engrossed on the display, culinary and otherwise, that she didn't think to say anything before Jeanne turned and nearly dropped the tray in surprise. Before she could reply, Cereza blurted out “Who are you?” In such an baffled tone that Jeanne froze for a second and then laughed.
Setting the tray by the window to cool down, she went over to Cereza and leaned up to kiss her. “And a good morning to you too.” She kissed her again and went back to her batter, gently setting Golem down and away from the croissants. He had something of a sweet tooth for thing with a lot of butter and more than one bread slice had been stolen from under her watchful gaze “Breakfast?”
“If you are a Joy, I quite appreciate the view and also the food.” Cereza started, snaking her arms around her waist and sliding down to rest her hands on the small of her back.
Golem lifted himself in his legs and tried to bap her hands away from Jeanne like the jealous little bean he was but she wasn't having any of that. She clacked her heel on the floor and he was encased in a purple shimmer, floating harmlessly away in a storm of huffy meowing.
Jeanne gave her a look and Bayonetta pursed her lips for a second before floating the diminutive housegod onto the couch. “Play nice with Golem or you get no pancakes.”
Cereza leaned forward, kissing her softly and yanked the spatula from her hand to flip said pancakes. “Well I do love them extra crispy so I guess I'll find it in myself to enter a temporary truce with the principality of chastity.”
Jeanne shooed her away from the stove and slathered the griddle with some more pancake batter, busying herself making breakfast.
“You haven't answered me though, you being up before noon is a more unlikely event than resurrecting Jubileus.” she snarked back when the spatula tapped her hand as she snagged a piece of half cooked batter.
Jeanne chuckled and flipped the last pancakes onto a plate, carrying it out with the croissants and Cereza followed her to the table.
Golem had done her the favour of shedding copious amounts of fur onto her chair before shooing him out of it and taking a seat while he primly hopped into Jeanne's lap.
“To answer your question, it's the summer solstice and it's a special day for the Umbra.” she explained, pouring herself some of the fragrant coffee from the carafe resting on the floral print table. The view over busy Manhattan was magnificent and the sun was shining bright, all the ingredients for a good day. “I guess I wanted to do something nice.” She ended with a shrug and sipped her beverage, looking down into the traffic below with a vague look in her eye.
Cereza piled up pastry on her plate before hogging the freshly squeezed juice and a massive mug of coffee, turning to Jeanne with a slight furrow to her brow. “Huh, really? It's the shortest night of the year. If you had asked me, I'd say it was more of a Lumen thing.”
She wasn't wrong but as with all cultural things, whoever observed it gave it their own slant. For the Umbra, they decided, like they did many other things, it was a time of good omens, to dance naked in the moonlight.
“Well yes but it's also when the nights start getting longer. We celebrated it with joy and welcomed the coming darkness but I do know it was a time of somber reflection for the Lumen.” She replied, raising her croissant so Golem could not run off with it. “Conversely, they went all out during the Winter Solstice.”
With a hearty bite into her jam filled croissant, deliciously mixing the airy buttery flavour with the strong flavour of raspberry, Cereza nodded. “And the Umbra? In the other solstice, what are we supposed to do?”
Jeanne grinned as if expecting that very question and Cereza felt her heart get lighter. “We party even harder! Winter was miserable for everyone in Vigrid, I supposed they preferred the excuse to be merry.”
There was a special kind of happiness her lover seemed to be able to achieve when she could share in their lost...well, near lost culture.
As with all ancient, dead and buried things, Jeanne coated her pain with her teacher matter of fact tone or, like now, with a hearty dose of good mood. Yet, underneath it all, it was still a gaping wound that would most likely never fully heal.
She reached out for Jeanne's hand and ran her thumb over her knuckles, hoping to stave off the ghosts of their shared past and keep her in good spirits.
“Thank you then, for letting me know and for this delicious breakfast.” She replied, typical Bayonetta sassiness well away from the situation.
Jeanne's returning smile was a little more contained, sure sign she had almost gotten trapped inside of her own memories but she still leaned over the table to kiss her, sweet and passionate.
They kept kissing, absolutely not noticing Golem swipe three pancakes into his mouth and bolt away to the other side of the apartment before it was too late.
“My pancakes! That damn cat!”
41 notes
·
View notes
Text
Moon Rise Chapter 20
"Death does not make a battle won. Treeclan may think they are clever by taking away one of our warriors, but I assure you all that this casualty will not weaken us. We will remember Ryestep forever in our hearts, and as we go on to fight the next battle, we will hold his memory close," Whitestar meowed from her place atop Tall Stone. Upon the battle patrol's return to Grassclan's camp, a clan meeting had been called. Passion sparked from the leader's pelt, sending a surge of urgency to every cat in the clearing. Those gathered below the ancient stone hung onto Whitestar's every word with murmurs of agreement rippling around. The medicine cats circulated throughout the crowd as the meeting went on, cleaning cuts and patching the wounds of those who fought. Swiftpaw was having her neck wrapped with goldenrod and cobweb as she watched Whitestar pace along her perch. "What Treeclan doesn't know is that we use loss as a way to gain. They believe us to value each other as well as a parasite values its host. They do not see that we have families to protect, cats we care about with the deepest caverns of our hearts. Not anymore. But we will show them that we are united more closely than they'll ever be." The white and black patched apprentice turned her eyes to see Rosebloom sprawled out over Ryestep's body, her cries of sorrow echoing as loud as the thunder which had begun to rumble above them. Today no cat made a move to run for cover. Though Grassclan hated the rain, nobody wanted to miss out on Whitestar's speech. But it was hard for Swiftpaw to pay attention. She felt sick to her stomach for Rosebloom. Her kits were due at any time and her mate had not made it to see them born. Ryestep had been so excited for their arrival, too. Swiftpaw remembered the tom coming into the nursery, delivering treats and specially requested prey to his beloved, mewing words of admiration to her even while Rosebloom complained of being as fat as a kittypet. They made a beautiful couple, it pained Swiftpaw to see them torn apart. Watch over her in Starclan, Ryestep. Rosebloom still needs you. "Once our clans were at peace, but now we are no longer. I will do my best to prevent a war from breaking out, but I fear the pressure has become too much to hold back. I will try to ease the mind of Blazestar at the Gathering in the next half moon. This fighting has to stop. I want no further confrontation with Treeclan until then. If a patrol tries to start a fight, walk away. I do not want to see any more cats harmed or killed over petty assumptions." The words of agreement spoken before turned into yowls of protest. Swiftpaw snapped her eyes to look on at those who now disagreed.
"How can you ask us to do that?" Caterwauled Butterflytail. "Treeclan will think of us as cowards!"
Ashwhisker's meow trembled with worry as he spoke up. "What if this tempts them to take over the border?"
"Or attack our camp?" meeped Quailpaw, as cobwebs were being wrapped around her head and eye. Frostpaw pressed closely into her side, grooming her cheek. Whitestar waved her tail and dipped her head, asking for silence.
"If Blazestar orders his cats to step paw over the border, then he is a bigger fool than I realized. Until he proves to be, we will not worry about that. We will go about our normal lives, as if we were still in a time of peace. But we will not let our guard down. Apprentices are to have increased battle training in case the worst should happen. Every cat is to stick with their partner. Those who do not have one will be temporarily assigned." Even apprentices? Swiftpaw wondered. "Until further action is taken on Treeclan's part, that's all I have to say. I need to speak with my senior warriors now. Chicorynose, will you partner up any single cats?"
"Yes, Whitestar," Chicorynose meowed as she ducked her head. The siamese she-cat gave a curt nod, leaping off of Tall Stone. Cats without partners began to crowd around Grassclan's deputy. One called for the apprentices to join them. The six of them did as they were told, listening as cats were paired off. Warriors were assigned first, then Rosebloom-once assigned to Ryestep-was assigned to Ashwhisker, and finally the apprentices were partnered. "I am pairing you 'Paws off randomly, so please don't be too disappointed. Remember, this isn't permanent. Shadowpaw, I want you with Frostpaw, Heatherpaw with Quailpaw, and Rabbitpaw you will stay with Swiftpaw." What?! Swiftpaw inwardly gasped, casting her bright blue gaze onto the fluffy lynx point tom. Rabbitpaw turned to look back at her, a darkness in his eye. His tail-tip was already twitching with annoyance, and the two hadn't even come within a foxlength of each other yet. Of all the cats in the clan, why did she have to be with him?
"Don't think I'm going to enjoy the time I have to spend with you," Rabbitpaw growled as he came to sit beside her. Swiftpaw looked at him with disbelief. The two had never gotten along, but she thought they had made progress. He had defended her at her first gathering after all, and they hadn't fought in a while. At least not physically. Mentally, however, the pair were at each other's throats. Rabbitpaw often shot her dirty looks, even when it wasn't warranted, while Swiftpaw would make faces at him while his back was turned. But she thought it was all in good fun. That's what rivals were supposed to do, right? So why did Rabbitpaw treat her more like an enemy and less like the friendly competition that she was?
"Like I'd enjoy being with you," she scoffed, wiggling her tail as she padded past. Rabbitpaw rolled his eyes, following behind her.
"Yeah I know, you'd rather be partnered with Frostpaw," he responded as he watched Swiftpaw slip into the apprentice's den. She settled herself down into her nest, watching him do the same.
"No, Frostpaw likes Quailpaw, I wouldn't want to get in the way of that," she protested. The two had never admitted it before, but it was obvious that they liked each other. Swiftpaw recalled when she had first started keeping an eye on Frostpaw and her littermates. The fluffy silver and white tabby would do whatever it'd take to impress Quailpaw when they'd go out on patrol. She'd help her catch harder prey like mice and vole while Quailpaw would give her demonstrations on advanced battle techniques. They often shared their nests with each other, and almost every sunhigh for the past moon the two could be seen sharing tongues by the apprentice's den. Rabbitpaw let out a snort of agreement, glancing away. For a heartbeat he remained silent before he turned his eyes onto his new partner. Swiftpaw watched him as she cleaned a wound on her shoulder, a malicious smirk spreading across the tom's muzzle.
"Then you'd rather be spending your time mooning over Shadowpaw and Mistypaw." There was no tease in his tone, only bitterness. Though Rabbitpaw's smirk remained, it was obvious it was one fueled by displeasure. Swiftpaw's body went stiff, her pelt growing hot with embarrassment.
"I don't moon over them!"
"Yeah, you do. I see how you play with Shadowpaw. All the apprentices think you look like a couple of lovebirds in Newleaf. But only I seem to notice the way you look at my sister, batting your pretty blue eyes while she tells you about her day."
"Shadowpaw's my best friend, and Mistypaw is interesting to talk to. It doesn't mean I like either of them," Swiftpaw growled defensively, her nubby tail wagging. The nerve! She snorted while Rabbitpaw shot her a look. He didn't believe a word she was saying. But Swiftpaw didn't care. Only she knew the truth. She wasn't going to let assumptions and rumors get to her. If she did like either of her friends, she'd come to the conclusion on her own terms. "Why don't you mind your own business?"
"I would if you weren't always sticking your nose into the lives of my whole family. First Frostpaw, then Mistypaw, and now Dewstone and my moms! It's like your obsessed or something," Rabbitpaw countered, tail lashing. Swiftpaw bit back a snarky reply, one that would tempt her to reveal Dewstone's request. She'd been asked to watch over Rabbitpaw and his littermates, so of course she was always sticking her nose into their business. But she didn't know if she should tell him about it. Rabbitpaw already disliked her, what would he say if he found out she had been watching them to see if anything weird was going on? He probably wouldn't like it. Swiftpaw let out a growl of frustration, rolling onto her back. She could feel Rabbitpaw's eyes still trained on her, burning a hole in her pelt.
"If you're gonna stare at something, go stare at your reflection in the river," she snarled, not responding to the tom's previous remark.
"Like you stare at my sister?" he bit back. Swiftpaw flipped back onto her belly, rising to her paws.
"Look. There isn't anything wrong with me keeping an eye on my friends. And recently I was told by Whitestar to speak with Dewstone, I didn't start hanging around her to spite you. And as for your moms, of course I'm starting to become closer with them. I'm camp bound, stuck on nursery duty, and bored out of my mind. So excuse me if I wanna take the time to get to know the clanmates I'm taking care of," she meowed, blue eyes blazing as she went to stand by Rabbitpaw's nest. She hovered above him, glaring down at him challengingly. "Is that a good enough explanation for why I 'stick my nose' into your family's lives?" Rabbitpaw shrank in his nest, his ears pinning back against his head. He parted his jaws to speak but no sound came out. Instead he closed his mouth and glanced away, speechless. Swiftpaw gave a curt nod as if to say "that's what i thought," before going back to her nest. She circled around in the wool for a heartbeat before settling down, resting her chin on her paws. Her body ached and her heart raced. Between the battle from earlier and the argument with Rabbitpaw, Swiftpaw was feeling wiped out. She was grateful for the silence that had settled over the den-beyond the occasional rumble of thunder-taking the time to lick her wounds and calm herself. As time passed, more of her denmates began filtering in until all six apprentices were safe and sound in their shelter. A soft murmur echoed through the rocky walls as they began to talk amongst themselves. Shadowpaw tried to pry into Rabbitpaw's thoughts, asking him why he seemed so down. But the fluffy lynx point tom didn't say a word. He merely glanced away. Shadowpaw's eyes then turned to lock with Swiftpaw's, silently asking her about what happened. Swiftpaw gave her head a slight shake, telling him she'd talk about it later. She tore her eyes away from her friend's to get a glimpse of Frostpaw and Quailpaw. The pair grabbed hold of their fleece nests, dragging them closer together until they overlapped. Only then did the two she-cats settle down in them, their bodies pressing together.
"Do you think Treeclan really wants to start a war with us?" Quailpaw asked quietly to no one in particular, her voice filled with concern.
"Whitestar said she'd try to prevent it," Heatherpaw assured, lifting a paw to groom. "Starclan knows we don't need anymore cats dying for no reason...." Empathetically, Rabbitpaw rose from his nest. He hesitantly brought himself to Heatherpaw's side, laying down beside her. Along her shoulder he began to rasp his tongue calmly while pressing his paws into her flank, kneading the lilac she-cat's fur. A low purr rumbled in his throat as he blinked at Heatherpaw slowly with soft, deep blue eyes. Swiftpaw looked on with astonishment. She never expected to see Rabbitpaw act that way towards anyone; he wasn't even that affectionate with his littermates. But she supposed that he might feel sorry for her. Heatherpaw had lost her mentor only half a moon ago, it would take time for her to overcome her grief. Swiftpaw could only imagine what it felt like. Over the past couple moons she had come to realize a mentor wasn't only a teacher, but a friend, and in a way a mentor was also like parent. Losing one must feel like losing one's kin. Rabbitpaw may not know what it felt like, but Swiftpaw was sure he didn't have to to be understanding. She wondered if he'd act this way with any of his other peers if they were unlucky enough to lose someone close to them. Or if Heatherpaw was a special case because of some hidden feeling the tom may have for her. As she thought about it, Swiftpaw acknowledged that she didn't know Rabbitpaw as well as she'd like. Though she had been keeping her eye on him and his littermates, it did not give her any insight on him beyond a surface level. She judged him based on his outward actions, and on the way he behaved while viewing her as an outsider. She didn't know him on a more personal level like a friend might. But they were partners now, if only temporarily. Perhaps in the time they'd have to spend together, Swiftpaw could come to understand the fluffy lynx point tom better. Deep down she hoped that she could. Though she was fine with a friendly rivalry, she couldn't stand being enemies with a cat from her own clan. She had to make things right, even if it took spending all of her time with Rabbitpaw.
The next day brought the most sunshine that there had been since the Gathering. As Swiftpaw pushed her way past the entrance of the apprentice's den, a warm shaft of light rested itself upon her face. The patched molly blinked as she moved out of its way into the shade of Tall Stone. There she rummaged through the fresh-kill pile, pulling out a couple of hares to drag to the nursery. As she turned with the first in her jaws, Rabbitpaw came bounding over. For a heartbeat they stared at one another in silence. Swiftpaw gestured towards the hare, seeing if her new partner would lend her a paw. To her relief he did, grabbing the prey and taking the lead towards the honeysuckle bush. Swiftpaw followed behind. Cricketsong's kits came tumbling out to greet them as they caught whiff of the apprentices approaching. Tulipkit pranced up to Swiftpaw, picking up the foreleg of the hare she was carrying. She proudly helped her bring it inside, sitting on top of it once it was settled.
"Breakfast!" She announced. The queens let out amused purrs, stepping up to have their share. Rabbitpaw led the remaining kits inside, herding them towards their mother before dropping the second hare beside the first.
"Rambunctious bunch," he remarked, licking blood from his lips. Cricketsong dipped her head in agreement, her kits squeaking in protest. "You three better eat so you can grow up to be big brave warriors like me." Swiftpaw had to suppress a snort. Although he may be big, Rabbitpaw hadn't proven himself to be very brave from what she'd seen. Then again, she needed to get to know him better before drawing that conclusion. But it seemed ironic to identify a cat named after a rabbit as brave. Cricketsong's kits did as the tom said, joining the queens in their meaty feast. Ashwhisker hovered around the group, making sure everyone was being well fed. He turned his muzzle towards the visiting apprentices, giving them an approving nod. Seeing this sign, Swiftpaw dipped her head, turning tail to leave. With the day's first task completed, she could now reward herself with some breakfast. She made her way back to the fresh-kill pile, listening as Rabbitpaw's footsteps followed after her. Did he really have to go her everywhere she went?
"I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I won't be trailing after you all day," he meowed, settling on her one side to look through the pile. "I'm going out with Gingerstrike at sunhigh. And I've been chosen to go to the gathering tonight." He sounded as if he was almost bragging. Swiftpaw wiggled her tail, about to say something nasty, getting cut off as Rabbitpaw continued to speak. "I'm only following you now because I'm trying to adjust to having a partner. That's what we've been told we are, and I intend to follow through with acting like it." Swiftpaw nodded, pulling out a mouse to drop at her paws.
"I get that," she mewed, bending down to take a bite. "Maybe we can finally come to understand each other more in the meantime?" she suggested hesitantly. Rabbitpaw gave a shrug, selecting a mole of his own to chew on. At least that's something, she thought with a sigh. The day went on as normal once Rabbitpaw left for training. Day turned into night; the moon peeked through the cover of clouds as moonhigh rolled around. Swiftpaw watched as cats lined up and disappeared through the bramble tunnel, on their way to the gathering. While she waited for their return, she made her way over to the nursery. She settled down in Cricketsong's nest, allowing the kits to cuddle up by her belly. Swiftpaw would be watching them this evening, along with Rosebloom who was already fast asleep in a neighboring nest. Soon she'd find out what the other clans had to say, and then she could fall asleep in her own den. For now Swiftpaw was comfortable laying here with the kittens by her side. It was peaceful. So peaceful. Until the sounds of annoyed cats broke the silence of camp. Swiftpaw's eyes shot open as she realized she had dozed off. Carefully she crawled away from the kits, out from under the honeysuckle bush, and made her way over to the gathering party. She pushed past a few of her clanmates to settle beside Shadowpaw.
"What happened?"
"Treeclan's at it again," he hissed, tail lashing.
"Blazestar's still accusing us of trespassing. Even after Whitestar called out his warriors for crossing the border today," Rabbitpaw chimed in.
"They did that?" Swiftpaw gasped. She was missing out on so much being trapped here in camp. Rabbitpaw gave a nod.
"Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. I watched Gingerstrike tell off that Treeclan apprentice Magpiepaw before sending her scrambling back up a tree. She wasn't the only cat I saw, either. I think she was meant to be a distraction while the rest of her patrol came to mark their border further into the Forest Patch. We came home to tell Whitestar about it right after we'd chased them off. We didn't even give ourselves time to remark the boundary after scaring those tree lickers away." Swiftpaw could hardly believe what she was hearing. Would Magpiepaw really pull something like that? She didn't know the molly that well but she had thought better of her. Now she wasn't so sure what to think. But if Blazestar had ordered Magpiepaw to act as a diversion then Swiftpaw could understand. A cat couldn't go against their leader after all, not over something like that. Things were growing complicated now. Blazestar had his warriors cross and mark across the border; war had to be on the horizon now. How foolish Whitestar must think he is. The clan had to be ready to prepare for the inevitable. But even after that empowering speech from the day before, were they truly ready?
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Convincing Ways
Gavin woke up in his truck bed with a start, a bottle of tequila rolling off his stomach and down the bed where it fell into the parking lot below. He shook his head and rubbed his eyes to clear them of his previous nightmare "C'mon, Gav. You're not a kid anymore, that fucking Android can't get you now." He stretches his arms and legs out and gives a satisfied grunt when he feels his joints pops.
He sits up in the bed of his 2007 Ford truck painted a pale orange that looked like it held some kind advertisement for an orange drink. The bed squeaked under his movement until he finally squirmed out of the bed and onto the asphalt in front of his apartment.
He had gotten home late the night before, drinking at some bar till he was slightly tipsy before he jumped in his truck and drove home. He didn't feel like getting out and didn't trust himself not to face plant on the asphalt so he crawled into the back of his truck and slept off the booze.
He walked into his house, tossing his keys into the wooden bowl by the door before shrugging off his jacket and hanging it on a hook. He pet his blue Siamese kitten who launched herself at her papa's legs and started to climb up his thigh. "Mroow!" She squeaked before he set her back down. "Hey, Jasmine. Daddy's home but he has to get to work." He pet her head before wandering over to the kitchen and filling up her food bowl and water bowl before striding over to his bathroom and hopping in the shower.
«««
He wandered into the precinct at ten in the morning, freshly showered and cleaned till the stench of tequila no longer remained and he was able to plop down at his desk without having to check to make sure Fowler wouldn't know he was drinking. He opened his mouth and let out a loud yawn before turning on his terminal.
"Good morning, Detective Reed."
Gavin gave a lazy wave "Morning, Connor. Anything happen while I was gone?"
"I apologize, my name is Eros. I am the new RK900 model and have been assigned to be your partner."
The human turned around in his chair, a tall version of Connor stood behind him against the wall with his hands behind his back. Same colored hair only in a more neater style, narrow eyes the color of frozen ice and a ridiculous high collared white Cyberlife issued jacket with RK900 printed on the front. "Oh hell no. No way, no fucking way am I working with an asshole mech." Gavin said before getting out of his chair in a hurry, causing his chair to roll behind him and hit the new addition to the DPD.
He stormed over to the glass cube of Captain Fowler's office and stormed inside "Fowler! What the hell?!"
The Captain looked up from his papers then went back to his paperwork. "I don't want to hear it, Reed."
Gavin clutched his chest as his terrified heart smashed against his battered ribs. "I can't work with an Android, Fowler. Connor is enough as long as he doesn't work with me directly. Having one of those things as my partner is not going to work!"
Fowler sighed "Then resign, Reed if it's such a problem for you."
Wrong thing to say, Gavin slammed the door shut and went straight to his desk. Typing like the devil himself was behind him. "Here's my resignation, bitch." He printed out the paper while he packed up his desk, trying to block out the images in his head.
"Detective, I can't allow this childish and irrational behavior." The new 'droid said before caging Reed between him and the desk. "Until the captain sees your resignation, you and I are still partners."
Gavin gulped but didn't dare look it in the eyes "I sent it out by email as well, jackass. I'm not your partner and I'm not a detective. So fuck off!" He pushed Eros back and escaped but was grabbed by the back of his jacket.
He was assigned to this human, spent hours in a damn box till today when Gavin was on duty. He has been through transfer after transfer, dropped in the ocean five times by clumsy hands, almost sold to a sex club and had to be disassembled upon arrival.
Now this human is saying he quits, he hasn't known this human for a long but already he hates him. "Perhaps you need some convincing, detective." His voice dropped a few octaves to a low tone. He dragged the detective down the stairs to the basement where old evidence is stored after a case is solved or goes cold.
After he pulled the detective inside, Eros locked the door and released the human male. "The hell do you think you're doing tin can?" He distanced himself as much as he could from the RK900, keeping away from his reach.
Eros ran a quick scan on Gavin Reed, he found a boat load of information. Including some information that is guaranteed to make the male detective squirm. "I'm thinking of convincing you to stay at the DPD, through unconventional means but are guaranteed to convince you."
Gavin gulped, heart rate increased, 0%stress level, arousal detected. He took a few more steps back. "Wha-what means are you suggesting?"
Eros walked over to a chair and brushed off some dust before sitting down casually with his hand supporting his head with his eyes down cast "If you were to come closer, I would start with a soft kiss. Soft and gentle, my lips moving against your own." He looked up at Gavin "Then I'd grab the back of your head and pull you back by your hair before shoving my tongue into that mouthy oral cavity of yours. I'd drag your tongue out and trap it between my lips while my hands roam over your trapped body."
Gavin scoffed "That the best you got, tin can?"
Eros put his right leg over his left "I'd take your belt off and wrap it around your wrists while using my tie as a blindfold for you. I'd have you sit on my lap facing me with your arms around my neck and my hand down your pants. Stroking your member till it's half hard before I start squeezing and groping that alluring ass of yours, moving your cheeks up and down up and down, in and out. While you pant and beg me to stop, I'll shove my fingers inside and drive you to an orgasm you can't have since I wrapped my fingers around your base to restrain your naughty cock."
Gavin began to squirm, pressing his legs together subtly to hide his erection that had started to rise inside his jeans. "Oh yeah? Big talk for a mech." He scoffed.
Eros leaned back "I'd take your arms off from around my neck and flip you around so that you are between my legs as I am between yours while still seated in this chair I sit in. I'd remove your belt from your wrists and tie it into a bow around your prick so that you can't cum without my say. I'd tease your greedy and twitching hole with the tip of my tongue, languidly dragging it up and down in the slowest pace possible while I unzip my own pants. Removing my own member for you to suck on like a good boy."
Gavin gulped, already feeling the tongue in his ass and the dick in his mouth, his own mass straining against his jeans and threatening to pop at any moment if this asshole keeps talking.
"Then I would flip you back over before you can mouth off or bite my dick and impale you on my rod that has a diameter of six centimeters and is nine inches long. Guaranteed to shut you up."
Gavin whined, feeling it shoved through his body while he doubled over. Trying not to cum.
"I wouldn't give you time to adjust, not time to rest and would smash my cock into that tight boy pussy of yours." He leaned forward then "In my arms, you're not a man but a boy. A slutty cock boy who loves to have his ass pounded while a hand wraps around his throat, threatening to crush your vocals."
Gavin keened a needy moan and fell to his knees as he came, he came without being touched. "Just who the hell are you?" He whimpered, feeling endorphins and euphoria wash over him and make his mind completely blank.
Eros stood up from his chair and casually walked over to the detective who had curled up into the fetal position, he squated on the ground and brushed his finger tips over Gavin's lips before cradling his head in one hand and stroking his ear. Gavin shuddered and whined at the touch his oversensitive body is receiving. "If you stay, I'll let you find out."
Gavin shook his head "I can't, I don't work with mechs-" he cut off in a choke as Eros grabbed his now oozing crotch "Is that so? What's the matter, little one?"
Reed seized up at those words, his nightmare coming back at him at full force. He put his arms up to cover his face "Ax5700, please...no more." He whined.
The RK900 carefully picked up the human male in his arms and carried him out of the room, singing a lullaby to him as he did.
To Be Continued?
16 notes
·
View notes
Text
dancing in the kitchen. two.
pairing: romantic steve x reader, familial dustin x reader
word count: 2.9k
summary: without giving too much away: the reader is Y/N Henderson, Dustin’s older cousin who’s staying in town, due to some family issues. takes place soon after s2.
note: here’s chapter two! i’m so happy you guys liked chapter one.
other chapters: masterlist
tag list: @stevieboyharrington, @lola-winston-harrington, @fuckthatfeeling (if you wanna be added to the tag list, let me know!!)
Y/N woke up as the first lights of day broke through the window in the Henderson’s guest room. Her room. It was her room, at least for now. She was still fully dressed and covered with a throw blanket. Furrowing her brows, Y/N thought back to last night. She couldn’t remember coming back into her own room, so she guessed that Dustin’s guest, Steve, had brought her in. She probably fell asleep during one of the movies. Dustin wouldn’t let her live that down, she chuckled to herself.
Turning to her side, she saw the clock on the nightstand read 8:09 AM. Figuring she wouldn’t be able to get back to sleep, Y/N got out of bed, grabbed some clothes for today--a casual dress she’d recently bought, it had long sleeves so it would be perfect for cold weather--and went into the bathroom. After a long shower, Y/N got dressed and put her hair up into a bun, letting it air dry.
Y/N then went to check on Dustin, finding that he was still asleep. So she decided to be the best big cousin and make him some breakfast. Y/N hopped down the stairs, barefoot, turning on the stereo to a low volume as she passed. She looked through the fridge, biting her lip as she deiced what she should make for breakfast. Then she figured it out.
Pancakes. Duh.
Y/N gathered what she needed to make the pancakes, before she heard the mewing of the siamese kitten at her feet. Y/N bent down and scratched the kitten behind the ears, “Can’t forget about you, Tews.” she pressed a kiss on the top of the kitten’s head and went into the cabinet, finding the cat food in the same place it was always in. After feeding the kitten, Y/N went back to the stove and began prepping some pancake batter. She was humming along to the stereo when she heard footsteps. She dropped the pancake batter into the pan and said, without turning around, “I’m making pancakes. But it’ll be a couple minutes. Could you set the table?”
She had expected it to be Dustin who had come into the kitchen behind her, but it was not his voice that said, “Can do.”
Y/N turned around and looked at Steve, his hair was all over the place since he had just woken up, and he was yawning as he moved around the kitchen, gathering everything he needed to set the table for breakfast. Turning her attention back to the three pancakes in the pan, Y/N flipped them over and spoke as she did so, “I didn’t realize you’d stayed the night. Do you stay here often?”
Steve shrugged, making a sort of noncommittal sound. “Nah, usually when Mrs. H is out and I babysit. But she found out my parents aren’t around much, so she worries, I guess.”
Y/N smiled, that definitely sounded like her Aunt Claudia, “Yeah, she’s kind of a worrier.” Y/N said, giggling softly as she shook her head. “Thanks, though.”
“For what?” Steve stood next to Y/N, leaning against the counter after he placed an empty plate beside her for the finished pancakes.
“Well I’m assuming Dustin didn’t carry me up the stairs to bed last night. Unless he’s gotten super strong since I last saw him. So thanks. And, sorry you had to sleep on the couch.”
Steve shrugged his shoulders, waving a hand at her. Silently saying it was no big deal. He’d do it again in a heartbeat. Then he turned around, moving to the staircase, “Hey! You little shit. Time to wake up! Y/N’s making you pancakes so you better get your ass down here.”
“Why do you call him that? Don’t you...y’know...care about him?”
Steve went to the cabinet to grab some coffee to make, since it was the least he could do as Y/N was making breakfast. “Yeah, but I gotta keep up my rep. Can’t let the kid think I actually like him or somethin’.”
Y/N just shook her head with a chuckle, and turned her attention back to the pancakes she was making. By the time she was done with the last batch, Dustin was downstairs and fully dressed and ready for the day.
“Morning Y/N. I can’t believe you fell asleep during that movie! Can you believe that, Steve? Totally passed out.” Dustin teased his cousin.
“Ha ha.” Y/N rolled her eyes, turning to her cousin with her hands on her hips, “Do you need me to remind you of the time I took you to see The Little Mermaid and you were crying when you thought Prince Eric and Ariel wouldn’t get together in the end.” Y/N shot back, putting the plate of pancakes down on the table and taking a seat. Dustin glared at her, but Steve was chuckling to himself as he put the mug of coffee down in front of Y/N, before getting some juice for Dustin and sitting down himself.
“Y/N! You promised never to mention that again!” Dustin whined, grabbing a pile of pancakes for himself before adding copious amounts of syrup to them.
“Well think about that next time, Dusty. I’ve got a whole lot of embarrassing stories I could share about you.” Y/N singsonged, a teasing tone back in her voice as she reached across the table and poked Dustin’s cheek. He swatted her hand away, glaring and pouting. She would never share the worst stories, but she liked to make Dustin think every once in a while that she might.
Dustin stuck his tongue out at her. Y/N copied the motion. Steve held up his hands and looked between the two, “Children! Children! Please.” he said. To that, Y/N and Dustin just turned their attention to Steve, sticking their tongues out at him. Steve just stared at them, shaking his head. “You sure you aren’t siblings?” he chuckled, turning his attention to the plate of pancakes in front of him.
“So, when are we heading to Mike’s?” Y/N asked, after she took a bite of her pancake stack, which she’d covered in cinnamon sugar.
“We usually go over around three or four.” Dustin said, his mouth full of pancakes. After he swallowed, he turned his attention to Steve. “You coming today? I know we kept making fun of you last week, but it’s only because you...well, you sucked.” Dustin said, attempting to keep his laughter down.
Steve chuckled, “What a kind invite, Dustin.”
“What? Dude? I said you sucked. I didn’t say you couldn’t get better.” Dustin replied, before turning back to his pancakes. “Maybe with a miracle.” Dustin mumbled under his breath as he took another bite.
“I heard that!” Steve exclaimed, glaring at Dustin from the opposite side of the table. Y/N just giggled, amused.
“Jonathan and Nance should be there. And Y/N. I mean, who else do you hang out with?” Dustin question, turning back up to look at Steve.
Steve rolled his eyes before tossing a bit of pancake at the smaller boy. Before Y/N could say anything, it turned into an all out battle between the pair.
Y/N excused herself, “You guys are so cleaning this mess up.” she said, picking up her empty plate before washing it in the sink and leaving the room.
Y/N went to the guest room and picked up the phone, dialing the familiar number to the Wheeler house.
“Wheeler residence! This is Mike.” she was greeted.
“Mike! You sound almost grown up.” Y/N gushed.
“Y/N! It really is you! I almost didn’t believe Dustin when he said you were back!” Mike exclaimed, happy to hear her voice.
“Is that Y/N? Gimme the phone, Mike!” Y/N could hear the muffled voice of her friend Nancy in the background.
“Nu uh, she called and I answered. That’s how it works. Besides, Y/N wants to talk to me, right?”
It took Y/N a minute to realize Mike had addressed that last bit of his question to her. He asked again and she spoke, “I’m seeing you later, Mikey.” she said to the younger boy, who’s expression she could almost feel drop as soon as she said those words. “Can you put Nance on, pretty please?”
“Fine.” he replied, handing the phone off to Nancy with a backhanded comment about how no one even uses the phone anyway. Nancy giggled as she picked up the phone from where her brother had left it.
“Y/N! I’ve missed you. Why are you back? How’s New York? How’s everything? You’ve got to tell me all about it.”
“Nancy! I missed you. But before we get to anything--Dustin told me you and Jonathan are seeing each other?” Y/N asked, wiggling her eyebrows, “When exactly did this happen?”
Nancy giggled, “Recently. It’s this whole long story, but I promise to fill you in. Dustin says you’re staying in town for a while?”
“Yeah. Mom and Dad went off to Italy. Something about fixing their marriage or trying to bring themselves back together. They say it’ll only be a month or two tops, but I could be here for a long time. I mean, you remember what they’re like.” Y/N explained, attempting to make her voice sound light, like she was joking. But it came off a bit strained. Nancy made a note to question her about that later. Y/N could already sense that Nancy would ask about it.
“Yay! Are you going to be coming to school with us?” Nancy asked, hopefully.
“Yup. I have to keep my grades up.”
“You always were a nerd.” Nancy teased.
“Says the nerd!” Y/N giggled.
Nancy replied, but Y/N couldn’t hear what her friend said when Dustin poked his head in the room. “Hey, Y/N, Steve’s trying to clean up in the kitchen and he’s not doing a good job.”
Y/N rolled her eyes, sighing. She heard Steve from downstairs in the kitchen saying, “It’s just this freakin’ pan, don’t act like I don’t know what I’m doing Dustin.”
“Why don’t you help him, Dustin?” Y/N asked, moving the phone away from her ear. “I’m kinda on the phone.” she could hear Nancy laughing in the background.
“I gotta go with Lucas to pick Max up. We’re going to the arcade for a bit before we meet up at Mike’s!” Dustin said, running back to his room. “Tell Nancy I said I’ll see her and Mike at three!” he called.
Y/N sighed, putting the phone back to her ear. “Sorry, Nance, I have to go. Apparently Dustin’s going to Lucas’ to go to Max’s and Steve’s downstairs trying to clean but apparently he’s shit at it or something. Can’t have Aunt Claudia coming back to a messy house.” Y/N paused for a minute. “I’ll be over around three, though.”
Nancy was about to say goodbye and hang up when she recognized who Y/N was talking about. “Steve’s there? What’s Steve doing there?”
“He had a movie night with Dustin and stayed the night.” Y/N explained, wondering why her friend was so curious. “Steve Harrington is the guy you told me about? The one you were dating?” Y/N choked on her words, gasping at the realization.
Nancy replied, “Mhm, the one and only.”
Y/N felt her breath catch in her throat. “You dated the little boy I had a crush on when we were kids?”
Nancy stuttered for a moment, attempting to answer her friend. But Y/N was distracted as she heard Steve calling from the kitchen, “Hey, Y/N, didn’t Dustin call you to help me? I’m suffering down here.”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “In a minute!” she called back, holding the phone away from her ear. “Sorry Nance, I have to go.” Y/N went to hang up when Nancy’s voice stopped her.
“Y/N, don’t worry, it’s practically ancient history at this point. I’ll see you at three Y/N! Mike says don’t be late!”
And with that, Nancy hung up, leaving Y/N curious about what she meant by her last comments before she hung up the phone. Y/N looked at the phone in her hands, staring as she heard the dial tone. After keeping sporadic touch with Nancy over the years, Y/N knew Nancy was dating someone. But for it to be the little boy she saw all those years ago and developed a fleeting crush on, Y/N hadn’t expected that.
“Y/N!” Steve called, getting Y/N out of her trance.
Y/N hung up the phone in her hands and ran down the stairs. “Coming.” she said, hopping down and meeting Steve in the kitchen. He was looking down at the pan in the sink. “I was catching up with Nancy.” Y/N said, moving to the sink and nudging Steve out of the way. She grabbed the soap from under the sink and began to clean the pan she’d used for the pancakes. “You do know this isn’t hard to clean, right?” she said, turning her gaze to look at Steve.
“I don’t really--so I’ve never...done dishes before.” the teenage boy admitted.
This caused Y/N to laugh out loud. “Are you serious?”
Steve shrugged, looking at the dishes she was cleaning. “I usually wind up going out. My parents aren’t around much.”
“Neither are mine. You don’t see me unable to wash some simple dishes.” Y/N teased with a laugh. “You see, you take some soap and a sponge.”
“You’re hilarious.” Steve deadpanned, shaking his head.
“Remember that.” Y/N chuckled, nudging her elbow against Steve’s arm. She leaned over and grabbed the drying cloth. “Think you can handle drying.” Y/N teased, holding out the cloth for Steve to take.
“I think I can.” he replied, taking the cloth and the pan too, moving to the side to dry.
Y/N just continued to wash the dishes in the sink, passing them on to Steve when they were done. They didn’t really chat much, but Y/N was humming along to a song she’d been listening to earlier. Steve didn’t say anything, he was surprisingly enjoying the silence between the pair.
An hour later, Y/N was putting dishes away and Steve had gone out to his car. Apparently he’d brought a bag of clothes. Just in case, he’d explained. He went to the bathroom to change, and Y/N called the number Aunt Claudia left for her friend Mary’s. She told her Aunt Claudia that everything was going well and that they were going to be at the Wheeler’s so when she got home she should call them there.
It was nearly three o’clock when Steve came back down, his hair perfectly in place. He was grateful he’d told Dustin his secret--he didn’t have to leave the Henderson’s with messy hair that way.
“Y/N, wanna head on over to the Wheeler’s?” Steve asked, twirling his car keys in his hand as he waited for her reply. When she nodded, Steve went to the door, holding it open for her to exit.
“It’s not that far. We can probably walk there.” Y/N said, turning to look at Steve when he closed the door, locking it with the hide-a-key he’d used the previous day before hiding it in it’s rightful spot--the potted plant by the door.
“Are you serious? It’s freezing.” Steve shook his head, turning her toward his car. “I’ll drive.”
“If you insist.”
The pair arrived at the Wheeler house just before three, and before Y/N could get out of Steve’s car, the front door opened. Out walked Mike, Nancy, Jonathan, Will, and a girl Y/N didn’t recognize.
“Y/N!” Mike and Will called out, waving and running to the car. It was clear they’d all been waiting for the arrival of the others, watching from the window to see when they’d all get there. As soon as Y/N was out of the car the pair hugged her.
“I missed you guys too.” Y/N smiled, hugging them back just as tightly as they held onto her. “Hey Nance, Jonathan.” She wormed her way out of the grasp the two younger teens had on her and made her way over to the girl, a smile on her face as she held out her hand, “And you must be El. I’m Y/N Henderson.”
“Jane.” Eleven replied, shaking Y/N’s hand after a moment of hesitation.
Y/N raised her eyebrows at the nickname. How had they gotten El from Jane? But she didn’t say anything. “Nice to meet you.” She was about to say something else when she heard bikes coming to a stop and turned around.
“I thought Dustin was playing a cruel joke!” Lucas said, getting off his bike and putting his helmet down on the handles. “I mean, you haven’t come around in so long, Y/N. I thought we wouldn’t see you again.”
Y/N bit her lip at the mention of her absence. She was about to say something, address it, before Lucas continued speaking.
“This is Max!” Lucas said, walking over with a redheaded girl. “Max, this is Y/N. She’s the cooler Henderson.” Lucas added the last bit in a whisper.
“I heard that!” Dustin said, shoving Lucas’ shoulder as he walked passed. Y/N just laughed.
“Nice to meet you Max.” Y/N said with a smile, before saying, “And good to see you too, Lucas.”
“Alright. Let’s get on with this game everyone!” Dustin called, as he was already halfway down to the basement entrance to the Wheeler house. Everyone just looked at him. When he realized no one was following he turned back around and raised his arms, exasperatedly, “Let’s go!”
Everyone rolled their eyes, but one by one they followed Dustin’s lead into the basement, getting ready for the weekly game of DnD.
#stranger things imagine#steve harrington x reader#dustin henderson x reader#steve harrington imagine#steve harrington fic#dancing in the kitchen
397 notes
·
View notes
Text
Hi friends! It’s been a while since I last did a TTT post and I really missed it! When I saw what the prompt was for today, it really got me thinking about books I read as a kid and the places/people/objects I associate with them. So for a change of pace, instead of focusing on YA books like I usually do, this is gonna be somewhat of a throwback post featuring a list of my favorite series/books from childhood!
And in case you’re not aware, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl where you respond to a topic with a list of books that fit the prompt.
1. The Magic Tree House
Were you ever really a kid if you didn’t read these books? Magic Tree House was arguably the first “chapter” book series that I ever read, every time I think of these books I picture sitting in bed at night time next to my mom. She started out reading these aloud to me and eventually when we got to books 50? 60? (there were a LOT of Magic Tree House books lol) I transitioned into being able to read by myself. So happy memories will always be associated with these books!
2. Skippy Jon Jones
Now we’re flashing back to some eeearly childhood memories with these hilarious picture books. Whenever I see the cover of Skippy Jon Jones I can’t help but hear my dad singing the little songs from the book in a terrible Spanish accent, “El Bandito Friskito!” This crazy story about a Siamese cat that wishes he was a Chihuahua literally warms my heart to this day.
Fun Fact: the one where Skippy travels back into Ancient Egypt was by far my favorite!
3. Junie B. Jones
I read this series around the same time as Magic Tree House, and I just remember sitting in my first grade classroom, curled up in a corner by myself during reading time and laughing my butt off. I thought this was the funniest series, mostly because I related to Junie B. and all of her sassy antics. I still have all these books on my shelf today!
4. The Spiderwick Chronicles
Some of you might remember this as being one of Holly Black’s first series, I think they’re still some really good books! My clearest memory associated with the Spiderwick books is actually sitting in my elementary school media center and taking an “AR test” (I don’t even remember what AR stands for, but I took a small test after I read each book to get points that I could eventually use for…something. I actually have no idea what the points were for but it was serious business for a third grader). I recall that there was some question about the goblins in the book that I got wrong, and I was so mad at myself I still haven’t forgotten it!
5. Red Pyramid
It would actually be more appropriate to include the Percy Jackson series on this list, since they were arguably the most influential books of my entire life. But a much more specific memory sticks out for The Red Pyramid—my fifth grade classroom, leaving my shiny brand new hardcover on my desk, only half read, and returning from the bathroom to find it had mysteriously disappeared! I searched all over, told the teacher, and even brought my dad in the next day to talk about it. We never did find it and I’m still low-key convinced that another eager fifth-grader might have stolen it.
6. Kipper the Dog
Whenever I think of this adorable British picture book, I can feel the wooden floor of my very first house as I sit next to my mom while she reads the bold letters and turns the book around to show me the illustrations. Kipper is one of those books I’ll be reading to my kids one day, I loved it so much. He also had a cute TV show to go with the books that I remember even more!
7. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Ahhhh this was one of my favorites as a kid! I must have read this book no less than a 100 times with my mom. I remember I always wanted cookies after reading it, lol! I just got the biggest wave of nostalgia while googling images of this series, Mouse is the first book I believe but I’m pretty sure Pig a Party was my favorite since it included the entire cast of characters!
8. The Bailey School Kids
This series was a lot like Junie B. Jones and Magic Tree House, because there were a ton of them. I binge read (before that was even a term) all of these chapter books in the second grade, I remember sitting on a rough carpet in the back of the classroom near the teacher’s desk, the lights dimmed low and sneaking a read during nap time. So basically, not much has changed about me.
9. Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat
This was probably one of the first middle grade books that I ever read, I’m pretty sure it was a required reading book in 4th or 5th grade. The memory I have of this book is mostly of thumbing all the pages on the side, since it had one of those moving pictures on the side. As you flipped the pages rapidly, it looked like a rat was falling down the side of the book!
10. The Berenstain Bears
What kind of childhood throwback post would this be without some Bernstein Bears? These books I actually remember reading with some of my friends in preschool, we’d sit next to the tiny bookshelf and flip through all the illustrations picking which ones we liked best. Of course, I was the nerdy friend who actually wanted to read the book but my friends would turn the pages too fast!
Did you guys read any of these books as kids? What are some memories you associate with your childhood favorites? Link me to your TTT post if you made one!
Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads | Bloglovin
Top Ten Tuesday: Books with Sensory Reading Memories Hi friends! It's been a while since I last did a TTT post and I really missed it!
2 notes
·
View notes